There’s no shortage of things to do in the North East for families. We’ve rounded up some of the top spots recommended by local parents, including for:
👶Babies and toddlers
👦Older kids and teens
🌳Parks & walks
🌞Playgrounds
🚲Easy paths for bikes/scooters/buggies
🐟Streams for plodging
There’s a printable pdf for each ‘Top 10s’ guide – perfect to print & keep handy so you’ll never be stuck for ideas! Most guides are split into areas to help find the best things to do with kids in Gateshead, Newcastle, Sunderland, South Tyneside, North Tyneside, Durham & Northumberland, and there’s also a 👇handy map below👇 to help plan your days out.
Details are subject to change, please check for the latest updates directly with venues.
👶Top Tens for Tiny Ones
A handy list of places perfect for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers, including farms and zoos, play cafes, soft plays (including pop-up soft play/gymnastics) & more. Print here.
For more details on the venues below, plus tons of other ideas for fun days out for all ages, see our Days Out A-Z. The list below doesn’t include some regular family favourites, which may have a later opening date or be running with limited facilities. As more normality returns, look out for extra details being added here.
You can also find Classes for Under 5s in Gateshead, including messy play, dance, drama, sensory, music and sports.
👦Days Out with Kids & Teens
Inspiration for fun days out for kids and teens (and grown ups!), with plenty to choose from for crafty kids, animal lovers, gamers, adrenaline junkies & more. Print here. For more details on the places below see our Days Out A-Z.
🌞Playgrounds in the North East
Top playgrounds in favourite parks, including with sand and water play (opening announcements below for popular Water Play areas for summer 2021, plus top plodging spots regularly recommended in map below!).
Print here, and use the map below to find tons more playgrounds big and small – whether you just fancy a change from the usual or if you’re out & about and need a quick stop for the kids to let off steam!
Details are subject to change and some venues/facilities may be unavailable at times (particularly seasonal water play) due to Covid restrictions and closures for repairs, refurbishment etc. Luckily there’s loads to choose from on our ‘Playground Finder’ map below if you need a plan B!
📌Riverside Park, Chester-le-Street, Co Durham, DH3 3PL
💦Splash pad open Mon 12th July – Sun 5th Sep 2021. Open 10am-6pm (weather permitting), initially operating 30 minute slots with a max of 39 people on pad. Look out updates with Friends of Riverside Park.
📌Hirst Park, Ashington, Northumberland, NE63 9BA
💦Splash park open from 29th May 2021. Open daily from 11am. Check for updates with Friends of Hirst Park.
📌Ridley Park, Blyth, Northumberland, NE24 3HF
💦Splash pad open from 17th June 2021 (after slight delays to planned opening due to technical issues). Check for updates with Friends of Ridley Park.
🚲 Easy Paths for Bikes, Scooters and Buggy Walks
The top spots in the North East for kids to practice on bikes and scooters. Ideal for new learners & little legs, or for buggy walks. Some of these paths form part of the National Cycle Network (NCN), more info and other routes here. Print here.
🌳Parks & Walks in the North East
A bumper list of favourite parks, gardens, woodland, nature reserves & beaches. Most places are free to visit (although parking charges may apply) apart from those with a ticket logo, where you may need to buy tickets in advance.
Print here, and find more details and ideas for North East parks and walks here, plus Gateshead walks away from the crowds here.
Gateshead Mumbler Top 10s Map
Map Key
Babies, Toddlers & Pre-School
Days Out with Kids & Teens
Parks & Walks
Playgrounds
Easy Cycle Paths
Streams for Plodging
Toddler Term-Time Specials (more info here)
Pubs/Cafes with Outdoors Play Areas (more info here)
Top Picks for Ice Cream (more info here)
Please check precise locations, parking arrangements and booking arrangements before travelling. Avoid peak times where possible and be prepared to be flexible – if somewhere is busy it may be necessary to move on and visit another time.
If you’d like to keep up to date when new resources are added, please click here and like the Gateshead Mumbler Facebook page 🙂
