As well as the ideas below, there are lots of indoor activities listed here:
Cinema & Theatre
Play Cafes / Craft Cafes
Soft Play & Trampoline Parks
๐ Union Hall Farm, Brasside, Durham, DH1 5SG
Adventure Valley is North East’s biggest Family Adventure Park! With over 50 activities and attractions, themed events every school holiday, outdoor adventure play, 18,000 sq feet of indoor play, undercover Farm Yard & Creature Corner and acres of more!
๐ For more info, visit @AdventureV
๐ซ Tickets from ยฃ8.95 – ยฃ14.20 (babies & 1 year old’s: free)
Passes: Term Time – ยฃ35 pp per year. Annual – ยฃ70-ยฃ75 pp
๐ Gateshead Quays South Shore Road, Gateshead, NE8 3BA
You can enjoy a changing programme of exhibitions, stunning views, a cafe bar and gift shop. There’s also an open area on Level 2 where kids can get creative with crafts and toys, plus a sensory room and sensory wall for infants.
๐ For more info, visit @balticgateshead
๐ซ Free entry, donations welcome.
๐ Tynemouth, North Tyneside, NE3O 4JF
Over 40 different displays, from local waters to the more exotic, including black tip reef shark and cownose rays, seals and monkeys. Watch colourful fish all around as you walk through the ocean tunnel.
๐ For more info, visit @TynemouthAquarium
๐ซ From ยฃ8.50 – ยฃ10.95 | Family from ยฃ37.90
๐ย Blandford Square, Newcastle, NE1 4JA
Exhibitions on local maritime, scientific and technological history, including Science Maze with interactive exhibitions, toddler play space and ‘play+invent’ space for older children. Plus, RAF Red Arrows Flight Simulator ride (min height 42″).
๐ For more info, visit @newcastlediscovery
๐ซย Free (donations welcome). Charges apply for flight simulator & selected activities.
๐ The Chapter Office, The College, Durham, DH1 3EH
Welcoming of all faiths and ages, with guided tours and regular toddler/family activities. Borrow a kid’s backpack with toys and games, and see the 300,000 brick Lego replica cathedral.
๐ For more info, visit @durhamcathedral
๐ซ Free (donations welcome)
๐ Meadowfield Industrial Estate, Durham, DH7 8TZ
Catering for every level of climber, the Advanced area (ages 12+) has a good selection of routes in coloured circuits, the Junior wall has easier problems and gentle slopes. There are Parent and Toddler sessions on weekdays mornings on the Junior wall.
๐ For more info, visit @Durham Climbing Centre
๐ซ From ยฃ4 (discounts with membership)
๐ Heworth Leisure Centre, Gateshead, NE10 0PD
The ultimate surfing and body-boarding experience suitable for children and adults, and holds up to eight people at a time so your friends can all get involved.
๐ For more info, visit @GO Gateshead
๐ซ From ยฃ10-ยฃ12 pp
Age 5+ (plus height restrictions)
๐ Pier Parade, South Shields, South Tyneside, NE33 2JS
Indoor swimming pool with large twisty flume slide, family bubble spa and a water play area for younger children with bridges, slides, jet sprays and bubble features. Cafe serving snacks.
๐ For more info, visit South Tyneside Council
๐ซ From ยฃ1.15-ยฃ5.35 pp / Family from ยฃ18.55
Cardholder discount available
๐ Galleries Retail Park, Washington, Sunderland, NE38 7RZ
American themed ten pin bowling alley, with amusements and American diner.
๐ For more info, visit @HWBWashington
๐ซ From ยฃ5.35-ยฃ6.35pp | Families from ยฃ22.23
๐ Hangmans Lane, Sunderland, SR3 2PR
One of the largest karting circuits in the UK, with a highly experienced team, paintball (age 8+), competitive archery and tomahawk games (age 8+) and the fastest hire off-road rage buggies in the UK (age 12+).
๐ For more info, visit @knekartingnortheast
๐ซ From ยฃ25pp
From age 8+
๐ New Bridge Street, Newcastle, NE1 8AG
Art and sculpture galleries, including a play space for toddlers with toys, books and dress-up, and weekly pre-school workshops with gallery exploration, practical art activity and story time (term-time only, booking required). Also regular Saturday art classes for 10-15 years (booking required). Cafe serving hot and cold meals.
For more info, visit @laingartgallery
๐ซ Free, donations welcome
๐John Street, Sunderland, SR1 1RH
An action packed sci-fi adventure with infra red equipment and a futuristic body pack. Navigate the Labyrinth, with mazes and catwalks on two levels, swirling fog and other effects. Laser Quest is also the home of Clue HQ live escape game and Galaxy Quest Minigolf.
๐ For more info, visit @LQSunderland
๐ซ From ยฃ5.95pp
Recommended age 7+
๐ Sea Road, South Shields, South Tyneside, NE33 2LD
A fun indoor game ideal for kids and adults of all ages, located within Ocean Beach Pleasure Park which is packed with attractions, rides and food outlets.
๐ For more info, visit @Quasar.Shields
๐ซ Prices from ยฃ8 pp (party/group discounts available)
Age 6+
๐ Life Science Centre, Times Square, Newcastle, NE1 4EP
Life is an amazing science centre with hands-on exhibitions and a changing programme of activities throughout the year. Highlights include: Space Zone, Live Theatre Shows, Making Studios, Experiment Zone, Under 7sย Play Zone, the biggest Planetarium in the north, and the brand new WOW Zone with dramatic demonstrations and brain teasing exhibits.
๐ For more info, visit @scienceatlife
๐ซ From ยฃ10-ยฃ13.50 pp (age 2 and under free)
Some age restrictions apply. See website for details
๐ intu Metrocentre, Gateshead, NE11 9YG
‘Fun Buggy’ ride-on cars can be hired from customer service desks, and a mini train ride from Exhibition Square.There’s also a small outdoor play area outside the Qube entrance for ages 3-10. Click here for info on NAMCO Funscape, Angry Bids Golf, Odeon Cinema & Clip ‘n’ Climb.
๐ For more info, visit @mymetrocentre
๐ซ Activity prices vary, from ยฃ3
๐ The Gate, Newcastle, NE1 5RZ
Three space-themed courses, with atmospheric surroundings including a secret airship hangar and a crash landing on the moon. Each course has 9 holes designed to suit all ages and abilities. Plus electro-darts, ping pong, pool and restaurant & bar.
๐ For more info, visit @MrMulligansNewcastle
๐ซ From ยฃ9 pp | Family ยฃ34.50
๐ Liberty Way, Sunderland, SR6 0GL
Gallery exhibitions, daily glass making demonstrations and a virtual glass making game, plus borrow aย kids adventure backpack with activity cards and colouring activities (ยฃ5 refundable deposit, ages 4+). Regular family workshops including glass painting, glass fusing and sandblasting. Cafe serving breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea.
๐ For more info, visit @nationalglasscentresunderland
๐ซ Free, donations welcome.
๐ St Marks Church, Shields Rd, Newcastle, NE6 2UQ
Taster sessions, introductory courses and instruction in a unique listed building, providing a spectacular climbing environment with over 1,200sqm of climbing walls for roped climbing, lead wall and bouldering, from novice to expert level.
๐ For more info, visit @newcastleclimbingcentre
๐ซ From ยฃ7.50pp (discounts with various membership/passes)
Ages 5+
๐ King Street, Gateshead, NE8 2YE
Indoor paintball, laser tag, airsoft or NERF wars in a 15,000 sq ft, 2-floor indoor arena. Different game zones with cool props, such as a full size tube train, two stories train station, shops, hospital, autopsy room, and ‘infected’ town.
๐ For more info, visit @nolimitsnewcastle
๐ซย Laser Tag/NERF from ยฃ15pp | Airsoft from ยฃ28 | Paintball from ยฃ30
Age 6+ for Laser Tag/NERF, age 11+ other activities
๐ Shaftsbury Avenue, Jarrow, South Tyneside, NE32 3UP
A 10,000sqft indoor skate park facility for BMX, skateboard, inline and scooter riders of all ages, featuring ramps suitable for beginners to the more experienced.
๐ For more info, visit @OverrideSkatepark
๐ซ From ยฃ5.20 pp
General sessions age 5+
๐ St Mary’s Square, Gateshead Quays, Gateshead, NE8 2JR
Enjoy fun, creative and engaging family concerts and workshops. You can also make a visit for the free childrenโs playspace, crafts, and cafe.
๐ For more info, visit @Sage Gateshead
๐ซ Free entry, performances prices vary
*FREE metro travel to/from Gateshead, retain concert ticket for inspection on Metro
๐ 30 Lime Street, Newcastle, NE1 2PQ
The National Centre for Childrenโs Books, with specialist children’s bookshop, cafe, regular family events and free interactive exhibitions and galleries celebrating popular authors and illustrators past and present,
๐ For more info, visit @7Stories
๐ซ Free entry to galleries and bookshop (charges apply for special workshops & events)
๐ Prince Consort Road, NE8 4JB
Five gallery spaces showing a range of exhibitions, with regular events including family activities. There is a children’s play space with toys and books, plus you can request a ‘Magic Carpet’ play mat or Toddler Backpack with additional toys and creative activities.
๐ For more info, visit @Shipley Art Gallery
๐ซ Free entry, donations welcome.
๐ Ocean Road, South Shields, South Tyneside, NE33 2JA
Works of art and interactive exhibits on local social, industrial and maritime history, and 20th century author Catherine Cookson. Plus Creature Corner with live reptiles and insects and free family activities during school holidays. Cafe serving hot and cold refreshments.
๐ For more info, visit @South Shields Museum & Art Gallery
๐ซ Free, donations welcome
๐ Oakwellgate, Gateshead, NE8 2AU
Medieval, grade one-listed building formerly a parish church, with displays about local history and a heritage bookshop. Also events and workshops including children’s activities, local history talks, tours, concerts and performances.
๐ Free entry. For more info, visit @stmarysheritagecentre
๐ Middle Engine Lane, North Shields, North Tyneside, NE29 8DX
Steam railway museum with interactive exhibitions and a range locomotives and carriages. On Sundays, bank holidays (and selected dates) take a four mile return trip on a vintage locomotive in 1950s passenger carriages.
๐ For more info, visit @stephensonrailway
๐ซ Museum free (donations welcome).
Train rides from ยฃ5-ยฃ7 pp / Family from ยฃ17 (under 5s free)
Seasonal opening, typically closed Nov-Jan (excluding special events)
๐ Pallion Quay, Sunderland, SR4 6TQ
Boasting a 23 metre lead wall, over 900m2 of climbing and bouldering and over 120 routes, suitable for all abilities. There’s a range of classes and kids clubs, including a bouldering class for ages 3 – 7 years. Equipment hire available on site.
๐ For more info, visit @sunderlandwall159
๐ซ From ยฃ5-ยฃ7pp
Age 3+
๐ Scotswood Road, Newcastle, NE15 6UX
With two multi-level race tracks, each accommodating over 16 karts at a time, you can race against friends and friends. TeamSport’s Cadet Karts are especially designed to be safe and comfortable for kids from 8 years.
๐ For more info, visit @TeamSport Karting (Newcastle upon Tyne)
๐ซ From ยฃ33pp
Age 8+ (also required to have an inside leg measurement of at least 25 inches)ย
๐ Barras Bridge, Newcastle, NE2 4PT
Interactive displays on Natural Science, Living Planet, World Culture, Archaeology and Geology, with full sized replica T-rex skeleton and wide range of animals and sea creatures. Plus, a Planetarium and regular family workshops and events.
๐ For more info, visit @greatnorthmuseum
๐ซ Free (donations welcome). Charges apply for Planetarium.
๐ 496 Durham Road, Low Fell, Gateshead, NE9 6HU
Paint your own pottery studio & cafรฉ where you can choose from a huge selection of items including mugs, plates, tea pots, money boxes, collectable animals, trinket boxes and pirates and princess pieces.
๐ For more info, visit @The Kiln Pottery Studio
๐ซ Pottery individually priced, starting at ยฃ5.
๐ Pallion Residents Enterprise, Sunderland, SR4 6SN
An immersive experience where youโre locked in a series of rooms and presented with a live escape game filled with clues and puzzles, you and your team must work your way out.
๐ For more info, visit @The Strategy Sunderland – Live Escape Games
๐ซ Prices start from ยฃ40.
๐ Market Place, South Shields, South Tyneside,ย NE33 1JF
Children and adult library books, special themed exhibitions, rooftop viewing terrace, gaming zone with retro console games, workshops using 3D printers and vinyl/laser cutters (booking required) and regular family-friendly activities and events. Cafe serving breakfasts, lunches and snacks.
๐ For more info, visit @worduk
๐ซ Free (charges apply for selected workshops & activities)
๐ Rennys Lane Ind Est, Gilesgate Moor, Durham, DH1 2RS
200m indoor go karting track with a disco atmosphere, including ultra violet tubes, strobes, spotlights, music and smoke machines. Competition sessions or basic open sessions, designed to just enjoy or to improve your racing techniques.
๐ For more info, visit @topgearkarting
๐ซ From ยฃ20pp
Age 8+ (min height 4ft 2in)
๐ Lime Street, Ouseburn Valley, Newcastle, NE1 2PQ
Guided tours of the Victoria Tunnel, used to transport coal under the city during the 1800s then converted into an air raid shelter during World War 2. Learn what colliery life was like and listen to ghostly tales.
๐ For more info, visit @VictoriaTunnelTours
๐ซ From ยฃ5-ยฃ12 pp
Suitable for ages 7+
๐ The Links, Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, NE26 1TQ
Swimming pool with wave machine and flume slides, and children’s play pool featuring pirate ship with small slides. Compact two-tiered soft play, gym, spa and coffee shop serving snacks and treats. Also after school and school holiday activities offered.
๐ For more info, visit @wavesNTC
๐ซ From 70p-ยฃ6.50 pp / Family from ยฃ9.30 – ยฃ21.70
Cardholder discounts
๐ Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 6AW
Family run farm with a range of large and small animals and petting/feeding sessions. Indoor racing cars and 3-tiered soft play with toddler area. Outdoor tractor-trailer rides, pedal go-karts and tractors, frisbee golf, maze, trampolines and adventure playground. Cafe serving breakfast, lunch and main meals.
๐ For more info, visit @whitehousefarm
๐ซ From ยฃ8.25 | Family from ยฃ32.25 (under 2 years: free)
*Opening hours vary seasonally, closed apart from special events Nov-Jan
๐ Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, NE25 8HP
Open all year round for fun, exercise and developing skills. There are open sessions and various classes, including a gentle introductory class for 2-6 year olds. There is a weekly skate disco on Friday nights. You can also watch Whitley Warriors Ice Hockey team matches.
๐ For more info, visit @Whitleybayicerink
๐ซ From ยฃ7-ยฃ8 pp | Family from ยฃ27 (plus ยฃ3 charge applies for skate hire)
Age 2+