Keep the kids busy without breaking the bank this summer, with our bumper guide to family-friendly events across the North East! The free and low cost activities below don’t need to be pre-booked, so are perfect for those last minute plans. There’s fun for all ages with family fun days, kids clubs, live music, arts & crafts, funfairs and much more.
You can browse the A-Z below or check our quick guide in date order here. More events will be added throughout the summer so do check back, and if you have any recommendations to add, please do get in touch here🙂
Details are subject to change, some events may be weather dependent and may be subject to availability. Please check all details directly with organisers before travelling, using the purple links below. Facebook links are provided for the latest updates, followed by event info where available. Some venues also offer a range of bookable events – check directly with organisers for a full schedule via links below.
Arbeia Roman Fort – Crafty Romans & Demos
📌 Arbeia Roman Fort, South Shields
📆 July – Aug 2023
🌞 Crafty Romans drop-in crafts every Wednesday through summer, plus re-enactment & demonstrations on selected weekends – including Meet the Tungrians (29th-30th July), Call the Cavalry (5th Aug) & Meet Frances the Mule (19th Aug).
👉 Free entry (donations welcome), no booking needed, more info here.
BALTIC Gateshead – Family Activities
Gateshead Quays, South Shore Road, Gateshead, NE8 3BA
22nd July – 3rd Sep 2023
🌞 Cereal Disco & Doodle with free cereal, fruit and juice, plus Time to Grow planting, crafts and talks. Available in Front Room, 9.30-11am Wed-Sun throughout the summer (Time to Grow may not run selected Saturdays – check for updates). Free tea & coffee kindly provided by Pumphreys all day.
🌞 Swap & Share community events: Houseplants (Sat 5th Aug) & Ready for School (Fri 1st – Sat 2nd Sep).
Free, more info here.
Blyth Town Council – Summer Events
Blyth, Northumberland
August 2023
🌞 Circus School: practise your balancing and juggling skills! @Blyth Beach, Fri 4th – Sat 5th Aug 2023
🌞 Art in the Park: children will be painting on wood (in pen form), which will be varnished and displayed in the park. We will also have other activities to take part in @Ridley Park, Fri 11th Aug.
🌞 Sandcastle Competition: annual competition with prizes awarded for the best-built castles on the day @Blyth Beach, Fri 25 Aug.
Free, more info here.
Chester-le-Street Police – Activity Week
📌 Burns Green, Chester-le-Street, DH3 3QH
📆 Mon 7th – Fri 11th Aug 2023
🌞 Annual Activity Week, with all activities are free of charge – including bouncy castles, fair ground rides and assault courses. Packed lunches welcome or food available to purchase from burger van and sweet van. 10am – 3pm.
👉 Free, updates here.
Activities aimed at children 4-11 years.
Crawcrook Fair 2023
📌 Crawcrook Park, Gateshead, NE40 4TX
📆 Sat 5th Aug 2023 **postponed to 9th Sep due to weather conditions**
🌞 Stalls, live music, face painting, bouncy castles, fairground rides and hot food and refreshments. Bringing the local community together, with all money raised used to support local community improvement activities.
👉 Free entry, more info here.
Curious Arts – Mini Pride
📌 Old Eldon Square, Newcastle, NE1 7JG
📆 Sat 22nd-Sun 23rd July 2023
🌞 Celebrating LGBTQIA+ arts, artists and audiences, with fun and creative activities, arts and crafts and interactive storytelling (suitable for ages 3-7). 10:30am – 3:30pm.
👉 Free, more info here.
Dalton Park – Beach Fest
📌 Murton, Co Durham, SR7 9HU
📆 14 Aug – 3 Sep 2023
🌞 Beach bonanza to celebrate the great British seaside, with a sandy beach and play area open daily, live music, beach hut trader stalls, fairground rides and much more across the three weeks.
👉 Free. More info here.
Darling Market Square – Summer Events
📌 Market Square, Darlington, Co Durham, DL1 5PX
📆 July – Aug 2023
🌞 Vintage Vehicle Rally: beautiful vintage vehicles, including cars and motorbikes. Sat 22nd July.
🌞 Darlington by the Sea: giant sandpit with sandcastle building, face painting, balloon modelling and fun and games. 24th – 28th July.
🌞 Pride Weekender: march, live music, street theatre, stalls from local organisations, merchandise, food and drink. Sat 12th Aug.
🌞 Move More Day: circus shows and workshops, bubbleologist, crazy golf, giant garden games, climbing wall, World Dance Gala and more. Wed 16th Aug.
🌞 Fairy Tales & Legends Day: Meet and greet characters, live theatre and crafts and games. Thurs 24 Aug.
🌞 Dinosaur Day: roaming Jurassic creatures, themed activities and live entertainment. Thurs 31st Aug.
🌞 Film Friday: outdoor film screenings, including classic family favourites and 3pm singalongs. 28th July – 1st Sep.
👉 Free. More info here.
Darlington Rugby Club – Free Monster Trucks Show
📌 Darlington, Co Durham, DL1 5NR
📆 Sat 29th-Sun 30th July 2023
🌞 Fun for all the family, with Monster Truck Show and Rides, Family Fun Fair, World Food Court and All Day Bar.
👉 Free entry, updates here.
Discovery Museum – Summer Events
📌 Blandford Square, Newcastle, NE1 4JA
📆 25th July – 29th Aug 2023
🌞 Summer Crafts: themed 30 min sessions every Tuesday during summer, including kaleidoscopes, hot air balloons, wooden ships and more, with free crafts and £1-£2 crafts available (advanced booking recommended here, limited drop in tickets available on the day).
🌞 Play on the Plaza: selected Thursdays enjoy free themed outdoor crafts, experiments and play, including Celebrate the Earth (3rd Aug) It’s all about Flight (17th Aug) and Bubbles Galore! (24th Aug).
👉 More info here.
Durham Botanic Garden – Summer Events
📌 Durham, DH1 3TN
📅 August 2023
🌞 A range of free events: explore bear habitats, messy bear art workshop and bear stories with Teddy Bears’ Picnic day (Mon 14th Aug), meet rabbits, frogs, snakes and more with Crazy Creatures (Thurs 17 Aug), plus story time for all ages with Tales From Around The World (Thurs 24th Aug).
👉 Included in entry fee, £5 per adult (16 & under free). More info here.
Durham Castle – Self-Guided Tours
📌 Durham, DH1 3RL
📆 Every Tues & Wed in August
🌞 Children trails, colouring and dressing up is available, and friendly guides and volunteers will be around to answer questions and share some stories and hidden history of the Castle.
👉 £5 per adult (under 16s free). No booking required, more info here.
Durham Cathedral – Gaia Family Activities
📌 Durham, DH1 3EP
📆 10th July – 10th Sep 2023
🌞 See the awe-inspiring 7-metre illuminated globe, Gaia, in the Cathedral’s Nave. Follow a recycling trail around the cathedral, pick up a free activity sheet to learn more about the world we live in, and create animal origami (Mon-Fri 11am-3pm during holiday).
👉 Free (donations welcome). More info here.
Durham Markets – Children’s Book Festival
📌 Market Place, Durham
📆 Thurs 24th – Fri 25th Aug 2023
🌞 Fun book-themed events bringing books to life for kids, including free entertainment for all ages, workshops with regional authors, a chance to write and illustrate your own stories – full schedule tbc
👉 Free, more info here.
Exhibition Park – Miniature Train Rides
📌 Newcastle, NE2 4PZ
📆 Sun 6th Aug & 3rd Sep 2023
🌞 Miniature open air train rides run on the first Sunday of every month (seasonal & weather permitting), with the Tyneside Society of Model & Experimental Engineers. 11am – 3pm.
👉 More info here.
Felling Volunteer Library – Summer Crafts
📌 Gateshead, NE10 9LT
📆 Wednesdays, 26th July – 30th Aug 2023
🌞 Summer crafts and free refreshments in the library, with a different theme and activities each week. 10.30am -12pm.
👉 Free, updates here.
Ferryhill Summer Gala
📌 Market Place, Ferryhill, Co Durham, DL17 8J
📆 Sat 29th – Sun 30th July 2023
🌞 Fairground rides and stalls and much more. Free parking available in the car park at the rear of Mel’s Travel.
👉 Free entry, more info here.
Gateshead Family Hubs – Summer Fun
📌 Across Gateshead
📆 July-Sep 2023
🌞 Soft Play drop-in for ages 0-5 years held on selected dates at Deckham Family Hub (older siblings welcome) and Felling Family Hub.
🌞 Summer drop-in sessions including: Baby (birth-1 year), Under 5s (older siblings welcome), and Outdoor Play held Mon-Fri across multiple centres.
👉 £1 per child, no booking needed, weekly timetables published here.
Gateshead Football Club Foundation – Summer Events
📌 Across Gateshead
📆 July – Aug 2023
🌞 Schooner in Bloom: planting and crafting activities and free tea, coffee and ice cream for attendees @Schooner Pub, South Shore Road, Thurs 27th July.
🌞 Community Breakfast & Fun Club: free hot and cold buffet and drinks with kids games, crafts and activities @Bensham Grove Community Hall. 24th July and 11th, 14th & 25th Aug
🌞 Football Pop-Ups: free pop up coaching sessions at parks throughout Gateshead, picnic food provided (ages 5 to 13). 26th & 28th July and 9th, 11th, 23rd & 25th Aug.
🌞 Tennis Pop-Ups: free pop up coaching sessions at Saltwell Park (ages 8 – 13). 31st July and 7th & 14th Aug.
👉 Free, full schedule here.
Gateshead Libraries – Summer Events
📌 Across Gateshead
📆 July – Aug 2023
🌞 A packed schedule of activities, with drop-in sessions including weekly Summer Storytime (under 5s), Bring Books to Life with Augmented Reality, and Games Playdates with board games and giant games.
👉 Free, more info here.
Gem Arts – Masala Festival Mini Mela
📌 Bensham Grove Community Centre, Gateshead, NE8 2XD
📆 Sun 23rd July 2023
🌞 Mini Mela is the finale of Masala Festival for all the family, celebrating South Asian Arts and Culture with Bollywood dance workshops, peacock printing, Rangoli and kite making, face painting and henna stations, mini book fair, delicious Indian food and more! 11am-3pm.
👉 Free. More info here.
Gosforth Nature Reserve – Open Day
📌 Gosforth, Newcastle, NE3 5EP
📆 Sat 22nd July 2023
🌞 A day of free fun activities for all ages – arts and crafts, explore the reserve and hides around the lake. 10am-3pm.
👉 Free entry for Open Day, more info here.
Great North Museum – Summer Events
📌 Newcastle, NE2 4PT
📆 25th July – 30th Aug 2023
🌞 Festival of British Archaeology with Mini Excavation, Museum Trail, Meet an Expert and Make & Take an Ancient Greek pot, Egyptian Amulet and Pinch Pot (Tues 25th – Wed 26th July). Plus Mouse Tales weekly story time for under 5’s, with songs and object handling (1.30-2pm Tuesdays, 1st – 22nd Aug), and weekly Moss Troopers Myth Maker Days bringing to life the new Myth Quest exhibition (Wednesdays, 26th July – 30th Aug).
👉 Free, no booking needed, more info here.
Harbottle Park – Funfair
📌 Byker, Newcastle, NE6 2AH
📆 Sat 19th – Sun 20th Aug 2023
🌞 Family funfair with favourite rides, stalls and children’s rides and giant inflatable slides. 11am – 5pm.
👉 Free entry, £2 per ride. more info here.
Hebburn Carr-Ellison – Carnival
📌 Carr Ellison Park, Hebburn, NE31 2UE
📆 Fri 21st – Sat 22nd July 2023
🌞 Annual event with live music, low noise firework display, fun fair, inflatables, drink and food outlets and various stalls.
👉 Free entry, more info here.
Hullabaloo in the Park
📌 South Park, Darlington, Co Durham, DL1 5TD
📆 26th – 30th July 2023
🌞 Diverse and inclusive programme aimed at families with children aged 10 and under, with over 60 events including music, theatre performances, acrobatic circus shows, storytelling, messy play, dancing and more.
👉 Free drop-in activities (plus bookable activities), full schedule here.
JK Entertainments NE – Family Raves
🌞 Family rave events, with DJ, UV lighting, hot and cold food and slushes. Under 18s, children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
👉 £4 kids, £1 adults.
📆 Sun 23rd July @Garden Farm, Chester-le Street
📆 Mon 24th July @Grindon Broadway, Sunderland
📆 Fri 28th July @The Shack, Boldon
📆 Sun 27th Aug @The Top House, Stanley
Land of Oak & Iron – Summer Events
📌 Winlaton Mill, Blaydon, Gateshead, NE21 6RU
📆 Aug 2023
🌞 The Biking Vikings: drumming, pipe playing, horn blowing stilt walk bikers dressed as Vikings. Raising money for Brain Tumour Research, donations welcome. 1-3pm, Sat 19th Aug.
🌞 Bark in the Park: dog themed stalls and fun dog show with categories such as waggiest tail, dog most like their owner and more (entry fee applies, free to spectate). Sat 26th Aug.
👉 Free, more info here.
Manor Walks – Hello Summer Events
📌 Cramlington, Northumberland, NE23 6UT
🌞 Free drop-in family activities, including a Craft Zone (24th July – 3rd Sep) and events on selected dates:
📆 Sat 22nd July: Community Drop-in Day with community organisations, face painting and balloon modelling.
📆 Sat 29th July: Crazy Golf & Greyhound Rescue meet & greet.
📆 Sat 5th Aug: Martin the Magician.
📆 Sun 6th Aug & 3rd Sep: Sensory Sunday, with fidget items and crafts.
📆 Sat 12th Aug: Makers & Bakers Market.
📆 Sat 19th Aug: family games, crafts, entertainment & face painting.
📆 Fri 25th Aug: Captain Hook and Tinkerbell meet and greet, treasure hunt, face painter & games.
👉 Free, more info here.
Metrocentre – Metrognomes Show
📌 Metrocentre, Gateshead, NE11 9YG (Lower Exhibition Square, near Primark)
📆 31st July – 13th Aug 2023
🌞 Join the Metrognomes – Herbert, Sherbet, Maggot and Rusty – in their new show Music Mayhem, as they perform their very own number-one hit records. Shows at 12pm, 2pm, 4pm and 6pm.
👉 Free, more info here.
NE1’s Summer in the City
Newcastle
July-Sep 2023
🌞 Music by the Marina: a day-long mini-music festival, Sat 29th July 10am-4pm @Newcastle City Marina. Full schedule here.
🌞 Play Rebellion: PlayShapes is an interactive open-air installation in which children can build their own play structures @Old Eldon Square (outside The Real Greek). 24th July – 3rd Sep. 30 minute play sessions with limited spaces, no booking required.
🌞 Screen on the Green: open air cinema @Old Eldon Square, screening family favourites, blockbusters and sporting events, plus Toddler Takeover sessions with Julia Donaldson adaptations and storytelling from Seven Stories. 4th July-29th Aug, full schedule here plus Toddler Tuesdays here.
Free, more info here.
Newcastle Cathedral – Shaun the Sheep Activities
📌 Newcastle, NE1 1PF
📆 19th July – 3rd Sep 2023
🌞 Themed self-led craft activities and trail around the Cathedral to follow the map and discover hidden animals. Plus ‘Woolly Tales Storytime’ Thursdays throughout August (recommended age 0-6) and ‘Amazing Animals Family Fun’ day on 23rd July, with crafts, stories, guided tours and more.
👉 Free (donations welcome). More info here.
Newcastle Mela 2023
📌 Newcastle
📆 Sat 26th Aug 2023 @Gray’s Monument
📆 Sun 27th – Mon 28th Aug @Exhibition Park
🌞 Multi-cultural event based around Pakistani, Bengali, Indian and other South Asian cultures, with live music, food, art & crafts and activities, clothes, gifts and jewellery stalls, and entertainment.
👉 Free entry, more info here.
Newcastle Urban Green – Family Nature Activities
📌 Walker Park / Elswick Park, Newcastle
📆 Tuesdays, 25th July – 22nd Aug 2023
🌞 Free family nature activities and community litter pick, with a different theme each week including: clay bugs & hunt, nature crowns, flower and leaf pounding, bird spotting & mask making, and clay nature imprints.
👉 Free, more info here.
Northern Pride Festival
📌 Newcastle Town Moor
📆 22nd – 23rd July 2023
🌞 A packed programme of events celebrating LGBTQIA+ culture, including the Community Village – with the Family and Youth zone, Curious Arts stage, sports and active life zone, Health and Wellbeing area and Rainbow Village market stalls. Charge applies to access The Festival Arena (under 12’s free), with live music, dance, cabaret and funfair.
👉 Free access to Community Village. More info here.
Ocean Road Mela
📌 South Shields, South Tyneside
📆 20th Aug 2023
🌞 A celebration of the diversity, vibrancy, food and culture in the local area, with live performances, mini-parade, free activities, community groups and traders.
👉 Free to attend, donations welcome here to help make it happen.
Richardson Dees Park – Films in the Park
📌 Wallsend, North Tyneside
📆 21st-25th Aug 2023
🌞 A week-long outdoor family film festival, families are encouraged to bring a picnic and blanket.
👉 Free, more info here.
Royal Quays – Summer Events
📌 Royal Quays Outlet Centre, North Shields
🌞 Meet and greets with special guests on selected Wednesdays, including the Jurassic Quays full size dinosaurs & dino babies (26th July), Bluey (9th Aug) and Peppa Pig (23rd Aug).
👉 Free, updates here.
Seaham Food Festival
📌 Seaham coastline, Co Durham
📆 Sat 5th – Sun 6th Aug 2023
👉 Free entry, more info here.
🌞 Free festival with over one hundred food stalls, celebrity chefs, live music, and family entertainment including bubble monsters, beach games, street circus, and more.
Seaton Delaval Hall – Tots’ Plots & Friends
📌 Seaton Sluice, Northumberland (National Trust)
📆 Fridays, 28th July – 1st Sep 2023
🌞 Nature Fridays weekly gardening session held in the Community Kitchen Garden, with gardening, nature-based stories, crafting and relaxing activities.
👉 Free (admission to Seaton Delaval Hall not required). More info here.
Shaun the Sheep on the Tyne Art Trail
📌 Newcastle
📆 19th July – 27th Sep 2023
🌞 A brand new public art trail will be launched 19th July 2023 in Newcastle city centre and surrounding areas, with 50 super-sized sculptures inspired by Shaun the Sheep along with a series of smaller ‘Little Shaun’ sculptures by schools and youth groups. A trail map and App will be available with fun facts and rewards.
👉 Free, more info here.
Smyths Toys Superstores – Roadshows
📌 Across the North East
🌞 Barbie and Hot Wheels Roadshows, with giveaways, photo ops, try out new products and more.
📆 Barbie: Sat 15th July @Durham | Sat 22nd July @Team Valley | Sun 23rd July 2023 @Sunderland
📆 Hot Wheels: Fri 18th Aug @Team Valley | Sat 19th Aug @Durham | Sun 20th Aug @Sunderland
👉 Free, more info here.
Souter Lighthouse – Summer Fun
📌 Coast Road, South Shields, SR6 7NH
📆 July-Aug 2023
🌞 Souter Sports: free games and activities in the Foghorn Field on Mondays & Wednesdays, 11am – 3.30pm.
🌞 Nature Crafts: family crafts available at the gazebo in the Foghorn Field on Thursdays, 11am-3pm. £2.50
🌞 Seashore safari: explore rock pools with a ranger to discover sea creatures. Selected dates, including 4th & 20th Aug and 3rd Sep. £1 per child (ages 3+ years).
👉 More info here.
South Shields Museum & Art Gallery – Tremendous Tuesdays
📌 South Shields, NE33 2JA
📆 Tues 25th July – 29th Aug 2023
🌞 Weekly boat-themed crafts and activities inspired by the new exhibition SCRAN: Food & Drink in South Tyneside, including print making, make a biscuit pendent and make your own tea or bath bags.
👉 Free, donations welcome. More info here.
South Tyneside Citizens Assembly – Family Fundays
📌 South Tyneside
🌞 Inflatables, performances, free activities and more.
📆 Sat 12th Aug @Boldon CA
📆 Sun 27th Aug @Bilton Hall, Jarrow
👉 Free, updates here.
South Tyneside Libraries – Summer Events
📌 Across South Tyneside
📆 July-Aug 2023
🌞 Jellyfish Theatre: free outdoor show “Wagon of Dreams” with sea creatures, puppetry, music and laughter. Fri 28th July, 12-12.55pm @Monkton Stadium, & 3.30-4.25pm at Hebburn Central. Suitable for ages 4-8. Info here.
🌞 Lego Time: free drop-in sessions where children can get creative. Held most weekdays at selected libraries, 26th July-31st Aug. Full schedule here.
🌞 Arts & Crafts: sports themed craft sessions on selected dates, £2 per craft (suitable for ages 4+). Held @Jarrow Focus Library (31st July), @Hebburn Central (15th Aug), @The Word (23rd Aug) & @Cleadon Park Library (30th Aug). Info here.
👉 Updates here.
This Is South Tyneside Festival
📌 South Tyneside
📆 July-Sep 2023
🌞 Kids Fun Fest: free fun, games and activities with a host of performers and entertainers @Seafront Amphitheatre, 2-4pm on Tuesdays & Thursdays, 1st-24th Aug.
🌞 Summer Parks Entertainment: a series of free community events held in South Tyneside’s parks throughout August, with local musicians, artists, children’s entertainers and family-friendly plays.
🌞 Bent’s Park Concerts: free Sunday concerts across July featuring iconic bands, including The Vamps, Jason Donovan, Björn Again and Boyzlife (priority tickets available to purchase for early access and additional facilities).
🌞 Live Music: live music on selected dates and brass bands on Sunday afternoons @Amphitheatre, from June throughout the summer. Live music @South Marine Park, Saturday afternoons throughout the summer holidays.
👉 Free, full schedules here.
Stack Seaburn – Kids Events
📌 Seaburn, SR6 8AA
📆 July – Aug 2023
👉 Free, no booking needed, full schedule here.
🌞 Kids’ entertainment, with characters, games and activities, plus kids meals and street food available.
📆 Tues 25th July: Paw Patrol
📆 Tues 1st Aug: Encanto
📆 Tues 15th Aug: Frozen
📆 Tues 22th Aug: The Trolls
📆 Wed 9th, 16th & 30th Aug: Winkle & Storm Pirate Show
STEF Farm – Family Open Days
📌 Sunderland, SR4 0RW (free parking available in Ford Hub)
📆 Tuesdays & Thursdays
🌞 Open days at Sunderland Training & Education Farm with animal handling, inflatables, outdoors play area, cafe and range of large and small animals. Held on selected dates – Thursdays for all of the family and Tuesdays for children under 5 or children with special needs.
👉 £1 pp, dates tbc, updates here.
Stephenson Steam Railway – Summer Events
📌 North Shields, NE29 8DX
📆 Thursdays, 27th July – 31st Aug 2023
🌞 Make & Take Thursdays: themed crafts and Bio-Blitz events, including Metro hat making, paper insects, train print making, clay and nature painting.
📆 Sun 20 Aug 2023
🌞 Freight Demonstration Day: freight running day and enjoy a mixed timetable of freight demonstrations, gravity shunting and passenger services with both steam and diesel locomotives.👉 Free (donations welcome). More info here.
*Booking recommended for Heritage train rides available selected dates. Kids tickets cost just £1, under 4s free.
Active Sunderland – Family Fun Days
📌 Across Sunderland
📆 July – Aug 2023
🌞 Get the whole family active with early years activities, mini golf, archery, swing ball, ball games, balance and agility games, challenges & more. Plus on 29th-30th live music, entertainment & special guests – superheroes, princesses and the Pup Patrol.
👉 Free, no booking needed, more info here.
📅 Sat 29th-Sun 30th July @Cliffe Park, Seaburn
📅 Wed 2nd Aug @Herrington Country Park, Sunderland
📅 Wed 9th Aug @Princess Anne Park, Washington
📅 Wed 16th Aug @Mowbray Park, Sunderland
📅 Wed 23rd Aug @Silksworth Sports Complex & Ski Slope
Sunderland BID – Summer in the City
Sunderland
📆 July – Sep 2023
🌞 A summer of fun with loads of free (or 50p) activities:
– Crazy Golf @High Street West, Thursdays 27th July & 10th & 24th Aug.
– Giant, inflatable assault course @Crowtree, Sat 29th-Sun 30th July.
– Outdoor Cinema @Keel Square, Saturdays 5th & 19th Aug, & 2nd Sep.
– 50p climbing wall @Market Square, Wednesdays & Saturdays, 22nd July – 3rd Sep.
– Jurassic Jungle AR trail: self-guided trail to discover virtual prehistoric creatures across the city and giant dino eggs. Download the Sunderland Experience app (available via the Apple and Android), also with special offers from local businesses. 22nd July – 3rd Sep.
No booking needed, more info here.
Sunderland Bridges Shopping Centre – Indoor Beach
📌 Sunderland, SR1 3DR
📆 22nd July – 2nd Sep 2023
🌞 Indoor beach open daily (full details of kid’s activities programme tbc).
👉 £2 for 30 minutes, look out for updates here.
Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens – Summer Events
📌 Sunderland, SR1 1PP
📆 July – Sep 2023
🌞 The Wild Escape: draw creatures escaping into their wild habitats as part of the national Wild Escape project, then add your picture to the Wild World website. Fri 28th July.
🌞 Hooray for History: themed sessions and activities, including: Amazing Archaeology, Who’s Your Hero, Local Landmarks, Banners and Flags and Museum of Me. Mondays, 24th July – 21st Aug.
🌞 Arty Wednesdays: try different art techniques in these fun, hands-on sessions. Wednesdays, 26th July – 23rd Aug.
🌞 Wild Wonders Trail: explore local creatures and their habitats, return your completed trail to claim a prize sticker. Trails £1 available from the Museum Shop. 22nd July – 2nd Sep.
👉 More info here.
Sunderland National Glass Centre – Glass Painting
📌 Roker, Sunderland, SR6 0GL
📅 Fridays, 28th July – 25th Aug 2023
🌞 Memories and Wishes themed glass painting, paint something important to you or a hope for the future. Age 4+.
👉 £5, drop-in, more info here.
Thompson Park Family Fun Day
📌 Southwick, Sunderland, SR5 1LG
📆 Sat 5th Aug 2023
🌞 Live music, giant inflatables, crazy golf, walkabout characters, arts & crafts, cycle stunt display team, and sports & games to celebrate the £740,000 transformation of Thompson Park – including new adventure play area, toddler play area, running track, trim trail and gym equipment. 10am-3pm.
👉 Free, more info here.
TIN Arts – IncludFEST
📌 Hardwick Park, Sedgefield, Co Durham
📆 Sat 29th July 2023
🌞 An annual inclusive accessible outdoor arts festival, for d/Deaf, disabled and non-disabled children and young people and families. Live music, storytelling, theatre, dance, arts and crafts, games and more. 11am-4pm.
👉 Free, more info here.
Trinity Square – Trinity’s Got Talent
Trinity Square, Gateshead, NE8 1AG
Sat 2nd Sep 2023
🌞 Singers, dancers, magicians, comedians or people with other hidden talents can take part. There’s is no age limit so young or old can apply, and the winner will get the opportunity to perform at Trinity Square Christmas Lights Switch On in November.
Free, full schedule here.
World Triathlon Championship Series – Fanzone
📌 Cliffe Park, Seaburn
📆 Sat 29th-Sun 30th July 2023
🌞 One of the world’s biggest triathlon events, with athletes from around the world taking part in a sea swim, biking and running (booking required for Spectator Grandstand here). Fanzone area with Active Sunderland Family Fun, including live music, dance, circus skills. face painting, family sports & special guests – superheroes, princesses and the Pup Patrol.
👉 Fanzone free, no booking needed, more info here.
There’s plenty on Gateshead Mumbler to help keep little ones (and big ones!) busy, check here for more ideas and info for playgroups, classes and fun days out from tots to teens!
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