Best Yorkshire Summer Events for Families in 2025 – Days Out, Festivals & Fun

Where - Prophecy Lodge, High Bridge, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire HG5 8DD

Cost - Starting at £15 a person/ £39 per car

From Saturday 19th July to Sunday 31st August, step into a magical world of hobbit-inspired displays, fairy fun, and forest quests at Mother Shipton’s Cave in Knaresborough.

Dress up as a fairy, elf, hobbit, or wizard and explore the enchanting woodland trail, meet magical characters, and discover photo spots for a chance to win return tickets.

With historic attractions, treats, a playground, and plenty of fantasy fun, it’s a perfect family day out!

Booking is essential.

Where - Doncaster Road, Nostell, Wragby, Wakefield WF4 1QE

Cost - Free for National Trust members. Regular admission applies for non-members

Nostell’s Summer of Play offers a full season of family fun, with different activities happening throughout the week. Join energetic Sports & Fitness sessions with Featherstone Rovers every Monday and Thursday (£3.50 per child, booking required), or drop in for free cycling skills and maintenance sessions with Wakefield District Cycle Forum.

The parkland is open daily (except Mondays and Thursdays) for free play with sports equipment, den building, and outdoor games. Explore the house and gardens for giant games, creative challenges, and Thursday craft sessions (11am–3.30pm).

Where - Fountains, Ripon HG4 3DY

Cost - Free for National Trust members, Regular entry price for non-members, but you may need to book your place for some events. Open daily 10am–6:30pm.

Explore ancient abbey ruins, wild deer, and hidden tunnels at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal this summer! From 19 July to 31 August, enjoy circus workshops, crafts, theatre, balance bikes, teddy bear zip wires and more—all included in admission. A National Trust gem packed with adventure!

Where - Bradford Rd, Riddlesden, Keighley BD20 5EL

Cost - Free for National Trust members, Regular entry price for non-members. Open daily 10am–6pm.

Enjoy a summer of hands-on history and outdoor fun at East Riddlesden Hall. From 19 July to 3 August, take part in the Festival of Archaeology with a dig site, artefact recording, and ancient pot-making. From 26 July to 31 August, explore ten historical play stations in the gardens as part of the Summer of Play: Play Through the Ages. On 12 August, don’t miss Siege the Hall – an action-packed day of Civil War drills, costume try-ons, and a family-friendly mock battle. Travel by bus during the Summer of Play dates to save 50% on admission.

Where: Caphouse Colliery, New Rd, Overton, Wakefield WF4 4RH

Cost: Parking £7.50/car, activities range from free to paid

From golden sands and daily activities to underground tours and creative workshops, this museum is bursting with fun for all ages this summer. Enjoy low-cost family adventures including scavenger hunts, Lego robotics, puppet shows, Yorkshire Day celebrations, and more—plus, all the fun of the seaside with just £7.50 for all day parking!

Looking for fun, creative, and affordable ways to keep the kids entertained this summer? Barnsley has a brilliant line-up of bookable sessions for children of all ages – from toddlers to tweens – but places are filling up fast.

• Treasure Seekers (31 July, Cooper Gallery) – A magical adventure of dance, movement and craft for ages 3–7. Just £3 per child.
• Teeny Time Travellers on Tour (1 Aug at Worsbrough Mill & 15 Aug at Cannon Hall) – Delightful nature-based sessions for under 5s. £5 per child.
• Wonderful Watercolours (6 Aug, Cooper Gallery) – For ages 7+, a chance to experiment with colour and technique in an inspiring art workshop. £5 per child.
• Make Your Family (8 Aug, Cannon Hall) – Kids aged 7+ can create their own mini clay sculptures of their family or pets. £5 per child.
• SENsational Sessions (5 Aug, Experience Barnsley) – Multisensory, inclusive sessions designed for children with PMLD, autism, and other neurodiverse needs. Free, but booking essential.

Many of these sessions require advance booking, and they’re very popular – so don’t wait.

Where: Beningbrough, York, North Yorkshire, YO30 1DD

Cost: Included with regular admission - FREE for National Trust members

Beningbrough is bursting with family-friendly fun – and it’s all included in admission (free for National Trust members!). Follow the “Good Day, Bad Day” trail, scale the 7-metre pyramid tower, enjoy hands-on play every Wednesday, and don’t miss Outdoor Storytelling under the laurel tree on 11 & 25 August. Perfect for toddlers, tweens, and everyone in between.

Where - York City Centre

When - Throughout the summer

Cost - Free for children, Regular entry price for adults

Experience the magic of The Wizard Walk of York – WINNER of Experience of the Year 2025! This spellbinding tour blends magic, comedy, and five-star fun for the whole family. It’s York’s highest-rated and most awarded wizarding experience, winning Best Tour three years running and the Best of York Award. Designed especially for families, it’s a fantastic alternative to a ghost walk – no spooky stories here, just fun, laughter, and unforgettable magical memories.

Holiday tours fill up quickly, so early booking is essential before tickets... vanish!

Breeze in the Park returns this summer with 26 action-packed events in parks across Leeds. Designed for children and families, each event includes giant inflatables, live entertainment, sports, crafts, games and more – all for just £1 per child.

All activities inside the event are free, making it an affordable and fun day out. There are also 12 relaxed sessions specifically for children with additional needs, offering a calmer environment with the same great activities.

Book your tickets now and avoid disappointment.

Where: Whistlestop Valley, Clayton West, Huddersfield, HD8

Cost: Prices start at £10.95 for adults and children over 2.

Summer at Whistlestop Valley features three weeks of themed family fun at Shelley Station. Enjoy seaside entertainment during Shelley by the Sea, dance and play at Party on the Platform, and step into a magical world with Garden Gathering. Activities are included with Big and Little Adventure tickets (note: Little Adventure tickets do not include the train ride to Shelley).

Where: North Yorkshire Moors Railway, all stations along the heritage line, YO18 7AJ

Cost: Save up to 30% when you book Adult Day Rover tickets online – and this summer, kids go FREE!

A Summer of Pirates and Pixies is coming to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, with magical adventures running from 19 July to 31 August. Enjoy theatre performances, outdoor games, treasure hunts, arts and crafts, and themed launch days with free face painting and chances to win a family ticket. Pixie fun runs 19 July to 8 August, followed by pirate adventures from 9 to 31 August. Book in advance and save up to 30%. More info and tickets at nymr.co.uk/summer.

Where: The Deep, Tower Street, Hull, HU1 4DP Cost: Included with standard admission (pre-booking recommended) Be among the first to explore The Wreck, a brand-new habitat opening SUMMER 2025 at The Deep! From 19th July to 1st September 2025, dive into the world of tropical coral reefs with exciting new species, hands-on shark-themed sensory stations, and daily presentations at 12pm and 2pm revealing fascinating facts about The Wreck and its unique design. Complete all the sensory activity stations for a chance to win a summer prize bundle.

This is your chance to experience one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet — don’t miss out!

Where: Wentworth, Rotherham S62 7TQ

Cost: Varies

Wentworth Woodhouse is bursting with family fun this August. From 5th–29th August, children can explore a brand-new animal-themed Garden Trail with a prize mask (£2.50 per child), plus enjoy daily craft activities in the Gardens. On Saturday 30th August, the House of Fun brings circus magic to the WE Wonder Festival, with high-wire stunts, acrobatics, live music, crafts, and funfair games. A brilliant summer day out for all ages.