While Yorkshire is famous for its vast moorland, spectacular waterfalls, intriguing coastal spots and abundant wildlife, there are still plenty of indoor activities to keep you and your children entertained when the weather takes a turn for the worst. Whether it’s captivating museums, historical houses or enchanting castles there’s indoor activities for all ages.
Make the most of your holiday or staycation with a fun-filled family day out by exploring our top family indoor activities in Yorkshire here at Yorkshire Escapes.
1/ The National Railway Museum
The National Railway Museum lets you explore 300 years of engrossing railway history and is a great day out for the whole family. You don’t need to be a train enthusiast either, curious minds of all ages are sure to be thrilled by the daily demonstrations of unrivaled engineering. Spectators can enjoy watching locomotives moving on the turntable, catch a peek of the record breaking Mallard and take a ride back in time on a real steam engine.
Small children can burn energy in the play area while learning how to control signals. They can even try building their own trains with a range of highly interactive displays.
Location: York
Cost: Free Admission with pre-booked tickets
2/ White Scar Cave
If you’re considering visiting the Yorkshire Dales National Park, then you’ll want to add White Scar Cave, the longest show cave in Britain, to your list. This historic wonder is the ideal spot for some exploring when there’s rain in the sky as the natural cave shaping shelters you from the elements.
Boasting breathtaking scenery you’ll be guided on an 80-minute atmospheric journey passing streams, beautiful waterfalls and thousands of stalactites. Let your children’s imaginations run wild as your family steps through the unknown. There are even graded project sheets available so children can enjoy the same experience at their own enjoyable level.
Please note: Pushchairs cannot be taken underground to the caves shaping.
Location: Ingleton
Cost: £16.50 per adult. £12.00 per child. £48 family ticket
3/ Jorvik Viking Centre
The world-famous Jorvik Viking Centre brings history to live with a real capture of what viking life was really like. Awakening all your senses, you board the time ride and travel to AD960 where you will meet animatronic Vikings who share their tales and fascinating stories with the help of real life sounds and smells.
You can then explore a gallery of Viking artefacts and deep deeper into the historic stories with the help of outstanding cutting-edge technology.
Location: York
Cost: £15 per adult. £10.50 per child
4/ Ripley Castle
Ripley Castle is a captivating historical day out that families of all ages can truly enjoy. This Grade 1-Listed 14th-century country house is packed full of interesting artefacts, historic memories and something intriguing at every corner.
Children can enjoy a tailor-made tour where they can meet 26 generations of Ingleby family history, from the wild boar hunt to the gunpowder plot, you get to explore all the intriguing events that lie in the walls. The tour takes around 45 minutes which leaves plenty of time to enjoy a delicious selection of hot and cold snacks in the tearoom.
Location: Ripley
5/ Eureka! The National Children’s Museum
Eureka! The National Children’s Museum has been specifically designed for children where engaging the senses is highly encouraged. There are over 400 interactive, hands-on exhibits that are sure to spark learning and inspire inquisitive minds.
Showcasing sevel unique zones there’s sure to be a theme your children will love. Whether it’s exploring inside giant body parts or discovering how music is created, it’s so much fun children won’t even notice they’re learning.
Location: Halifax
Price: £15.95 per adult/3+ child.
6/ Xscape Yorkshire
Xscape Yorkshire offers action packed excitement for the whole family. Thrill-seekers will be in their element with the plethora of entertaining activities. Boasting the country’s biggest real snow slope, two giant climbing walls, an indoor skate park, an aerial assault course, two mini-golf courses, a laser zone and a 20-lane bowling alley there’s something to keep a smile on all faces.
You will even find a variety of mouth-watering restaurants and a 4DX multiplex cinema when you’re ready to recharge your batteries. It really is one ultimate family adventure park under one roof.
Location: Castleford
Price: Varies for individual activities
7/ Sea Life Scarborough
If Yorkshire wildlife is top of your list, explore Sea Life Scarborough and dive into an undersea world with more than 2,500 creatures as you take a walk through the enchanted ocean tunnel filled with natural beauty. Children are sure to be engaged by what’s to see and can even come face-to-face with Blacktip Reef Sharks.
If lurking lizards are more your thing you can take on the rainforest adventure as you find yourself in a world of creepy crawlies and curious critters. There’s even a cute colony of Humboldt penguins that reside on penguin island.
Location: Scarborough
Price: Standard Tickets from £18 per child (2-14yrs) £20 per adult
After a day of learning, exploring and absorbing all the fun there is to be had in Yorkshire you’ll be ready to pop up your feet in a cosy but spacious retreat. Whether you’re looking for a family cottage, group accommodation or a dog friendly holiday house, here at Yorkshire Escapes, we have a number of luxury properties to rent, so you can enjoy your Yorkshire family holiday and discover sights and activities in style.
