There are so many days out for families in Yorkshire, but we thought it was time to do a round-up just for days out with teenagers! After asking local bloggers and members of the Yorkshire Tots Facebook community for their suggestions, I am happy to report that we’ve found over 50 days out with teenagers in Yorkshire.
Days Out with Teenagers in Yorkshire Museums
National Coal Mining Museum, Wakefield
For a unique day out with your teenagers why not try an underground tour of a coal mine? Ex-miners lead these very entertaining tours. They tell of the harsh realities of coal mining through the centuries at the National Coal Mining Museum in Wakefield. There is also a free indoor museum and adventure playground outdoors.
Calderdale Industrial Museum, Halifax
The Calderdale Industrial Museum is home to working, original machines as well as many special and rare artefacts relating to the industrial heritage of Calderdale.
“This amazing museum is right next to the Piece Hall in Halifax and contains a large variety of historic machinery. Tots and teens will love talking to knowledgeable volunteers, and there’s a popular picture quiz for the younger ones. Popular highlights include the toffee-wrapping machine and the moquette loom,” says Chairman Tim Kirker.
Science and Media Museum, Bradford
With over 8 floors of free galleries to visit, the National Science and Media Museum is full of hands-on activities and world-famous collections ofphotography, film, and television.
Royal Armouries, Leeds
The Royal Armouries has no fewer than five galleries across five floors to explore The galleries include War, Tournament, Oriental, Self-defence, and Hunting with over 8,500 objects on display. You can even take a ride on a water taxito get there! There is a cafe on-site as well as picnic areas if you bring your own food. Read aboutour day out at The Royal Armouriesin Leeds.
The Yorkshire Air Museum, York
The Yorkshire Air Museum & Allied Air Forces Memorial is on the site of the former RAF Elvington airfield. Their exhibits span almost the entire history of flight with more than 60 historic aircraft and vehicles.
The Yorkshire Air Museum is dog friendly as well.
The Hepworth, Wakefield
The Hepworthis named after Barbara Hepworth, a world renowned artistborn and raised in Wakefield.
“The Hepworth Wakefield has lots of activities on for all ages including teens in their art club events and there’s also Wakefield Art Walk,” says Sophie Mei Lan.
Jorvik Viking Centre, York
The Jorvik Viking Centre in York makes for a great day out with teenagers in Yorkshire. It lets teens experience Viking life with lifelike mannequins and life-size dioramas.
York Railway Museum, York
The NationalRailway Museum is a great option for a free, indoor day of fun for any train fans. There are over 300 years of railway history to explore. You can read the Travelling With Our Kids post about the National Railway Museum.
Eden Camp, Malton
Eden Camp Modern History Theme Museum is a great day out with teenagers who are into history. This large Second World War-related museum brings history to life. It occupies a former Second World War prisoner-of-war camp of 33 huts.
Thackray Medical Museum, Leeds
Travel back to the dirty streets of Leeds to explore life among the grime and the bedbugs on a visit to Thackray Medical Museum. Learn about the frightening world of surgery before the discovery of pain relief and explore scientific discoveries and innovations that have made our lives easier!
Yorkshire Outdoor Activities with Teenagers
Another World Adventure Centre, Halifax
Another World Adventure Centre has grass sledging, archery, paintball slingshot and safe archery and more outdoor entertainment!
North Yorkshire Water Park, Scarborough
North Yorkshire Water Park has a climbing wall and zipline, and Aqua Parks. Located in Wykenham, 15 minutes outside of Scarborough, it’s just a stone’s throw from the beautiful Yorkshire Coastline too so what’s not to love?!
Live for Today Adventure Centre, Ripley and Tadcaster
Live for Today adventure centres give you the chance to try your hand at paddle boarding, archery, kayaking, high ropes and even an escape room or two. Most activities are age-restricted to at least 8+ so please check their website when you are booking.
Cannon Hall Museum, Barnsley
Take the swans out for a spin at Cannon Hall! There is also lots of space for a great walk as well as the home and grounds to visit.
Canal Cruise Along the Calderdale Valley
“Take a canal cruise along the Calderdale Valley. You’ll be treated to scones and a cup of tea – very sophisticated!” says Samantha Rickleton of North East Family Fun.
Bolton Castle, North Yorkshire
Bolton Castle is a 14th-century castle located in Wensleydale. Visiting teens can enjoy birds of prey displays, archery demonstrations, and wild boar feeding!
Sewerby Hall and Gardens, near Bridlington, East Yorkshire
Sadie Farren of Life with the Woodheads recommends a visit to Sewerby Hall and Gardens near Bridlington. She says, “(It is) free in the winter months but a cheap family day out in summer. It has a museum, crafts, different events weekly such as jousting. It has a zoo so something for all ages its also easy access to the beach too! “
Stockeld Park, Wetherby
Stockeld Park has lots of activities for older children including a covered ice skating rink in the winter months, adventure playgrounds, a maze, go-karts, and electric scooter trail.
Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield
Walk into a world of giant statues, human/rabbit hybrids, and new exhibits at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. Set on 500 acres of beautiful Yorkshire countryside, it’s a place where imaginations can run wild and is a good day out with teenagers with an artistic streak.
Walk the Walls of York
Jo Boyne of A Rose Tinted World says, “No trip to York is complete without a walk around the walls. Or at least a section of the walls. York has the most intact walls of any city in England. Most of them date from 1200-1400, but some of the foundations are Roman (when York was called Eboracum) and when the Danes took over in the 10th Century AD they made the defences their own.” A full walk took Jo and her family around two hours.
Leeds Urban Bike Park, Leeds
“TheLeeds Urban Bike Park opened in late 2017 is already a magnet for cyclists of all ages. Located next to Middleton Park in South Leeds it provides something for all abilities. With cross country mountain bike trails suitable for all levels of cyclist; jump zone, a BMX track, and a mini pump track; café, toilets, and bike repair centre, ” says Emma Young, Yorkshire mum and founder of theChild-Friendly Bike Rides in Yorkshire.
Harewood House, Leeds
Harewood House, built in the 18th century, is one of the Treasure Houses of England. Visitors can tour the home, rare Bird Garden, watch penguin feeding, enjoy the adventure playground and explore over 100 acres of gardens.
Scarborough North Bay
Samantha Rickleton of North East Family Fun says a visit to Scarborough North Bay is great for older kids. “You can catch a live show in the amphitheatre (we watched wrestling a few years ago and it was fab), feed the squirrels in Peasholm Park, and watch the naval warfare show and you’re never too old for a ride on the vintage water chute .”
Bolton Abbey, North Yorkshire
With over 80 miles of footpaths to explore, the beautiful River Wharf, Priory ruins, and a fantastic Welly Walk, Bolton Abbey is a fantastic day out for the entire family.
Whitby Abbey, Whitby
Samantha Rickleton of North East Family Fun recommends that families “climb the 199 steps to Whitby Abbey and learn more about Dracula. The views are pretty spectacular and they often have live theatre in the grounds.”
Bridlington, Yorkshire Coast
Suzie McCullough of Our Bucket List Lives says, “Bridlington is a great day out on the east coast of Yorkshire. A visit between Spring and summer means that the rides will be open. There are some really fun rides and some are quite extreme. If the weather isn’t too great there is an indoor bowling alley with a cinema. Not only that but they are surrounded by amusem*nts. Next door there is an indoor 9 hole crazy golf, do you dare to walk the haunted pirate ship? You can even go on a pirate ship out to sea or go on a speed boat from the harbour.”
Oakwell Hall Mountain Bike Trail, Birstall
The Mountain Bike Trail at Oakwell Hall “is blue graded, which means it has some technical features like berms (banked corners) rock gardens, and some moderate gradients, but it was designed so that it allows anyone of any ability to experience mountain biking and progress and develop,” says Gordon McMinn, Chair of RIDE Kirklees.
Newby Hall, Ripon
“We love Newby Hall as there is lots to do. The playground is fantastic, the grounds are beautiful to walk in, there’s the little train, & a nice cafe too,” says Frances Dine.
Clifton Park , Rotherham
Even if your teen or tween has outgrown the play areas in your local park, Clifton Park in Rotherham is sure to be a day out they enjoy. There is a museum, land train, golf, funfair, adventure playground, and the ever-popular splash park. You can top it all off with a round of crazy golf!
Mini GP Racing, Brighouse
Mini GP Racing is for the entire family but is sure to please hard-to-please tweens and teens. They can accommodate from the ages of 2 year old plus. You can hire Revvi balance bikes for 2-year-old plus and 4-year-old plus for the Drift Gokarts and quads.
National Trust Days for Teenagers in Yorkshire
Brimham Rocks, North Yorkshire
“Brimham Rocks is a natural rock playground with easy scrambles and good views. It’s impossible to resist a bit of climbing but the paths between the rocks lead to a nice ice-cream shack at the end,” says Janet of Falcondale Life.
Nostell Priory, Wakefield
Nostell Priory is one of the great treasure houses of the north of England. Visitors can explore the house and gardens as well as a cycle or jog around the park land.
Fountains Abbey, North Yorkshire, Ripon
Fountains Abbey is one of the largest and best-preserved ruined Cistercian monasteries in England. Explore water gardens an Elizabethan hall, a Cistercian mill, and a medieval deer parkset on over 800 acres.
National Trust Beningbrough Hall, Beningbrough
“Beningbrough Hall is a stunning place set in beautiful grounds. We loved wandering around the gardens and playing in the playground,” says Emma Lewis of Hip 2 Trek.
Yorkshire Adventure Days Out for Teenagers
Go Ape! Dalby Forest & Temple Newsam, Leeds
Go Ape! have two different outdoor adventure-activity locations in Yorkshire where you can explore the forest canopy via a treetop rope course.
Raven Tree Top Adventure, Skipton
Raven Tree Top Adventure is a family-run high ropes course suitable for family and adult groups. Children 7 years and older (anyone under 10 must be accompanied by an adult in the trees) can try a variety of obstacles including zip lines, plank bridges, high wire walkways, and more.
Quad Biking at Thornton Hall Farm, Skipton
Want an action-packed adventure to remember? Your thrilling trek will take you over 160 acres of woodland, quarry land, grassland, dirt track, and more! Suitable for individual rides, families, and for parties of all ages and occasions at Thornton Hall Country Park.
Dalby Forest, North Yorkshire Moors
“Dalby Forest is one of my favourite days out. It’s filled with beautiful walks, activity trails, several different parks and so many activities like biking, Go ape, paintballing, and orienteering,” says Sadie Farren of Life with the Woodheads
Forbidden Corner, Leyburn
Catherine Williams of Rock and Roll puss*cat says “Forbidden Corner is fab for any age. Perfect for a summer day out.”
Indoor Days Out with Teenagers in Yorkshire
Climbing works, Sheffield
“I recommend the climbing walls in Sheffield (the UK city of climbing) for bouldering and abseiling. There’s The Foundry and The Climbing Works and The Cliffhanger festival for climbing and outdoors fans,” says Sophie Mei Lan Hale of Yorkshirefamilies.co.uk
Rokt Activity Centre, Brighouse
Rokt has the UK’s highest man-made outdoor climbing wall as well as indoor climbing, a Nerf arena and escape rooms!
Calypso Cove Waterpark, Barnsley
Calypso Cove Waterpark is a pirate-themed water park with sensational slides, wonderful waves, and plenty of pools!
Airtime, Halifax
Airtime is a largeindoor trampoline park with wall to wall trampolines!
York Chocolate Story, York
Learn about the history of chocolate in York before making your very own chocolate bar in a visit to the York Chocolate Story.
The York Dungeon, York
The York Dungeon lets visitors explore the history of the dungeon using actor-led shows, special effects, and displays of models and objects.
Doncaster Dome, Doncaster
Doncaster Domehas over 50 activities taking place under one roof, a magical 7-pool water world, the Lagoons, and the UK’s only split level ice rink, IceCaps.
“We’ve been to Doncaster dome plenty of times, handy that skating and swimming is in the same place, and they do a cheaper ticket to combine the both,” says Emma Gould.
Fusion Skate, Wakefield
How about some roller disco? Fusion Skate in Wakefield has both open family skating and popular events.
Xscape Yorkshire, Castleford
Xcape Castleford has a variety of activities for teens and tweens including LaserZone, a 30-minute laser tag set in an alien jungle-themed arena, Gravity Aerial Adventures – Skycoaster, Leap of Faith & Free Fall, Volcano Falls Adventure Golf, Cineworld, and more!
Clip n Climb, Ilkley and Leeds
“We were at Clip n Climb for a party at the weekend. It is a great place for anyone older than about 4 – climbing challenges range from fairly easy to virtually impossible, so there’s something for everyone. The cafe is excellent as well for those non-climbers – the food is reasonably priced and excellent quality,” says Amanda Mahoney.
InflataNation, Beverley
InflataNation is a double-decker inflatable theme park with giant inflatables, activities, and a huge ball poolfilled with 200,000 balls!
Lady Betty’s Afternoon Tea, York
Kirstie Pelling of The Family adventure project recommends a Yorkshire tradition for a teen treat:
‘You might imagine something called a ‘Lady Betty afternoon tea’ could be a tired experience for switched on teens. In fact it prove to be a fun bonding experience for our whole family and getting uplugged was part of the joy of it. But anyone who has been to Betty’s won’t be surprised that the most memorable thing was the cakes.
To say Betty’s is an institution in Yorkshire is something of an understatement. Everyone knows the tearooms in Harrogate and York. The original Betty’s was created exactly a century ago by Swiss confectioner Frederick Belmont. The fourth-generation family business also owns Yorkshire Tea and Taylors of Harrogate. A Lady Betty afternoon tea in the Imperial room involves live piano music, a glass of champagne if you want it, lashings of sandwiches, and of course those cakes. On our visit asilver rack loaded with chocolate and passion fruit cube, gooseberry macaroon, miniature Battenberg, lemon religieuse, and a pistachio and chocolate dacquoise slice.
“What are the kids having then?” I asked. ‘
Painting Pots Knaresborough
In the heart of Knaresborough, a stone’s throw from the castle, you can find Painting Pots Knaresborough, a ceramic and craft studio. Here you can find pottery painting, Foam Clay modelling and Teddy Mountain bear making, as well as a huge range of craft workshops and special events that take place throughout the year.
Theme Parks & Teenage Attractions in Yorkshire
Diggerland, Castleford
Diggerlandhas over 20 digger-themed rides. Visitors can ride diggers, soar high into the air, have digger challenges, drive digger-themed go-karts, and even get a chance to drive diggers themselves.
York Maze, York
The York Maze summer maze is suitable for all ages with over 20 rides, shows, and attractions The older kids love the challenge of the maze, and the wide range of exciting activities and challenges, especially the “house of confusion” illusion house and the “Hallowscream” event in October that has a minimum age rating of 14.
“We loved York maze last year, there’s enough to keep even the sulkiest teenager entertained and a gran aged 74!! We were there until closing time,” says Tracey Swales.
Read We’re Going on an Adventure blog’s day out at York Maze.
Flamingo Land, Kirby Misperton, North Yorkshire
“Flamingo Land was fab for all the 7 kids we took from age 1-10! And a great split between animals and rides to be enjoyed by all,” says Louise Hodkinson.
Read We’re Going on an Adventure blog’s day out at Flamingo Land.
Lightwater Valley, Ripon
Lightwater Valley has over 35 rides and attractions for all the family to enjoy. From Europe’s longest rollercoaster, and the thrilling Eagle’s Claw, to Wet N Wild Water Rapids and The Flying Cutlass there are adventures for Teens and Tweens alike!
Animal Days Out with Teenagers in Yorkshire
Tropical World, Leeds
Need a bit of tropical in your life on a rainy day? Tropical World Leeds provides the chance to see exotic animals and fish while you enjoy a walk through waterfalls and plant life!
Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Doncaster
Yorkshire Wildlife Park provides a walkthrough wildlife adventure where you can meet a variety of amazing animals including polar bears, lions, tigers, black rhinos and more!
ABC Wildlife Park, Askham Bryan, York
The Askham Bryan Wildlife & Conservation Park is a brand new visitor attraction at Askham Bryan College. The park aims to “provide a truly inspirational and educational visitor experience to raise awareness of wildlife and habitats.”
Tropical Butterfly House, Sheffield
Meet lemurs, meerkats, owls, otters, snakes, lizards, and even a tarantula at Tropical Butterfly House in Sheffield.
The National Centre for Birds of Prey, Helmsley
The National Centre for Birds of Prey ishome to the largest collection of birds of prey in the North of England. You can watchflying demonstrations, learn about the birds and conservation efforts, and see a large variety of birds of prey around the centre.
Hopefully, this keeps you and your (not so little) ones busy for a long time! If we’ve missed any of your favourites, do let us know in the comments!
More ideas for outdoor fun in Yorkshire
The best parks in Yorkshire
10 Yorkshire farms to visit
Top picks for outdoor lidos, pools and wild swimming in Yorkshire
Picnic spots in Yorkshire
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Author: Erin at Yorkshiretots
Erin Ek Rush I'm an American mum of a Yorkshire lad and lass who love adventures! Owner & founder of Yorkshire Tots to Teens where we bring families all the best events, days out & family fun in Yorkshire! View all posts
