top of page
Search

Summer Holidays 2026 Guide-What’s on for Families

  • FamilyFunDarloMum
  • Jun 30
  • 13 min read

Updated: 11 minutes ago

This guide lists family events and activities across The Tees Valley, County Durham and North Yorkshire for all ages and budgets during the Summer Holidays (18th July-1st September), with all information provided to make planning that bit easier for you!


All information is correct at the time of publishing. Please check directly with the organisers for any updates and availability. Booking/more info links are provided under each listing.


Monday 6th July until Monday 31st August –

Discover Dinosaurs Trail

  • High Force Waterfall, Barnard Castle

  • All ages

  • Adults (16+) £4.00 | Children (4-15) £2.19| Under 4s Free

    Family Saver Ticket (2 adults & 2 children) | Onsite £10.50 | Online £8.75

  • More info and booking online here


Tuesday 14th July - Friday 2nd October –

FREE Deep Sea Adventures Creative Play

  • Park End Family Hub, Middlesbrough

  • Aimed at ages 0-7

  • Free, no need to book

  • Drop in during opening hours Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. More info here


Wednesday 15th July-Thursday 15th October –

Matisse: Drawing with Scissors Family Exhibition

  • Preston Park Museum, Stockton on Tees

  • All Ages

  • Drop In, no need to book. Included in museum pass -£13 adult | £8 child | Under 3 years Free | discounts family passes available (pass valid for 12 months)

  • More info here


Friday 17th July -Friday 28th August –

Pulse Fridays: Ice Skating with Music and UV Lights

  • Forum Ice Arena, Billingham

  • All ages welcome, may be best suited to older (aids not allowed during these sessions)

  • Runs every Friday (including term time)

  • From £4.60-£9.80 per person. Drop in, no need to prebook

  • More info here



Saturday 18th July -Saturday 29th August –

There will be an amazing line up of themed summer outdoor activities this summer in the FREE outdoor play area at The Hullabaloo including Cosmic Construction, Lunar Leaps & Star Strides, Creative Garden and many more themes!

  • The Hullabaloo, Darlington

  • All ages (mostly aimed at under 11's)

  • FREE Drop In during opening hours 10am-2pm Wednesday-Saturday

  • More info here


Summer Outdoor Play at The Hullabaloo
Summer Outdoor Play at The Hullabaloo

Saturday 18th July-Monday 31st August  –

Locomotion's Summer Festival - FREE family fun daily with extra activities on selected dates.

  • Locomotion, Shildon

  • All ages

  • Free, prebooking of admission is highly recommended to guarantee entry

  • More info and booking here



Saturday 18th July-Monday 31st August –

WINNER of Best Tour & Experience of the Year, and York’s only tour created especially for families! A must-do when visiting this enchanting city. Spellbinding magic, comedy and five star fun. Early booking is recommended, before tickets…vanish!

  • Running daily except 19/07, 22/07 and 02/08

  • Starting from The Shambles, York (prebooking required)

  • All ages

  • £12.72 per person | Under 3's go free | £5.30 per wizard wand kit (optional)

  • More info and booking here

Wizard Walk of York Family Tours
Wizard Walk of York Family Tours

Saturday 18th July-Monday 31st August –

Duck Trail

  • Auckland Palace Gardens, Bishop Auckland

  • All ages

  • Free for under 16’s | £5 adult for Auckland Gardens Admission

  • More info and booking here


Saturday 18th July- Saturday 12th September –

Kynren-The Storied Lands: NEW Day Park open for the summer season

  • 11 Arches, Bishop Auckland

  • All ages

  • £25 per person

  • Combined ticket option to include the night time live action show from an extra £26 per person (night show is on 18/07-12/09 on Saturdays plus 21/08 and 04/09)

  • More info and booking here



Monday 20th July-Friday 28th August –

Join Sporting Futures for 6 action-packed weeks in their Ofsted Registered Holiday Camp. Packed with sports, games, arts and crafts, fun activities, and unforgettable experiences. This summer, they will be welcoming weekly visits from Gwenny's Ices, professional sports coaches, and introducing some exciting new main events for everyone to enjoy!

  • St Augustine's School, Darlington

  • Boys and girls aged 4+

  • £20 per day 8:30am-5:30pm | £10 half day 8:30-1pm or 1pm-5:30pm

  • More info and booking here


Summer Holiday Camp with Sporting Futures
Summer Holiday Camp with Sporting Futures

Monday 20th July-Thursday 27th August  –

FREE Game On! Outdoor Sports Sessions

  • Hopetown, Darlington

  • All ages

  • Running on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays

  • Free, prebooking required

  • More info and booking here


Monday 20th July-Thursday 27th August  –

FREE Summer Holiday Fun Activities at RM

  • Railway Museum, York

  • All ages

  • Free, prebooking admission recommended

  • More info and booking here


Monday 20th July- Saturday 29th August –

Various prebookable activities and events at Darlington Libraries from creative workshops to music and play and author events.

  • Darlington and Cockerton Library

  • Suitable for a mixture of ages (0-16 years)

  • Costs from £2.50 to £8 per child

  • Prebooking required

  • More info and booking here


Tuesday 21st July-Thursday 27th August–

FREE Sports Activities with Darlington’s Move More Team

  • Various parks across Darlington

  • 7-12 year olds

  • Tuesdays-Thursdays

  • FREE Drop In

  • More info here


Tuesday 21st July -Saturday 29th August–

FREE The Wonder Room Creative Playspace

  • Hopetown, Darlington

  • Recommended ages 0-7 years

  • Free, just drop in during opening hours Tues-Sat

  • More info here


Tuesday 21st July-Tuesday 1st September –

How to train your dragon: Survival School

  • DIG, York

  • Recommended ages 5-12 years

  • £15 per child

  • Every Tuesday only

  • More info and booking here


Tuesday 21st July-Thursday 3rd September –

Free ‘The Tempest’ Pop Up Play Area


Wednesday 22nd July-Wednesday 2nd September –

How to train your dragon: Warrior School

  • DIG, York

  • Recommended ages 5-12 years

  • £12 per child

  • Every Wednesday only

  • More info and booking here


Wednesday 22nd July-Saturday 26th September-

Free St Teresa’s Duck Trail

Thursday 23rd July-Thursday 27th August –

Drop In Crafts at Kirkleatham Museum

  • Kirkleatham Museum

  • All ages

  • From £3 per craft

  • Running on Thursdays

  • No need to book. More info here




Monday 27th July-Friday 28th August –

Whether your child is new to swimming, working towards the final outcomes of their current stage, or just loves the water, Summer Splash provides swimmers with the opportunity to swim on consecutive days unlike weekly lessons. This intensive approach allows skills to be practised, reinforced and developed much more quickly, helping swimmers build confidence and retain new techniques.

  • Hummersknott Academy, Darlington

  • Stage 1 through to Stage 10 (from ages 4 upwards)

  • Running on the following dates;

    -Monday 27th July-Friday 31st July

    -Monday 17th August-Friday 21st August

    -Monday 24th August-Friday 28th August (excluding Tues 25th)

  • £65 for 5 x 30 minute small group lessons (or £52 for 4 x 30 minute lessons on w.c 24/08)

  • 1:1 also available £200 for 5 x 30 minute lessons (or £160 for 4 x 30 minute lessons on wc 24/08)

  • More info and booking here

Swim Buddies Darlington
Swim Buddies Darlington

Monday 27th July- Sunday 30th August  –

Happy Rooms by Stellar Creates

  • Middlesbrough Town Hall

  • All Ages

  • Relaxed sessions with reduced numbers available

  • £4.50-£6.50 per child | £6.50-£8.50 per adult | (35p booking fee pp applies) | Under 2's and essential companion goes free | Discounted family tickets available

  • More info here


Tuesday 28th July-Tuesday 25th August–

Tales on Tuesdays

  • The Old Library, Auckland Palace, Bishop Auckland

  • All ages

  • Free

  • No need to book, just drop in

  • Tuesdays only

  • More info here


Wednesday 29th July-Wednesday 26th August–

Wednesdays in the Garden

  • Auckland Palace Grounds, Bishop Auckland

  • All ages

  • Free

  • No need to book, just drop in

  • Wednesdays only

  • More info here


Thursday 30th July- Monday 31st August –

Inflatable Golf

  • Ushaw Historic House and Gardens, Durham

  • All ages

  • On selected dates: 30/07, 21/08 and 31/08

  • Drop In activity. Included in Day pass/Membership-from £7.

  • More info here


Friday 31st July-Friday 28th August–

FREE Family Fridays

  • Auckland Palace Grounds, Bishop Auckland

  • All ages

  • Free

  • No need to book, just drop in

  • Fridays only

  • More info here



Saturday 1st August- Monday 31st August –

Ad FREE Wallace and Gromit All Systems Go AR Trail

Find and follow the markers to embark on a unique trail to help Wallace & Gromit ready their rocket for blast off! Each marker unlocks a different, interactive augmented reality scene, challenging you to complete various tasks and tick off Wallace’s check list.

  • Hopetown, Darlington

  • All ages

  • Free just download a free app and drop along. Prebook your free site admission.

  • More info here



Wednesday 5th August- Friday 28th August–

Junior Golf Academy

  • Virtual Fairways NE, Darlington

  • Ages 7-14 years

  • £15 per session or £50 for all 4 weeks

  • Wednesdays or Fridays-one session per week

  • More info and booking here


Monday 10th August-Monday 24th August –

'This tree belongs to me' with Storycraft Theatre

  • Kiplin Hall & Gardens, RIchmond

  • All ages, better suited to younger

  • Included with standard admission (£13 adult | £6.50 child | under 5's free)

  • Mondays only

  • With Makaton SIgn language throughout

  • No need to book

  • More info here




Wednesday 12th August-Saturday 29th August –

Our Wonderful World is a play space within the theatre that explores the wonders of our natural world, how we care for the world we live in and the impact we have on the world. There will be natural play items alongside recycled/ reusable play materials.

  • The Hullabaloo, Darlington

  • Aimed at ages 0-7 years

  • Free, just pop along during opening hours 10am-2pm Wednesday-Saturday (not running on 19th-22nd August)

  • More info here

  • Neurodivergent Friendly Group Session 27/08- book here


The Hullabaloo
The Hullabaloo


Monday 17th August- Saturday 30th August –

FREE Brick Fairytales Lego Trail


Monday 24th August–

Summer Singing Bunnies

  • Ushaw Historic House and Gardens, Durham

  • Age not stated

  • On selected dates: 30/07, 21/08 and 31/08

  • Activity requires pre-booking. Included in Day pass/Membership-from £7.

  • More info and booking here


Monday 24th August –  

The Amazing Bubble Science Show


Monday 24th August- Monday 31st August–

Aqueduct Engineering

  • Binchester Roman Fort, Bishop Auckland

  • Age not stated

  • Included with admission - £8 adult | £5 child | Under 4's and carers free

  • No need to prebook activity just drop in. More info and to prebook admission here


Tuesday 25th August –  

Youth Summer Camp Out at TCR Hub

  • TCR Hub, Barnard Castle

  • Ages 13-15 years

  • £15 per person includes food

  • More info and booking here


Wednesday 26th August–

The Dinosaur that pooped a Rock Show

  • Darlington Hippodrome

  • All ages

  • £13.50-£17.50 per person | save £4 family of 4, band a seating

  • More info and booking here


Wednesday 26th August–  

Mosaic Makers

  • Ushaw Historic House and Gardens, Durham

  • Recommended ages 5 plus

  • Also running on 06/08

  • Drop In activity. Included in Day pass/Membership-from £7.

  • More info here


Wednesday 26th August–  

Peter Rabbit and Mad Hatter Show

  • Kirkleatham Museum, near Redcar

  • All ages

  • £2 per child

  • More info and booking here


Wednesday 26th August–

Dark Climb at GoClimb

  • Billingham Forum

  • All ages

  • £10.85 child under 16 | £13 adult | Family of 4 discounted ticket £41.20-2 ads 2 ch use code FAMILY2 or 1ad 3 ch use code FAMILY3

  • Also on 26th August

  • More info and booking here


Wednesday 26th August–

FREE Family Fun Morning with Empower Mama CIC


Thursday 27th August –  

FREE Dinosaur Day

  • Darlington Town Centre

  • All Ages

  • Free, just pop along

  • More info here


Thursday 27th August –  

The Big Bad Wolf Musical by The Plandits

  • Middlesbrough Town Hall

  • All Ages

  • From £14pp

  • More info here


Thursday 27th August –

Scoops and Scales

  • Lanchester Garden Centre, Durham

  • All ages

  • £14.95 per child

  • More info and booking here


Saturday 29th August –  

Quantum Theatre: The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Button (Outdoor Theatre)

  • Kirkleatham Museum Grounds

  • All Ages

  • £16.26 adult | £10.84 child | Carers free | Discounted family ticket (2ads 2 ch) £50.95

  • More info and booking here


Saturday 29th August –

Carnival Summer

  • Wellington Square, Stockton on Tees

  • All ages

  • Free, just drop in

  • More info here


Saturday 29th- Monday 31st August –  

Roman Commotion

  • Binchester Roman Fort, Bishop Auckland

  • Age not stated

  • Free with admission -£8 adult | £5 child | Under 4's and carers free

  • More info and booking of admission here


Sunday 30th August –  

Family Foam Fest Party at Blackwell Meadows


Sunday 30th August–

Ushaw Classic Car & Bike Show

  • Ushaw Historic House and Gardens, Durham

  • All Ages

  • Drop In. Included in Day pass/Membership-from £7.

  • More info and booking here


Sunday 30th August –

FREE Summer Brass Concerts

  • Wharton Park, Durham

  • All ages

  • Sundays Only

  • Free drop in

  • More info here


Monday 31st August

End of Summer Party


DAILY DROP IN ACTIVITIES


National Trust Summer of Play -usual admission applies plus extra cost where stated below


Beninbrough, York - daily from 26th June until 20th September plus crafts in the garden selected Tuesdays, tansy beetle day on 23/07 and 06/08, find out what lives in a pond on 28/07 and 11/08. And pop up sports day selected Thursdays

Crook Hall Gardens, Durham-daily from 4th July until 1st September

Fountains Abbey, Ripon- daily from 18th July until 6th September plus crafty mondays , circus skills workshops every Wednesday, football and cricket sessions with Harrogate Town AFC every Thursday and storytelling with Ripon Library every Friday and music workshops every Sunday

Ormesby Hall, Middlesbrough- daily from 18th July until 30th August plus Moving Mondays:Yoga on selected Mondays and try it Tuesday Karate selected Tuesdays

Nunnington Hall, near York -daily from 18th July until 6th September

Wallington, near Morpeth - daily from 20th July until 31st August

Gibside, Gateshead -daily from 4th July until 1st September

Souter Lighthouse, Whitburn -Saturday to Wednesday from 18th July until 2nd September

Seaton Delavel Hall, Seaton Sluice- Daily from 18th July until 31st August plus Bubble Play selected Mondays, Comedy Capers on 22/07 and 10/08, Theatre sprout presents Wild Goose Chase selected Wednesdays and Lets Circus every Friday. And Wild Art with Mim Robson on 05/08 and 19/08

Washington Old Hall - daily from 23rd July until 31st August


There is also the following at NT Brimham Rocks, near Harrogate which has no admission costs and activities are free. Parking costs do apply;

Orienteering Taster Day - 23/07 and 30/07

Climbing and Abseiling Taster Day - 06/08 and 27/08 (min age 8 years)


Ellerton Lakeside Cafe, Scorton, near Richmond (North Yorkshire)

Ellerton Lakeside Cafe run a family fun outdoor area on their ‘Foxes Field’ during summer with inflatables assult course, bouncy castles, slip and slide. The current cost is £10 per person for all day play (this may change in peak times). There's also an onsite play park, onsite cafe as well as summer/bbq food and drinks to purchase and enjoy on the field (your own food is not permitted).

No need to book you just pay on the day. Check their page for updates as not always open daily, weather dependent.


Ushaw Historic House and Gardens, Durham

Ushaw Historic House and Gardens have the following daily drop in activities included with admission. Admission can be purchased on the day, but is a bit cheaper if pre-booked.

  • Extinction – Discover life-size dinosaur encounters and learn what Extinction means through panels, objects and interactives.

  • Family Trails – See if you can find the animals hidden around the garden and practice your sign language and explore Extinction and to complete the i-spy.

  • Toy Takeover – They will heaps of track and trains for your young engineers to construct and play to their hearts content.

  • Lawn Games & Activities – Football goals, Giant Lawn Games, Hula Hooping, Badminton, Space Hoppers and much more.

  • Woodland Playpark – Explore the Woodland Playpark next to the Bounds field.

They also have some extra activities included in admission on selected days, I have added these as separate listings on the relevant dates.

Day Pass Costs; Adults £14 (£12 if pre-booked online) | Child £8 (£7 if pre-booked online) | Under 5's free | Annual Memberships also available-see here



Our Recommended Half/Full Days out attractions for all ages


I’ve also included costs based on website prices that checked the 18/07 as a comparison. And based it on 2 adults, 2 children ages 4 plus with full access where applicable so that it’s a fair comparison. If you have younger children/eligible for concessions it may be cheaper.


Full Day;


Half Day (prices are still for all day);


These are just some attractions we have visited and both of my boys (ages 4 and 10 now) have really enjoyed (and from an adult point of view I’ve found them mostly stress-free and enjoyable too). There’s been enough to occupy them both and they have mentioned going back to them.


Special Offers and Savings


-Save up to 25% off key attractions across County Durham when you travel by bus on the new Durham Explorer Services with Durham County Council. On Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays. More info here


-Discounted Entry this Summer on family attractions with the Government's Great British Summer Scheme reducing VAT. Savings of up to 15% off the usual prices. Here are some places I have sourced that are taking part in passing the savings onto their customers;


-50% off Summer Passes for Land of Make Believe, Stockton on Tees-valid 20th July until 31st August. Offer ends 31st July. More info here


-Summer Early Bird Tickets £18pp for Lightwater Valley Family Adventure Park, Ripon. Enter code SUMMEREB at checkout. More info and booking here


-Summer Play Passes at Moobears, Chester Le Street for £40 per child-unlimited entry from 22nd June until 4th September. More info and how to purchase here


-Dirty Bandits Virtual Golf, Newton Aycliffe-Summer Holidays Deal virtual golf, darts and retro games- £5 per hour for kids ages 16 and under. More info here


SEN/D Specific Activities or Events


There's lots of community organisations and CIC’s that organise specific activities aimed at those with SEN and SEND and often adding more on all the time. To check what’s happening you can join my Facebook group where a lot of them advertise here



Thanks for reading and I hope this guide helps you with your Summer Holiday plans. My guides are put together by myself without any cost to the business that I’m advertising (Unless it states Ad in front of it then a featured listing has been paid for).


If you would like to thank me for my content and time you can ➡️ buy me a coffee here 


ARE YOU ON SOCIAL MEDIA TOO? 📲 You can follow me for more helpful and inspiring content ⤵️


I share useful, informative and inspiring content from reviews or whats on ideas all year round for family leisure venues to visit, UK breaks, last minute ideas and other inspiration for family things to do.

Follow me on Facebook here 

Follow me on Instagram here 


🌟ENJOYED MY CONTENT? You can also leave me a review via my Facebook account, Google or on this post at the bottom in the comments. This helps a lot when businesses are looking to work with me 💜


🤝WANT TO WORK WITH ME TO ADVERTISE YOUR FAMILY LEISURE BUSINESS OR EVENT? I would love to hear from you. I offer various advertising services and packages to suit different budgets and I can tailor and suggest a plan to suit your goals and requirements. Please complete the form HERE and I’ll be in touch. My most up to date media kit is available on request. Responses are usually within 48 hours.


This article has been written and published by Charlotte Walcott (Business Owner of ©️Family Fun Darlo Mum)


“Mum to 2 boys, Kamron-10 and Leo-4. Sharing and producing honest and informative social media content and reviews, website guides and articles for family days out ideas, family venues, UK Breaks, family friendly events and general family fun!"








Comments

Rated 0 out of 5 stars.
No ratings yet
Add a rating

Want to see more every day content and family fun inspiration? Follow me on social media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram

©2026 by Family Fun Darlo Mum. 

bottom of page