Newcastle upon Tyne is a brilliant destination for families. It’s compact, friendly, highly walkable, and packed with world-class museums that are not only genuinely engaging for children, but are mostly free to enter!
Whether you have toddlers who need to run off energy or teenagers looking for interactive exhibits, this guide covers the absolute best things to do in Newcastle with kids.
1. Great North Museum: Hancock
If you only do one thing with kids in Newcastle, make it the Great North Museum. It is a spectacular natural history and ancient history museum located right in the city centre.
Why kids love it:
- There is a full-size T-Rex replica skeleton dominating the main hall.
- Interactive exhibits on Hadrian’s Wall (including a virtual interactive map).
- An excellent planetarium (small fee applies for shows).
- A designated under-5s ‘Mouse House’ play area.
Practicalities: Entry is completely free. There is an indoor picnic area where you can eat your own packed lunches, plus a standard museum café.
2. Discovery Museum
Located on the western edge of the city centre, the Discovery Museum focuses on science, engineering, and local history. It’s vast, loud, and incredibly hands-on.
Why kids love it:
- Turbinia, the massive, once-fastest ship in the world, sits right in the entrance hall.
- The ‘Science Maze’ floor is packed with interactive physics experiments, water play areas, and puzzles.
- Dedicated play areas for younger children on the ground floor.
Practicalities: Free entry. It has a huge café and plenty of buggy parking.
3. Seven Stories: The National Centre for Children’s Books
Located in the cultural hub of the Ouseburn Valley, Seven Stories is unique in the UK. It’s a seven-story converted mill dedicated entirely to the art of children’s literature.
Why kids love it:
- Immersive storytelling sessions that bring books to life.
- Dress-up areas and interactive exhibitions based on famous children’s authors (like Julia Donaldson or Enid Blyton).
- An incredible bookshop and reading nooks everywhere.
Practicalities: Free entry (some specific events/workshops are ticketed).
4. Ouseburn Farm
Just a two-minute walk from Seven Stories is Ouseburn Farm. It is a remarkable green oasis sitting right beneath the concrete bridges of the city.
Why kids love it:
- Getting up close to sheep, pigs, goats, and chickens.
- A small animal room featuring guinea pigs, tortoises, and reptiles.
- A brilliant cafe and outdoor seating area for parents.
Practicalities: Free entry (donations strongly encouraged as it’s a charity).
5. Jesmond Dene
When you need to escape the city concrete, head to Jesmond Dene. This narrow, steep-sided wooded valley feels like stepping into the deep countryside, despite being just minutes from the city centre.
Why kids love it:
- Pets’ Corner: A free petting zoo featuring alpacas, pot-bellied pigs, and colorful birds.
- A cascading waterfall and ruined mill to explore.
- Vast grassy areas perfect for picnics and running around.
6. The Life Science Centre
Located right next to Central Station, Life is Newcastle’s premier paid science attraction. It is a world-class educational facility that focuses heavily on biology and space.
Why kids love it:
- The biggest planetarium in the North of England.
- The ‘Making Studios’ where older kids can build and code.
- Interactive ‘Space Zone’ featuring a replica of the International Space Station.
- In winter, they host an outdoor ice rink in Times Square.
Practicalities: This is a paid attraction, and you should book tickets online in advance.
Family-Friendly Dining
Newcastle has hundreds of restaurants, but these are particularly good for families:
- Grainger Market: Let everyone choose their own lunch! Grab pizza by the slice, Chinese dumplings, or loaded fries and sit in the central arcade.
- Wylam Brewery (Exhibition Park): While it is a brewery, it sits in a massive park. In the summer, kids can run safely outside while parents enjoy exceptional food and craft beer.
- Fat Hippo (Underground): Located on Shakespeare Street, this burger joint has a cool, basement vibe and incredible kid’s burger meals.
Getting Around with Kids
Navigating the city is easy. The Tyne and Wear Metro is entirely step-free, making it perfect for buggies and pushchairs. Children under 11 travel free on the Metro when accompanied by a fare-paying adult!
Newcastle is built on a steep hill rising from the river. If you have a heavy buggy, start your day at the top of the city (Haymarket/Monument) and walk down to the Quayside, rather than the other way around. You can then take the QuayLink bus back up the hill.
