Things to do with kids in and around Newcastle in the summer school holidays

With excitement levels now hitting their peak as schools across the North East prepare to break up for the summer holidays, with teachers no doubt as elated as their pupils, families will be busy with plans to fill those long days ahead.

For children, this is the start of summer and, while the weather could do with a bit of a reminder of which season we're in, that means outings to enjoy and lots of fun to be had. Parents, meanwhile, have the task of thinking up ways to keep their young ones occupied as much as possible.

Here, we've drawn up a guide to what's on offer in Newcastle and across the wider North East during the school holidays. It includes free activities laid on by some of our most popular visitor attractions and ideas to explore at new additions to the region.

• Read More: Summer in the City events in Newcastle include free kayak lessons and a quayside motorbike race
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Among the latter is the Ninja Warrior UK Adventure Park - a first for the region - which is opening in Teesside this weekend, just in time for the start of the holidays. For further ideas for to fill the big break see this round-up of free things to do, which includes lots of lovely walks, and also these suggestions for what to do with the kids if it rains.

NE1's Screen on the Green - Newcastle

This popular freebie is back in the heart of the city, with a giant screen set up in Old Eldon Square all set to show around 100 films throughout the summer holidays. The programme - offering two screenings a day from July 20 until September 1 - includes plenty children's favourites and families can take along a picnic and bag one of the deckchairs to make the most of them.

The kids' films include The Little Mermaid, Wonka, The Railway Children Return, Beauty and the Beast, Kung Fu Panda 4, Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie, Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie, Enchanted, Aladdin and Mary Poppins Return and Cars 3 - and there are loads more. Find the full programme and timings here.

Planetarium show at Life - Newcastle

Life Science Centre has launched new show Earth Defenders in its planetarium around the theme of 'superhero satellites' defending the Earth. It's an animation made in the style of the eighties which is projected across the 360-degree domed space, giving audiences the feeling they are immersed in images and sound as it journeys through space.

Part-funded by the UK Space Agency, it is also set to raise awareness of the real satellites orbiting the Earth and being used in everything from weather forecasting to global communications. For more about Life's summer holiday activities see here.

Ninja Warrior UK Adventure Park - Teesside Park

Inspired by ITV's Ninja Warrior UK games show, this new activity park - opening on the retail and leisure site on July 20 - promises similar obstacle courses and inflatable runs, with potential for adrenaline-fuelled work-outs for grown-ups and general climbing, balancing, bouncing and swinging fun for young ones.

They can channel their inner ninja on various courses - find out more about them here. There's a special inflatable course for under-fours too.

Peace Doves at Durham Cathedral

Those quick off the mark can still take part in helping to make an installation at the city landmark. The mass-participation artwork by artist Peter Walker invites visitors to make paper doves to add to a huge display which will be suspended in the cathedral nave for the rest of the summer.

The plan is to hand-make 15,000 birds in total and the last-chance to pop into the cathedral to take part in the project will be this Saturday, July 20.

Beamish Museum - Durham

Fun and games retro-style are being laid on at the County Durham museum throughout the summer holidays, with something new on offer every day. It all ties in perfectly with the opening of exciting new attractions - including a cinema and pottery - which can be explored at the same time.

Offering a refreshing change from mobile phones and online games, the summer programme will include den-building and 1950s games such as Shove It Up Your Jumper plus activities to design cinema billboard posters and, er, milk a wooden cow Friday. Find out more here.

Sunderland Arts and Culture Trail

This new - and free - summer self-guided trail will take in a display of work by around 60 local artists at 40 locations across Sunderland. Not only will it help families get their steps in but it also promises to entertain with its range of painting, sculpture and performance art, pop-ups and exhibitions. For a downloadable map of the July 6-21 trail see here.

Hullabaloo in the Park - Darlington

The family-friendly festival makes a return to Darlington from July 26-28 with a free programme aimed at under-10s and their grown-ups. Described as a summer staple since 2021, it will see Theatre Hullabaloo host all sorts of attractions - performances, music, dance, storytelling, 'messy play', crafts, workshops and food - in the town's South Park.

Around 15,000 people are expected to attend what is claimed to be the "only arts festival in England that families with young children can enjoy without paying a penny". Find its programme here.

Discovery Museum - Newcastle

The museum celebrates science and engineering - especially the North East achievements with the likes of its focal point Turbinia being the first vessel to be powered by a steam turbine - is launching a new exhibition for the summer holidays.

Steam to Green aims to tell the story of energy in the region, with a bit of a lesson about the industrial revolution and a look at pioneering the local work happening in green technologies. And new hands-on displays - and a 'cutaway' electric Nissan Leaf car on display - will appeal to bright young minds.

Find its summer programme here. The city museum comes under the TWAM (Tyne & Wear Archives and Museums) umbrella whose other attractions - including the city's Great North Museum: Hancock and Laing Art Gallery - can be visited for free and also will be laying on a programme of activities during the school holidays, with some details below.

Ouseburn Farm - Newcastle

This much-loved community farm in the city is free entry and a lovely spot to explore and while away a few hours. Besides the animal attractions in its farmyard, it has a beautiful garden, a café and visitor centre.

It has many colourful characters amongst its residents, including goats, pigs and cattle. And this week staff have been celebrating Beavis the parrot making it to '76 days of no biting'. The farm has yet to announce its summer programme so keep an eye out here.

Gruffalo Olympics at Hamsterley Forest - County Durham

Gruffalo fans may already know that this year marks the critter's 25th birthday so a trip to this County Durham forest could win brownie points for parents as, from July 23, it will be running a new family trail - with some Olympic-theme extras.

Families are invited to track down missing Gruffalo party items such as balloons, pine cones and apples while learning about life in the forest and there also will be sporty challenges to try along the way. Find out more here.

Seven Stories - Newcastle

Another attraction with free entry is this national centre for children's books in the Ouseburn, which could be included with a trip to the adjacent Ouseburn Farm for a full family day out.

Find its summer plans here. As part of Newcastle City Council’s Best Holiday Ever activity fund, it also will be running free holiday clubs - with games, crafts, stories and a meal - for four to 16-year-old pupils who attend the city's schools and receive free school meals.

Jesmond Dene - Newcastle

An oasis of calm in the heart of the city, the dene is a perfect spot for a family walk or cycle ride. And pack a picnic to enjoy along the way.

Its Pets Corner, with the likes of birds, goats and rabbits, has been a family favourite for generations - and has a fundraising page to help with its upkeep - while other attractions are its winding paths and the ruined water mill, which dates from 1739. The dene is easy to reach on foot from South Gosforth, Jesmond and Heaton.

Stephenson Steam Railway - North Shields

Heritage steam train rides are a hit with all ages at the museum - the home of George Stephenson’s ‘Billy’: forerunner of the world- famous Rocket - and during the school holidays it will be adding Thursday trips to its usual Sunday and bank holiday programme: find out more here.

On August 26, the museum also will be hosting a Meet the Baby Dinosaurs Experience - which needs to be booked - which is aimed at five to 12-year-olds and invites them to 'close and personal' with baby dinosaurs who will be accompanied by expert handlers.

Alnwick Castle - Northumberland

The castle is laying on a full programme of events during the summer holidays, including longbow demonstrations, cannon-firing - which promises to be a blast, and falconry and history displays. Young Harry Potter fans can also walk in the footsteps of their wizard and witch heroes, visiting scenes where scenes from the first in the film franchise were shot.

Besides the castle, the adjacent Alnwick Gardens has a whole world of magical charms of its own, including the Lilidorei fantastical play ground. Read more about it here. There's also a free hop-on bus service available around Alnwick attractions.

Laing Art Gallery - Newcastle

The city centre gallery - currently exhibiting a Turner painting classed as a national treasure - knows how to keep young visitors entertained and this summer it is again running Art Camps and Art Clubs for seven to 10-year-olds and 11-16-year-olds, offering opportunities to learn about and create art.

And there are places still available to book. For pop-in young guests there is also a children’s area for dressing up and interactive learning.

Great North Museum: Hancock

Deep inside this treasure trove of a museum lie worlds of Egyptian mummies and natural history collections to explore. From a reconstruction of a section of Hadrian’s Wall to a Tyrannosaurus Rex replica skeleton and Helen Sharman's spacesuit, there's plenty to keep the children occupied.

For summer's special events, including an archaeology day and activities as part Newcastle's Novum festival in August, see here.

Metrocentre - Gateshead

The shopping centre - known to youngsters as the home of the MetroGnomes who regularly perform free shows during school holidays - has a children’s play area and this summer is setting up a roller skating rink in its Exhibition Square.

It will be running from August 7 until September 1 and can be booked here.

Bamburgh Castle - Northumberland

Hot on the heels of announcing the theme of this year's Christmas attraction, which is billed as the biggest indoor festive event in the region, the castle is busily preparing for summer visitors and upcoming its events include history re-enactments, a circus weekend, animal attractions and a beach and craft tour.

It is also running Uhtreds School of Warriors, where children can learn what it is to be a Viking - in the spot where real Vikings may well have been running amok: see here. The castle has just come in for heaps of praise in a new Which? study which saw Bamburgh top the list of the UK's best seaside towns for the fourth year running.

Saltwell Park - Gateshead

Even on the sunniest day, families still will be able to find a chill-out spot for a picnic here, thanks to the Victorian park's 55 acres of parkland, woods and ornamental gardens. There are sports courts, playing areas and bird houses, plus a cafe and coffee stop.

Arbeia Roman Fort - South Shields

Imagine what life was like as a Centurion soldier in this former home of the Roman garrison that guarded the Tyne - and it's not hard to do amongst the mix of excavated remains and reconstructed buildings. Adding a boost over the holidays will be Roman-inspired crafts running every Wednesday while the July 26-27 weekend will be a Meet the Tungrians event - a living history re-enactment of auxiliary soldiers of the early 2nd century.

Baltic - Gateshead

Pop in - it's free. With a beautiful location right next to the River Tyne, the contemporary art gallery offers plenty to occupy the eyes and mind as well as a chill-out room for families to just relax and chat.

Included on its summer programme will be a drop-in morning cereal disco in that Front Room. It says: "Fancy starting your day with a cereal disco in the school holidays? Join us for breakfast and a boogie in Front Room available every morning Wednesday to Sunday for the summer holidays." Find more about its programme here.

Picnic at the beach - North Tyneside

The North East has expanses of beautiful beach so families really can go wrong whether they head down to the likes of Seaburn or Marsden in South Tyneside or travel north of the river. Tynemouth has been made fourth place in a new Which? survey of the best seaside towns in the UK - which saw Bamburgh further north earn top spot.

A cheap and cheerful day at the beach is always a winner with kids and a picnic on top of that will seal the deal. Further along from Tynemouth is Whitley Bay with its short causeway to St Mary's Island with its rockpools. You can climb the steps up St Mary's Lighthouse for a charge.

Shipley Art Gallery - Gateshead

A visit here could be combined with a trip to Saltwell Park and arty young minds should be easily occupied by its huge collection of paintings, art and crafts. On top of that, there's a summer of workshops and art classes to come and running every Thursday during the school holidays will be a Family Arts Festival filled with craft activities such as making a sculpture from a paper plate and creating an origami fish: see here.

Rising Sun Country Park - Benton

These 400 acres of greenery boast all sorts of wildlife and a lovely lake area which is designated as a Local Nature Reserve. There's plenty space to blow of steam and explore habitats including grassland, woodland and wetlands. See more about it on the council website here.

Woodhorn Museum - Ashington

A former colliery site, this museum now celebrates the area's coal mining heritage and includes a display of the famous Pitmen Painters who took the art world by storm. During every day of the school holidays, a Pop Up Ashington Group Hut will be hosting art and craft activities inspired by those arty miners, including - in the first fortnight - a chance to make a colourful mini allotment, filled with birds, flowers and veg using paper collage techniques.

The museum also has a Pit Yard Play Area, which includes a range of accessible play equipment and has a wheelchair and pushchair-path leading to it, and - for very young ones - there are 'activity trollies' filled with the likes of game, puppets and curious objects to investigate. See the museum's Facebook page here.