York is a city full of history and culture. Something wonderful awaits on every street, in every park, and in every shop, from the friendly smile of a sales assistant to the glorious stained-glass windows inside York Minster. This wonder is enhanced through children's eyes, making York an ideal family destination.
Catch a train to York station with CrossCountry and explore the most interesting and exciting things to do in York with kids.
York Castle Museum
York Castle Museum is a great attraction for families with little historians. The museum showcases the people’s history of York and North Yorkshire by whisking visitors back in time. The highlight, Kirkgate, is an indoor time capsule that recreates a Victorian street. Everything here belonged to the Victorian period or earlier, such as Barton’s sweet shop, originally built in the 16th century in Stamford.
The attention to detail at Kirkgate is fascinating, with every building based on real businesses that operated in York during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Just eighteen minutes walking distance from York station or an eight-minute bus ride, it’s the perfect idea for an educational and immersive day out in York.
York Dungeon
As one of the spookiest cities in the UK, York has no shortage of spine-chilling activities. At York Dungeon, the storied history of York takes on a gloriously gruesome edge. From the plague to witch trials to the ghosts that wander the city, a visit here is not for the faint of heart.
Particularly perfect for young thrill-seekers, York Dungeon gives each attraction a scary score from 1-5. Can you brave the dungeons' scariest experience? At the highest rating of 5, Isabella Billington, an accused witch, will attempt to convince you of her innocence from her jail cell, but may only be successful at scaring the daylights out of you.
York Dungeon is a fantastic day trip to take with older kids, with the recommended age being 8 and above. It’s a thirteen-minute walk from York station. If you and your family love scary stories, be sure to try a haunting ghost walk; there are lots of fantastic options throughout the UK, including in York.
Beetle Bank Farm
Beetle Bank Farm can be found in Murton, a small village just outside the city. The working farm offers animal encounters, a huge adventure playground, and even stargazing sessions! Committed to accessibility and inclusivity, Beetle Bank Farm is perfect for every kind of family.
Animal feed is available to purchase at reception. From there, you can visit fluffy rabbits, goats, pigs, and all kinds of farmyard friends. One highlight is the alpaca walks, available to book for yourself or as a gift. In the company of a trained handler, you’ll be able to take the farm’s friendly alpacas on a walk through the fields! If you love animals, be sure to explore more of the best farm days out in the UK.
National Railway Museum
We just have to mention the National Railway Museum, home to the Flying Scotsman VR experience, the only Japanese bullet train outside Japan, and the world’s fastest steam locomotive. Proud winner of Best Family Attraction in York at the Little Vikings Awards 2025, the National Railway Museum encourages curiosity and exploration in both adults and children.
For children aged 6 and below, the train-themed play area is a particular gem. Built around four key themes: explore, build, move, and pretend, it’s the sort of place where imaginations can run wild. Expect sensory toys, building blocks, a play train, and plenty more attractions designed to support healthy development.
DIG
DIG is a fun and quirky idea for a family day out in York. Recommended for children aged 5-12, DIG is perhaps the closest you can get to the city’s buried history. The attraction recreates authentic excavation pits inspired by York’s past, sites where real treasures were once discovered, including the Coppergate Viking excavation and the Blake Street excavation, which uncovered ancient Roman barracks.
Once you’ve found an intriguing artefact, head to the Explore space and experience the real thing! Here, you’ll see important architectural discoveries and learn how they can be brought back to life. DIG is a unique and educational day trip idea for kids, and it’s a seventeen-minute walk from York station. Alternatively, you can catch a bus, which will take around the same time.
If you’re planning things to do in York for families, don’t forget to book Advance rail tickets via our website or the CrossCountry app. Before you travel, make sure to check scheduled train times to find the best journey for you. If you need more information, you can contact us here.
Info
At the time of publishing, all information given is correct. Details of events, businesses, and locations included may be subject to change by third parties. Please make sure to check any details with organisers before you travel.
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