What's On in the North East for Kids & Teens : July 2026

This post was published in June 2026. As always, please check details with venues direct before heading out as info can change and cancellations are possible. You can do that by clicking the links in this post.

Hello July!

I have decided to split my Summer Holiday What's On Guide across July and August this year as quite frankly, they are just becoming too big to cover the full six weeks. Look out for August's guide towards the end of July.

Here are some posts you may find useful over the coming months:

Kids Eat Free Deals

I will update this section as summer holidat deals are announced (usually more towards the end of the month)

(ad) Top Picks for July

Happy Rooms is back!

I'm so excited about this - Happy Rooms returns to Middlesbrough on 27 July and is open across the summer. Expect 12 immersive, colourful and fun artist-led experiences which will leave you feeling HAPPY. Tickets are available from £4.50 here: https://stellarcreates.co.uk/product/happy-rooms-2026/

The Storied Lands & Kynren

The much-anticipated brand new daytime live action show park, The Storied Lands opens in Bishop Auckland on 18th July and is available to visit every Tuesday-Sunday across the Summer. Visitors will experience 5 immersive and live actions shows / experiences across the day including Vikings, Knights & Magnificent Birds. And on selected Fridays and Saturdays, you can add a ticket to Kynren and experience the ultimate day and night out. Find out more and book: https://kynren.com/

Whitehouse Farm

There is SO much fun included in your day out at Whitehouse Farm and it's somewhere you can definitely plan to spend a full day out. From tractor rides and Meerkat talks to bouncy pillows, indoor soft play, animal feeding, animal grooming and mega slides - it's all going on. Check their website for special events and character visits and they're also taking part in the Government's Summer Savings scheme and offering automatic discounted entry this summer. Find out more and book: https://whitehousefarmcentre.co.uk/

Alnwick Garden

July is a wonderful time to visit Alnwick Garden with so many flowers in bloom and (hopefully) the sun shining down on you. Did you know, KIDS GO FREE (up to 4 children per adult) and pet dogs on leads are welcome on Thursdays and Sundays. July Highlights include:

Ranger Trail with Reg the Hedge (until 17 July)
Music in the Garden (selected dates)
Summer of Play (from 18 July) with bespoke wooden ball games, water pistol fights and more!

How about booking a combined ticket with Lilidorei? The world's largest play structure is hosting a festival of fairies until 12 July and from 15 July, the Lililympics will be taking place across the Summer with lots of challenges for all to try. Find out more and book: https://www.alnwickgarden.com/whats-on/

Beamish Museum

A trip to Beamish in the summer months is always a joy. Whether you're just taking a scenic walk with your dog or getting stuck into their special events and activities or simply visiting for their fish and chips of to pick up some bits from the bakery - a visit always feels special. Events to look out for in July:

4 & 5 July - Quoits & Crank It Up Weekend
Fridays in Term Time - Beamish Play Group
11 & 12 July - Meccano Weekend, DLI Society & WW2 Re-enactments
18 & 19 July - Attelage Horse Weekend
From 18 July - Summer of Fun - Step into Stories
25 & 26 July - 50 Years of Rowley Station Celebrations

All activities are included with the Beamish Unlimited Pass (if you purchase this summer you can use it to visit Beamish Daytimes which are fantastic). Find out more: https://www.beamish.org.uk/whats-on/

Science at Life

Science at Life is also taking part in the Government's Summer of Fun scheme and tickets have been automatically discounted this summer. Additionally, if you arrive by public transport (bus/train/Metro) and use code TRAVEL20 when booking online (or show your ticket on arrival), you can enjoy an extra 20% discount. This brings tickets down to £9.52pp which is the cheapest they have been in ages! As you'd expect, there's a full day of activities included from Dome Shows and Live Science Shows to the Brain Zone, Lightbox and of course, the Great Dinosaur Escape. Find out more and book: https://www.life.org.uk/

Woodhorn & Hexham Old Gaol

Under 18s always go free at both Woodhorn and Hexham Old Goal and an adult annual pass offers excellent value (£6-£11 per adult for an annual pass). Woodhorn is once again hosting their Wild Wednesdays across the summer holidays. We thoroughly enjoyed this last year and would recommend to everyone for a cute wholesome activity with kids. There's also a Classic & Vintage Car Rally on 12 July and Arts & Crafts in the Ashington Hut. All available at no additional cost. Find out more here: https://www.northeastmuseums.org.uk/woodhorn/visit

And over at Hexham Old Gaol, you can have a go at making your own Mannacles and explore crime and punishment in Northumberland through the years. If you haven't visited before, it's a fab museum and you can easily combine with the new Sele Park which has just opened and looks brill.

Find out more: https://www.northeastmuseums.org.uk/hexhamoldgaol/visit

Gosforth Civic Theatre

There's a whole host of fun taking place at Gosforth Civic Theatre in July from a Community Clothes Swap Shop on 2 July to a School's Out Pizza Party on 17 July. The big event of the summer is the return of Gosforth Civic Beer Festival which takes place from 31 July - 2 August. It's £8 for an adult wristband which includes entry across the full weekend plus a commemorative reusable beer glass to take home. Kids are welcome and under 18s GO FREE. You can expect fantastic live music, street food vendors and 30 beer taps. Find out more: https://www.gosforthcivictheatre.co.uk/whats-on

Discovery Museum

Just a reminder that at the moment, there is scaffolding around Discovery Museum as their roof is being restored but they are still very much open for business and of course still, FREE entry. Please check the museum website for opening hours before visiting. As well as the regular exhibitions including the interactive Science Maze & Steam to Green and under 5s Tiny Tyneside Play Area, there is a range of bookable events taking place across the month inlcuding:

Tiny Sparks (fun Science for 3-5 year olds)
Discover a Story (weekly storytime and crafts for 3-5 year olds)
Time Travel Club with the National Archives

Find out more: https://www.northeastmuseums.org.uk/discoverymuseum

Kids Go Free Northern Stage - Christmas Offer

For a limited time only (between 7 & 28 July), you can book tickets for The Snow Queen at Northern Stage on selected dates and KIDS GO FREE when you use code KIDSGOFREE. Tickets start at just £12 which means that a family of 4 can enjoy this performance from just £24. What a bargain! The Christmas shows at Northern Stage are always filled with magic and leave you with a warm fuzzy feeling. I'd highly recommend to families with children aged 5+ including teens (or even just as adults who love festive magic). Find out more and check eligible dates here: https://northernstage.co.uk/kids-go-free/

Sat 4 & Sun 5 July (North of Tyne)