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

Always check information with venues direct before heading out as changes are possible.

Welcome to our bumper guide to what's on in June. Check out our top picks first and then scroll down to the dates you need for 'what's on at the weekend' listings.

It's a busy month for us with Discover Fest, lots of theatre trips, the Hoppings & the World Cup. Steve is off to see Metallica in Glasgow too.

If you're looking for more ideas, do check out these posts:

(ad) FREE Discover Fest at Newcastle University

 Sat 13 June 10am-4pm 
 A FREE Day Out 
 Suitable for All Ages  

Discover Fest takes place on Newcastle University Campus and is a day packed with activities for all ages. 

Highlights include: 

 Visit the University's Aerospace Lab where you can fly a drone and take the pilot's seat in a flight simulator 
 Join in with the Spaghetti Tower Building Challenge 
 Interact with Neo - the University's Chatty Robot 
 Storytelling, Junk Modelling & Art Sessions 
 Experience what it's like floating in space with zero gravity with the help of a VR headset 
 Extract DNA from fruit 
 Learn more about the 700 bugs living in your mouth at the Dental School 
 Take party in a LEGO Engineering workshop and design, build and race your own vehicles
 Design your own ship to take home using the University's Maritime Technology 
 Become a Town Planner and design a new town using bricks and buulding materials 
 Try lots of Science Experiments across the day including Gut Science, Chemistry, Sugar Detectives, Electrodes, Cancer Research & more
Use University Microscopes to discover cells in everyday objects 
 Visit the Inflatable Planetarium & discover more about Black Holes 

You can check the full programme and find out more here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/discover-fest/whats-on/ 

Most activities are drop in but some do have to be pre-booked. All actvities are FREE!

(ad) FREE Redcar Kite Festival

 This FREE Family Festival returns to the skies above Majuba Beach in Redcar on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 June

 No ticket or booking required - simply turn up 
 The kites will be flying beween 12noon and 6pm with a stunning range of displays flown by pilots from Northern Kite Group 
 Featuring some of the most spectacular kites in the world! 

You can expect: 
Giant inflatable kites including some larger-than-life cartoon characters
Kite ballet dancing set to music
Thrilling stunt kites
Rainbow Deltas – a chance for children to fly their own kites.
 FREE Kite Making 
FREE Fossil Workshops 
 FREE Rock Pool School 
 FREE Storytelling Tent with stories from Lady Lemon Top, Captain Pilm & more 

Plus.........
Walkabout performers and musicians including local favourites Whippet Up with their incredible new Rag Dragon land kite Rag .
The main BBC Tees music stage features a fantastic line up of local and regional talent and acoustic performers will also be performing on the bandstand.
On site face paint, henna and glitter bars will offer glitzy festival makeovers and vintage fairground rides bring fun for all the family plus there'll be some lush local street food stalls in attendance (charges apply)

Make sure you are following their dedicated social media channel to keep updated with news: Redcar Kite Festival

(ad) FREE Entry The Hoppings

Europe's Largest Funfair returns to Newcastle between 19 & 28 June.

❌ No need to book ahead
✅ FREE entry & entertainment
⭐ All ages welcome

This year you can expect:
🍔 The return of Feast Street with over 40 local vendors & licensed bars serving up the best street food & drinks
🎷 FREE Live Lounge Area with a variety of live music across the day and evening
🐭 FREE Kidz Club with character meet & greets and entertainment

Plus:

🎠 Over 400 Rides & Attractions with something for all ages
🤯 BRAND NEW RIDES including Elevate 85 - the UK's tallest mobile ride which stands at over 85 metres tall and will offer fabulous views across Newcastle
🫶 The BEST Carnival Atmsophere

Sign up for FREE money off vouchers & enter a VIP competition here: https://hoppingsfunfairs.com/

(ad) Horrible Histories Live at Northern Stage

Terrible Tudors & Awful Egyptians live on stage in Newcastle - Tickets from just £12

👀 Featuring 3D BoggleVision, all members of the audience will be provided with special 3D glasses.
Discover the legends (and the lies) in these hilarious performances which bring all the worst bits of history to life. Expect gruesome tales, gory stories, shocking facts and more.

📍Horrible Histories : Terrible Tudors & Awful Eqyptians at Northern Stage Newcastle
📅 12 / 13 / 14 June 2026
👌 Recommended for ages 5+
🎟 Tickets from just £12 per show Book here: https://northernstage.co.uk/whats-on/

(ad) FREE Miners' Picnic at Woodhorn

The Annual Miner's Picnic returns to Woodhorn Museum on Saturday 13 June between 10am and 5pm. I've attended a few times and it really is a wonderful event.

✅ FREE Entry with no booking required
✅ Brilliant for all ages with a jam packed schedule of entertainment
🐶 Dogs on leads welcome in the grounds and outbuildings
🚗 On site car parking is £5 per vehicle or there is a FREE accessible shuttle bus running across the day from Ashington Leisure Centre

What to expect:
- 10:30am Memorial Service paying tribute to those who lost their lives in the Mining Industry
- Choirs and Bands performing from 11:30am - 4:45pm
- Bug Fancy Dress Workshops - create your own bug wings, headwear or musical instruments ready for the parade
- 2:10pm Bugs & Beasties Parade

- Meet community groups including Woodhorn Narrow Gauge Railway Volunteers and the Woodhorn Weeders
- Tasty treats will be for sale from the Winding House Cafe and local food vendors or you can bring your own picnic (no alcohol)

- Anarchy Brewery pop up bar

Find out more and check the full schedule: https://www.northeastmuseums.org.uk/woodhorn/whats-on/northumberland-miners-picnic-2026

Azra Glow at Gosforth Civic Theatre

This looks super magical and tickets are just £10 each.

Performances take place on Sat 13 June at 11am and 2pm.

Azra Glow is an Illiminated Dance and Circus Spectacle. We follow Azra as she discovers a Dragon Egg and begins a journey to awaken it.

Expect glowing baby dragon puppets, UV flags, bubbles and atmospheric music filled with joy and wonder. Suitable for all ages and sensory friendly audiences - you can even stay after the show and meet the Dragon Puppets.

Book here: https://www.gosforthcivictheatre.co.uk/whats-on/azra-glow-a-dance-and-circus-spectacle

(ad) Dads Go Free at Whitehouse Farm

In honour of Father's Day, dads go FREE at Whitehouse Farm between 15 & 21 June when accompanied by a paying child. This includes all dads, grandads & father figures in your life.

Steve genuinely loves a day out at Whitehouse Farm just as much (if not more so) than the kids and it's a brilliant place to enjoy quality time together with the family.

No code required but it is best to book ahead online here as this deal will be popular: https://whitehousefarmcentre.co.uk/events/dads-go-free-fathers-day-special-at-whitehouse-farm-centre/