(ad) FREE and LOW COST Activities for Under 5s at North East Museums

Ad - this post was published in September 2026. Any shares / edits beyond this date have not been asked or paid for. Always check with venues for up to date information before heading out as information can change. Discovery Museum

✨ Tiny Sparks for 3-5 year olds takes place at Discovery Museum every Friday 1-2pm. It’s a fun session led by an early years specialist with age appropriate STEM activities, crafts, storytime and play set to a different theme each week including Colours & Shapes, Transport, Floating & Sinking…. 

Tickets are just £3.50 per child (accompanying adult goes free) and you can book here: https://www.northeastmuseums.org.uk/discoverymuseum/whats-on/discovery-museum-tiny-sparks

Afterwards you can climb aboard the life size play train, enjoy the transport play table and transport magnet wall in Things That Go and visit Tiny Tyneside to get hands on with a mini crane, ride ons, a train table, shadow play, dress up and more. There’s also a mini science maze and play kitchen in the museum cafe. 

Woodhorn Museum 

📚 Early Years Storytime takes place at Woodhorn Museum every Friday in Term Time at 10:30am. No need to book - simply drop in and it’s included with a museum annual pass (free for under 18s / £11 for adults). There’s a different story each week and this is followed by a hands-on activity / craft linked to the story.

Find out more: https://www.northeastmuseums.org.uk/woodhorn/whats-on/early-years-storytime

Afterwards you can enjoy extra toys and books which are provided after the session, explore the museum trolley with hands-on activities for little ones, play in the pitman playground, explore the sensory garden and the cafe is open for refreshments.
Great North Museum

🐭 There are Three Early Years Activities to choose from at Great North Museum

1 - FREE Museum Mice feature songs & play activities for under 5s set around a different theme each week including ‘Splish Splash Under the Sea’ and ‘Tiptoe into the Woods’. Sessions run on selected dates across the year and you need to book a free ticket in advance online.

2 - FREE Curious Crawlers are sessions designed for crawling babies / pre-walkers. Learn songs, make new friends, enjoy sensory activities and den spaces at your own pace. Sessions run on selected dates across the year with a different theme each session. You need to book a free ticket in advance online.

3 - FREE Nurture Nest are sessions designed for babies who have not learned to crawl yet. Expect tummy time, songs and sensory activities with a different theme each session. Sessions run on selected dates across the year and you need to book a free ticket in advance online. 

Find out more and book your free place: https://www.northeastmuseums.org.uk/whats-on/search/-/-/-/-/-/240

Afterwards you can visit the birds in the Natural Northumbria Gallery, say hello to the life-sized Elephant and Great White Shark in the Living Planet Gallery and meet a T-Rex Skeleton in Fossils Stories. Other Options Include:

• Crafty Kids for 2-5 year olds at Shipley Art Gallery (most Tuesdays - £3 per child)
• Little Artists for 1-5 year olds at Laing Art Gallery (most Mondays & Fridays - £6 per child)
• Roaming Romans for under 5s at Segedunum Roman Fort (selected dates - £3 per child includes refreshments)

Please make sure you check event details with venues direct before heading out and opening hours too - information can change.