Why Black Friday is the Best Time to Book Family Travel

Black Friday is already one of the most anticipated sales events of the year in the US and becoming more and more significant here in the UK, with discounts available across various travel sectors. This is especially great news for families, as travel costs can add up quickly. Black Friday deals offer an excellent chance to book holidays far in advance at a fraction of the price. By planning during Black Friday, families can secure early-bird deals on accommodations, flights, and more for peak travel times like school holidays or the summer season.

Additionally, Black Friday is often the best time to secure travel discounts that are specifically tailored to families. Travel companies know that families need packages that cover everything from meals to entertainment, so many offer deals on family-friendly packages that make holidays easier, more affordable, and more enjoyable.

Types of Black Friday Family Travel Deals to Look For

With so many travel deals on offer, it can be hard to know where to begin. Here are some popular Black Friday travel deals for families to consider:

1. Black Friday Cruise Deals

Cruises are a fantastic choice for families, as they provide an all-in-one travel experience where food, lodging, and entertainment are included. Many cruise lines offer Black Friday deals that make exploring exotic destinations on a budget easy and convenient. Kids love the onboard activities—think pools, movie nights, and kids’ clubs—while parents appreciate the convenience and amenities.

Explore some of the best Black Friday cruise deals to find an itinerary that works for your family’s interests and budget. From Caribbean adventures to Mediterranean explorations, cruises offer something for everyone.

2. All-Inclusive Resorts

All-inclusive resorts are a popular option for families, as they eliminate the need to worry about additional costs for meals and activities. Many resorts have activities specifically designed for kids, from kids’ clubs and pools to family excursions. Black Friday is a fantastic time to book all-inclusive resort stays, with many offering steep discounts.

Look for deals on resorts in family-friendly locations like Mexico, Florida, the Caribbean, or the Mediterranean. These resorts typically offer packages that include everything from meals to entertainment, which can make the trip less stressful for parents and more fun for kids.

3. City Break Packages

For families who prefer to explore cities, look for Black Friday packages to popular family-friendly destinations like New York, Rome, or London. These deals often include hotel accommodations and activity passes, making it easy to explore new places with kids in tow.

City breaks can be educational and exciting for families, allowing you to explore museums, parks, and landmarks. Plus, many cities have festive holiday attractions, making them an excellent choice for a winter getaway.

4. Flights and Hotel Bundles

Booking flights and hotels together can save you money, especially if you’re traveling internationally. Many travel websites offer significant Black Friday discounts on these bundles, which can make it easier to plan and pay for your family vacation.

Look for flexible travel dates, as this can sometimes result in greater savings. Keep an eye out for Black Friday deals on family-friendly airlines that offer extra baggage allowances, inflight entertainment, and child-friendly meal options.

Tips for Maximizing Black Friday Travel Deals

To get the most out of Black Friday travel deals, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1. Set a Budget in Advance
   Before you start browsing, have a clear idea of what you’re willing to spend. This will help you stay focused and avoid getting overwhelmed by all the deals.
2. Start Early and Sign Up for Alerts
   Many travel companies offer sneak peeks or early access to their Black Friday deals for those on their email lists. Sign up for newsletters and follow your favorite travel providers on social media to get notified as soon as deals go live.
3. Be Flexible with Dates
   If you can, keep your travel dates flexible. Being open to different dates can sometimes lead to even bigger savings. You may find it cheaper to book a vacation in the off-season or to shift your travel dates by a few days.
4. Leverage Loyalty Programs
   If you belong to any airline or hotel loyalty programs, check if they offer additional discounts or benefits during Black Friday. Some companies even give loyalty members exclusive early access to deals.
5. Focus on Family-Friendly Destinations
   Certain destinations are more suited for families and often feature specific deals tailored to their needs. Look for destinations known for kid-friendly attractions, good weather, and a variety of family accommodations.

Best Black Friday Deals for Family Cruises

If you’re considering a family cruise, Black Friday is the perfect time to book. Cruises are especially appealing for families because they offer value, convenience, and plenty of entertainment options for all ages.

Value for Money

Cruises are often all-inclusive, meaning your fare includes meals, lodging, and a range of activities, making them one of the best values for families. Plus, with so much included, you don’t have to worry about the kids asking for extras or racking up an unexpected bill. often during a deal period, they will offer incentives such as extra onboard credit.

Family-Friendly Amenities

Cruise ships are like floating resorts, with pools, game rooms, theaters, and kids’ clubs that offer a safe and entertaining environment. Many cruises even feature themed activities or characters that kids adore. While the kids are entertained, parents can enjoy some relaxation time knowing that the little ones are safe and supervised.

Ease of Travel

One of the best things about a cruise is that you only have to unpack once. Cruise itineraries often visit multiple destinations, so you can explore new places without the hassle of packing up every few days. From island-hopping in the Caribbean to exploring European ports, cruises make multi-destination travel easy and accessible.

Plan Your Family Getaway this Black Friday

Black Friday is a unique opportunity to score incredible travel deals, and it’s a great time for families to book vacations at an affordable price. Start planning your dream family holiday by setting a budget, being flexible with dates, and keeping an eye on the best Black Friday or even Cyber Monday travel deals for family-friendly vacations.

Whether you’re considering a cruise, an all-inclusive resort, or a city break, Black Friday has deals that make family holidays easier on the wallet. So gather your family, make a plan, and get ready to book an unforgettable trip at a fraction of the price!

Brilliant Water Rides for those over 110cm

We liked that the kids met the minimum height to go on the water rides at Thorpe Park Resort as they LOVE getting wet!

Thorpe Park is pitched as being the place to go in the UK if you are a thrill seeker who likes fast and furious roller coasters. It also has the wettest water rides in the UK with a super-soaking 85ft drop on Tidal Wave, which children over 120cm to ride and a 64ft spiralling descent on Storm Surge (110cm with an adult or over 120cm) over and play splash roulette on the ferocious Rumba Rapids.

The Best Attractions for those under 140cm

Rush is like a massive swing.  Be prepared to leave your stomach behind you.  This is Maxi’s favorite ride and as he was under 140cm he had to ride it with MadDad.

Quantum was Mini’s favorite ride and is right next to rush.  It is a magic carpet ride that speeds you up and over!  Mini loved the fact that he didn’t need an adult to come on this ride with him.

Thorpe Park excels at water rides and Storm Surge is like a helter-skelter with water and inflatables.  What is not to like?

Loggers Leap is a log flume ride that thrills both young and old.  The boys went on this ride three times!

The Rumba Rapids was a firm favourite of the boys too.  They didn’t need to go on with either of us, but decided it would be fun to get Daddy wet again!

Yet another water ride.  This time Tidal Wave.  You do not have to ride to get wet, this ride makes an EPIC splash too.

The Flying Fish was one ride that the boys rode again and again together.  Both at the front and the back.  In fact sometimes they didn’t even get off!

The boys could also go on X, Zodiac, Banana Ride, Rocky Express, Storm in a teacup, The Detonator and  Wet, wet, wet.  We had an amazing couple of days at Thorpe Park and stayed in the Crash Pad, which is kind of like being in a caravan, compact, but has everything you need.

Is There Much for Young Children?

For visitors under 1.2m admission to the park is free just pre-book the free ticket online when purchasing tickets. Thorpe Park has done a great job of keeping kids of all ages occupied, not just teens. Angry Birds Land is fabulous and little ones could spend hours there and they will love Mr Monkeys Banana Ride – the perfect mini rollercoaster.

Top Tips for Making the Most of Your Trip

1. The Thorpe Park app is your ultimate companion for a seamless park experience. You can search for rides based on height and check real-time queue times. You can import tickets and passes into the Thorpe Park App for quick and easy access.
2. Beat the crowds and arrive at the park’s main gate around 9:00 am to secure prime positioning so you can be first in line at the turnstiles and as the gates open at 10:00am
3. The rides don’t close when the park does, the advertised closure times signify when the queue lines close. Make sure you get into the queue before closing time.
4. Escape the mealtime rush by dining early with the kids. Keep an eye on showtimes and integrate eating and entertainment into your itinerary.  

Top tips for getting the best value:

1. Book your tickets at least two days in advance at home to get the best discounts and remember to book your free pass for kids under 1.2m.
2. Pre-book your car park ticket. 
3. 2nd Day from £6.00
4. Consider staying onsite if you live any distance away.

Because we were travelling abroad, I had more than I have in my basic first aid kit in the car as when you are abroad you don’t know the language and I feel it pays to be prepared and include all the family travel first aid kit essentials in my packing list. I would rather take a larger selection but less of it as we can always find more when we are away.

What to have in your first aid kit for travel abroad

If you are in the UK then make sure you have your UK Global Health Insurance Card (UK GHIC) or UK European Health Insurance Card (UK EHIC), which allows you to access medically necessary state-provided healthcare when you’re visiting an EU country or Switzerland. Also, make sure you have appropriate travel insurance for your trip.

1. Prescription medication and a copy of current prescriptions.
2. Scissors – I have a small pair of scissors.
3. Age-appropriate pain relief including children’s and babies’ liquid pain reliever containing paracetamol or ibuprofen – I love the single sachets for my travel kit as there is no measuring and they are even great for adults when you want immediate relief.
4. ENTEROSGEL – this is a drug-free treatment for diarrhoea, bloating and pain. It is the only available treatment for acute or short-term diarrhoea, that is suitable for children under 12 years with Enterosgel Kids being suitable for the whole family including children aged 0+. It has no known side effects and doesn’t interact with other medications, making it a safe choice for parents. Enterosgel can be used by breastfeeding and pregnant parents and is preservative-free and vegan-friendly.
5. Plasters – perfect for cuts and grazes and yes, I carry character ones for the kids. I also have blister plasters as they are amazing.
6. Safety pins –  these are ace for a variety of things from holding together a reusable nappy, to securing bandages.
7. Latex Free Gloves – Prevents contamination when cleansing a cut.
8. Hand sanitiser – I take this everywhere in the cost covid era.
9. Thermometer – I have the travel strips in my travel kit. 
10. Antiseptic cream – or antibiotic ointment is useful to have for grazes and small cuts.
11. Hydrocortisone cream for insect bites.
12. Micropore tape – for securing dressings.
13. Antiseptic wipes – these are a handy way to clean cuts and grazes.
14. Antacids for heartburn and indigestion.
15. Burn gel sachets.
16. Motion sickness medication – mainly for me as I get terribly travel sick.
17. Assorted bandages and gauze pads – I tend to take a small selection.

This summer I have discovered a gut health product called ENTEROSGEL that has completely changed my life. My whole family are now using it and it’s doing wonders. I also gave some to my best friend for her travel first aid kit.

It is a drug-free treatment for diarrhoea, bloating and pain.  It comes in tubes or sachets, you mix it with water and drink it 3 times a day and what it does – it passes through your gut mopping or binding to bacterial toxins, allergens, viruses and then removing them out of your gut in the stool. It works like a clever sponge in your gut gently cleansing the harmful substances that cause diarrhoea. Just like washing your hands with a hand gel – ENTEROSGEL is a gel to cleanse your gut. It is such a revolutionary product, you need it in your home, your first aid care and in your travel bag.

I gave ENTEROSGEL to the boys when they had an upset tummy and it worked quickly, they woke up the following morning feeling absolutely fine! Plus the gel is tasteless so perfect for younger children and it’s also non-allergenic, the research behind is amazing, it’s safe and effective with many 5 star reviews.

If you suffer with irritable bowel syndrome, ENTROSGEL can help improve your quality of life. The latest study showed it helps 80% of sufferers relieving all main symptoms of IBS-D – pain, bloating and urgency. I have used it when I have accidently eaten something that I have a reaction to and it really made a difference to my pain (the joy of an issue to garlic, onions and other foods), so much so, I keep a couple of sachets in my handbag.

I wanted to share it with you so you can start using it during your holidays and will be also ready for back-to-school season. It is readily available, you can buy it from Boots, holland&barrett and even Amazon.

So I am going to share with you my top beach hacks for families that make a beach day much more fun for all involved. You will find that a little preparation can go a long way and make the day fun for everyone and take the pressure off you as a parent and as we all know most of the planning and organising always falls to Moms and they deserve some relaxation too.

I find preparation key when planning a beach holiday or beach vacation. As we live near the beach we have all our stuff in the garage in a plastic container just to pop straight in the car.

Beach Hacks for Families

My top tip is to take along some baby powder or talcum powder, you cover the sandy area in baby powder and then leave it a couple of seconds before brushing it off.  No more sand scratches.   The baby powder absorbs the water in the damp sand, making it easier and softer to remove sand. As we live near the beach this is something that I always have in the back of our car – PS it works on the dog too! Our local beach doesn’t have showers so this is an invaluable trick.

Keep your water cold.  By filling up water bottles to about a third and then freezing them in their side.  Once frozen, fill with cold water and you will have cold water for most of the day. Also instead of using cool blocks in your cooler, use extra water bottles. We also freeze tubes of yoghurt too.

Turn an empty suncream container into a place to store your money and valuables.  Alternatively, put them inside a nappie and fold it as though it is used and pop it in a nappy sack (nobody is going to look in there)! Have a secret stash of spare cash rolled up in an empty lip balm tube

Use a fitted sheet instead of a beach towel to lie on, place a heavy item in each corner (like a beach bag, cool box or even large stones as DIY weights), and pull the corners up over them. Viola, No more sand in your sandwiches!

Take a small paddling pool or kiddie pool. This is a brilliant way to make corral younger children. We just add some sand and some water and just let them play near us. It always feels safer than letting them in the open water with the waves.

Turn your steering wheel,  Parking in the sun? Turn your steering wheel 180 degrees. That way when you’re ready to leave, the part of the steering wheel that you use won’t burn your hands.

Go early or late.  We love going to the beach later in the day.  The car parks are usually emptying and the sun is not as strong.

Do not take a good camera.  Use your phone camera, but also take a zip lock bag and pop it in.  Trust me the touch screen works through the ziplock.  Same for your Kindle, but nothing beats a book on the beach.

String bags (or pop up mesh bag – like a mesh laundry bag) are great for beach stuff, we store all our beach toys, buckets, spades and balls in them,  As they dry out and you are carrying the bag all the sand falls off before you store it in the car.

Sun protection is key.  There is nothing worse than reapplying sun cream and getting sand on it (urg to scratchy cream).  Instead, use once-a-day sun protection or a sunscreen spray on one that doesn’t need rubbing in and wear UV surf suits. Prevention is always better than cure and you don’t want anyone getting sunburn.

Take a trolley.  A trolley is great for getting all your gear to and from the car to the beach and also perfect if one of the kids falls asleep. I always found a trolley much better on the sand than a stroller.

Take a small pop-up tent or beach tent.  We live by the North Sea, it can get really windy, so our inexpensive pop up tent is a must not just for the wind but also as shade for kids naps.  It is also perfect for storing all our stuff in.

Pack all your food and snacks in separate small bags.  There is nothing worse than getting sand in your food.  So limit the chance of this by packing each sandwich separately.  

Be prepared.  As we live by the sea and good weather is not always guaranteed I have a basket in the boot of my car with everything we need for a short trip to the beach.

This post contains affiliate links. If you make any purchases after clicking one of these links, I will make a small commission (hopefully enough to keep me in tea all year) – at no extra cost to you! This allows me to keep creating and sharing free tutorials and content for you. Thank you!

Activities for Beach Visits

The trick with buying gifts and souvenirs is that there are so many items to choose from, but we usually want to pick something that we know the people we’re getting them for will appreciate. The thought, of course, is enough to make your loved ones happy, but wouldn’t you also want to make sure they actually like what you got them?

This is why we’ve compiled this list just for you. We understand how sometimes choosing which gifts to buy can be a little overwhelming, so here are some of the top gifts and souvenirs to buy for your family while on your trip.

Figurines That Represent the Culture of the Place

Each place, whether it’s another country or another town in your country, has its own identity that can be represented in various ways, and figurines are some of the most popular and common ways to do that. Many places have figurines that represent the place’s culture or what this place is most famous for. They can also be art pieces that are made by locals who manage to represent different aspects of the place you were in. This is a thoughtful gift that your loved ones will absolutely love since they’ll always have it to look at and remember how much they mean to you.

Accessories and Clothes

Accessories are some of the coolest gifts you can get people, and there’s always something for everyone. You can buy them cultural hats, wrist bands, scarves, chest pins, or any other accessory that you know your family would love. If your family’s religious, you can get them rosaries. Each culture has its own traditional styles, materials, and colours they make their rosaries with, and your family will absolutely love it. Some people also have a special appreciation for stones and gems, so you can get them special stones that are unique to whichever place you visited and add them to a necklace or as a pendant. They’ll absolutely adore it.

Postcards and Pictures

Some people love collecting postcards, so if your loved ones are some of those people, getting them postcards from your trip would be amazing. You can buy them a bunch of postcards that have various pictures of the place of your trip. Another great idea is to take pictures yourself and have them converted into postcards, or just print them out on cards. If possible, you can have the pictures edited using special effects and tools at a studio that will make them look more artistic and beautiful.

It’s wonderful to show how much you love and appreciate your family and loved ones through gifts, especially ones that show them how much you know them. Knowing the type of gifts that would make them happy makes all the difference for both you and your family because there’s nothing better than knowing that the items you personally select for your loved ones really make them happy.

Personally, I think a lot of the beaches here in North Yorkshire and East Cleveland are the best in the country. Less populated than Devon and Cornwall and just, if not more beautiful. There certainly is a beach for everyone here. I am going to cover North Yorkshire beaches from Redcar to Scarborough as these are the ones we visit and the extent of our day-tripping! Also, did you know this area is also known for its sea glass.

The Best North Yorkshire Beaches

Coatham, Redcar and Marske Beaches, North Yorkshire

Growing up I lived 3 streets away from the beach at Redcar, well more specifically Coatham, which is a wide sandy beach backed by sand dunes, the links golf course and the remains of the steelworks. You now look out to the Coatham windfarm. It has become is a popular spot for watersports such as windsurfing, kite surfing and surfing.

Not only is the beach beautifully and sandy, there is a Victorian Boating Lake which was revamped in 2017. Parking is widely available adjacent to the beach at Majuba car park.

From Coatham Beach you can walk along to Redcar Beach, which is much more commercial with its amusements, fishing boats and Redcar Beacon with its 360-degree view. It is free to enter and the top floor gives you stunning views of the seafront.

The esplanade runs alongside the beach and is home to the Redcar Lifeboat Station, arcades and ice cream parlours (Pacittos lemon top is a family favourite).   You can also take a visit to the oldest surviving lifeboat in the world at the Zetland Lifeboat Museum.

Keep walking and the esplanade turns into grass and dunes again. The sands become wider and more windswept and interspersed with groynes. It is a beautiful spot, uncommercialised and natural with rock pools and parking on the side of the road. There is also a small cafe and park.

Saltburn by the Sea

Saltburn is a quintessential Victorian Seaside resort and exceptionally popular. It has become THE place to surf in the North of England and the beach is well kept with beach huts to hire.

Saltburn has a pier and also the UK’s oldest water balanced funicular lift which takes you from the beach to the town at the top of the cliff.

Saltburn also has formal Italian Gardens which are served by a miniature railway and has a number of play areas for children including a back that runs into the sea.

The beach is pebbles turning to sand and very popular with families.

Staithes, North Yorkshire

Staithes has become very popular in recent years due to it being where CBBC series Old Jack’s Boat, which starred Bernard Cribbins as Old Jack and his trusty shipmate, Salty the dog was filmed.

Often referred to as The Dinosaur coast due to the number of fossils found, Staithes is where the North York Moors National Park meets the sea and the towering, rugged cliffs are in keeping with this landscape.

However, please take care around the cliff face as falling rocks can be a very real danger.

Runswick Bay

Runswick is my favorite Beach. It lies between Staithes and Whitby in North Yorkshire and is one of the most picturesque beaches in the UK. Nestled in the cliff there is about 90 houses and the car park only holds 80 cars at the most, so Runswick never seems overly crowded and it has become a haven for me during the lockdown. Runswick Bay really is the best day out in North Yorkshire, a true hidden gem often forgotten for its larger neighbours.

The golden sands curve around from the cliff and jetty and there is something for everyone from rock pooling, fossil hunting, sandcastle building, kayaking and walking. Bring your surfboard or watch the boats with icecream from the cafe as the boats sail around the bay. You can also hire gear from Barefoot Kayak too.

Sandsend

Sandsend is a really popular beach for Families with its clean, sandy beach and small rivers running into the sea on either side. In summer a section of the beach is zoned off for swimming. The freshwater inlet means younger children can play in the shallow (slightly warmer) water. The sand is great for castle building and you can find fossils!

At low tide, a large area of the beach is exposed and there are plenty of rockpools for children to explore. Tide times can be found on the side of the shop next door to the Sandsend Café.

There are numerous car parks and pay and display parking along the side of the road. The wide beach is perfect for beach games, sandcastles and ball games.

It can get windy, so a windbreak is a must!

Whitby

Whitby is a a charming seaside town and the setting of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula,” Whitby is a place of paradox where families and vampire hunters rub shoulders at the beach and among the Gothic ruins of Whitby Abbey. Go crabbing on Whitby harbour or enjoy a boat ride.

Whitby has beaches on both sides of the River Esk. On the east side is the smaller Tate Hill, a sheltered sandy beach that allows dogs all year round.

On the other side of West Pier is West Cliff, a larger sandy beach with colourful beach huts, deckchair and windbreak hire, crazy golf, a children’s paddling pool and donkey rides.

Some of the best fish and chips can be found in Whitby. We prefer Whitby on an evening when everyone is leaving and it is quieter!

Robin Hoods Bay

Robin Hoods Bay is one of the most photographed beaches along the coast – definitely one of the most beautiful bays in the UK.

There are no car parks near the beach so you have to park at the top and take the steep walk down a cobbled street, through a quaint little village containing gift shops and cafes to the beautiful beach.

The beach is perfect for fossil hunting and rock pooling. It is also very dog friendly. At high tide, the beach is largely submerged by water, and the shoreline is rocky so this generally an unsuitable area for swimming.

Boggle Hole

Boggle Hole was one of my families favourite days out when I was growing up. We used to go rock pooling there. The tiny sign off the A171 does little justice to do what is waiting. It’s a steep road down, winding, lovely countryside. You park at the top and have to walk down….onto a jetty with a fantastic view of the coast. The youth hostel peeps out through the trees as you walk down.

If you want unspoilt views with no distractions, this is the place for you. When the tide’s out you can walk to Robin Hood’s Bay. Expect to see lots of kids/adults looking for fossils. You can spend the whole day in the sea – the water is beautiful. Just check the tide times, so you aren’t disappointed when you turn up. The food at the youth hostel is great – 2 courses for £9.95. They do an afternoon tea which is a bargain and the cakes are all homemade. They stop serving food at 4, so bear this in mind.

Scarborough North Bay

Scarborough’s North bay is much wilder and less commercialised than South bay and has always been a family favourite since when I was small. There is masses of sand and bright coloured beach huts to hire.

Immediately adjacent to the beach, a miniature railway, built in 1931 links Peasholm Park with Scalby Mills, where the very bust Sea Life Centre can be found.  Peasholm Park is an oriental-themed parkland with a boating lake where they reenact miniature sea battles.

Alpermere is a water slide park (4 slides) and pool based on the North Bay. It has an outdoor infinity pool, jacuzzi and indoor wave pool. Four hours are including in the price. I wouldn’t eat there as the food isn’t that great and can be pricey.

Have I missed your favourite beach in North Yorkshire? Do let me know. Also perhaps it is North West Beaches you are looking for, if so check out this from Going on an Adventure or this post about the Best South Pembrokeshire beaches.

Best days out in North Yorkshire for families

Living on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors and the beautiful Teesside/Yorkshire coast, I am going to focus on Teesside, Cleveland and North Yorkshire, but if you are looking for places nearer to Newcastle and Durham then take a look at North East Family Fun as they are based further North than us.

I think I might be bias but our part of the world certainly is Gods own country and filled with beautiful places to visit and something for everyone, weather you love castles or beaches.

Visiting during Covid – Things have changed in most places due to Covid-19 and therefore, it is key you check out the locations websites before visiting. Lots of accommodations have been made such as one way systems, booking tickets in advance or restrictions on visitor numbers to ensure everyone’s safety.

Our Top Family Days out in North Yorkshire and the North East.

Explore the best days out in North Yorkshire for Families with our amazing top days out. Make unforgettable memories with your family.

Runswick Bay

Runswick Bay is my favourite local beach. It lies between Staithes and Whitby in North Yorkshire and is one of the most picturesque beaches in the UK. Nestled in the cliff there is about 90 houses and the car park only holds 80 cars at the most, so Runswick never seems overly crowded and it has become a haven for me during the lockdown. Runswick day really is the best day out in North Yorkshire, a true hidden gem often forgotten for its larger neighbours.

The golden sands curve around from the cliff and jetty and there is something for everyone from rock pooling, fossil hunting, sandcastle building, kayaking and walking. Bring your surfboard or watch the boats with icecream from the cafe as the boats sail around the bay. You can also hire gear from Barefoot Kayak too.

Nearby gems include Whitby, which is a lively seaside resort with amusements, Whitby Abbey and its Dracula myth. Remember this is the Northeast coast and North sea so it can be cold. I recommend at least a shorty wet suit otherwise your little ones might have blue lips and still not want to get out of the water!

North Bay Scarborough and Alpermere

Scarborough’s North bay is much wilder and less commercialised than South bay and has always been a family favourite since when I was small. There is masses of sand and bright coloured beach huts to hire.

Immediately adjacent to the beach, a miniature railway, built in 1931 links Peasholm Park with Scalby Mills, where the very bust Sea Life Centre can be found.  Peasholm Park is an oriental-themed parkland with a boating lake where they reenact miniature sea battles.

Alpermere is a water slide park (4 slides) and pool based on the North Bay. It has an outdoor infinity pool, jacuzzi and indoor wave pool. Four hours are including in the price. I wouldn’t eat there as the food isn’t that great and can be pricey.

The Moors National Park Centre – Danby

The North York Moors is a beautiful and unique part of the area and well worth a visit. There really is something for everyone from stately homes to market towns and grand abbeys to beautiful moorlands.

A great place to start a visit, especially if you have children is the Moors Center at Danby with its children’s activity trails and guided walks and other events. There is also a brilliant adventure play area too.

Unfortunately the cafe has become part of a chain and the food has taken a bit of a downward turn recently, but there are plenty of picnic tables and places to eat your own packed lunch.

Flamingoland Park and Zoo

We have been visiting Flamingoland Theme Park and Zoo since the boys were little and it really has something for every age.

When you have preschoolers Flamingoland starts to come into its own with lots of rides for them, daytime shows and a brilliant water splash park and play area, add into that a zoo and there is something to keep them busy from opening to closing time. Just make sure to pack a change of clothes and towel for the splash park.

It you have older kids, well there is plenty of trill rides for them too and the park is compact and easy to navigate.

There is plenty of places to have a picnic if you choose to bring your own food and also a large number of cafes and food stalls. Plus you can leave your picnic in the car and pop back out to get it.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden

You can easily spend a whole day at Fountains Abbey (near Rippon) which is a World Heritage Site. The magnificent abbey ruins sweep down to the riverside perfect for picnicking. The dramatic abbey ruins at Fountains are the largest monastic ruins in the country.  You can learn about the history of the abbey, discover its agricultural past and learn about life as a monk.

Studley Royal is full of ponds, statues and follies and paths lead to the deer park. The follies were used throughout the gardens were to show off the garden, have picnics and to entertain guests. Why not see how many you can find.

Oh and you can also bring your dog with you. Making it a super fun day out for all the family. We like to take a packed lunch and flask, although being National Trust and English Heritage there is always a cafe with tea and cake.

Tees Barrage 

The Tees Barrage between Middlesbrough and Stockton is an action-packed place full of adventure including world-class watersports, air trail (the UK’s largest climbing adventure course), nature reserve and walking and cycling routes.

At the Tees Barrage watersports are the name of the game with Bell boating, paddlesports, raft building, powerboat trips, family rafting, white water rafting, and stand-up paddleboarding. You can book for a one-off, group visit or enrol on a course. Plus it is great for a rainy day as you are going to get wet anyway!

Air trail is the UK’s biggest Sky Trail, an outdoor climbing park set over four levels with over 30 obstacles and my Mini thrill-seekers have always loved it. At over  18 metres high above the river Tees Air Trail has an assortment of cargo nets, rope bridges, balancing beams, tight ropes, stepping stones and two full-length zip wires. There is also Air Tykes for over twos, a mini ropes course directly underneath Air Trail.

Lightwater Valley

With over 30 rides and attractions for all ages, Lightwater Valley in Ripon, North Yorkshire, is bursting with fun and adventures for the whole family to enjoy on their day out in Yorkshire.

Lightwater valley is a magic place for all the family with lots of rides and attractions including magic shows and animal attractions.

There is a brilliant outdoor play area for the under 12’s that will keep them busy for hours and hours. make sure you check out our top tips for visiting Lightwater Valley.

Dalby Forest and Go Ape

Dalby Forest is home to an abundance of internationally important wildlife species and is also a designated Dark Sky Discovery Site. It is a wonderful place for a family day out with 13 walking trails (including easy access), 6 cycling trails and 4 running trails.

It has two play areas and is also home to Go Ape and has loads of places for picnics and BBQ’s.

We love it when we can all do things together and Go Ape is brilliant if you have a sporty family. The boys and the husbeast are all about the treetop adventure at Dalby Forrest with its epic Zip Wires totalling a length of 888 meters) with three of them crossing a valley 35m above the ground.  The timescale for this is 2- 3 hours and really does depend on the people in front of you.  We knew that this would work well for our Teen as both of the boys have done the Junior Go Ape at Dalby previously.

I am really all about the Segways even though I am not as fast as the boys.  Again this is something that all the others have done so they had an ace time whizzing about and laughing at me!  We had an hour on the off-road Segways with 2 instructors and it was really great fun and they go up to 12 miles an hour

National Railway Museum – York

The National Railway Museum in York is one of our favourite days out with Children. They often have special events at half term and during holiday time. Entry to the Museum is free and parking is around £10 for the day and you really do not need to spend any more than that if you take a picnic with you.  There are places both indoors and outdoors for you to eat any picnic you might take, which is what we usually do.

The museum is full of trains as you would expect but it is also fun for non-train lovers too. We like to go early and split our trip with a visit to York centre during the middle of the day when the museum is busier. Check out our tips for visiting.

Castle Howard

The Howard Family have really made Castle Howard into a family-friendly place to visit. It is a great place to visit with its magical woodland paths, flowers and wildlife in the Walled Garden and beautiful lake.

Although buggies are not allowed in the house (Hip-seats’ can be borrowed to assist in carrying children (6 months – 3 years old) they have gone to great length to make it engaging for children with Geoffrey the Lion’s illustrated trails including a spotter sheet to help you identify items in the House.

You can take the train through the grounds to the lakeside play area and let off steam on the swings, slides, towers and bridges of the high-energy Adventure Playground or visit Skelf Island with its Ingenious treetop nest structures connected by rope bridges, slides, nets and climbing equipment across the dormant water of the Great Lake.

Beamish Museum

Beamish is a living museum and so completely different to other museums.  Firstly it is huge, so much green space for energetic children to run in and it is far too large to get all the way round in one day, which is why they have the ingenious pay once and get entry for a whole year ticket.  

Beamish is a unique place, it is working museum telling of life in Northern England during the Georgian, Victorian or Edwardian era with a farm, town, allotments, schoolhouse, hall, pit village. the train station and much much more.

Beamish often has lots of hands on activities and here you can see Mini with the Morris Dancers!

Eden Camp

Eden Camp allows you to experience the sights, sounds and smells of life on the Home Front and the Front Line, all set in the buildings and grounds of an original World War 2 Prisoner of War Camp, it is an immersive experience that is great fun for all the family, a fab day out in North Yorkshire.

Housed within the buildings and grounds of a former Prisoner of War camp near Malton, a visit to this unique museum will take you back to wartime Britain. Experience the sights, sounds and even smells of life on both the Home Front and the Front Line

Other fab Days out in North Yorkshire and the North East

• RSPB Saltholme 
• Jorvik Viking Museum
• Benningburh Hall
• Newby Hall
• Big Sheep & Little Cow Farm
• Brimham Rocks
• Roseberry Topping
• Mother Shipton’s Cave
• Preston park
• North Yorkshire Moors Railway
• Forbidden Corner

Day Out Ideas for the Family

Grab your bikes

Cycling is one of the easiest ways of not only getting exercise but getting out for the day and seeing some special parts of the country. It might also be worth looking into bikes 3-wheeled brother, the trike. There are some great adult tricycles available for you that would be ideal for use on a day out.

The great thing with cycling is kids love it. You can turn it into a game and get them to race each other. By the end of the day, they’ll be all burned out which is ideal for you! It’s also great exercise and will keep them fit and active.

Head to the beach

There are some amazing beaches spread out across the UK. Up North, one of the favourites is Whitby beach. This gothic town has some amazing history and if you’re lucky and the weather is nice, you can simple Whitby’s famous fish and chips and sit out on the beach.

Further south, there are some incredible beaches in Devon and Cornwall, with a whole range of activities from surfing to beach sports that will keep you and the kids fully entertained!

Of course, we couldn’t mention a seaside trip without mentioning Blackpool. From the arcades to the Pleasure Beach to the multitude of entertainment along the promenade, Blackpool is an ideal family day out.

Explore the countryside

We’re very blessed in the UK with some stunning countryside. Try and discover parts of the country you may never have discovered before. Similarly, to cycling, it’s great for not just as a day out but to get some exercise and keeping our kids active.

If you take a picnic it keeps the costs nice and cheap and who doesn’t love a picnic? You can of course always head to one of the local village pubs to give you something to burn off.

Visit your local museum

If the weather is not outdoor activity-friendly, then you can always head to your local museum. More often than not you learn more about your local history and learn more about something you may know little about.

Kids love museums as they’re often catered towards them. So whether they’re a fan of the Romans, the old mines or medical history, take them to a museum and show them something new.

Hopefully, my guide will help you find some fun activities to do this summer. Do you have any activities you find fun to do with the kids? Comment below, I’d love to hear from you!

I was so lucky to grow up by the beach and to regularly go rock pooling as a child and then to also take my children too. Up until very recently we still had nets and buckets in our garage.

Hunting for treasures on the beach is a timeless simple pleasure which can be educational too.

We’ve come up with a great way to give your exploration a little purpose and introduce an element of healthy competition. Download our free beach Rock Pool Scavenger Hunt for the children and they can tot up points as they find each item on the list.

To make it super easy you can pop the printout into a clear plastic folder or even laminate it and add some string to a couple of washable markers and either attach them to the folder or use as a necklace. Then you can reuse the printables by just wiping them clean.

Rock Pool Scavenger Hunt Printable

$0.00

Shop now

My Other Scavenger Hunts

• Beach Scavenger Hunt
• Zoo Scavenger Hunt
• Road Trip Scavenger Hunt
• Summer Fun Scavenger Hunt
• Train Scavenger Hunt
• Backyard or Garden Scavenger Hunt