Trying to find affordable things to do with your family over the summer holidays can be tricky, especially with the cost of living increasing.
So, we've put together a list of just some of the great attractions across the North East that have lowered their prices or are offering free entry so that you and your family can afford to do more for less.
Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums
Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums (TWAM) provide an amazing collection of museums and art galleries across the North East. Learn about history and science at Newcastle's Discovery Museum, explore the universe at the Great North Museum, enjoy boat themed crafts and activities at South Shields Museum, create clay sculptures at the Shipley Art Gallery in Gateshead or travel back in time to learn about the history of the railway at Stephenson Steam Railway.
Ways to play Summer 2022
You can enjoy free events across Tyneside at all of TWAM's family destinations - find out more.
Fun and Food County Durham
Durham County Council's 'Fun and Food' Programme a provides FREE holiday activities with healthy food and meals for children and young people in County Durham.
You can search for holiday activities in your area by visiting: www.durham.gov.uk/funandfood
Durham Castle
Visit Durham Castle to see their collections, exhibitions, and enjoy fun family activities. The castle is open for guided tours.
Tickets are £5 for adults and children aged 16 and under can go for free - find out more.
Ouseburn Farm
Ouseburn Farm is a charity and working community farm providing a great day out for all the family. You can learn about the origins of food an get a chance to meet and pet an array of farm animals in this wonderful venue located near Byker.
Free entry
The farm is open Monday - Sunday 10am - 3.30pm. Entry is free and there's no need to book - find out more.
Life Science Centre
Located near Newcastle's Central Station, this award-winning visitor attraction in Newcastle is a great place for families to have fun with science with different zones and activities to help you invent, create, explore and play. Right now, you can have space adventures inspired by Pixar's latest movie Lightyear.
Summer Saver Tickets
One ticket gets you three visits. Tickets purchased between 23rd July - 31st August 2022 can be used for an additional two free science centre visits up until - find out more.
Tyneside Cinema
A quirky independent cinema located near Grey's Monument in Newcastle city centre showing a great range of films from all over the world. This summer, they're screening great family films throughout the holidays.
Summer of Cinema
All tickets are £5 before 5pm and £7 afterwards with children's tickets at £3 every day of the week - find out more.
BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art
Based on the south bank of the River Tyne in Gateshead, BALTIC is the biggest gallery of its kind in the world and features all kinds of exhibitions and arty activities.
Summer of Play
You can enjoy free activities of all ages and abilities. Drop in, no booking necessary. BALTIC is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am-6pm - find out more.
Seven Stories: The National Centre for Children's Books
Located in the Ouseburn Valley in Newcastle upon Tyne, Seven Stories works with children's books to create playful and profound experiences for children and young people, in order to fire their imaginations and creativity and deepen their understanding of themselves and the world.
Entry is free - find out more.
Plessey Woods County Park
Plessey Woods Country Park & Visitor Centre is Bedlington, Northumberland is set in 100 acres of enchanting woodland, wild-flower-clad meadows and romantic riverside as the River Blyth runs through the park. Its intricate network of paths and trails make this a great spot for walkers, cyclists, horse-riders and picnickers.
Entry is free - find out more.
Carlisle Park
Based in the heart of Morpeth, Northumberland, it contains the William Turner Garden, formal gardens, an aviary, play areas, a paddling pool, ancient woodland, picnic areas, toilets, tennis courts, bowling greens, a skate park and much more.
Children's activity sheet
Children can take part in an activities at William Turner Garden and Carlisle Park sheet when visiting the park to see if they can spot the different wildlife, flowers and trees. There's also some craft ideas on there too to keep them busy. .
Entry is free - find out more.
And don't forget, we're running our free summer Holiday Squad throughout the summer holidays, offering free activities for children of school age including arts and crafts, exploring nature, cooking, fun with science and more - find out more.
Anything we've missed?
If you've spotted a great free or low cost local activity that's not on our list then suggest it in the comments on our summer activities Facebook posts and we'll add it to our list.
Trying to find affordable things to do with your family over the summer holidays can be tricky, especially with the cost of living increasing.
So, we've put together a list of just some of the great attractions across the North East that have lowered their prices or are offering free entry so that you and your family can afford to do more for less.
Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums
Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums (TWAM) provide an amazing collection of museums and art galleries across the North East. Learn about history and science at Newcastle's Discovery Museum, explore the universe at the Great North Museum, enjoy boat themed crafts and activities at South Shields Museum, create clay sculptures at the Shipley Art Gallery in Gateshead or travel back in time to learn about the history of the railway at Stephenson Steam Railway.
Ways to play Summer 2022
You can enjoy free events across Tyneside at all of TWAM's family destinations - find out more.
Fun and Food County Durham
Durham County Council's 'Fun and Food' Programme a provides FREE holiday activities with healthy food and meals for children and young people in County Durham.
You can search for holiday activities in your area by visiting: www.durham.gov.uk/funandfood
Durham Castle
Visit Durham Castle to see their collections, exhibitions, and enjoy fun family activities. The castle is open for guided tours.
Tickets are £5 for adults and children aged 16 and under can go for free - find out more.
Ouseburn Farm
Ouseburn Farm is a charity and working community farm providing a great day out for all the family. You can learn about the origins of food an get a chance to meet and pet an array of farm animals in this wonderful venue located near Byker.
Free entry
The farm is open Monday - Sunday 10am - 3.30pm. Entry is free and there's no need to book - find out more.
Life Science Centre
Located near Newcastle's Central Station, this award-winning visitor attraction in Newcastle is a great place for families to have fun with science with different zones and activities to help you invent, create, explore and play. Right now, you can have space adventures inspired by Pixar's latest movie Lightyear.
Summer Saver Tickets
One ticket gets you three visits. Tickets purchased between 23rd July - 31st August 2022 can be used for an additional two free science centre visits up until - find out more.
Tyneside Cinema
A quirky independent cinema located near Grey's Monument in Newcastle city centre showing a great range of films from all over the world. This summer, they're screening great family films throughout the holidays.
Summer of Cinema
All tickets are £5 before 5pm and £7 afterwards with children's tickets at £3 every day of the week - find out more.
BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art
Based on the south bank of the River Tyne in Gateshead, BALTIC is the biggest gallery of its kind in the world and features all kinds of exhibitions and arty activities.
Summer of Play
You can enjoy free activities of all ages and abilities. Drop in, no booking necessary. BALTIC is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am-6pm - find out more.
Seven Stories: The National Centre for Children's Books
Located in the Ouseburn Valley in Newcastle upon Tyne, Seven Stories works with children's books to create playful and profound experiences for children and young people, in order to fire their imaginations and creativity and deepen their understanding of themselves and the world.
Entry is free - find out more.
Plessey Woods County Park
Plessey Woods Country Park & Visitor Centre is Bedlington, Northumberland is set in 100 acres of enchanting woodland, wild-flower-clad meadows and romantic riverside as the River Blyth runs through the park. Its intricate network of paths and trails make this a great spot for walkers, cyclists, horse-riders and picnickers.
Entry is free - find out more.
Carlisle Park
Based in the heart of Morpeth, Northumberland, it contains the William Turner Garden, formal gardens, an aviary, play areas, a paddling pool, ancient woodland, picnic areas, toilets, tennis courts, bowling greens, a skate park and much more.
Children's activity sheet
Children can take part in an activities at William Turner Garden and Carlisle Park sheet when visiting the park to see if they can spot the different wildlife, flowers and trees. There's also some craft ideas on there too to keep them busy. .
Entry is free - find out more.
And don't forget, we're running our free summer Holiday Squad throughout the summer holidays, offering free activities for children of school age including arts and crafts, exploring nature, cooking, fun with science and more - find out more.
Anything we've missed?
If you've spotted a great free or low cost local activity that's not on our list then suggest it in the comments on our summer activities Facebook posts and we'll add it to our list.
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