Newcastle upon Tyne is one of the most popular cities in the UK for a number of reasons, including its diverse culture, its fascinating history and, of course, its abundance of fun things to do. From Parklands Mini Golf to the Spy Mission Treasure Trail, there’s no shortage of exciting, child-friendly activities in Newcastle. Here are the top 15.
Take the story of Newcastle into your own hands with a unique Spy Mission Trail. This online guidebook takes you through the heart of Newcastle, where you and your family will work together to solve the mystery, cracking clues along the way. This 3km (2mi) trail can be done at your own pace, with a free mobile service if you happen to get stuck on a clue. For those who manage to complete their mission, teams are entered into a monthly draw to win up to £100. Guidebooks can be purchased online through the Treasure Trails website.
One of the country’s few surviving 18th-century designed landscapes, the Gibside Estate is a great escape from the hustle and bustle of the city for young ones. With expansive green areas – perfect for playing – and woodland for them to explore, the estate is a great way to get children into the great outdoors. Heading into the nearby Derwent Valley, you’ll be able to find several recreation areas, as well as the excellent Strawberry Castle play area, offering an ideal spot to take a break.
For parents looking to get their kids behind the wheel early, TeamSport Karting is an excellent way to get their adrenaline going. This state-of-the-art go-karting track has options available for everyone, with specific racing packages catering for kids and families. If you’re looking for a pit stop in-between bouts on the track, TeamSport also has a fully licensed bar and a kids menu available to make sure the whole team is fuelled up for the next race.
Found just five minutes outside Newcastle city centre, No Limits Paintball and Laser makes for an excellent day out. Covering a massive 1,394sqm (15,000sqft) and with game zones covering two floors, it’s definitely one of the best paintball and laser centres in the country. Offering both paintball (suitable for slightly older kids) and laser tag (which is great for all ages), No Limits caters for everyone. With a team of fully trained marshals on hand to deck you and the family out, you’ll be going head to head in no time.
Found along Salters Road in Gosforth, Canny Crafts is a fantastic environment for your kids to get creative. With pottery painting, crafts and clay prints available throughout the day, it will keep them entertained while you grab a quick coffee or cake from the cafe. An ideal place for birthday parties and baby showers, Canny Crafts is definitely a place you should remember when looking for something suitable for both kids and adults alike.
First opened in 1986, this once derelict site is now a fantastic 10ha (25-acre) community farm, dedicated to outreach programmes as well as education aimed at younger people. With a whole host of farm animals to interact with, including pigs, sheep and goats, you’ll find it’s a perfect opportunity for kids to learn more about animal welfare and day-to-day life on a farm. This non-profit farm is free upon entry, and therefore accessible to everyone, and has a wonderful on-site cafe, with a delicious choice of coffee and cakes on offer.
Additional reporting by Nicholas Grantham
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