Finding things to do for your half term holidays can be a tough task, but don’t let poor weather and some grumpy kids stop you from having a fantastic day out. From trampoline parks to help manage the energy levels, to workshops that’ll give them appreciation for the crafts, we’ve assembled a list of our top things to do in during half term. Travel with Northern to make getting there easy and save up to 60% off your train fare with an advance ticket or save on groups of up to six with our family ticket.
All of these suggestions are accessible by train, meaning you can leave the stress of driving behind and focus on enjoying the journey with the family.
Things to do indoors
Life Science Centre
Nearest station: Newcastle
Distance from train station: 3-minute walk
Life Science Centre, also known as the Centre for Life, puts on workshops featuring interactive exhibitions and live experiments throughout the half-term break. If you’ve got a budding scientist within your home or simply a little one with a thirst for knowledge, then get yourselves booked into one of the many opportunities this half term. The centre is located right next door to the station.
Eureka! The National Children’s Museum
Nearest station: Halifax
Distance from train station: 3-minute walk
Located right in the heart of Halifax in West Yorkshire, Eureka! is one of the UK’s leading hands-on museums designed specifically for children aged 0–11.
City of Caves
Nearest station: Nottingham
Step beneath the pavement of a modern shopping area and you’ll find the City of Caves, a hidden labyrinth of over 500 sandstone caves dating back to the Dark Ages. You can explore the caves at your own pace, or join one of the actor-led tours, which are a big hit with younger children. Throughout your journey, you'll learn how the caves were used as World War II raid shelters and acted as Victorian slums.
Plan your half-term adventure and get booked in nice and early with an advance ticket from Northern.
Outdoor activities in the North
Skipton Castle woods walk
Nearest station: Skipton
Distance from train station: 16-minute walk
If you want to brave the weather, then a walk through the woods in Skipton could be the place for you. Home to a collection of different plants, trees, and wildlife; the woods’ most famous inhabitants are the noctule, one of Britain's largest bat species, which hunt for bugs at night.
Danby Village
Nearest station: Danby
Although the half term break doesn’t fall perfectly within the Dark Skies Festival, the skies over Danby will still be plenty dark for a nighttime view of our galaxy. Rated as a great location for observing our night sky, Danby is easily accessible by train and has plenty of accommodations, from glamping to B&Bs to hotels. Stoke your little one’s curiosity with a trip to Danby this half term.
No matter the weather, there's so much outdoor fun to be had this half-term! Easily explore the outdoors with an off-peak ticket.
Cheap things to do
National Railway Museum Wonderlab
Nearest station: York
Distance from train station: 17-minute walk
If you're worried your kids will switch off their brains over the break, then experience the extraordinary at the Wonderlab. Located at the National Railway Museum, Wonderlab offers 18 interactive challenges and live experiments to feed their curiosity!
Kids can enter the museum for free, and adult tickets are priced at £7.60, making it the ideal cheap day out this half term.
Seven Stories
Nearest station: Manors
Distance from train station: 16-minute walk
Here you can explore the world of children’s books through the many exhibitions and talks hosted at this venue. This is an awesome choice for young ones, as you can discover more about your family's favourite children's authors through 100 years of children's fiction within their digital archive. Take a peek at their astounding collection of books within the store today!
Enjoy a day out in the North without counting your pennies, and let us handle your travel with an anytime ticket.
Active days out
Jump Inc. Liverpool
Nearest station: Hunts Cross
Distance from train station: 18-minute walk
Get bouncing at Jump Inc. and enjoy their range of trampolines and activities at this 40,000-square-foot complex, complete with their very own cafe, you can spend your whole day jumping and bouncing. This is the perfect option for those afraid of the chilly weather this half term but still want to get active and try something new and unique. Better yet, it's only a 6-minute walk from Hunts Cross train station.
Clip 'n Climb
Nearest station: Halifax
Distance from train station: 7-minute walk
This fun-filled, family-friendly climbing centre is the perfect place to burn off some energy this half-term! Clip 'n Climb contains a variety of vibrant climbing challenges such as the Ladder, Skycraper and the Speed Climb as well as the adrenaline-pumping vertical drop slide. The site also features the South Ridge Cafe, providing refreshments while you still have a full view of the climbing area.
Explore active days out with ease on a Northern train and jump, skip and hop to your heart's content with our family tickets.
Unique activities in the North
MathsCity
Nearest station: Leeds
Distance from train station: 5-minute walk
MathsCity is the UK's first mathematics discovery centre, located very close to the back entrance of Leeds train station. This amazing interactive, hands-on discovery centre, where kids can explore over 30 exhibits like giant bubbles, laser strings and geometric puzzles. Perfect for children between the ages of 5 and 15, but toddlers and older children can definitely get a lot out of the centre.
York Chocolate Story
Nearest station: York
Distance from train station: 15-minute walk
Learn a new skill this half term at one of York Chocolate Story’s chocolate workshops. Become a master chocolatier or roll your own pastries and truffles in one of the shop's unique classes. And of course, there’s something for the adults if you fancy their chocolate and gin tour. Give in to your kids' sweet tooth this half term and let them create their very own sweet treat.
With plenty on during this half term, there's sure to be plenty of action-packed events and activities for both you and the kids. Head to any of the destinations with ease this break on a Northern train and get up to 60% off when you plan ahead and book an advance tickets today.
Save with our Family tickets
Looking to take the family out on an adventure? We've got the tickets for you. The Northern Family ticket and joint Northern & LNER Family ticket take you across the North and beyond for less. Tickets allow 2 adults and up to 4 children to travel together ...
Buy a family train ticketMore things to do with the family
Things to do on a rainy day
Things to do on a sunny day
Fun things to do with kids in the North
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Streamline your journey and get tickets straight to your phone. Making your journey contact-free.