It can be challenging to find things to do with kids at weekends or during the holidays, especially if your children are of different ages. So we’ve put together lots of ideas for places to go with kids in the North, showing how accessible activities can be by train. Whether you're looking for places to go with 2-year-olds, places to go with 5-year-olds, day trips for older children or days out for all ages, there’s plenty to discover.
Make your life easier by purchasing a family ticket through our app - keep everything in one place and avoid losing or forgetting multiple tickets. The app can also be used to check train times quickly and check for travel delays, which can be a lifesaver when you're on the go!
Check out these activity ideas for kids of all ages around the North, from theme parks and half-term attractions to fun-filled and affordable family days out by train with Northern.
Inspiration for fun places to go with kids
Days out for the whole family
Handy tips for family train travel
If you're taking the train with the kids, we have lots of resources to help make your journey as easy as possible, including tips for travelling, information on the Family and Friends Railcard, Kids Go Half Price tickets and our Family Train Ticket. For bigger plans across a set area, Ranger and Rover tickets can also help families explore more of the North by train.
Family and Friends Railcard
A Family and Friends Railcard offers multiple benefits for just £35 per year. It gives you ⅓ off rail fares for up to 4 adults, and up to 4 children aged 5-15 get a huge 60% off. It’s a helpful option for families planning regular day trips for families by train.
Learn more about this Railcard
Travelling with children
We know that travelling with children can sometimes feel a little bit daunting, but we want to assure you travelling by train with children is easy and budget-friendly too. Check out our handy train travel tips for travelling with young children for longer trips across the North.
Advice for travelling with children
Family train ticket
Families love the Northern Family Train Ticket, which offers even greater value train travel on over 200 routes.It’s a useful option for family days out in North England, with average savings of 80% compared to purchasing Anytime Single tickets.
Save with our family train ticketCities to visit with kids
These cities have something to offer families with kids of all ages. For your family trip to York, visit the National Railway Museum; a trip to Manchester isn't complete without a visit to the Science and Industry Museum, and you can't go to Blackpool without walking down the promenade to Blackpool Pleasure Beach. If you’re planning days out in North West England, Liverpool, Manchester and Blackpool all offer plenty of family-friendly places to visit by train.
Don't forget to book your train tickets in advance to take full advantage of cheap train tickets.
Look out for special discounts during half term and school holidays and plan the perfect family day out in the North. Don't forget children aged 5 - 15 travel for half-price on the majority of fares across the UK rail network, and under-5s travel for free alongside fare-paying passengers.
Turn your next family trip into a special treat with Northern’s discounted days out, including family-friendly attractions and activities across the North with 2 for 1 tickets, 1/3 off savings and big National Rail discounts. With the journey sorted and the day out planned, all that’s left is to round up the kids and Go Do Your Thing.
Northern App
Streamline your journey and get tickets straight to your phone. Making your journey contact-free.
Northern App
Streamline your journey and get tickets straight to your phone. Making your journey contact-free.