Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
What's On in Newcastle, Gateshead & Northumberland
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STEAM TO GREEN
1st January-6th September 2026
Venue: Discovery Museum
Address: Blandford Square, NE1 4JA
Website: www.discoverymuseum.org.uk
Discovery Museum's FREE exhibition tells the story of energy & the climate crisis in the North East by looking back to the industrial revolution, & forward to the pioneering contributions in green technologies...
NORTH EAST DEAF YOUTH THEATRE
21st February-31st December 2026
Time: Third Sat
Venue: Gosforth Civic Theatre
Address: NE3 3HD
Website: www.gosforthcivictheatre.co.uk
Third Saturday every month, 9.30-11.30am, FREE monthly workshops for deaf children and young people aged 5 - 12 years. North East Deaf Youth Theatre explores all aspects of theatre-making including, creative...
ALNWICK CASTLE OPENS FOR 2026
27th March-25th October 2026
Time: 10am-5pm
Venue: Alnwick Castle
Address: Alnwick, NR66 1NQ
Website: www.alnwickcastle.com
There are many exciting things to do at Alnwick Castle every day. Take a guided tour & learn about the history of Alnwick Castle or its use as a filming location, have a go at archery & test your abilities...
THE GREAT DINOSAUR ESCAPE
28th March-27th September 2026
Venue: Life Science Centre
Address: Times Square, NE1 4EP
Website: www.life.org.uk
Dinosaurs have taken over Life Science Centre this Easter with the North’s biggest collection of animatronic dinosaurs. Follow the trail around the centre to hunt them down, from towering four-metre-high...
TREASURE : HIDDEN, LOST, FOUND
28th March-20th September 2026
Venue: Great North Museum
Address: Barras Bridge, NE2 4PT
Website: www.greatnorthmuseum.org.uk
Your chance to see why buried history matters. Step into the fascinating world of treasure & see some amazing archaeological finds from across the North of England. Roman coins, Viking Age silver, & a...
SWING BRIDGE 150
13th June-20th December 2026
Venue: Discovery Museum
Address: Blandford Square, NE1 4JA
Website: www.discoverymuseum.org.uk
A small display in the Turbinia Atrium charting 150 years of the iconic Swing Bridge that connects Newcastle & Gateshead, with historical objects, images & archival material. Unveiled in 1876, Lord...
EXPERIENCE CENTRE FOR LIFE FOR LESS THIS SUMMER
25th June-1st September 2026
Venue: Life Science Centre
Address: Life Science Centre, NE1 4EP
Website: www.life.org.uk
You might have heard that the Government is slashing VAT for family organisations like Life over the summer holidays & so they are passing the savings onto their visitors. The new ticket prices...
TREASURE MUSEUM TRAIL
29th June-20th September 2026
Venue: Great North Museum
Address: Barras Bridge, NE2 4PT
Website: www.greatnorthmuseum.org.uk
Explore the museum to find treasure, solve puzzles, & claim prizes in this exciting FREE new treasure trail during museum hours!
SOUTH TYNESIDE HOLIDAY CLUB
17th July-30th August 2026
Time: (times vary)
Venue: Various locations across South Tyneside,
Address: NE32-34.
Website: www.southtyneside.gov.uk/holidayclub
Fun, free activities & meals for children receiving benefit related FSM in South Tyneside. Activities include sports, music, arts, crafts, outdoor & indoor challenges, treasure trails, wellbeing & healthy...
DAILY ARTS & CRAFTS
18th July-31st August 2026
Time: 12-3pm
Venue: Woodhorn Museum & Country Park
Address: NE63 9YF
Website: www.northeastmuseums.org.uk/woodhorn
Six weeks of fun, hands-on arts & crafts activities inspired by local artworks & stories with a different activity every fortnight. Drop-in - no booking required. Annual pass admission applies; children...
DRAGONFLY FESTIVAL
18th July-31st August 2026
Time: 10am-5.30pm
Venue: WWT Washington Wetlands Centre
Address: NE38 8LE
Website: www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/washington
Enjoy a self-led dragonfly family adventure! Pick up a spotter guide to help you & head to the amphibian ponds to spend a while exploring the area & seeing what wildlife you can spot. On a sunny day, you...
ESCAPE THE GAOL TRAIL
18th July-31st August 2026
Venue: Hexham Old Gaol
Address: Hallgate, NE46 3NH
Website: www.museumsnorthumberland.org.uk
Visit Hexham Old Gaol this summer & pick up an escape the gaol trail to find out all about characters linked to the gaol. Collect the letters to discover who will help you escape! Drop-in, no need to...
GREAT BRITISH SUMMER
18th July-6th September 2026
Time: 10am-5pm
Venue: Belsay Hall, Castle & Gardens
Address: NE20 0DX
Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/belsay-hall-castle-and-gardens
Celebrate a classic Great British Summer inspired by timeless holiday traditions & a fun day out for the whole family. Enjoy the fairground activities, pick up new tricks at the circus skills station &...
SUMMER OF FUN
18th July-12th September 2026
Venue: Gateshead Town Centre
Address: NE8
Website: www.gateshead.gov.uk/events
FREE family events all Summer long. See the advert on Page 6 or visit the website for full details.
HERITAGE TRAIN RIDES
19th July-30th August 2026
Time: Sundays & Thursdays
Venue: Stephenson Railway Museum
Address: Middle Engine Lane, NE29 8DX
Website: www.stephensonrailwaymuseum.org.uk
Take a four mile return trip (35-40 minutes) following the route of the coal trains from the collieries to the River Tyne behind a vintage locomotive in 1950s passenger carriages. Adults from £9, Kids...
MINIBEAST HUNTING, DEN BUILDING & POND DIPPING
20th July-26th August 2026
Venue: WWT Washington Wetlands Centre
Address: NE38 8LE
Website: www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/washington/
Explore the world of soil, leaves & dry wood as you hunt for mini-beasts in Hollowood. Use a dusting brush, magnifying glass & observation trays to get a closer look of woodlice, millipedes, stink bugs...
SUMMER HOLIDAY FAMILY FUN
20th July-24th August 2026
Time: Mondays 11am-3pm
Venue: Segedunum Roman Fort, Baths & Museum
Address: Buddle Street, Wallsend NE28 6HR
Website: www.segedunumromanfort.org.uk
Free summer series of Roman & Celtic-themed craft activities every Monday 11am-3pm. Normal admission charges apply. Adults £7.75, young people 21 & under & all NE28 residents FREE. Annual tickets available.No...
SUMMER FAMILY CRAFTING
21st July-25th August 2026
Time: Every Tues 10.30-11.45am or 1-2.15pm
Venue: Shipley Art Gallery
Address: Prince Consort Road, NE8 4JB
Website: www.shipleyartgallery.org.uk
Every Tuesday during the summer holidays 10.30-11.45am or 1-2.15pm. Each day there will be a different theme with the friendly staffon hand to guide you. A variety of materials will be available for...
FAMILY CRAFT SESSIONS
22nd July-26th August 2026
Time: Wednesdays 11am - 12.30pm & 1-3pm
Venue: Arbeia Roman Fort
Address: Baring Street, South Shields, NE33 2BB
Website: www.arbeiaromanfort.org.uk
Free craft activities every Wednesdays during school holidays. 11am - 12.30pm & 1-3pm. No need to book, donations welcome.
WILD WEDNESDAYS
22nd July-26th August 2026
Time: 11am-3pm
Venue: Woodhorn Museum & Country Park
Address: NE63 9YF
Website: www.northeastmuseums.org.uk/woodhorn
Every Wednesday throughout the Northumberland summer holidays, join our Learning Team for a day of free, family-friendly activities inspired by the natural world. Enjoy wild-themed crafts, take part in bug...
FREE CRAFT ACTIVITIES
23rd July-27th August 2026
Time: 11am - 3pm
Venue: Stephenson Railway Museum
Address: Middle Engine Lane, NE29 8DX
Website: www.stephensonrailwaymuseum.org.uk
Every Thursday 11am-3pm Free craft activities with a different theme every week.
THINGS THAT GO - OPENING SUMMER 2026
31st July-28th February 2027
Venue: Discovery Museum
Address: Blandford Square, NE1 4JA
Website: www.discoverymuseum.org.uk
Discovery Museum’s brand-new gallery space will launch with a free playful transport exhibition. From boats & bicycles to tractors, trains & planes, explore the exciting world of transport through hands-on...
KIDS FUN FEST
4th-20th August 2026
Time: 2-4pm every Tues & Thurs
Venue: Amphitheatre
Address: Sea Road, NE33 2LD
Website: www.southtynesidefestival.co.uk.
Every Tuesday & Thursday enjoy afternoons of Free fun, games & activities featuring a host of amazing performers & entertainers. It's a great way to keep the kids entertained during the school summer...
KNIGHT'S TOURNAMENT
11th-12th August 2026
Time: 10am-5pm
Venue: Warkworth Castle
Address: Northumberland, NE65 0UJ
Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/warkworth-castle-and-hermitage
Go back in time & get up close to the action as rival knights compete in the ultimate test of strength & skill. Four armoured knights & their squires will clash in a variety of gruelling rounds. Experience...
HADRIAN CELEBRATION
15th-16th August 2026
Time: 11am - 3pm
Venue: Segedunum Roman Fort, Baths & Museum
Address: Buddle Street, Wallsend NE28 6HR
Website: www.segedunumromanfort.org.uk
Enjoy a two-day programme of Roman living history featuring around re-enactors & horses bringing ancient sports & training to life in an outdoor arena. You can also encounter Emperor Hadrian & his servant...
GET CREATIVE DANCE SUMMER SCHOOL
18th-21st August 2026
Time: 9.30am-3pm
Venue: Gosforth Civic Theatre
Address: NE3 3HD
Website: www.gosforthcivictheatre.co.uk
Over four high-energy days, step into the spotlight, master street dance moves, dive into the drama & storytelling of musical theatre, learn the latest pop craze, perform dances & finish by becoming the...
AFTER THE FIRE:HANDS-ON ARCHAEOLOGY
19th-19th August 2026
Time: 11am – 3pm
Venue: Arbeia Roman Fort
Address: Baring Street, South Shields, NE33 2BB
Website: www.arbeiaromanfort.org.uk
Discover how a devastating fire around AD 300 has helped archaeologists uncover life at Arbeia. Learn how charred remains reveal diet, animal care & land use & try soil flotation to uncover clues from...
TIME ODYSSEY: A FAMILY ADVENTURE
20th-20th August 2026
Venue: Great North Museum
Address: Barras Bridge, NE2 4PT
Website: www.greatnorthmuseum.org.uk
Time Odyssey is an exciting new interactive learning experience which takes families on a quest through their local museum physically & virtually. Played on a tablet it uses gaming techniques & impressive...
DINKY DINOSAUR ADVENTURE DAY
31st-31st August 2026
Time: 10.30am-3.45pm
Venue: Stephenson Railway Museum
Address: Middle Engine Lane, NE29 8DX
Website: www.stephensonrailwaymuseum.org.uk
Calling all young explorers & dinosaur fans - get ready for a roar-some adventure on August Bank Holiday. Meet & greet a bunch of adorable baby dinosaurs & take a train ride, too! Book your time-slot online.