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 Sunderland & Durham
To search the listings, enter a keyword, location and/or date in the boxes below.
When entering a location, select the best location match from the list that appears, then click Go.
Click here to clear your search.
EXPLORING ANCIENT JAPAN
1st-1st August 2028
Time: 1-3pm
Venue: Oriental Museum
Address: Elvet Hill, Durham, DH1 3TH
Website: www.durham.ac.uk/things-to-do/venues/oriental-museum/
Learn about prehistoric Japan & make a clay dogu figure. Free event.1-3pm.
AMAZING ART TRAIL
7th February-28th March 2026
Time: 10am - 4pm
Venue: Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
Address: SR1 1PP
Website: www.sunderlandmuseum.org.uk
Follow the Amazing Art Trail & discover what inspired artists from Sunderland & beyond to create their amazing art. Try some art challenges & claim a prize sticker. £1 per trail.
SATURDAY ART CLUB
7th February-31st December 2026
Time: Sat 1-3pm
Venue: Arts Centre Washington,
Address: NE38 8AB
Website: www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/events/saturday-art-club
This Saturday Art Club is suitable for children aged 8+ with an interest in art who would like to develop their skills further. Often taking inspiration from exhibitions & artists working within the arts...
WASHINGTON YOUTH THEATRE
7th February-31st December 2026
Time: Sat 10am - 12pm
Venue: Arts Centre Washington,
Address: NE38 8AB
Website: www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/whats-on/washington-youth-theatre-ages-8-12/
Build life-long skills in performance & confidence while making new friends! Join these weekly sessions for 8- to 12-year-olds. Develop theatre skills like presentation, improvisation & cooperation, while...
TICK TOCK
14th-14th February 2026
Time: 1-3pm
Venue: Oriental Museum
Address: Elvet Hill, Durham, DH1 3TH
Website: www.durham.ac.uk/oriental.museum
Learn all about the museum's special Chinese clock & make a super star decoration to take home. Free event. 1-3pm.
TIME BANDITS
14th-14th February 2026
Time: 11am-3pm
Venue: Washington Old Hall NT
Address: NE38 7LE.
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/washington-old-hall
Immerse yourself in the history of Washington Old Hall with the Time Bandits this February Half Term. The Time Bandits are a living history duo who will be bringing history to life, sharing stories about...
WONDER WORLD EARTH TRAIL
14th February-1st March 2026
Time: 10am-3pm
Venue: Gibside NT
Address: NE16 6BG
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/gibside
This February half term. Participate in a storybook adventure on a wild trail around Gibside. Discover the muddy, marvelous miracle of soil, from wriggling worms & minibeasts to fungi that help trees talk....
WORLD BOOK DAY TRAIL
14th February-1st March 2026
Time: 10am-4pm
Venue: Crook Hall & Gardens,
Address: Frankland Lane, DH1 5SZ
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/crook-hall-gardens
Embark on the ultimate World Book Day quest this February half term at Crook Hall. Step into a world of stories, unlock secrets hidden among the pages of your favourite books & become the hero of your...
STORYTIME WITH BLUEY
15th-15th February 2026
Time: 2pm & 3pm
Venue: Raich Carter Sports Centre,
Address: Commercial Road, Hendon SR2 8PD
Website: www.everyoneactive.com/bluey
Bluey is coming to town, so get ready for your very own swim school adventures! Everyone Active is thrilled to invite you & your little ones to a very special Storytime with Bluey. Find out more & register...
STORYTIME WITH BLUEY
15th-15th February 2026
Time: 10:00am & 11:00am
Venue: Washington Leisure Centre,
Address: Town Centre, Washington NE38 7SS
Website: www.everyoneactive.com/bluey
Bluey is coming to town, so get ready for your very own swim school adventures! Everyone Active is thrilled to invite you & your little ones to a very special Storytime with Bluey. Find out more & register...
Storytime with Bluey at Raich Carter Sports Centre
15th-15th February 2026
Address: Commercial Road, Hendon SR2 8PD
Bluey is coming to town, so get ready for your very own swim school adventures! Everyone Active is thrilled to invite you and your little ones to a very special Storytime with Bluey. Find out more and...
Storytime with Bluey at Washington Leisure Centre
15th-15th February 2026
Address: Town Centre, Washington NE38 7SS
Bluey is coming to town, so get ready for your very own swim school adventures! Everyone Active is thrilled to invite you and your little ones to a very special Storytime with Bluey. Find out more and...
ACTIVE PLAY
16th-16th February 2026
Time: 11am-12pm & 1.30-2.3pm
Venue: Washington Old Hall NT
Address: NE38 7LE.
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/washington-old-hall
Get active & challenge your family with outdoor games & activities this half term holiday. Expect classic playground games and old fashioned fun. Free, normal admission applies. No need to book, just turn...
PLANT SNOWDROPS
17th-27th February 2026
Time: 10am-3pm
Venue: Gibside NT
Address: NE16 6BG
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/gibside
On selected dates during February Half Term, celebrate spring by helping the gardeners get muddy with snowdrop planting. Dig a hole, plant your bulb & see snowdrop flowers popping up from the soil. Free...
ACTIVE PLAY
18th-18th February 2026
Time: 11am-12pm & 1.30-2.30pm
Venue: Crook Hall & Gardens,
Address: Frankland Lane, DH1 5SZ
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/crook-hall-gardens
Get active & challenge your family with outdoor games & activities this half term holiday at Crook Hall. Expect classic playground games & old fashioned fun. Free event but normal admission charges apply.
NATURE CRAFTS
20th-20th February 2026
Time: 11am-12.30pm & 1.30-3pm
Venue: Washington Old Hall NT
Address: NE38 7LE.
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/washington-old-hall
Get creative this February half term at Washington Old Hall & be inspired by nature & create some wild art. Free, no need to book, just turn up & join in on the day. Normal admission applies.
CHINESE NEW YEAR 2026 CELEBRATIONS - THE YEAR OF THE HORSE
21st-21st February 2026
Time: 10am-4pm
Venue: Durham City Centre,
Address: DH1 3NJ
Celebrate the Chinese New Year 2026 - Year of the Horse- in Durham City with a programme of exciting events at various locations across Durham city including Durham Town Hall, Clayport Library, The...
CROWD CRAFT
21st-21st February 2026
Time: 1-3pm
Venue: Oriental Museum
Address: Elvet Hill, Durham, DH1 3TH
Website: www.durham.ac.uk/oriental.museum
Calling all young crafters! Help us make some decorations for the Oriental Museum's Year of the Horse celebration later this month. Free event. 1-3pm.
FAMILY OPEN DAY
21st-21st February 2026
Time: 10am-5pm
Venue: The Bowes Museum,
Address: Barnard Castle, DL12 8NP
Website: www.thebowesmuseum.org.uk
Enjoy a free day of family-friendly activities. Inspired by the museum's Pippa Hale: Pet Project exhibition, with a variety of activities to celebrate all things pets at the museum. Try your hand at pet-themed...
MUDFEST 2026
21st February-1st March 2026
Time: 10am - 4.30pm
Venue: WWT Washington Wetlands Centre
Address: NE38 8LE
Website: www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/washington
Grab your wellies & head to WWT Washington this February half-term to get stuck in with Mudfest – where messy means fun! No one does mud quite like WWT Washington. It’s the stuff these super-powered...
SUPER SPACE HALF TERM
21st February-1st March 2026
Time: 10am-4pm
Venue: Ushaw Historic House
Address: Woodland Rd, Durham DH7 9RH
Website: www.ushaw.org
Enjoy an out of this world experience as Super Science is back! Discover the intergalactic activities that you can get up to including brilliant bottle rockets, space crafts & stories, an indoor stars...
TIME BANDITS
21st-21st February 2026
Time: 11am-3pm
Venue: Washington Old Hall NT
Address: NE38 7LE.
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/washington-old-hall
Immerse yourself in the history of Washington Old Hall with the Time Bandits this February Half Term. The Time Bandits are a living history duo who will be bringing history to life, sharing stories about...
ELEMENTAL FREE FILM SCREENING
23rd-23rd February 2026
Time: 11am
Venue: Houghton Library,
Address: 74 Newbottle Street, DH4 4AF
Website: www.mysunderland.co.uk
Grab your popcorn for a free family film screening of ELEMENTAL at Houghton Library. Ember, a fiery-tempered young woman, finds her friendship with go-with-flow Wade challenging her beliefs about the world...
GLASS FUSING
23rd-23rd February 2026
Time: 2-3pm
Venue: National Glass Centre
Address: Liberty Way, SR6 0GL
Website: www.nationalglasscentre.com
Inspired by the exhibitions at the National Glass Centre, create your own glass fused tile using pattern & texture. Ages 6+. £12pp. Book online.
MUSEUM COLLECTION DAY
23rd-23rd February 2026
Time: 11am – 12:30pm & 1:30pm – 3pm
Venue: Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
Address: SR1 1PP
Website: www.sunderlandmuseum.org.uk
Did you know there are over 100,000 objects in the Museum collections? Discover more as you come face to face with fascinating artefacts & meet the team who care for the collections between 11am – 12:30pm...
GLASS PAINTING
24th-24th February 2026
Time: 10-10.45am
Venue: National Glass Centre
Address: Liberty Way, SR6 0GL
Website: www.nationalglasscentre.com
Decorate your choice of glass shapes including animals, birds & vehicles. Paint your designs on glass tiles to take home. Ages 4+. £5pp. Book online.
TOM GATES EPIC STAGE SHOW
24th-24th February 2026
Time: 12.30pm & 3.30pm
Venue: Sunderland Fire Station
Address: High Street West, SR1 3HA
Website: www. sunderlandculture.org.uk
Based on the bestselling books by Liz Pichon, & brand new for 2026, Tom Gates EPIC Stage Show comes to our theatre bringing alive the illustrations and music that makes Tom Gates hugely popular around...
ZOG
24th-26th February 2026
Venue: Gala Theatre Durham,
Address: DH1 1WA
Website: www.galadurham.co.uk
Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler’s classic, feel-good story is brought to roaring, soaring life in this delightful musical for children. Zog is the keenest dragon in Madam Dragon’s school. He’s also...
ACTIVE PLAY
25th-25th February 2026
Time: 11am-12pm & 1.30-2.30pm
Venue: Crook Hall & Gardens,
Address: Frankland Lane, DH1 5SZ
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/crook-hall-gardens
Get active & challenge your family with outdoor games & activities this half term holiday at Crook Hall. Expect classic playground games & old fashioned fun. Free event but normal admission charges apply.
BEAR'S LUNAR NEW YEAR ADVENTURE
25th-25th February 2026
Time: 1pm & 2.30pm
Venue: Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
Address: SR1 1PP
Website: www.sunderlandmuseum.org.uk
Join Hannah Graham, Storyteller, for an amazing new adventure where Bear meets the animals of Lunar New Year. This activity at 1pm & 2.30pm is best suited to children aged 4+ as it involves periods of...
CRAZY CREATURES
25th-25th February 2026
Time: 10.30am-3pm
Venue: Durham University Botanic Garden,
Address: Hollingside Lane, DH1 3TN
Website: www.dur.ac.uk/botanic.garden
Get interactive with the Crazy Creatures who are visiting the Garden for the day. Enjoy hands-on, animal encounters with rabbits, frogs, snakes, spiders, mice & other animals. Normal admission charges...
CROWNS OF COMPASSION
25th-25th February 2026
Time: 1-3pm
Venue: Oriental Museum
Address: Elvet Hill, Durham, DH1 3TH
Website: www.durham.ac.uk/oriental.museum
See a special statue of goddess Guanyin wearing a beautiful crown & make your own bejewelled crown to wear. Free event. 1-3pm.
GLASS FUSING
26th-26th February 2026
Time: 10.30-11.30am or 2-3pm
Venue: National Glass Centre
Address: Liberty Way, SR6 0GL
Website: www.nationalglasscentre.com
Inspired by the exhibitions at the National Glass Centre, create your own glass fused tile using pattern & texture. Ages 6+. £12pp. Book online.
ELEMENTAL FREE FILM SCREENING
27th-27th February 2026
Time: 1pm
Venue: Washington Library,
Address: NE38 7RT
Website: www.mysunderland.co.uk
Grab your popcorn for a free family film screening of ELEMENTAL at Washington Library. Ember, a fiery-tempered young woman, finds her friendship with go-with-flow Wade challenging her beliefs about the...
FIRE & ICE DURHAM 2026
27th-28th February 2026
Time: 10am-5pm
Venue: Durham City Centre,
Address: DH1 3NJ
Website: www.lifeindurham.co.uk/event/fire-and-ice-2026/
Fire & Ice returns, bringing two spectacular days of sculptures, live displays,& family-friendly entertainment to the heart of the city. This much-loved free event transforms Durham’s streets with breathtaking...
GLASS PAINTING
27th-27th February 2026
Time: 10-10.45am or 2-2.45pm
Venue: National Glass Centre
Address: Liberty Way, SR6 0GL
Website: www.nationalglasscentre.com
Decorate your choice of glass shapes including animals, birds & vehicles. Paint your designs on glass tiles to take home. Ages 4+. £5pp. Book online.
NATURE CRAFTS
27th-27th February 2026
Time: 11am-12.30pm & 1.30-3pm
Venue: Washington Old Hall NT
Address: NE38 7LE.
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/washington-old-hall
Get creative this February half term at Washington Old Hall & be inspired by nature & create some wild art. Free, no need to book, just turn up & join in on the day. Normal admission applies.
CHORISTER EXPERIENCE DAY
28th-28th February 2026
Time: 12.30-5.30pm
Venue: Durham Cathedral,
Address: DH1 3EH
Website: www.durhamcathedral.co.uk/events/chorister-experience-day-jan-26
Do you know a child that loves to sing? Durham Cathedral Choir is looking for the next generation of Choristers. This is a unique opportunity for any child in school years 2-6 to sing with the Choristers...
MARIE CURIE - DAY OF REFLECTION
8th-8th March 2026
Time: 10.30am-4pm
Venue: Durham University Botanic Garden,
Address: Hollingside Lane, DH1 3TN
Website: www.dur.ac.uk/botanic.garden
This day is dedicated to remembering those who have lost loved ones during the pandemic & to those who are grieving. It aims to bring to bring people together in their communities & as a nation to be there...
SHAUN THE SHEEP FREE FILM SCREENING
14th-14th March 2026
Time: 1pm
Venue: Washington Library,
Address: NE38 7RT
Website: www.mysunderland.co.uk
Enjoy a free family film screening that will be a sheer delight in SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE at Washington Library. Shaun's day off turns into a little more action than he baa-rgained for when he finds himself...
SHAUN THE SHEEP FREE FILM SCREENING
21st-21st March 2026
Time: 11am
Venue: Houghton Library
Address: 74 Newbottle Street, DH4 4AF
Website: www.mysunderland.co.uk
Enjoy a free family film screening that will be a sheer delight in SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE at Houghton Library. Shaun's day off turns into a little more action than he baa-rgained for when he finds himself...
BLUEY'S BIG PLAY
25th-29th March 2026
Venue: Sunderland Empire
Address: SR1 3EX
Website: http://sunderlandempire.net.
Bluey, Bingo, Bandit & Chilli are heading to Sunderland! Featuring brilliantly created puppets, this theatrical adaptation of the Emmy® award-winning children’s television series is packed with music,...
GLASS PAINTING
30th-30th March 2026
Time: 10-10.45am or 2-2.45pm
Venue: National Glass Centre
Address: Liberty Way, SR6 0GL
Website: www.nationalglasscentre.com
Decorate your choice of glass shapes including animals, birds & vehicles. Paint your designs on glass tiles to take home. Ages 4+. £5pp. Book online.
GLASS FUSING
31st-31st March 2026
Time: 10.30-11.30am or 2-3pm
Venue: National Glass Centre
Address: Liberty Way, SR6 0GL
Website: www.nationalglasscentre.com
Inspired by the exhibitions at the National Glass Centre, create your own glass fused tile using pattern & texture. Ages 6+. £12pp. Book online.
HORRIBLE HISTORIES
17th-18th April 2026
Venue: Sunderland Empire
Address: SR1 3EX
Website: http://sunderlandempire.net.
For the very first time, your favourite songs & actors from the award-winning Horrible Histories TV series will be appearing live on stage in Sunderland! When William Shakespeare is asked to create the...