Just because the summer holidays are coming to an end doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. There are some great attractions in the local area that are perfect for a fantastic day out for the whole family. Here are some incredible ideas to keep the children entertained through to the end summer and beyond.
Peddle a Swan Boat in East Park
Not only is Hull’s East Park, one of the largest in the city, but it’s packed full of fun activities for the kids. In particular, a half-hour peddle boat around the lake is fantastic in the sunshine and kids love it. It’s only £2 per person too so it won’t break the bank. Afterwards, you enjoy a picnic and take them to the newly refurbished playground area. play area and an animal education centre with a walk-through aviary. If you’re looking to tire out the children, then look no further than Hull’s biggest park.
Meet Nemo and Dory at The Deep
The Deep is a spectacular aquarium with over 5000 sea creatures including sharks, stingrays, penguins, turtles and more. You can also see a whole host of clownfish and surgeonfish, and who knows you might get to see Nemo and Dory. It also hosts a play area and cafe.
Bounce off the Walls
Two Trampoline Parks have reopened recently; Gravity in St Stephens and Rebound on Sutton Fields have both reopened with new safety measures in place. The trampoline parks are a great run-around for the little ones and they can, quite literally, bounce off the walls. The airbag is still closed however as part of it’s COVID measures but the countless trampolines are more than enough. It’s got air-con too for when it gets pretty hot outside.
Touch the Ceiling at Rock Up
From 1st August, you can visit Rock Up again and climb their 26 fun climbing walls that stand over 8 metres high. You don’t need any equipment aside from a face mask for over twelves, some comfortable trainers and a drink. Sadly, for under-threes, the soft play is closed for the time-being, but if your children are aged four and up, Rock Up is a brilliant way to keep them active.
Splash Around in Hull Swimming Pools
Announced just last month by Hull city council, Woodford and Ennerdale Leisure Centres have now reopened. There are a few restrictions in place, such as wearing your swimwear underneath your clothes before you arrive, and you must book before you go. Full details here.
Look for Butterflies at Humber Bridge Park
A 48-acre park with wood, chalk cliffs, meadows and wildlife ponds; the Humber Bridge Country Park boasts great crested newts and an astounding 22 species of butterfly. If your little ones love nature, then this is the park for you.
Travel Back in Time at Streetlife Museum
Just last mont, Hull city council announced that the Ferens Art Gallery and Hull Streelife Museum will reopen their doors. Both are great places to go, but for kids, we highly recommend the sights, sounds and smells of history at the Streetlife Museum of Transport in the old town. Your kids will love exploring a mock 1940s street complete with a sweet shop and arcade. They can also board a tram and experience a carriage ride. It’s free entry too but you must book online before you go.
Explore a Stately Home
It’s not quite Downton Abbey, but East Yorkshire does have some fantastic grand buildings to explore in the countryside. Both Sewerby Hall and Burton Constable Hall are Grade I listed buildings with a grandiose interiors and 18th-century cabinets full of oddities. Parkland, gardens, stables, an orangery, an eatery and gift shop accompany it. The sheer size of these estates will keep you occupied for hours and it’s a really good day out.
Find Some Creepy Crawlies
Noddle Hill Nature Reserve is a tranquil place complete with walking routes, a fishing lake, a children’s play area and sports pitches. The reserve contains a myriad of creepy crawlies and several fascinating animals including grass snakes, great crested newts, water voles and even stoats.
Indoor Racing at TeamSport Karting
We were sad to see Hull Raceway close its doors for the last time in 2018, but thanks to TeamSport Karting – a national chain coming to Hull, your older, more adventurous kids can race around a 400m indoor multi-level track indoors. There are plenty of twists, turns and challenging ramps. Food and drink is available to buy afterwards too.
Find Inspiration at The Ferens
The Ferens Gallery really is a wonderful art gallery with an expansive collection; It’s home to several masterpieces by Stanley Spencer, Lorenzetti, Frans Hals and more. It’s not quite action packed for the little ones, but you’ll be surprised at how much they’ll enjoy it for an hour. Plus it might just give them the inspiration they need for their own masterpieces. It’s free entry but online booking is now required.
Meet a Dinosaur at Dinostar
Dinostar is a small natural history museum with interactive exhibits that children will love. Located on Humber Street down by the marina, the museum contains a myriad of fossils and models. Some of the fossils are huge and are sure to amaze little ones who are fascinated by dinosaurs. No online booking is required to visit Dinostar but they do ask you to wear a face mask when you go in. Admission is really good value at £3 adults and £1.50 children.
Golf, Golf and Crazy Golf
Ok I’m not talking about a full 18 hole course here. There are a few, fun courses that you can really enjoy around Hull. Firstly, the Putt Club is a new motor-sport themed indoor crazy golf course with 9 varied and fun holes. It’s by TeamSport who brought their indoor karting arena to Hull recently.
If that doesn’t take your fancy though, you can try the outdoor Pirate themed adventure golf at One Stop Golf on National Avenue instead. But again, if you’re after something different, Footgolf is also at One Stop Golf. This is where you use a football and your feet which you use to put the ball. So if you’re looking for something a bit different to entertain you and the little ones, these could be your answer.
Talk to the Animals at East Park
Along with plenty of other activities at East Park, there’s also an Animal Education Centre and Small Zoo with a huge variety of animals. It’s free too and usually takes a good hour or two to get around and see everything. Definitely worth a visit!
A Woodland Adventure at Williams Den
Out west in the East Riding, you’ll find this outdoor playground and woodland walk with stunning views and great food too! The kids can play for hours while you can sit and relax with a drink or two. Admission varies but is around £7 adults, £8 for over 3s, and free for 2 and under.
Smell the Flowers at Sewerby Gardens
Visit the gorgeous gardens at Sewerby Hall near Bridlington and explore 50 acres of 19th-century parkland including a rose garden, walled garden and woodland. To enjoy the scents and colours of the garden, you can book your visit online. Tickets are affordable with a £6.20 admission for adults, £4.20 for children and you can buy a family pass for £19.
Pretend to be a Giant at Bondville Model Village
Bondville Model Village is Bridlington’s miniature masterpiece and incorporates more than 200 buildings including a harbour, ruined abbey and castle. Kids can watch Thomas the Tank Engine making his way around the village which took two years to build. You’ll need to pay with cash; tickets cost £4.50 for adults and £3.00 for children.
See the Birds at South Cave Falconry
You can enjoy interactive experiences and flying displays at South Cave Falconry which is home to an array of beautiful and predatory birds. Several interactive sessions are available including an introduction to falconry, hawk walk, goat walk and owl handling session. The site also includes a small cafe and picnic area for afterwards. Entry tickets cost £7 for adults and £5 for children, but experiences are more expensive.
Search for Ancient Fossils
The East Riding coast is home to the fastest eroding cliffs in the UK which means there a lot of fossils waiting to be discovered. You can find fossils along the entire coastline, but one of the best places to find them is at Dane’s Dyke, just north of Bridlington, which is the best place to find sponge fossils in the UK.
Grab an Ice Cream at Friza Caffe Gelato
Grab an ice cream on the way back from your adventure at Frizza Caffe Gelato; ranked number one for desserts in Hull on Tripadvisor. If ice cream isn’t for you, then have a cake, crepe or pudding. The kids and your tastebuds will thank you.
