Start with the admission cost, then add the journey and any paid extras. This budget indoor shortlist covers museums, galleries and libraries, with Darlington and Middlesbrough ideas alongside Tyneside, Sunderland and Durham. Compare the towns below to keep travelling costs realistic.
Free entry and low-cost tickets are different: a price band is only a guide, and shows, workshops or exhibitions may cost extra at a free venue. For a broader choice of paid indoor attractions and active play, use the rainy-day guide.
Compare 13 places by town, cost, weather and age
Cost bands are a guide. Free entry can still mean paid parking, exhibitions or activities. Age tags are broad suggestions; check the venue’s exact limits and facilities.
| Place | Town | Entry and extras | Weather | Age guidance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dorman Museum | Middlesbrough | Free Admission to the museum is free. | Indoors | Babies, Toddlers, Children, Teenagers |
| The Hullabaloo | Darlington | Creative Play is free and drop-in, subject to space. Most shows are paid and need booking. Hullabaloo admission and booking | Indoors | Babies, Toddlers, Children |
| The Word | South Shields | Free | Indoors | Babies, Toddlers, Children, Teenagers |
| Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens | Sunderland | Free | Indoors | Babies, Toddlers, Children, Teenagers |
| South Shields Museum and Art Gallery | South Shields | Free | Indoors | Babies, Toddlers, Children, Teenagers |
| Seven Stories | Newcastle upon Tyne | Free | Indoors | Babies, Toddlers, Children |
| Newcastle City Library | Newcastle upon Tyne | Free | Indoors | Babies, Toddlers, Children, Teenagers |
| Shipley Art Gallery | Gateshead | Free | Indoors | Toddlers, Children, Teenagers |
| The Story Durham | Durham | Free | Indoors | Babies, Toddlers, Children, Teenagers |
| Laing Art Gallery | Newcastle upon Tyne | Free | Indoors | Babies, Toddlers, Children, Teenagers |
| Hancock Museum | Newcastle upon Tyne | Free | Indoors | Toddlers, Children, Teenagers |
| Discovery Museum | Newcastle upon Tyne | Free | Indoors | Babies, Toddlers, Children |
| Baltic | Gateshead | Free | Indoors | Babies, Toddlers, Children, Teenagers |
13 places worth exploring
Newcastle
Libraries & story timeSeven Stories
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 2PQ
Opens today at 10:00A brilliant home for children’s books and storytelling in Ouseburn. Families can explore interactive floors, discover new stories and join performances, workshops and events designed to make reading and imagination come alive.
- Free entry
- Indoor
- Babies
- Toddlers
- Children
A brilliant one for book-loving kids; check what’s on and whether any sessions need booking.
Libraries & story time |Heritage & castlesNewcastle City Library
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8AX
Opens today at 09:00A welcoming city-centre library with children’s books, quiet spaces, family activities and regular events. It is a useful indoor stop for reading, relaxing and finding something creative to do in Newcastle.
- Free entry
- Indoor
- Babies
- Toddlers
- Children
- Teens
A free central stop for children’s books, a quiet breather and whatever activities are happening that day.
Museums & galleriesLaing Art Gallery
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8AG
Closed – opens tomorrowA city-centre art gallery with paintings, watercolours, sculpture and decorative art, including work connected with Newcastle and the wider North East. General admission is free, while some temporary exhibitions charge an entrance fee. Family trails, creative activities and dedicated play installations are available at selected times, so check the current programme before visiting.
- Free entry
- Indoor
- Babies
- Toddlers
- Children
- Teens
A free Newcastle gallery where you can wander, chat about what you see and take things at your own pace.
Museums & galleriesHancock Museum
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4PT
Opens today at 11:00Explore natural history, ancient cultures and the stories of the North East at this family-friendly museum. Children can discover fossils, animals, mummies and hands-on displays while adults enjoy the wider collections and changing exhibitions.
- Free entry
- Indoor
- Toddlers
- Children
- Teens
A free museum packed with natural history, dinosaurs and historical treasures to keep curious minds busy.
Museums & galleriesDiscovery Museum
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4JA
Opens today at 11:00A free family museum in Newcastle with local history, science and hands-on displays to explore at your own pace. It is a useful indoor option for a rainy day and works well for families who want plenty to discover without needing to plan a full-day visit.
- Free entry
- Indoor
- Babies
- Toddlers
- Children
A free museum with local history and hands-on discovery, giving you plenty to explore indoors.
Gateshead
Museums & galleriesShipley Art Gallery
Gateshead, NE8 4JB
Closed – opens TuesdaySee paintings, sculpture and design from the gallery’s collection, with displays that make art approachable for families. Look out for changing exhibitions and activities that encourage children to notice, imagine and create.
- Free entry
- Indoor
- Toddlers
- Children
- Teens
A free gallery visit for families who fancy looking at art together without a big admission cost.
Sensory & inclusive play |Museums & galleriesBaltic
Gateshead, NE8 3BA
Opens today at 10:00Explore contemporary art across the galleries of BALTIC, with changing exhibitions and striking views over the River Tyne. The open spaces, family activities and creative displays make it an accessible cultural visit for adults and children alike.
- Free entry
- Indoor
- Babies
- Toddlers
- Children
- Teens
A free contemporary-art visit that pairs nicely with a Quayside wander if the rain gives you a break.
South Tyneside
Libraries & story timeThe Word
South Shields, NE33 1JF
Opens today at 10:00A free cultural venue and library overlooking the River Tyne, with books, interactive exhibitions, family activities, creative facilities and regularly changing events. There is also an on-site café, although its hours are slightly shorter than the main building's. Some workshops and ticketed events need to be booked separately. Check the events programme before visiting to see what is currently available.
- Free entry
- Indoor
- Babies
- Toddlers
- Children
- Teens
A free indoor stop with books, exhibitions and activities to keep different ages happy.
Museums & galleriesSouth Shields Museum and Art Gallery
South Shields, NE33 2JA
Closed – opens tomorrowA free museum exploring the history and art of South Tyneside through permanent displays, changing exhibitions and family-friendly activities. The Let's Play gallery includes toys and interactive displays, and the Victorian Pantry serves food and drinks. Donations are welcome. The museum is closed on Sundays, although special and bank-holiday arrangements may differ.
- Free entry
- Indoor
- Babies
- Toddlers
- Children
- Teens
A free, manageable museum visit for local stories, collections and a bit of shelter from the weather.
Sunderland
Museums & galleries |Nature & wildlifeSunderland Museum and Winter Gardens
Sunderland, SR1 1PP
Check latest timesA free museum, art gallery and indoor winter garden beside Mowbray Park. Displays cover local history, natural history, art and archaeology, while the tropical winter garden includes plants and an elevated viewing walkway. Family activities include a mixture of free and paid sessions. Upstairs galleries close at 4pm even when the main building remains open later.
- Free entry
- Indoor
- Babies
- Toddlers
- Children
- Teens
A free museum and winter-gardens visit with plenty to look at without paying regular admission.
County Durham
Museums & galleriesThe Story Durham
Durham, DH1 3TQ
Opens today at 10:00A free visitor attraction sharing more than 900 years of County Durham's history through displays, objects and interactive digital activities. It also houses archive and research facilities, landscaped grounds and a café. Family activities and under-five sessions run on selected dates. Bank holiday opening may vary.
- Free entry
- Indoor
- Babies
- Toddlers
- Children
- Teens
A free indoor local-history stop in Durham, with current exhibitions worth a look.
Darlington
Family attractionsThe Hullabaloo
Darlington, DL1 1SG
Closed – opens WednesdayA theatre and creative play venue designed especially for children and families. It offers changing play installations, performances, creative activities, a story corner and a family-friendly café. Visiting the building and some play activities can be free, while performances and bookable sessions have their own prices and times. Check the current programme before travelling.
- Low cost
- Indoor
- Babies
- Toddlers
- Children
In Darlington, Creative Play is free and drop-in subject to space; most theatre shows are paid and need booking. The listing’s low-cost band does not mean every activity has a charge.
Teesside
Museums & galleries |Family attractionsDorman Museum
Middlesbrough, TS5 6LA
Opens today at 10:00A free Middlesbrough museum with varied galleries that work well for a shorter rainy-day visit. Families can move from space and natural-history displays to stories of Middlesbrough through time, alongside the museum's standout collections of Linthorpe Art Pottery and Christopher Dresser design. There is also a Victorian-style tearoom and museum shop, making it easy to combine the galleries with a relaxed break.
- Free entry
- Indoor
- Babies
- Toddlers
- Children
- Teens
Free museum admission in Middlesbrough, confirmed by the council. Check the current programme for exhibitions and any separately charged events.
These are hand-picked suggestions rather than every matching result. Follow each activity for opening times, location and practical details.
Explore all activitiesMore ways to plan your day
A quick note about “free”
A place can have free entry while parking, donations, cafés, special events or bookable sessions cost extra. Use the activity page to get your bearings, then check the venue’s latest details before you head off.
Make a whole day of it without the big spend
Pair one free indoor activity with a nearby walk, playground or packed lunch instead of trying to cram in several paid attractions. Shorter visits can be a great way to keep the day affordable too — and less tiring for everyone.
- Check whether it’s free every day or only during normal admission.
- Look out for booking or event charges before travelling.
- Remember to budget for transport, parking and food as well.
Before you head off
- Check what “free” covers before travelling and whether you need to book.
- Pack food or plan a low-cost meal if the venue allows it — check the current café policy first.
- Use the activity pages to compare free and low-cost ideas by area and visit length.
- Fancy mixing things up with outdoor ideas too? Have a look at the main free-days-out guide.
Keep exploring
Explore rainy-day activities for all budgets
Compare active play and other paid indoor choices.
Read the free-days-out guide
Find even more free museums, parks, farms and places to explore.
Browse free indoor activities
See all the activities currently tagged as free and indoors.
Compare low-cost ideas
Have a browse through free and low-cost options in the activity finder.