Planning a family day in Newcastle or Gateshead? You can build a good day around a museum, gallery, library, riverside wander, animal visit or park without crossing the whole region. We’ve gathered a few useful starting points for different ages, budgets and weather.
Some of these are quick stops and some can fill much longer visits. Check the activity pages for the latest details, then have a mooch at the map and decide whether one main stop is enough or a short second stop would suit your family better.
Compare 14 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saltwell Park | Gateshead | Free | Outdoors | Babies, Toddlers, Children |
| Discovery Museum | Newcastle upon Tyne | Free | Indoors | Babies, Toddlers, Children |
| Life Science Centre | Newcastle upon Tyne | High (£££) — guide only; check official prices | Indoors | Babies, Toddlers, Children, Teenagers |
| Hancock Museum | Newcastle upon Tyne | Free | Indoors | Toddlers, Children, Teenagers |
| Laing Art Gallery | Newcastle upon Tyne | Free | Indoors | Babies, Toddlers, Children, Teenagers |
| Newcastle City Library | Newcastle upon Tyne | Free | Indoors | Babies, Toddlers, Children, Teenagers |
| Newcastle Castle | Newcastle upon Tyne | Medium (££) — guide only; check official prices | Indoors | Children, Teenagers |
| Ouseburn Farm | Newcastle upon Tyne | Free | Indoors and outdoors | Babies, Toddlers, Children |
| Seven Stories | Newcastle upon Tyne | Free | Indoors | Babies, Toddlers, Children |
| Baltic | Gateshead | Free | Indoors | Babies, Toddlers, Children, Teenagers |
| Shipley Art Gallery | Gateshead | Free | Indoors | Toddlers, Children, Teenagers |
| Exhibition Park | Newcastle upon Tyne | Free | Outdoors | Babies, Toddlers, Children, Teenagers |
| Jesmond Dene Park | Newcastle upon Tyne | Free | Outdoors | Babies, Toddlers, Children, Teenagers |
| Fun Shack | Gateshead | Low (£) — guide only; check official prices | Indoors | Toddlers, Children |
14 places worth exploring
Newcastle
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 Newcastle museum with local history, science and hands-on displays that can suit a short visit or a longer indoor wander.
Museums & galleriesLife Science Centre
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4EP
Opens today at 10:00An interactive science centre with hands-on exhibits, live demonstrations, experiments, making activities and the North's largest planetarium. The programme changes throughout the year and frequently includes activities designed for preschool children, families and teenagers. Standard admission includes the principal science-centre activities and planetarium shows, although spaces are allocated on a first-come basis.
- Higher cost
- Indoor
- Babies
- Toddlers
- Children
- Teens
A bigger city-centre option for children who like experiments, live demonstrations and interactive things to investigate.
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 natural-history stop with dinosaurs, animals and ancient cultures for curious children and older siblings.
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, manageable gallery visit for families who fancy looking at art together without committing to a full-day attraction.
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 useful free city-centre breather with children’s books, quiet spaces and a changing events programme.
Museums & galleries |Heritage & castlesNewcastle Castle
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1RQ
Opens today at 10:00Climb through Newcastle’s medieval castle complex and imagine life in the city centuries ago. The keep and Black Gate offer historic rooms, dramatic views and an engaging short heritage visit in the heart of Newcastle.
- Medium cost
- Indoor
- Children
- Teens
A compact heritage visit for children who enjoy castles and city history; it is better suited to older children than toddlers.
Farms & animalsOuseburn Farm
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 2PA
Opens today at 10:00Meet friendly farm animals in the heart of Ouseburn, with hands-on experiences, gardens and a relaxed setting for families. Entry is free with donations welcome, while events and some activities may have separate arrangements.
- Free entry
- Indoor & outdoor
- Babies
- Toddlers
- Children
A free-with-donations animal visit in Ouseburn that works well for toddlers and younger children.
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 book-filled Ouseburn stop where children can explore stories, displays and the current programme of activities.
Parks & gardens |Walks & trails |Nature & wildlifeExhibition Park
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4PZ
Open accessA large city park beside Newcastle's Town Moor with a lake, open lawns, paths, a children's playground, skatepark, outdoor gym and free tennis courts. It is suitable for a short playground visit, picnic or longer walk around the park and Town Moor. The park itself is free to visit. Café availability has recently been subject to change, so do not rely on it being open without checking first.
- Free entry
- Outdoor
- Babies
- Toddlers
- Children
- Teens
A free open-air option beside the city centre, with lawns, a lake, play space and room to stretch your legs.
Parks & gardens |Nature & wildlife |Farms & animalsJesmond Dene Park
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7DZ
Open accessEscape into the wooded valley of Jesmond Dene with riverside paths, bridges, waterfalls and wildlife to discover. Families can visit the free Pets Corner, use the play area and enjoy a picnic or café stop among the trees.
- Free entry
- Outdoor
- Babies
- Toddlers
- Children
- Teens
A green Newcastle escape with wooded paths, bridges and wildlife, useful as a second stop when the weather is on your side.
Gateshead
Parks & gardens |Walks & trails |Nature & wildlifeSaltwell Park
Gateshead, NE9 5AX
OpenA much-loved Gateshead park with formal gardens, woodland, open grassland, play areas, a lake and plenty of space for a family walk. Bring a picnic, explore the paths and allow time for children to play and spot wildlife.
- Free entry
- Outdoor
- Babies
- Toddlers
- Children
A free outdoor option in Low Fell, Gateshead. Choose a park visit when the weather suits, and check the profile for location and practical details.
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 Gateshead Quayside visit with contemporary art, open gallery spaces and a change of scene from the city centre.
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 Gateshead gallery with changing displays and enough flexibility for a quick cultural stop.
Play & soft playFun Shack
Gateshead, NE11 0SX
ClosedFun Shack Gateshead, formerly the Giant's Den, is an indoor family play centre at Team Valley. Younger children have toddler play areas and a toddler village, while the larger play frame, slides and trampolines offer active play for older children. Go-karts carry an additional charge and activities have different age rules. Check the Gateshead branch's booking and visitor information before travelling.
- Low cost
- Indoor
- Toddlers
- Children
An indoor play option in Gateshead when children need active time and the weather is not playing ball; check sessions and site details.
These are hand-picked suggestions rather than every matching result. Follow each activity for opening times, location and practical details.
Explore all activitiesA few dates for the diary
What’s on now
These events have their own dates and ticket details, so have a look at the event page before you set off.
Explore and Draw for all ages
Shipley Art Gallery
Techno Tots – Halloween Special
STACK Newcastle
Blue Flames Annual Halloween Party
Blue Flames Sporting Club
Spooky Night at the Discovery Museum 2026
Discovery Museum
Nerd Fright Fest 2026
Gateshead International Stadium
Urban Park Market, Gosforth (Halloween)
Gosforth Central Park
More ways to plan your day
City-centre museums and galleries
Discovery Museum, the Hancock, the Laing, Newcastle City Library and the Life Science Centre give you several indoor ways to spend time in or near the city centre. They work well when you want a weather-proof plan, and the free options make it easier to keep the day flexible.
- Choose a museum or gallery when you want to wander at your own pace.
- Check current exhibitions, family activities and any ticketed extras.
- A quick stop can be enough for younger children, so do not feel you need to plan a full day.
Ouseburn and the Quayside
Ouseburn is a handy area for combining an animal visit, children’s books and a bit of outdoor wandering. Across the river, BALTIC gives you an indoor Gateshead option with views over the Tyne. Check each venue’s details and allow for the fact that paths, hills and weather can affect a multi-stop plan.
Free and toddler-friendly choices
Ouseburn Farm, Seven Stories, BALTIC, the city library, Discovery Museum, the Laing, Shipley and nearby parks give families plenty of lower-cost starting points. For toddlers, a quick museum, library, farm or park visit can be more enjoyable than trying to fill every hour.
Plan travel and an optional second stop
Pick one area first: Newcastle city centre, Ouseburn, the Gateshead Quayside or a Gateshead park visit. Use the map links on each profile and check current bus, rail or Metro services before travelling. Do not assume the Quayside, Shipley and Saltwell Park are all one short walk, especially with a buggy.
For older children, compare the age guidance for Life Science Centre and Newcastle Castle. For a shorter toddler outing, start with one place and keep a second stop optional. Paid admission and free museum entry have different budget implications.
Before you head off
- Check the map and venue pages before combining stops — “nearby” can still mean hills, busy roads or a longer walk with a buggy.
- Free admission does not always mean free parking, food, special exhibitions or bookable activities.
- For toddlers, pick one main stop and treat a park, library or short walk as an optional extra.
- Have an indoor back-up ready for parks and Quayside plans when the North East weather changes its mind.
Keep exploring
Free toddler outings in Newcastle and Gateshead
Choose a short visit with no admission fee.
Free baby and toddler groups in Newcastle and Gateshead
Find regular library, play and baby sessions.
Find Newcastle and Gateshead classes and groups
Choose a regular session instead of a one-off outing.
Find rainy-day activities
See more indoor ideas for wet weather across the North East.
Explore toddler-friendly days out
Find gentle, flexible ideas for little explorers.
Browse free and low-cost ideas
Keep your Newcastle or Gateshead day out affordable.