12 Family-Friendly Summer Activities In Newcastle
A handy round-up of the best kid-focused activities happening in the Toon over the summer
As the school summer holidays stretch ahead of us, parents can often worry about what to do with their kids to keep them busy, entertained and stimulated for the next few weeks.
Luckily, Newcastle is bursting at the seams with summer fun for your little 'uns and we’ve picked some of the most exciting for you - from cooking up a storm at one of Blackfriars' kid-friendly cooking classes to summer sport camps at Northumbria University and much, much more.
The Great Dinosaur Escape @ Life Science Centre
Unless you’ve been living in the prehistoric world, you definitely will have heard by now that the Life Science Centre are playing host to the biggest collection of moving dinosaurs in the north this summer! Offering dino rangers of all ages the chance to wander amongst colossal animatronic beasts, this roar-some exhibit stretches out across the centre, with everything from a three-tonne T-Rex and a baby stegosaurus to meet.
Until Sunday 27th September 2026, Prices vary
NE1’s Screen On The Green @ Old Eldon Square
Our award-winning open-air cinema Screen on the Green makes a welcome return to Old Eldon Square this summer and there are tonnes of kid-friendly films to enjoy as a family, from Disney and Pixar favourite to musicals and blockbusters. Every Tuesday morning, the big screen will play host to Toddler Takeover with screenings of adaptations of Julia Donaldson's popular kids' books - Tiddler, Room on the Broom, The Gruffalo and more - with picnic rugs to get comfy on and juice cartons for the little ones. There’ll be a super fun stay and play space for the kids to explore, and of course the beloved Tiny Toon will be making its return for 2026 with plenty of Newcastle landmarks, and some new installations for kids to enjoy too. It all starts with the Wimbledon fortnight, beginning on Monday 29th June, after which a selection of pre-school audience appropriate programmes will be screening. Then, when schools break up for summer, our annual six-week movie schedule will start, and run right up until Monday 31st August.
Monday 29th June – Monday 31st August 2026, Free
Live Summer School @ Live Theatre
Young imaginations are encouraged to come to life this season, with Live Theatre’s summer school! There’s two different options for small storytellers to explore here – but regardless of whether they fancy creating a play in a week, or crafting their very own illustrated story, they're bound to have a tonne of fun!
Monday 20th – Friday 31st July 2026, From £150
NE1’s Quayside Carnival @ Newcastle Quayside
Following the huge success of its debut last year, NE1’s Quayside Carnival makes its grand return to Newcastle’s Quayside this August! We’re on a mission to make this even more action-packed than before, with new zones to explore and plenty of activities to amaze, so while we’re still getting our Carnival crowd together, make sure you’ve got this date in the diary!
Saturday 22nd August 2026, Free
Little Monks Cookery Club & Smart Cookies Cookery Club @ Blackfriars
Blackfriars always seems to have something exciting on the go and they make sure kids are included too. This summer they’re inviting budding young chefs to join them for the Little Monks Cookery Club (26th August), for six hour sessions aimed at 7-10 year olds. They’ll get to learn about nutrition, make their own lunch and generally become more confident in the kitchen. Alternatively there’s the Smart Cookies Cookery Club (27th and 28th August), aimed at 11-17 year olds who are more confident around the kitchen and want to develop their culinary skills.
Multiple Dates in August, From £50
Kids Camps @ Sport Central, Northumbria University
If your kid is of a sporty persuasion, you’ll be happy to hear Northumbria University is bringing back its programme of kids camps this summer. Running from Monday 20th July to Friday 28th August, the camps offer 6-11 year-olds the chance to try football, cricket, basketball, netball and table tennis, and have daily access to the swimming pool and climbing wall. There’s a games room too! It costs £30 per day to take part but there are various packages available too.
Monday 20th July – Friday 28th August 2026, From £30
Lee and Elaine Let Themselves Down and Let the School Down @ The Stand
If you loved the Big Family Christmas Show at The Stand, then you’re in luck! Elaine Robertson and Lee Kyle are returning to the stage just in time for the school holidays with their family-friendly kids comedy club. Expect plenty of belly laughs, and as much crazily chaotic fun as you can stomach!
Saturday 25th July & Saturday 29th August 2026, From £10
Summer Musical Theatre Workshop @ Tyne Theatre & Opera House
Got a wannabe performer at home? Send them to Enchanted Entertainment’s Summer Musical Theatre Workshop at Tyne Theatre & Opera House from Monday 10th to Saturday 15th August! Designed for kids aged 8-18 to learn all about singing, acting, dancing and stage craft, this fun-filled week offers the ideal chance to boost their confidence, make some new pals, and learn routines from loads of West End and Broadway musicals.
Monday 10th – Saturday 15th August 2026, From £210
Summer Workshops @ Theatre Royal
Alternatively, why not check out the range of summer workshops for kids and teens that Theatre Royal are hosting over the summer? From their 5 Day Film Challenge for budding cinematographers to their Play in a Week for kids aged 8 to 11 - plus workshops covering musical theatre and technical theatre skills - there’s loads of opportunities for kids to get a taste for the stage and learn something new with their peers. They’ll definitely have something to talk about at school come September!
Monday 20th July – Monday 17th August 2026, Prices vary
Summer Theatre School @ Northern Stage
One for the older kids now at Northern Stage, as those aged 12-17 are invited to go behind the scenes at this iconic Newcastle venue for the chance to develop their skills in devising, performing and directing, creating their very own theatre performance by the end of the week! They’ll even be able to explore technical elements like sound and lighting too.
Tuesday 4th – Friday 7th August 2026, From £140
Carnival at the Castle @ Newcastle Castle
Alternatively, why not travel back in time together over at Newcastle Castle? This summer, they’ll be hosting an action-packed carnival, complete with live performances, storytelling, music, and traditional games and sports. There’s even a Jester School, where young chaos creators can train in the art of foolery and earn their title as a fully qualified jester!
Saturday 6th June – Sunday 27th September 2026, Included in ticket price
NOVUM @ Newcastle City Centre
And last but by no means least, NOVUM is transforming the city into a playground this August, full of wonder and adventure that families will love exploring. They’ve already announced that a giant dominoes run will be taking place throughout the city centre, but you’ll want to keep an eye out for more details on their full programme coming very soon!
Friday 7th – Sunday 9th August, Prices vary
That’s just skimming the surface of the many fun activities for kids and families this summer in Newcastle, so get them to put down the game controller and get out and about enjoying some of the excitement the city has to offer.
Main image: NE1's Tiny Toon at Old Eldon Square
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