Newcastle is a fab city for a day out with kids, and usually one of go-to places to visit during the school holidays.
Today, I thought I’d put a little guide together on how to do a FREE museum/ art gallery/ indoor spaces culture crawl around Newcastle city centre.
We’ve visited all of these places many times, and I think these 5 indoor spaces for kids in Newcastle is perfect for the February or October half term holidays when you need a rainy day, indoors option in your back pocket!
This trail is walkable around Newcastle city centre and takes 36 minutes in total to walk, with the longest walk between venues being 14 minutes. So perfect for little legs!
I recommend getting the Metro into Newcastle, so then you can stay for as long as you want without worrying about parking tickets, and it can work out cost-effective as up to three kids aged 11 and under can travel for free on Metro and the Shields Ferry, all day, every day when accompanied by a fare-paying adult.
1. Hancock Museum/ Great North Museum
FREE, open everyday
This museum is so family-friendly and great for all ages. Depending on your child’s attention span and interests, you can spend as much or as little time here as you like. We love the Mouse House, Egyptian exhibition and peeking on the Gruffalo in the upstairs tree. They also have extra activities during half term like trails and crafts, as well as a dedicated packed lunch space throughout the holidays.
2. Farrell Centre
FREE, open Thurs – Sun
Across the road from the Hancock Museum is the Farrell Centre.
Head to the 2nd floor to the Urban Rooms where you will find three interconnecting rooms encouraging children to Plan, Build and Participate with Lego, soft play shapes, colouring, drawing and more. Watch my Instagram reel about the Farrell Centre.
3. Laing Art Gallery
FREE (playspace and certain exhibitions), open Mon – Sat
You now want to head straight down Northumberland Street and then turn left at Five Guys to come to the Laing Art Gallery.
I used to come to the Playspace at the Laing Art Gallery often when my eldest was a baby/toddler as it is such a lovely free, indoor space. Designed by John Lewis with a circus theme, this is best aimed at the under 5s, with books, toys and a light table. You’ll find it on the ground floor next to the cafe. Older children might also enjoy the FREE Northern Spirit exhibition and spotting familiar local sights in the artwork.
4. Newcastle Cathedral
FREE, open everyday
Walk back along the way you came, past the end of Northumberland Street to Monument. Then walk down the entire length of Grey Street (which is such a pretty street) . At the bottom of Grey Street, turn right.
I think Newcastle Cathedral is underrated. It is a gorgeous building and so family-friendly. They have an Investigation Station where children can do crafts and brass rubbings, and also usually host activities during the half term. Our favourite is the Pop-Up Hospital by the Great North Children’s Hospital where children can go in an ambulance and learn all about the roles within a hospital. It is so fun and engaging for the children, we spent over 2 hours there! (This half term, it’s on Tuesday 25th Feb).
5. Discovery Museum
FREE, open everyday
It’s now time for the longest walk of the day! But don’t worry, it’s an easy one. Cross the street and go around the corner of Subway on to Collingwood Street. Walk in a straight line, past Newcastle Central station, past the Life Science Centre (we will revisit this place on another day, as it’s fab!), until you come to a large busy junction next to Powerhouse. Cross the junction, and you’ll see the Discovery Museum.
This popular science and local history museum is well worth a look around. The exhibits and hands-on experiments in the science maze appeal to different age ranges, but all kids love the shadow wall!
I must say though, bring back the Play Tyne water play room, it was the best thing about the Discovery Museum, and is sorely missed by local families!
And that’s it! You’ve completed the Indoor Spaces crawl for kids around Newcastle city centre!
From the Discovery Museum, you can walk back the way you came, hop on the Metro at Newcastle Central Station and head back home.
Want more ideas for activities with young children in the North East?
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Words by Rosie 