Keep the kids entertained this summer in NewcastleGateshead
With the school summer holidays just on the horizon we have the perfect guide to how to keep the kids entertained with a visit to NewcastleGateshead.
The fabulous attractions and venues in Newcastle and Gateshead will be providing a packed programme of events and activities to keep all ages busy.
Here's hoping the sun will be shining, but it's not a British summer without a little bit of rain, so it's always good to have options of what you can do when it's raining in Newcastle and Gateshead too. Here is our guide to top 5 indoor and outdoor activities to have up your sleeve in the North East. Whatever the weather, you'll have fun!
Take the kids for free on the Metro and Shields Ferry! Hop on the Metro to whizz to the beach or head into the city to visit a museum. Wherever you're heading, make the most of free travel for the kids thanks to Nexus. The offer allows for up to three kids aged 11 and under to travel for free on Metro and the Shields Ferry, all day, every day when accompanied by a fare-paying adult. Find out more here.
Life Science Centre is a great day out with hands-on exhibits to test, inspire and educate families. Wonder at the seven-metre recreation of Planet Earth - Gaia as soon as you enter. Families are invited to get hands-on with multi-sensory exhibits including light play, dramatic demonstrations controlled by you and the ‘Big Machine' which stands over 6-metres-tall in the Wow Zone. Join our Explainers to see yourself (and things that share your body with you) as never before in Gross and Glorious Me: Live Science Show! How does your body battle against germs? What makes you break wind and what does the colour of your wee say about you? It's not for the squeamish! The Life Science Centre is open everyday from 10:00am - 5:00pm.
Newcastle Castle is rich in history and bursting with stories. The attraction is a brilliant day out for the family and also has excellent views across the River Tyne from the roof. Open Fridays - Mondays, Newcastle Castle is a great starting point for anyone looking to discover more about Newcastle's history. They have a whole host of activities on, including Kids' Castle Adventures Tour. Enjoy an activity driven, after hours visit to the Castle Keep. Your guide will lead you around the atmospheric Keep, where you will hear stories from the castle's past and take part in a range of activities. Will you dare to brave a visit to the castle dungeon? Can you triumph against renowned knight Sir Aymer de Atholl in combat? Test your aim as an archer with an archery challenge! Remember, your ticket now gives you access to the Castle for one year after you purchase it!
3. Free Museums and art galleries
Take your pick of great free museums and pay to enter attractions which will be hosting activities and events as well as giving you and your family chance to explore their collection of permanent and temporary exhibitions. >From Great North Museum to Shipley Art Gallery, Segedunum Roman Fort and Discovery Museum.
Discovery Museum have lots of free family fun this summer. Explore the museum and pick up a free trail to explore the amazing transport collections - from trains, ships, fire engines and more. They are also hosting a couple of Discovery Days including a family craft session inspired by Bird Builds a Nest by Martin Jenkins, an introductory science and bird themed book. Little ones can then get creative with crafts inspired by the themes in the book. Join the museum on the 3rd and 17th August for Play on the Plaza, for crafts, experiments and play throughout the day. Don't worry if it rains, the day will take place inside in the entrance hall next to the ship Turbinia.
Great North Museum have some great activities planned for the summer holidays as well as their permanent exhibitions. Join The Moss Troopers, a roving trio of storytellers, historians, educators, entertainers and fools as you explore the museum. For the summer holidays the Moss Troopers will bring to life elements of the Myth Quest exhibition to bring parts of the Myth Quest out of the page and into reality. This will take place on Wednesdays throughout the holidays, starting from July 26. The museum is also opening for a relaxed early opening on Tuesday 25 July, Tuesday 1 August, Tuesday 8 August, Tuesday 15 August, Tuesday 22 August and Tuesday 29 August from 9am until 10am. This relaxed session is for visitors with autism, learning disabilities or sensory and communication disorders, along with their families and carers. If that's not you, please visit after 10am.
Shipley Art Gallery host the Family Arts Festival on Tuesday 25 July - Thursday 31 August which is a brilliant way to get creative during the school holidays. Enjoy creative activities together on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the summer holidays. Each session has a different theme, and you'll take home something special you've made every time. Be inspired by the artworks on display and try a range of art materials in the beautiful surroundings of the gallery. The friendly artists are there to support and can't wait to see what you create!
4. Seven Stories, The National Centre for Children's Books
Seven Stories is a family-friendly attraction in Newcastle's popular Ouseburn area with creative exhibitions waiting to spark your imagination.
Join them this summer at the Shakespeare Summer Club, and join your very own theatre troupe. Seven Stories takes on the master storyteller himself, William Shakespeare, and his delightful, mischievous play ‘A Midsummer Night's Dream'. Join them in their beautiful attic space for a creative and collaborative exploration of magic, fairy feuds, bewitched lovers and the rude mechanicals. Taking inspiration from Michael Morpurgo's Ten Tales from Shakespeare and the bard himself, the company of young players will create their own version of this timeless classic. The Summer Club will start on Monday 24 July and will run Monday - Friday 10am - 4pm throughout the 6 weeks of the summer holidays. Book your place here.
Take part in historical fun and become time-travellers at Seven Stories as you take a guided tour of the galleries and exhibitions and celebrate all things historic this Summer. In this fully interactive experience you will explore the wonderful museum, discovering the rich and rather putrid past, followed by a showing of Night at the Museum in the magical attic.Tickets priced at £8.50 per person, book your place here. Entry to the venue is free but charge may apply to certain events.
NE1's Summer in the City will transform outdoors spaces across the city from 23 July and give you even more reasons to get outdoors in Newcastle!
Take part in activities in the city centre including Play Rebellion- a fabulous installation for children to interact with, as well as NE1's Screen on the Green outdoor cinema.
Head down to the Quayside which will be buzzing with activity and colour all summer! Discover the emerging creations by artists as well as new installations to have a go on and activities to take part in.
Why not uncover the hidden histories of Newcastle's famous landmarks and city centre highlights? Join Iles Tours for a series of fascinating tours which include The Quayside and Swing Bridge and The Quayside and Gateshead Millennium Bridge.
For more information go to www.newcastlegateshead.com