May half term runs from 27th May to 4th June 2023. We’ve put together this handy list of free or low cost activities in and around Scarborough, Whitby and Filey:
Scarborough Museum Trust are running some free drop in workshops and activities at the Scarborough Art Gallery and Rotunda Museum including a Family Trail, fossil handling, seaside printing, and historic pots from 27th May to 4th June 2023. More info here
South Cliff Gardens free family fun including music, crafts & activities. Find out more here.
Scarborough Library are hosting some special holiday workshops on 30th May 2023. Join top cartoonist Liz Million in these special holiday workshops. Events are free but places should be booked in advance, as places are limited. Suitable for children aged 6-11 years.
Danby Lodge and Sutton Bank National Park Centres are running a free event on the 1st June 2023, 11am – 3pm – The Wild Wild Quest: Help us find what lives in our grounds.
North Yorkshire Water Park offers a range of water sport activities including aqua park (including one for Toddlers (Splash Kingdom), stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, open water swimming, sailing, canoeing. Plus walks, cycle track, cafe and a relaxing environment. Free parking, free entry, you only pay to play.
Wetwang Scarecrow Festival is taking place over 4 days, 1st to 4th June 2023. The Village Hall will be open daily from 10am to 4pm where refreshments, maps, merchandise and more will be available. Come along and have a fun family day out!
Storytelling Tour at Scarborough Castle on 28th May 2023. Families attending this session will get free admission to the castle and the chance to create their own Roman horse toy with Scarborough Museum and Galleries. Find out more here
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust – following on from the Puffin Festival, you can drop in on our Peering at Puffins events from 1pm to 3pm each Sunday from 21st May until Sunday 16th July 2023. Just walk along the clifftop path from North Landing car park, along Flamborough Cliffs Nature Reserve and you’ll spot our volunteers in their high-vis vests with their scopes. This is a drop-in session and there’s no need to book. Donations welcome.
Love Exploring – Download the app and follow one of the trails or play the games. You can do a Dinosaur Safari, Mega Mini Beasts, Space Walk or the Peasholm Park Fairies Tree Trail
Captain Cook Memorial Museum are hosting a drop in fabric, wood and card pop-up workshop on 1st June 2023. £3.00 or free to paying museum visitors.
North Yorkshire Moors Railway – This May half term, kids go free at the NYMR.
Dalby Forest – Offers over 8,000 acres of woodland to explore, enjoy and discover. Great play area for children, accessible walking and cycling trails for all. Cafes and play areas. The Zog Trail – With colourful panels, fun activity pack and an amazing new augmented reality Zog app to guide you, follow the trail to find out how your little dragons can help care for the forest, others and themselves. Daily car park rate £10 (before 4pm)
Yorkshire Beaches – Take a walk on the Yorkshire Beaches, there are lots of lovely beaches nearby. Buy some bacon and a crabbing kit for hours of fun on Whitby Harbour. Take a bucket and look for fossils. Great places to search include Whitby, Robin Hoods Bay, North Bay Scarborough and Cayton Bay. Find a list of local beaches here
We also have a list of Free Days Out ideas here, as well as our page for Walks and The Great Outdoors for some other ideas.
Rainy Days – Sometimes the weather is a bit unpredictable at this time of year, so here is our list of ideas for Rainy Day activities to do at home.
