10 fun activities for families in the North East this October Half Term

With free and low-cost activities taking place across our museums and galleries, there are plenty of ways to enjoy a fun-filled family day out without breaking the bank. Here’s our top 10 things to do across our museums and galleries this October half term:

1. Under 5s can enjoy Interactive Storytime at Great North Museum: Hancock
2. Get crafty with the National Archives collections at Discovery Museum
3. Experience Art Camp at Laing Art Gallery
4. Take a heritage Train Ride at Stephenson Steam Railway
5. Create a layered landscape at Shipley Art Gallery
6. Get up close to Birds of Prey at Woodhorn Museum
7. Take part in a Large Scale Drawing Workshop at Hatton Gallery
8. Get crafty at Segedunum Roman Fort 
9. Create a beaded treasure at South Shields Museum & Art Gallery
10. Enjoy Crafting Activities at Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort

Looking for something spooky? Discover our Halloween events here.

View all events for families at North East Museums during October Half Term

TOP TIP: Some museums and galleries may have different opening hours or be closed on Bank Holidays, so always check before travelling.

Under 5s can join the learning team for a fun and interactive session filled with storytelling, songs and themed playtime. Little ones can get involved, explore through play and enjoy a special hands-on opportunity to handle a real museum object. It’s a relaxed and engaging way for young children to discover more about the museum, spark their curiosity and have fun together.

Great North Museum: Hancock | Tuesday 27 October | 11-11.45am and 1-1.45pm | Free, booking essential

At this family-friendly Time Travel Club event, explore fascinating historical material from The National Archives through hands-on craft, creative design and problem-solving activities. Get creative, discover stories from the past and enjoy an engaging activity for all ages.

Discovery Museum | Thursday 29 October | Various sessions | Free, drop in

Young people are invited to explore the galleries, talk about art and create their own work in sessions led by a professional arts educator. Experiment with materials, develop new skills and create a dynamic collection of work in the Laing’s Art Studio.

Laing Art Gallery | Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 October | 10am - 12 noon and 1-3pm | £15 per half day, booking required

It’s your last chance in 2026 to take a nostalgic journey on a four-mile return trip along the historic route once used by coal trains travelling from the collieries to the River Tyne. Step back in time as you travel in a vintage 1950s passenger carriage and soak up the sights, sounds and atmosphere of a bygone era.

Stephenson Steam Railway | Sunday 25 and Thursday 29 October | Various times | From £7, booking recommended

Layered Landscape Workshop Copy Led by artist Pui Lee, discover how to build a landscape through layers of foreground, middle ground and background, creating your own unique artwork to take home. Be inspired by the decorative arts, textiles, landscapes and paintings on display, or let your imagination take the lead. Working with a professional artist, you’ll explore different ways of building up a landscape to create a one-of-a-kind piece.

Shipley Art Gallery | Friday 30 October | 10.30am - 12 noon | £15 plus booking fee

Discover the fascinating world of birds of prey with Ridgeside Falconry and enjoy spectacular, interactive flying displays at the museum. Their handlers will share insights into their behaviour, habitats and hunting skills. These family-friendly flying demonstrations are both educational and fun - perfect for animal lovers and curious minds.

Woodhorn Museum | Saturday 31 October | 11am - 3pm | Included with Annual Pass

Drop in and get creative with a Roman-inspired craft at the fort! The Romans loved decorating pots and sculptures with Gorgons – now it’s your turn to create your own spooky Gorgon shield.

Segedunum Roman Fort | Monday 26 October | 11am - 3pm | Free, drop in

Be inspired by the beautiful shells, pearls and embellishments in Pierre Mignard’s painting, The Marquise de Seignelay. You’ll learn how to create your own 3D beaded shell, experimenting with beads, texture and form to make a unique decorative piece to take home.

South Shields Museum & Art Gallery | Tuesday 27 October | Various times | Free, booking essential

• Stay and play at Segedunum Roman Fort
• Enjoy a museum trail at Hexham Old Gaol
• Discover a new story at Discovery Museum
• Go on a Time Odyssey at Great North Museum: Hancock
• Explore and draw at Shipley Art Gallery
• Discover the story of Greggs at Great North Museum: Hancock
• Read a story at Discovery Museum
• Discover the North Tyneside Steam Railway Association's Autumn Gala at Stephenson Steam Railway
• Become a little artist at Laing Art Gallery
• Take part in a storytime session at Woodhorn Museum
• Meet a new animal friend at South Shields Museum & Art Gallery

Our October half term events are part of our Ways to Play programme of free and low-cost family-friendly activities. 

Make your Ways to Play adventure a great value day out by travelling to our venues by the Metro and/or Ferry. Up to three children aged 11 and under can travel for free on the Metro and the Shields Ferry with a fare-paying adult. Metro is the convenient, fast and frequent way to get to your favourite attractions and now it's even more affordable. 

To find out more about kids go free on the Metro, visit the Nexus website.

Ways to Play is sponsored by Tyne and Wear Metro.

October half term 2026 is the same week everywhere across the region: Friday 23 October 2026 to Monday 2 November 2026

That covers schools in Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, Gateshead, South Tyneside, Sunderland, Durham, and the Tees Valley.