It's August. And it's the summer and we have a whole month in which to entertain the family. Luckily there are over 40 FREE family events and activities going on right across the region ... and don't forget to check out our A-Z FREE Family Days Out in the region too!
Free Play Zone at intu Metrocentre
Until August 6
Intu Metrocentre
Head down this summer to intu Metrocentre's free ‘play zone’ featuring toy brand PLAYMOBIL as part of a summer of activity planned for families during the school holidays. There will be a range of PLAYMOBIL toys as well as some larger than life figures to keep children entertained in the dedicated space that will be open in the lower Qube at intu Metrocentre every day until Sunday 6 August. Meet members of the PLAYMOBIL Ghostbusters team when they patrol the centre on Tuesday 1 August.
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Monday - Friday until 2 September
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Free Summer Activities at Ouseburn Farm
Monday - Friday until 2 September
Ouseburn Valley, Newcastle
More information
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Tuesday 1 August – Thursday 3 August 11 am – 3 pm
Enjoy summer at the Great North Museum: Hancock with fun-filled events on a different theme each week of the holidays. This week is Beneath our Feet Week where you can learn about the underground world.
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Summer Holidays - Beneath our Feet Week
Tuesday 1 August – Thursday 3 August 11 am – 3 pm
Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle
Enjoy summer at the Great North Museum: Hancock with fun-filled events on a different theme each week of the holidays. This week is Beneath our Feet Week where you can learn about the underground world.Tuesday 1 August - Archaeology Investigations
Archaeologists dig the ground to learn about the lives of people in the past. Come and see artefacts from Ancient Egypt, prehistoric Britain and the Roman Empire and take part in activities to learn more about their lives in the Ancient World. This activity will be most suited to children over 7.
Wednesday 2 August - Volcanoes!
Make your own model volcano out of clay and discover how to make it erupt.
Thursday 3 August - Creatures that live underground (including creepy crawly animal handling)
Come and meet the staff from bugsnstuff for the opportunity to get up-close and personal with some amazing animals of the insect, reptile and amphibian worlds.
More information
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Discovery Days
Various in August 11 am – 3pm
Discovery Museum, Newcastle
Get creative with our drop-in craft activities on Tuesday and Thursdays throughout the summer holidays. Suitable for ages 5-12 years
We’re Spinning Around Tuesday 1 & Thursday 3 August
Get creative with our drop-in craft activities on Tuesday and Thursdays throughout the summer holidays. This week, we’re creating inventions that work by spinning.
All at Sea Tuesday 8 August & Thursday 10 August
Lots of the items in the Discovery Museum’s collections are linked to its position in close proximity to the river and the sea. This week, we're making pictures of what we'd see out of a ship's porthole. Newcastle University and its team of underwater creatures will be visiting the Museum – meet lobsters, star fish and sea anemones.
Amazing Games Tuesday 15 & Thursday 17 August
Kids love playing with toys and this week, we are making simple Victorian-inspired cup and ball games.
Transforming Transport Tuesday 22 & Thursday 24 August
Discovery Museum’s collections include examples of transport, from ships and steam engines to cars and buses. This week, we're making Transforming Robot cards based on different types of transport.
Emojis Engineering Tuesday 29 & Thursday 31 August
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Various dates between 2 August - 22 August
Thinking about tinkering? Then use the maker box to create a scribble bot that will move around and draw unique patterns. Make your own robot to take home along with your bot art. Motors will be left at the library. Aimed at children 6 years and over. Free but booking essential in advance.
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Wednesday 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 August 11 am – 3 pm
Get creative at Arbeia Roman Fort with their Crafty Roman sessions and enjoy activities and crafts inspired by the Roman Fort heritage. Every Wednesday during school holidays.
More information
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Thursday 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 August 11 am – 3 pm
Come and enjoy some creative make and do sessions in Dalton’s Den! The free workshops are all themed on the environment and nature with our “nature expert” Dalton in attendance.
Thursday 3, 10, 17 & 24 August; 11 am – 3 pm
Take your youngsters down to the Museum every Thursday during the summer holidays where they can explore our wonderful collection of vintage trains. There are loads of craft activities where they can let their imagination run riot on a different theme each week. Drop in; suitable for ages 3-7 years
More information
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Thursday 3 and Sunday 6 August
SIRF17 returns to Stockton-on-Tees between Thursday 3 and Sunday 6 August with more than 100 shows, five UK premieres, daredevil flaming high wire acts, the biggest community carnival in the Tees Valley, theatre, dance, circus and much more – it’s not to be missed! Be prepared to be intrigued, entertained, puzzled, moved and made to laugh out loud as the Stockton International Riverside Festival celebrates 30 Years of SIRF. There’s so much to see at SIRF with new experiences, surprises and delights. Be sure to catch our festival finale show by Cirque Bijou, this Fire Wire Spectacle will astound audiences and is the only place in the UK you can see this show and for one night only!
More information here or download the full programme for the four days of free events
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Saturday 5, 12 & 19 August 10 am to 12 pm
See some of the best bands from around the area and sing along to your favourite tunes, all set to the glorious backdrop of our beautiful seafront park.
Saturday 5 August 11am - 3pm
A celebration of Asian culture brought to you by GemArts. Head to Arbeia Roman Fort for this fun event, packed with family activities, with free workshops, performances, dance and music, plus lots of arts and crafts from around the world to take part in. Please note: All workshops are drop-in, some may have limited capacity so places will be given on first come basis.
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Saturday 5, 12 and 19 August 10.30 am -11.30 am
Join with others to create new worlds. Remember, no TNT! Aimed at children aged 7 - 12
Bring your own tablet if you can (limited numbers available).
More information
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Sunday 6, 13, 20, 27 August 2 pm – 4pm
Enjoy the sounds of music all summer long at these free brass band concerts, part of the South Tyneside Festival. They are a firm favourite with visitors and take place at South Shields Amphitheatre every Sunday afternoon throughout August. This event is perfect for combining with a Sunday stroll along the promenade next to the amphitheatre and taking in the lovely views of the sandy beaches and the rugged coastline!
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Various dates between 7 & 29 August
Tuesday 8 August 4 pm – 9 pm
The Full Moon Market takes place in Durham each month bringing the best street food producers the North East has to offer to the open air market! Adding to the atmosphere, there is live music throughout each event.
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Tuesday 8 August – Thursday 10 August 11 am 1pm
Enjoy summer at the Great North Museum: Hancock with fun-filled events on a different theme each week of the holidays. This week is Warrior Week - learn about fearsome weapons and brave soldiers throughout the ages.
Tuesday 8 August - Greek Armour handling 11 am – 1pm
Come along to our Hadrian's Wall gallery space and get hands on with this session about Greek armour.
Wednesday 9 August - Bronze Age sword fighting demonstrations - 10.30am – 1.30 pm with sword fighting displays at 11am, 12 noon and 1pm.
See sword fighting demonstrations on the front lawn before your chance to ask questions to enthusiasts from the Hotspur School of Defence.
Thursday 10 August - Treasures of the Library 11 am – 1pm
Head up to the Library to see a variety of material from the Natural History Society of Northumbria archives and learn more about nature's warriors, including birds of prey.
More information
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Saturday 12 August, 10.30am - 4.00pm & Sunday 13 August, 12.30pm - 4.00pm
A family fun weekend celebrating the launch of the Treasures of St Cuthbert exhibition, on permanent display in Open Treasure. Meet the Anglo-Saxon traders, raiders and crafts people as they take up temporary residence within the Cathedral grounds and let your senses delight in the sights, sounds and smells from a bygone era.
See demonstrations of pastimes and skills that filled their daily life. Be amazed by the 10m long ship and find out about Anglo-Saxon navigation, fishing and net making. Learn about building crafts and architectural thinking of the day. Join in with games, grind flour using a quern stone, try on some Anglo-Saxon clothing, prepare yourself for battle, paint using natural pigments and much more – the choice is yours! An exciting and educational experience for everyone.
More information
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Saturday 12 August & Sunday 13 August 11 am – 3pm
Always wanted to design and build your own train? Now's your chance. Construction Kids will help you and your family design and build a train to test on our futuristic train track. Find out what makes your LEGO train go faster or slower and time how long it takes to travel the distance of the track. Build, test and explore in this fun drop-in session.
More information
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Saturday 12 August & Sunday 13 August
Fun for all the family. Kirkharle Courtyards section of craft and gift shops are hosting Bernicia Creative's Summer Food & Craft Fair. Kirkharle Courtyard has a small play area as well as a lakeside walk (children's guides can be purchased from the coffee shop) Kirkharle Lake and Courtyard is a truly unique visitor experience set in the beautiful Northumbrian countryside, only thirty minutes from Newcastle upon Tyne, Hexham, Morpeth and Alnwick. Kirkharle was the birthplace of Lancelot Capability Brown, the landscape artist once described as the Shakespeare of Gardening, who lived on the estate until he was 23. Enjoy a great day out to explore the inspirational landscape, the artist and designers studios within the 18th-century courtyard and take the opportunity to enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal or relaxing snack in a beautiful, rural setting.
More information
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Tuesday 15 August – Thursday 17 August
Enjoy summer at the Great North Museum: Hancock with fun-filled events on a different theme each week of the holidays.This week is Under the Sea Week - learn more about the majestic marine animals that live in the world's oceans.
Tuesday 15 August - Marine Masks 11 am – 3 pm
Join us for a mask-making activity in the Natural Northumbria gallery. Explore the museum for inspiration and learn more about the creatures that share our seas.
Wednesday 16 August - Sea Search 11 am – 3 pm
Complete a self-led ocean odyssey to find ‘inflatable’ marine life hidden around the museum. Will you find them all?
Thursday 17 August - Touch Tanks 11 am – 3pm
Meet Newcastle University, and their team of marine scientists from the Dove Marine Laboratory to discover more about the local marine animals you can find at the coast.
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Wednesday 16 August 11 am – 4 pm (Drop in)
Family activity will take over BALTIC, with a free day of creativity for you and your family. With activity across the building exploring movement, colour and sound. BALTIC’s Family Day is sure to keep your family creative all day. Recommended for 4-13 year-olds, but all ages are welcome.
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Thursday 17 August; 11 am - 3pm
Bring the kids to the look at our fabulous heritage trains and craft session to make their own engine driver cap and guard flags. The perfect event for all little train enthusiasts. Free entry, drop in
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Saturday 19 August 11am - 4pm and Sunday 20 August 1pm - 4pm
The fort comes to life for two days with historical demos, heritage crafts, an artisan market, and food and drink.
More information
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Tuesday 22 August 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Do you enjoy creating your own computer games? Come to our Summer Code Club to learn to code & play with our BBC micro:bits! At the end of the session you can even borrow a micro:bit on your Newcastle library card, so you can continue having fun at home! (For 9—11 year olds)
Places are limited, so book on Eventbrite
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Tuesday 22 August – Thursday 24 August 11 am – 2pm
Enjoy summer at the Great North Museum: Hancock with fun-filled events on a different theme each week of the holidays. This week is Wildlife Week – learn more about the wild animals that live in our part of the world.
Tuesday 22 August - ERIC Wildlife Quest
Join the ERIC Team in the Natural Northumbria Gallery to complete the ERIC wildlife quest by finding the clues in the gallery to earn yourself a prize!
Wednesday 23 August - Build your own Bug Hotel
Come along to the Clore, where you will find all the materials you need to build your own bug hotel to take home. Put it out in your garden and give the creepy crawlies a home.
Thursday 24 August - Exhibition Park Mini Bioblitz
How many plants and animals can you identify? Join us in Exhibition Park where you can learn about the different wildlife we find in the park and have a chance to identify wildlife and try out some of the equipment yourself. Activities include birdwatching and Minibeast hunts. Groups of participants will be walked to Exhibition Park from the museum where ERIC staff and volunteers will be around to help participants to identify and record the flora and fauna they find in the park. All necessary equipment will be provided. Please wear appropriate footwear and clothing.
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Saturday 26 August; 11 am - 3.30pm
Don your Doctor Who scarf and fire up your lightsabers. Stalls selling everything from toys and comics, to books, costumes and memorabilia.
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Sunday 27 & Monday 28 August - Sunday: 1pm - 4pm - Monday: 11am - 3pm
See the riders of Hadrian’s Cavalry demonstrate their equestrian skills as they set their chargers through their paces with skills at arms whilst on horseback. Meet and greet the horses and their riders, see up close and personal the equipment available to them during the Roman era. Hadrian’s Cavalry explores the role and daily life of the Roman army’s cavalry forces in a unique wall-wide exhibition that stretches the full 150 miles of the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site area – from Maryport in the west to South Shields in the east.
More information
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Tuesday 29 August 11 am – 3 pm
Create a postcard with collage materials of your favourite place you visited over the holidays
Seaside Postcards. The Summer Holiday may be coming to an end, but you can remember it on a handmade postcard. Create a postcard with collage materials of your favourite place you visited over the holidays! Write a note on the back to someone special and post it! Just like they did in the good old days!
Various times and dates throughout August
NE1’s Screen on The Green returns for a summer of free, open air screenings of family movies, national and international sporting action and a major coup for the city, a new cultural offering, two open air Operas broadcast directly from the Royal Opera House in London.
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Children are tickled pink by Mr Windbag’s marvellous Magic Shows! He'll have them laughing their socks off in no time. A winning combination of magic, comedy and balloon modelling has made Mr Windbags a favourite family entertainer. Come and join the fun! Suitable for ages 3+ years.
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Tuesday 29 August - Thursday 31 August 11 am – 3 pm
Enjoy summer at the Great North Museum: Hancock with fun-filled events on a different theme each week of the holidays. The final week of the holidays is SpaceWeek.
We’re Spinning Around Tuesday 1 & Thursday 3 August
Get creative with our drop-in craft activities on Tuesday and Thursdays throughout the summer holidays. This week, we’re creating inventions that work by spinning.
All at Sea Tuesday 8 August & Thursday 10 August
Lots of the items in the Discovery Museum’s collections are linked to its position in close proximity to the river and the sea. This week, we're making pictures of what we'd see out of a ship's porthole. Newcastle University and its team of underwater creatures will be visiting the Museum – meet lobsters, star fish and sea anemones.
Amazing Games Tuesday 15 & Thursday 17 August
Kids love playing with toys and this week, we are making simple Victorian-inspired cup and ball games.
Transforming Transport Tuesday 22 & Thursday 24 August
Discovery Museum’s collections include examples of transport, from ships and steam engines to cars and buses. This week, we're making Transforming Robot cards based on different types of transport.
Emojis Engineering Tuesday 29 & Thursday 31 August
Year on year, technology is advancing at a greater pace. Improvements in mobile communication and robotics are just two examples of how our world is changing. This week, we are designing our own emojis and using them to create badges and key ring accessories.
More information
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1, 3, 8, 10,15,17, 22 & 24 August 2pm – 4pm
Enjoy afternoons of fun, games and activities featuring a host of amazing performers and entertainers, and the hilarious gunge tank. Kids Fun-Fest is always a firm favourite during the summer. A great way to keep the kids happy during the long school holidays!
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Various dates between 1 – 25 August
Can you programme our Beebots to navigate a library maze? Aimed at children 6 years and over. Free but booking essential in advance.
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Various dates between 2 – 31August
Get creative with our box of junk. Can you build a woolly mammoth or a sabre-toothed tiger? Or how about a Pterosaur? Let your imagination go wild! For all the family. Free – Just turn up.
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Kids Fun Fest
1, 3, 8, 10,15,17, 22 & 24 August 2pm – 4pm
Amphitheatre, South Shields
Enjoy afternoons of fun, games and activities featuring a host of amazing performers and entertainers, and the hilarious gunge tank. Kids Fun-Fest is always a firm favourite during the summer. A great way to keep the kids happy during the long school holidays!More information
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Beebots Challenge
Various dates between 1 – 25 August
Various Libraries in Gateshead
Can you programme our Beebots to navigate a library maze? Aimed at children 6 years and over. Free but booking essential in advance.- Tuesday 1 August, 11am - 12 noon at Chopwell Library
- Monday 7 August, 11am-12 noon at Pelaw Library
- Tuesday 15 August, 11am - 12 noon at Leam Lane Library
- Thursday 17 August, 11am - 12 noon at Crawcrook Library
- Thursday 24 August, 11am - 12 noon at Blaydon Library
- Thursday 25 August, 11am - 12 noon at Birtley Library
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Maker Mornings: Extinct Animals
Various dates between 2 – 31August
Gateshead Central Library
Get creative with our box of junk. Can you build a woolly mammoth or a sabre-toothed tiger? Or how about a Pterosaur? Let your imagination go wild! For all the family. Free – Just turn up.- Wednesday 2 August,11am-1pm
- Monday 14 August, 11am-1pm
- Thursday 31 August, 11am-1pm
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Robots, Scribble Bots and Beebots
Various dates between 2 August - 22 August
Various Libraries in Gateshead
Thinking about tinkering? Then use the maker box to create a scribble bot that will move around and draw unique patterns. Make your own robot to take home along with your bot art. Motors will be left at the library. Aimed at children 6 years and over. Free but booking essential in advance.- Wednesday 2 August,11am-12 noon at Leam Lane Library
- Tuesday 8 August,11am - 12 noon at Chopwell Library
- Thursday 10 August,11am - 12 noon at Birtley Library
- Tuesday 15 August,11am- 12 noon at Blaydon Library
- Friday 18 August,2.30pm - 3.30pm at Pelaw Library
- Tuesday 22 August,11am - 12 noon at Crawcrook Library
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Crafty Romans
Wednesday 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 August 11 am – 3 pm
Arbeia Roman Fort, South Shields
Get creative at Arbeia Roman Fort with their Crafty Roman sessions and enjoy activities and crafts inspired by the Roman Fort heritage. Every Wednesday during school holidays.More information
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Dalton's Den Workshops
Thursday 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 August 11 am – 3 pm
Dalton Park, Murton, Seaham, County Durham
Come and enjoy some creative make and do sessions in Dalton’s Den! The free workshops are all themed on the environment and nature with our “nature expert” Dalton in attendance.- Kite making – Thursday 3 August
- Meet the creepy crawlies – Thursday 10 August
- Pine cone crafts - Thursday17 August
- Digit planting – Thursday 24 August
- Mix it up crafts - Thursday 31 August
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Make and Take Thursdays
Thursday 3, 10, 17 & 24 August; 11 am – 3 pm
Stephenson Railway Museum
Take your youngsters down to the Museum every Thursday during the summer holidays where they can explore our wonderful collection of vintage trains. There are loads of craft activities where they can let their imagination run riot on a different theme each week. Drop in; suitable for ages 3-7 yearsMore information
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SIRF 17
Thursday 3 and Sunday 6 August
Stockton, Tees Valley
SIRF17 returns to Stockton-on-Tees between Thursday 3 and Sunday 6 August with more than 100 shows, five UK premieres, daredevil flaming high wire acts, the biggest community carnival in the Tees Valley, theatre, dance, circus and much more – it’s not to be missed! Be prepared to be intrigued, entertained, puzzled, moved and made to laugh out loud as the Stockton International Riverside Festival celebrates 30 Years of SIRF. There’s so much to see at SIRF with new experiences, surprises and delights. Be sure to catch our festival finale show by Cirque Bijou, this Fire Wire Spectacle will astound audiences and is the only place in the UK you can see this show and for one night only!More information here or download the full programme for the four days of free events
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Music in South Marine Park
Saturday 5, 12 & 19 August 10 am to 12 pm
South Marine Park, South Shields
See some of the best bands from around the area and sing along to your favourite tunes, all set to the glorious backdrop of our beautiful seafront park.- 5 Aug - The Gaslighters
- 12 Aug - Cats Night Out
- 19 Aug - Little Big Band
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Destination South Tyneside Mini-Mela
Saturday 5 August 11am - 3pm
Arbeia Roman Fort, South Shields
A celebration of Asian culture brought to you by GemArts. Head to Arbeia Roman Fort for this fun event, packed with family activities, with free workshops, performances, dance and music, plus lots of arts and crafts from around the world to take part in. Please note: All workshops are drop-in, some may have limited capacity so places will be given on first come basis.More information
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Plays in the Parks - Robin Hood
Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 August 1 pm and 3.30pm
Mowbray Park, Sunderland
Adventure returns to Sunderland’s parks for another summer of magic, mischief and mayhem. Join a roving band of storytellers as they lead you through Shakespearian classics and legendary stories, with live music and all presented against some of the region’s most beautiful backdrops. Performances are free with donations collected at the end of the show.More information
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Model Mania
Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 August 10 am - 5 pm
Locomotion, National Railway Museum at Shildon, County Durham
Exciting model layouts and trade stands at Locomotion! There will be loads of different eras and subjects represented in miniature, from N gauge to 5" gauge and so much more between! Trade stands selling everything you could want for modelling. With free admission & free parking, there is no reason to not come down and enjoy this spectacular event!More information
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Minecraft Mayhem
Saturday 5, 12 and 19 August 10.30 am -11.30 am
Birtley Library, Gateshead
Join with others to create new worlds. Remember, no TNT! Aimed at children aged 7 - 12Bring your own tablet if you can (limited numbers available).
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South Tyneside Festival Brass Bands
Sunday 6, 13, 20, 27 August 2 pm – 4pm
South Shields Amphitheatre, South Shields
Enjoy the sounds of music all summer long at these free brass band concerts, part of the South Tyneside Festival. They are a firm favourite with visitors and take place at South Shields Amphitheatre every Sunday afternoon throughout August. This event is perfect for combining with a Sunday stroll along the promenade next to the amphitheatre and taking in the lovely views of the sandy beaches and the rugged coastline!- 6 August - Bright Street Big Band
- 13 August - TBC
- 20 August - Westoe Brass Band
- 27 August - NASUWT/Riverside Band
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The Playmobil Play Zone
Various dates between 7 & 29 August
Intu Eldon Square, Newcastle
This summer is going to be toy-tastic as intu Eldon Square welcomes Playmobil for a week of fun and games (7 to 13 August, 11am to 4pm). They've created a special play zone (on St Andrew's Way, near Debenhams) where your little ones can play to their heart's content. Look out for toy tables, giant Playmobil figures, all the latest sets, colouring in and loads of other great activities.
Mondays are fun days - Banish boredom during the school break with free arts & crafts every Monday at the grassed area next to Giraffe, Grey's Quarter:
- Mon 7 Aug, 11am-4pm - Paint, pens and sparkly gems at the ready! We’re decorating our very own ceramic duck moneybox.
- Mon 14 Aug, 11am-4pm - Come and design your own beach bag so you can pack your summer full of fun.
- Mon 21 Aug, 11am-4pm - Create your own birdhouse and give your feathered friends a home in your garden.
- Mon 28 Aug, 11am-4pm - Join us at our life-sized puppet theatre and perform some classic fairy tales. Your little entertainers can also make their own puppets.
Top Tuesdays brings more summer fun - Your little ducklings can make their own candyfloss and enjoy these amazing activities at the grassed area next to Giraffe, Grey's Quarter:
- Tues 8 Aug, 11am-4pm - Make your own flower crown with our summer stickers and let their creative skills flourish.
- Tues 15 Aug, 11am-4pm - We’ll unlock their imagination by helping them design their own wooden key ring.
- Tues 22 Aug, 11am-4pm - Brighten up the summer by creating bold and colourful paper windmills
- Tues 29 Aug, 11am-4pm - Design your very own cool ice cream fridge magnet.
Fab Fridays
- 11am-4pm - From small bejewelled eye designs to fun animal faces, kids can enjoy free face painting every Friday at the grassed area next to Giraffe, Grey's Quarter.
Mondays are fun days - Banish boredom during the school break with free arts & crafts every Monday at the grassed area next to Giraffe, Grey's Quarter:
- Mon 7 Aug, 11am-4pm - Paint, pens and sparkly gems at the ready! We’re decorating our very own ceramic duck moneybox.
- Mon 14 Aug, 11am-4pm - Come and design your own beach bag so you can pack your summer full of fun.
- Mon 21 Aug, 11am-4pm - Create your own birdhouse and give your feathered friends a home in your garden.
- Mon 28 Aug, 11am-4pm - Join us at our life-sized puppet theatre and perform some classic fairy tales. Your little entertainers can also make their own puppets.
Top Tuesdays brings more summer fun - Your little ducklings can make their own candyfloss and enjoy these amazing activities at the grassed area next to Giraffe, Grey's Quarter:
- Tues 8 Aug, 11am-4pm - Make your own flower crown with our summer stickers and let their creative skills flourish.
- Tues 15 Aug, 11am-4pm - We’ll unlock their imagination by helping them design their own wooden key ring.
- Tues 22 Aug, 11am-4pm - Brighten up the summer by creating bold and colourful paper windmills
- Tues 29 Aug, 11am-4pm - Design your very own cool ice cream fridge magnet.
Fab Fridays
- 11am-4pm - From small bejewelled eye designs to fun animal faces, kids can enjoy free face painting every Friday at the grassed area next to Giraffe, Grey's Quarter.
Full Moon Market
Tuesday 8 August 4 pm – 9 pm
Durham Market Place, County Durham
The Full Moon Market takes place in Durham each month bringing the best street food producers the North East has to offer to the open air market! Adding to the atmosphere, there is live music throughout each event.------------------------
Summer Holidays - Warrior Week
Tuesday 8 August – Thursday 10 August 11 am 1pm
Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle
Enjoy summer at the Great North Museum: Hancock with fun-filled events on a different theme each week of the holidays. This week is Warrior Week - learn about fearsome weapons and brave soldiers throughout the ages.Tuesday 8 August - Greek Armour handling 11 am – 1pm
Come along to our Hadrian's Wall gallery space and get hands on with this session about Greek armour.
Wednesday 9 August - Bronze Age sword fighting demonstrations - 10.30am – 1.30 pm with sword fighting displays at 11am, 12 noon and 1pm.
See sword fighting demonstrations on the front lawn before your chance to ask questions to enthusiasts from the Hotspur School of Defence.
Thursday 10 August - Treasures of the Library 11 am – 1pm
Head up to the Library to see a variety of material from the Natural History Society of Northumbria archives and learn more about nature's warriors, including birds of prey.
More information
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Anglo Saxon Family Fun Weekend
Saturday 12 August, 10.30am - 4.00pm & Sunday 13 August, 12.30pm - 4.00pm
The College Green, Durham Cathedral, Durham City
A family fun weekend celebrating the launch of the Treasures of St Cuthbert exhibition, on permanent display in Open Treasure. Meet the Anglo-Saxon traders, raiders and crafts people as they take up temporary residence within the Cathedral grounds and let your senses delight in the sights, sounds and smells from a bygone era.See demonstrations of pastimes and skills that filled their daily life. Be amazed by the 10m long ship and find out about Anglo-Saxon navigation, fishing and net making. Learn about building crafts and architectural thinking of the day. Join in with games, grind flour using a quern stone, try on some Anglo-Saxon clothing, prepare yourself for battle, paint using natural pigments and much more – the choice is yours! An exciting and educational experience for everyone.
More information
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A Need for Speed - Build Mini Brick Locomotives
Saturday 12 August & Sunday 13 August 11 am – 3pm
Stephenson Railway Museum
Always wanted to design and build your own train? Now's your chance. Construction Kids will help you and your family design and build a train to test on our futuristic train track. Find out what makes your LEGO train go faster or slower and time how long it takes to travel the distance of the track. Build, test and explore in this fun drop-in session.More information
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Summer Food & Craft Fair
Saturday 12 August & Sunday 13 August
Kirkharle, Northumberland
Fun for all the family. Kirkharle Courtyards section of craft and gift shops are hosting Bernicia Creative's Summer Food & Craft Fair. Kirkharle Courtyard has a small play area as well as a lakeside walk (children's guides can be purchased from the coffee shop) Kirkharle Lake and Courtyard is a truly unique visitor experience set in the beautiful Northumbrian countryside, only thirty minutes from Newcastle upon Tyne, Hexham, Morpeth and Alnwick. Kirkharle was the birthplace of Lancelot Capability Brown, the landscape artist once described as the Shakespeare of Gardening, who lived on the estate until he was 23. Enjoy a great day out to explore the inspirational landscape, the artist and designers studios within the 18th-century courtyard and take the opportunity to enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal or relaxing snack in a beautiful, rural setting.More information
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Summer Holidays - Under the Sea Week
Tuesday 15 August – Thursday 17 August
Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle
Enjoy summer at the Great North Museum: Hancock with fun-filled events on a different theme each week of the holidays.This week is Under the Sea Week - learn more about the majestic marine animals that live in the world's oceans.Tuesday 15 August - Marine Masks 11 am – 3 pm
Join us for a mask-making activity in the Natural Northumbria gallery. Explore the museum for inspiration and learn more about the creatures that share our seas.
Wednesday 16 August - Sea Search 11 am – 3 pm
Complete a self-led ocean odyssey to find ‘inflatable’ marine life hidden around the museum. Will you find them all?
Thursday 17 August - Touch Tanks 11 am – 3pm
Meet Newcastle University, and their team of marine scientists from the Dove Marine Laboratory to discover more about the local marine animals you can find at the coast.
More information
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Tremendous Tuesday - Fit for a King, Queen or Prince
Tuesday 15 August 11 am – 3 pm
South Shields Museum & Art Gallery
Join in with crafts inspired by the objects and stories within our galleries, exhibitions and collections. What do the Prize Fighter Muhammad Ali. The Queen and the Prince Phillip all have in common? They all visited South Tyneside 40 years ago! Be inspired by the display celebrating these events and create finger puppets of your favourite character or all three!More information
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Baltic Family Day
Wednesday 16 August 11 am – 4 pm (Drop in)
Baltic, Gateshead
Family activity will take over BALTIC, with a free day of creativity for you and your family. With activity across the building exploring movement, colour and sound. BALTIC’s Family Day is sure to keep your family creative all day. Recommended for 4-13 year-olds, but all ages are welcome.More information
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Let’s Play Engine Driver and Guard
Thursday 17 August; 11 am - 3pm
Stephenson Railway Museum
Bring the kids to the look at our fabulous heritage trains and craft session to make their own engine driver cap and guard flags. The perfect event for all little train enthusiasts. Free entry, drop inMore information
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Plays in the Parks - Much Ado about Nothing
Thursday 17 August to Sunday August 20 6pm
Barnes Park, Sunderland
Adventure returns to Sunderland’s parks for another summer of magic, mischief and mayhem. Join a roving band of storytellers as they lead you through Shakespearian classics and legendary stories, with live music and all presented against some of the region’s most beautiful backdrops. Performances are free with donations collected at the end of the show.More information
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Hadrian's Cavalry LIVE! The Romans Ride Again
Saturday 19 August - Sunday 20 August
Great North Museum: Hancock
The riders of Hadrian's Cavalry demonstrate their skills on horseback. Come and see the riders and horses of Hadrian’s Cavalry with authentically recreated armour and saddlery our display evokes the men and their mounts who patrolled the Wall. Hadrian’s Cavalry explores the role and daily life of the Roman army’s cavalry forces in a unique wall-wide exhibition that stretches the full 150 miles of the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site area – from Maryport in the west to South Shields in the east.More information
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Arbeia Festival
Saturday 19 August 11am - 4pm and Sunday 20 August 1pm - 4pm
Arbeia Roman Fort, South Shields
The fort comes to life for two days with historical demos, heritage crafts, an artisan market, and food and drink.More information
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Code Club - Summer Session
Tuesday 22 August 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Newcastle City Library, Newcastle
Do you enjoy creating your own computer games? Come to our Summer Code Club to learn to code & play with our BBC micro:bits! At the end of the session you can even borrow a micro:bit on your Newcastle library card, so you can continue having fun at home! (For 9—11 year olds)Places are limited, so book on Eventbrite
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Summer Holidays - Wildlife Week
Tuesday 22 August – Thursday 24 August 11 am – 2pm
Great North Museum: Hancock
Enjoy summer at the Great North Museum: Hancock with fun-filled events on a different theme each week of the holidays. This week is Wildlife Week – learn more about the wild animals that live in our part of the world.Tuesday 22 August - ERIC Wildlife Quest
Join the ERIC Team in the Natural Northumbria Gallery to complete the ERIC wildlife quest by finding the clues in the gallery to earn yourself a prize!
Wednesday 23 August - Build your own Bug Hotel
Come along to the Clore, where you will find all the materials you need to build your own bug hotel to take home. Put it out in your garden and give the creepy crawlies a home.
Thursday 24 August - Exhibition Park Mini Bioblitz
How many plants and animals can you identify? Join us in Exhibition Park where you can learn about the different wildlife we find in the park and have a chance to identify wildlife and try out some of the equipment yourself. Activities include birdwatching and Minibeast hunts. Groups of participants will be walked to Exhibition Park from the museum where ERIC staff and volunteers will be around to help participants to identify and record the flora and fauna they find in the park. All necessary equipment will be provided. Please wear appropriate footwear and clothing.
More information
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Sci-fi Fayre
Saturday 26 August; 11 am - 3.30pm
Stephenson Railway Museum
Don your Doctor Who scarf and fire up your lightsabers. Stalls selling everything from toys and comics, to books, costumes and memorabilia.More information
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Historical Falconry at Arbeia
Saturday 26 August 11am - 3pm
Arbeia Roman Fort, South Shields
Historical Falconry will be pitching up their Mews tent and bringing along a selection of birds to talk with visitors about the history and heritage of falconry. You can handle some of the equipment that would have been used by falconers and witness the skill and speed of the birds during two arena flying demonstrations.During the display the falconer will provide a commentary about the particular bird species, the methods of training and flying them, and the characters throughout history who flew them.More information
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Hadrian's Cavalry LIVE! The Romans Ride Again
Sunday 27 & Monday 28 August - Sunday: 1pm - 4pm - Monday: 11am - 3pm
Arbeia Roman Fort, South Shields
See the riders of Hadrian’s Cavalry demonstrate their equestrian skills as they set their chargers through their paces with skills at arms whilst on horseback. Meet and greet the horses and their riders, see up close and personal the equipment available to them during the Roman era. Hadrian’s Cavalry explores the role and daily life of the Roman army’s cavalry forces in a unique wall-wide exhibition that stretches the full 150 miles of the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site area – from Maryport in the west to South Shields in the east.More information
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Tremendous Tuesday - Seaside Postcard
Tuesday 29 August 11 am – 3 pm
South Shields Museum And Art Gallery
Create a postcard with collage materials of your favourite place you visited over the holidaysSeaside Postcards. The Summer Holiday may be coming to an end, but you can remember it on a handmade postcard. Create a postcard with collage materials of your favourite place you visited over the holidays! Write a note on the back to someone special and post it! Just like they did in the good old days!
Screen on the Green
Various times and dates throughout August
Old Eldon Square, Newcastle
NE1’s Screen on The Green returns for a summer of free, open air screenings of family movies, national and international sporting action and a major coup for the city, a new cultural offering, two open air Operas broadcast directly from the Royal Opera House in London. Quayside Seaside
Until 7th October 2017
Newcastle Quayside
The Quayside Seaside is back! Escape to the Costa del Tyne, the pop-up beach on the Quayside for the whole summer. Equipped with sand, climbing wall, deck chairs, palm trees and volleyball court, the Quayside Seaside is hugely popular with visitors to Newcastle, families, and with Quayside workers who swarm to it to enjoy lunch al fresco or a sneaky game of volleyball after work. Plus, now you can grab a bite to eat while you’re there, with Mexican food of the highest order courtesy of Barrio Comida, contained within a repurposed shipping container.More information
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Wild Parks
Monday 21 August 11am - 4pm
Saltwell Park, Gateshead
Join the RSPB to discover the brilliant bugs; trees birds and bees at Saltwell Park. At this family event, there will be activities such as mini beast hunting; bird watching; scavenger hunts and more! The activities are suitable for children aged 2 to 12 years who need to be accompanied by an adult. All events are drop-in so can be attended at any time during the time advertised and all are completely free.More information
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Reach for the Beach Family Walk
Thursday 24 August
Ryhope to Seaham, Durham Heritage Coast
Family walk (approx 3 miles) from Ryhope to Seaham with free ice cream and free bus back. Join the Heritage Coast team for a lovely walk along the cliff tops from Ryhope to Seaham and enjoy the great views along the coast. Starting from Ryhope Community Centre. Booking essential for this event to guarantee your place on the bus please call 07825 202 580.------------------------
Pirates and Princesses Festival
Sunday 27 August 11 am - 6pm
Seaham, County Durham
Free Event with Big Screen showing Pirates of the Caribbean and fancy dress competition.More information
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Bank Holiday Sunday Special with Mr Windbags
Sunday 27 August 12pm, 1pm & 2.30pm
Stephenson Railway Museum
Magic, balloon modelling and loads of laughsChildren are tickled pink by Mr Windbag’s marvellous Magic Shows! He'll have them laughing their socks off in no time. A winning combination of magic, comedy and balloon modelling has made Mr Windbags a favourite family entertainer. Come and join the fun! Suitable for ages 3+ years.
More information
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Summer Holidays - Space Week
Tuesday 29 August - Thursday 31 August 11 am – 3 pm
Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle
Enjoy summer at the Great North Museum: Hancock with fun-filled events on a different theme each week of the holidays. The final week of the holidays is SpaceWeek.
Please do check details with event organisers and I hope you have a great time wherever you decide to go this summer.
Deb x
2 Comments
What a brilliant list! SO much going on xx
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, I really wish there were this many free events on over the holidays in my local area!
ReplyDeleteThe Pirate & Princesses themed event clearly got the idea from B's birthday ;-) ;-)
Such a helpful post, well done x