Things to do in York with toddlers and under 5s

Each place below has its own VisitKids page with prices, toilets and access. For more ideas, see our York hub.

Indoor places for little ones

• National Railway Museum. Toddlers and pre-schoolers love the giant engines. Entry is free with a timed ticket, and every area has step-free access by lift or ramp. Wonderlab costs extra but is free for 2s and under.
• York Art Gallery. Little ones can cook up a storm or host a pretend tea party in the Ismay Kitchen. Under 5s go free. The gallery is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, and it advises pre-booking a 30-minute entry slot to guarantee entry.
• Yorkshire Museum. Toddlers can build a castle in the activity corner, then run around the free Museum Gardens. Under 5s go free. The galleries are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, and the museum has no café.
• York Army Museum. Babies and toddlers are welcome, and the museum suggests short visits for under 5s. Look out for Rhyme Time sessions and the Nursery Rhyme Trail. Under 5s go free, and it is closed on Sundays.
• York Minster. Pushchairs can go in, and up to four children aged 17 and under go free with each paying adult. Minster Mice is a free service for babies and pre-schoolers, on term-time Wednesdays at 9.30am. It can be busy and noisy, especially when the organ plays.
• York Castle Museum. Toddlers enjoy the Kirkgate shop windows, though much of the museum is about looking rather than touching. Under 5s go free.

York Minster closes to sightseeing on some dates, including 16 to 20 November, 6 December, and 24 and 25 December 2026. Check its calendar before you go.

Outdoors: parks, farms and gardens

• Homestead Park in Clifton. The playground has a separate under 7s area, and entry and the small car park are free. The pond is a wildlife pond, so keep toddlers close in that corner. In winter, The Hive café opens only at weekends, on bank holidays and in York school holidays.
• West Bank Park in Holgate. The council says the Hamilton Drive play area has a wide range of equipment for younger children. The Friends of West Bank Park list a parent-run group for 0 to 4 year olds, every Tuesday at 10am. Book a session through its Facebook page. On 23 October 2026 the council approved funding to renew the north playground, with no work dates given.
• Beningbrough. This National Trust estate has a separate play zone for smaller children with a Wendy house and a bucket swing. Under 5s go free. Watch for the ha-ha, a sudden drop on the southern edge of the garden, and for open water and ponds. Its winter opening is Friday to Sunday, 10am to 3.30pm, until 20 December. It is closed from 21 to 25 December, then open daily from 26 to 31 December.
• Murton Park. This farm and history park has animals, pedal tractors for under 8s, sand play and the Tractor Yard, an enclosed track for play tractors. Children aged 1 to 15 pay £17 for an annual pass, and under 1s go free. When we checked on 12 November 2026, its indoor play barn was closed for maintenance and due to reopen in the New Year. The park closes to the public on 18 December 2026 and reopens on 4 January 2027. From 19 to 22 December, only Christmas ticket holders can visit.

Pushchair-friendly York

Many old York buildings have steps. Here is what each venue page says.

• Easy with a pushchair: the National Railway Museum is step-free throughout. York Art Gallery has ramps and two lifts, but no area to park pushchairs, so you take yours round. DIG has level access across the ground floor and a platform lift to the first floor.
• Mostly fine: the Yorkshire Museum has a ramp and lift access to most spaces. On 12 November 2026 it reported intermittent lift problems, and staff can help. At the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall, use the Fossgate entrance with its ramp, and take care in narrower spaces. York Army Museum has 11 steps down to the galleries, with a platform stairlift.
• Leave the pushchair: York Castle Museum has a buggy park and lends baby carriers free. At JORVIK, buggies cannot go on the ride. At York’s Chocolate Story, pushchairs may not be allowed on the tour at busy times. At Beningbrough, you leave pushchairs behind in the hall, but you can borrow a hip seat, sling or small indoor pram.

Baby changing is listed at the National Railway Museum, York Art Gallery, the Yorkshire Museum, York Minster, Homestead Park, Beningbrough and Murton Park. The council’s toilet listing for West Bank Park did not mention it on 12 November 2026, so bring a changing mat.

Places that do not suit under 5s

• The York Dungeon: children under 5 are not allowed in. It recommends ages 8 and over.
• York City Walls Walk: pushchairs, prams and buggies are not allowed, and the walkway is reached by steps. Some parts are narrow with unguarded edges, and the council says children must be closely supervised.
• Fairfax House: six stone steps at the entrance, 29 steps to the first floor, no lift and no toilets. Pushchairs stay at the front desk.
• York Roman Bath Museum: access is up and down 2 sets of stairs, with low ceilings. The museum gives no advice on toddlers or babies.
• Barley Hall and Clifford’s Tower: under 5s go free, but expect steep stairs. Barley Hall has no lift. Clifford’s Tower has 55 steps up the mound, spiral stairs inside and no toilets on site.

Money tips for families with under 5s

• Under 5s free: York Art Gallery, the Yorkshire Museum, York Castle Museum, York Army Museum, JORVIK, DIG, Beningbrough, Barley Hall and Clifford’s Tower.
• Different age rules: at York’s Chocolate Story, under 4s go free with an adult, but still need a free ticket. At the Bar Convent exhibition, under 6s go free, though its official pages describe nothing aimed at under 5s. At Murton Park, free entry by age is for under 1s.
• Free with an adult: children aged 16 and under go free with a paying adult at Fairfax House, and with a full-paying adult at the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall.
• Free all round: National Railway Museum entry, Homestead Park, West Bank Park and the Museum Gardens.

For seasonal ideas, see our Christmas days out in York guide.

Frequently asked questions

Is York good for toddlers?

Yes, with care. The National Railway Museum is step-free and free to enter. York Art Gallery has a play kitchen for little ones.

Where can toddlers play indoors in York?

Try the Ismay Kitchen at York Art Gallery or the activity corner at the Yorkshire Museum. DIG recommends its tours for ages 5 to 12, but its Little Diggers playroom has a soft playmat for under 5s. In term time, its last tour of the day is adults only.

Which York attractions are free for under 5s?

Many are, including York Art Gallery, York Castle Museum, JORVIK and DIG. National Railway Museum entry is free for everyone.

Can you take a pushchair on York City Walls?

No. Pushchairs, prams and buggies are not allowed on the walls, which are reached by steps. Bring a baby carrier instead.

Can under 5s go in the York Dungeon?

No. Children under 5 are not allowed in. The Dungeon recommends ages 8 and over, and for ages 5 to 7 it is the parent’s call.

Which York park suits toddlers on a dry day?

Homestead Park has a separate under 7s play area, free entry and toilets with baby changing. West Bank Park’s Hamilton Drive play area has equipment for younger children.

Checked on 12 November 2026 against the official websites, through our York venue pages. Prices and opening times change, so check before you travel.

Photo: Matt From London, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.