Finding new ways to entertain the children every weekend and school holiday can sometimes feel like a challenge. Whether you’re looking for somewhere to burn off some energy, an inexpensive afternoon outdoors or a full family day out, there are plenty of children’s activities in Durham to choose from throughout the year.
At Thorpe Farm, near Barnard Castle on the border of County Durham and North Yorkshire, families can enjoy a mixture of indoor activities, outdoor adventures, animals, food and seasonal events all in one place.
Better still, you don’t necessarily need to spend a fortune to have a good day out. There are both free and paid activitiesto choose from, making it easy to put together a visit that suits your family and your budget.
From Easter adventures and long summer days to October half term and festive outings, here are some ideas for keeping the children entertained throughout the year.
Children's Activities in Durham at Easter
The Easter holidays are often the first real opportunity of the year to get the family outside for longer days together.
Spring is a brilliant time to explore the countryside, with lighter evenings, new wildlife to spot and plenty of opportunities for children to enjoy some fresh air.
Enjoy a Woodland Walk
One of the simplest – and completely free – ways to entertain children is to head outside.
Thorpe Farm’s woodland walk gives families the chance to explore together at their own pace. Turn your walk into a spring scavenger hunt by looking for blossom, birds, insects and signs of new growth along the way.
You can find more inspiration in our guide to outdoor activities for kids.
Visit the Animals
Animal lovers can also visit the paddocks and see some of the animals at Thorpe Farm.
It’s another simple activity that can be incorporated into your visit without having to plan your entire day around it.
Read our guide to where to meet farm animals in Durham for more ideas.
Summer Holiday Activities in Durham
Six weeks is a long time to keep children entertained, so having a few reliable family days out ready to go can make the summer holidays much easier.
Summer is when Thorpe Farm really comes into its own, with plenty of space to enjoy the outdoors alongside seasonal activities.
Get Lost in the Maize Maze
One of Thorpe Farm’s big summer attractions is the Maize Maze.
As the maize grows throughout the season, it creates a fantastic family challenge. Children can explore the pathways, work out where they’re going and see who can find their way through.
It’s an ideal summer holiday activity for families looking for something a little different from the usual playground or park visit.
Keep an eye on Thorpe Farm’s events information for seasonal opening dates and ticket details.
Spend the Day Outdoors
Not every summer holiday activity needs to involve an entrance fee.
Pack your sun hats and enjoy a slower day exploring the outdoor areas at Thorpe Farm. Combine the woodland walk with a visit to the animal paddocks before stopping for lunch or refreshments.
For families trying to keep school holiday spending under control, mixing free children’s activities with one paid attraction can be a great way to make a full day feel special without spending too much.
Try Indoor Padel
If your children are a little older, why not introduce them to something new?
Thorpe Farm’s indoor padel courts offer a fun, active option for families. Because they’re indoors, they’re particularly handy on those summer holiday days when the British weather refuses to cooperate.
Soft Play for Rainy Summer Days
Not every day of the summer holidays is sunny.
For younger children, soft play at Thorpe Farm offers an indoor option where they can climb, play and burn off some energy whatever the weather is doing outside.
Combine soft play with lunch or a café stop and you’ve got an easy morning or afternoon sorted.
October Half-Term Activities in Durham
October half term is one of the most exciting times of year for family activities.
Autumn walks, Halloween events and darker evenings create plenty of opportunities for something a little different.
Halloween Fun
Thorpe Farm hosts seasonal Halloween activities, giving families another reason to visit during October.
Depending on the event, there are options designed for different ages, so families can choose an experience that suits how brave their children are!
For younger children, look out for family-friendly Halloween activities and daytime events, while older children and adults can take on something considerably spookier. Our Scare Maze is back for 2026, get your tickets here…
Take an Autumn Woodland Walk
For a free October half-term activity, wrap up warm and head out for a woodland walk.
Autumn is one of the best times to explore, with colourful leaves, conkers and plenty for children to discover.
You could even give everyone a list of things to find before setting off – a red leaf, an acorn, a pine cone, something yellow and something particularly unusual.
Then warm up afterwards with hot drinks or lunch.
Christmas Activities in Durham
Once December arrives, weekends quickly become filled with festive plans.
Christmas activities don’t always have to mean a huge day out. Sometimes a relaxed family visit, some festive food and a little Christmas shopping can be just as enjoyable.
Christmas Shopping at the Farm Shop
Visit the farm shop at Thorpe Farm to browse food, local produce, gifts and seasonal treats.
For children, you can make Christmas shopping more interesting by giving them a small budget and letting them choose a present for a grandparent, teacher or family member.
Enjoy a Winter Family Day Out
Cold, crisp winter days can still be perfect for getting outside.
Head out for a short walk, visit the animals and then retreat somewhere warm for lunch, cake or a hot chocolate.
If the weather is particularly wet or cold, swap the walk for soft play and create an easy indoor family outing instead.
Keep an eye on Thorpe Farm’s website and social channels for details of any special Christmas events and seasonal activities taking place.
Free Children's Activities in Durham
Family days out can quickly become expensive, especially when you’re entertaining more than one child throughout the school holidays.
That’s why it’s useful to have some free activities in the mix.
At Thorpe Farm, you can build parts of your visit around simple countryside experiences such as:
- Exploring the woodland walk
- Visiting the animal paddocks
- Enjoying the outdoor spaces
- Going on a family nature hunt
- Browsing the farm shop
- Looking out for wildlife and seasonal changes
You can then choose whether you’d like to add paid activities, food or seasonal events depending on your budget.
Paid Children's Activities for a Special Day Out
Sometimes you want to make a weekend or school holiday outing feel a little more special.
Paid activities at Thorpe Farm can include options such as soft play, padel and seasonal attractions and events, depending on what’s running at the time of your visit.
The advantage of visiting somewhere with both free and paid options is that you can make your day as simple or as busy as you like.
You might book one activity and spend the rest of the day exploring, rather than paying separately for several different attractions.
Create a Full Family Day Out at Thorpe Farm
If you’ve got a whole day to fill, combine several activities into one trip.
A summer family day might look something like:
Woodland walk → visit the animals → lunch → Maize Maze → farm shop treat
On a rainy weekend, you could try:
Soft play → lunch → farm shop → short woodland walk if the rain stops
And for families with older children:
Padel → lunch → woodland walk → seasonal activity
Take a look at our guide to a full day out at Thorpe Farm for even more inspiration.
Children's Activities for Different Ages
One of the challenges of planning school holiday days out is finding somewhere that works when siblings are different ages.
Toddlers and preschool children may be happiest with soft play, animals and shorter outdoor adventures. Primary school children can enjoy longer walks, seasonal activities and challenges such as the Maize Maze, while older children and teenagers might prefer something active like padel.
Choosing a destination with several different activities means you’re not relying on one attraction to entertain everybody.
Frequently Asked Questions About Children's Activities in Durham
What are some good children’s activities in Durham during the school holidays?
Outdoor adventures, soft play, animal experiences and seasonal events are all great choices. At Thorpe Farm, families can combine several activities in one visit, making it suitable for anything from a couple of hours to a full day out.
Are there free children’s activities in Durham?
Yes. You don’t always need to pay an entrance fee to enjoy time together as a family. Woodland walks, nature hunts and visiting outdoor spaces can provide hours of entertainment. Thorpe Farm has free areas that can be combined with optional paid activities.
What can we do with children in Durham when it’s raining?
Soft play is a good option for younger children, while indoor padel provides something different for older children and families. You can also combine an indoor activity with lunch or a café visit.
What can we do with children during the summer holidays?
Summer is perfect for outdoor activities, countryside walks and seasonal attractions. At Thorpe Farm, families can look out for the Maize Maze alongside the woodland walk, animal paddocks and other activities.
Are there Halloween activities for children in Durham?
Yes, October half term brings a range of Halloween events to the area. Thorpe Farm hosts seasonal Halloween experiences, with activities aimed at different ages. Check the latest event information before visiting to see what’s running and whether advance booking is required.
Is Thorpe Farm suitable for children of different ages?
Yes. Having a mixture of indoor and outdoor activities makes it easier to plan a day for siblings of different ages. Younger children can enjoy soft play and animals, while older children can explore outdoors, try seasonal attractions or play padel.
Find Your Next Family Day Out at Thorpe Farm
Whether it’s a rainy Saturday in February, the Easter holidays, a long summer afternoon or an October half-term adventure, there are plenty of ways to keep children entertained at Thorpe Farm.
With a combination of free outdoor activities, paid attractions, seasonal events, animals, food and shopping, you can tailor each visit around your children, the weather and your budget.
So, the next time you’re searching for children’s activities in Durham, come and discover what’s happening at Thorpe Farm.