Toddlers in Newcastle

[Raggeo]

My husband is working in Newcastle on Friday so the kids and I are going to tag along and have a couple of days there too. I have a 3yo and 18mo. I was looking at the Life museum and Discovery museum. Does anyone have an opinion on which is better for this age group? Any other great places you recommend? Thanks.

Mine prefer the great north museum Hancock where there are lots of animals.

The Centre for life is good but not free like the others - there's a great play area on the top floor suitable for your little ones.

My children aren't keen on the discovery museum but I know other people who say their children love it.

Thank you, that one looks like a good option too👍

Hancock, Discovery if the water play bit is available.
Seven Stories.

Agree Hancock over discovery for littlies. Exhibition Park nearby has nice playground, duck pond and cafe. Seven Stories in ouseburn is lovely and has events on in school hols (free to enter, events usually charged). Baltic art gallery has a sensory space and play area, good if there is a child friendly exhibition on but probably not worth the trek otherwise though you can have a look at the bridge/river etc.

Pets Corner in Jesmond dene has a tiny petting zoo with goats and rabbits though all the ducks and parrots etc are away due to bird flu. Dene is a lovely place for a walk though can be a bit hilly.

If your kids are into trains just a trip on the Metro can be quite exciting- going Central to Gateshead or Monument to Byker and back takes you over some cool high bridges and you can sit up front by the driver if not busy. If you have longer you can get to the seaside at Tynemouth and Whitley Bay easily on metro too.

Aw, the metro idea is a good one. I think my son would love that👍

Seven Stories is good, check their website to see if there are any bookable activities for the time you want to go. Entry is free to the exhibitions which are all toddler friendly.

My girls (4 and 18m) prefer the Centre for Life to the Discovery Museum; as a PP said the top floor is good for an hour plus of playing, and the space bits and planetarium are good too.

The Baltic also has a free play area on the first floor which is very laid back and my two like it there. Child friendly loos and a very cheap cafe (called the Front Room- instant coffee or tea for about 50p, and cakes) where you can bring a picnic, and there’s toys and books in there too. The Newcastle side of the quayside by there is also good for scooting and walking with pushchair.

The Hancock (Great North Museum) has stuffed animals and model dinosaurs and some
kind of projector installation about Ancient Egypt, which my older one liked but we’ve not been for a while. They had a play area called the Mouse House for little ones but I’ve never made it in there and not sure if it’s still there.

Laing Art Gallery also has a kiddies play bit (but sometimes closed so the space can be used for special events so check) and a nice spacious cafe.

Oh yeah forgot about the metro - a ride on the train is always popular! There’s the aquarium at Whitley Bay as well and several good cafes (can you tell coffee is essential on all our days out?!)

I'm a local childminder and we love the life centre the best. Especially for children of that age. Mind discovery is fine and Hancock. One of our faves is also seven stories which isn't central Newcastle but is a fab day and mostly free.

Looks like a lot of decent options. Thank you so much for all the ideas, makes a difference when people know the places😁