Family Things to Do This Weekend in Tynemouth (23-24 May)
From Tynemouth Station Market and dinosaur mini golf to surf lessons at Longsands and a family trip to the aquarium, here is what to do with the kids on the coast this weekend.
Late May on the coast is hard to beat. The days are long, the sea is starting to warm up, and there is more going on than you might think. Here is our pick of family-friendly things to do in Tynemouth and North Tyneside this weekend (23-24 May 2026).
Tynemouth Station Market
Saturday and Sunday, 9am-3.30pm | Tynemouth Metro Station | Free entry
The weekend market beneath the Victorian station canopy is a brilliant family morning out. Over 150 stalls sell everything from handmade jewellery and vintage clothes to artisan bread and locally roasted coffee. Children will find plenty to keep them occupied browsing the toy stalls, while the street food traders along the platform mean you can make lunch of it too.
Arrive by Metro for the easiest trip -- Tynemouth station sits directly above the market.
Best for: Free entry, covered by the station roof, and open every weekend -- rain or shine.
Lost World Adventure Golf at Tynemouth Park
Saturday and Sunday, from 10am | Tynemouth Park, NE30 4DD
Tynemouth Park's dinosaur-themed adventure golf course is open at weekends throughout the spring. The 18-hole course winds through a tropical landscape full of life-sized dinosaurs, and it is suitable for all ages from around three upwards. While you are at the park, the boating lake with rowing boats and pedalos is also open at weekends, weather permitting.
Best for: Call the park on 0191 258 7593 to confirm opening hours before you visit.
Surf Lessons at Longsands
Saturday and Sunday, 11am and 2pm | Longsands Beach | From around 30 pounds per person
Both Longsands Surf School and Tynemouth Surf Co run beginner and improver sessions every weekend through spring and summer. Two-hour lessons include wetsuit and board hire, and children can start from age five. May tends to bring decent swell, and the beach is lifeguarded at weekends from this time of year.
Book online in advance -- weekend slots fill up quickly once the forecast looks promising.
Best for: Water temperatures in late May sit around 10-11 degrees. The surf schools provide full wetsuits and all the kit you need.
Tynemouth Aquarium
Open daily, 10am-4pm | Grand Parade, Longsands Beach
A reliable option whatever the weather. Tynemouth Aquarium runs daily talks and feeding sessions -- from seal feeds to the tropical reef tanks -- all included with your ticket. The touch pools are always popular with younger children, and the River Giants exhibit takes you through a recreated tropical rainforest. Under-threes go free.
Check tynemouthaquarium.co.uk for current ticket prices and any half-term events starting the following week.
Tynemouth Priory and Castle
Saturday and Sunday, 10am-5pm (last entry 4.15pm) | Tynemouth Headland
One of the most dramatic heritage sites on the North East coast, and a genuinely exciting place for children. Let them explore the medieval priory ruins, clamber around the gatehouse, and discover the WWII gun battery perched on the clifftop above the mouth of the Tyne. English Heritage is currently offering 30 per cent off tickets when you book online in advance.
If you want to extend the visit, the walk down from the Priory headland to King Edward's Bay takes five minutes and leads to a sheltered cove with rock pools and golden sand.
Best for: English Heritage members go free. Non-member tickets are discounted when booked online the day before.
Beach Day at Longsands
All weekend | Longsands Beach, NE30 4HH | Free
If the sun comes out, Longsands is one of the best family beaches in the North East. The sand stretches for nearly a mile, there are lifeguards at weekends from May, and the promenade cafes are all open for ice cream and coffee. For younger children, rock pooling at the southern end near the Priory headland is a wonderful low-tide activity.
Parking along the Grand Parade fills up fast on sunny weekends -- the parking guide covers all the alternatives.
Whitley Bay parkrun
Saturday, 9am | Whitley Bay Links Common (off Monkseaton Drive, NE26 1SZ) | Free
A free, timed 5k run, jog, or walk along the seafront every Saturday morning. Open to all ages and abilities -- just bring a printed or smartphone barcode. The junior parkrun for 4-14 year olds takes place on Sunday mornings and is a brilliant way to get the children moving.
Coastal Walk: Cullercoats to Tynemouth
For families who want a bit of fresh air without committing to a full expedition, the stretch from Cullercoats Bay to Tynemouth Longsands takes around 25 minutes, passes the dramatic cliffs and caves of the Cullercoats artists' colony, and ends on the beach. The full North Tyneside coastal walk from St Mary's Lighthouse to the Fish Quay is seven kilometres if you want the longer route.
What Else Is On
The pubs and restaurants along Front Street and the Fish Quay are in full weekend swing. For the latest event listings across the area, check the Visit North Tyneside events page.
Know something happening this weekend that we have missed? Get in touch.