The beautiful seaside town of Scarborough on the North Yorkshire coast is packed with fun and free things for kids to do which will help you and your family enjoy a budget-friendly holiday.
Here is a list of ten of some of the best activities for kids which needn’t cost you a penny.
- Fossil Hunting in Cayton Bay
- Activities and Crafts at Beeforth’s Hive
- Picnic & Games on South Bay Beach
- Crabbing & Rock Pooling in North Bay
- Scavenger Hunt in Raincliffe Woods
- South Cliff Gardens Play Area & Fairy Garden
- Beachcombing Adventure
- Peasholm Park Wildlife & Fun
- Cliff Walk Adventure & Exploration
- Fossils at Rotunda Museum
1. Fossil Hunting in Cayton Bay
Cayton Bay, a 1 kilometre stretch of beach, is a fantastic place for kids to hunt for fossils such as ammonites, devil’s toenails, dinosaur bones, sea sponges, sea urchins, and even shark teeth.
Children can spend hours uncovering stones and small rocks, searching for ancient imprints and fossilised remains. Larger rocks may also hide exciting fossils. Bring a magnifying glass if you want to see smaller fossils in more detail.
Just make sure to keep away from the base of any cliffs, as there is a danger of falling rocks.
Why not take a picnic and enjoy a dip in the sea while you’re there? Cayton Bay is a beautifully clean beach with an “excellent” water quality rating. There are free toilets, and if you want to spend a little on a treat, a kiosk sells ice creams, drinks, and other snacks.
The book Fossils & Fossil Collecting will help them identify their fossils and learn more about them.
2. Activities & Crafts at Beeforth’s Hive
Beeforth’s Hive, located in the beautiful setting of the South Cliff Gardens, offers a variety of free activities during the holidays. Children can enjoy storytelling sessions, crafts, pebble painting, and wildlife fun.
All activities are free, but children must be accompanied by an adult to join in the fun. There is usually no need to book—just turn up!
Afterwards, you can visit the Clock Cafe for a bite to eat or enjoy a picnic in the nearby Italian Gardens. There are also free toilets available near the Clocktower.
3. Picnic and Games on South Bay Beach
Beach games and a picnic on South Bay Beach is a perfect way to spend the day with family at the seaside.
Challenge the kids to a sandcastle building contest and encourage them to decorate their creations with shells, stones, and seaweed, and to build moats around them.
Bring along a ball for some fun beach games and enjoy a refreshing swim in the sea. It’s a simple yet fantastic way to make lasting memories.
4. Crabbing and Rock Pooling in North Bay
North Bay is an excellent spot for crabbing and rockpooling, providing kids with a hands-on adventure by the sea. Armed with a bucket and a net, children can explore the tidal pools, uncovering various marine life such as crabs, small fish, and anemones. It’s a fascinating way to learn about marine ecosystems up close.
The best time to go rock pooling is during low tide when more of the rocky shore is exposed. Aqua shoes are a good footwear choice to protect their feet from sharp objects and other debris.
There are shops and toilets (you may have to pay) at the beach as well as ice cream shops if you want to treat the family. I recommend Peaches’n’Cream for amazing ice creams in mouthwatering flavours!
5. Scavenger Hunt in Raincliffe Woods
Raincliffe Woods offers a fantastic natural playground for kids to explore. The woodland is perfect for a game of hide and seek, letting children immerse themselves in nature while having fun.
They can also enjoy spotting wildlife, collecting leaves, and identifying different types of trees and plants.
A scavenger hunt is also great fun for kids. Give each child a checklist and a pencil to mark off the items as they find them. This activity will keep them engaged and encourage them to observe their surroundings more closely. It’s a fun and educational way to explore the wonders of Raincliffe Woods. Here are some items they could hunt for:
- A Feather
- An Acorn or Pinecone
- A Smooth, Round Stone
- A Leaf with an Interesting Shape
- A Stick Shaped Like a Y
- Moss on a Tree
- A Wildflower
- An Insect (like a beetle or butterfly)
- Bird Song
- A Patch of Mushrooms or Fungi
- Animal Tracks or Footprints
- Something Red in Nature
- A Spider Web
- Bark with an Interesting Texture
- A Squirrel or Bird
Bring a picnic to enjoy in one of the scenic spots, and don’t forget to wear suitable shoes.
6. South Cliff Gardens Play Area & Fairy Garden
South Cliff Gardens is a beautiful place to wander and explore. Paxton’s Play Space, located near the Clock Cafe, is a fun play area for children. If you walk back up to the road and cross over, you can find Shuttleworth Gardens, which has an enchanting miniature Fairy Garden.
Both gardens have ample seating, making them perfect spots for a picnic. Enjoy a relaxing and enjoyable day out in nature, surrounded by the beauty and tranquillity of these lovely gardens.
Free toilets are near the Clock Tower (between Paxton’s Play Space and Shuttleworth Gardens).
7. Beachcombing Adventure
Beachcombing is a wonderful activity for kids, allowing them to find seashells, driftwood, sea glass, and interesting stones on the beach.
Encourage them to collect their treasures and put them in a collection jar as a decorative ornament and a memory of their holiday.
These found items can also be used for various crafts, sparking creativity and providing a fun way to remember their beach adventures.
8. Peasholm Park Wildlife and Fun
Peasholm Park is a beautiful park with a serene lake, geese, ducks, and cute squirrels. Why not bring some food to feed the animals and birds? Explore the park to see if you can find the “Secret Garden” and look out for the exquisite wooden carvings of animals and birds. The park also has picnic tables, making it a perfect spot for a family meal outdoors.
During the summer, there is a Festival of Fun with free entry, held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 30 July and 28 August. Enjoy family entertainment including circus skills, face painting, magic tricks, Punch & Judy shows, a treasure trail, and a colouring competition. While most activities are free, some events in this festival may have a charge.
9. Cliff Walk Adventure & Exploration
Try a cliff walk on the Cleveland Way above Scalby Mills by North Bay or further on towards Cayton. It’s a great way for kids to explore and connect with nature.
Bring along a magnifying glass and go on a bug hunt to see how many different insects they can find. Challenge the kids to identify various types of flowers and plants along the cliffs, or see how many different types of flowers they can collect. They could later press and dry the flowers to keep in a special book as a memory of their holiday.
Bring a notebook so they can draw or note down all their exciting discoveries.
However, make your children aware of the dangers of the cliff edge. Young children will need constant supervision, so this activity is best suited for older kids.
10. Fossils at Rotunda Museum
The Rotunda Museum is a small but fascinating place to visit, packed with fossils and minerals where kids can learn about prehistoric life and dinosaur footprints.
Admission is free for children and anyone under the age of 18. Adults can purchase a £5 annual pass, which also grants access to the Scarborough Art Gallery.
The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm, and well-behaved dogs are welcome. Conveniently located next to South Bay, it’s an ideal stop for a family outing.