Updated 2022
Being a mam to a teenage daughter I know just how hard it can be finding days out that interest them, long gone are the days where they are happy with a couple of hours at soft-play or playing in the garden. So I have compiled a list of places here in the North East that sound perfect for keeping teen's entertained this summer.
1.) Cat Cafe
At the start of the year, we visited Catpawcino cat cafe on Newcastle's Quayside. My teen loved visiting here and spending time with the cats whilst enjoying a hot chocolate and cake.
2.) Go Ape
We visited Go Ape in Matfen, Northumberland and my teen loved it! It is an activity the whole family can join in with or teens can even do it themselves if they are over 16 years old.
3.) Visit a Gaming Lounge
There are a few gaming lounges here in the North East that are great fun. We have been to CTRL Pad in Newcastle, there is also YuMe World in the Gate in Newcastle and the Arcade Warehouse at Royal Quays in North Shields to name a few.
4.) Trampoline Park
We are spoilt for choice with trampoline parks here in the North East and they are perfect for teens. We have visited Airbox Bounce in Cramlington and Jump 360 in Benton.
5.) Tynemouth Surf
If your child is into water sports then you can enrol them onto surfing lessons at Tynemouth Surf in North Tyneside. Full details can be found via their website www.tynemouthsurf.co.uk
6.) Paintballing
This looks like great fun for teens and their parents to take part in together or with a group of friends. A couple of places that I know offer paintballing is Battlezone in Durham and Newcastle and Delta Force near Cramlington.
7.) Parkland Mini Golf - Gosforth
Located at Gosforth Park, Parklands mini golf is open 7 days a week and with children's prices at just £4pp and adults at £5pp and family tickets for £15, it is a great way to spend a few hours. Full details can be found at www.parklandsgolf.co.uk
8.) Newcastle Castle
I keep meaning to take my daughter to Newcastle Castle, as the views from the top are said to be spectacular, great for teens Instagram photos! They also run a lot of events which may be of interest to teenagers.
9.) Freakshake at GB Cupcakery
The GB Cupcakery at the Quayside in Newcastle not only do amazing cakes and afternoon tea's but also rather delicious freak shakes too. These are always a big hit with my daughter.
10.) BBC Newcastle Tour
Earlier this year we visited BBC Newcastle and took part in a tour of the studio. I probably would not recommend the children's tour for teen's but I am sure they would be fascinated by the adult one.
11.) Puffin Cruise - Amble
You can take a boat trip from Amble Harbour to Coquet Island where you can see 40,000 sea birds -including Puffins. You could then spend the day in Amble and enjoy some fish and chips while at the coast. Details of the Puffin Cruises can be found at www.puffincruises.co.uk
12.) Escape Room
There are ton's of Escape rooms here in the North East from Pirate themed ones in Whitley Bay to plague ones in Newcastle.
13.) Bowling
14.) St James Park or Stadium Of Light Football Tour
If you have a football mad teen than a stadium tour of their favourite club is sure to be something they will enjoy. You get to sit in the manager's chairs, have a look in the changing rooms as well as lots of other behind the scenes areas and experience lots of photo opportunities.
15.) Farne Island Boat Trip
If you head to Seahouses in Northumberland you can book to go on a boat trip to the Farne Islands, you can spot seals and Puffins and it really is a lovely experience.
16.) Laser Quest
A game of Laser Quest is sure to be lots of fun for groups of family or friends, my teen recently visited the one in South Shields with her friends for a birthday.
17.) Forbidden Corner - North Yorkshire
Not technically in the North East but not far away in North Yorkshire is Forbidden corner a unique day out. You can read a review of Forbidden Corner by Rockandrollpussycat to get an idea of what of what it is, you do need to pre-book tickets before you visit.
18.) Durham River Cruise
You can go on a river cruise in Durham taking in the sites of the historic city, cruises last an hour. It would be a lovely activity to try whilst enjoying a day out in Durham.
19.) Inflatable Course
There are a number of Inflatable parks here in the North East that are great fun for teens and are similar to trampoline parks. We have visited Inflate Nation in North Shields and Inflataspace in Newcastle.
20.) Kynren
Running on weekends during the summer Kynren is an experience not to be missed, we have visited twice and my teen really enjoyed the whole experience.
21.) Teeside White Water Centre
This looks like so much fun with activities such as white water rafting, power boating, kayaking and canoeing to name just a few. Full details can be found at www.tbiwwc.com
22.) Victorian Tunnel - Newcastle
I really want to take my teen to visit the Victorian tunnel which is under Newcastle, as I think it will be really interesting. Canny Food recently wrote a review about her visit to the Victorian Tunnel.
23.) Ice Skating
With rinks in Whitley Bay and Billingham, a day out ice skating is sure to be fun for teens.
24.) Cinema
You can't beat a trip to the cinema and myself and my teen often go to see films together.
25.) Young Driver Lesson
Earlier this year we reviewed Young Driver driving lessons at Gosforth Park Newcastle, my teen loved this lesson and I will certainly be booking her more in the future.
26.) Lane 7 - Newcastle
With a bowling alley, mini golf course and a decent food menu this is somewhere I just know my teen will enjoy visiting and I really should take her.
27.) Pot a Doddle Do - Berwick
I love the idea of glamping and Pot-a-doodle-do in Berwick have cute huts you can stay in as well as a pottery painting studio on site. I am so tempted to book us an overnight stay here as it looks like a fun experience.
28.) Pottery Painting
Pottery painting is something that the whole family can enjoy and you get to take home a nice memento to keep. Canny Crafty in Gosforth is somewhere we are planning on visiting this summer.
There are a few indoor mini golf places that look like fun such as Mr Mulligans Space Golf near the Gate in Newcastle and Junkyard golf in Newcastle. There is also a angry birds mini golf in the metrocenter.
29.) Mini Golf
There are a few indoor mini golf places that look like fun such as Mr Mulligans Space Golf near the Gate in Newcastle and Junkyard golf in Newcastle. There is also a angry birds mini golf in the metrocenter.
30.) NCS
If your teen is leaving school - in year 11, you can sign them up for NCS - National Citizen Service. My own daughter took part in this in 2019 and it cost us £50 for four weeks worth of activities. The first week she went to stay in the lake district and took part in activities such as canoeing and rock climbing, the second week she stayed in halls of residence and learnt what student life is like. The third and fourth week they carried out community work, worked on team building and life skills. Then they had a presentation night out at the end of the programme. She really enjoyed it and made lots of new friends and learnt new skills, beware that it does cost more than £50 as you do need to buy stuff for them to go and they will need travel fares, lunch money etc for weeks 2-4. It is still very good value though.
31.) Flight Simulator Experience
The Flight Sim Centre in Brunswick Industrial Estate (near Newcastle airport) offer a range of different flight simulator experiences and are suitable for teenagers. Prices start from £49.99 and they even do birthday parties. Full details can be found at www.flightsimcentre.com
32.) High Force Waterfall - Durham
Located at Forest-in-Teesdale in County Durham this waterfall is stunning and teens will love taking photos of it for social media.
33.) Go - Karting
There are lots of go-karting tracks here in the North East which make a fun and exciting day out for teens (and parents).
34.) Override Skate Park - Jarrow
Located in Jarrow, South Tyneside this indoor skate park is a great place to skate visit www.overrideskatepark.co.uk
35.) Beamish
We love Beamish for a family day out and it is the one place we can go as a whole family that my teen enjoys just as much as my toddler.
36.) Planet Leisure - Newton Aycliffe
This sounds like a brilliant place to visit with 12 bowling lanes, laser combat, a roller rink, trampoline park, karaoke pods, arcades and a tex-mex restaurant this sounds like such an action packed day.
37.) Quayside Market
If my daughter is up early enough (which is rare these days as she often sleeps until lunch time) we love a wander along the quayside market. We normally stop off for lunch somewhere after having a look at the stalls.
38.) Metrocentre
Head to the MetroCentre for back to school shopping and really make a day of it, stop off for lunch and maybe even a trip to the cinema or arcades while you are there.
39.) Go For Pancakes
I don't know about your teenagers but mine loves going for Pancakes, from The dispensary in Newcastle to Love Lily's in Sunderland.
40.) Swimming
Swimming is always a cheap and cheerful day out with a range of different pools in the area to try out from local leisure centres the wave pool in Whitley Bay, an outdoor pool in Haltwhistle Northumberland and fun pool at Prudhoe waterworld.
41.) Silkworth Ski Slope - Sunderland
You can learn to ski and snowboard on the dry slopes here, with lessons available for those inexperienced skiers. Full details can be found at www.everyoneactive.com
42.) Selfie Central
Located in the Gate in Newcastle you will find Selfie Central, where you guessed it there is lots of fun props to take the perfect selfie.
43.) Visit A Castle
Living in the North East we have an abundance of castles in the region, so why not visit a castle with your teen and they might even learn some history while on a day out.
44.) Visit A Dog Cafe
There is a dog cafe called Dog and Scone in Newcastle with the most adorable little pooches, you can enjoy a hot chocolate whilst petting the dogs.
45.) Visit The Beach
You can't beat a stroll along the beach and an ice cream or fish and chips, my teen loves doing this just as much as her little brother and sister do.
46.) Barter Books
If your teen enjoys reading then a visit to Barter Books in Alnwick is a must. You can buy second hand books, enjoy a ice cream from the cafe next door and it is also just a lovely place to visit.
47.) Play Interactive Darts
The Wonderbar in Newcastle offers interactive Darts which anyone can play. They also serve food and drink and often have special offers on during the holidays if you check their website or social media channels.
48.) Go For Lunch
Sometimes just going for lunch somewhere your teen picks is a nice way to spend time, 9/10 my teen picks Nando's.
49.) Ocean Beach Fair - South Shield's
Ocean Beach fun fair in South Shields is a somewhere we often visit, my teen loves riding the rides and having fun.
50.) Alnwick Gardens
We love visiting Alnwick gardens as it is a lovely day out for the whole family to enjoy.
51.) Hartlepool Maritime
The North's Maritime attraction is sure to be an interesting day out.
52.) Kielder
Home to Northern Europe's largest man-made lake there is so much to discover at Kielder water and forest. From bike riding, water activities and adventure activities there is something for everyone.
53.) Spend the day in Newcastle
Spend the day in Newcastle shopping for back to school essentials and you can also have a look around the shops, go for lunch or stop of freak shakes and really make a day of it.
54.) Throw An Axe
You can go Axe Throwing at Hatchett Harry's in Newcastle and teens can take part too and is something different to try.
55.) Afternoon Tea
My daughter loves to go for afternoon tea, these days there are so many great ones available and we are planning on going for an Alice and Wonderland themed one at How Do You Do in North Shields.
56.) Hadrian's Wall
If your teen is into History then why not walk along Hadrians Wall with them or visit one of the Roman museums in the area.
57.) Day Trip
We love going on trips to nearby cities such as Edinburgh and York as they are only an hour away from Newcastle via train.
58.) Eldon Leisure Centre
Eldon Leisure Centre in Eldon Square Newcastle has so much to do, not only is it a gym but it also has extreme climbing, bowling among other things.
59.) Tynemouth Market
Having a wander around Tynemouth market on a Sunday is always something my teen enjoys doing.
60.) Beach Box Jesmond
Open during the summer Beach Box in Jesmond is a great place to visit for lunch with teens, there is a range of street food vendors to dine from and tons of photo opportunities.
61.) Air Trail - Stockton
Tackle the UK's highest high-rope adventure course, set over 4 levels with 38 unique challenges to conquer, this is sure to be an adrenalin packed day out.
62.) Horse Riding
Horse riding can be great fun and most riding schools have special summer riding camps and offers on during the summer to get youngsters in the saddle. You can even go for treks in the Northumberland countryside and beaches with some centres.
63.) Play Football At Goals
You can hire pitches at Goals at Newcastle racecourse if your teen fancies a kick about with family or friends on the all weather pitches.
64.) Newcastle Climbing Centre
Active teens will have fun at Newcastle climbing centre who offer both in and outdoor climbing activities.
65.) Visit Whickham Thorns Outdoor Activity Centre
Run by the Scouts Whickham Thorns is open to the public at certain times and offers a range of pre-bookable activities such as climbing and snow tubing.
66.) Off Road 4 x 4 Driving
67.) Walk an Alpaca
Barnacre Alpaca's in Northumberland offer the chance to walk with an Alpaca for people over the age of 10 and it costs £25pp.
68.) Visit a Theme Park
We may not have any theme parks here in the North East but we are not far from Lightwater Valley and Flamingoland and they both make great day trips.
69.) Watch a Football Match
If your teen is into football you could book them a ticket to a football match and they can experience what a match day at St James Park is like.
70.) Kielder Observatory
I have always wanted to visit Kielder Observatory and think this would be such a memorable experience for anyone no matter what their age.
71.) Visit a Ice Cream Parlour
Visit a ice cream parlour there are loads dotted around the North East, our favourites are Mimi's near the racecourse, Mark Toney's in Newcastle and Wheelbirks in Northumberland.
72.) Alnwick Castle
If you have a Harry Potter fan then they will love visiting Alnwick Castle and seeing where some of the film was filmed.
73.) Go Paddle Boarding
Paddle Boarding is getting popular and looks like lots of fun and you can try it out at lots of different places in the North East, Adventure Northumberland offer Paddle Boarding throughout Northumberland.
74.) Visit Seahouses
One thing my teen likes to do is visit Seahouses, she loves going for fish and chips, eating ice cream and visiting the little gift shops and arcades.
75.) Visit The Theatre
I am always keeping an eye at what shows are on at our local theatre's as my teen loves to visit the theatre or go to concerts. We always get her tickets for something for her birthday or Christmas as it is something to look forward to.
Sometimes when I ask my teen what she wants to do the answer is to go out with her friends or stay at home on Youtube and getting a takeaway but hopefully she will try a few more of these suggestions with me in the future.
If you have any suggestions for places to visit with teens here in the North East do let me know in the comments below.
The National glass centre in Sunderland is well worth a look, they have regularly updated exhibits, glass blowing demonstrations, workshops (for a fee) and a fab gift shop and cafe. Entry is free too.
ReplyDelete