Keeping children entertained can be an expensive business. Here’s a round-up of just a few of the many free activities taking place in every corner of Hull that children of all ages – and parents and carers – will love.
Queen Victoria Square’s fountains are irresistible to children of all ages on hot, sunny days. Top tip: Take a towel!
While you’re in the city centre, the self-guided Fish Trail is always popular. See if you can spot all 41 types of fish in the pavements – and the ones with the funniest names.
The museums and galleries put on extra events in summer, as well as sensory exhibitions designed to captivate younger ones, such as Microbes at Ferens Art Gallery, which also has a dedicated children’s gallery all year round.
The Maritime Museum tells the stories of our city’s seafaring heritage. In the popular Museums’ Quarter, Hull and East Riding Museum gives a whistlestop tour of 250,000 years of our region’s history, and Streetlife shows off the sights, sounds… and smells of transport through the ages.
Hull’s parks are perfect for family days out all year round with green spaces, playgrounds, animals and outdoor gyms. In summer, you’ll find extra events such as talks by East Park’s animal keepers in July and August and a chance to get creative at fun workshops. East Park will also host the Hull Show on the weekend of 10 and 11 August.
East Park in Hull.
Children can keep cool over summer with the paddling pools at Oak Road Playing Fields, Pickering Park, West Park, Ings Road, Bude Park and Alderman Kneeshaw Recreation Ground.
Free junior swims are available at selected times at Beverley Road Baths, Albert Avenue Pools and Woodford Leisure Centre. And all ages can enjoy free tennis at Costello Stadium on Saturdays.
Please note that Ennerdale Leisure Centre is closed for a six-month £1.76m improvement programme. For the duration of Ennerdale’s closure, free buses are available on the existing Stagecoach service 8 to take passengers from the pick-up point at Ennerdale to Woodford Leisure Centre, and back again.
On Wednesday 7 August, between 11am and 3pm, all activities are free at the annual National Playday in Queens Gardens.
The majority of events at the award-winning five-day Freedom Festival are free, and family friendly. Mixing jaw-dropping performances with a carnival atmosphere, music, art and plenty of wow factor, it takes over the city centre from Wednesday 28 August to Sunday 1 September.
Don’t forget, Hull’s city of culture volunteers are happy to recommend events and activities for your family. Find them at the Welcome Information Centre at Paragon Interchange.
Find more events at the HCAL and Visit Hull and always check dates and opening times before setting off.
