We live in Yorkshire and have three young kids. We thank our lucky stars that there are loads of kids things to do in Yorkshire.
Here's some stuff we've done that both adults and kids should enjoy ...
York
Walk the City Walls - it's free and you can pretend you are a soldier, but make sure the kids don't fall off the edge - those Romand weren't really keen on health and safety! Great views for the adults too!
Railway Museum - it's free too, so even if you find trains boring, you won't have wasted money - there's lots of non-train stuff too - we loved it.
Castle Museum - recreated streets, great fun for kids --- get to see where the infamous Dick Turpin spent his last night.
Minster (the name for the cathedral) - just beautiful.
Jorvik Viking Museum - see a recreated Viking town - a bit tacky, but fun.
Museum Gardens - lovely city centre riverside park with good museum (natural history).
Cinemas - there is an Odeon and an arty City Screen in the city centre - good for a break!
Places to eat - there is the usual fare on offer, the branches of Ask and Pizza Express are particularly noteworthy, as they are in fantastic buildigs with good views (Ask is in the former Assembly Rooms on Blake Street, Pizza Express is on Lendal by the river).
Bettys - am I the only non-believer in Bettys??? It's just way too expensive IMHO. Still, if you're on vacation and feel like splashing out ....
Out and About
Harrogate - lovely town, posh shops, nice parks and gardens (30 mins by train from York)
Knaresborough - scenic olde worlde town located in a steep river gorge - go boating on the river, climb around the castle, poke around the shops (20 mins by train from York)
Castle Howard - amazing stately home - great for kids - wonderful grounds (bus from York or drive)
North York Moors National Park - wide open and wild - take a ride on the steam railway (it was used in the Harry Potter films - the kids should get a kick out of that)
The Coast - Whitby, Robin Hoods Bay, Scarborough and Filey - all great
Yorkshire Dales National Park - more lush and gentle than the Moors - great walks and views.
Ah yes, Yorkshire - the centre of the universe!!!