Family Activities in South Shields: Days Out with the Kids

South Shields is one of the easiest places in the North East to fill a day with children, whatever the weather. The coast, the parks and the town's big attractions sit close enough together that a single afternoon can take in a beach, a funfair and a Roman fort without much driving between them. This guide groups the options by type so you can build a day around what your family fancies, and points you towards our other guides where they go into more detail rather than repeating it all here.

By the coast

The obvious starting point is the seafront. Sandhaven and Littlehaven are the town's two main beaches, both civic and free, with a long stretch of clean sand, gentle bathing water and plenty of room for buckets, spades and kite-flying. Sandhaven has the added draw of a promenade lined with amusements, while Littlehaven, just to the north near the pier, tends to be quieter and better for younger children. Both are backed by cafes and public toilets, and the coastal path links them, so a walk between the two makes an easy outing on its own.

For older children and teenagers, the South Shields Skate Park sits right on the Promenade next to Sandhaven, with flowing ramps, bowls and transitions for skateboards, scooters and BMX bikes, plus an adjacent basketball court. It is free to use and a good way to burn off energy after a beach session.

Best for: Best for a free, all-ages seaside day with sand, sea air and space to run.

Parks and green space

A short walk from the beach, South Marine Park is the green heart of the seafront and a firm family favourite. It has a boating lake, two play parks, gardens and a bandstand, but the real headline is the Lakeshore Railroad, a miniature steam railway that has carried passengers around the lake since Good Friday 1972. Its 550-yard circuit runs right round the water, and it remains the only public steam-working railway of its gauge in the country, which makes a ride here a genuinely special treat rather than a standard fairground add-on.

Elsewhere in the borough, Bents Park hosts free Sunday concerts through the summer that are very family-friendly, and the wider clifftop grassland of The Leas gives you miles of open coastal walking towards Marsden. We cover the outdoor and no-cost options more fully in our guide to free things to do in South Shields.

Best for: Best for a relaxed park day with a miniature-railway ride the kids will remember.

The big attractions

When you want a proper day out with a destination, the town has three that stand out. Ocean Beach Pleasure Park on Sea Road is the North East's largest amusement park, with more than 40 rides, a laser arena and arcades. Entry is free and you pay only for the rides you use through contactless Fun Cards or wristbands, which makes it easy to tailor the spend to younger children who only want the gentler rides.

Just up the hill, Arbeia Roman Fort on Baring Street brings the history of Hadrian's Wall to life with full-scale reconstructions of a Roman gateway and living quarters, plus a hands-on museum. Admission is free and no booking is needed, and the reconstructed rooms tend to capture children's imaginations far more than a case of artefacts alone would.

For a cultural day, The Customs House at Mill Dam runs a strong programme of children's theatre, family films and a much-loved annual pantomime, all in a handsome listed building overlooking the Tyne. Between these three you can easily fill a full day, and our broader roundup of things to do in South Shields sets them in context alongside the beaches and Ocean Road.

Best for: Best for a headline day out that mixes rides, Roman history and live shows.

Rainy-day and indoor options

The North East weather being what it is, it helps to have a few indoor plans ready. Jumbo Jim on Garwood Street is a soft play centre aimed at children aged eight and under, with a multi-level play frame, slides and a ball pit, and a cafe for parents to regroup over a coffee. It is a reliable fallback when the beach is off the cards.

For swimming, Haven Point on Pier Parade is a modern seafront leisure centre with a 25-metre pool, an 18-metre teaching pool, and leisure waters with slides and water play, so it suits confident swimmers and paddling toddlers alike. Serious energy-burners can also head to Temple Park Centre on John Reid Road, which adds badminton, courts and family swim sessions to the mix.

Finally, two free indoor stalwarts round things off. The Word in the Market Place is a striking modern library with a dedicated children's floor, story sessions and interactive exhibits, while the South Shields Museum and Art Gallery on Ocean Road tells the town's story through free, family-friendly displays. Both are ideal for a low-cost hour or two when the rain sets in.

Best for: Best for keeping a wet day cheerful with soft play, swimming, books and museums.

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