Summer Holiday Activities in Whitley Bay: The Complete Guide for Families
Beach days, rockpooling, free holiday activities, swimming, and the library reading challenge -- everything you need to fill six weeks of summer in Whitley Bay.
If you live in Whitley Bay, you have already won the summer holiday lottery. There is a beach on your doorstep, a lighthouse to explore, rockpools full of crabs and anemones, free council-run activity programmes, and enough indoor options for the inevitable rainy days. Here is your complete guide to keeping children entertained from mid-July to early September.
Holiday Camps and Free Activities
North Tyneside Council's Active North Tyneside team delivers free and low-cost holiday activities throughout the summer for North Tyneside residents. These include visits to Whitley Bay Mini Golf and FootGolf, family cycle rides, climbing wall taster sessions, and free Active and Splash sessions at local leisure centres for children aged 8 to 13.
During school holidays, Spanish City Plaza hosts free circus shows with international street artists performing every weekend, featuring acrobatics, juggling, comedy, and fire-eating.
For paid camps, check local providers running multi-sport and multi-activity weeks at venues across North Tyneside.
Best for: Active North Tyneside programmes are free or low cost for North Tyneside residents. Check their website for the summer schedule.
Beach Days and Outdoor Activities
Whitley Bay Beach is a wide, sandy stretch perfect for summer days. The promenade has cafes, ice cream shops, and the restored Spanish City building. An annual sandcastle competition is held on the beach every summer.
St Mary's Lighthouse is one of the best rockpooling spots in the North East. At low tide, walk across the causeway to explore rock pools teeming with crabs, anemones, and small fish. Guided rockpooling sessions are available for around two pounds per person. The nature reserve and wetlands surrounding the lighthouse are home to seals and seabirds. Check tide times before you go -- the causeway is covered at high tide and for roughly two hours either side.
The coastal path runs south to Cullercoats and Tynemouth, and north towards Seaton Sluice -- both directions offer manageable walks for families with stunning views.
Panama Skate Park is a purpose-built park popular with skaters, scooter riders, and BMX riders.
Best for: See our full guides to playgrounds, walks, and free things to do in Whitley Bay.
Swimming
Waves Leisure Centre on The Promenade has a 25-metre pool, a fun pool with flumes, and family swim sessions throughout the holidays. Holiday intensive swimming courses are available during selected weeks.
For sea swimming, Whitley Bay Beach has lifeguard cover during the summer months. See our full swimming guide for all the options.
The Summer Reading Challenge
North Tyneside libraries run the national Summer Reading Challenge every year, and 2026's theme is Read to the Beat, exploring the connection between stories and music. Children aged 4 to 11 sign up at their local library, read six books over the summer, and collect rewards. It is completely free.
Whitley Bay Library on Park Road runs free holiday activities alongside the reading challenge.
Day Trips Within Easy Reach
The Metro makes day trips easy. Newcastle city centre is a short ride away for the Great North Museum, Discovery Museum, and Centre for Life. Tynemouth is one stop south for surfing, the aquarium, and the Priory.
Further afield, Alnwick Castle runs broomstick flying and archery, and Whitehouse Farm near Morpeth is a full day out with animal encounters, soft play, and outdoor play.
Lost World Adventure Golf on the seafront is a fun tropically-landscaped mini golf course with dinosaurs along the way -- a reliable crowd-pleaser.
Whitley Bay Carnival
The Whitley Bay Carnival on 11 July 2026 transforms the town with floats, parades, live music, a funfair, and family festivities. It is completely free.
Rainy Day Backup
When the weather turns, our rainy day guide covers soft play, swimming, indoor activities, and more without leaving Whitley Bay.
Summer Events
Specific summer events will be listed on our events calendar as dates are confirmed. Keep checking back throughout the summer for the latest listings.