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Sheffield is full of fun things to do in Sheffield with kids in 2026, you just have to know where to go. We have lived in Sheffield with kids for years so have found some pretty unique and fun things to do. Sheffield is full of hidden gems, as well as outright awesome things to do that everyone knows too! This blog is a mix up of both.
We know this has been a rough year and with international travel still being touch and go, we wanted to make time to inspire and equip you to have great days out in Sheffield! Whether you’re from Sheffield and looking for Sheffield attractions for a great day out with the family, or whether you’re planning a staycation in Sheffield and want to find the best places to visit, we have picked out all the very best things for you to do with your family!
ooo and if you are exploring Yorkshire at large with your family, you will definitely want to check out our blog full of lesser known but super fun holiday ideas for families in Yorkshire. Since spending more time in Yorkshire we are surprised by how many fun and unique things there are to do with families in the area.
Also, don’t miss these AMAZING day trips from Sheffield
1. Free Sheffield city bouldering spots
From local parks and greens to churchyards and cemeteries, there are free bouldering spots all across Sheffield city! Sheffield has earned its reputation as the UK’s number one city for climbing, so if you are looking for fun things to do in Sheffield with kids, climbing is a must. In addition to some of the best indoor climbing centres, Sheffield loves climbing so much, there are now spots all over the city where the local council and local groups have sponsored the building of giant artificial boulders that you can climb for free all over Sheffield City. If you are the adventurous climbing type, then I’m guessing you are partial to a good cave too, so you will probably love these 12 Epic caves in Yorkshire and the Peak District too.
2. Cuppa with a cat
If you love feline friends, you will love Tabby Teas. This delightful and endearing cafe is a wonderful place to be. It is beautifully designed, one of the most stylish cat cafes we’ve ever seen. It is fun and comfortable for both cats and customers. I have to admit that my favourite things about it is that they actually serve great drinks, cakes and cookies. Often, themed place rely purely on the novelty of their cafe, Tabby Teas proudly do everything to a high standard. If you are looking for fun things to do in Sheffield with kids, make sure this is at the top of your list. To ensure a safe calm environment for the cats however they ask that only children 10 and older visit.
3. Trampoline at Jump Inc
Jump, bounce, spring and tumble your way through and over trampolines and foam pits. Jump inc has so many great deals for families. If you have toddlers they do a bargain toddler session in the morning; £5 for one toddler and two adults for upto 2 hours. If you have older kids they do after school and weekend sessions too.
4. Cutlery Works food hall
All the best foods under one roof! The cutlery works have a culture of creative cuisine that is worth paying a bit extra for. We really enjoyed it with kids too, there was a lot of options that they could enjoy. Not in a gimmicky kids way, but just tasty and varied, something for everyone in the family kind of way. The place has an industrious aesthetic that just feels cool when you walk in! Everywhere you look you are spoiled for choice with creative food ideas and delicious drinks too. Serving everything from Canadian poutine to Japanese Sushi, it is a fun and exciting place for all you foodies. Being so creative definitely helps it earn its spot on the list of most fun things to do in Sheffield!
5. Rother valley inflatable aqua park
For all you big kids out there, this is EPIC! If you have older kids and want to do something exciting with them, this is perfect. Rother valley actually has its own inflatable aqua park! You can book in teams and it only costs £15 per person, for such a crazy cool experience, this is impressively cheap! If you are looking for active fun things to do in Sheffield this summer, this is the winner! Unless you are a hardened wild swimmer, summer is also possibly the only time you would want to do this activity. There is so much more to do at Rother valley that you may want to stay close by and make it into a weekend getaway.
6. Sleep on a barge
One of the most exciting and unusual things you can do in Sheffield is sleep on a barge! It is a unique experience and very easy to arrange. Up to 6 people can stay in this unique accommodation and for a little extra you can even have a traditional breakfast whilst gently bobbing up and down on Victoria keys. There is something very soothing about staying in a barge. This particular Boat Hotel books up quickly so get it booked if you know your dates. It is docked in Victoria Quays, a great base for exploring Sheffield. We had a toddler when we stayed, so we were of course very cautious, but if you are looking for unique fun things to do in Sheffield with kids, this is a win!
7. Sheffield city hall for kids
From banquets to balls, to amazing live theatre and music concerts, it is always worth checking out what there is to do at Sheffield City Hall. The thing I only discovered more recently is that they regularly host kids entertainment. It is such a unique environment to enjoy with kids, not often you do something more classy with kids.
The location is great too, it is central and within very close walking distance of some of the best restaurants and bars in Sheffield. A performance here followed by a family meal out on a balmy summer evening is all kinds of perfect! The summer line up really picks up, so make sure you follow them to keep on top of the most fun things to do in Sheffield with kids.
8. Cocoa wonderland
Cocoa wonderland is truly one of the most wonderful little places to treat yourself when enjoying a day out in Sheffield. Brimming with beauty, character and tasty treats it’s always exciting to pop in and see what is new. It’s magical seeing the local Sheffield chocolatier at work and even more magical tasting the work! Of course chocolate treats are available all year round, but summer is especially wonderfully for rich ice creams and refreshing drinks. If you have never seen chocolate being made and are looking for fun things to do in Sheffield with kids add this to your list. It is fascinating and super exciting for big and little kids.
9. Learn to climb
The great thing about climbing is that you can get involved at any level, you can just do it as a one off for fun as a day out or get serious and make it a full on life long love. The Climbing Works has to be the best place for families. You don’t need to worry about learning about ropes, you can just free climb and the crash mat is always there if you need it. Many claim that The Climbing Works is the WORLD’s best climbing wall, yep right here in Sheffield, hence why it’s making the cut for best and most fun things to do in Sheffield this summer. They have something for pretty much every age, definitely worth checking out if you want active fun things to do in Sheffield with kids.
10. Botanical gardens glass pavilion and bear pit
There is so much more to botanical gardens than first meets the eye. Having toddlers we have wandered around here a lot. The Botanical gardens of Sheffield, just off Ecclesall road are of course beautiful to walk through, but many miss out on the best of what these very special Victorian gardens have to offer. There are many gardens within the gardens, most of which are labelled up so you can get your geek on and learn lots of fancy plant names.
There is a traditional victorian bear pit tucked away in one of the gardens, pretty interesting, though a little creepy. The most amazing feature by far making it very special and worth including in our list of fun things to do in Sheffield is the Glass Pavilion at the top of the gardens, so make sure you explore the full gardens. Botanical gardens is the perfect place to explore with kids, dip down onto Ecclesall Road to grab a picnic and great fresh coffee then return to the gardens to relax on a sunny afternoon.
Botanical gardens often host events too, so make sure you keep an eye on their notice board on the way in and out.
11. Bounce around at Airhaus
Another bounce happy place for little kids and big kids alike. Like Jump Inc, they offer a great £5 toddler session in the mornings. It is quite a bit more in the afternoon and at the weekends, but still totally worth it. If you want active fun things to do in Sheffield with kids, this is one of the best!
12. Magna zip line and bungee jump
Magna is a super cool industrial museum that is great fun for all you science geeks out there; it’s definitely one of the top tourist attractions in Sheffield itself. If you are looking for fun things to do in Sheffield with kids you will be impressed with what they do! What many don’t know however is that you can bungee jump and zip line here too! The zip line runs 250ft across the museum, passing over a melting pot and the bungee jump is in the dark; so a crazy cool and different experience. Of Course this one is for older kids, but the museum and epic playground have fun things for kids of every age.
13. Summer festivals
There are some super fun and exciting festivals throughout the summer in Sheffield. Everything from small scale local park festivals such as Peace in the Park through to increasingly famous national music festivals like Tramlines. If you’re kids are getting a bit older and you want to experience some music together, this is perfect.
If you are looking for fun things to do in Sheffield with kids , the music and creatives scene is really growing, very exciting for teens and preteens, a greta quality intro to music! Tramlines is super unique as far as big name summer festivals go as it is spread out across the city. You have huge headliners like the Kooks and the Fratellis but all performing in smaller areas across the city, exploring the festival is an experience in itself. It is also the best value 3 day festival in the country! C’mon on Yorkshire! It sells out fast; all the latest is always on the Tramlines website.
14. Barter in the antiques quarter
Sheffield has a great Antiques Quarter based around the Abbydale Road area. It is a surprisingly fun thing to do with kids. Of course this depends on you kid, but kids seem to really love having a good look around.
It makes for a particularly great day out as there are also lots of tasty and creative bistros and coffee shops in the area too; makes for a family day very well spent. Watch out for the brown tourist attraction signs that mark the start and finish, but also note there are quite a few amazing little places just outside the area too. If you love finding hidden gems this might be one of the most fun things to do in Sheffield with kids.
15. Open air cinema
We LOVE open air cinemas and they have really taken off across the UK, which is awesome! Such a fun experience, the great news is that summer of the best open air cinemas are right here in Sheffield. Sheffield has both open air drive in cinemas and walk in open air cinemas. Eventbrite have a great lineup right now for their open air cinemas, lots feel good singalong classics to make for a great evening.
The Village Screen also organise beautiful open air cinema events, both drive through and sit down events. They have some of the most unique and beautiful settings for their cinema viewings in the UK; everything from woodlands to hotel gardens to caverns. This has to be top of your list for fun things to do in Sheffield this summer. Depending on the age of your children, you should be able to find something fun to watch together.
16. The paternoster lift
The rare and wonderful Paternoster lift is located in the Sheffield University arts block. It is a lift that runs in continuous motion and you have to jump on and off as it is moving. This is another one to only really visit with older children, both for safety and for them to really grasp how unique it is to Sheffield. These are considered so dangerous in Europe they are completely banned and there are only 2 working lifts in England, one of which is right here in Sheffield.
Although scary, they are fascinating and we thought they were a lot of fun. The sweet thing about it is they let you walk in, see them and even ride on them for free, please just be mindful that it is people’s work space. Please also be mindful that they are crazy dangerous and add them to your list of fun things to do in Sheffield at your own risk!
17. Longshaw Estate walk and Ice cream
Ok, so technically this is just outside of Sheffield, but it is so close, it is worth including. If you don’t mind a short drive out, you quickly find yourself somewhere very beautiful. There are two beautiful perfect family walks for young families. There is a great walk from Padley Gorge to Grindleford Station cafe and of course the classic Longshaw Estate walk. Longshaw Estate great at every age, very accessible. They have a carpark that leads straight onto the walk and a cute cafe to grab an ice cream and relax after your walk. There are a few things to know before you do this one, so if you think you might go, check out our guide to a great walk around Longshaw Estate with kids. (COMING SOON)
18. Wild swim
If you are craving a wild swim there are so many amazing spots in and around Sheffield. If you want to stay fairly close to the city, Rivlin valley, the Abbeydale Hamlet, lots of points on the River Derwent and Lady Bower are all great spots for a fun wild swim. Wild swimming has really taken off in England in recent years and if you are new to it it’s best to make sure you’re doing it safely.
There is a great group on Facebook you can join to meet other wild swim loving Sheffielders. If you are wanting to find more adventurous and fun things to do in Sheffield, there are in fact quite a few groups you can join to get to know like minded people and be in the know with all the best things to do in Sheffield. Quite often they share if they are doing these things with their own children and how suitable it was. If you are looking for fun things to do in Sheffield with kids, these are some of the best communities you could join.
19. Galleries and museums with character
There are some great Museums and Galleries across Sheffield and pretty much all of them are set up well for kids to enjoy. Western Park has a lot of fun interactive exhibitions and it’s part of a beautiful park just on the outskirts of the city centre. If you are in Sheffield city centre, the Ruskin gallery joins onto the winter gardens which make for a beautiful and peaceful exploration. You can definitely add these to your list of fun things to do in Sheffield. Sheffield is also home to Graves gallery and Kelham Island museum too which great if you want to press into the local art and history.
Don’t miss our FULL GUIDE to the Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet
20. Chatsworth house and gardens
We Know it’s cheeky popping Chatsworth House in the list, as it is not actually in Sheffield, but it’s so close and such an awesome place to explore we just can’t help but include it. If you are looking for fun things to do in Sheffield with kids and don’t mind a little drive through stunning countryside to visit an Iconic stately home then definitely add this to your list of fun things to do in Sheffield this summer. Pack a picnic or indulge in the courtyard cafe when you get there, make a day of it. We have put together a guide on how to plan the perfect day at Chatsworth Farm with your kids. Although the house is beautiful, in the summer you can have a full day out just enjoying the gardens, farm and if you have little ones, an amazing adventure playground!
21. Swim, dive and canon ball
There are some great swimming pools in and around Sheffield. If you want to take your diving to the next level, Ponds Forge has a 10 meter diving board as well as lots of spring boards. The rules change quite regularly on usage so ring ahead of time to make sure you know what you can use when you get there. If you’re looking for a great fun swim with some slides, Ponds Forge is great but also check out Hillsborough Leisure Centre, this place is a lot of fun! There are lots of great pools around Sheffield but if you are looking for fun things to do in Sheffield, these centres definitely have the most exciting slides and pools. If you want to swim outside and don’t mind a little drive, Hathersage, just on the outskirts of Sheffield has a great outdoor pool.
22. Kelham Island
Exploring Kelham is one of the most interesting and fun things to do in Sheffield if you love history and ale. So, I guess this one is more of a sneaky one for the Adults. We included it because the history is pretty interesting and you are never too far from an innovative local bistro, stylish street art or a traditional pub. Kelham Island is also famous for the Museum, it is a nice place to spend the day, it also leads to a great walk along the river Don.
23. Dyson’s place
One of the newest must check out places in Sheffield is Dyson’s place in Sharrow Vale. If you blink you will miss the entrance of this trendy little nuck. So don’t blink! As you walk up into this beautiful courtyard you are greeted by an exciting array of places to eat, shop and pamper. Make sure you stop for a bowl of Vietnamese soup at the famous and colourful Nam Song. We took the boys to Nam song and they loved the lanterns, truly magical. Dyson’s place often hosts little markets and pop up eateries such as the pizza slice van, so make sure you follow them to keep your finger on the pulse; never miss the most fun things to do in Sheffield with kids!
24. Street art walking tour
There is some great street art spread out across the city of Sheffield. It’s a lot of fun spotting it as you explore. If you are looking for fun things to do in Sheffield with kids you could go on a walk tour down London road and head through the Wicker and around Kelham Island to see the best of it. There is a lot spread out across the city, but these are the main areas to explore, definitely the most photogenic.
25. Sheffield water gardens
A wise Sheffielder once said to me, “If Sheffield had a coast, one could be too content”. What Sheffield lacks in coast it makes up for in water parks and events. In the summer, both Millhouses and Rivlin valley have purpose built water gardens. Most years the town centre gets its own inland beach and fairground next to the water fountains. Another super cool fun thing is when they set up a giant slip and slide. There is a 1000ft slip and slide that tours the country, so watch out for when it hits Sheffield. It really is one of the most fun things to do in Sheffield with kids, small and BIG kids alike!
26. Sheffield city green hikes
The peak district is of course famous for amazing hikes, but did you know the city is too. There are some iconic routes through the city of Sheffield that take you almost solely through forest and woodland paths despite all being in the city. When you do these hikes it becomes clear why Sheffield has such a good and growing reputation as a green city. Finding fun things to do in Sheffield with kids that are green is such a win! It is really quite impressive just how much green space there is and how much it links up. Another fun thing about these hikes is if you do fancy going off route you can pop into little cafes and coffee shops for a cheeky break. If you are up for some bigger walks with your family, make sure you check out the very best family walks in The Peak District.
28. Emergency service Museum
Down towards the Wicker you will find the cutest interactive museum. It actually used to be the old fire station. Now it is a friendly museum that teaches your kids about the emergency services. The best part though is when they let you go in the fire engine! Win!
29. The House Skatepark
If they are brave enough to get on a skateboard, this place is awesome! It has a really great atmosphere and is great fun for kids who have a lot of energy to burn. You can turn up and skate or even book a lesson. Whether it is our first time skating or you want to learn some new tricks, the lessons are great. As far as active fun things to do in Sheffield with kids, this is fab.
30. Quasar laser tag
Super fun for all the family, especially if you are competitive! To be honest, if you’re not competitive, there is something about laser tag that brings it out in you. You could team up with another family to make it extra fun.
31. Rock up meadowhall indoor
This is pretty new to Sheffield and totally worth checking out. It is one of those creative and interactive climbing experiences where there is something unique and different everywhere you look. Even if you’re kids haven’t done climbing before, there should be something they can do here. One of the most unique and super fun things to do in Sheffield with kids. Make sure you book ahead with this one during peak times as it does get busy.
31. Abbeydale miniature railway
Our kids LOVED it here, such a cute and quirky day out. Just past millhouses park as you are heading out of Sheffield you turn right into the woods and this beautiful place opens up before you. They have minute steam engines just the right size for adults and children to sit on as they take you round the track. It’s certainly aimed at younger children, but so much fun. They are not constantly open, they have a timetable that they keep updated with their latest news and timing though. They only charge £2 per ride, it really makes for a lovely day out with the kids.
Don’t miss our full guide on the Abbeydale miniature railway
This little gem is great for bringing out your children’s creative side. It is up on woodseats road and there is always something fun going there. They specialise in ceramics, great for little budding artists.
33. Ecclesall woods discovery centre
Ecclesall woods has a great Discovery Centre and often hosts classes and events for families who want to get into the woods more. Ecclesall woods is beautiful in every season. It is also way bigger than most people realise, so if you’re new to exploring it, the discovery centre is a great place to start. If you want to stay in the know with nature based fun things to do in Sheffield with kids, they have a facebook page they update regularly.
AND don’t miss these amazing Ecclesall Woods walks starting from the Discovery Centre
34.The Treehouse Board Game Cafe
This is one of the coolest places to visit if you want family time with older kids. They have a huge range of board games all set in a great cafe. It is the kind of place where you can have a great laugh as you bond over board game politics. The setting is pretty hipster, so your older kids may even think you’re cool for taking them there. – No guarantees though!
