Family Activities in Sunderland: Days Out, Indoor Fun and Weekly Clubs

Sunderland has plenty for families who like being outdoors: there are two beaches, a string of Victorian parks and a country park within easy reach of most homes. For wet days there are pools, a climbing wall, a trampoline park and plenty of soft play. This guide is a starting point, grouping the main family options by type and pointing to our more detailed guides where we have them.

One change to note: Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens closed in August 2026 for a major refurbishment and is due to reopen in 2028, and the National Glass Centre closed permanently in July 2026. Neither is open to visitors at present.

The seafront

Roker and Seaburn are the city's two beaches, joined by a promenade that suits pushchairs and scooters. Roker has the pier and lighthouse, and Roker Park, opened in 1880, sits a short walk inland, with a bandstand, a model boating lake, play equipment and a wooded ravine that leads down to the beach. Seaburn has a wider promenade with cafes and play facilities. See our Roker and Seaburn seafront guide for parking and cafes.

At the harbour end of Roker, Adventure Sunderland, a charitable trust, runs kayaking, paddleboarding and other watersports for older children and teenagers.

Best for: Suits sunny days, beach walks with a dog and families who like fish and chips by the sea.

Parks and play areas

Mowbray Park, next to the city centre, is the oldest of the city's parks and has a play area and the Walrus sculpture, a nod to Lewis Carroll's links with the area. Barnes Park, to the west, has a lake and play areas. Our guides to parks and green spaces and playgrounds cover these and many more.

Best for: Suits a quick outing after school or a weekend picnic close to home.

Herrington Country Park and Penshaw Monument

Herrington Country Park was created on the site of the former Herrington Colliery, which worked from 1874 to 1985. It now has a lake, sculptures, an amphitheatre and a play area, with wide paths for bikes. It hosted BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in 2005 and again in 2026. On the hill above, Penshaw Monument is cared for by the National Trust, which runs Tours to the Top on weekends in spring and summer. Read more in our Penshaw and Herrington guide.

Best for: Suits a long day out with bikes, a picnic and a climb.

Wildlife at WWT Washington

The WWT Washington Wetland Centre on the north bank of the Wear has bird hides, woodland walks, adventure play areas and Asian short-clawed otters. It now opens on fewer days in the quieter months, so check its website before you travel.

Best for: Suits younger children who love animals, and anyone after a calm morning outdoors.

Castles, halls and heritage

Hylton Castle in Castletown dates from around 1400 and is run by Hylton Castle Trust with tours and a tearoom. Washington Old Hall, a National Trust property in Washington Village, was the home of George Washington's ancestors and has gardens to explore. Football fans can visit the Fans Museum in the old Monkwearmouth railway station, a volunteer-run collection of Sunderland AFC memorabilia; opening days vary, so check first. For a wider look at the city's past, see our history of Sunderland.

Best for: Suits school-age children with a project to research, or families who like a story with their day out.

Libraries and the Culture House

The Culture House on Keel Square opened in September 2026 and is now home to the City Library, with exhibition space and rooms used for events. It is open daily from 10am to 6pm. Libraries across the city take part in the Summer Reading Challenge each year.

Best for: Suits book lovers and anyone needing a warm, quiet hour in town.

Swimming, climbing and active days indoors

Sunderland Aquatic Centre beside the Stadium of Light has a 50-metre pool, a diving pool, soft play and, at weekends and in school holidays, the Atlantis inflatable for ages 8 and over. Sunderland Wall in Pallion has climbing classes for children from age 3. Super Tramp on Ferryboat Lane is a trampoline park with family bounce sessions, and the Silksworth Sports Complex and Ski Slope has a 160-metre dry slope used for skiing, snowboarding and tubing.

For more, see our guides to swimming, soft play and a rainy day in Sunderland.

Best for: Suits wet weekends and children with energy to burn.

Cinema

The Omniplex on Lambton Street runs Kids Club family films at weekends, plus sensory-friendly screenings for children who find a standard showing too loud or too dark.

Best for: Suits a rainy afternoon, and families with children who need a calmer screening.

Football

A first match at the Stadium of Light is a big day for many young fans; our match day guide explains tickets, travel and what to expect. Next door, the Foundation of Light runs football sessions, holiday courses and parties at the Beacon of Light.

Best for: Suits football families, from first match to weekly training.

Weekly clubs and groups

For regular activities, see our guides to after-school clubs, baby and toddler groups, and Rainbows, Brownies, Cubs and Scouts. For birthdays, our party venues guide covers the main options, and for the long break there is our summer holiday activities guide.

On a budget

Beaches, parks, playgrounds, libraries and many walks cost nothing. Our free things to do in Sunderland guide collects them in one place, and the events calendar lists what is on each weekend. You will find all our family content on the families hub.

Know a family favourite we have missed? Get in touch.