Six child-friendly ideas for a weekend in NewcastleGateshead

After a week of work and school, you and your family will be ready for the weekend. You check your calendar, and the Saturday and Sunday is empty. Not wanting to have the children bored over the weekend, you need to fill it with lots of fun activities to do with the kids.

With so much to do in Newcastle you might not know what is open on the weekend. Here is our helpful guide with eight child-friendly ideas for a weekend in Newcastle.

There’s always plenty to see and do at the Life Science Centre, with exhibitions and interactive activities for the whole family to enjoy. Discover a range of hands-on experiences, live shows and exciting activities throughout the centre. Marvel at Gaia, a stunning glowing replica of planet Earth, or explore the Play Zone designed especially for under-sevens. Step into The Great Dinosaur Escape and come face-to-face with a three-tonne T-Rex, a baby Stegosaurus and many more prehistoric creatures as you follow the trail around the centre and track down the dinosaur escapees.

Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art has a packed programme of family-friendly activities and exhibitions to explore. From Wednesday to Sunday, you can join the Exhibition Spotlight Tour for a closer look at the gallery’s current displays and the stories behind them. Families with younger children can also enjoy the weekly Play and Learn sessions every Wednesday, where under 5s are encouraged to discover, create and explore through imaginative, self-led play.

Treat the little ones to a day out at Metrocentre, home to more than 300 popular high street stores spread across five colourful malls. Alongside the huge range of shops, there are plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained too. Enjoy a few rounds at Treetop Golf, test your nerve at Clip 'n Climb or catch the latest blockbuster at ODEON Luxe. Families can also get competitive at Namco Funscape, featuring ten-pin bowling, arcade games and more and at Activate one minute you could be climbing walls or racing against the clock, the next you’re solving puzzles or trying to avoid laser beams with your team. Younger visitors can even join Peppa Pig and friends at the Peppa Pig Surprise Party experience.

Upon your free entry to Discovery Museum, you will come face to face with Turbinia - a 34 metre steam powered ship that was once the fastest ship in the world and an iconic part of the history of Tyneside. From there you will sail away on a journey into the history of Newcastle’s maritime, scientific and technological importance.

Get your teeth into the words and pictures of the collections of books that Seven Stories hold. They are the National Centre for Children’s Books - the only place in Britain dedicated to celebrating, sharing, and protecting our rich literary heritage for children. You can now enjoy the bookshop and immerse yourself in their free exhibition on Level 4 which explores the seven story plots and showcases some amazing items from their Collection including Enid Blyton's typewriter, Gruffalo illustrations and Mog the Forgetful Cat stories.

Get a behind the scenes tour of The Toon as Newcastle United open up St James’ Park. Book the classic tour that captures the rich history of the club. Feel like part of the team as you walk down the tunnel and sit in your favourite player’s seat in the home dressing room. You will also be taken to one of the highest points of the stadium where you will hear the roar of the crowd as you are led out to the Magpie’s view of St. James’ Park.