Things to do with kids in Sheffield

23 family-friendly places in Sheffield: zoos, aquariums, playgrounds and more.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Do
A&G Passenger Boats
Take a heritage cruise down the Sheffield and Tinsley Canal on board the LB Hardfleet. The less expensive trips go as far as Don Valley Stadium, while the more expensive ones run out to Tinsley Locks on the outskirts of Rotherham. Turn-up-and-go is possible, though booking is recommended. Santa specials run on select dates in December.
Jul–Aug; during school holidays at other times of the yearAdults £8.95–10.95, children £6.95–8.95, over 60s £7.95–9.95, family (2 adults & 2 children) £25-31
Buy
Atkinson's
Sheffield's very own independent and idiosyncratic family department store has been on the Moor since 1872, although the original building was destroyed in the Blitz of 1940. It sells home items including furniture and kitchen gear, as well as fashion, cosmetics and fragrances. Atkinson's is also home to its own restaurant, an Italian coffee shop and a tea room.
Mon–Fri 9AM–5:30PM, Sat 9AM–6PM, Sun 10:30AM–4:30PM
Do
Awesome Walls
Over 300 climbing routes, two bouldering areas, and a space-themed kids' zone.
Mon–Fri 10AM–10PM, Sat–Sun 10AM–8PMAdults £8, concessions £7, bouldering only £6.50. Other prices vary, see website
Eat
BB's
A long standing favourite of families and students in Sheffield's city centre. A small family run business that does decent Italian food and is reasonably priced. Bring your own beer and wine.
Do
Birley Wood Golf Club
Large course on the plateau of a hill; there are views over the city. Accessible to beginners and children, while still being quite challenging. Golf buggies available to hire. There is a pub just off-site.
Daily 7AM–3:30PM
See
Endcliffe Park
A great city park with lots of amenities and a good amount of space; there's woodland, playing fields, a children's playground, café and even a small river, the Porter Brook, running through. Also to be seen is a large statue of Queen Victoria, sculpted in 1887 to mark the monarch's golden jubilee, and a memorial stone for the United States Air Force B-17 Flying Fortress which crashed in the park on 22 February 1944 with the loss of all ten crew. Around the stone is planted a grove of American oaks in remembrance. The Porter Brook can be followed out of the park, through more attractive woodland and past the Shepherd's Wheel to the edge of the Peak District in less than hour's walking.
Free
See
Graves Park and Animal Farm
This 92-hectare park, the largest in Sheffield, has a variety of amenities, from sports fields, to playgrounds, woodland and a café. The main draw to visitors is the rare breeds farm, in the north east corner of the park close to Hemsworth Rd. Donkeys, pigs, deer and alpacas are the stars, but there are plenty of smaller animals to keep your kids happy for hours.
Park open daily dawn until dusk. Farm open daily 9AM-3:30PMPark and farm free
Buy
James Hadley Fine Diamonds
Family-run jewellers, specialists in diamonds, though they also work with other precious stones, silver and watches.
Mon–Sat 9AM–5PM
Buy
Meadowhall
One of the largest indoor shopping centres in the country, with 280 high-end and chain stores receiving over 30 million visitors every year. Given its size and pre-eminent status in the region, the centre is always busy and often crowded, and it gets positively manic before Christmas. Indeed, many Sheffielders refer to it as "Meadowhell". It is certainly a less pleasant environment than the city centre, but has a more complete retail experience. Anchor stores are Debenhams, House of Fraser, Marks & Spencer, Primark and USC. Meadowhall has the only Sheffield presence of several brands including Apple, Disney Store, French Connection, Hollister, Lacoste, Superdry and Victoria's Secret. A zone called The Lanes is dedicated to independent and unique shops. The Oasis Dining Quarter is a very large food court offering a range of cuisines with mainly chain restaurants and fast food outlets. Also inside is a ten-screen cinema (see above) plus indoor and outdoor play areas for young children.
Shops: Mon–Fri 9AM–10PM, Sat 9AM–8PM, Sun 11AM–5PM, food court: Mon–Sat 9AM–11PM, Sun 10AM–9PM. Opening hours vary around Christmas
Do
Montgomery Theatre
Methodist-run theatre which shows productions aimed at families and younger audiences. Not everything has a religious angle, but some shows obviously do.
See
National Emergency Services Museum
The world's largest collection of vehicles, uniforms and memorabilia from the police force, fire brigade and ambulance service.
Wed–Sun, bank holidays 10AM–4PM. Also open Mon and Tue during school holidaysAdults £8; children 3–15 years old £6; children under 3 years old free; families £22; concessions £7; 999 staff: free
See
National Videogame Museum
This collection moved from Nottingham at the end of 2018, so is still establishing itself. If you want to play nostalgic games for hours on end, you will adore this place, but if you're looking for any narrative, information, or context, you might find the place lacking. If you go there thinking of it has a retro games arcade rather than a museum, you won't be disappointed.
School term time: Fri noon-5PM, Sat Sun 10AM-5PM; school holidays: daily 10AM-5PM, "late night": 2nd or 3rd Fri of month noon-7PMAdults £14, children/concessions: £11, under 5s/carers: free
Do
Ponds Forge International Sports Centre
A huge gymnasium and swimming centre with Olympic-sized pool, diving pool and fun pool with waves, flumes and lazy river. Regular age, disability and autism-friendly sessions available.
Mon–Fri: 6:30AM–10:30PM; Sat, Sun: 8AM–8PMLane/leisure swimming: £7.55 for adults, £4.05 for children. Gym: £9.70, adults only
Do
Rivelin Valley Nature Trail
4 mi, shorter circular walks at either end possible. Where the city meets the Peak District. Walk alongside the rushing waters of the river Rivelin, passing numerous old water mills, mill ponds and other scenic spots. This popular conservation area is home to a great deal of wildlife. Several well-maintained footpaths and bridleways make this an excellent choice for families, with very easy walking routes. The energetic may muster themselves to climb the very steep path all the way to on Redmires Road - the regular number 51 will take you back into town.
See
Sheffield Manor Lodge
The ruins of a Tudor manor house, which was the home of the 6th Earl of Shrewsbury. During the 1570s and 1580s, the house served as Mary Queen of Scots' luxurious prison. The 1940s Manor Cottages offer an immersive and interactive wartime experience. Meet a variety of farmyard animals at Manor Oaks farm. Costumed historical characters associated with the area, the giant sandpit and lavender labyrinth should all appeal to kids, while extensive wildflower meadows and on-site café complete the visit.
Park open daily dawn–dusk. Manor Farm: Mon–Sat 9:30AM–4PM; Tudor ruins and discovery centre: Fri 10:30AM–2:30PM, and during school holidays Tue–Fri 10:30AM–2:30PM. Weekend opening: Mar–Nov, third weekend of the month (Sat and Sun; verify dates on website) 11AM–4PM, with guided tours and visits to the Turret house throughout the day; Manor Cottages: Mar–Nov third Sun of the month (same dates as above) 11AM–4PMManor Oaks Farm: free; Tudor ruins, Turret house and discovery centre: adult visit £3, guided tour £2, children free; Manor Cottages: adults £1, children free
Do
Sheffield Sharks
basketball
Mens' team that plays in the British Basketball League (national/top tier). They are the second most successful UK basketball team of all time.
Adults £14, concessions £11, family (2 adults + 2 children) £10 p.p
Do
Sheffield Steelers
ice hockey
An ice hockey team that play in the Elite Ice Hockey League, which is the top tier for the sport in the UK. There is a strong family ethos within the club, and the match atmosphere is rather Americanised, in great contrast to what you would find at local football.
£6-17
Do
Sheffield Tigers
speedway motorbike racing
The team competes in the Speedway Great Britain Premiership, which is the first tier of the sport in the United Kingdom.
Meetings normally take place on Thu eveningsAdults £15; over 65s £12 with ID; teens aged 12-17 £5; children aged 5-12 £1; under 3s free
Buy
Sinclairs of Sheffield
Long-established family-run luxury clothing, fashion accessories and leather goods shop.
Mon–Sat 10AM–5PM
Do
The Foundry Climbing Centre
One of the UK's oldest indoor climbing centres, still highly regarded by climbers. Variety of routes, different 'rock' surfaces, and a kids' circuit.
Mon–Fri 10AM–10PM; Sat, Sun 10AM–6PM (until 8PM Oct–Apr)Without instructor (experienced climbers only): adults £7.50, concessions £6.50, under 16s £4.50, under 7s £4. Beginner climbers must take an instructed session, for which prices vary. As a guideline, the adults' intro to climbing costs £16 for 2 hr, and the sessions for children cost £12 for 2 hr
See
Weston Park Museum
A pleasant and modern museum, particularly suitable for children, in a fittingly grand old building. Galleries on Sheffield's natural and social history as well as the Arctic, art and treasures. The temporary gallery often hosts touring exhibitions from the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Mon-Fri 4PM, Sat & Bank Holidays 10AM-5PM, Sun 11AM-4PMFree
Do Not mapped
Christmas Market
14 November - 24 December 2018
Held at Fargate and the Peace Gardens from mid-November until Christmas Eve. 50 traditional wooden cabins offering many gifts and treats including hand-made craft and seasonal food and drink. Come after dark and see the lights, have a go on the traditional rides, and bring your kids to meet the actual Father Christmas.
Do Not mapped
Yorkshire Cosplay Con
2-3 June 2018
Held at the (Supertram: Arena) is this family-friendly costume convention, with star meets, stage events and loads of activities and games. Go as your favourite character from anime, sci-fi, fantasy, comic books or video games, or just turn up in your civvies and admire the hard work of everyone else!

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Sheffield (CC BY-SA 4.0).