Summer Holiday Activities in Blyth: The Complete Guide for Families

Six weeks of summer holidays stretch ahead and you need a plan. Blyth has a beach on its doorstep, a brilliant riverside park, a leisure centre packed with activities, and easy access to the Northumberland countryside. Here is your complete guide to keeping children entertained from mid-July to early September.

Holiday Camps and Clubs

Blyth Sports Centre on Bolam Avenue runs holiday activity programmes for children during the summer, with a mix of team games, swimming, arts and crafts, and more. Their experienced team delivers a wide range of activities designed to keep children active and entertained.

Blyth Town Council organises summer activity programmes throughout the holidays, including sports sessions and kids' taster events. In recent years these have included golf taster sessions at Blyth Golf Club for children aged 8 and over.

Check Active Northumberland for additional holiday programmes at venues across the county.

Best for: Holiday camps fill up quickly. Book early, particularly for the first and last weeks of the holidays.

Beach and Outdoor Activities

Blyth Beach is the obvious starting point -- a long stretch of sand with the colourful beach huts of South Beach, views of the offshore wind farm, and space for cricket, football, and sandcastle building. See our summer beach guide for everything you need to know about making the most of a day on the sand.

Ridley Park is Blyth's main park, with two large enclosed playgrounds and a water play area that operates in summer. There is a cafe and toilets on site, making it a self-contained day out for younger children.

The Quayside and marina area is perfect for a stroll, with views across the harbour and the River Blyth. For longer walks, our walks guide has routes along the coast and into the surrounding countryside.

Best for: See our full guides to playgrounds, walks, and free things to do in Blyth.

Swimming

Blyth Sports Centre has a 33-metre pool with a moveable floor, a learner pool, and diving facilities. Family swim sessions run throughout the holidays, and holiday intensive swimming courses help children progress between lesson stages. The centre also has a three-storey beach-themed soft play area for children up to 10 years old.

See our full swimming guide for all the options.

The Summer Reading Challenge

Northumberland 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 along the way. It is completely free.

Blyth Library on Bridge Street runs free holiday activities alongside the reading challenge, including craft sessions and story time.

Day Trips Within Easy Reach

Blyth is well placed for day trips along the Northumberland coast and into the countryside.

Whitehouse Farm near Morpeth has animal encounters (including meerkats and lemurs), bird of prey displays, a toboggan slide, trampolines, go-karts, and soft play. Northumberland Zoo near Felton has over 80 species, daily feeding talks, and an adventure playground.

Druridge Bay Country Park is about 15 minutes north and has a lake, sandy beach, and nature trails -- free to visit and great for a summer picnic. The beaches at Cresswell and Newbiggin-by-the-Sea are also within easy reach.

Heading south, Whitley Bay and its attractions are a short drive or bus ride away, and the new Northumberland Line train service connects Blyth to Newcastle.

Rainy Day Backup

When the weather turns, our rainy day guide covers soft play, swimming, the leisure centre, the library, and indoor activities without leaving Blyth.

Summer Events

Specific summer events -- from the Blyth Live music festival to fireworks on the beach and family fun days -- will be listed on our events calendar as dates are confirmed. Keep checking back throughout the summer for the latest listings.