We are SO lucky to live in the north east of Scotland with a wide range of events and activities on our door step. Northwood North East is a Independently run business, with plenty of parents in our team – and 24 kids amongst us! We did a quick whip around of our favourite places to visit and we’ve compiled a great range of activities to suit all budgets and interests.
Transport 🚗
A bus trip – this can be a huge novelty for little kids! Whether you go for a 10 minute ride around the block or onwards to a destination, the excitement is real – especially if it’s a double decker!
The Grampian Transport Museum – 25 miles from Aberdeen in Alford, the award-winning museum boasts an impressive range of transport exhibits, from travelling chariots of the 1800’s to some of the fastest cars ever made.
Caledonian Railway’s Easter Eggspress – The Easter Eggspress departs the Caledonian Railway this Easter Weekend! All paying passengers will receive an Easter treat from one of their friendly volunteers whilst on board the train.
Castles 🏰
With great adventure play areas, acres of woodland to explore in and centuries of history to learn about, the castles on our doorstep make a great day out.
Feeding the ducks at Haddo (Ellon) or visiting Castle Fraser (Inverurie) to stand before one of the oldest tower houses in Scotland? Spotting the ghost of the Green Lady at Crathes (Banchory), or witnessing the grisly death mask of a hanged murdered on display at Fyvie Castle (Turriff)? Running through the willow tunnel and burning off energy in the Drum Castle playground (Drumoak)? It’s all here! Why not bring a picnic to save pennies, or tuck into a tasty treat at the onsite cafés.
Check out their websites for Easter fun this holiday!
For little ones with big imaginations, castle ruins tell an iconic story. Visit Dunnoattor Castle or Slains Castle for some seriously epic scenes. Or visit the real deal, and take a trip to Balmoral.
Animals 🐮
If your wee ones are baa-rmy for animals, they’re in for a treat.
VSA Easter Anguston, Peterculter: with CUP Café and a self-guided Stick Man activity trail, there’s a great range of petting animals, farm animals and an aviary too!
Farm Stop, Portlethen: for a truly hands-on experience, visit the animals at Farm Stop. Sheep, cows, goats, pigs, ducks, donkeys, alpacas – and you can cuddle the lot!
Dolphin spotting: did you know, Aberdeen is one of the best places in Europe to see bottlenose dolphins? Head up to the Torry Battery for panoramic views of the harbour and North Sea.
Macduff Marine Aquarium: perfect for Nemo or Octonaut enthusiasts, meet all kinds of sea creatures that live in the Moray Firth, Scotland’s largest bay.
Soft play and indoor activities ☔️
Rainy days are fun, but sometimes just need to get out of the house. If you know, you know. So, if your little angels need to burn off some energy, let them lose in one of the amazing (indoor!) soft plays:
Wynford Farm, Kingswells: a huge softplay frame with climbing areas galore as well as a hi-rise mini football pitch, there’s also a separate toddler area and an adjoining role play village.
Hoodles, Oldmeldrum: a fabulous playbarn with a fun farm theme, kids can fly down the three-lane slide and little ones will love the toddler area. We can’t forget about the seriously good café!
Smugglers Cove, Codona’s, Aberdeen: with a pirate theme, there’s a huge indoor adventure play area packed with chutes, tunnels and climbing area. There’s a designated baby and toddler section and also a role play area!
Den & The Glen, Maryculter: the Den boasts all a massive soft play area with a climbing wall tower, four lane slide, giant ball and sports arena.
Scallywags, Stonehaven: calling all pirates! Little scallywags can run wild in the big play frame and let their imagination take them on an exciting adventure!
Brewers Fayre Mains of Balquharn: burn off energy at the Cadbury’s Easter Egg Hunt for the little ones – and indoor play area – then tuck into tasty food that the whole family will love!
Play Town, Inverurie: a cosy set up featuring a scaled down version of the town where imaginations can run wild as they play-pretend life as a shopkeeper, vet, builder or one of the emergency services.
Aberdeen Science Centre: unleash your kids curiosity as they learn fun facts, without evening noticing!
For more activities, check out the Cineworld and Vue cinemas, ten-pin bowling, ice skating or your local swimming pool in Aberdeen or Aberdeenshire!
Outdoor fun ☀️
Nothing makes us prouder to live in the north east than when the sun shines! We’re fortunate enough to have countryside and coastlines within our reach, and so much to explore.
Den & The Glen, Maryculter: kids of the 80s and 90s, relive your youth and take your kids to join in the magical world of make-believe amidst 28 acres of fun!
Wynford, Kingswells: feed the farm animals, say “HELLO” to Bailey the Cockatoo and explore the twisty river, clamber on real old farm tractors, dig in the sandpit, jump on the bouncing pillows and explore the Enchanted Forest for a day of fun.
Smugglers Cove, Aberdeen: connected by walkways, there are three giant tree huts that never fail to impress kids (and adults!). You can also have fun in the dodgems, mini golf and carnival rides outside.
We’re spoiled for choice with parks in our Aberdeenshire towns and villages, and especially like Duthie Park, Hazelhead park (with Pets Corner!) and Stonehaven’s Queen Elizabeth play and skate park.
Beaches 🌊
We couldn’t write a feature about the things to do without mentioning the beaches! Aberdeen, Balmedie, Newburgh, Stonehaven – just to name a few – are so inviting with their golden sands and crashing waves. Whether you go for a dook or stay firmly on the sand, you’re a guaranteed fun family day out. Explore today.
Ice cream 🍦
Come for the granite, stay for the ice cream. Aberdeen city and shire are bustling with amazing ice cream and sorbet stops!
Aberdeen beach: stroll the promenade and take your pick of flavours. Scoop or whippy?
Forest Farm, Kinellar: home to a small herd of happy free range cows, taste the fresh and delicious flavours of their homemade gelato and traybakes (coffee, eggs, cheeses and breads too!)
Mackie’s 19.2, Aberdeen: nestled in Marischal Square, choose from over 20 flavours of ice cream and enjoy in a tub, cone, sundae, milkshake or with freshly made crepes and waffles!
Aunt Betty’s, Stonehaven: classic, chocolatey or fruity – and everything in between! Even your dog will enjoy a trip to Aunt Betty’s with their special treat for pups.
Portsoy Ice Cream, Portsoy: tuck into artisan ice cream made in small batches using the best, local ingredients.
There are loads more fantastic sites, trips and activities but we hope this gives you some inspiration to enjoy amazing Aberdeen and the impressive Aberdeenshire. We’d love to hear what you get up to!
If you’re looking to settle down in the north east, upsize your family home or let out your property, Laura, Matt and the award-winning team will help you sell or let with ease. Contact us today for friendly, expert advice.
Aberdeen: 01224 218450 | Inverurie: 01467 530591
Aberdeen: aberdeen@northwooduk.com | Inverurie: aberdeenshire@northwooduk.com
207-211 Rosemount Place, Aberdeen, AB25 2XS | 23 West High Street, Inverurie, AB51 3SA
