If you’re looking for fun free and cheap things to do on the Yorkshire coast this February half-term then look no further. 

There is plenty for all the family in Scarborough, Whitby, Filey and our wonderful villages for you and your loved ones to explore and enjoy. 

Here’s just a few ideas to set you on your way:

1. Discover the Dinosaur Coast

North Yorkshire's coastline is also known as the Dinosaur Coast due to the sheer number of fossils found across the region. If your youngsters are dino-mad then you can head to the Rotunda Museum in Scarborough to dinosaur bones and teeth discovered right on our door step. It also has a huge collection of fossils, displays and kids’ trails to take in. It costs just £3 per adult for an annual pass with children going free! Pannett Park in Whitby also boast a Jurassic garden and fantastic play area for kids, with the park also home to its own art gallery and museum.

2. Love Exploring

The Love Exploring app is a free fun way to encourage families to be active together and inspire people of all ages to explore their local parks and discover some of Whitby, Scarborough and Filey’s cultural treasures. The app uses the magic of augmented reality to bring to life amazing sights on a smartphone – opening up a magical world of things to do. As well as the Dinosaur safaris, the Love Exploring app includes some of Yorkshire coast’s well-loved adventure trails showcasing many of our destination highlights. There are plenty of adventure trails to discover, including Peasholm Park in Scarborough and Whitby’s old town.

3. Beaches and crabbing

From Whitby to Scarborough, Sandsend to Cayton, Filey to Staithes there are beaches and coastline to suit every age of explorer. 
Why not take your little ones rock pooling along the shore, in the natural rick formations on the beaches they can see crabs, fish, frogs, sea anemones, starfish and maybe even the odd jellyfish. Many of the seaside retails sell buckets and nets at very low cost to help you get started.

Once you’ve got a taste for looking for crustaceans then why not indulge in one of those unique seaside traditions, crabbing. Head to Whitby, Scarborough or Filey harbour and dangle a bit of fishing line over the side, with a bit of bacon or meat tied on, into the water to see how many crabs you can get into your bucket.

 4. A walk through history

If there is one thing the Yorkshire coast has lots of it is history. The lives of Vikings, Romans, kings, giants of literature and beloved fictional characters can all be found on our coastline. There is a heritage walking trail that, via some fantastic wire sculptures, takes you on a tour of Whitby’s role as a major fishing port. Why there don’t forget to head up to St Mary’s Church, the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and Whitby Abbey via the 199 steps… try and keep up with the kids heading up there!

Scarborough Castle boasts 3,000 years of turbulent history. Before the castle was built, this natural fortress was favoured by prehistoric settlers before serving as a Roman signal station and Viking haven. This spectacular castle has also endured sieges from medieval kings and Civil War armies, and German naval bombardment during WWII. Today you can climb to the battlement viewing platforms for dramatic coastline views, and take tea in the 18th-century Master Gunner's House.