9 of the best family days out in South Yorkshire with a Max Card

If you haven’t got a Max Card, you should consider getting one. It gives families of foster children and children with additional needs free or discounted access to loads of attractions across the UK.

Families in South Yorkshire are well served when it comes to the number of attractions that accept the card, with savings at castles, bowling alleys, trampoline parks and more.

So if you’re in the area and looking for a family day out, here are 11 of the best family days out in South Yorkshire with a Max Card. The offers apply for up to two adults and two children unless specified. Check out Max Card’s website for more details.

1. Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet, Sheffield

Offer: FREE entry.

This eighteenth century industrial works was one of the largest water-powered sites on the River Sheaf. The main products of the works were agricultural scythes, but other edge tools were made too, such as grass hooks and hay knives.

Here you can see waterwheels, tilt hammers, a grinding hull and the only intact crucible steel furnace surviving in the world today.

2. Abbeydale Miniature Railway, Sheffield

Offer: 2 4 1 on railway tickets. Offer valid for the Max Card holder and everyone accompanying.

The Abbeydale Miniature Railway is open to the public on alternate Sundays from March until October. For the actual dates please refer to the timetable on the railway’s website.

There is a carriage which can carry a person in a wheelchair along with a carer or family member.

3. Cannon Hall Farm, Barnsley

Offer: 2 4 1 on admission

This award-winning farm is one of the best family days out in South Yorkshire. There are plenty of animals plus indoor and outdoor play areas to keep younger ones happy and there is a fabulous farm shop for the grown-ups too.

Visitors can place a bet on the sheep and ferret racing and learn how milk is produced during the goat and cow milking demonstrations. You will find a wide variety of animals from rare breeds of cows, pigs, donkeys, ponies, goats and sheep to more exotic species like llamas, alpacas and even reindeer.

The farmyard offers visitors a unique insight into modern farming. More than 2,000 animals are born here every year. Every day farming life, including tractor and machinery work carries on as you watch from purpose built viewing platforms above the animals.

4. Conisborough Castle, near Doncaster

Offer: FREE entry

This popular South Yorkshire attraction dates back to the 12th century. It played a major role in the Wars of the Roses and was once owned by Richard of York. Conisbrough Castle featured in Sir Walter Scott’s ‘Ivanhoe’, and with its many reminders of the golden age of knights in armour it makes a great value family day out near Doncaster.

5. Elsecar Heritage Railway, Barnsley

Offer: One child goes free per full paying adult. Max Card discount is only offered on Green timetable days. Check the website for details.

If your children love trains, like my two do, then this is the perfect family day out. The railway operates a passenger service that runs steam and diesel trains through beautiful countryside between Elsecar and Hemingfield.

The service runs on Sundays throughout the year. They also operate special day events and weekends throughout the year. The 25 minute, 3 mile journey, is on one mile of track.

6. Kelham Island Industrial Museum, Sheffield

Offer: FREE

The exhibition galleries are stacked full of objects and photographs to examine, watch moving, touch and listen to. There are also trails, colouring sheets and children’s books for younger visitors, as well as puzzles and activities on steelmaking and life at home.

7. Play Valley, Rotherham

Offer: 50% off entry (for card holder and siblings)

A soft play centre for children up to the age of 12 years. There is a dedicated play zone for babies and toddlers. It also includes a cafe, party rooms and plenty of parking.

Children can explore the “Play Valley” town which includes a fire station, where they can extinguish the flames using ball canons, or race their friends down the motorway themed racing slide. Bounce away bag fulls of energy on our trampoline or if chasing bad guys is more their thing, head to the police station. For the best views in town, head towards the clouds in the mountain summit area.

 8. Quasar Laser Zone, Sheffield

This is a great physical activity for the young and the young at heart. It includes a 5,000 sq ft themed indoor playing arena with lighting effects, smoke, sound effects and music. It also includes ZapZone, the only under 7’s laser adventure in South Yorkshire.

9. Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Doncaster

If you’re looking for family days out in South Yorkshire, Yorkshire Wildlife Park is one of the best. Home to some of the most amazing animals on the planet, from the only polar bears in England to majestic lions, tigers, black rhino and loads more.

Yorkshire Wildlife Park is great for kids, let your little monkeys swing about in Monkey playhouse, explore in our Forest Adventure play area or jump around in our Big Bug’s play area.

If you like these ideas, check out the other posts in my Max Card series:

8 FREE days out in West Yorkshire with a Max Card

7 FREE days out in North Yorkshire with a Max Card