Easter activities await at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) is inviting families to enjoy a programme of interactive activities taking place across its historic Pickering and Goathland stations this spring. With a scavenger hunt, hands-on engineering challenges, and storytelling sessions for young visitors, the heritage attraction is set to offer a memorable day out for all ages.

Running throughout the Easter holidays (28th March-12th April), the activities combine exploration, play, and learning, with events supporting the NYMR’s Bridge 42 Appeal. Activities include:

Easter Scavenger Hunt - 28th March-12th April

At Pickering and Goathland stations, little ones can search for colourful Easter egg boards that are hidden around the stations and unscramble the mystery letters to identify the missing word. Correct entries will be in with the chance to win an Easter egg. For those that solve each station’s secret word and complete the sentence challenge, they will be entered into the Grand Prize Draw to win a Family Day Ticket. Scavenger sheets can be collected from the cafe or shop at any of the participating stations.

Station Stay & Play - 1st April, 9.30-11am

These new sessions - on the first Wednesday of every month at Pickering Station Classroom - are for under 5s, and encourage play and exploration with soft play foam blocks, tunnels, and train tracks, where children can push along steam engines and music train toys. There is also a Cosy Corner sensory area for stories and quiet play, as well as a Building Base with Mega Bloks train sets and educational building blocks. For those with an artistic imagination, Crafty Corner will be a space for colouring, puzzles, and creative activities. The April session will also feature a seasonal storytime followed by hands-on Easter activities. Tickets are £3 per child, and £1 per additional child.

Station Storytime - 8th April, 10.30-11.30am

Families will enjoy a reading of 21 Elephants and Still Standing by April Jones Prince, which tells the true story of how P.T. Barnum led 21 elephants across Brooklyn Bridge in 1884 to demonstrate its strength. After the story, children can explore different types of bridges before building their own. Prizes will be awarded for the strongest design. Spaces are limited and advance booking is recommended with donations welcomed to take part.

Build a Bridge Challenge - 3rd-9th April, 9.30am-4.30pm

This drop-in activity challenges families to build a bridge over a moving model train track in five minutes or less. Using magnetic building tiles, little engineers must ensure the train can pass underneath whilst a toy car can drive across the top. Free play activities will be available during busier periods.

Rhiannon Hope, Learning & Interpretation Lead at the NYMR, said: “Our Easter activities are designed to bring families together through play, storytelling, and discovery. Whether visitors are exploring our stations as part of the scavenger hunt or taking on an engineering challenge inspired by real railway heritage, there is something for everyone. There are several events to support the ongoing Bridge 42 Appeal, helping visitors connect with the railway’s preservation work in a creative and engaging way.”

Heritage trains will be running from Pickering to Goathland, calling at Levisham and Newtondale Halt during Easter. To find out more and book tickets, visit http://www.nymr.co.uk/easter.

Image courtesy of Adam Lewis