Start at Pickering station and take the steam railway to Goathland, where the station played Hogsmeade in the first Harry Potter film. Sheep wander the village green. Walk the flat Rail Trail to Grosmont, watch the engines in the sheds, and take the train back.
Day 2: Beach day
Runswick Bay for the sandy beach and rock pools if the tide is out in the morning, or Robin Hood's Bay for fossils if it is out in the afternoon. Whitby in between: the 199 steps are a challenge children enjoy, and there are boat trips from the harbour in summer.
Day 3: Forest and museum
Dalby Forest has play trails, easy cycling, a Go Ape course and picnic sites along the drive. Finish at the Ryedale Folk Museum in Hutton-le-Hole, where dressing up and the old sweet shop go down well.
The Moors Centre at Danby has a good adventure playground and is free
Flamingo Land near Pickering is the big theme-park day out
