Things to do in Darlington – a guide for teenagers

Looking for things to do in Darlington? Here’s a range of fun activities to explore – as well as jobs, training and volunteering to build your CV.

Get training and jobs in Darlington

Searching for your next education or employment steps in Darlington? Get career ready and find your next job or training opportunity with Youth Friendly Darlington.

Visit the hub to find out how you can build your skills, discover local early career opportunities, and explore advice that can help get you on the right track for your goals.

Volunteer with the Youth Advisory Group

Want to help make Darlington a great place for all young people? Join the Youth Advisory Group and work with Darlington Borough Council to help shape the future of Youth Friendly Darlington!

You’ll attend meetings and workshops where you can share your great ideas and you’ll get training and support in return, with a recommendation for your CV!

Check out Darlington’s youth centres

Looking for youth centres that can help you grow your skills, gain life experience and broaden your horizons? Whether you want to find somewhere that can help support you with your education or employment plans, or you just want somewhere to hang out and have fun with friends, there’s something for you in Darlington.

Become a Young Sustainability Champion in Darlington

It’s great that you care about the environment! There’s lots of climate change social action you can get involved with right here in Darlington. You can take care of the environment on your own, at school or college, at work, or as part of a local climate change action group. It’s a rewarding thing to do and it’s good for your CV, too.

MORE volunteering in Darlington

Volunteering can help you build your CV, skills, and confidence. It’s also a great way to try something new and make new friends.

Whether you’re interested in helping your local health and social care sector, or maybe caring for animals is more your thing, find out how you can get involved and give back to your community in Darlington!

Create and paint

If you love having the freedom to be as creative as you like, Create and Paint is a great place to be! No matter your age or ability, there is something fun to do.

Create and Paint is a creative studio, shop, and café in Darlington town centre where you can find arty activities such as pottery painting, creating foam clay creatures, decopatching and even making teddy bears.

Take up martial arts in Darlington

Karate

Interested in martial arts? Karate improves not only your fitness, reflexes and coordination, but your confidence, focus and discipline too! So while you learn how to master karate moves, you’ll also learn about the importance of respect and honour which are at the very heart of karate.

Kyokutan Karate and Sukona Karate can help you progress from your first white belt to the expert level black belt.

Judo

Judo is another popular martial art, but it has a very different style to karate. Karate involves learning about both self-defence and your attack,while Judo is purely defensive. However, it doesn’t mean it’s any less difficult or effective.

If you think Judo sounds like it could be for you, take a look at the Darlington Koizumi Judo Club.

Join the Darlington Dolls cheer squad

If martial arts isn’t your thing, how about cheerleading? Whether you want to pick up the sport just for fun or to take it to competition level, you can learn how to cheer with your team with Darlington Dolls DC Squad.

You’ll be able to get involved with dances, chants and basic gym work. However, you must be 16 or under to join.

Visit the Darlington rail museum

Are you a railway enthusiast? Head of Steam, the Darlington Railway Museum, is the home of the world’s first steam-worked public railway.

Step back in time to Victorian Darlington and explore the original 1840’s railway station where time has stood still for over 150 years! You can discover Darlington’s railway journey and the life of Edward Pease, a Darlington railway pioneer.

What’s on in Darlington

If you’re looking for something fun to do in your community with family and friends, explore What’s On in Darlington. Throughout the year, you can find exciting events and activities such as theatre productions, Christmas tree festivals and new year celebrations.