Three girls, aged 10, eight and five, and two five-year-old boys were taken to hospital following the collision on Wentedge Road, near Kirk Smeaton.
The crash, involving a red Mercedes A180 and a blue Vauxhall Corsa, happened at about 18:20 on Thursday.
North Yorkshire Police said a number of the casualties had suffered serious but not life threatening injuries.
Women aged 36, 19 and 18 were also taken to hospital.
The force has appealed for witnesses to the collision to come forward.
The road was closed for about four hours to allow investigators to examine the scene.
Five children and three adults have been injured in a crash involving two cars.