Child Friendly Places to visit this Spring in Leeds
When it comes to child friendly things to do, Leeds is the place to be! Whether it’s days out, days in, new experiences or magical trails. We’ve put together this ultimate guide of the best places to visit this Spring!
There are so many other fantastic places to visit in Leeds so please do share them with us. Here are a few of our favourite websites that every family needs to check out, with low cost ideas, events and experiences not to miss!
1. Leeds City Centre
Leeds City Centre is always fun of pop up events and fantastic hidden gems, especially during the holidays.
Families are invited to embark on an Easter adventure this April, as a new family-friendly event is coming to Leeds. We are excited that Leeds Bid are bringing the Easter Bunny Egg Hunt to Leeds next month! This free, fun, interactive, family-friendly event, brought partnership with Welcome to Leeds & Lindt, gives children a seasonal opportunity to scour Leeds city centre in search of 12 giant Easter eggs.
Each egg is individually decorated and will be hidden in a key retail location in the city. The Easter Bunny Egg Hunt runs daily (with the exception of Easter Sunday) from Friday 8th April until Monday 18th April 2022 between 11am and 4pm. Easter Bunny Egg Hunt maps can be picked up from the Bunny Egg Garden on Sidney Street.
Also happening in Leeds this Spring is the Leeds Young Film Festival. Leeds Young Film was formed In 1999 and has engaged with over 200,000 children and young people since it was founded. The festival programme will include exciting new films from around the world with action, drama and comedy suitable for children of all ages, as well as the chance to see some family favourites on the big screen.
Why not hop on the little yellow water taxi from Granary Wharf, just next to Leeds Train Station, to sail down to Leeds Dock, where the iconic Royal Armouries Museum is situated? It’s only £1 per person per trip and is a fun way to travel. There are so many food places, walks and sights to discover in the city centre, a few mentioned below (please check their opening times prior to visiting):
> Leeds City Museum
Make a day of it in Leeds City Centre by visiting these brilliant buildings! Starting with Leeds City Museum, which has six stunning galleries and a programme of family friendly exhibitions in the heart of Leeds. From workshops to their brilliant community choir, there is always something to see and enjoy at the museum.
> Leeds Art Gallery
Leeds Art Gallery is a free attraction in the heart of the city, the gallery collection comprises a wide range of modern and contemporary art along with an extensive programme of events. They also have their ‘Artspace’, which is a relaxed, family friendly, creative space along with many events and activities to get involved in.
> Leeds Central Library
The magnificent Leeds Central Library is situated next to the Art Gallery and has the most interesting reads, free internet access for public use and holiday activities for all age groups. In Leeds, our libraries are all free – it’s free to join, free to borrow books and there are always things on for little ones including Story and Rhyme time as well as our Ready Steady Readers programme. Find up-to-date information on our Facebook page.
2. Temple Newsam
It’s the most wonderful time of the year when you can hear the birds singing and flowers fill the grounds. Discover Temple Newsam and explore the Tudor-Jacobean mansion filled with hidden treasures, encounter rare breed farm animals in the historic farm and stroll through the impressive grounds and gardens.
Home Farm at Temple Newsam is home to an amazing collection of farm animals, including cows, sheep, goats, pigs, donkeys, chickens and ducks. Discover the farms rich history and learn what life was like in days gone by. There’s plenty of other Easter themed activities to keep you busy during the school holidays too!
3. Tropical World
Tropical World at Roundhay Park is one of the most loved family attractions in Leeds and is the perfect day out during these colder months where under 5’s go free. This Spring, you can enjoy the beautiful surrounding gardens and waterfalls whilst experiencing an unforgettable journey through Tropical World’s various exotic and interesting zones and see some fascinating animals and creatures along the way! Discount available with Leeds / Breeze Card.
“I had the most amazing hour at Tropical World and can’t wait to tell my friends. I saw so many animals, feeding the butterflies was my favourite. The sound of the waterfall was wonderful. I also played in the gardens outside and enjoyed eating at the cafe.” – R age 9
4. Lotherton Hall
Enjoy a fantastic day out at Lotherton, a beautiful Edwardian country estate set on the outskirts of Leeds. Wildlife World is Lotherton’s zoo and Lotherton provides plenty of entertainment outdoors including our traditional playground and woodland play area, complete with zip-wires.
The beautiful gardens surrounding Lotherton Hall Museum are perfect for a pleasant stroll, visitors can take part in self-led trails or follow the path to watch the estate’s red deer grazing. Lotherton is an Edwardian country estate, hall and wildlife park within expansive grounds on the outskirts of Leeds. Every visitor must have a pre-booked ticket before visiting, no payment will be taken on the gate.
5. Harewood House
Harewood House is know for the Woodland Wonderland, the fantastic bird garden and Adventure Playground and children absolutely love it!
Harewood is open 7 days a week from Sat 26 March. Day tickets include access to the House, Gardens and Grounds. From 26 Mar, see our latest exhibition Radical Acts : Why Craft Matters in the House and across the grounds.
6. Abbey House Museum & Kirkstall Abbey
A family-friendly museum exploring social history and childhood in Victorian era Leeds. Be transported back to the 19th century and stroll the Victorian streets with the authentically recreated shops and houses.
Explore the Childhood Galleries upstairs in the Museum. See a fascinating range of toys, games and 19th century dolls on display. Spot iconic toys from your childhood and see how they have changed throughout the years. The museum is also home to a collection of reconditioned original penny slot machines and some still work.
You can watch this video to help prepare you for your visit.
7. Leeds Parks & Love Exploring App
Leeds has many fantastic major parks which have many pop-up events and activities throughout the year including Breeze in the park. Roundhay Park in Leeds is a brilliant place to visit has over 700 acres parkland to explore you can see lakes, woodlands, gardens and wildlife as well as enjoy cafes, playgrounds and even a castle. Friends of Roundhay Park have also designed a fantastic adventure trail, and other exciting activities around the park.
Love Exploring is a NEW, FREE app to encourage families to be active together and inspire people of all ages to explore their local parks and discover some of the city’s cultural treasures.
8. Gravity Leeds – Trampoline Park
Gravity Trampoline Parks provide fun for the whole family with a range of activities and special sessions for you to take part in. The trampoline park includes over 150 connected trampolines, foam pits and angled trampolines that will see you bouncing off the walls!
Gravity Leeds is at Cardigan Fields Leisure Park and they have many open jump sessions, private parties, fitness classes, baby and toddler sessions as well as their relaxed SEN sessions when the whole Gravity park is open exclusively for members of recognised disabled groups. Also includes new inflatable assault course and ‘Ultimate Wipe Out’ machine which will see you ducking, diving and jumping over the spinning inflatable arms.
9. Jackrabbits Pottery
Jackrabbits Pottery in Oakwood has been a much-loved Leeds landmark.
It is a family and buggy-friendly pottery studio for adults and children of all abilities to explore their creative sides. They supply the relaxed atmosphere, materials and inspiration; just bring your imagination and find out what special events they have on. At Jackrabbits they also specialise in baby hand and footprints, in paint, clay and 3D and host children’s parties!
10. Thackray Museum of Medicine
A brilliant experience to be had in Thackray Museum after their four-million-pound redevelopment. Wander through the grimy streets of Victorian Leeds, watch gruesome operations taking place in our 19th-century operating theatre, and discover the medical innovations that changed the world. Through play, creativity, talks, experiences, social events and formal education, we’re both a place to pay fitting tribute to our health heroes and inspire the next generation of big thinkers.
There are always lot’s of events and activities on including ‘Can Robots Care’ whilst visiting the galleries. Please check their website and social media channels for the latest opening information when planning your visit.
Please share any others ideas, experiences or places via comments below or contact childfriendlyleeds@leeds.gov.uk.
3 Responses
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Your trip sounds very enjoyable. I am book marking your website and looking forward to here more from you. Loved to visit Leeds your blogs.
Wow! This is a great list, I’m not familiar with England as I’ve never visited so your guide really helped. I’m adding Corn Exchange, and Royal Armouries to my list – the architechure of those buildings are just incredible.