The Child Friendly Guide to Leeds this April
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 out of this world experiences. 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!
Breeze your way into Spring with our Egg Hunt!
Breeze is a young person focused brand for 0 to 19 year olds in Leeds. Breeze offers opportunities, information and discounted access to a broad range of cultural and sporting activities, events and services in an inclusive, safe, fun, creative, and inspiring way. To celebrate Easter in the most egg-cellent way, we have hidden 70 Easter Eggs across Leeds and surrounding areas – and we’re inviting you to make it your mission to find them! Eggs are worth points and points win prizes.
All you need to play is your Breeze Pass App, and your adventurous spirit. Don’t have a Breeze Pass? Scroll to the bottom of this page to find out how you can get one today. Prizes to be won!
1. Leeds City Centre
Leeds City Centre is always fun of pop up events and fantastic hidden gems, especially during the holidays. Free-to-view space installations and immersive experiences are here in Leeds city centre
The Leodis Space Agency is on a mission to deliver a range of cosmic activities for all the family to enjoy, with exhibits to discover, alien encounters and interactive workshops taking place from 23 March – 14 April. At the heart of the Leodis Space Agency lies the awe-inspiring launch site on Briggate.
- Joining the cosmic journey is an array of family-friendly craft sessions hosted daily from 10am to 3pm at Trinity Leeds with our ambassador The Play Tent – located in Unit 105.
- A grand-scale rocket will stand tall throughout the campaign, accompanied by a captivating Solar System suspended above.
- For intrepid explorers, the Merrion Centre will host the Alien Zoo, an interactive mixed reality (MR) exhibit curated by XR storyteller.
- Leeds City Museum invites families to participate in an out-of-this-world experience throughout the Easter holidays, featuring immersive planetarium shows, drop-in cosmic crafts, and a constellation trail.
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 Young Film Festival is back with its 25th edition! Bringing you award-winning family cinema and hands-on filmmaking experiences for young people from March 30 – April 13 2024!
> 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 now with the exciting new mini play boxes. 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.
> Leeds Kirkgate Market
Leeds Markets have a lovely atmosphere and family friendly dining experience. Every school holidays they put on free events and activities. This half-term they have free colouring, face painting and balloon modelling.
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.
Enjoy a delicious day out at Temple Newsam this Easter holidays with food-themed family crafts, activities, and trails throughout the house.
3. Tropical World
Tropical World at Roundhay Park is one of the most loved family attractions in Leeds. 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! From Saturday 23 March to Sunday 14 April, Get Egg-cited about our egg laying animals with a twist on the traditional Easter egg hunt. Collect a trail sheet, then journey through Tropical World and hunt for the hidden eggs, learning amazing facts about our animals along the way. Keeper talks daily at 2pm in Creature Corner. Pick up a tasty Easter treat from our café.
“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.” – Ruqayya 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.
Take a walk on the wild side at Lotherton this Easter holiday, with a trail and activities dotted around the estate to keep the whole family entertained. Activities include:
- Den building (daily)
- Woodland sensory and willow sculpture trails (daily)
- Creepy crawly crafts – get crafty with some critter-inspired making in the Hall, plus an indoor insect hunt (daily, 11am-3pm)
- Seed planting – use your green fingers and make something to grow at home (Tue-Thurs, 11am-3.30pm)
- Animal activities – learn about the amazing animal kingdom by taking part in a range of quick-fire activities and quizzes (daily, 11am-3.30pm)
- Bird watching at Wildlife Corner (Fri 29 Mar; Tue 2, Thu 4 and Mon 8 April, 1-3pm)
- Bug Hunting in Captain’s Wood (Mon 1, Fri 5 and Fri 12 April, 1-3pm)
5. Harewood House
Harewood House is know for the Woodland Wonderland, the fantastic bird garden and Adventure Playground and children absolutely love it!
Celebrate Easter at Harewood with events for the whole family. Enjoy egg hunts, and seasonal treats at our cafes, while soaking in the beauty of spring in our historic estate. Rainbow Rabbit Easter Trail
23 Mar–7 Apr.
Take on the Rainbow Rabbit Race around the Lakeside Path. Find colourful eggs around the Lakeside and take on challenges in the Rainbow Rabbit Arena – from hopping bunny races to hula hooping and hopscotch, you must complete all activities to claim your prize!*
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.
Here’s the chance for your tots to have some Easter-themed fun, from watching grocer bunnies weighing carrots to joining bunny barmaids pulling pints. Make sure you get them involved in the bunny counting competition, as well as the usual range of fun trails, scavenger hunts and arts and crafts dotted around the building.
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.
Love Exploring is a 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.
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. SPARKS! is the fantastic new soft and role play at Thackray Medical Museum. Under-fives can explore the senses of sight, touch, taste, hearing and smell in the roleplay medical centre.
Finally, we love other reviews and featured news on family friendly events and activities so here is a feature by Leeds List including what’s on at Leeds Arena and Theatres in Leeds!
Please share any others ideas, experiences or places via comments below or contact childfriendlyleeds@leeds.gov.uk.
