If you fancy a day out over the May half term holiday we have listed our ‘Top Ten’ ideas which are within an hours drive of North Leeds. Hopefully, there’ll be plenty of Spring sunshine over the holidays but if not, we’ve also included indoor activities too.
1.Piglets Adventure Farm -May-Hem Circus
With death-defying stunts, upside down juggling and amazing acrobatics, it’s all happening in the big top tent this May half term.
Take a tractor ride to the amazing Bale Play Baaarn with giant drop slides, straw bale mountain, junior tractor drivers’ area, rope swing and dig’n’play. Plus, don’t miss all the usual adventure farm fun, giant sandpit, bouncing pillows, crazy golf, barrel rides, magical fairy tale trail, go-karts and animals too.
Open 25th May – 2nd June 2019
Piglets, Nr York, YO32 9ST
2. Get, Set, Grow: May Half Term Family Fun at Harlow Carr
Families are being encouraged to get, set, grow at RHS Garden Harlow Carr in Harrogate during May half term. Enjoy a daily garden trail, storytelling with the Garden Detectives, indoor crafts and outdoor workshops.
On Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 May, a range of fun activities for children will run from 11am to 4pm during the Children’s Gardening Weekend. Kids of all ages can make their own birdfeeders, plant tomato seedlings and watch beekeeping demonstrations under the expert guidance of the Harrogate & Ripon Beekeepers Association. The zany Garden Detectives will also put on family-friendly stage shows throughout the day.
Running 25th May – 2nd June 2019.
Crag Lane, Harrogate HG3 1QB
3. Stockeld Park Spring Adventure – Jurassic Week
The Spring Adventure at Stockeld Park has been taken over by dinosaurs! You can grab a selfie with a Raptor, dig for fossils, hunt for prehistoric beasts in the Enchanted Forest and do dino crafts with the Stockeld Rangers!
There is also all the normal fun to be had including adventure playgrounds, magical maze, inflatable play, go-karts, roller skating, Buccaneer boats (additional charge) and much more.
Remember you can get an additional 10% off pre-booked tickets with our Mumbler discount code. Simply add MUMNLEEDS at the checkout here
Running 25th May – 2nd June 2019.
Stockeld Park, off the A661 Wetherby Road, LS22 4AN.
4.Unicorns and Dinosaurs at Mother Shipton’s
Trot to Mother Shipton’s for a day of Unicorn magic and have a roarsome time searching for Dinosaur footprints. Unicorns and Dinosaurs are in the park, follow the adventure trail and you never know what you might find!
Also, see the famous Petrifying Well and Mother Shipton’s Cave. The park also has several scenic picnic areas alongside the popular River Nidd, an adventure playground and museum.
Running 25th May – 2nd June 2019
Prophecy Lodge, Harrogate Rd, High Bridge, Knaresborough HG5 8DD.
5. The Deep – Sense-ational Sharks
Learn more about super shark senses this May half term! Join in the interactive shark senses workshop and discover the amazing senses that sharks have used to survive for over 450 million years. You can even try your hand at hunting for prey just like a shark too! In the craft corner you can make finger puppet, choose from a shark, stingray or sawfish!
As you work your way round the aquarium follow the sense-ational shark trail to be in with the chance of winning a prize!
Running 25th May – 2nd June 2019
Tower Street, Hull, HU1 4DP (Sat Nav HU9 1TU).
6. Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal
Enjoy a scavenger hunt around the estate this half-term holiday. Stick your nature finds to your paper as you go around to create a masterpiece! Zoom through the play area on the zip wire and swing as high as you can on the swings. Paint with nature, make your own fluffy spring lamb decoration and see all the colourful wool in Swanley Grange.
Become a true wildlife detective on the Minibeasts to Mammals guided family walk and try your hand at a spot of pond dipping!
Open 26th May – 3rd June 2019.
Fountains, Ripon HG4 3DY
7. Leeds Museums and Galleries
Celebrate Queen Victoria’s 200th birthday at Abbey House Museum with fun crafts in the Victorian streets, and there’s a mystery to be solved on the 30th May! Head over toLotherton to discover a magical fairy tale trail in the grounds and house, along with animal antics at Wildlife World. Green-fingered visitors should take a trip to Temple Newsam to plant your very own tomatoes and don’t miss the beastly trail around the house, inspired by the Fantastical Beasts exhibition.
Leeds City Museum will have activities which explore the incredible history of the remarkable Romans. Make a mosaic, design & play a Roman board game and craft yourself a Roman good luck charm. Around the corner at Leeds Art Gallery, we take Artspace ‘on the move’ to discover the wonder of wood as a material for creating sculpture and practical everyday items.
Running 25th May – 2nd June 2019
Check the website here for timings and more details of activities and events at Leeds Museums and Galleries this half term.
Opens for 2019 from the 25th May. Follow the Welly Walk signs and enjoy a free woodland adventure trail from the Stepping Stones to the Cavendish Pavilion. The walk includes tree climbing, tunnels, slides, bridges and lots more!
Admission is £10 per vehicle, payable on arrival at the car park kiosk (Riverside car park).
Open 25th May 2019.
Bolton Abbey, Skipton BD23 6AL
If you’re looking for somewhere local to burn some energy off the kids Harewood House has so much to offer for children of all ages.
Younger children will love the penguins, farm experience and bird garden whilst older children always find themselves drawn to the Adventure Playground and stepping stones in the Himalayan Garden! A Ferry launched last summer so if little legs can’t walk all the way around the lake there is now a way to get across to the picnic area and pop-up Horsebox café.
New for 2019 is Curosity Cabin a place where younger children can have some ‘chill’ time and there is a chance to do some creating!
The Useful/Beautiful exhibition in the house has a child-friendly trail to accompany it and the ‘handling baskets’ mean children can handle materials from different makers and physically touch what is on display!
Open 10am-6pm daily throughout May half term.
Harewood House, Harewood, Leeds LS17 9LG.
10. Toy’s Day Out at Kirklees Light Railway
Take your child’s favourite toy along for a ride on the railway and enjoy half-price fares for the children! For just £2.75 you can enjoy all day train rides and use of the playground.
Running 25th May – 2nd June 2019.
Park Mill Way, Clayton West, Huddersfield, HD8 9XJ
For lots more ideas for May Half Term see our full What’s on Guide here or visit our Days Out page.
Why don’t you join our North Leeds Mumbler chat group where you can share reviews of days out/activities and get ideas from others.
We hope you have a great May Half Term.