Days Out around Leeds Baby & Toddler Groups Pregnancy & Newborn
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Days Out around Leeds Baby & Toddler Groups Pregnancy & Newborn
Advertise with North Leeds Mumbler


The Best Things to Do in Leeds with Kids

Leeds is a fantastic place for families- there are LOADS of things to do with kids, fun activities in Leeds and family-friendly places to visit and things to see. Here is our ultimate list of our favourites; the Best Things to Do in Leeds with Kids. To browse all the listings of things to do on Days Out around Leeds please head to this page.

You may prefer to jump to the section that you’re most interested in! This page includes: Things to Do in Leeds City Centre with Kids / The Best Family Days Out Around Leeds / Places to See Animals with Kids around Leeds / Things to do Outdoors around Leeds / Things to do when it’s Raining in Leeds / Things to Do with Babies and Toddlers in Leeds.

Things to do in Leeds City Centre with Kids

Things-to-do-in-Leeds-city-centreIf you’re headed to our city centre, there are so many things to do in Leeds with Kids! Here are our top picks on what’s on offer!

  • Leeds City Museum is right in the centre of Leeds just off Millenium Square and it’s FREE! There are six galleries, child-friendly activities and an all important cafe!
  • Royal Armouries is the UK’s National Museum of arms, artillery and armour. Museum entry is FREE- although in the holidays you may need to pay for some of their fantatsic events, such as jousting!
  • New to Leeds in 2021, MathsCity is based in Leeds Trinity and has over 30 interactive exhibits.
  • Leeds Dock Water Taxis are just £1 a journey and offer something a bit special to a visit to the city centre! They run between Leeds Dock and Granary Wharf.
  • A busy day in the city centre needs fuelling!! Have a look at our pick of Child-friendly restaurants in Leeds
  • There are a few child-friendly walking trails that you could try. The Owl Trail in Leeds is free, just look around some of the fantastic buildings for the Owls! Or why not use our Mumbler discount to do the Curious About Leeds Trail?

Best Family Days Out around Leeds

  • Kirkstall Abbey and Abbey House Museum are located right next to each other and provide the perfect day out. Kirkstall Abbey is FREE to enter and you can explore the one of the most complete examples of a medieval Cistercian abbey in Britain. Abbey House Museum is interactive and great for kids, and you can step back in time to wander their Victorian Streets. They both have great activities on during the school holidays.
  • Stockeld Park is a firm favourite for families in Leeds- it’s easy to see why we love it, with FIVE play areas, a maze, and a fantastic interactive walk in the Enchanted Forest!
  • Temple Newsam Estate and Home Farm is located in East Leeds- a brilliant place to come and enjoy walks and the playground (with free parking). You can also visit the House and Farm for a full day out (admission required).
  • Mother Shipton’s is England’s oldest visitor attraction, and just North of Leeds in the beautiful town of Knaresborough. Visit the cave she was born in, wonder at the petrifying well and enjoy the adventure playground. When you’re done, hop in a rowing boat and explore the town.
  • Thwaite Watermill is set on an island of it’s very own in South Leeds. There’s lots to explore both indoor and outdoor at this beautiful heritage site, including discovering what life was like to live at Thwaite House and understanding what the water power was used for.
  • Harewood House sits in the heart of Yorkshire and is one of the Treasure Houses of England. The House was built in the 18th century and has art collections to rival the finest in Britain. Visitors can enjoy exhibitions of contemporary art, rare Bird Garden, Farm Experience and over 100 acres of exquisite gardens to explore.
  • RHS Harlow Carr sits just outside Harrogate and is a fantastic place for children to explore and play in their natural play areas.
  • Castle Howard is an amazing estate to discover- there is SO MUCH going on, with brilliant walks and gardens to roam. The highlight for children though (certainly my children) has got to be Skelf Island- a HUGE treetop-style playground!
  • Stump Cross Caverns was our first proper little family adventure- the first chance that our toddler son could really join in on a family activity! It also has a lovely outdoor area (and sandpit). Team it up with a trip into Pately Bridge or to Brimham Rocks for a full day out!
  • Wolds Way Lavender & Nature Farm is open during the spring and summer months and offers plenty of opportunities to explore nature, playtime and even a mini stream train!

Places to see Animals with Kids around Leeds

  • Lotherton & Wildlife World is just outside Leeds, but offers a full family day out. It has great play areas and Wildlife World is home to penguins, owls and bats!
  • Yorkshire Wildlife Park is a unique walk through wildlife park just outside Doncaster, with indoor and outdoor play opportunities.
  • Piglet’s Adventure Farm offer year round activities, and is so much more than just a farm!
  • None Go Bye, just next to Leeds Bradford Airport is low cost (£1 for the kids including a food bag) and perfect to kill an hour to two feeding animals.
  • Swithen’s Farm, in Rothwell, has a huge range of animals for you to see and feed! There is also a playbarn for children to enjoy.

Things to do & Outdoor Activities around Leeds

  • Walks around Leeds –we have some fantastic walking in the local area, and it’s a great free family activity. There’s no need to head out to the Dales- we have some brilliant walks (including everyone’s favourite circular walks) right here in Leeds!billy-wood-walk-activities-leeds
  • Bike Rides around Leeds– top of my list of recommendations is probably the nice and flat RSPB St Aidan’s Nature Reserve, with lovely wide paths and easy cycling, and the option to pop onto the adjacent canal path!
  • Parks and Playgrounds in Leeds. We have a lot, and some of them are just FABULOUS!
  • National Trust Properties. We really are spoilt for trust, with Fountains Abbey, Nostell and Brimham Rocks on our doorstep.
  • Go Ape Temple Newsam – a high rope experience in the fabulous Temple Newsam Estate!
  • Northwood Fairy Trail, York is affectionately known as England’s First Fairy Sanctuary! A mile -long walk in beautiful woodland spotting hundreds of intricately made fairy homes!
  • Dalby Forest is an adventurers paradise! We absolutely love the family walks available and the great cycle routes on offer for families!
  • Yorkshire Sculpture Park is a wonderful place to get outside and explore, with extraordinary sculptures accentuating the estate.
  • If you’re just wanting to get outside and enjoy some nice weather, you might be interested in our blog on the best places to paddle!

Things to do when it’s Raining in Leeds

  • Visit one of our brilliant museums in Leeds- you can browse our listings here.
  • Tropical World in Roundhay has a brilliant selection of birds, reptiles, meerkats and more!
  • Swimming pools in Leeds or visit one of our brilliant local indoor waterparks!
  • Wrap up warm and try your hand at Ice-Skating at Planet Ice Leeds or even Skiing and Sledging at Xscape in Castleford.
  • There are lots of brilliant Soft Plays in Leeds when you’re looking for things to do on a rainy day! Make sure you try Grasshoppers at Tong Garden Centre, which has an extensive indoor and outdoor area to play!
  • Enjoy some BOUNCING FUN at Jump Inc or Gravity Leeds.
  • Try some traditional family entertainment with family bowling, a family cinema trip or try some amusements!
  • If you fancy something a little more active, how about a climbing wall (Clip ‘n Climb Garforth offers an action-packed climbing experience with over 25 challenges and a vertical drop slide), a Trampoline Park or the new Ninja Warrior Leeds?

Things to do with Babies and Toddlers in Leeds

If you’re looking for Free Things to Do around Leeds, head to this page which has all the listings!

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