During the summer holidays in Leeds, children can enjoy a variety of activities such as the MONOPOLY Leeds Takeover, Kirkgate Market’s Summer of Fun, adventures at Stockeld Park, educational fun at the Royal Armouries, historical exploration at Harewood House, swimming at Ilkley Lido, treetop courses at Go Ape, and tropical discoveries at Tropical World. Leeds bursts into life with a plethora of engaging activities for families, ensuring that the school-free days are filled with excitement and joy for all.
What are the best activities for children during the summer holidays in Leeds?
Leeds offers a variety of child-friendly summer activities, including the MONOPOLY Leeds Takeover event, child-focused activities at Kirkgate Market, adventure playgrounds at Stockeld Park, educational fun at the Royal Armouries, historical exploration at Harewood House, swimming at Ilkley Lido, treetop courses at Go Ape, and tropical discoveries at Tropical World.
Leeds bursts into life during the summer holidays, presenting an array of adventures that are perfect for families looking to fill the long, school-free days. With a city brimming with activities, from outdoor escapades to educational outings, parents will find a wealth of options to keep their children engaged and ecstatic.
Urban Discoveries
The cityscape transforms into an exhilarating playground as the MONOPOLY Leeds Takeover envelops Leeds in the spirit of the beloved board game. From July 27th to September 1st, families can embark on a quest to “buy back the city,” navigating clues and puzzles for a day or more of collective fun. The event, organized by Chapter 81, promises a memorable experience for all ages.
In the heart of the city, Kirkgate Market evolves into a hub of child-friendly activities throughout the summer. Every Tuesday to Friday, from July 30th to August 30th, a new set of entertainments take over. From bumper cars to hip-hop dance, and even a circus school, the assortment is designed to ignite the imaginations of young minds. The Summer of Fun at Leeds Kirkgate Market is not to be missed.
Wellington Place hosts the gastronomic and festive Fayre in the Square, featuring a medley of street food and live music across three weekends in August. Children can revel in the activities within The Play Tent, offering a delightful blend of food and entertainment in a family-friendly setting.
Outdoor Adventures
Stockeld Park invites families to lose themselves in an enchanted world where the Summer Adventure, happening from July 20th to September 2nd, offers back-to-back playgrounds, pedal karts, and even an indoor play haven, The Playhive. Regardless of the weather, adventure beckons in the form of mazes and a forest waiting to be explored.
For those who thrive in the company of animals, Home Farm at Temple Newsam offers a bucolic retreat. Visitors can interact with rare and endangered breeds, learn about farm history, and enjoy tractor rides. This working farm is a sanctuary where education meets leisure, open throughout the year.
The iconic Roundhay Park, with its 700 acres of natural beauty, is a sanctuary of outdoor play any day of the year. Children can roam free, discovering the park’s many facets, including skate parks, adventure playgrounds, and sports facilities. It’s a verdant labyrinth of joy that continually unveils new corners of exploration.
Culture and Education
The Royal Armouries presents a treasure trove of historical artifacts that will captivate children’s curiosity. With a collection spanning from medieval armour to a 15th-century handgun, the museum also hosts a series of summer events, from horse shows to combat demonstrations. Open year-round, it’s a venue where history comes to life.
Leeds offers a glimpse into its hidden treasures with the Leeds Discovery Centre. Here, behind-the-scenes access on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the school holidays unveils a world of unseen exhibits. Summer workshops add an educational twist, requiring advance booking, from July 30th to August 29th.
For those enamoured with the grandeur of the past, Harewood House beckons. With its vast outdoor spaces, it is the perfect spot for a family day out, especially with their new Playscape designed by Wild Rumpus. From July 20th to September 1st, it’s a historical playground that promises adventure and discovery.
Aquatic and Aerial Thrills
The famed Ilkley Lido provides an aquatic escape for swimmers of all ages. Open throughout the summer, it boasts both outdoor and indoor pools, with the former offering stunning views that elevate the swimming experience. On dry land, recreational activities like tennis and bowls await, alongside ample space for idyllic picnics.
High-flying adventures await at Go Ape in Temple Newsam. Treetop courses full of zip wires and bridges challenge families throughout the year. It’s an opportunity for kids to scale new heights and for the whole family to band together in the spirit of adventure.
At Clip ’n Climb, climbing walls of varying difficulties offer challenges that can be tackled solo or in groups. Open year-round, this venue puts safety first with harnesses and safety wires, ensuring that the thrills of ascending to new heights come with peace of mind.
Cinematic and Tropical Escapes
For film enthusiasts, Millennium Square transforms into an open-air cinema to screen family classics like Wonka and Ratatouille, including a sing-a-long version of Encanto. Gather the family for a picnic and a movie on July 24th, 25th, and 26th for a cinematic experience under the stars.
Escape to the tropics at Tropical World, where exotic fauna create a mini zoo experience within Leeds. Children can marvel at creatures from clown fish to meerkats in a climate-controlled environment that replicates their natural habitats. It’s an educational journey available any time of the year.
Leeds, during the summer holidays, is a city transformed into a playground for children and families. With an array of activities from outdoor adventures to cultural experiences, there is no shortage of ways to engage and entertain the young and the young at heart. The city’s offerings ensure that the long weeks of summer will be filled with joy, learning, and treasured memories.
- Leeds offers a variety of child-friendly summer activities, including the MONOPOLY Leeds Takeover event, child-focused activities at Kirkgate Market, adventure playgrounds at Stockeld Park, educational fun at the Royal Armouries, historical exploration at Harewood House, swimming at Ilkley Lido, treetop courses at Go Ape, and tropical discoveries at Tropical World.
- The MONOPOLY Leeds Takeover event in Leeds allows families to engage in a city-wide quest inspired by the beloved board game from July 27th to September 1st, organized by Chapter 81.
- Kirkgate Market transforms into a hub of child-friendly activities throughout the summer, featuring a Summer of Fun with bumper cars, hip-hop dance, and circus school from July 30th to August 30th.
- Stockeld Park offers a Summer Adventure from July 20th to September 2nd, with playgrounds, pedal karts, mazes, and indoor play areas for families to enjoy.
- Families can enjoy swimming at Ilkley Lido, treetop courses at Go Ape, and tropical discoveries at Tropical World during the summer holidays in Leeds.