What's On
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We took every care in preparing these entries but sometimes events are cancelled or times change. Please double check with the organiser to avoid disappointment.
ONGOING
Gnome Roam at Newmillerdam Country Park
This simple walking trail encourages children to use signs and clues to spot carved statues of gnomes and wildlife. You may even spot a gigantic bear.
Story and Rhyme at Leeds Libraries
A fun session of sharing stories and rhymes in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. At various times at 32 local libraries on weekdays. FREE.
Exhibition: On the Bench at Thackray Medical Museum
On the Bench is the gamechanging story of sport and injury, exploring what happens when players get injured and who helps them recover.
Every Monday and Wednesday Bounce and Rhyme at Leeds Libraries
A fun session of sharing songs and rhymes with your baby in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. FREE. Monday - Central, Holt Park. Wednesday – Headingley. 1.30pm.
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday (term time only)
Storytime at The Little Bookshop, Chapel Allerton
Enjoy a cosy story time featuring delightful books for young children. For ages 2-5. 1111.25am. FREE.
Toddler Tuesdays at Castleford Museum
A lively session of storytelling, crafts and rhymes, inspired by a different museum object each week. 10-11am.
Tuesdays and Thursdays
Storytime for Under 5s at Truman Books in Farsley
Take your little ones for a session of stories and songs in kids’ corner. Suitable for under-fives. Tuesdays at 9.30am, Thursdays at 10.30am. FREE.
Fridays, Tiny Tigers at Leeds City Museum
Creative, messy sessions for under 5s and their carers. Babies, toddlers and preschoolers welcome. FREE, drop in, no need to book. 10-11.45am.
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday Dungeon Tours at Pontefract Castle
Soak in the atmosphere of
this eerie underground space, discover the history of the dungeon and see where Civil War prisoners left to languish scratched their names into the rock. 10.45-11.30am.
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday Castle Explorer Tour at Pontefract Castle
Discover who built and lived in the castle and listen to stories of unfaithful Queens, imprisoned Kings as well the castle’s role in the English Civil Wars. All ages. 12-12.45pm.
Rory’s Saturday Club at Leeds City Museum
Looking for something creative to do with kids in the city? Head to Leeds City Museum for Rory’s Saturday Club craft sessions for families with children of all ages. FREE, drop in. 11am-12.15pm.
Saturdays and Sundays Garden Play at The Hepworth Stack, build, experiment, draw and imagine with your family in the open air. No need to book, just turn up and play. 11am to 4pm. FREE.
MAY
May 5
Super Soapbox Challenge in Bradford
A great day out for all the family with continual commentary and all the action visible on large format screens. As well as the excitement on the course itself, there’ll be a funfair, live music and lots of local food and drink outlets to choose from. Watch out for a celebrity guest! FREE.
May 5
Summer Open Day at Temple Newsam
Explore the house and farm for a special summer open day where you can pay what you feel, 11am to 3pm. No need to book. Open days are usually busy – first come first served.
May 5
Family Workshop: Sculpt and Play at The Hepworth Wakefield Play with materials to explore the hollows and holes of Barbara Hepworth’s sculptures. Visit the galleries with your family to discover Hepworth’s sculptures. Look at the textures and shapes in the artworks and experiment with making your own sculptures using your kit of sensory textiles shapes. In the learning studios squish,
twist, roll and carve colourful modelling materials to make your own Hepworth inspired mini sculpture.
May 6
Ilkley Carnival Ilkley will be transformed into a sea of colour, music, street performers and a fabulous feel-good atmosphere when the Mardi Gras-themed parade comes to town.
May 11
Northern Ballet’s The Tortoise and the Hare at St George’s Hall
The perfect introduction to live ballet and music, your little ones will be cheering along as a playful cast of characters re-tell this classic tale.
May 11 and 12
North Leeds Food Festival at Roundhay Park
Find live music, family entertainment, activities, demos, kids cooking classes, artisan markets and much more.
May 12
Family Workshop: Paint Studio at The Hepworth Wakefield
Join artist Rachel Sim to play with painting inspired by the Andrew Cranston: What made you stop here? exhibition. Visit the galleries with your family to explore stories, marks, texture and colour in Andrew Cranston’s paintings. In the Clore Learning Studios add to the painting wall or make your own imaginative artwork using watercolours, oil pastels, paint and wax.
May 19
Ministry of Science Live at Lawrence Batley Theatre
Dive deep into the world of science and look at how science shapes the modern world we live in with a few loud bangs along the way. 100% Educational. 200% Entertaining. 300% Explosive. 400% Fun.
May 23
The Three Bears at Carriageworks Theatre
Take your bears for an adventure in the woods, with original music, puppets and a tale you thought you knew (featuring Goldilocks). Every show is a relaxed, friendly and fun theatre
experience for children aged 6 and under and their grown-ups.
May 23 to 25
Awful Auntie at The Alhambra Theatre
Following their acclaimed productions of Gangsta Granny, Billionaire Boy and Demon Dentist, Birmingham Stage Company are proud to present a fabulous new production of David Walliams’ amazing adventure, featuring a small ghost, a huge owl and a very awful Auntie!
May 25
Princess Concert at the Lawrence Batley Theatre
Step into a world where fairy tales collide with pop sensation! Be enchanted by the heartwarming story of six princesses who dared to dream beyond the castle walls.
May 25
The Little Prince at Lawrence Batley Theatre
Through mesmerising puppetry and beautiful music the boy who fell to earth teaches his friend the Aviator about love, life and real happiness in this adaptation of one of the best-selling children's books of all time.
May 25
West Riding to West Africa at Leeds Industrial Museum
A family-friendly day exploring the incredible story of how engineering linked West Yorkshire and Sierra Leone in West Africa. There will be fun children’s activities, a display of model trains and family railway films shown in the tiny 1930s-style cinema, the Palace Picture House. Drop-in, included with admission.
May 25
Discover in a Day at Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Spark your family’s imagination and support your young person to achieve their Arts Award
Discover. Take part in creative activities that will get everyone’s minds thinking, hands making and imaginations soaring. Suitable for all ages six plus and anyone up to the age of 25 can achieve their Arts Award. All children must be supervised.
May 25 to 27
Abbey House Craft Fayre at Abbey House Museum
Browse a range of art and craft stalls from local makers and creatives, showcasing handmade items including homewares, accessories and natural beauty products. There will also be a pop-up café with refreshments. FREE, drop-in. 11am to 3pm.
May 25 to June 2
Greek Week Myths & Legends at Royal Armouries
This May half-term the museum will be invaded by warriors from Ancient Greece; bringing with them their battle stories and combat skills. So charge on down to Leeds Dock and enjoy a packed programme of brandnew combat demonstrations and dramatic presentations - all for FREE.
May 25 to June 2
Design it, Build it! At Eureka! Calling all young designers, engineers and inventors. Embark on a creative journey this half term at the National Children’s Museum. Every day during the holidays there will be a drop-in to Imagination Space where you can test your problem solving and creative skills with a range of hands-on activities, as well as drop-in activities in the Creativity Space for ages five and under.
From May 25 to 29, Get your hands on thousands of LEGO bricks and build your own crazy golf obstacle, then play a round. Suitable for ages 4yrs+ due to small parts. No LEGO bricks can be taken home.
From May 30 to June 2, See what amazing creations you can make with KAPLA® – the educational wooden construction toy that encourages logical thinking, stimulates creativity and helps develop concentration, patience and perseverance. Drop-in workshops in the theatre between 11am-1pm and 1:30pm4pm. Suitable for ages four plus.
May 25 to June 2
Wildflowers and pollinators trail at Nostell Follow the trail as it winds through the gardens and woodland adventure play area
to find out about the incredible work that garden pollinators do. Pretend to be a bee on the zip wire and see if you can carry the pollen to the hive. Weave amongst the wildflowers and meet the leaf cutter, honey, miner and bumble bee along the way before buzzing off on your next adventure to the house to get busy with family craft activities.
May 25 to June 2
Find Your Happy at Temple Newsam
Find your happy at Temple Newsam this May half term. Take part in fun family crafts and activities that will make you feel good and put a smile on your face. Explore the house and don’t forget to visit the happy animals at Home Farm. Drop in, included in the price of admission.
May 25 to June 2
Around the World in 80 Stories at Lotherton
Visit Lotherton this half term for crafts, storytelling and adventures inspired by tales from across the globe. Dropin, included in the price of admission.
May 27 to June 5
Fun with Felt at Leeds Industrial Museum
Fun family activities. Get creative with felt and see if you can spot all the felted animals that have made their home in the museum and tick them off your spotting sheet as part of this new Entangled exhibition.
May 28
Comedy Club 4 Kids at Carriageworks Theatre
Cracking entertainment for everyone over six years old and under 400 years old (no vampires). The best comedians from the UK and world circuit doing what they do best… but without the rude bits!
May 28
Milkshake Live on Holiday at St George’s Hall
Join your favourite Milkshake friends on Holiday with Chase and Marshall from Paw Patrol, Dora, Pip and Posy, Blue from Blue’s Clues and You!
May 29
Shells, Sea Creatures and Slime at Leeds Discovery Centre
Oysters, snails, squid, shells, octopuses, limpets… molluscs are a fascinating part of the natural world, in water and on land. Find out about the deadly ones, the weird ones, the fabulous ones and the absolutely enormous ones, all waiting to be found at Leeds Discovery Centre in this fun family workshop. FREE, booking required. Call 0113 378 2100 or email discovery.centre@leeds. gov.uk.
May 30
Half-Term store Tour at Leeds Discovery Centre
A special behind the scenes tour of the Leeds Museums and Galleries collection store. Leeds Discovery Centre is the purpose-built facility where over one million objects that are not on display are kept. It’s a treasure trove of historical artefacts from archaeology and taxidermy animals to clothing, toys, art, and furniture. What will you discover? FREE, booking required. Call 0113 3782100 or email discovery.centre@leeds. gov.uk to book.
May 31
There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly at Carriageworks Theatre
This much-loved story is brought to life with a stunning combination of live action, animation and puppetry.
JUNE
June 1
Leeds Wool Festival at Leeds Industrial Museum
Leeds’s original festival of wool is back for 2024! Go along to Leeds Industrial Museum to celebrate all things woolly, right inside what was once the world’s largest woollen mill. There will be a market with local traders selling a wide range of yarns and crafting products, live demonstrations, fun family activities and refreshments. 10am to 5pm.
June 1 and 2
You Choose at Carriageworks Theatre
Based on the brilliant book by Pippa Goodhart and Nick Sharratt, Nonsense Room Productions brings you an interactive musical show for all the family. But in this show –YOU CHOOSE what happens! Ages 2 to 7.
June 1 and 2
The Volsung Vikings at Lotherton Dust off your chainmail and shield... the Volsung Vikings will be invading the grounds of Lotherton this June! Join a weekend of Vikingthemed activities - with living encampments, thrilling battle performances, kids' activities and lots of fun. Dress up and
get involved, as history is brought to life. Included with admission price (pre-booking recommended).
June 1 to 3
In The Night Garden Live at Lawrence Batley Theatre
Join Igglepiggle as he looks for his friends in the Night Garden by following their funny sounds until he finds them all!
June 8
Open Gardens at St Gemma’s Hospice
Wander amongst the beautiful gardens, admire the water features and gain inspiration for your own garden. Refreshments including tea and cakes as well as a tombola stall, raffle, gifts and plants will be on sale to raise funds for the hospice. Entry £5.
June 15 to 16
1940s Weekend
Join in the 1940s weekend at Lotherton and be transported back in time with vintage music and dancing. The award-winning vocalist Miss Marina Mae will be performing throughout the weekend. Family-friendly outdoor garden games and craft activities will be taking place to keep little ones entertained. Included with admission price. See if you can spot all the felted animals that have made their home in the museum and tick them off your spotting sheet as part of the new Entangled exhibition. There will be fun family activities on May 28, 29 and 30, from 11am to 2pm.
June 18 to 20
Zog and the Flying Doctors at Lawrence Batley Theatre
Based on Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s bestselling sequel, Freckle Productions (Zog, Stick Man, Tiddler & Other Terrific Tales) are back, with music and lyrics by Joe Stilgoe (Zog), for this truly modern take on the classic fairytale.
June 29
Summer Picnic at Temple Newsam
Take a picnic and enjoy a special day out at Temple Newsam. Admission fee also includes entry to the house and farm. There will be crafts and entertainment for all the family and refreshments will be available for sale. 11am to 3pm. Tickets £5 pp aged 1 plus.
June 29 and 30
Kirkstall Abbey Markets
Set in the beautiful surroundings of Kirkstall Abbey ruins, weekend markets are a great way to shop locally with different stallholders joining every month. Take in the delicious smells and tastes of Yorkshire-made produce including cheeses, chutneys, and sweet and savoury bakes. FREE.
Don't forget to say you saw these events in Families Leeds & West Yorkshire Magazine!