Leeds is a fantastic city for families, offering the perfect mix of culture, history and fun in a diverse range of environments. If you’re looking for ways to entertain the kids this half-term, Leeds is the perfect city to visit – here are five of the best things to do this October:
1. Temple Newsam
Temple Newsam, a beautiful Tudor-Jacobean house and farms, is a great visit at any time of the year as it offers some of the best children’s activities in Leeds. This half-term, there’s lots to see and do, from a tour of the hidden cellars below the house to Halloweave, a craft event where you can make your own multi-coloured artwork. There’s also gorgeous gardens, sports, tearooms, animals and artwork – so plenty for all the family!
2. Stockeld Park Halloween Adventure
This October half-term, the ancient woodland of Stockeld Park has a whole week of adventures planned for parents and kids. From the Halloween catwalk and pumpkin carving to wizard and witch workshops and story-telling, there’s lots going on at Stockeld Park between 22nd Oct and 2nd Nov, so it’s well worth a visit.
3. Elves and the Shoemaker by Northern Ballet
This popular family event runs every year, and previous shows such as Three Little Pigs and The Ugly Duckling have completely sold out in previous seasons. This October half-term, it’s the turn of Elves and the Shoemaker, a fantastic ballet for children re-telling the famous Brothers Grimm tale. This family-friendly show tells the story of a hard-working but poor shoemaker who gives away his last pair of shoes to a woman in need, and wakes up next morning to find his last piece of leather has been turned into a shiny new pair of magic shoes. Elves and the Shoemaker is suitable for ages 3 and up and is held at the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre in Leeds between 27th Oct and 1st November.
4. Spooky Scarecrow Trail at Lotherton Hall
If you haven’t had enough of Halloween-themed events, we have another spooky set of children’s activities in Leeds for families to enjoy. It’s the return of the Spooky Scarecrow Trail, where you need to follow the clues around the impressive Lotherton Hall estate and get ready for some scares and surprises! The event takes place on Friday 31st October.
5. Spooky family fun at Thackray Medical Museum
As long as you don’t use the ‘M’ word (museum, not medical) at any point, you’ll get the kids to the Thackray Medical Museum and we guarantee they will have a fantastic time, whilst also learning quite a bit about the human body. The museum is running a spooky half-term in the run-up to Halloween and has lots of ghostly activities for families, including the chance to create your own pair of skeleton hands to take home with you. Events take place between 1pm and 4pm between 27th and 31st October and are free with a 12-month ticket.
Remember, if you are planning a long day out or even a whole week away, Weetwood Hall hotel is the perfect base camp for all of your half-term adventures. After a tiring but happy day with the family, what could be better than a delicious meal in stylish surroundings and a comfortable room to recharge the batteries ready for another day full of adventures?