Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, carer or childminder – if you have kids to entertain this summer, you will be looking for ways to not break the bank! We’re here to help – we’ve rounded up some of our favourite ideas for free activities & free (or nearly free) days out.
Join in the chat in the South Leeds Mumbler Facebook group. Let us know what you’ve been up to and share your tips for a great summer. Don’t forget to download our free colour in summer activity sheet to keep track of your fantastic summer.
Join in with the Leeds Libraries Summer Reading Challenge. Kids age 4 – 12 years can sign up for free and help the Animal Agents solve a mystery, collecting rewards such as stickers, medals and key-rings along the way.
Bounce off some energy at the free Breeze event in Springhead park, Rothwell on 4th August 1pm-5pm. Arts & crafts, inflatables, sports, dance and more.
Shake it Up milkshake bar in Garforth are offering free kids crafts throughout the summer holidays – from sand art to cupcake decorating with a different theme each week.
There’s a ‘come & try tennis‘ family drop in session at Springhead park tennis courts, Rothwell on 27th August 2pm-4pm. Free adult & junior coaching, with equipment available to borrow.
Leeds Play Network are making space for play in Leeds city centre. They will be running free arts & crafts sessions on the upper level of the St John’s centre (in the old Jumbo records unit). 11am-3pm : August 2nd, 10th, 11th, 17th, 18th, 24th & 25th.
Join in with the world’s largest treasure hunt – download a free geocaching app to get started. Search your local park for a geocache and collect some treasure. Don’t forget to take a little bit of treasure from home to leave in the box before you hide it again.
Follow the owl trail around Leeds city centre and learn a bit about the city’s heritage. Download and print your free map (or you can buy one for £1 from the art gallery shop) and see how many owls you can track down.
Check out the recently opened visitor’s centre at the RSPB St Aidan’s nature reserve in Methley. Great routes for walking, traffic free cycling, bird watching and mini beast hunting. Free entry, parking £3 all day.
The Hepworth Gallery, Wakefield is free to visit and they are offering loads of free children’s activities over the summer. Grab an ‘Explore & Draw’ bag to take on your visit, create something at the Art Pod or help to make a giant outdoor sculpture. Join in their National Play day celebrations on August 2nd.
See how history is brought to life with the Royal Armouries ‘Dangerous Art’ exhibition & series of workshops (some free/some paid). Learn the art of swordplay, practice your drawing skills, and meet the makers behind the museum’s displays.
Explore our local parks – Middleton, Springhead, Temple Newsam. Take a bike, a ball, a frisbee, a kite or whatever you like to play with. Make a daisy chain, play pooh sticks, test out the swings and listen out for the free outdoor park concert series over the summer – Sundays at 2.30pm.
If you have any little Julia Donaldson fans, check out the Room on the Broom trail around Anglers Country Park in Wakefield. Find sculptures along the circular accessible trail. The trail is free, and activity packs (£2) are available from the visitor’s centre to add to the fun.
Middleton railway are running trains on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays over the summer. Take a ride on the world’s oldest working railway – you could even take a picnic and get off for a walk in Middleton park before making the return journey. Return fares £6 adult, £2.50 child, under 3’s free or £15 family ticket.
Get a Leeds card (£10 a year) & a free breeze card for the kids to get discounted entry into council run & local attractions. Explore Tropical World, Thwaite Mills, Abbey House Museum, Lotherton Hall & the Thackray museum for less.
RSPB Fairburn Ings are holding Wild Wednesdays over the summer with guided bug hunts and wild activities. Drop in 11am-3pm. £2.50 each.
If the kids fancy a paddle but the beach is too far – plan a trip to Hemsworth Water Park or Harrogate’s Valley Gardens outdoor paddling pool to cool off. Travel/parking costs & payable optional extras such as mini golf at the Valley Gardens and Playworld at Hemsworth.
If you like to take a picnic out & about with you, spruce up your usual staples with some new picnic recipe ideas from Jamie Oliver.
Get the kids involved in the cooking with some great recipes and tips from teen chef Tilly Ramsay.
If you’re looking to eat out without spending a fortune, there’s loads of cafes & restaurants offering ‘kids eat free’ or ‘kids eat for £1’ deals over the summer. Check out our family friendly eating out page for details.
