Going on adventures with your little one can be an exciting yet challenging experience to say the least. The UK is lucky to have so many incredible cities and towns up and down the country worth spending the day in. A toddler’s seemingly endless energy combined with the surroundings of a new city can make for a wonderful day out, especially in a lively city like Leeds. So, before you head off on your next trip, here’s a guide with all the best places you need to know about when visiting Leeds with a toddler:
The Tetley is located at the Tetley Tea Brewery in Leeds. It is a newly opened arts centre where they host a range of fun activities for children, in particular under 5’s. Their ‘Tiny Tetley’ sessions take place every fourth Wednesday in the month. Here, the events include everything from messy painting to sensory activities. If you’ve also got older children to think about, their family art workshops are ideal for keeping them occupied with book-making, robot designs and printing activities.
Get stuck in at this amazing working farm at Rothwell. You’ll be able to see all of the animals including pigs, cows, horses and even meerkats! If you’re lucky, your little one might get the chance to bottle feed one of the lambs. As well as the incredible farm, there’s also a dynamic outdoor play area with a trampoline, sandpit and bouncy castle to end the day.
The Rainbow Factory is just as exciting as the name suggests. It’s the perfect place to keep the toddler’s amused while you’re in Leeds. The factory aims to bring story books to life with fun interactive activities and handmade models. There are a range of activities revolving around the story theme including dressing up and storytelling.
If you want the chance to see more of the city, consider the owl trail. There are 25 hidden owls dotted around the city – so keep your eyes peeled and tick them off your list as you go around! It’s completely free, so download a map or pick one up from the Art Gallery. When you’ve found them all, have a well-deserved break at one of the best Leeds restaurants.
The Little Bookshop is much cherished as Leeds’ only independent children bookshop. You can have a browse of the regularly updated collection or attend one of the workshops. Every weekday morning there’s a story sharing extravaganza with a book reading for all the children. It’s a wonderful activity if you’re looking for something to do in the city centre that’s inexpensive.
One of the best things to do in Leeds is visit Roundhay Park and the newly renovated Tropical World. The 700 acre site is a popular tourist attraction with an abundance of completely free activities on offer. Take a stroll around the magnificent grounds before heading to Tropical World to see the meerkats, crocodile, snakes, lizards and lemurs to name a few. Once you’ve seen all there is to see, you can head to the tennis courts, adventure playgrounds and even skate park to have them worn out before the day’s end!
Visiting a city centre museum is an ideal way to keep the little ones entertained, and Leeds City Museum has it all. Entry is free, so take as much time as you want wandering around the building with 540 million years’ worth of history under its roof. The exhibitions are constantly changing, so check ahead to see what’s on when you’re in town.
Explore a world of wonder in Leeds’ Discovery Centre – completely free for all the family. It features over 1 million intriguing objects for a day full of learning and discovery. There are a number of exhibitions with everything from history to science, making it a wonderful day out for the little ones.
It may come as a surprise, but Leeds has over 20 nature reserves making up the glorious landscape. Every one makes for an adventurous day out with all of the family. Some of the best reserves in Leeds include the Rodley Nature reserve which is not only covered in stunning plants but also rich with wildlife. For a fascinating sight, make your way to Farnley Hall Fishpond to see the bird migrations, just make sure you remember your camera to capture the moment!
Where Will Your Next Trip Take You?
Leeds is certainly an many amazing UK city with plenty left to discover. So, whether you’re it’s a fleeting weekend visit or week-long stay with the family, plan ahead and start building your jam-packed itinerary with all of the fun things to do in Leeds with a toddler in tow.
Natalie Wilson is a freelance writer in the travel niche, and can provide advice on anything from packing essentials to hidden gems. When not writing, Natalie can be found reading a good book with a cup of tea or planning her next travel destination. You can connect with her on Twitter @NatWilson976.
