Things to do with the kids in Leeds: Six free or low-cost family activities including The Great Thwaite Flutterby

By The Newsroom

Published 21st Aug 2022, 04:45 BST

Updated 3rd May 2023, 11:04 BST

From railway-themed activities to Walt Disney original classics, finding ways to keep the family entertained this summer doesn’t have to break the bank.

We’ve teamed up with Leeds City Council and Leeds Inspired to highlight some the best free and low-cost events and activities for people of all ages to enjoy.

Here are six ideas to give you some inspiration for the coming week.

Breeze will return to parks across Leeds this summer, with a new interactive play system, revamped arts zone, fun fair, food and classic inflatables. All at a Breeze In The Park near you. This week on August 22, the event will be coming to Bramley Park. Alongside the inflatable obstacle course, families can expect to find bouncy castles, arts and crafts, interactive play, and fun fair rides (which will be an additional cost). To book tickets visit www.breezeleeds.org

1. Breeze in the Park in Bramley

Breeze will return to parks across Leeds this summer, with a new interactive play system, revamped arts zone, fun fair, food and classic inflatables. All at a Breeze In The Park near you. This week on August 22, the event will be coming to Bramley Park. Alongside the inflatable obstacle course, families can expect to find bouncy castles, arts and crafts, interactive play, and fun fair rides (which will be an additional cost). To book tickets visit www.breezeleeds.org Photo: YEP

Visit one of the country’s last remaining water powered mills and pick up a butterfly trail from reception. Hit the mill’s stunning nature trail and check out the fascinating mill buildings to hunt them all down. Collect their names to find the missing butterfly. https://museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk/thwaite-watermill

2. The Great Thwaite Flutterby

Visit one of the country’s last remaining water powered mills and pick up a butterfly trail from reception. Hit the mill’s stunning nature trail and check out the fascinating mill buildings to hunt them all down. Collect their names to find the missing butterfly. https://museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk/thwaite-watermill Photo: YEP

Take a seat in one of the UK’s smallest cinemas with just 24 seats inside. Leeds Industrial Museum is home to the tiny 1920’s Palace Picture House which will be showing
family favourites Tuesday-Friday over the Summer school holidays. Screenings start at 2pm and are included in the museum admission charge- meaning a family of five can go to the cinema for just £11.

3. Mystery Matinees at Leeds Industrial Museum

Take a seat in one of the UK’s smallest cinemas with just 24 seats inside. Leeds Industrial Museum is home to the tiny 1920’s Palace Picture House which will be showing family favourites Tuesday-Friday over the Summer school holidays. Screenings start at 2pm and are included in the museum admission charge- meaning a family of five can go to the cinema for just £11. Photo: YEP

Get on the right track with a fun packed day of trains and railway-themed activities for all the family at Leeds Industrial Museum on August 28. Enjoy displays, behind the scenes tours, films and hands-on activities as the museum is joined by the Friends of the Sierra Leone National Railway Museum. Events take place from 1pm to 5pm. https://museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk/events/leeds-
industrial-museum/trains-trains-trains

4. Trains, Trains, Trains at Leeds Industrial Museum

Get on the right track with a fun packed day of trains and railway-themed activities for all the family at Leeds Industrial Museum on August 28. Enjoy displays, behind the scenes tours, films and hands-on activities as the museum is joined by the Friends of the Sierra Leone National Railway Museum. Events take place from 1pm to 5pm. https://museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk/events/leeds- industrial-museum/trains-trains-trains Photo: YEP

Listen to a picture book story about how a famous clock helped make time travel and help make the sound effects of the story. Most suitable for children aged under eight years but open to all. The free event is linked to the exhibition in partnership with the British Library, Living with Machines: human stories from the industrial age and takes place on August 24 at 11am and 1pm.

5. Sensory Story: The Man Who Made Time Travel at Leeds City Museum

Listen to a picture book story about how a famous clock helped make time travel and help make the sound effects of the story. Most suitable for children aged under eight years but open to all. The free event is linked to the exhibition in partnership with the British Library, Living with Machines: human stories from the industrial age and takes place on August 24 at 11am and 1pm. Photo: YEP

Enjoy Walt Disney's original classic that sees Cruella De Vil dognap all of the Dalmatian puppies in London, including 15 from Pongo and Perdita's family.
Through the power of the Twilight Bark, Pongo leads a heroic cast of animal characters on a dramatic quest to rescue them all.
The screening is organised by Hyde Park Picture House and tickets are pays as you feel: https://www.leedsinspired.co.uk/events/hyde-park-picture-house-101-dalmatians

6. 101 Dalmatians at Headingley Enterprise and Arts Centre (HEART)

Enjoy Walt Disney's original classic that sees Cruella De Vil dognap all of the Dalmatian puppies in London, including 15 from Pongo and Perdita's family. Through the power of the Twilight Bark, Pongo leads a heroic cast of animal characters on a dramatic quest to rescue them all. The screening is organised by Hyde Park Picture House and tickets are pays as you feel: https://www.leedsinspired.co.uk/events/hyde-park-picture-house-101-dalmatians Photo: YEP

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