Free and low-cost things to do over the Easter school holidays in Leeds

Story Explorers at Leeds Central Library

Take a fantastical trip to the far reaches of outer space, the depths of the jungle and the bottom of the ocean floor in a free family experience created with the British Library. Expect interactive elements for children to play with, weird and wonderful items to see up close, family friendly facilities, and a mini children’s library.

On until Saturday 30 May, cost: free

Find out more: Story Explorers at Leeds Central Library

Easter Holidays: Hats off to History at Temple Newsam House

From bonnets to bowlers, fascinators to flat caps — discover the stories behind the hats that shaped fashion through the ages. Try on historic styles, craft your own creative headpiece, and join in our Hat Parade through the grand halls of the house.

Saturday 28 March to Sunday 19 April, cost: included in admission

Find out more: Easter Holidays: Hats off to History at Temple Newsam House

Roman Rabbits Trail at Leeds City Museum

See how many friendly and fierce bunnies you can spot, including our very own Emperor Carrot-ius. A historical and creative trail for all the family, full of weird and surprising rabbit facts.

Saturday 28 March to Sunday 19 April, cost: give what you can

Find out more: Roman Rabbits Trail at Leeds City Museum

Easter at Temple Newsam Home Farm and Play Barn

It’s our favourite time of year with newborn lambs, piglets, goat kids and calves. Follow our farm trail to see how people lived and worked here long ago, then explore the Play Barn with two zones for toddlers and children up to 12.

Saturday 28 March to Sunday 19 April, cost: £9.50, Under 3s Free (your ticket offers a full day’s entry to Home Farm including a session in the Play Barn).

Find out more: Easter at Temple Newsam Home Farm and Play Barn

Dragon Quest: The Search for the Lost Eggs at Lotherton

This Easter, Lotherton becomes home to dragons from around the world. Head on a family-friendly adventure to discover the secrets of these mythical beasts.

Saturday 28 March to Sunday 19 April, cost: included in admission (advanced booking recommended)

Find out more: Dragon Quest: The Search for the Lost Eggs at Lotherton

Birds and Bumblebees at Tropical World

This Easter, it’s all about the Birds and the Bumblebees. Find the exotic birds in the Waterfall House with our NEW Bird Spotter Sheet. Learn about our work with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust protecting Roundhay Park’s bees. Make a bumblebee feeder in the Activity Room and then treat yourself in our café and shop.

Saturday 28 March to Sunday 19 April, cost: Adults: £9,50, children 3 to 15: £5.50, under 3’s free (see website for concessions and discounts)

Find out more: Birds and Bumblebees at Tropical World

Easter half term activities at Kirkgate Market

Enjoy a range of activities over the half term period at Kirkgate Market, including: Lego, Duplo, colouring, and crafts (11am to 3pm – weekdays only), Circus School (Wednesday 1 and Thursday 2 April), Bath Bomb Making (Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 April, 11:30am to 2:30pm), plus a special screening from Leeds Young Film Festival (Friday 10 and Saturday 11 April). All sessions are free to attend. 

Tuesday 31 March to Saturday 11 April, cost: free

Find out more: Easter half term activities at Kirkgate Market

Felted Egg Hunt at Leeds Industrial Museum

Wander down to Leeds Industrial Museum for an egg-cellent Easter. Can you find all the eggs in our Felted Eggs Hunt?

Friday 3 to Sunday 19 April, cost: included in admission

Find out more: Felted Egg Hunt at Leeds Industrial Museum

Silly Sheep Round Up at Kirkstall Abbey

Bring along the whole family for a baa-rilliant Easter holiday activity at Kirkstall Abbey. The Cistercian monks who lived and worked at the Abbey in its heyday loved their sheep and so do we. But our sheep don’t just come in white – look around the ruins for rainbow, gingham and polka dot flocks.

Friday 3 to Sunday 19 April, cost: give what you can

Find out more: Silly Sheep Round Up at Kirkstall Abbey

Bunny Fun at Abbey House Museum

Bunnies have taken over Abbey House Museum this Easter holidays. There will be grocer bunnies weighing carrots, bunny barmaids pulling pints, snow bunnies and some famous faces like Peter Rabbit. There will be a bunny counting competition, our usual range of fun trails and scavenger hunts plus a range of crafts in our Education room.

Friday 3 to Sunday 19 April, cost: included in admission

Find out more: Bunny Fun at Abbey House Museum

Play the Room at Leeds City Museum

Come play the room with your sound and movement, immersed within giant projections and speakers in every corner. This will be a relaxed, uplifting experience for everyone to enjoy. Drop-in sessions will run from 11am to 3pm and will be open to everyone. Quieter ticketed sessions to take place at 10am and 10:30am.

Tuesday 7 to Friday 10 April, cost: give what you can

Find out more: Play the Room at Leeds City Museum

Pumpkin and Wildflower Sowing at Temple Newsam

Visit the Walled Gardens and pot two pumpkin seeds, one for you to take and grow at home, and one for the gardeners to grow on for you. We'll then look after it carefully and wait for you to return to us and collect or carve it at Halloween.

Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 8 April, 1pm to 3pm, cost: free

Find out more: Pumpkin and Wildflower Sowing at Temple Newsam

Story Explorers: Craft a Story, Create Your Own Lego World and Out of This World Coding

Visit your local library this Easter to enjoy a hands-on craft session inspired by the Story Explorers exhibition at Central Library. This session will feature one themed craft activity, inspired by characters and creatures from the exhibition. Attendees will also be able to code micro:bits to create a twinkling constellation, and build worlds with Lego.

Tuesday 7 to Friday 17 April, cost: free, various locations – see website for specific dates and times

Find out more: Story Explorers: Craft a Story, Create Your Own Lego World and Out of This World Coding

Discovery Day at Leeds Discovery Centre

Enjoy an Easter exploration of Leed's very own hidden gem as you step inside a treasure trove of history at Leeds Discovery Centre.

Thursday 9 April, 10am to 4pm, cost: give what you can (booking essential)

Find out more: Discovery Day at Leeds Discovery Centre

Family Singalongs at Leeds City Museum

Join the team at the museum in the main hall for family singalongs led by Emma. Expect everything from family favourites to local Leeds anthems, the chance to play on a piano, and colouring sheet activity tables.

Tuesday 14 April, 11am to 2pm, cost: give what you can

Find out more: Family Singalongs at Leeds City Museum

The Child Friendly Leeds 12 wishes represent the voices of 80,000 children and young people in Leeds. Working towards these wishes makes Leeds a better city for children to grow up in.

This article is in support of Child Friendly Leeds Wish 7: Children and young people know about different things to do and places to go across the city. They enjoy different cultural experiences including art, music, sport and film. Read the full wish and find out more.