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

Summer Reading Challenge at Leeds Libraries
The 2025 Summer Reading Challenge has begun and is a free holiday activity for children aged 4 to 11. It's all about reading for fun, aiming to improve children's reading skills and confidence. Children can read anything they like and collect free rewards for their reading, including a bookmark, pop badge and wooden medal. This year’s theme is Story Garden – Adventures in Nature and the Great Outdoors and will inspire children to tap into a world of imagination through reading, exploring the magical connection between storytelling and nature.
Monday 7 July to Friday 22 August, various library locations, cost: free


Butterfly Fever at Tropical World
As part of the Big Butterfly Count 2025 enjoy a special weekend of activities on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 July, inside the zoo and at the Wildflower Meadows in Roundhay Park (weather permitting). The Butterfly Conservation Yorkshire team will be on site with lots of information on these fascinating creatures. Pick up your free copy of the Butterfly ID chart and head down to the Wildflower Meadow to record the number and type of butterflies you spot in a 15-minute slot - don’t forget to submit your sightings!
Saturday 19 to Sunday 20 July, cost: included in admission
Find out more: Big Butterfly Count at Tropical World


A Lotherton Summer Holiday
Enjoy all things summer at Lotherton this school holiday. With six weeks of summer fun, including a whole host of children's entertainment, activities, and a family trail.
Saturday 19 July to Sunday 31 August, cost: included in admission (some activities at additional cost)
Find out more: A Lotherton Summer Holiday


Summer Fun at Temple Newsam Home Farm
Visit the farm’s adorable animals, rare breed livestock, and take in the stunning landscape of the Temple Newsam Estate. Families can make and take home their own special crafts, explore the exciting interactive trail, it's fun for all the family. Don't forget your camera, as there are plenty of photo opportunities!
Saturday 19 July to Monday 25 August, cost: included in admission
Find out more: Summer Fun at Temple Newsam Home Farm


Summer of Fun at Kirkgate Market
Head to Kirkgate Market throughout the summer holidays for a range of family friendly activities, including arts and crafts, shows, circus school, bumper cars, interactive games, a climbing wall, and roller skating.
Monday 21 July to Saturday 30 August, cost: free
Find out more: Summer of Fun at Kirkgate Market


Deer Tractor Tours at Lotherton
Experience Lotherton’s herd of red deer up close as you are taken on a tour of the Deer Park in the Lotherton tractor trailer. Learn all about this magnificent species – Britain’s biggest native mammal – and discover the estate from a different viewpoint.
Monday 21 July to Monday 25 August, cost: £7.50 per person + admission
Find out more: Deer Tractor Tours at Lotherton


Stories in the Streets at Abbey House Museum
Stories from our Story Time exhibition have spilled out into the Victorian Streets! You can find Mrs Tiggywinkle doing her washing, the Hungry Caterpillar munching his way through the grocer's shop and seagulls eating the Lighthouse Keeper's lunch. Come along to spot the stories plus a range of trails and crafts to join in for the whole family to work together. Drop-in during normal opening hours. Don't forget to check out our Story Time exhibition while you're here, all about children's books through the ages!
Wednesday 23 July to Sunday 31 August, cost: included in admission
Find out more: Stories in the Streets at Abbey House Museum


Breeze in the Park
Breeze in the Park is back for 2025! Enjoy interactive play, arts and crafts, games, sports, food and, of course, Breeze’s famous collection of classic inflatables. Coming to a park near you throughout summer.
Wednesday 23 July to Thursday 21 August, cost: £1 per child. Optional additional activities and food at additional cost. Inflatable fast track and various discounts available with a £5 Breeze Pass.
Find out more: Breeze in the Park


Story Garden – Code and Create at Leeds libraries
To celebrate this year’s Summer Reading Challenge theme, make your own Story Gardens in lots of exciting ways. Join our library team to code robot bees and programme moisture sensors to keep plants hydrated! A free family-friendly event recommended for children aged 7+. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Thursday 24 July to Thursday 21 August, various library locations, cost: free
Find out more: Story Garden – Code and Create at Leeds Libraries


A Magical Miffy Summer at Leeds City Museum
Hop down to Leeds City Museum over the summer holidays to experience Miffy summer fun! Take part in sing-along storytimes, make Miffy-inspired wands, experience dazzling magic shows, and design interactive artwork at electric paint and animation workshops. There will also be a pop-up sensory room filled with dark tents, light-up toys, squishy floor tiles, dens and a bubble tube.
Thursday 24 July to Wednesday 27 August, various times (booking required for some activities - please see website for more details), cost: give what you can
Find out more: A Magical Miffy Summer at Leeds City Museum


Steam Toys & Meccano Show at Leeds Industrial Museum
Marvel at the displays of working steam toys and Meccano from local collectors at this fun and friendly event. Enjoy this annual event from the Friends of Pudsey Roller as enthusiasts and collectors bring in their steam toys and Meccano to share with visitors. There will also be a pop-up cafe selling delicious treats and raising funds for the Pudsey Roller.
Sunday 27 July, 12pm to 4pm, cost: included in admission
Find out more: Steam Toys & Meccano Show at Leeds Industrial Museum


Pot a Plant at Temple Newsam
Head to the Walled Garden, where a friendly team will help you to pot up a stunning Coleus plant from the estate’s national collection to take home! Coleus are known for their striking, multicoloured foliage, and can thrive in both sun and shade, making them a versatile choice for any growing space.
Wednesday 30 July, 1pm to 3pm, cost: £3 per plant (booking essential)
Find out more: Pot a Plant at Temple Newsam


Tooth and Claw Workshop at Leeds Discovery Centre
Discover the animal skulls in the Natural Science collection and learn about how some have adapted teeth and claws to find food. Get up close and personal to the claws and teeth in our collection! Why are they that big? Why are they that sharp?! Join us for a family workshop and tour of our amazing collection store.
Wednesday 30 July, 10am to 12pm, cost: give what you can
Find out more: Tooth and Claw Workshop at Leeds Discovery Centre


Mystery Matinees at Leeds Industrial Museum
Enjoy a family film in the museum’s cosy, 1920s-style Palace Picture House. Please note, the museum is closed on Mondays.
Tuesday 5 August to Sunday 31 August, cost: included in admission
Find out more: Mystery Matinees at Leeds Industrial Museum


Crafty in the Cloister at Kirkstall Abbey
Take part in craft activities in the heart of the Abbey - the cloister. Every Thursday afternoon there will be new craft and colouring activities, reflecting on the nature in the abbey. The Cloister is the central courtyard in the abbey that served as a quiet area, surrounded by covered walkways to minimise noise and disruption. A quiet and meditative space for the Cistercian monks.
Thursday 7, 14, 21, 28 August, 2pm to 4pm, cost: give what you can
Find out more: Crafty in the Cloister at Kirkstall Abbey


Fladam presents…Green Fingers at Leeds libraries
It’s Green Fingers’ first day at school, and so far nobody has spotted his bright green hands. But then… GOO! GUNK! GLOOP! What a mess! Why are they suddenly misbehaving? It doesn’t help that heinous headmaster Mr Marigold despises anything dirty… but is something magical going on? Maybe the answers can be found in the mysterious school garden? A family-friendly show recommended for children aged 3+. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Tuesday 12 August to Thursday 21 August, various library locations, cost: give what you can
Find out more: Fladam presents…Green Fingers at Leeds libraries

Taxidermied! Workshop at Leeds Discovery Centre

Join a Natural Science curator to look at how animals are taxidermied and preserved, and get up close to our animal collections. How are our animal collections preserved? Learn about taxidermy and the preservation of animals, and how they can contribute to the understanding of animals. After a tour in our store, we'll be creating a shoebox scene of your own to take home.
Wednesday 13 August, 10am to 12pm, cost: give what you can
Find out more: Taxidermied! Workshop at Leeds Discovery Centre

Pattern Making Poetry at Leeds Art Gallery
Creative family fun session with artist Kalisha Piper Cheddie. Use drawing and collage to make patterns on long pieces of paper that will be hung on the large walls in Central Court on the first floor of the gallery. While you're there, take some time to find out more about Lynette Yiadom-Boakye's favourite music and poetry that inspired her exhibition, To Improvise a Mountain: Lynette Yiadom-Boakye Curates. Drop-in, no need to book.
Tuesday 19, Wednesday 20, Thursday 21 August, 11am to 3pm, cost: give what you can
Find out more: Pattern Making Poetry at Leeds Art Gallery


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: https://wearechildfriendlyleeds.com/wish-7-things-to-do/ Child Friendly Leeds also have a great guide full of even more things to do in Leeds over summer. Take a look at their summer activities guide here.