Free and low-cost things to do over May half term in 2026

Conservation today and tomorrow at Tropical World

This May half term, explore Tropical World and discover how conservation is making a difference locally and around the world. Meet amazing species, learn about real conservation action, and find out how you can help protect our planet.
Saturday 23rd – Sunday 31st May, cost: Adults £9.50, children (3–15) £5.50, under 3s free (see website for concessions)
Find out more: Conservation today and tomorrow at Tropical World

Love Your Zoo Week at Lotherton

Experience a wild family adventure during Love Your Zoo Week at Lotherton. Explore their animal trail, enjoy hands-on quizzes and activites, and get creative with zoo-themed crafts.
Saturday 23 to Sunday 31 May, cost: included in admission.
Find out more: Love Your Zoo Week at Lotherton

Petals and Poisons Trail at Kirkstall Abbey

Wander through the abbey ruins looking for a variety of flowers, plants and herbs - each one is special... Some of them might have been used by the monks to heal a sore throat or to clean their teeth, some made the church smell nice, others were deadly poisonous
Saturday 23 to Sunday 31 May, cost: give what you can
Find out more: Petals and Poisons Trail at Kirkstall Abbey

Gnomes Sweet Gnome at Abbey House Museum

Help! Some cheeky gnomes have escaped and are hiding all over the Victorian Streets, grab a trail sheet and see who you can find. You might find them planting in the pub, camping in the chemists, dressing up in the drapers, or arresting suspects in the new police station.
Saturday 23 to Sunday 31 May, cost: included in admission
Find out more: Gnomes Sweet Gnome at Abbey House Museum

Find Your Happy at Temple Newsam House and Home Farm

Step into a world of joy and creativity at Temple Newsam, where happiness is just around the corner. Enjoy a family visit with lots to lift your spirits and spark your imagination. Get crafty and dive into hands-on craft activities designed to delight all ages.
Saturday 23 to Sunday 31 May, cost: included in admission
Find out more: Find Your Happy at Temple Newsam House and Home Farm

Everyday Heroes at Leeds Discovery Centre

Enjoy a store tour, a self-directed craft, and the opportunity to interact with historical objects representing the people who help, then and now. Learn from objects in the Discovery Centre’s collection about people who help others, including firefighter and nurse outfits from the Dress and Textiles collection. Maybe even meet a real-life hero too...
Tuesday 26 to Thursday 28 May, cost: give what you can (booking required)
Find out more: Everyday Heroes at Leeds Discovery Centre

Spiky Singing With A Side of Silliness at Leeds City Museum

Join singer-songwriter Nicky Bray for these family-friendly interactive singing storytelling sessions.
Tuesday 26 May, 10:45am and 12:30pm, cost: give what you can (booking per child required)
Find out more: Spiky Singing With A Side of Silliness at Leeds City Museum

Story Explorers: Whale Tales at Leeds Libraries

How does an octopus tell its story? How does a whale hunt in the dark? Dive in with a real-life marine biologist and come on a journey from the ocean shallows to the deep sea where we will be asking the question - how do marine organisms communicate? A free family-friendly event recommended for children aged 5+. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Tuesday 26 and Friday 29 May, Rothwell Library, Headingley Library, Leeds Central Library, and Seacroft Library, cost: free
Find out more: Story Explorers: Whale Tales at Leeds Libraries

Bean Planting at Temple Newsam Estate

Learn how to plant bean seeds whilst enjoying the estates wonderful Walled Garden. With guidance from members of the gardening team, you'll discover how to prepare soil, sow seeds, and care for your plants. All seeds, tools and materials are provided, so there's no need to bring anything except yourselves, some enthusiasm and suitable outdoor clothing.
Wednesday 27 to Thursday 28 May, cost: free (booking required)
Find out more: Bean Planting at Temple Newsam Estate

Leeds City Museum Choir in Kirkstall Abbey

Enjoy a special one-off performance of Leeds City Museum's Community Choir in the nave of Kirkstall Abbey as they sing popular songs of recent years as well as folk songs.
Friday 29 May, 2:30pm to 3:15pm, cost: give what you can
Find out more: Leeds City Museum Choir in Kirkstall Abbey

Woolfest 2026 at Leeds Industrial Museum

Celebrate the wonder of wool with craft stalls, workshops, live demonstrations, a pop-up tea room and loads more - the city’s original festival of wool is back with a bang in 2026.
Saturday 6 June, cost: Adults £5.40, children: £2.90
Find out more: Woolfest 2026 at Leeds Industrial Museum

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. Inspired by Leeds families, there’ll be lots of books, of course, but also intriguing objects, surprising sounds and exciting art. Oh, and there’s also a giant cuddly octopus.
Until Saturday 29 August, cost: free
Find out more: Story Explorers at Leeds Central Library

Story Explorers: Animal Trail at Leeds Libraries

As part of Leeds Libraries’ Story Explorers exhibition, drop in to your local library across Leeds and find eight cunning creatures who have hidden amongst the shelves! Hunt them down and complete the animal explorer activity sheet for a chance to win a brilliant prize bundle.
Until Saturday 30 May, cost: free
Find out more: Story Explorers: Animal Trail at Leeds Libraries

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.