WHAT'S ON
What's On Have you got an event you’d like to share with us? Email us at editor@familiesleeds.co.uk We took every care in preparing these entries but sometimes events are cancelled or times change. Please double check with the organiser to avoid disappointment. Gnome Roam Newmillerdam Country Park, WF2 6DJ 02924 369637 www.wakefield.gov.uk/parks-andcountryside Throughout 2023 This simple walking trail encourages children to use signs and clues to spot carved statues of gnomes and wildlife. Exhibition: Rescue National Coal Mining Museum, WF4 4RH 01924 848806 www.ncm.org.uk Daily until 1 October See how mine operators learn from mining disasters to create a robust Mines Rescue service with stateof-the-art equipment that is still in operation today. FREE. Story and Rhyme Leeds Libraries www.leeds.gov.uk/libraries A fun session of sharing stories and rhymes in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. At various times at 32 local libraries on weekdays. Daily Shows Royal Armouries, LS10 1LT 0113 220 1916 www.royalarmouries.org Daily until 20 October Costumed characters take the perspective of the warriors and soldiers who were on the frontline and what it was like to be there when the key moments in history were decided. Variety of different shows every day. FREE. Exhibition: All to Play For Abbey House Museum, LS5 3EH 0113 2305492 www.museumsand galleries.leeds.gov.uk Daily until 31 December Take a sprint through the history of sport, play and competition in Leeds. Showcasing stories that reflect the dynamic history of play in Leeds, the exhibition also celebrates our instinctive want to compete for trophies. Exhibition: On the Bench Thackray Medical Museum, LS9 7LN 0113 2444343 www.thackraymuseum.co.uk Daily until 31 December 2023 On the Bench is the game-changing story of sport and injury, exploring what happens when players get injured and who helps them recover. Bounce and Rhyme Leeds Libraries www.leeds.gov.uk/libraries Every Monday and Wednesday A fun session of sharing songs and rhymes with your baby in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. FREE. Monday - Central, Holt Park. Wednesday – Headingley. 1.30pm. Storytime The Little Bookshop, LS7 3PD 0113 212 3465 www.thelittlebook shopleeds.co.uk Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday (term time only) Enjoy a cosy story time featuring delightful books for young children. For ages 2 to 5. 11-11.25am. FREE. 14 Families Leeds & West Yorkshire
Toddler Tuesdays Castleford Museum, WF10 1BB 01977 722085 www.wakefield.gov. uk/museums-and-castles Every Tuesday A lively session of storytelling, crafts and rhymes, inspired by a different museum object each week. 10-11am. Storytime for Under 5s Truman Books, LS28 5HX 0113 8056019 www.trumanbooks.co.uk Every Tuesday and Thursday Take your little ones for a session of stories and songs in kids’ corner. Suitable for under 5's. Tuesdays at 9.30am, Thursdays at 10.30am. FREE. Create Together - Family Friendly Art Group New Wortley Community Centre, LS12 1LZ www.leedsmind.org.uk Every Thursday A fun, relaxed art group, run by experienced art facilitators. This is a self-directed group, where participants are encouraged to work on their own projects and develop a self-sufficient practice. 3.30- 5pm. Tiny Tigers Leeds City Museum, LS2 8BH 0113 2243732 www.museumsand galleries.leeds.gov.uk Every Friday Creative, messy sessions for under 5s and their carers. Babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers welcome. FREE, drop in, no need to book. 10-11.45am. Dungeon Tours Pontefract Castle, WF8 1QH www.wakefield.gov.uk/museumsand-castles Every Friday, Saturday, Sunday Soak in the atmosphere of this eerie underground space, discover the history of the dungeon and see where Civil War prisoners left to languish scratched their names into the rock. 10.45-11.30am. Castle Explorer Tour Pontefract Castle, WF8 1QH www.wakefield.gov.uk/museumsand-castles Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday Discover who built and lived in the castle and listen to stories of unfaithful Queens, imprisoned Kings as well the castle’s role in the English Civil Wars. Alll ages. 12-12.45pm. Rory’s Saturday Club Leeds City Museum, LS2 8BH 0113 2243732 www.museumsand galleries.leeds.gov.uk Every Saturday Looking for something creative to do with kids in the city? Head to Leeds City Museum for Rory’s Saturday Club craft sessions for all ages. FREE, drop in. 11-12.15pm. Family Fun Ilkley Manor House, LS29 9DT 07480 064142 www.ilkleymanorhouse.org Saturday and Sunday, 2 September to 29 October Enjoy a bumper schedule of weekend activities suitable for all the family. Celebrate bees and their delicious honey, discover the
remains of Ilkley's very own Roman fort, dress up in period costumes and check out our rather unpleasant 16th century toilet! Garden Play The Hepworth, WF1 5AW 01924 247360 www.hepworthwakefield.org Every Saturday and Sunday Stack, build, experiment, draw and imagine with your family in the open air. 11am to 4pm, FREE. Autumn Harvest Lotherton, LS25 3EB 0113 3782959 www.museumsand galleries.leeds.gov.uk 1 to 30 September Explore the tranquil orchard and pick your own apples to enjoy at home. Lego Club: Building a Love of Books Leeds Central Library, LS1 3AB 0113 378 5005 www.leeds.gov.uk/ libraries 2 September and 28 October Monthly Lego Club for building and constructing creations based on best-loved children's books, featuring a different theme each month. Ages 5+. 11am-12pm. Lego Club: Building a Love of Books St George's Centre Community Hub, LS10 4UZ 0113 378 5347 www.leeds.gov.uk/libraries 5 September and 3 October Monthly Lego Club for building and constructing creations based on best-loved children's books, featuring a different theme each month. Ages 5+. 3.30-4.30pm. Ilbert's Dragon Tales Pontefract Castle, WF8 1QH www.wakefield.gov.uk/museumsand-castles 6 September and 4 October Join Ilbert the dragon at Pontefract Castle for a fun and friendly afternoon of storytelling and hands on play. Ages 2 to 5. 1.30-2.30pm. Toddler Days Eureka, HX1 2NE 01422 330069 www.eureka.org.uk 7 and 8 of September Days just for pre-schoolers, with no school bookings, so all spaces (and staff) will be focused on the youngest visitors. Heritage Open Days: Creativity Unwrapped Leeds City Centre www.leeds2023.co.uk 9 to 17 September This year, Leeds is hosting over 100 events around the theme of 'Creativity Unwrapped' – a programme bursting with music, live performance, talks, workshops, art exhibitions and family fun.
Family Day Leeds Central Library, LS1 3AB 0113 378 5005 www.leeds.gov.uk/libraries 9 September A host of FREE activities taking place for families to enjoy together. 10am-3pm. Family Upcycling Workshop Leeds Central Library, LS1 3AB 0113 378 5005 www.leeds.gov.uk/libraries 9 September A fun workshop that combines history, sustainability and creativity. Upcycle an old t-shirt and decorate it with designs inspired by vintage magazines. Ages 11+. 10.15-11.45am. The Science of Colour Pontefract Castle, WF8 1QH www.wakefield.gov.uk/museumsand-castles 9 September In this hands-on workshop discover the science behind colour and have a go at making your own paint pigment from natural stone and plants. Ages 7+. 10.30am-12pm and 1.30-3pm. Get Creative University of Leeds, LS2 9JT 0113 2431751 www.leeds.ac.uk 9 September The University of Leeds is running three two-hour sessions for families to 'Get Creative' in the Makerspace on Level 9 of the Edward Boyle Library. Recommended for ages 6+. 10am, 12pm and 3pm. Little Listeners: Orchestral Storytime Howard Assembly Rooms, LS1 6NU 0113 243 9999 www.operanorth.co.uk 9 September Join members of the Orchestra of Opera North at this relaxed concert for young children and their families. 11.30am. Cirque: The Greatest Show The Victoria Theatre, HX1 1BP 01422 351158 www.victoriatheatre.co.uk 9 September Escape for a night like no other, where you’re transported into a world where the very best of musical theatre showstoppers meet jawdropping circus spectacular. 2.30pm and 7pm. Halifax Heritage Festival: Creativity Unwrapped Family Workshop Piece Hall, HX1 1RE 01422 525200 www.thepiecehall.co.uk 9 and 10 September Join Artist Frank Darnley to explore the architecture of The Piece Hall. Construct a cardboard Piece Hall using our special cardboard saws, screws and screwdrivers! 11am–2pm. Free, drop in. Suitable for all ages. Familiesonline.co.uk