Museums and Galleries
Kirkstall Abbey: FREE ENTRY to Leeds residents – proof of address will be required. Explore the ruins of Kirkstall Abbey, take a picnic and enjoy it in the surrounding areas, try out the mud kitchen and enjoy outdoors. Kirkstall Abbey, Kirkstall Road LS5 3EH Leeds, UK
Ilkley Manor House: FREE ENTRY to the house, the heritage display, exhibitions and family fun activities. There’s always plenty for children to see and do when visiting Ilkley Manor House, with regular heritage and art activities. They can get into character, dressing up in costumes, go crazy with colour on the drawing table, or play imaginary games with a train set and our mini Manor House.
On Sat 13 Apr we will be making owls out of clay or pine cones; come along and see if you can find the hidden owls!
If the weather is fine, there are outdoor toys and chalk for creativity in the Courtyard. On weekdays, when the House is closed, you can always follow a puzzle trail or have fun with augmented reality. Castle Yard, Ilkley LS29 9DT
The Royal Armouries, Leeds: FREE ENTRY to the Royal Armouries including the free River taxi outside (7 am – 7 pm Monday – Friday, 10 am – 6 pm Weekends)! Special Medieval Easter Events running. Book tickets online.
Bradford Museums: FREE ENTRY AT ALL VENUES.
CLIFFE CASTLE – Explore the amazing world of Ancient Egypt at Cliffe Castle Museum this Easter. Discover intriguing objects, pretend to be a Pharoah planning what you’ll take to the afterlife and learn about some of the hundreds of Ancient Egyptian gods and goddesses. Complete the activity sheet to receive your Totally Chaotic History sticker!
CARTWRIGHT HALL – Explore Shy Burhan’s exhibition “Women In Uniform” on 26th March 2024, explore different jobs and think about what you would like to be when you grow up! And with Easter just around the corner, there will be special holiday-themed activities for children to take part in. The exhibition is open to all, and the best part is, it’s completely free! Read more.
BOLLING HALL – Get ready for a day of fun and festivities at Bolling Hall Museum and Library on Thursday 28th March! Get creative with Easter Crafts, meet the Easter Bunny, and make stunning Eid Cards and Lanterns. This event is free and suitable for all ages. Read More
BRADFORD INDUSTRIAL MUSEUM – Discover the wonders of recycling at Bradford Industrial Museum on April 2nd! Join us for a Scouting Exhibition where you can work alongside talented artist Scott Chaney to earn your “Museum Scout- Recycling Badge.” “Wreck some Tech!” Unleash your creativity by making art from old computer parts and learn the importance of sustainable practices. This event is free and open to all ages, so bring your family and friends from 11:00 – 15:00.
Abbey House Museum: Bunnies of all shapes, sizes and colours have taken over the Victorian Streets of Abbey House for Easter. See how many you can spot burrowing in the back street, hopping in the haberdashers or pulling pints in the pub! FREE ACTIVITIES. Normal admission applies.
Leeds Art Gallery: FREE ENTRY to the Museum. Leeds Art Gallery in Leeds, is a gallery, part of the Leeds Museums & Galleries group, whose collection of 20th-century British Art was designated by the British government in 1997 as a collection “of national importance”. Its collection also includes 19th-century and earlier artworks. Enjoy their new exhibition celebrating the richness and diversity of artistic talent in Leeds during the Leeds 2023 Year of Culture. The Headrow, Leeds LS1 3AA
Leeds City Museum: FREE ENTRY & ACTIVITIES. Pick up a constellation trail and go on a museum-stargazing adventure. Join this fun family activity finding and spotting stars through the museum. Tue – Sun in the Easter holidays, during opening hours. Free, drop in. Why not have a go at Cosmic Crafts on 3 – 4 Apr or check out our Planetarium Shows on 2 Apr while you’re here? Full details here
Thackray Museum of Medicine: FREE ACTIVITIES. All aboard! This Easter, H.M.S Thackray will set sail on a voyage into unchartered waters to explore medicine at sea through the ages. Across the holidays we’ll be testing the cut of your jib and tying you in knots with a treasure trove of activities across the museum, suitable for all ages and free with your museum ticket. Will it all be smooth sailing? Join our motley crew and find out. Don’t forget that an admission ticket lasts a whole year so you can return every holiday!
Local Attractions & Days Out
Bolton Abbey: Hop through Strid Wood and keep your eyes peeled for the larger-than-life bunnies hiding in the trees. They shouldn’t be too hard to find with their brightly coloured coats on.…. FREE EVENT but estate admission charges apply. More details here.
Tropical World Leeds: Embark on an unforgettable journey through our newly refurbished Rainforest Canopy and meet our NEW animals in their NEW home. Tropical World is open seven days a week all year round, excluding Christmas Day and Boxing Day, and is the ideal day out for both adults and children, with FREE ENTRY for under 5s. Adults £7.60, Children 5 to 15 £3.80. Full details here.
Lotherton: Take a walk on the wild side at Lotherton this Easter holiday, with a trail and activities dotted around the estate to keep the whole family entertained. Activities include Den building, Woodland sensory and willow sculpture trails, Creepy crawly crafts, Seed planting & Animal activities. Pre-booking essential. FREE EVENT but Normal estate admission applies.
RHS Harlow Carr: FREE ACTIVITIES. Join The Giant Easter egg hunt! this Easter at RHS Garden Harlow Carr to win a chocolate prize and discover the garden in all its spring glory. With two weeks packed full of activities, go on an adventure with the Garden Detectives or join a Forest School session, there’s something for all the family to enjoy! Admission charges to the garden apply.
Temple Newsham: Enjoy a delicious day out at Temple Newsam during the Easter holidays. See rooms set for feasts and learn about fabulous food from the past while you take part in family fun crafts, activities, and trails throughout the house. It’s also a wonderful time of year to meet our new arrivals at Home Farm. Come face-to-face with our springtime babies, from little lambs to piglets, chicks and loads more! FREE ACTIVITIES. Normal admission applies.
East Riddlesden Hall: This Easter, treat your little ones to a world of adventures at East Riddlesden Hall on the Easter adventures in nature trails. Make your way along the trail and find nature-inspired activities for the whole family. Come along and explore the beautiful gardens of East Riddlesden Hall. The price of the trail is £3 per child and includes a trail map, pencil and a chocolate egg at the end. Try out the 10 activities around the gardens, from wellie wanging, hoola hooping and egg and spoon races. There’s lots for the family to enjoy this Easter. Normal admission charges apply.
Low-Cost Easter Films:
Leeds Young Film Festival:
Leeds Young Film Festival celebrates its 25th birthday with a brand new programme of award-winning family cinema, film workshops and nostalgic classics. And, LYFF Movie Club returns, now in collaboration with Screen Yorkshire! Join Movie Club for a kids-only adventure through the entire filmmaking process under the careful supervision of our experienced festival team. Full details here.
The Picture House at the National Science & Media Museum:
This March, join Pictureville Cinema at The Studio next to the Alhambra Theatre for a bumper Easter programme of Kids’ Club screenings. With just £3 tickets for all and crafty activities before every screening, it’s the perfect start to the weekend for the whole family. Full schedule of films here.
Low-cost or FREE events:
FREE: Skipton Easter Event. Join us at this year’s Easter Event at Skipton Canal Basin, Saturday 30th March 2024, between 10am until 4pm for lots of family fun! Join Herd & Hive Hive to create your own handmade, Easter themed, bar of goat’s milk soap Read More
We live in such a beautiful area and are spoilt for choice when it comes to parks, gardens & nature reserves. All are free to enjoy. Have a walk or a bike ride…
Make it more exciting with nature bingo, a scavenger hunt or doing some leaf rubbings – Lots of free ideas available with a quick internet search.
If you visit any of our beautiful parks and playgrounds take a snap and send it to wharfedale@mumbler.co.uk I’ll post it on the listing for that park so other Mumblers can see what is there before they visit!
Walking Trails:
Try out one of the below trails and let us know your thoughts! wharfedale@mumbler.co.uk
The Chevin Geology Trail, Otley
The Chevin Sculpture Trail, Otley
The Aire Valley Sculpture Trail, Saltaire
Ilkley Manor House Puzzle Trail
A walk around Olicana Roman Fort, Ilkley
Rainy Day Ideas For At Home:
Board Games /Jigsaws – Dig out some board games or jigsaws and enjoy some old-fashioned fun.
DIY Pamper/Spa Day – Foot soak, face masks, nail painting, cucumbers on the eyes, hand massage, what a treat!!
Corn Flour and Water Slime- it’s so easy, just use twice as much cornflour as water and add a bit of food colouring! Hours of fun!
Scrap Booking – With so much going on in and around Wharfedale & Craven, there will be plenty for your little ones to put in a School Holiday Scrapbook. Keep leaflets/tickets etc for them to stick in, photos, maps & drawings, should keep them busy a while!
Olympics – Set up a mini Olympics. Obstacle courses, egg and spoon races, balls in buckets, the list goes on.
Pizza Making – Fun and gets a meal sorted at the same time. Either make your own base or buy ready-made/pitta bread for a quick option.
Origami – Lots of patterns/instructions available online for free. Patience required!
Junk Modelling – Empty the recycling box and get creative. Space rockets, robots, wherever your imagination takes you!
Make dough – Use the recipe from The Imagination Tree to make some quick and easy dough.
For even more ideas read our Rainy Day blog
