21 Awesome Things to Do in Leeds With Toddlers

Leeds is a doddle with toddlers – here’s how to plan the ultimate day out with your little ones.

Once your cherubs start crawling and walking, it can be a challenge to keep them occupied, but we’ve made it a little bit easier with this reliable list of activities for toddlers in Leeds. From farmyard frolics to woodland wanders, alpaca adventures to eco-friendly escapades, there’s a day out for all seasons and children here – heck, even the grown-ups will even have a great time!

Royal Armouries

Shiny relics of history, glittering in awe-inspiring galleries amidst fun, interactive exhibits – the Royal Armouries is one of the finest toddler-friendly activities in Leeds. There are five floors rammed full of arms and armour from every corner of the world, bringing the incredible history of warfare to life. But chances are it’s the full-size elephant armour that will really grab their attention – and yours too! Better still, it’s completely free to enter and you can make a day of it by catching the Water Taxi for a quid to its entrance from Granary Wharf.

Royal Armouries Museum, Armouries Drive, Leeds Dock, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS10 1LT. 

Roundhay Park

700 acres of lush green parkland, a duo of lakes, a pair of adventure playgrounds, formal gardens and a wildlife centre – that’s a combination that makes Roundhay Park one of the best things to do with toddlers in Leeds. It’s a huge urban park, amongst the biggest in Europe, and the sheer variety of activities on offer make it a must-do with the kids. Go for a play on the swings, feed the ducks at the lake, explore its incredible natural world on a woodland wander – there’s something new to try on every visit.

Roundhay Park, Princes Avenue, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS8 1DF.

Treeside Alpacas

Can you imagine your little ones’ faces when they’re given the reins of an alpaca on a short wander through the Yorkshire countryside? Treeside Alpacas’ friendly herd make for the perfect adventure companions – first you’ll choose which one to take with you, whether it’s calm Bruno, confident Kimbo or playful Bailey. Then you can walk, stroke and feed the lovely creatures with their passionate, expert staff on hand to answer any burning questions you have, like ‘why do they chew so funny?’ or ‘how do they get their trendy hairstyles?’

Treeside Alpacas, Moss Carr Farm, Newmarket Lane, Oulton, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS26 9DW.

Bramley Baths

Bramley Baths is over 100 years old, but the city’s last remaining Edwardian bathhouse is still one of the best things to do with toddlers in Leeds. The original features make this community-led pool a welcome change from your usual leisure centres – the iconic chimney was made using 8,000 Kirkstall bricks. Inside, it might feel like stepping back in time, but it’s got everything the little ones will love – warm water, expert swimming lessons and family-friendly sessions, complete with oodles of fun inflatables worth splashing out for.

Bramley Baths, Broad Lane, Bramley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS13 3DF.

Lotherton

The beautiful Edwardian mansion house might be more up the grown-ups’ street, but Lotherton is just as good for days out with the toddlers in Leeds. You can explore the incredible landscaped gardens which are sprinkled with all kinds of fun activities, from straw bale mazes to adventure playgrounds. But that’s just the start, because did you know Lotherton has its own zoo? Wildlife World is a wonderful family attraction where you can get a glimpse of the fun-loving Humboldt penguins, meet the giant capybara and wave to the spiky porcupines.

Lotherton, Off Collier Lane, Aberford, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS25 3EB.

Meanwood Valley Urban Farm

Leeds is home to a working farm just 15 minutes from the city centre and this unusual sanctuary is home to a host of familiar and more unusual inhabitants. There are goats, alpacas, chickens and even miniature cows. Pay a visit to the ponds and pastures too, where frogs, newts and crayfish can be found. Before you leave, pop by the farm shop for fresh eggs or visit the cafe for a brew and a bite. Spread across 24 green-covered acres, Meanwood Valley Urban Farm is a perfect day out if you have animal lovers at home.

Meanwood Valley Urban Farm, Sugarwell Road, Meanwood, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS7 2QG.

Jackaboos

Jackaboos has been one of the best things to do with toddlers in Leeds for over 15 years now. The Farsley play centre is manna from heaven for young families. Your little tykes will have an absolute field day in their fully enclosed, multi-level play zone – it’s perfect for toddlers with plenty of slides, trampolines and ball pools to keep them occupied over a 2-hour play session as you enjoy a cuppa in the cafe next door. And because you pay according to whether your child is a walker or a crawler, you never have to pay for facilities they’re too small for.

Jackaboos, 10a Sunnybank Mills, 83-85 Town St, Farsley, Pudsey, West Yorkshire, LS28 5UJ. 

Hope Pastures

Hope Pastures is the perfect place to introduce your little ones to animal welfare because that’s what they’ve been famous for since 1974. Of course, you can meet their ponies, donkeys and horses, but it’s not just a petting zoo. It’s also an equine sanctuary which rescues, rehabilitates and rehouses gee-gees in need as well as providing a life-long home to those who can’t be placed elsewhere. Take a look at their programme of special events too, like behind-the-scenes tours, or book a special party for your toddler’s birthday.

Hope Pastures, Westwood Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS16 5PH.

Golden Acre Park

You’ve got two days out in one with a trip to Golden Acre Park. The toddlers will love exploring the 136 acres of incredible park, woodland and landscaped gardens – just remember to bring some food to feed the ducks as you stroll around the lake. But the fun doesn’t stop there. Next door, you’ll find not one, but two nature reserves, Adel Dam and Breary Marsh. It’s the perfect place to go wildlife spotting as you weave between the trees to see everything from squirrels to roe deer, water birds and kingfishers.

Golden Acre Park, Off Arthington Road, Bramhope, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS16 8BQ.

Babyballet

If you’re looking to introduce your toddlers to the world of ballet and dance, give Babyballet a go. They run weekly classes all over Leeds, covering everything from ballet to tap for children as young as six months to as old as six years. Their Tots classes will teach them the basics of movement while having lots of music-based fun, before they move up through the Tinies, Tappers, Movers and Groovers classes as they get older. If the kids love taking part, you can even book a Babyballet-themed birthday party.

Babyballet takes place at various venues in Horsforth, Headingley, Moortown and Alwoodley.

Temple Newsam

Temple Newsam is jam-packed full of fun things to do with toddlers in Leeds. From parkland to a working farm, a country mansion and a regular programme of family-friendly events, there’s always something to enjoy here. Their rare breed farm is a popular day out in itself – you can meet their collection of cows, pigs, sheep, chicken and goats. You’re also surrounded by incredible woodlands and gardens so take on one of their trails around the estate before you finish up with a pitstop at the charming cafe to fill up hungry tummies.

Temple Newsam, Temple Newsam Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS15 0AE.

Skelton Grange

If you want to introduce your brood to the wonders of nature, there’s no better place to spend a day than Skelton Grange. This is an award-winning, toddler-friendly eco learning centre with a mission to get children engaged with the environment. They run nature-based events all year long – school holidays are more for older kids, but they run monthly activity days perfect for youngsters where they can explore the wild habitats, visit ponds and catch bugs, all while building confidence and improving their problem-solving skills.

Skelton Grange Environment Centre, Skelton Grange Road, Stourton, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS10 1RS.

The Little Bookshop

Read all about it, The Little Bookshop is the only independent bookshop solely for children in the whole of Leeds and what a place it is to visit with the little ones in tow. Your mini bookworms will have a field day browsing the jam-packed shelves, picking out their next colourful picture book or young fiction. But it’s not just about buying books, The Little Bookshop goes the extra mile to make it worth coming back with a host of special events – from story time sessions to craft workshops. They even have a cafe for you to visit.

The Little Bookshop, 47 Harrogate Road, Chapel Allerton, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS7 3PD. 

Leeds City Museum

Leeds City Museum is full of activities for toddlers with plenty of cool discoveries to be made. Their collections cover everything from life on earth to relics of the ancient world and stories from the city’s past, with more than a few amazing exhibits to see along the way. There’s the iconic Leeds Tiger, a skeleton of a 152-year old pilot whale and the remains of a 3,000-year old Egyptian mummy that survived a World War Two bombing raid. For something a little unusual, visit the Leeds Collectors Gallery, full of weird and wonderful objects collected by locals.

Leeds City Museum, Millennium Square, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 8BH. 

St Aidan’s Nature Reserve

A nature reserve might not sound like a buggy-friendly kind of place, but St Aidan’s has not one, but two pushchair walks around their RSPB nature reserve. Stroll along the easygoing paths which lead you around their medley of marshland, lakes, woodland and meadows. The Bowers Bimble is the shorter wander at 1.8 kilometres, but if you fancy a longer walk, the Reedbed Ramble is a slightly more challenging 4.6 kilometres. Keep your eyes peeled for bitterns, skylarks and grebes patrolling the skies above you.

St Aidan’s Nature Park, Allerton Bywater, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS26 8DD.

None Go Bye Farm

Fancy a day out at a farm? You don’t have to go far, because the family-run None Go Bye offers all kinds of farmyard fun. Your little youngsters can get up-close to a host of amazing farm animals in a relaxed environment – they can even feed them! From cows and pigs to chickens and sheep, all the usual residents are here, alongside a couple more unusual highlights like prairie dogs, rheas and alpacas. While you’re there, you can even pick up treats for tea – their farm shop is renowned for its quality produce so your next feast is sorted.

None Go Bye Farm, Otley Old Road, Horsforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS18 5HZ.

Boomchikkaboom

If you’ve got a couple of movers and groovers at home, then Boomchikkaboom is the day out you’ve been waiting for. They host family-friendly raves and parties all over Leeds, many with special themes. One week it could be a Spice Girls disco, the next a hip-hop block party, the week after a messy play event. You can look forward to flashing lights, incredible tunes and loads of fun, interactive games tailor-made for toddlers, but don’t think it’s just for them, the parents just can’t resist strutting their stuff on the dance floor either!

Check out upcoming Boomchikkaboom events near you.

Middleton Railway

All aboard! If you’ve got train-mad toddlers, then it’s time to visit the world’s oldest working railway! Yep, it’s right here in Leeds. Middleton Railway is the institution that holds that special title – it was founded back in 1758 and it’s still chugging along nicely today. Make your next family activity a loco one as you ride the 20-minute journey from Moor Road to Park Halt and back. It’s not just the journey that the kids will love, there’s also a play area when you get off as well as access to old carriages in the Steam House Museum.

Middleton Railway, Moor Road Station, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS18 5PA. 

Tropical World

It’s time to head into the wild with a trip to Tropical World. This mini-zoo is one of the best things to do with toddlers in Leeds, packed full of incredible wildlife for them to discover for the first time. Cute creatures like curious meerkats and playful monkeys are always popular, but you can even get up close with creepy crawlies like tarantulas as you make your way from the desert to waterfall, rainforest and aquarium. You can spend hours hunting for all kinds of animals, but when you need a rest they have a cafe for you to take five in.

Tropical World, Princes Avenue, Roundhay Park, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS8 1DF.

Gravity

Gravity is the ultimate bedtime prep day out – your little ones will be wiped out after a day bouncing around this incredible trampoline park! And don’t worry about bigger kids ruining all the fun, because Gravity hosts special parent-and-toddler sessions from Monday to Friday for kids aged 18 months to five years. They’ll have space to jump, bounce and spring around 100 interconnected trampolines, learning and building confidence as they go. They also run a monthly parent-and-toddler event with special themes and light shows.

Gravity, Cardigan Fields, Kirkstall Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS4 2DG. 

Swithens Farm

Swithens Farm offers an almost endless array of farmyard fun for the toddlers to enjoy in Leeds. Feeding the animals is one of the biggest highlights – you can grab a bucket of carrots and make friends with Shetland ponies, donkeys, llamas, emus, rabbits, lambs and more. The animals will steal your heart, but make sure you save time to visit the indoor Play Barn. It’s home to a special cushioned ball pool for toddlers, while parents and guardians can enjoy a well-deserved break in the cafe next door – fun for all the family!

Swithens Farm, Swithen’s Lane, Rothwell, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS26 0BT.