Looking for the best Leeds half-term activities to keep the kids busy this October? This is our guide to activities that you’ll enjoy as much as they do.
Whether you are hunting for magic at Harewood House, getting hands-on with textile sculpture at the Henry Moore Institute, or meeting lifelike dinosaurs at Carriageworks Theatre, Leeds is packed with family events this October half term.
To help you plan your week without the stress, we have rounded up the top educational, budget-friendly and downright fun activities taking place across the city from Saturday 24th October to Sunday 1st November 2026.
Looking for ideas further afield? Here’s our guide to the best October half-term activities across Yorkshire.
Quick picks: Best October half term activities in Leeds
Best October half term activities in North Yorkshire
Spells and Sparkles at Harewood House
Credit: Tom Arber
Harewood House is getting a magical makeover this October half term, with its Spells + Sparkles programme bringing witches, broomsticks and enchanted woodland adventures to the estate. And there’s even better news for families: kids go free during half term.
While the House itself is closed as preparations begin for the festive season, there’s still plenty to explore across Harewood’s 140 acres of Gardens and Grounds. Follow the Spells and Sparkles Trail around the North Lawn and help resident witch Bessie Broomstick find her missing magical belongings, then make your own natural broomstick at one of the daily workshops.
There’s plenty to keep energetic children occupied, too. The Adventure Playscape has climbing towers, bridges, swings and a zipwire, while the Sylvascope treehouse offers a bird’s-eye view of the woodland. You can also get lost in the winding paths of the Woodland Wonderland Willow Maze.
Look out for the Spooky Tree Spot It Trail and daily Autumnal Safari Bags, which come packed with binoculars, a compass, torch, magnifying glass and a map to help children discover Harewood’s autumn wildlife. Older children can join the Mysterious Trees talks, while little builders can get creative at the spooky Lego Club on 1st November.
There are also three days of Harewood Holiday Club for 7 to 11-year-olds, with hands-on activities inspired by history, art and nature, plus an outdoor screening of Hocus Pocus on the North Lawn to round off the spooky season.
Why families love it: There’s enough here to fill an entire day, from woodland play and trails to creative workshops, with plenty of outdoor space for children to let off steam.
When: Saturday 24th October to Sunday 1st November 2026. Individual activities take place at various times throughout the day.
Where: Harewood House, Harewood, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS17 9LG.
Cost: Children go free during October half term. Adult day tickets are £22.55 if booked online. Activities are included with a valid day ticket or membership, although Hocus Pocus and Harewood Holiday Club are charged separately.
Textile Sculpture at the Henry Moore Institute
Credit: Henry Moore Institute
Looking for something creative to do in Leeds city centre? The Henry Moore Institute is inviting families to get hands-on with sculpture during a free drop-in textile workshop inspired by its current exhibition, Sagarika Sundaram: Reservoir.
Artist Jane Claire Wilson will lead the Textile Sculpture workshop on Thursday 29th October, giving visitors the chance to make their own textile sculptures using the exhibition as inspiration. The session is suitable for all ages, although it is aimed particularly at families with children aged five and over.
There’s no need to book – simply drop in any time between 11am and 4.30pm. Families can also explore the exhibition using the Institute’s free Explorer Baskets, which are filled with objects and activities designed to help younger visitors engage with the sculptures and the ideas behind them. For even more hands-on fun, head to the alcove area where children can build their own soft sculptures from felted shapes inspired by the exhibition.
Why families love it: It’s completely free, central and genuinely hands-on, giving children the chance to make their own art rather than simply looking at it.
When: 11am–4.30pm, Thursday 29th October 2026.
Where: Henry Moore Institute, 74 The Headrow, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 3AH.
Cost: Free. No booking required.
Spooky Half-Term Films at Hyde Park Picture House
Credit: Studio Canal 2
Hyde Park Picture House is embracing the spooky season this October half term with a line-up of films that are creepy enough to be exciting without being too scary for younger audiences.
Families can settle in for Tim Burton’s hauntingly beautiful Corpse Bride or catch Aardman’s brand-new adventure Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom. There are also plenty of other family-friendly screenings and new releases taking place throughout the school holidays, including Ghosts: The Possessions of Button House.
The historic cinema is also making its half-term programme as accessible as possible, with Pay What You Can tickets helping families keep the cost down. Younger children can enjoy relaxed toddler-friendly screenings on Fridays, while Saturdays bring free interactive craft activities. There are also dedicated autism-friendly screenings on Sundays. Add in kid-friendly snacks and the atmospheric setting of one of Leeds’ most most distinctive cinemas, and it makes a great rainy-day option that parents will enjoy as much as children.
Why families love it: Pay What You Can tickets, relaxed screenings and free craft activities make this an affordable and welcoming cinema trip for families.
When: Throughout the October half-term holidays.
Where: Hyde Park Picture House, 73 Brudenell Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 1JD.
Cost: Pay What You Can for selected screenings and activities. Check individual listings for details.
Halloween at The Hole In Wand
Credit: Hole in Wand
Fancy adding a little magic to your half term without going full-on scary? The Hole In Wand is putting a Halloween twist on its magical mini-golf experience this October. This year, everyone gets to spin the wheel on entry to discover their fate. You could land a curse that makes your game a little trickier – or get a treat that gives you an advantage. There are also extra tricks hidden around the course, giveaway treats and the chance to win an overnight stay.
The experience is designed to be fun rather than frightening, making it suitable for families, groups and younger Halloween fans who want a bit of spooky atmosphere without the scares.
The course takes around 45 minutes, although timings can vary when the venue is busy, so it’s an easy activity to fit around other things happening in the city centre.
Why families love it: It brings plenty of Halloween fun without being genuinely scary, making it a good choice for younger children who still want to get involved in the spooky season.
When: Saturday 10th October to Sunday 1st November 2026.
Where: The Hole In Wand, 4 St John’s Centre, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 8LQ.
Cost: From £8.49 for children and £9.99 for adults during the school holiday period.
October Half Term at Carriageworks Theatre
Credit: Carriageworks Theatre
There’s a brilliant line-up of family shows coming to Carriageworks Theatre this October half term, with puppets, science illusions and even some very convincing dinosaurs taking over the stage. First up is The Littlest Yak, an adaptation of the award-winning book about Gertie, a young yak who is desperate to grow up and be like the bigger yaks. With puppets, catchy songs and a warm story about self-acceptance, it’s aimed at children aged three and over and runs from 24th to 25th October.
On Monday 26th October, children aged six and over can see The Brain Bending Science Illusion Show, where The Magical Mr West and his companion Crowbert explore optical illusions, psychology and the tricks our brains can play on us. It’s part science show, part magic act and designed to leave young audiences questioning whether they can trust their own eyes.
Then, on Sunday 1st November, Teach Rex LIVE! brings lifelike dinosaurs to the stage. The interactive one-hour show teaches children about dinosaur anatomy and life before giving them the chance to get up close during a dinosaur meet and greet.
Why families love it: There’s something for different ages and interests, from a gentle story for younger children to science experiments and enormous dinosaurs for older kids.
When: 24th October to 1st November 2026, with individual performances on 24th to 25th October, 26th October and 1st November.
Where: Carriageworks Theatre, 3 Millennium Square, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 3AD.
Cost: Under-16 tickets are £13 for the listed shows (adults are £16). Check individual performances for availability and booking information.
Stories from the Steppe at the Royal Armouries
Credit: Royal Armouries
The Royal Armouries is heading into the final days of its major Genghis Khan exhibition this October half term, with a family programme exploring the myths, legends and traditions of Mongolia.
From 24th October to 1st November, families can try their hand at the traditional Mongolian game of knucklebone shooting, get creative with craft activities and watch a cavalryman being armed with authentic equipment and weaponry.
It’s also your last chance to experience Genghis Khan: How the Mongols Changed the World, the museum’s major exhibition exploring the history and global impact of the Mongol Empire. With five floors of arms, armour and interactive displays to explore alongside the special events, there’s plenty to keep curious children entertained.
Why families love it: The combination of hands-on activities, live demonstrations and fascinating history makes this much more engaging than a traditional museum visit.
When: 10am–4pm, Saturday 24th October to Sunday 1st November 2026.
Where: Royal Armouries Museum, Armouries Drive, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS10 1LT.
Cost: Entry to the museum is free. You’ll need tickets for the Genghis Khan exhibition which are £9 per adult and free for children.
Autumn Adventures at Meanwood Valley Urban Farm
Credit: Natasha Cadman
Meanwood Valley Urban Farm has a packed programme of autumn activities this October, giving families plenty of opportunities to get outside, try something new and make the most of the woodland.
Creative types can try Pumpkin Felting in the Woodland, where artist Rhiannon Fuller from Big Pigeon Crafts will teach participants how to blend wool and create their own felted pumpkins inspired by the autumn landscape. The workshops use wool from Meanwood Valley Urban Farm’s own alpacas, and there’s a dedicated family session on Sunday 18th October.
The farm’s annual Apple Day on 15th October is another highlight, with live music from local bands, hot food, a Pay As You Feel bar, a raffle and plenty of apple-themed family fun. Proceeds go towards essential repairs to the farm’s one-acre vegetable growing plot, which supplies produce to the local community and provides volunteering opportunities.
Why families love it: It’s a chance to get outdoors, get creative and experience something a little different, with activities ranging from woodland games to alpaca wool crafting.
When: Various dates throughout October 2026. Pumpkin Felting runs on 11th, 12th and 18th October, and Apple Day takes place on 15th October.
Where: Meanwood Valley Urban Farm, Sugar Well Road, Meanwood, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS7 2QG.
Cost: Apple Day is Pay As You Feel and Pumpkin Felting costs £18.
Pumpkin Trail at White Rose Shopping Centre
Credit: White Rose Centre
Looking for a free, weather-proof activity to keep the kids entertained this half term? White Rose Shopping Centre is getting into the Halloween spirit with a pumpkin trail running throughout the school holidays.
Families can pick up a free trail map from Guest Services or at the entrances to the centre, then set off to find 12 pumpkins hidden in shop windows. Once you’ve tracked them all down, take your completed map back to Guest Services during centre opening hours to claim a sweet treat.
There’s even more Halloween atmosphere in the Central Atrium, which will be transformed with skeletons, gargoyles and spooky surprises throughout half term – making it a fun spot for some Halloween costume photos.
For a full family day out, you can combine the trail with lunch, a spot of shopping or one of the centre’s leisure activities, including Volcano Falls adventure golf and King Pins bowling.
Why families love it: It’s completely free, takes place indoors and gives children a fun challenge to complete – making it an easy option when the October weather is doing its worst.
When: Friday 23rd to Saturday 31st October 2026, during centre opening hours.
Where: White Rose Shopping Centre, Dewsbury Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS11 8LU. Pick up a trail map from Guest Services or the centre entrances.
Cost: Free. Children can claim a sweet treat when they return their completed trail map.
