Best Things To Do In Leeds With Kids: Your Complete Family Weekend Guide

As a family of 4, we are lucky to have not only the time and funds to enjoy family days out Leeds, but we also have kids who are willing to do whatever we suggest, which is a huge bonus, I can tell you that. In July 2025, we decided on a little weekend breaks Leeds with kids for something different, not only just for a change of scenery, but also because it was a great opportunity to try and catch some good northern weather to avoid the rainy seasons, which meant we could make the absolute most out of our Leeds family activities.

If you are a little family looking for family friendly Leeds attractions, whether it’s venturing out for things to do in Leeds with kids for the weekend, or you might already live in Leeds and are searching for new Leeds attractions for families, we hope we have inspired you or motivated a little family trip of your own with this Leeds weekend itinerary.

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Related: To keep the kids entertained on the drive, we printed this printable travel bingo game and bought these Brain games on Amazon.

Day One: Food, Stay and Family-Friendly Discoveries

The first day is usually the adjustment period for us; while it’s new and exciting for the kids, we know that we can’t do much because the kids get tired and a little grouchy from the monotonous car ride. So I always ensure when there’s a longer drive involved that we have somewhere booked for food and one of the Leeds parks and playgrounds to go to for a bit of stimulation, family bonding and a place for us to sit down for a bit.

We began with the park this time because we had snacks on the ride and didn’t want them feeling sick after running around, plus I felt a little run around was needed after being sat still for ages.

There were quite a few family activities Leeds to pick from, but we just went off reviews and which had a little playground perfect for our weekend breaks Leeds with kids adventure.

Woodhouse Moor Park: Perfect for Leeds Family Activities

We chose Woodhouse Moor because it seems the most child-friendly among Leeds parks and playgrounds; while Park Square looked so nice in the pictures, there just wasn’t really anything to do there but people-watch, which, while I love it, is not stimulating enough for my kids when we’re looking for things to do in Leeds with kids.

Woodhouse was large and spacious and had a brilliant play area for the kids, which was so lovely and one of the free things to do Leeds kids absolutely love. We were able to burn a lot of energy here, but at the same time, because it was so spacious, we were able to find a nice little spot to kick a football and relax for an hour after all that playtime. It’s definitely one of the top Leeds family activities for outdoor fun.

Bill’s: Family Friendly Leeds Dining

We choose a chain restaurant for tea just because it’s classic; you know what you are going to get, and they have a really good kids’ menu, which makes things so much easier when you’re searching for the best family restaurants Leeds. We did promise to try something new the next day, though, to avoid being boring, I promise.

We went after the park and enjoyed some easy grub that we knew was going to be good regardless, and then we decided to check in at The Queens Hotel for a bath and bed with a little bit of TV. Also, before I forget, this is such a good choice for where to stay in Leeds with children, as I read online that kids stay completely free, which was a bonus for our family weekend Leeds budget. (Book The Queens Hotel Here)

I don’t know about you, but travelling really wipes it out of me; anything over 1 hour and I’m ready to crawl into bed at 7pm. I think for the first couple of hours of being in Leeds we could get away with doing something simple like park, food and bed for our things to do in Leeds with kids itinerary.

Day Two: Farm Adventures and Leeds Indoor Activities Children

We thought making sure that the kids remained entertained at the beginning of the day was key to our Leeds family activities success, so we thought, as we were going when the weather was rain-free and nice and warm, we thought, ‘Why not do a farm day?’ They were always such fond memories of mine as a child, and they could be a lot of fun for weekend breaks Leeds with kids.

Swithens Farm: Ultimate Leeds Attractions for Families

Although this is a 20-minute drive away, we thought Swithens was worth it to mix up the Leeds city centre family activities, and it’s nice to make the most of the surrounding area when exploring things to do in Leeds with kids. We also chose Swithens Farm because of the reviews, pictures, and adorable website. They have a full itinerary on their website from 10 am to 5 pm, making it perfect for family days out Leeds.

We got there around 11, just in time for the tractor ride, and then went on to lamb feeding and calf feeding and then hand-fed some of the other animals, including the cows, sheep, goats and ponies, which the kids absolutely loved. This is definitely one of the top Leeds attractions for families that offers hands-on experiences.

Ducks were wandering around, and we grabbed a little bite to eat at the cafe. Overall, it was a great little day and one of the best things to do in Leeds with kids, which left the kids hungry and sleepy.

By the way, this is a good family day pack was essential for carrying snacks and water. We packed a few of these healthy snacks to keep energy levels up.

Whitelock’s Ale House: Best Family Restaurants Leeds

We thought finishing the day with a humble pub lunch was the only way to finish the day off for our family friendly Leeds dining experience.

We chose Whitelock’s purely based on reviews; the pics of the food looked amazing, so we could not resist. It’s definitely one of the best family restaurants Leeds has to offer, with a welcoming atmosphere that makes it perfect for Leeds family activities that include good food.

Day Three: Shopping, Food & Home Time

Today was the last day of our weekend breaks Leeds with kids adventure, and we wanted to do something that we wanted to do, and that was a little bit of shopping. I know what you’re thinking. Shopping with the kids? Why would I ever do that? I didn’t want to miss the chance to see what Leeds retail therapy was like, especially since we were looking for family friendly Leeds experiences that could entertain everyone.

Victoria Leeds: Leeds City Centre Family Activities

I had heard about how stunning the Victoria Leeds shopping centre was and thought it would be a good idea to give it a go for our Leeds city centre family activities. A big selling factor was the Victoria car park in Leeds, which was easy and convenient to use, especially with kids, as it offered larger spaces for families – exactly what you need when planning things to do in Leeds with kids.

They also had a family room, which I used when I needed to, which was nice and reassuring about how much they care about family shopping experiences and Leeds attractions for families. I got a few bits for myself, and then the kids got one thing each as part of a bargain to behave, as you have to when doing family days out Leeds style.

It was nice to finish our weekend breaks Leeds with kids off with something as simple as shopping that worked for the whole family.

We also ate here at the Italian restaurant Cafe Concerto, which was delicious and proved to be one of the best family restaurants Leeds shopping centres have to offer. After food and shopping, the kids were wiped out, so it was the perfect time to head back onto the road and head home from our amazing Leeds family activities weekend!

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Planning Your Own Leeds Weekend Itinerary

Our three-day adventure proved that there are endless things to do in Leeds with kids, from outdoor Leeds parks and playgrounds to fantastic Leeds attractions for families. Whether you’re looking for weekend breaks Leeds with kids or just day trips, this family friendly Leeds destination has something for everyone.

Top tips for your Leeds family activities:

Book child friendly hotels Leeds in advance for the best family deals
Mix outdoor and Leeds indoor activities children will enjoy in case of weather changes
Research best family restaurants Leeds before you travel to avoid disappointment
Take advantage of free things to do Leeds kids love, like parks and city centre walks
Plan a balance of active Leeds family activities and relaxing downtime

Leeds truly offers some of the best family days out Leeds you can imagine, and our weekend proved that this wonderful city knows how to welcome families with open arms.

Toby Patrick

A freelance writer who loves to travel. Much of his writing covers his UK-based explorations as well as helping readers discover hidden gems across Europe.

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