Our city guide to Leeds’s most-loved local classes, activities, parks, farms, businesses and services for babies, toddlers and parents
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A Bit About Leeds
Leeds is the fifth-largest city in England, and is almost two times as big as Edinburgh. This green and pleasant city is rich in history, being the home of the world’s longest running railway, the site where the first ever film was made, and is the location of the UK’s first ever internet provider.
With multiple postcodes in Leeds ranking in the “top 20 best places in Yorkshire to raise a family”, it’s no wonder that so many young parents are choosing to raise their children here. When it comes to having fun in the Leeds area, the very youngest members of the population (and their carers) have their pick of things to do. So, after receiving their recommendations, we thought we’d hone in on some of the most-loved activities, destinations and services for little ones.
We’re always keen to hear about great classes, activities and businesses for babies and toddlers. If you’re a class provider, we would love to feature you in our listings – you can sign up below.
Leeds’s best… Soft Plays & Cafes
When in doubt, go for a soft play centre! These venues are always what you expect them to be, keeping your little one safe and entertained. Plus, all of the one’s we’ve listed below have a cafe nearby for when you need that well-earned tea break and sandwich.
This independent soft play and cafe has a charming and incredibly engaging area for babies and toddlers to explore. From “Play Villages” to “Baby Raves” there’s tons to do. And, for those with dietary restrictions, Little Burrowers has both a Gluten-free and a vegan menu. (Bonus points there!)
Unit 3, ABS Business Park, Viaduct Street, Pudsey, Stanningley, LS28 6AU
With numerous areas, a packed wardrobe of fancy dress costumes, and an optional bookable sensory play session, Kids about Tarn is a great independent venue for our guide. Ideal for 0-8 year olds.
Unit 4 Cliffe court, Yeadon, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS19 7YU
This is a great Soft Play with a ton of variety for your kids. They also run a popular activity called “Weigh and Play” for 0-2 year olds where you can have a quick weight check for your little one. It’s run by a professional health visitor and is a private service.
30 Town Street, Horsforth, Leeds, LS18 4RJ
For babies to pre-schoolers only, this soft play center is ideal for very young families. This venue is good for parents of multiple young children, offering a table for £12.50 (which admits 4 bums on seats, whatever the mix of ages. E.g. 2 toddlers and 2 adults OR 3 toddlers and 1 adult OR 1 crawler and 3 adults etc).
Heart Centre, Bennett Rd, Headingley, Leeds LS6 3HN
This venue has slightly shorter hours for its indoor play, but offers an outdoor play area too, as well as various activities throughout the day (including Moo Music).
300 Otley Road, Leeds, LS16 6RG
Leeds’s best… Family Days Out
For those looking for the treats that are better suited for all family members, then you’re in luck! Leeds has some of the best to offer. Here’s just a few recommendations we heard.
The perfect place to meet some more exotic animals that you won’t find at your everyday petting zoo. Venture to the desert where the meerkats scamper, or glide to the rainforest canopy where the parrots squawk.
Princes Avenue, Roundhay, Leeds, LS8 2ER
The museum has a lot to explore and discover for inquisitive young minds. The Leeds City Museum also holds events and activities specifically catered towards little ones, including “Tiny Tigers”, “Rory’s Saturday Club”, and Animal handling for preschoolers.
Leeds City Museum, Millennium Square, Leeds, LS2 8BH
Entirley run by volunteers, this railway is one of the oldest continuously running railway in the world. It costs £4 for a single journey adult’s ticket (or £8 for a day) and children under 2 can ride for free!
The Middleton Railway Trust Ltd, The Station, Moor Road, Hunslet, Leeds, LS10 2JQ
Leeds’s best… Baby and Toddler Classes
We love baby classes, and we know that you do too! When asking the parents and carers what their best recommendations were for things to do in the area, we mostly heard about all the lovely baby and toddler classes! They must be especially good in Leeds!
Picks for babies and toddlers:
This is a great music class to help inspire and satisfy the curiosity that’s in all babies: featuring real instruments! This class provider gives your baby the opportunity to “press the buttons on a saxophone, strum a bass guitar, or play the keyboard”. There aren’t many classes that will do that!
Multiple Venues (visit link for more info)
New themes every week and a great playful atmosphere, TinyBeats is a fun music and sensory class that will leave you feeling happy. They’re growing around Leeds (and spreading across more of the UK) so they’re clearly doing something right!
Multiple locations (visit link for more info)
“Multi-sensory adventures for busy people from 13 months to 5 years!”, from the same award winning franchise that runs Baby Sensory, Toddler sense offers all sorts of activities that will help develop your toddler’s motor skills in all the best ways.
Multiple locations:
A great class to bring out your little one’s creativity in the wild outdoors. This class has a relaxed, open approach, allowing children to pick and choose their activities depending on what catches their fancy.
Meanwood Park, Leeds, LS6 4LE
Picks for parents and carers
A baby-wearing dance class for all parents/carers with bumps and babies (up to three years old). This is a fun no-pressure dance class where you don’t need dance experience to enjoy it.
Headingley Enterprise & Arts Centre Bennett Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 3HN
Physio-led Pilates with Louise Samuels
A great local fitness class for young and expecting mums: Louise Samuels offers both postnatal and pregnancy pilates classes.
Multiple Venues (visit link for more info)
Have you missed the feeling of getting a sweat on? Sweaty Mama is a franchise that is perfect for postnatal fitness -with classes that are baby friendly (and new-mum friendly). A super supportive group that holds zero judgment for any of the wobbly bits you might have gained through pregnancy.
Multiple Venues (visit link for more info)
Leeds’s best… Farms
Heading up to a farm always brings a child-like joy for all family members (including your spouses). Who doesn’t love a chance to hang out with a goat or two? All of the farms on this list are ideal for a full family day out with baby chnaging faciltities and a place to sit and recover with a nice hot tea or coffee.
This farm and shop can make for a great day out without breaking the bank. It costs just £1 entry per person for their “animal walkway” (including a free bag of animal feed) and they have an additional indoor play area for just £2.
Otley Old Road, Horsforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS18 5HZ
A brilliant day out in the great outdoors. Under 2’s are allowed in for free, and if you have any dogs in the family, they’re allowed in too! (Just be sure to keep them on a lead)
Sugar Well Road, Meanwood, Leeds, LS7 2QG
This open farm, with a “hands on” approach, is a lovely addition to this list. With both a “Small Animal Barn” and a “Large Animal Barn” there’s plenty to see.
Swithen’s Lane, Rothwell, Leeds, LS26 0BT
Leeds’s best… Parks
Looking for somewhere green with lots of open space to run off some energy? We found these great spots to help you breathe fresh air into your lungs and run off the endless energy of a toddler.
Beautiful venue with lots to do throughout the year! Harewood house not only has plenty of grounds to explore (as well as a lakeside and an adventure playground), but they have a full calendar of events you should check out too.
Harewood House Trust, Harewood House, Harewood, Leeds LS17 9LG
Get out into the great outdoors with this lovely park. 470 acres of greenery, including a cafe, playground and so much more to explore.
Town Street, Middleton, LS10 3SH.
Another lovely local park and playground that gets you and your little ones out breathing in the fresh air. This park features a cute Fairy Trail that two local mums helped to create – how many of the 100 handmade doors you can spot.
Rodley Park, Leeds, LS13 1PF
Want To Get Out And About, Have Fun With Your Baby Or Toddler, And Meet Other Parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5’s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
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