Activities and Events in Leeds for May Half-Term

Explore a Range of Family-Friendly Options Across the City

Leeds offers a variety of events and activities during the May half-term break, catering to families and children of different ages and interests. From theatre productions and cinema screenings to museum trails and outdoor adventures, there are multiple opportunities to engage with culture, history, and nature throughout the city.

Cinema and Theatre

• The Karate Kid: The Musical runs from 26th to 30th May at Leeds Grand Theatre. This stage adaptation of the 1984 film is suitable for all ages.
• Hyde & Seek at Hyde Park Picture House features family-friendly and autism-friendly film screenings throughout the half-term, including titles such as The Sheep Detectives, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
• Shrek (25th Anniversary) will be shown at Everyman Cinema in Trinity Leeds on 25th May, with discounted tickets for children aged 5-14.
• Malory Towers, based on Enid Blyton’s novels, is staged at Leeds Playhouse from 27th to 30th May, suitable for children aged 8 and above.
• Colosseum of Chaos, an interactive comedy show, takes place at Carriageworks Theatre on 27th May.
• You Choose, an interactive musical based on a children’s book, will be performed at Carriageworks Theatre on 28th and 29th May.

Museums and Educational Activities

• Natural History Museum Presents Dinosaurs Live! is scheduled for 25th May at Carriageworks Theatre, featuring life-like dinosaurs and educational content about prehistoric periods.
• Saxon Story Hunter at Royal Armouries Museum runs from 23rd to 31st May, offering archaeological-themed activities and performances.
• Amazing Anatomy at Thackray Museum of Medicine, available throughout the half-term, includes hands-on activities exploring the human body.
• Conservation: Today and Tomorrow at Tropical World Leeds features keeper talks, craft activities, and displays focusing on conservation efforts.
• Everyday Heroes & Store Tours at Leeds Discovery Centre from 26th to 29th May provide access to parts of the city’s museum collections.
• Bugs & Beasties at Harewood House encourages visitors to discover insects and learn about preservation of the historic site.
• Story Explorers at Leeds Central Library offers a free family experience with themes ranging from outer space to the ocean, running until 29th August.
• Gnomes Sweet Gnome trail at Abbey House Museum runs from 23rd to 31st May, inviting families to find hidden gnomes around the Victorian Streets exhibit.
• Woolly Good May Half Term at Leeds Industrial Museum includes felting activities and exhibitions related to felt and fungi.

Outdoor Activities and Trails

• Love Your Zoo Week at Lotherton’s Wildlife World from 23rd to 31st May features animal trails, keeper talks, craft activities, and animal experiences including Capybaras and Penguins.
• Lawn Games & Minibeast Safari at Harewood House offers garden games and nature exploration activities.
• Springtime Babies at Temple Newsam Home Farm showcases newborn farm animals throughout May.
• Petals and Poisons Trail at Kirkstall Abbey runs from 23rd to 31st May, focusing on historical uses of plants and herbs.
• Go Ape at Temple Newsam provides treetop adventure courses suitable for children aged 4 and above.

Additional Family Activities

• Bluey Story Time at Merrion Centre on 27th May offers a free interactive storytelling session featuring the popular character Bluey.
• Have a Go at Half Term at the M&S Archive on 28th May includes millinery-inspired art activities and an exhibition trail for children.
• The Hole in Wand at St John’s Shopping Centre involves a dragon egg hunt across multiple crazy golf courses.
• Shaun the Sheep Trail at White Rose Shopping Centre runs throughout May, with an augmented reality app to enhance the experience.
• Spiky Singing With a Side of Silliness at Leeds City Museum on 26th May features interactive singing sessions for families.

Travel Information

Leeds Park & Ride services offer free parking, with the added benefit that up to three children under 19 can travel free with each fare-paying adult. The service