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The best things to do with the kids during February half term 2023 in Leeds

We've got all the places to head out to, or all the activities to stay in for this half term.

Sophie Smith - 10th February 2023

Half term crept up on us quickly this year- so if you're stuck for plans, we've got you covered.

The February half term holidays seem to have a completely different weather forecast each year: sometimes we've had snow and other years it's been so warm we've made a trip to the beach (albeit with a coat on).

Here's our favourite things to do / eat / create during half term, whatever the weather, and all the activities you can look forward to this February.

The Abbey House Museum

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If you're after a family-friendly activity which is both fun and educational, then taking a trip to the Abbey House Museum in Kirkstall is the perfect option. The museum offers visitors the chance to fully immerse themselves in the sights, sounds and smells of 19th century Leeds by exploring life-like cobbled streets complete with shops, pubs and houses.

After you've explored the streets, head upstairs where you will find plenty of comfortable spots for your children to play and relax with their ever growing selection of toys and books, making it the perfect place to while away the afternoon.

Paint-a-pot at Jackrabbits Pottery

Located on Roudhay Road, this rainy day spot is beautiful pottery studio is the perfect rainy-day activity for children and adults alike. Specialising in sentimental baby print items, Jackrabbits Pottery offers light food and drink so you can spend all day long relaxing with a paintbrush in their studio.

The way it works at this paint-your-own pottery studio is you pick a piece from one of their creations – be that a jug, a plate, piggy banks, animals, plaques, baubles, coasters – to paint, then one of their team members will guide you through the process to ensure you leave with something you’ll be proud to display at home.

Bramley Baths Inflatable Sessions

Complete with a slide and miniature blow-up obstacle course, it looks like the epitome of every child’s summer holiday swimming dream: brightly coloured and floating in the middle of the pool, ready to be jumped on (and off). Sessions are 1:30 - 2:15 and 2:15 - 3 and just £5 per child on Thursdays, but there's plenty of other children-friendly swim sessions throughout the week too.

Please note that the inflatable is only suitable for 8 – 14 years of age and have to be confident swimmers.

None Go Bye Farm

Nothing says quaint urban-country village like a trip to the farm. None Go Bye Farm have got you covered for locally-sourced meat and groceries. This family-friendly spot is perfect for all ages as in true farm-to-table style, you can visit the animals in the barns.Think scratching the belly of a pig, whilst rabbit hop towards your feet: you’ll be ready for a day on the farm in no time.

There are also donkeys, goats, geese, rhea and prairie dogs that can be fed using the special animal feed available from inside the farm shop.

Calypso Cove Water Park

Based in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, Calypso Cove boasts a splash zone, wave pool, a hidden diving area behind a huge pirate skull, big slides and more. The impressive pirate skull, which sits as the centre of the park, also functions as an under-water viewing platform where guests can watch other swimmers. The Yorkshire waterpark also has its very own partially sunken pirate ship or Sunken Galleon, complete with water cannons and a tipping bucket. From here, you can slide right into the water or fire jet streams at your friends from the deck.

Booking is essential to visiting, so make sure you plan ahead for your swashbuckling day out.

Read More: There’s a huge pirate-themed waterpark just 30 minutes drive from Leeds

DIY pizza kits from The Leeds Deli

Teaching the little ones about cooking needn't mean covering the worktops with clouds of flour and mess everywhere (okay, maybe it's a little messier than when you cook, but it's all part of the learning. From the family-run kitchen, The Leeds Deli, you can grab a DIY kit that takes out all of the complications and most of the mess. Included is two dough balls, tomato pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese and a choice of toppings like chicken, non-spicy pepperoni, ham, olives, sweetcorn and cheese. As well as this, you'll get all the instructions you need, as well as a kids-sized chefs hat and an activity sheet.

The DIY Pizza Kits from The Leeds Deli cost £10 each and should be reserved online in advance as the packages are made-to-order.

Leeds Valentine's Fair

Returning for its 30th anniversary, the Valentine’s Fair is set to take over Leeds city centre once more. Find a huge range of rides, attractions and games that are fun for the whole family, including the 360° spinning ride The Superstar, the 40m-high Booster Ride, huge swinging pendulum The Devil Rock, dodgems, and, of course, Leeds Wheel of Light.

The games will take over the spaces at Millennium Square, Victoria Gardens and Cookridge Street besides food and drink stalls aplenty. The perfect day out for all the family.

Find out more here.

Trampoline Park Jump Inc.

Trampoline Park Jump Inc. is a haven for families looking for something new to entertain the kids. Boasting 50,000 sq ft of adrenaline-fuelled trampolining and inflatables, it’s packed with slides, a sports zone, obstacle course, tumble tracks, jump opportunities, a toddler area and more. If that doesn't take your fancy, there's also a ninja-style course and one of the UK's biggest escape room companies have set up camp inside.

Tickets must be booked online and cost from £5 per child or toddler with accompanying adults to supervise entering free of charge

Feature Image- Calypso Cove