"Yippee, it's the school holidays," said Oliver and Olivia. "S***, it's the school holidays," said Oliver and Olivia's parents to themselves.
Oliver and Olivia's parents hadn't thought of how to entertain their children while they were off school. If only they'd had this little guide which would have inspired them to keep the little darlings happy until the respite of their return to their classrooms.
Read more: Seven things to do with the kids in Leeds during February half-term
Because Leeds is big the choices for parents are wide and varied. For no money (except travel) you can take them to some of these entertaining places. And maybe, if they've been good and not questioned your parental fitness, you can take them to one of the more expensive places as a treat.
If their behaviour has been somewhere in between you can take them to one of the mid-priced options. It's your money.
1. City Museum
This grand, old museum in Millennium Square has daily arts and crafts session in the Brodrick Hall during half-term. There's family theatre on February 14 as well as permanent collections including local, ancient and natural history.
Free
Millenium Square, LS2 8BH
2. Clip 'n' Climb,
Unless they are risk-averse kids and climbing go together like butter and bread. So whether they have climbing skills to rival Spiderman or are new to the whole vertical thing, there will be a wall to entertain them at Clip 'n' Climb.
£14 peak, £11.50 off-peak
Unit 3, Tristram Centre, Brown Lane West, LS12 6BF
3. Gravity
Let them throw themselves about at this indoor trampoline and inflatable park. Gravity also offers SEN and toddler sessions.
£13.50 per hour plus £3 for special socks. SEN and toddler sessions £5 and £6 respectively
Cardigan Fields Leisure Park, off Kirkstall Road, LS4 2DG
4. Harewood House
Stunning as it is we're not talking about the Georgian mansion, more the gardens. Your kids may not appreciate the knockout architecture outside and killer décor inside but they be able to tear around the house's sprawling gardens.
Unfortunately, one of the top attractions, the bird garden will be closing later this year, but until then go fill your boots.
From £8
Harewood, LS17 9LG
5. Kirkstall Abbey
Play hide and seek in the ruins of this medieval abbey, and have a picnic in leafy surroundings you wouldn't think were in the middle of a city. Parking is on Vesper Lane.
Free
Abbey Road, Kirkstall, LS5 3EH
6. Leeds Art Gallery
Art isn't just for culture vultures, it's for everyone including children. If your children appreciate fine art – well, they might – or just like to draw there are permanent and changing galleries plus a family art space.
Free
The Headrow, LS1 3AA
7. Lotherton Hall
Like Harewood House (see above), it's about the gardens. Lotherton Hall has sprawling gardens, a playground, a mini zoo and a deer park where Oliver and Olivia can let off steam.
From £3.50 (under-5s free)
Collier Lane, Aberford, LS25 3EB
8. Meanwood Valley Urban Farm
All your classic farm animals plus alpacas, rabbits and guinea pigs can be found in this green pocket of the city.
From 50p (under-2s free)
Sugar Well Road, Meanwood, LS7 2QG
9. Middleton Railway
The world's oldest railway in continuous operation wouldn't be much good if you couldn't ride on it. Well, you can ride vintage steam locomotives as well as learning about the railway's history which began in 1758.
Please note: it's closed for maintenance until April 1.
From £1
The Station, Moor Road, Hunslet, LS10 2JQ
10. Royal Armouries
Bang. Bang. Clang. Clang. Kids love weapons and this huge purpose-built museum has more historic weapons than anywhere else in Britain. Thankfully they're behind thick glass screens in case Oliver and Olivia get any ideas. You can watch martial arts experts wielding them in the dojo, mind.
Free
Armouries Dr, Leeds Docks, LS10 1LT
11. Stockeld Park
This sprawling set of themed adventure playgrounds, indoors and outdoors, has plenty to climb, swing and slide on. If your kids aren't knackered after a few hours at Stockeld Park consider entering them for a marathon.
From £9.50
Wetherby Road, near Spofforth LS22 4AN
12. Team Sport
Leeds' number one go-karting circuit offers high-speed thrills for budding Lewis Hamiltons who are some years off earning their driving licences. It's even got a bridge and tunnel. Neeeee-owwwww!
£44.40 per children (aged 8 to 12)
South Accommodation Road, near Leeds Docks LS10 1NQ
13. Temple Newsam Home Farm
See rare breed animals on this traditional working farm next to one of Leeds' most iconic stately homes.
From £3 (under-5s free)
Temple Newsam, off Temple Newsam Road, LS15 0BG
14. Treeside Alpacas
Lead alpacas – like llamas but smaller and less spitty – around this working farm.
From £20
Moss Carr Farm, Newmarket Lane, Oulton, LS26 9DW
15. Tropical World at Roundhay Park
See lizards, tortoises, snakes, piranhas, meerkats and more inside this warm indoor mini-zoo in Roundhay Park.
From £3.80 (under-5s free)
Princes Avenue, Roundhay, LS8 2ER
Read next:
- Everywhere kids can eat free or cheap during half term in Yorkshire
- 13 stunning castles and stately homes to visit within an hour of Leeds
- New BBC crime drama filmed in Leeds set to fill your Happy Valley void
- Emmerdale's Daisy Campbell and Rosie Bentham leave UK together as they share sweet snaps of trip
- Sheepscar Bar & Grill review: We tried the Leeds Indian restaurant nominated for a 'Curry Oscar'
