Family friendly activities for February half term

Schools in Leeds break up for a week’s half term holiday on Friday (14 February 2020). If you are wondering how to occupy your children next week, we have put together some ideas for you.

The Tetley, Hunslet’s own art gallery, has extended its popular Family Art Workshops to run all week. The free daily sessions run from 11am-3pm from Saturday 15 through to Sunday 23 February. The do-it-yourself craft sessions are suitable for children of all ages and abilities. Just drop in, children must be accompanied by an adult.

The Hunslet Club’s Activity Camp for children in Year 1 and above will run Monday to Friday, 8:45am-3pm. Featuring sports, arts & crafts, games, hair salon, dance, baking and more, session cost £5 per half day (prebooked) or £6 (unbooked). Contact dhall@hunsletclub.org.uk or call the club on (0113) 271 6489.

DAZL are running a Creative Camp at South Leeds Youth Hub https://www.facebook.com/southleedsyouthhub/ Monday to Friday 8:30am-3pm, sessions cost £8 or £33 for all five days. Call 07519 018675, or email community@dazl.org.uk

The Friends of Middleton Park will be hosting free play sessions on Tuesday 18 and Wednesday 19 February, 1-3pm, at the Visitor Centre, by the lake, off Town Street. On Tuesday they will be making woodland dream catchers. Then on Wednesday it’s outdoor sports and games.

There’s more outdoor activities at Skelton Grange Environment Centre in Stourton on Tuesday 18 February. The day of outdoor games and bushcraft (shelters, fires and cooking) activities led by experienced leaders runs from 10am-4pm and costs £30.

Free family fun is the offer on Monday 17 February at Trentham Park in Beeston. Junk robot building, an obstacle course, and nature insipred outdoor craft activities are all on the agenda between 1:30-3:30pm. There’s no need to book, just turn up, but children must be accompanied by an adult.

The Youth Service have organised a range of activities for 11-17 year olds living in Hunslet & Riverside and Middleton Park wards. There are trips to the fair, ice skating and bowling as well as a residential stay at Herd Farm. Contact Alison Dixon on 07891 277407.

There’s a chance to explore Leeds Museums’ huge collection of insects and creepy crawlies with critter themed crafts and a tour of the amazing store, containing over 1 million objects! Leeds Discovery Centre is on Carlisle Road near the Royal Armouries in Hunslet and the free event takes place on Wednesday 19 February, 10am-12pm. Booking reqiured.

Workshops with fashion fabrics are on offer at Leeds City Museum on Millennium Square, Monday to Friday 10am-12pm and 1-3pm each day during half term. Reuse and recycle crafty materials to design a funky outfit for your favourite toy and parade it down the table catwalk, create a rainbow using plate weaving and take the textile trail around the museum. This is a free drop in, suitable for all ages. Don’t forget to bring your favourite toy with you.

Hobbycraft at Crown Point Retail Park host slime making workshops on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday (23 February).  Make your own textured slime using a range of colours and textures. The half hour sessions are free, but you need to book.

Thwaite Watermill in Stourton has a crafty cookery session on Tuesday 11am-3pm. Make edible gingerbread cookie men, decorate your marvellous creations and then munch on them on the way back home. Then on Thursday you can take part in weird and wonderful science experiments. Some simple experiments don’t quite work out as you would expect them to. Come and find out more and be prepared for the unexpected!

Flipped Fairytales allows 4-8 year olds to get involved in rewriting the story of Little Red Riding Hood. This free event takes place on Wednesday at Beeston Library 10:30-11:30am and at Dewsbury Road Community Hub 12-1pm; and at Hunslet Community Hub on Thursday 11am-12pm.

The Secret Cinema at Hunslet Community Hub has a special half term showing on Wednesday at 2:30pm. The free family friendly film is accompanied by free popcorn and juice.

And finally, if you are wondering about the Valentine’s Fair that usually takes place at Elland Road, it has relocated to Woodhouse Moor this year whilst the Park & Ride is extended.