Here’s your roundup of family friendly activities for November.
I’m Helen Robinson and I run local parents’ website and community, South Leeds Mumbler: southleeds.mumbler.co.uk. Visit the website for more ideas and up to date listings of regular playgroups, classes and days out ideas.
With the end of half term, bonfire night and Baby Week Leeds 2019 (see separate post here) all taking place this November, families in South Leeds will be spoilt for choice with this month’s list of events and activities – many of them free and low cost.
Outdoor events and nature activities
Skelton Grange Environmental Centre (LS10 1RS) is open Monday 4 November and Monday 2 December (10am-1pm) for its monthly ‘Nature Visits’ event for families and childminders to independently explore the nature areas. Pre-booking required. £3 donation per child can be paid on arrival. On Saturday 30 November there will be a ‘Christmas Tree Forest’ Stained Glass Workshop (10am-1pm & 2pm-5pm). Booking required. Visit tcv.org.uk/skeltongrange or call Harry on (0113) 243 0815.
In the city centre, the Playful Leeds team of fun ambassadors will be out on Briggate again this October half term (Thursday 31 October – Sunday 3 November, 11am-4pm), bringing the famous Playbox full of FREE creative, crafty, inventive, colourful and fun activities for children and the young at heart.
If your kids “dig” diggers and you want a trip further afield, South Leeds Mumbler currently has a 20% discount on for Diggerland. Download the voucher from southleeds.mumbler.co.uk.
FREE Family Friendly Firework Displays and Bonfire Night Events
The Holbeck club (LS11 9QX) on Saturday 2 November. Doors 6pm, fireworks at 7pm.
Middleton Park (LS10 3SH) on Tuesday 5 November. Bonfire lit at 7pm, fireworks at 7pm.
The Hunslet Club (LS10 1BP) on Saturday 9 November. Doors 6pm, fireworks at 7.30pm.
Indoor and outdoor extreme sports
Hunslet is home to the dynamic skate and climb duo, LS-TEN and City Bloc.
The LS-TEN Skatepark in Hunslet (LS10 1NT) is open daily to all, with ‘Mini Riders’ sessions for under 8s on Mondays & Wednesdays, 4-5pm & Sundays 9-9.45am.
Adjoining City Bloc is home to Leeds’s first dedicated indoor bouldering centre, offering 1-hour instructed “Junior Ibex” climbing sessions each weekend (10-11am for 6-10 year olds and 11.15am-12.15pm for 11-16 year olds). £7 each. On Saturday 9 November, City Bloc is celebrating its 10th birthday with a ten-hour party from midday to 10pm. The “Bloc Party” includes a climbing competition for all abilities, free giveaways, hot food, alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks plus other fun climbing antics. Tickets £15. Email info@citybloc.co.uk or call (0113) 391 2652.
Over in Middleton, the mountain bike trail centre and BMX track, Leeds Urban Bike Park is free to use and open daily. You can make a day of it with the onsite bike shop, workshop and café serving quality coffee and food. The café is open Mondays 10am-5.30pm, Tuesdays & Wednesdays 9.30am-8pm, Thursdays & Fridays 9.30am-5.30pm, Saturdays 9am-5.30pm, and Sundays 9am-5pm. The bike shop is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays 10am-6pm, Wednesdays 10am-8pm, Saturdays & Sundays 9am-5pm. Call (0113) 277 2413 for information.
Leeds Central Library Tech Events for Children
If your kids are into tech, Leeds Central Library has some great events on this month, including ‘BJSS All Girls STEAM Hack: Inventions’ where girls can find out more about inventions and bring their own ideas to life using creative tech like Makey Makey and BBC micro:bit (Friday 1 November, 2-4pm), the fortnightly Code Club (Sat 2 & 16 November, 11am-12pm), and Minecraft Café (Saturday 2 November, 2-4pm). Tickets are limited and sell fast so early booking is advised, via ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents. Code Clubs also run after school at local libraries.
