Free family summer fun starts at LS-TEN on Sunday

Filling the summer holidays with affordable activities for the kids can be daunting. In South Leeds we’re lucky to have lots of freebies.

Here’s a roundup of some ideas to kick start your family summer. I’m Helen Robinson and I run local parents’ website and community, South Leeds Mumbler: southleeds.mumbler.co.uk; @SouthLeedsMumbler on Facebook.

Local families invited to LS-TEN for free play morning

Under new management and with a new mission keenly focused on supporting the local community, LS-TEN has taken over running the venue where The Works skate park used to be.

On Sunday (14 July 2019), 9am-12noon, LS-TEN is opening its doors to local families to have the run of the whole venue, with free/pay-as-you-feel expert coach-led play sessions on offer. Activities include scooters, BMX, skateboarding, multi-sports, arts & crafts, creative science, toys and games, and messy play. Activities will be age-targeted and suitable for ages 0-10.
The café will be open throughout the morning for parents to relax and have a coffee.

All families will receive a free goody bag containing a sticker, free pass voucher and a raffle ticket to win a free 1-2-1 coaching session.

Parents should arrive with their children and sign up in the café to their chosen group activities. Members of the LS-TEN team will be on hand to help visitors to navigate themselves around the building to join in activities.

This is an opportunity to meet the new LS-TEN team, try out all the activities on offer, explore the venue, and find out about new plans for the space.

The event is being run in partnership with Leeds Mumbler. Helen (South Leeds Mumbler) and Anna (North Leeds Mumbler) will be around to answer questions so please come say hello!

Young People’s Activity Days

Organised by the Youth Service, South/South East and Council Inner South Community Committee, these outdoor sessions provide a safe space for young people to run around and let off steam. A range of inflatables, arts, crafts and other activities will be on offer. Sessions take place 12-3pm on:

  • Tuesday 6 August at Blenkinsop Field in Middleton
  • Tuesday 13 August at Hunslet Moor
  • Tuesday 20 August at Parkside Field in Belle Isle.

For full listings visit Facebook @YouthService123.

Xplore your local park

Leeds City Council and Active Leeds have partnered up to host educational family-friendly navigation challenges so families can have fun together outdoors. Family teams can explore their local park, finding markers to complete the challenge. Events taking place 10.30am-12pm at:

  • Middleton Park on Mondays. Meet near the visitor centre on 29 July, 5, 12 & 19 August.
  • Cross Flatts Park on Tuesdays. Meet at the children’s play area on 30 July, 6, 13, 20 & 27 August.
  • Holbeck Moor on Thursdays. Meet near the children’s play area on 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 August.

Bands in the Park

Friends groups at Middleton and Cross Flatts Park are bringing open-air band performances through the summer. Pack a picnic, some sunglasses (hopefully) and an umbrella (to be on the safe side) and head over to your local park for a relaxed afternoon of live music – and maybe dancing too! Concerts take place 2.30-4.30pm on various dates in Cross Flatts Park in Beeston and Middleton Park. Full listings at leedsconcertseason.co.uk/whats-on

Breeze in the Park

The Leeds Council Breeze scheme for 0-19 year olds will be bringing its annual Breeze in the Park events to South Leeds on Wednesday 7 August at Cross Flatts Park in Beeston, with a mini Breeze event on Monday 29 July at Middleton Park.
Expect inflatables, music, arts and crafts, stalls, food and tons of activities and taster sessions for young people to get involved in.

Free play in the park

Friends of Middleton Park organise free play sessions at the Visitor Centre every Tuesday and Wednesday in August from 1-3pm.