Your Family Friendly Guide to Easter in Leeds

Spring is here and the Easter activities are in full swing. We have compiled this handy guide of what’s happening in Leeds over the 2022 Easter holidays to keep the whole family entertained, whether you’re planning a day-trip, a weekend away or week-long stay.

What’s happening in Leeds?

It just wouldn’t be Easter without a classic Easter trail, and Leeds has got you covered. From the 2nd-23rd April, Temple Newsam are hosting a decorated egg hunt throughout the house and farm. On selected dates, you can try your hand at making an Easter egg cup, or even making your very own gift wrap. For three weeks, from 2nd-24th April, Stockeld Park are treating guests to their own “Easter Adventure” with a rainbow bunny hunt, complete with giant Easter eggs, an Easter panto and if that isn’t enough, the Easter Bunny will be hopping along for meet and greet opportunities.

Over at Abbey House Museum, bunnies are running amok on the Victorian streets and have found themselves some comfortable hiding spots. Between the 5th-18th April, find them to complete the bunny trail, and take home a free Easter craft bag. Whilst you’re there, why not “hop” over the road to Kirkstall Abbey, for the Lost Sheep trail. From 2nd-17th April, help reunite a flock of many colours throughout the abbey ruins, and brush up on your Leeds history at the same time!

On April 15th, Kirkstall Abbey will be hosting Sneaky Experience and their Alice in Wonderland themed Easter Experience. Their outdoor theatre pulls you straight into the pages of the classic Lewis Carroll tale, with characters to meet and stories to hear. Plus, there’s a chocolate egg included in every child’s ticket! In the heart of the City Centre, Leeds City Museum offer a dive into the rare and forgotten animals, on their free Extinction Easter Trail, running from 2nd-18th April. Pick up a trail sheet and hand in the completed map for a chance to win a prize.

Lotherton Hall in the area of Aberford are also bringing a brand new event to Leeds in 2022. Wild About Lotherton takes you on an adventure of the house, gardens, and woodland, with dedicated activity stations for exploration of the senses, den-building, and bug hunting.

For those who want something a little different to do this Easter, Leeds still has plenty of activities to enjoy. Why not take a trip to Harewood House bird garden and farm? You can observe farm feedings at 12pm every day, and penguin feedings at 3.30pm every day. Over the Easter bank holiday Royal Armouries are hosting a jousting tournament and if you’re travelling by train there will be free pop-up activity and QR codes to help you navigate your way along the scenic waterfront trail to the museum from the station, with fun interactions for all.

Leeds Young Film Festival makes a return to the Carriageworks Theatre this Easter, showing an awesome selection of films that families can enjoy together including action, drama, and comedy suitable for children of all ages. Screenings take place all day, every day between the 9th-15th April. Visit their website for full listings and details.

If you’re looking to get the kids involved in something more active, Leeds Beckett University are running Camp Carnegie, with Tennis, Squash, Athletics, and American Football to choose from. 

If Theatre is your thing, for the older kids, Leeds Grand Theatre are showing hit Broadway show School of Rock and the award-winning adaption of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

Or if you want to head out of the city for a day of green open space and creative inspiration Yorkshire Sculpture Park are running two family-friendly programmes over the holidays – Art Cart, a free guide around the park with interactive activities and Sculptural Adventures in the Hidden Forest, a space designed for under fives to get creative under a canopy of trees.

Planning your break…

Of course with all that activity, you’ll need to fuel up! And as Leeds is the Foodie Capital of the North, you won’t be short on choices, with plenty of family-friendly spots on offer. Take Trinity Kitchen for example. They offer street food that’s easy on the budget but hefty on the palette. With a mixture of permanent vendors and street food vans that rotate every eight weeks, it’s a great combination of flavours and cuisines all under the same roof. Or visit the iconic Kirkgate Market street food stalls for a wide range of options in a relaxed setting – all undercover so great for sunny and rainy days alike.  For more inspiration, take a look at our food and drink offerings here.

Planning on extending your stay? Leeds has all the family-friendly accommodation you could need – suitable for everyone from babies to teenagers. Our city centre hotels, like the Queens, Premier Inn or the Novotel, will give you a perfect base to explore, with great links to public transport to match. Adjoining rooms can be requested, as can sofa beds and cots. Outside of the city centre, offerings such as Oulton Hall provide the perfect vantage point if you want to explore the country side away from the hustle and bustle of this vibrant city. Our Where to Stay guide is perfect to search for more hotel options in the city centre and beyond.

With a whole host of attractions and things to do, whether you want to dedicate your Easter to special activities or simply head for a day out, Leeds is the place for you. Check out Family Adventures for more inspiration.