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Coxley Woods … these woods have it all!! Trees, stream, duck pond, dens, wild garlic and lots of bluebells … a perfect outdoor adventure for the whole family
(Reviewed May 2020)
It was something for our little boy to focus on during the walk and he did some map reading too to find the next cache, smiley face was added when we found one. Make sure you take some bits of treasure too to do some swaps!!
To download the Geocaching app – click here. We used the basic version which is free but you can pay for the premium upgrade.
If you’re stuck inside as the weather is miserable, cold or snowy outside check out these tried and tested ideas to keep your kids busy and not saying … I’m bored!!
Click here for indoor activities for a rainy day
Click here for indoor activities for babies & toddlers
Click here for 20 Activities to Keep Toddlers Busy at Home
Click here for educational TV programmes
Click here for 13 family-friendly card games
Click here for indoor scavenger hunt
Click here for indoor safari picture hunt
Click here for 101 things to do indoors
Wakefield Libraries have fun, friendly and free storytime sessions at libraries across the region!
Under 5’s can join in with stories – pre- booking required.
Please call in advance to pre-book your place as numbers are reduced due to Covid-19 restrictions, demand is expected to be high and things are having to be done a little differently.
Explore Caphouse, a modern colliery which witnessed more than two hundred years of coal production. Hear stories directly from former-miners about their careers and understand the roles men, women, children, animals and machinery played in the operation of the mine.
Find out about the people and communities at the heart of the industry and uncover how the miners lived at work and play. Explore acres of woodland, spotting plants and wildlife and find out how the excess water from the mine is cleaned and pumped back into a local river. Then let off some steam in our Adventure Playground.
Find out where miners would start and end their days and how they would get paid in the Pithead Baths. See our historic steam-winding engine in action which pulled miners and coal from 140m underground before taking a trip to the stables to meet our horse and ponies.
Understand how difficult mining was in the 19th century and why they realised it wasn’t appropriate to have children working underground. See some of the tools of the trade to discover how miners overcame the challenges of working underground.
Come back at a later date to experience the Underground Tours, Soft Play Area, Hope Pit and the Library
Exhibitions
19th May – 6th June 2021: Women in the miner’s strikes – In this brand new special exhibition, discover the stories of women in the coal industry who came out on strike alongside the men, and miners’ wives who set up soup kitchens, raised funds and stood on picket lines in support of the strike.
19th May – 4th July 2021: Drawn from the Pits – From the dark depths of the British mines a group of luminary artists emerged, depicting lives of mining communities in ways that could be compared to the likes of Picasso and Lowry. See how their experiences in the mine influenced their artwork, understand why they took to art and what role it played in their lives. Play with interactive displays to mix colours, create artworks in confined spaces and make your own work of art.
Book your visit at www.ncm.org.uk
Please note we are closed Mondays & Tuesdays
Pre-booking essential
National Coal Mining Museum, New Road, Overton, WF4 4RH
Dinosaurs at Pugneys!! Discover dinosaurs with Love Exploring App at Pugneys Country Park
(Reviewed November 2019)
From museums to mining, lakeside walks to sculptures, Wakefield has lots of fun, free, family activities!
Click here to find out our top 5 for you!
The lake was once the deepest opencast mine in the UK!
At the visitor’s centre you can hire running buggies and bikes for the whole family including bike trailers for the tiniest!
Follow the Room on the Broom trail at Anglers Country Park. You can purchase activity packs from the Visitor’s Centre for £2. From the centre you’ll follow the trail, find sculptures, look for animal footprints, trace rubbings and have fun doing activities along the way.
Cafe and adventure playground next to the Visitors Centre
Parking charges apply
Haw Park Lane, Wintersett, Wakefield, WF4 2EB
Have a try of the Mumbler Autumn scavenger hunt – I’ve left them unlabelled so the bigger kids can practice their writing skills!
Download the Autumn Scavenger Hunt here
Download your free I Spy card or collect a card from the Cavendish Shop. Spot the pictures on the card as you follow one of the trails around Strid Wood. Who will be the first to get four in a line?
I Spy has been created with Natural England as part of their One Million Children Outdoors Campaign. Natural England is working on a range of projects to encourage an interest in nature amongst children; helping them to enjoy the natural environment.
Find out more at www.naturalengland.org.uk
Step back in time and explore the history of Castleford from Roman legions to rugby league. See a stunning Iron Age chariot or try on a pair of mining clogs.
To help keep visitors safe we have removed most of our interactive displays in the museum. However, the museum displays are still full of wonderful objects that tell the story of this historic town.
Take & Make bags will be available across the three museums and Pontefract Castle on weekends and during school holidays for the rest of 2021. The activity bags are for families with children up to the age of 12 to collect from site for creating something related to an exhibition, display or site.
Free entry
Castleford Museum, Carlton Street, Castleford, WF10 1BB
Not open on Wednesdays or Sundays
Come and enjoy our home made award winning Jersey Ice Cream whilst taking in the stunning views over the Calder Valley.
Entry is free, so bring the children to meet the animals. Enjoy our delicious home made ice cream and award winning sorbets, then burn off some energy in the outdoor play area.
Open 10:30am-6pm every day except Christmas Day
The Meadows, Whitley Road, Dewsbury, WF12 0NQ
This animal picture hunt was used at the Children’s Activity Day last year (the one where the butterfly disappeared!) and I thought it may be a useful activity for you to do with your children!
All you need to do is print the pictures, cut them along the dashed line (as there’s two images per A4 print out), and stick them up around the house or garden!
You can even get Grand Parents to join in, by doing half the trail virtually too!
For my ideas of things to do whilst you’re at home with the kids, visit our dedicated page to help you through Coronavirus … CLICK HERE
The Hepworth Wakefield is your space to explore, play and create together. New Explore & Draw packs have been created for families to explore our artworks, galleries and garden with specially devised looking and drawing activities!
Gallery Walk, Wakefield WF1 5AW. Open daily 10am – 5pm
Have a try of the Mumbler indoor and outdoor scavenger hunts – I’ve left them unlabelled so the bigger kids can practice their writing skills!
Download indoor scavenger hunt here
Download outdoor scavenger hunt here
💜 RECOMMENDED BY A MUMBLER! 💜
For kids who love trains, pop over to Moorthorpe Train Stain, near South Kirkby (WF9 3TA) 🚄🚂☕
It’s a nice quiet train station for the kids to watch the trains passing and a great cafe right on the platform called Mallard Coffee Lounge! [Recommended – BP]
If you’re planning a staycation or a day out outside of Wakefield with the kids you’ll want to make the most of your time and money.
Why not use other Mumbler sites to do research on the area that you’re visiting?
We have fully operational sites in the following areas;
Yorkshire:
STAG Mumbler (Selby, Tadcaster & Goole)
Leeds (North Leeds Mumbler, South Leeds Mumbler, Wharfedale Mumbler)
Further afield:
Perfect place to feed the ducks, get your wellies muddy and enjoy the great outdoors. Paths suitable for pushchairs and bikes, it is likely to be muddy in Autumn & Winter months though so be prepared!
Take part in the Gnome Roam, find the sculptures and complete the activities and challenges as you go. Download the activity sheet here
Ice cream van often in car park
Car park charges apply
Newmillerdam, Wakefield WF2 6QQ
Managed by the National Trust. Built on the site of a medieval priory, Nostell has been the home of the Winn family for 300 years.
Visitors can explore 121 hectares (300 acres) of parkland with a range of walks and views. Gardens include lakeside walks, a newly planted orchard and an adventure playground.
Access to much of the parkland is free, parking charges apply.
Entry fees apply to non-NT members to the house, adventure playground and gardens
7am – 7pm (last entry 6pm)
Doncaster Road, Nostell, Wakefield WF4 1QE
Whenever we go on a walk where there are ducks, they are always being fed by people of all ages! It is such a good activity to get some fresh air and run off some energy with the kids (as well as being FREE!!)
Discover the story of one of Britain’s most important castles, so vast and powerful that it was known in its heyday as the Key to the North. Experience history brought to life through fun family events and activities.
Dungeon Tours currently not open
Grounds , toilets and cafe (takeaway only) are open
Take & Make bags will be available across the three museums and Pontefract Castle on weekends and during school holidays for the rest of 2021. The activity bags are for families with children up to the age of 12 to collect from site for creating something related to an exhibition, display or site
Castle Entrance is FREE
The Lodge Castle Chain, Pontefract WF8 1QH (SAT NAV WF8 2JR)
Contact: 01977 723440
Re-opening 24th May 2021
Step inside our beautiful art nouveau building to discover a world where voting, Civil Wars and liquorice collide. Celebrate the captivating stories of Pontefract and its people, from glass-making to horse-racing. There’s a new exhibition of travel posters by Pontefract-born artist Charles Pears. Our Take and Make bag will link with the exhibition.
To help keep visitors safe we have removed most of our interactive displays in the museum, and closed the Reference Room and Glass Room. However, the museum displays are still full of wonderful objects that tell the story of this historic town
Take & Make bags will be available across the three museums and Pontefract Castle on weekends and during school holidays for the rest of 2021. The activity bags are for families with children up to the age of 12 to collect from site for creating something related to an exhibition, display or site.
Free entry
Pontefract Museum, 5 Salter Row, Pontefract, WF8 1BA
At the Pugneys Watersports Centre you can try your hand at a fantastic range of activities including a children’s adventure trail based on the book ‘Blown Away’ by local author – download the activity sheet here and also spot dinosaurs using the Love Exploring App (read our review here and how to access the app)
Good paths for bikes, pushchairs and wheelchairs. There is also an outdoor adventure playground for the children.
Hire running buggies and take a ride on the miniature railway (charges apply)
Parking charges apply
Call: 01924 302 360
Asdale Road, Denby Dale Road, Wakefield, WF2 7EQ
You can enjoy the beauty of the lake on a circular walk at any time. There are always plenty of opportunities to spot birds and wildlife.
The visitors centre and small cafe
Children can take part in pond dipping during Spring & Summer months
9:30am – 4pm
Access is free, parking charges apply
Newton Lane, Castleford, WF10 2BH
Have a try of the Mumbler summer scavenger hunt – I’ve left them unlabelled so the bigger kids can practice their writing skills!
Download the Summer Scavenger Hunt here
Re-opening 17th May 2021
Explore the history of Wakefield and hear stories told through the eyes of the people involved in shaping our fine city.
Discover the extraordinary Charles Waterton, the Wakefield-born Victorian eco-warrior and explorer.
You can even stand on the back of our fierce caiman crocodile, captured on one of his trips to South America.
To help keep visitors safe we have removed most of our interactive displays in the museum, and closed the Front Room. However, the museum displays are still full of wonderful objects that tell the story of this historic city.
Take & Make bags will be available across the three museums and Pontefract Castle on weekends and during school holidays for the rest of 2021. The activity bags are for families with children up to the age of 12 to collect from site for creating something related to an exhibition, display or site.
Free entry
Wakefield One, 159 Mulberry Way, Wakefield, WF1 2UP
YSP welcomes families and aims to be as family-friendly as possible. In the open air, children are free to run around, making the most of our 500 acres of historic parkland, download the park map here
Families will also enjoy walks in the newly restored lakes and woodland where they’ll discover bridges, follies and incredible historical features including a Greek-style summer house, a now land-locked Boat House, an Obelisk, Stepping Stones and a magical Shell Grotto.
Facilities for families include:
Baby changing at YSP Centre, YSP Learning and the Bothy Gallery
Highchairs in the Restaurant and Café
Family-friendly food and drink, unlimited tap water
Picnic areas
Pocket money souvenirs and affordable children’s accessories available to purchase in the YSP Shop and Café
Downloads for families
Downloads are available to enhance the family experience- click here
For more resources, including downloadable tours and podcasts visit the Learning section
Family events
There are regular family-friendly events to take part in at YSP. Find out about upcoming activities
Please see our school holiday section and events calendar for details of events for families and Children plus lots of open spaces indoors and out for all ages to enjoy, a great family day out!
£6 per person, under 18’s are free (some events also have a charge)
West Bretton, Wakefield, WF4 4LG
