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)
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 educational TV programmes
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, song and rhymes – no booking required, just turn up, new faces are always made welcome.
There are often free craft activities too!
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:
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!!)
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
Re-opens Monday 3rd August 2020
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.
Saturdays – Family Fun, 10am – 3pm (TBC)
A fun activity that everyone can join in with! Whether handling museum objects or taking part in an exciting craft activity, there’s something different to do every Saturday. What will it be this week?
Have a go at our Little Spotters History Hunt and see what you can find in our collections.
No need to book, just drop in.
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
Re-opens Saturday 1st August 2020Â
The Hepworth Wakefield is an art museum in Wakefield and is free to visit. There are a range of family art activities, as well as outside garden and playground.
All activities are currently TBC and we advise that you should check before travelling.
Every day – Explore & Draw Stations, 10am – 5pm
There are up to three stations in the galleries for you to use and explore. Each station links to our temporary exhibitions or collection displays and contains activities, objects and books related to the artworks. Enjoy drawing in the galleries, look in new ways at the artworks, feel objects and materials connected to exhibitions, or sit and read together.
The stations are design to be suitable for all ages, and are available every day.
This is a free drop in activity and there is no need to book.
Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays – Art Pods, 11am – 4pmÂ
Look out for our Art Pods in the galleries and work together as a family to make something inspired by your favourite pieces of art.
Each Art Pod has creative activities for families to draw, make and be creative surrounded by the artworks in the gallery.
Art Pod activities are developed for 2-12 year olds, however babies and toddlers are more than welcome to join in.
This is a free drop in activity and there is no need to book.
Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays – Explore & Draw Totes, 10am – 5pm
Borrow an Explore & Draw tote to discover the artworks in the gallery with your family.
Use looking tools and prompt cards in the tote bags to explore exhibitions together and spark discussion with your family. Create your own artworks inspired by what you see using the drawing materials and prompt cards to experiment with different ways of drawing.
Explore & Draw Totes are developed for 2-12 year olds, however babies and toddlers are more than welcome to join in.
This is a free drop in activity and there is no need to book.
Gallery Walk, Wakefield WF1 5AW
💜 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]
Re-opens Wednesday 5th August 2020
You will need to pre-book in advance with NCM opens again – more details on their website.
Please note the underground mine tour and adventure playground is currently closed due to Covid-19 measures.
Learn about the history of coal mining & the science behind it at National Coal Mining Museum. You can travel 140m underground with a past local miner to explore England’s last deep coalmine (charge applies). See the pit ponies, run around the new adventure playground, check out the indoor soft play and take a walk around the beautiful countryside!
NCM, Caphouse Colliery, New Road, Overton, WF4 4RH
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
Re-opens 13th July 2020
The public can return to Pontefract Castle and its children’s playground from 13 July and its visitor centre on 21 July. The café is scheduled to re-open 28 July and gift shop in August.
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 most Fridays, and every Saturday and Sunday at 1:15pm. Additional tours in school holidays (Adults £3, Children £1.50)
Castle Entrance is FREE
The Lodge Castle Chain, Pontefract WF8 1QH (SAT NAV WF8 2JR)
Contact: 01977 723440
Re-opening Monday 20th July 2020
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, and find lots of fun for families with craft activities, a liquorice-themed soft play area, dressing-up costumes and even a market stall based on Pontefract’s Buttercross.
Saturdays – Family Fun, 11am – 3pm
Join us for a lively activity session that everyone can take part in! There is something different to do every week, from handling museum objects to getting creative with a colourful craft activity. There’s no need to book, just drop in.
While you’re visiting, follow a trail around the displays, try on some medieval hats or sport some colourful racing silks and ride a Georgian rocking horse.
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
Re-opening 27th July 2020
Wakefield Museum has gone Egyptian mad with the opening of Gateway to Eternity: Death and the Afterlife in Ancient Egypt where you can step inside a recreated ancient Egyptian tomb.
Treasures on display include grave goods borrowed from the British Museum and National Museums Liverpool World Museum, alongside the mummy of a woman named Perenbast, a temple singer who lived over 2,500 years ago, on loan from The Manchester Museum, The University of Manchester.
Tuesdays – Mini Museum Explorers, 10:30am – 1pm
Drop in Egyptian themed fun for the under 5s.
This drop-in family activity session is free, and there is no need to book.
Saturdays – Family Fun, 11am – 3pm
Get hands on with some creative crafts or take the rare opportunity to handle our precious museum objects. There’s something different to do every Saturday.
While you’re visiting, try out one of our Digi-trails and see what treasure you can find!
This drop-in family activity session is free, and there is no need to book.
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.
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!
FREE entry (parking charges apply and some events also have a charge)
West Bretton, Wakefield, WF4 4LG
