Weekender: City centre hosting programme of family-friendly summer entertainment

Parents and carers in Leeds looking for fun ways to keep children entertained over the summer have been invited to sample a calendar of events and activities in the city centre.

Among the attractions are “Create: Sculpt: Play”, part of Yorkshire Sculpture International. This is outside Leeds Art Gallery and runs until Sunday 4 August. It offers free, family-friendly activities and the chance to re-imagine the space with a focus on sculpture. There will be something for everyone to enjoy as part of this project, which is supported by Leeds City Council, Leeds Art Gallery and DLA Design.

The ever-popular pop-up park has returned to Cookridge Street complete with picnic tables and play equipment. The street is closed to traffic and nearly 1,000 square metres of artificial grass laid out to create a temporary green space for people to enjoy until the end of the summer holidays. There is also a small, temporary green space at the front of Leeds Town Hall.

Child Friendly Leeds Sundays started on 21 July, offering a range of free events and activities to encourage families to come into the city centre on Sundays through the summer. This year’s activities include arts and crafts, Lego building, climbing walls, circus skills, Peace Garden, Wonderdome, LS-ten skate and scoot day to name just a few. People can find out more at www.childfriendlyleeds.co.uk

People may already have seen full-size dinosaurs coming to life in the city centre and the whole family can have a monster day out hunting them down. This free event, arranged by LeedsBID, runs until Sunday 1 September. The Jurassic Trail will take you through Victoria Leeds, Leeds Kirkgate Market, the Merrion Centre and Trinity Leeds, making it perfect for dino-spotting whatever the weather.

Alongside these events, the CFL Live children’s festival makes its return to Millennium Square on Wednesday 7 August, and this year features CBeebies’ Mr Bloom & His Band as the headline act.

There will be fun, games and audience participation throughout from compere Alex Winters and Heart FM, plus a ‘Greatest Showman’ circus performance, and Family Rave Mayhem with Boomchikkaboom.

Children and their families will have the chance to participate in free activities around the square including face painting, Oxygen Freejumping, product making with LUSH, arts and crafts, sport, sensory play and much more. Tickets are priced £5 and can be bought online at https://www.millsqleeds.com/whats-on/all-shows/child-friendly-leeds-live-with-mr-bloom-and-his-band/5507

Families can also soak up the summer weather at the City Beach on Victoria Gardens from 10 August to 1 September.

Leeds City Council executive member for children and families Councillor Fiona Venner said: “We want Leeds to be the best city for children and young people to grow up in, so I am delighted that we are able to offer so many fantastic activities for families to get involved in over the summer months.

“This really supports our commitment to putting children at the heart of everything we do and ensuring they have fun growing up.

“We truly value the voice and influence of children and young people in our city, therefore I am really pleased that our dedicated Child Friendly Leeds Ambassadors, partners and the Council’s City Centre Management Team have listened to their ideas to help make Leeds city centre more child and family friendly.

“I would like to thank them for their ongoing support and really do hope that families are encouraged to come into the city centre this summer to enjoy these fantastic and fun child friendly events.”

Leeds City Council executive member for learning, skills, employment and the city centre Councillor Jonathan Pryor said: “Leeds is a vibrant city with lots to offer and it’s brilliant that there are so many activities taking place over the summer for children and families to get involved in.

“We work incredibly hard to ensure our city is inclusive and I hope that everyone is able to enjoy the summer festivities and celebrate how wonderful Leeds is for all ages.”

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