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Explore West Yorkshire this Summer with MCard
02 August 2023We’ve kicked off the summer holidays by putting together a host of FREE or low-cost West Yorkshire-based activities which are all accessible by bus or train, to keep your kids and teenagers entertained. With affordable single tickets or day tickets for adults, young people and families all available on the MCard Mobile App, you can simply activate them whenever you need them. Download the MCard Mobile App today from the App store or Goole Play.
Teenage Travel Teenagers can get out and about with their friends this summer with either a single ticket for £1.20 or unlimited all-day travel on any bus with the MyDay bus ticket for £2.50 (or cheaper when buying 3, 5 or 10 tickets for future trips). You can also get a whole month ticket for just £35– that's the holidays sorted!
Family and Group Travel
You can get unlimited off-peak bus and train travel to explore West Yorkshire for up to five people (one adult and four concessionary travellers or two adults and three concessionary travellers for just £15. Or 5 adults for just £26.60. Need inspiration? Take a look!
Family Fun
Leeds Bear Hunt is a large public art trail that will be featured across Leeds for 10 weeks. The collaboration between Leeds Hospitals Chairty and creative producers Wild at Heart will feature 35 giant bear sculptures hidden in plain sight.
Leeds Hospitals Charity is the charity for Leeds Teaching Hospitals, covering eight areas. By donating or visiting the Bear Cave, you can make a difference with all sales going back to the charity. All the money throughout the Bear Hunt will help fund life-saving equipment, crucial research and create a supporting environment for patients and parents. Every sculpture will be auctioned to raise funds for Leeds Hospitals Charity.The sculptures are decorated by local, national and international artists, designers and illustrators. This family friendly trail will bring the iconic ‘We’re Going on Bear Hunt’ story, by Michael Rosen to life.
Visit the Royal Armouries to find Sir-Bear-A-Lot and remember to look out for the mini bear cubs too!
Join this FREE family friendly trail to raise money for Leeds Hospitals Charity.
Discover the trail and visit Leeds, catching a bus or train into the city centre for a fun day out.
Eureka! The National Children’s Museum
Located in Halifax, Eureka! The National Children’s Museum has plenty of fun activities across the summer.
Their six weeks of Sumer Fun from 22 July – 3 September,22.07.23 - 03.09.23 includes a variety of performers, activities and much more over the summer holidays. Why not take some time to plan a visit and see what events are happening?
In the first week alone, there will be dinosaur experiences, story time with Ian Douglas and Gacko Showman and much more.
By bus: Located a 10-minute walk away from Halifax Bus Station. Approximate bus times: Bradford 35mins, Huddersfield 35mins and Leeds one hour.
By train: a three-minute walk from the train station
Celebrate the school holidays at Temple Newsam. Take part in animal activities and explore trails across the estate. Identify rare breed animals at Home Farm to pet portraits in the house.
By bus: Services 19 and 19A run to Whitkirk, 1 mile walk from Temple Newsam.
Visit Nostell Priory for their Summer of Play. Outdoor activities and games including Badminton, hoopla and football with active play stations on the grass in front of the house every Wednesday to Sunday between 26 July and 3 September.
During the summer, you can also get creative with bookable activities every Thursday and Friday for the duration of the holidays. Roam and play across the parkland with opportunities to spot wildlife, den building, kite flying and explore the ancient trails via bicycle.
By bus: Nearest stop – Nostell Priory Gates, Nostell – Services: 485, 496
By train: The nearest Rail Station is Fitzwilliam, which is 2 miles away with buses 496 to Nostell Priory
Visit the Royal Armouries this summer for an action-packed summer full of activities. Horse shows, combat demonstrations, dramatic performances and talks are on throughout the holidays between 26 July – 3 September.
By bus: The following service lines have routes that pass near Royal Armouries, Leeds: Leeds Dock stops 74, 110, 140, 141, 168, 444 and 446
By train: 15-minute walk from Leeds Rail Station
Summer Fun At Bradford Museums And Galleries
Across the summer at Bradford Museums and Galleries a variety of FREE events are being held to entertain the kids this summer. Activities include sports and games, toy making, a fairy picnic, archaeological digs and arts and crafts.
Events run from 25 July – 31 August.
With activities across multiple sites, use our journey planner to plan your route by bus and train - Plan a journey | Metro (wymetro.com)
This summer, Bradford Council have announced their team members from the Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF), will be visiting local parks and green spaces providing FREE fun activities for children and young people.
Between 11 am – 3 pm you can expect sports games, dance sessions, arts and crafts, a climbing tower, adventure play and much more!
Activities are aimed at children between 5 to 14 years old with free healthy pack lunches available for those who are on benefits-related free school meals.
All you need to do is turn up and register with your child's name and school. To view their schedule, visit the webpage.
With activities across Bradford parks and green spaces, use our journey planner to plan your route by bus and train - Plan a journey | Metro (wymetro.com)
On 9 August at the Piece Hall the Pride rocks! Born to be Wild Child Colour and Craft event for children will be taking place between 1 – 3 pm.
This free event takes place in the Piece Hall Courtyard, there is no need to book just drop by and let your children enjoy colouring and crafting!
By bus: A 6-minute walk from the Halifax Bus Station
By train: A 3-minute walk from Halifax Train Station
Teenagers
Get ready to dance, try amazing food and dance with your friends!
As part of Leeds Year of Culture 2023, Leeds West Indian Carnival is back over August Bank Holiday Sunday and Monday.
Held at Potternewton Park on Sunday 27 August, come visit and experience the Reggae Sun Splash Live Music Concert. On Monday 28 August, you can expect to see stunning colours and joy at the parade through Chapeltown and Harehills.
By bus: Multiple bus routes including buses on the Moortown line, Roundhay line and St James's line stop a close walk to Potternewton park.
By train: Potternewton Park is 3.5 km away from Leeds train station.
Wanting to race against your friends this summer?
Come visit the new Drift Stop in The Merrion Centre, Leeds and experience the UK’s first indoor drift-karting track.
Designed with Mario Kart in mind and the latest sound and wave production, this venue has everything you need to immerse yourself and have fun this summer.
Their ‘Drift, Eat, Repeat’ offer this summer gives you the chance to book one drift session and receive two more to use on the same day.
By bus: A 12-minute walk from Leeds Bus Station
By train: A 12-minute walk from Leeds Train Station
Fusion Skating offers beginner classes, open skate classes and event hire for the ultimate 80s party.
For £6.50 including a free skate, you can come along and have some fun.
Visit their website to find out information regarding time slots.
By bus: Catch the 107
By train: a 30-minute walk from Wakefield Westgate
This summer Laser Force has multiple special offers on for you to make the most of!
Their Monday Night Mayhem and Tuesday Twilight Zone games are £14 for non-members and £12 for members.
On Fridays you can play five games from 7pm for £11 per person or play all evening from 7pm every Sunday as part of their All You Can Play Sunday offer at £11 per person.
By bus: A 12-minute walk from Huddersfield Bus Station or you can catch the 360 Bus, stop M2 for three stops, getting off at St Johns Road Clare Hill
By rail: A 9-minute walk from Huddersfield Train Station
Huddersfield Food and Drink Festival
Want to try a variety of different food and have a good time with friends?
This summer, the Huddersfield Food & Drink Festival will be taking place between 3 - 6 August at Greenhead Park.
A weekend full of entertainment including live music, demonstrations and much more.
Have fun with food and friends this summer!
Entry is FREE.
By bus: A 16-minute walk from Huddersfield Bus Station or catch one of the following services 370, 371, 372, 301, 302, 378 and 503
By train: A 19-minute walk from Huddersfield Train Statio
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