Last Updated on May 25, 2023 by Suzy McCullough
There is so much choice for things to do in Yorkshire. Sometimes it can be really tough to choose where to go. We have put together a list of 18 of the best days out for toddlers across Yorkshire. These years are precious before they start school.
Some of these attractions may be seasonal. Please check ahead for opening hours and days. Some of these attractions also require you to prebook. Prebooking online in advance may also be cheaper.
Billy Bob’s Parlour – North Yorkshire
A Bit About – Billy Bob’s is an ice-cream parlour with an excellent themed American diner and play areas near Skipton. There is an outside but covered play barn which has an excellent area for toddlers. They can play away from the bigger kids as only young kids are allowed in this part. There are lots of wooden play structures plus trikes on a cute track, rope swings and a slide.
There is also a separate play area outdoors (no cover) that has lots of fun American-themed wooden play pieces most of which are well suited to toddlers. You can purchase a wristband for an hour of play in these two sections. You can then round off your visit with a meal in the American diner, there is even an American school bus inside that you can eat in. Don’t forget to sample some of their excellent ice creams. Pre-booking a table is highly recommended. Find out more…
Address: Calm Slate Farm, Skipton, BD23 6EU
Birchfield Ice Cream Farm – North Yorkshire
A Bit About – Birchfield Farm Dairies are located in Summerbridge northwest of Harrogate. They have a variety of seasonal things to do including an ice cream parlour. In the summer there is a Maize Maze with outdoor animal pens. There is also a revamped woodland walk.
They have pumpkins and fruit that you can pick when they are in season. In the Spring they have Lambing Live events. Outdoors there is a sandpit and play equipment. They also have pedal go-karts and an indoor bouncy castle. Find Out More
Address: Oakmount House, Birchfield Farm, Summerbridge, Harrogate HG3 4JS
Cannon Hall Farm – South Yorkshire
A Bit About – Cannon Hall Farm is a relatively large farm park near Barnsley in South Yorkshire. They have 1,000s of animals born there every year so it’s more than likely that you will see some baby animals.
There are rows of indoor barns you can look in. They have a large soft play barn, daily tractor rides, outdoor play areas with equipment suitable for toddlers and much more. Find out more…
Address: Bark House Ln, Cawthorne, Barnsley S75 4AT
Eureka! The National Children’s Museum – West Yorkshire
A Bit About – Eureka is the National Children’s Museum and they are close to Halifax in West Yorkshire. They have over 400 interactive exhibits most of which are more than suited to toddlers.
They also have extra activities such as interactive storytelling. There is a pretend town and kids can learn how their bodies work. The museum also has an outdoor play area including a sandpit. Find Out More
Address: Eureka! The National Children’s Museum, Discovery Rd, Halifax HX1 2NE
Lightwater Valley – North Yorkshire
A Bit About – Lightwater Valley near Ripon has closed down most of its bigger rides and is now more suited to children aged 9 and under. They have a good range of toddler rides dotted around the park and a few of the slightly bigger rides are also suitable for the youngest of the guests.
There are some indoor and outdoor play areas with toddler-friendly equipment plus there is a smaller tree top nets for them to bounce around on plus miniature steam train rides around some of the park. Find out more…
Address: North Stainley, Ripon HG4 3HT
National Railway Museum York – North Yorkshire
A Bit About – The National Railway Museum in York is located a short walk away from York’s main train station. It is a huge museum and it is free to visit. The museum tells the story of rail transport in Britain and there are many different train engines and carriages you can see, some of them you can even go in.
There is an under 5’s play area, a small outdoor play area and you can ride on their miniature railway for a small charge each. Plus they now have a fab new interactive gallery (charge to enter). Find out more…
Address: Leeman Rd, York YO26 4XJ
Piglets Adventure Farm – North Yorkshire
A Bit About – You can’t really go wrong with a farm park for a day out with a toddler. Piglets is certainly one of our favourites and there’s plenty for toddlers to do there. There are animals you can stroke, a fairy trail, a large beach area with water and beach huts.
Plus other play areas with toddler-friendly equipment and a small indoor soft play area just for toddlers and babies. There are additional things to do in the summer and toddlers will love the fun barrel train ride. Find Out More
Address: Towthorpe Grange, Towthorpe Moor Ln, Towthorpe, York YO32 9ST
Ponderosa Zoo – West Yorkshire
A Bit About – Ponderosa Zoo is an excellent farm park for toddlers. They are located in Heckmondwike and they have seen a lot of recent investment in their animal areas. It is great for smaller legs and there are lots of different animals to see, most of which are very easy for toddlers to spot.
There is a play area near the cafe with some toddler-friendly equipment. Plus there is an excellent toddler-size play frame halfway around the park. There is a huge sandpit area awaiting refurbishment. Our favourite is the lemur walkthrough which is one of the best we’ve been around. Find out more…
Address: Off Smithies Ln, Liversedge, Heckmondwike WF16 0PN
Roundhay Park and Tropical World – West Yorkshire
A Bit About – Roundhay Park is a huge park in the Roundhay area of Leeds. There are over 700 acres of parkland to explore including a ‘castle’ ruin and two play areas. Toddlers will find the hill challenging so make sure you take a pushchair.
There are plenty of swans, geese and ducks to feed and if you forget some food you can purchase some from the Lower Lake Cafe. There is also a land train plus a bouncy castle and toddler-friendly rides in the summer. Find out more…
Tropical World is located on the outer edge of the park. It is indoors and there are different themed areas. These include rainforests, mangroves, a desert and more. You can see fish, reptiles, birds and animals including meerkats.
Address: Mansion Ln, Roundhay, Leeds LS8 2HH
Stockeld Park – North Yorkshire
A Bit About – Stockeld Park is a large, mostly outdoors, attraction near Wetherby. It is open most school holidays. Toddlers will especially love the enchanted forest. Along the way, there are different play areas to find many of which have toddler-friendly play equipment. Plus many enchanting surprises.
There is a large maze, plus Foster’s barnyard which is an excellent, mostly toddler-friendly outdoor play area. Toddlers will love their new indoor play area. Find out more…
Address: Wetherby Rd, Wetherby LS22 4AN
Studfold Adventure Trail – North Yorkshire
A Bit About – The Studfold Adventure Trail near Lofthouse is perfect for toddlers. It is a nature walk through some picturesque Yorkshire Dales scenery. Along the way, there are lots of little adventures including fairy doors, den building and a lovely play area. Children can even borrow fairy wings to wear on their adventures. Find Out More
Address: Studfold Farm, Lofthouse, Harrogate HG3 5SG
The Deep – East Yorkshire
A Bit About – The Deep is a large indoor aquarium located on the edge of the city of Hull. There are some excellent tanks and toddlers haven’t been forgotten about as most of them go floor to ceiling. There is a small hands-on activities area perfect for toddlers.
They also have penguins with some great viewing windows, an ice wall you can touch, a twilight zone, jellyfish and more. Once you have purchased your tickets for The Deep you can then return as much as you please for free over the next 12 months. There is a small charge to park. Find out more…
Address: Tower St, Hull HU1 4DP
Grass Hoppers at Tong Garden Centre – West Yorkshire
A Bit About – Grass Hoppers has both indoor and outdoor play areas. It’s a great place for toddlers to run about and have fun. It is a safe and secure place for families to have fun and is suitable for children up to the age of 10.
Toddlers have their own baby and toddler zone. It is a huge space with a soft climbing frame, activity rings, slides and more. Plus there is an interactive talking tree and a sensory area. Toddlers will also love the role-play area.
Outdoors there is a bouncing pillow, a giant sandpit, swings and preschool play with playhouses and outdoor toys perfect for under 3s. Find Out More
Address: Tong Ln, Bradford BD4 0RY
Tropical Butterfly House – South Yorkshire
A Bit About – The Tropical Butterfly House Wildlife and Falconry Centre is located near North Anston, a short drive from Sheffield, Indoors they have two fantastic tropical houses one with Lorikeets you can feed. Make sure you purchase some food for them and their other animals.
Outdoors there are animals to see including lemurs (you can go in their enclosure during feeding time) a wallaby walk-through, far animals, birds and more. There are lots of fun interactive things to do including displays that shoot water. There are dinosaurs with buttons to press, a ride-on area with sand for toddlers and much more. There is also an excellent sand and water play area, a change of clothes is highly recommended. Find out more…
Address: Woodsetts Rd, North Anston, Sheffield S25 4EQ
Web Adventure Park – North Yorkshire
A Bit About – The Web Adventure Park near York is great fun for most ages and there is plenty there for toddlers to enjoy. Indoors there is a big play structure which I have seen many toddlers playing on. There is also a fun role-play village perfect for toddlers.
Outdoors they have fairground rides many of which toddlers will be tall enough for. Plus there are animals you can feed, a sand and water play area and a few other things to do. Find out more…
Address: Clifton Gate Business Park, Wigginton Rd, York YO32 2RH
Whistlestop Valley – West Yorkshire
A Bit About – Whistlestop Valley Railway is located near Huddersfield in West Yorkshire. It is a 3.5-mile long 15″ gauge railway. They are well known for their family-friendly event days. You can travel in their steam-pulled carriages.
The journey takes around 25 minutes and there is a perfect toddler-sized outdoor play area that you can visit before you return. The train ride takes you through a tunnel which is the longest of any 15″ railway in the UK.
There is a lovely miniature railway, plus another play area with play equipment to suit most ages including toddlers and mini golf. Toddlers may be too little for the pedal kart track. Find out more…
Address: Park Mill Way, Clayton West, Huddersfield HD8 9XJ
William’s Den – East Yorkshire
A Bit About – William’s Den is a great indoor and outdoor day out near Hull. Indoors there is a wooden adventure play area which toddlers should be able to get around OK with maybe a little assistance. They also have indoor water and sand play areas.
Outdoors there are two mud kitchens, a large sand and water play area with a wooden playhouse and a slide. Plus other fun challenging things to do most of which toddlers can have a go at. Find out more…
Address: Castle Farm, Wold Hill HU15 2LS
Yorkshire Wildlife Park – South Yorkshire
A Bit About – Yorkshire Wildlife Park is located a short drive from Doncaster. The main thing to note is that it is massive. We have visited with a toddler when it was a bit smaller and they didn’t need a pushchair but they were very confident at distance walking. I can highly recommend taking a wheelchair!
There are lots of interesting animals to see including some very entertaining polar bears, a wallaby walk-through and a lemur walk-through. Plus giraffes, zebras, lions and many more. There are two play areas with the newer one near the camels having the more toddler-friendly play equipment. There is also an indoor soft play area. Find Out More
Address: Auckley, Doncaster DN9 3HQ
