Accessible half-term things to do in Leeds (October half-term 2026)
Most Leeds schools are off from Monday 26 to Friday 30 October 2026, so this guide covers the weekends either side too, from 24 October to 1 November. Leeds has fewer dedicated relaxed sessions this half-term than some cities, so alongside the SEND-only sessions we have picked family activities that are free or pay-what-you-can, gentle rather than scary, and easy to leave early. Check each venue's access page before you go, and ask about quieter times.
Top picks
-
Sensory Room for SEND families
10.30am or 1pm · Leeds City Museum, Millennium Square, Leeds · Give what you can
- Sensory room
- Lift
- SEND session
A pop-up sensory room with dark tents, light-up toys, squishy floor tiles, dens and a bubble tube, for families with SEND, neurodivergence, autism or anxiety who might find the museum overwhelming. Book one ticket per child; adults don't need one. You can come and go. It's on the lower ground floor, reached by lift or through the café. Questions: city.museum@leeds.gov.uk.
Apple Calendar (Sensory Room for SEND families; also works with Outlook) Google Calendar (Sensory Room for SEND families, opens in a new tab)
-
Leeds Mencap holiday activity schemes
Monday 26 to Friday 30 October, a different age group each day · 10am to 3pm (10am to 2pm on Friday) · Leeds Mencap · See the Leeds Local Offer · 13 to 17 on 26 Oct, 9 to 12 on 27 and 28 Oct, 4 to 8 on 29 and 30 Oct
- SEND session
For children and young people with learning disabilities, autism or complex needs: baking, arts and crafts and sensory play. Bring a packed lunch. Places are through the Leeds short breaks expression of interest form, linked from the Local Offer page.
-
Junior Ghost Walk at Temple Newsam Home Farm
10.30am to 11.30am, plus 1.30pm to 2.30pm on the 29th and 31st · Temple Newsam Home Farm, Halton · Included in admission
Silly, spooky stories around the farm, ending with a not-so-scary spell, billed as Halloween fun without the frights. Every walk must be booked in advance.
Apple Calendar (Junior Ghost Walk at Temple Newsam Home Farm; also works with Outlook) Google Calendar (Junior Ghost Walk at Temple Newsam Home Farm, opens in a new tab)
-
Stories from the Steppe at the Royal Armouries
Every day from 24 October to 1 November · 10am to 5pm, drop-in crafts 10am to 4pm · Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds Dock · Free, £5 suggested donation
Mongolian storytelling, crafts, games and a gallery trail, plus timed combat demonstrations and performances you can skip if they're too loud. Book a free ticket for everyone in your group. The museum says it is usually quieter on weekdays and after 2pm.
-
Spooktacular Family Day at Leeds City Library
10am to 2.30pm · Leeds Central Library, The Headrow, Leeds · Free · 6+
A Halloween mini-festival with children's poet Joseph Coelho, author Alex Foulkes, draw-alongs and the theatre show Hallowbean. Spooky outfits are welcome but optional.
Apple Calendar (Spooktacular Family Day at Leeds City Library; also works with Outlook) Google Calendar (Spooktacular Family Day at Leeds City Library, opens in a new tab)
On all week
-
Glow in the Dark Week at Leeds City Museum
Every day from 24 October to 1 November · From 10am (trail from 11am) · Leeds City Museum, Millennium Square, Leeds · Give what you can
A glow in the dark trail all week, a family day on Tuesday 27 October and shadow art sessions from 27 to 29 October. Some activities need booking. The disco on the 27th is busy and sold out, so pick a quieter day if crowds are hard.
Been to this? Tell other families
-
Mighty Mushrooms at the Thackray Museum of Medicine
Every day from 24 October to 1 November · 10am to 4pm, shows at 11.30am and 1.30pm · Thackray Museum of Medicine, Beckett Street, Leeds · Included with a museum ticket
A mushroom trail, spore stamping and a multi-sensory show, plus a gentler Baby Bellas' Story Time at 10.30am and an explorer bag for under-5s. Contact the museum about any specific needs before you visit.
Been to this? Tell other families
-
Nocturnal Creatures Trail at Kirkstall Abbey
Every day from 24 October to 1 November · Kirkstall Abbey, Kirkstall · Give what you can
A family trail around the abbey ruins, mostly outdoors, so it's easy to go at your own pace and take breaks.
Been to this? Tell other families
-
Halloween at Temple Newsam Home Farm
Every day from 24 October to 1 November · Temple Newsam Home Farm, Halton · Included in admission
A self-led trail and crafts around the farm. Temple Newsam's Cellar Scares is for ages 12 and up and is meant to be scary, so it isn't in this guide.
Been to this? Tell other families
-
Spooky Streets at Abbey House Museum
Every day from 24 October to 1 November · Abbey House Museum, Kirkstall · Included in admission
A Halloween take on the museum's recreated Victorian streets. Dressing up is welcome but optional.
Been to this? Tell other families
-
Half Term Madness at Kirkgate Market
Monday 26 to Friday 30 October · 10am to 4pm · Leeds Kirkgate Market, Vicar Lane, Leeds · See the market's website
Lego, Duplo and colouring all week, with Lotions and Potions sensory and slime activities on 29 and 30 October. Markets can be noisy and busy, so mornings may be calmer.
Been to this? Tell other families
Day by day
Saturday 24 October
-
Hyde & Seek family screening: Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom (U)
11am · Hyde Park Picture House, Headingley · Pay what you can
Part of the cinema's family-friendly Hyde & Seek strand. It isn't billed as a relaxed screening, so call the box office on 0113 275 2045 if you need lights up or lower sound.
Apple Calendar (Hyde & Seek family screening: Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom (U); also works with Outlook) Google Calendar (Hyde & Seek family screening: Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom (U), opens in a new tab)
Been to this? Tell other families
Sunday 25 October
-
The Giant Bubble Show
11am · City Varieties Music Hall, Leeds · £16 including booking fee · All ages
About an hour long. The show uses smoke, haze and a bubble machine. For access bookings, call the dedicated access line on 0113 205 3899.
Apple Calendar (The Giant Bubble Show; also works with Outlook) Google Calendar (The Giant Bubble Show, opens in a new tab)
Been to this? Tell other families
Wednesday 28 October
-
Sensory Room for SEND families
10.30am or 1pm · Leeds City Museum, Millennium Square, Leeds · Give what you can
- Sensory room
- Lift
- SEND session
A pop-up sensory room with dark tents, light-up toys, squishy floor tiles, dens and a bubble tube, for families with SEND, neurodivergence, autism or anxiety who might find the museum overwhelming. Book one ticket per child; adults don't need one. You can come and go. It's on the lower ground floor, reached by lift or through the café. Questions: city.museum@leeds.gov.uk.
Apple Calendar (Sensory Room for SEND families; also works with Outlook) Google Calendar (Sensory Room for SEND families, opens in a new tab)
Been to this? Tell other families
-
Junior Ghost Walk at Temple Newsam Home Farm
10.30am to 11.30am, plus 1.30pm to 2.30pm on the 29th and 31st · Temple Newsam Home Farm, Halton · Included in admission
Silly, spooky stories around the farm, ending with a not-so-scary spell, billed as Halloween fun without the frights. Every walk must be booked in advance.
Apple Calendar (Junior Ghost Walk at Temple Newsam Home Farm; also works with Outlook) Google Calendar (Junior Ghost Walk at Temple Newsam Home Farm, opens in a new tab)
Been to this? Tell other families
Friday 30 October
-
Rapunzel
11am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm on the 30th; 11am and 1.45pm on the 31st · Leeds Playhouse, Playhouse Square · £17 plus booking fee · 4+
A 45-minute show that uses haze. No relaxed performance is listed, so call the box office on 0113 213 7700 to talk through access needs.
Apple Calendar (Rapunzel; also works with Outlook) Google Calendar (Rapunzel, opens in a new tab)
Been to this? Tell other families
Saturday 31 October
-
Spooktacular Family Day at Leeds City Library
10am to 2.30pm · Leeds Central Library, The Headrow, Leeds · Free · 6+
A Halloween mini-festival with children's poet Joseph Coelho, author Alex Foulkes, draw-alongs and the theatre show Hallowbean. Spooky outfits are welcome but optional.
Apple Calendar (Spooktacular Family Day at Leeds City Library; also works with Outlook) Google Calendar (Spooktacular Family Day at Leeds City Library, opens in a new tab)
Been to this? Tell other families
Tips for a calmer half-term in Leeds
- Check the Leeds Local Offer. The Local Offer has a school holiday page and a Fun Activities and Short Breaks catalogue for children and young people with SEND in Leeds.
- Book the sensory room early. Leeds City Museum's sensory room runs once each school holiday, with two sessions on 28 October, and needs a ticket for each child.
- Go on a weekday morning. The Royal Armouries says it is usually quieter during the week and after 2pm, and markets and museums are often calmer before lunch.
- Skip the scary ones. Temple Newsam's Cellar Scares (12+) and Lotherton's Once Upon a Nightmare (9+) are meant to frighten. The Junior Ghost Walk and Spellbound trail are the gentler options.
- Ask about lights and sound. Few Leeds venues list relaxed shows this half-term, so ring box offices about lighting, haze and sound before you book.
Running an accessible event?
If you run a relaxed, sensory-friendly or SEND event, list it on Buzzbo for free and it appears in this guide automatically. Gold members are featured at the top.
Frequently asked questions
When is October half-term 2026 in Leeds?
Most Leeds schools are off from Monday 26 to Friday 30 October 2026. Academies can set their own dates, so check with your child's school.
Is there a sensory room in Leeds this half-term?
Yes. Leeds City Museum runs a pop-up Sensory Room for SEND families on Wednesday 28 October 2026 at 10.30am and 1pm, on a give what you can basis. Book one ticket per child.
Are there SEND holiday clubs in Leeds this October?
Leeds Mencap runs holiday activity schemes from 26 to 30 October 2026 for children with learning disabilities, autism or complex needs, with a different age group each day. Places are through the Leeds short breaks form on the Local Offer.
Are there free things to do in Leeds this half-term?
Yes. The Royal Armouries' Stories from the Steppe programme is free (with a suggested donation), Leeds City Museum and Kirkstall Abbey are give what you can, and the Spooktacular Family Day at Leeds City Library on 31 October is free.