Searching for things to do this half‑term? You’re in the right place. There are plenty of family events and activities happening across Kirklees—discover what’s going on near you.
Page 2- Family fun at Kirklees libraries
Page 3- Free and low-cost activity ideas
Page 4- Activities at Kirklees museums and galleries
Page 5- Explore what’s happening at Cliffe House
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Family fun at Kirklees libraries
Library Storytrails: All about Non-Fiction
This Easter, explore our StoryTrails inspired by our fabulous non-fiction collection! Follow a fun, fact-finding trail and guess whether the answers are True or Poo! Test your knowledge, learn something new, and share your discoveries with all your friends!
FREE DROP-IN EVENTS | Recommended for families with children up to age 8 | Please dress appropriately for the weather
These storytrails will be happening at locations across Kirklees.
Library Adventures
Your quest is to journey through your Library Adventures pack with six fantastic themes to explore. The Adventurer pack is full of fun crafts, reading suggestions, facts, and creative activities. You can collect stickers, bookmarks, certificates and more throughout the year.
There are separate versions of the Library Adventures pack for older and younger children. Just pick the pack which best suits your Library Adventurer when you arrive at the library.
All you need to join the Library Adventures journey, is a Kirklees library card. A library card is free and can be obtained online or in person at any Kirklees Library. No ID required.
Request a free library card from our How to join page. A year-round reading for pleasure programme for children aged 4-11.
Location: Kirklees Libraries
Cost: Free
Denby Dale Library
- Tuesday 7 April, 10.30-12.30 – Lego
- Friday 10 April – Crafts
All aimed at 4-10 years, no booking required
Kirkburton Library
- Wednesday 1 April, 10.30-11.00 – Rhymetime, plus refreshments
- Saturday 4 April, 11.00-12.00 – Lego
- Tuesday 7 April, 2.30-4.00 – Drop-in crafts
- Wednesday 8 April, 10.30-11.00 – Storytime, plus refreshments
- Friday 9 April – Books and board games (no time given)
- Saturday 10 April, 11.00-12.00 – Lego
All events are free and there is no need to book.
Shepley Library
- Thursday 6 April, 10.00-1.00 and 2.00-5.00 – Easter crafts. Free drop in, no need to book.
- Thursday 30 April, 10.30 – Kirklees Curiosities: talk with local historian Carol Hardy, who will introduce a collection of interesting and curious historical monuments across Kirklees.
Skelmanthorpe Library
- Wednesday 1 April, 2.30-4.30 – Easter children’s crafts
- Wednesday 8 April, 2.30-4.30 – Junior games club
- Friday 10 April, 10.30-12.30 – Easter holiday Lego Club
- Monday 13 April, 10.30 – Coffee Plus with guest speaker, local wildlife photographer Ray Brown. From the sea birds of Bempton Cliffs to the red squirrels of Snaizeholme and, of course, the badgers, foxes and owls from our own back garden.
All events are free and there is no need to book; refreshments will be provided.
Visit your local library
Kirklees Libraries are open for the little ones to have fun, to learn and discover new things and we’re so excited to welcome you in!
Free and low-cost activity ideas
50 things to do before your 5
Why not tick off 50 fantastic things for you and your child to experience together?
From woodland wandering to making music, there is something you can do with the little one’s today.
Visit your local park
Visit one of our fantastic parks!
Make a tasty meal
Why not get the children involved with making some tasty food for all the family?
Children love to help with cooking and baking! They can chop and mix the ingredients while you chat about what you are doing.
Have an egg rolling race
Why not have an egg rolling race this Easter? Who can roll their egg the fastest and cross the finish line?
This game can be played anywhere and is lots of fun for the whole family.
Easter treasure hunt
A treasure hunt is a fantastic way to keep the little ones entertained this half-term, whether your outside or in the house this activity is lots of fun!
You can use any set of times and your little one will be occupied for a while whilst trying to find them!
Activities at Kirklees museums and galleries
Oakwell Hall:
Art On Your Doorstep at Oakwell Hall
We are delighted to share that Oakwell Hall and Country Park in Birstall has been chosen as a host of the nationwide art exhibition, The National Gallery: Art On Your Doorstep
The exhibition will see life-size reproductions of National Gallery paintings on display throughout the Oakwell estate. The text which will accompany each of the paintings has been a collaboration between The National Gallery, Kirklees Museums & Galleries, and local community groups.
This free exhibition will run from 4 April until 30 September and is made up of fourteen paintings including Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, and Monet’s The Water-lily Pond. These fourteen paintings, spread around Oakwell Hall and Country Park, were selected to complement the landscape and connect with historical stories.
When: 4 April until 30 September
Where: Oakwell Hall and Country Park, Birstall
Cost: Free
Sunflower Planting for families
Join our Rangers in the courtyard to plant your very own sunflower! Take one home to grow and leave one behind to brighten up our sensory garden. While you’re here, be among the first to try our brand-new family trail to explore the art trail while enjoying our beautiful country park.
Drop into the courtyard between 11am-3pm!
When: 4 April, 11am – 3pm
Where: Oakwell Hall and Country Park, Birstall
Frog in the Park
Join artist Simon Woolham for a unique live performance exploring the frog’s response to artworks in the park. The event will be professionally filmed as part of a project that will feature in an exhibition at the University of Huddersfield in July.
Please note: filming will take place during this event.
When: 25 April, 1pm – 3pm
Where:
Cost:
The Kirkwood: Mother’s Day in Bloom
Discover a breath-taking installation of 1,000 vibrant handmade peonies, a beautiful tribute to the grounding figures who shape our lives.
When: 8 March – 12 April | Free
Be Part of the Bloom
Peony Dedications | £30
Join The Kirkwood in honouring the people who help us blossom by dedicating a peony in memory or celebration of someone who means the world to you.
To learn more visit thekirkwood.org.uk/bloom
Wild Wednesday for families
Join the Rangers at Oakwell Hall to help prepare the Country Park for The National Gallery Art on Your Doorstep exhibition. Get involved in hands on outdoor activities, nature discovery, and behind the scenes conservation work.
Children will work alongside Rangers on practical tasks and learn how the park is cared for, making this a great experience for young explorers and nature lovers.
£5 per child. Suitable for ages 5 and over. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please dress for the weather as activities take place outdoors.
When: 1 April, 10am – 12pm and 1pm – 3pm
Tolson Museum:
Moving Pictures – From Magic Lanterns to Cinema
Step back in time and discover how the first moving images amazed audiences long before film existed. Explore early optical toys and create your own moving picture. Watch still images come to life! Just like the pioneers of cinema did.
When: Tuesday 31 March,
April: Wednesday 1, Thursday 2, Saturday 4, Sunday 5, Tuesday 7, Wednesday 8, Thursday 9, Saturday 11 and Sunday 12
During opening times | Pay as you feel
Bagshaw Museum:
Woodland Animal Stick Puppet Theatre
Get involved and make your own Springtime woodland animal stick puppet theatre. Once you’ve made your theatre and assembled your cast of anthropomorphic actors. Put on your production to get rave reviews from your audience!
When: Tuesday 31 March
April: Wednesday 1, Thursday 2, Saturday 4, Sunday 5, Tuesday 7, Wednesday 8, Thursday 9, Saturday 11 and Sunday 12
During opening times | £4
Explore what’s happening at Cliffe House
Canoeing
Join our activity instructors in this off-site activity for Cliffe House.
Explore the local waterways, learning basic paddle sport skills to gain ‘Paddle UK’ start certificate. All equipment provided and under the watchful eye of our Paddle UK qualified coaches.
Age: 8yrs+ (adults welcome)
When: Wednesday 1 April at 10:00am – Wednesday 8 April at 1:00pm
Where: Leeds Road Playing Fields. (Exact location will be given to attendees ahead of the date booked).
Cost: £30.00 per person + booking fee (you only need to purchase a ticket if participating in the activity).
Caving
A fantastic day trip exploring a limestone cave within the Peak District National Park.
Walk, climb and crawl through cave systems observing stalagmites, stalactites and fossils.
Age: 12yrs+
You will need to bring lunch, drink, towel and a change of clothing (you may get wet!).
When: 9.00am until 4.30pm (approx.)
Where: A limestone cave within the Peak District National Park. Meeting point- Cliffe House at 8:45am ready to complete a consent form.
Cost: £60.00 per person + booking fee