If you want to go swimming in Wakefield, this is pretty much your only choice now that Sun Lane has…read moreclosed down. Luckily Lightwaves is actually quite nice. It's aimed at families really - The main pool isn't designed for serious swimming with it's lagoon shape, mostly shallow water and frequent blasts from the wave machine. However, it's a fun place to take kidswho'll enjoy splashing about, and there is a reasonably impressive slide. There is also a jacuzzi and a small pool for swimming lessons. The changing rooms, whilst nothing special, are quite adequate - it's mixed sex but in cubicles, and there are also family changing rooms. The leisure centre has lots to offer in addition to the pool - squash and badminton courts, a small gym, swimming lesson, various aerobics and martial arts classes and a cafe which overlooks the pool, its smell of chips whetting the hunger od the swimmers. I think you can hire out the hall and a bouncy castle for kids' parties, and they do a roller disco which is pretty fun. I can reccommend the Rookies life saving classes, which children and teenagers can attend to learn about water safety and badic first aid. The first part of the class is theory, followed by practical work in and around the pool - and you can work towards a recognised qualification.

very good for swimming. i took my toddlers and they enjoyed themselves. I never managed to get on…read morethe slide but the water and the room were nice and warm. It's best to park round the back of the bus station.

I'm doing it again; I must get to the water. I am a Gremlin. I need to multiply and water is my…read moresavour. In that case I could do a lot worse than Hemsworth Water Park and Play World. Now this badger has two lakes; the largest lake is available for pedalo rides and has sandy beaches; the smallest lake is in a more secluded area to attract wildlife. It's perfect if you want to do a Freddie Flintoff and fool around for a while. It's also ideal to see some great things of interest in this beautiful world we have around us. I'm going all John Lennon on you now. You've also got loads of grassed areas and picnics are no problem either (except the fact it's always freezing and wet in England). Then throw in the Play World bit. This is where I need to fall back and remind myself that I'm not a child any more. For "real" kids though it's got with a tower slide, climbing frames, a toddler's sandpit area and a miniature railway. Toot toot. Once again I've found you a corking day out with a difference but do check what is open if you go before the Easter holidays. You have been warned.

I find myself in something of a quandary. I value the provision of these islands of nature greatly…read moreand will always defend them from the encroaching urban sprawl but I find that I cannot get very excited about Hemsworth Water Park, Nice enough lakes and the ducks were very duck-like, the grass was probably just as green as any other park and the children's play area as clean and well maintained as the best of them but the other play area which is rather grandly called Playworld was locked up thereby saving us a few quid for an experience we could get for free in any half decent public park. I left with the feeling that I had wasted fuel driving to Hemsworth as there are better parks much nearer to where I live.

Soft play gyms seem to be latest crazy and they seem to be popping up everywhere all over the…read moreregion. The latest one to open in Leeds is Littlelegz located in Beeston. I found out about it one through the latest small talk publication and thought I would give it a try as they always seem to be popular choice of activity for my little ones. The directions given in advert were easy to follow and had no trouble finding the place except finding the entrance and car park was slightly more difficult. You need to past the little Legz building and take the next left and then the first left takes you round to the car park just outside the main entrance. Directions can be found from their web site and I will give the address at the end of my review. My first visit was a Saturday afternoon and the place was packed full with children of all ages having a great time. The admission price is a quite reasonable £3.70 for 1-3's and £3.95 for the over 4's. I also notice they do toddler session weekday mornings at a reduced rate which also includes a meal and a drink which seem great value. The place has a very lively atmosphere and is decorated in bright and colour designs which will a appeal to children. There is plently of seating for the grown ups and even a chilled out area with sofa's and sky tv so you can leave the kids to get on with playing a sit back and relax knowing they are safe. There is cafe for drinks, cakes and also meals can be ordered too from the menu. It is important to remember to take your socks as sock must be worn at all times in the play area and you wont be allowed on with out them. There is main play area as well as smaller section for younger toddlers. At busy times I would recommend keeping a close eye on younger children in the larger play area as the bigger kids tend to run around with out much notice off the smaller one as they are too busy having fun. I found my little one got banged a couple of times so I moved them to the toddler area where they were fine. This is a great place for kids mine were smiling the whole time. They loved the slides best of all but had fun in all the areas. A good time was had by all my family and I certainly will be heading back there soon. Admission Prices: Under 1's Free 1-3 £3.70 4 and above £3.95 Opening Times 6, Matrix Court, Leeds, LS11 5WB Telephone Number: 0113 2702747

so much fun for children in summer and Easter! loads of farm animals you can feed, sheep races and…read moreferret races, so much playground area for younger and older kids! Loads of fun activities put on like Easter egg hunts and tractor rides. Ice cream shop Farm shop Large restaurant with really good food Old stately home tours or entry at own leisure Countryside walk

Fabulous place to go with the kids. The actual farm is really well looked after and the animals…read morehave beautiful buildings to call their homes. The play area is great for kids to use up some energy...it's clean and safe. The whole farm feels new and we'll looked after. The animals have plenty of space to roam about. There a great adventure play area for the kids to play in too. Outside of the farm there's a brilliant space for picnics...great place to go nd before you go home...the farm shop is a must! The pork pies are to die for!!

Getting drunk and falling over can be fun. Drinking enough coffee to stay awake for a decade can…read morealso be fun. Sometimes though I need more in my life. Unfortunately Johnny Depp doesn't see it that way so I turn to something else extremely cute instead; animals. There are plenty of places in Leeds where you can get up close and personal (not too personal mind, there is a name for people like that) with various creatures of the animal kingdom and Ponderosa serves as a great example of that. What's also immense about this place are the facilities offered to disabled and able bodied children alike. Indeed, it did start off as a place to help disabled children and has grown to open it's doors to all. You'll get to see allsorts of animals. You'll even get to see llamas and an emu. How cool is that and no Orville or that silly man who sticks his hand up puppets for a living, in sight. You'll also get a chance to see pigs, peacocks, highland cows, goats, horses, donkeys and birds of prey. It's a cracking day out Wallace and one I highly recommend. Just remember to take a kid with you or you may look a bit daft like me.

Ponderosa Farm, I was delighted when a friends took me to this little gem hidden away in…read moreHeckmondwike West Yorkshire. I couldn't believe the huge range of animals they have far better than anything similar I have visited in the past. This place is really child friendly with so much for them to see. We bought a bag of feed for 50p to feed the farm animals and it was a lovely experience seeing the animals so close. The farm animal include pigs, goats and sheep as well as rabbits. But whats great about Pondarose is all other animals they keep. There were birds of prey which included a beautiful Kestrel. Also Meerkats which were just having there feed when we saw them first which happened to be baby chicks which I found a bit gross and perhaps might have been a bit upsetting for children to see but when we went back later they were playing around and were very cute I would have loved to have taken one home. There was also a reptile house which we went to. I was slightly surprised they as we walk through part of the house in the tropical plants was what appeared to be sum kind of large lizards just wondering about which did make me feel slightly uneasy but I just stayed where it was and I am a bit of wimp. They had a snake out with a handler in one room and I was too scared to go in but its a great way to get kids interested in animals we saw them handling lots of animals so its great fun as well as they learning lots too they staff we were friendly and seem to enjoying sharing all there knowledge about the animals with everyone. Also whats great is dotted around the site are many different play area's for the children with tonnes of climbing frames and slides for them. There is a coffee shop serving cold sandwiches, toasted sandwiches, ice cream & refreshments. Disabled access. As well as plenty of picnic areas. there are toilets and a nice little gift shop. There is so much to do make sure you allow yourself enough time to see everything. I recommend going on a dry day to get the most out of Pondarose. Open from 10am - 4pm 7 days a week Monday through Sunday. We are open all year round only closing for Christmas and New Year. (Dates are confirmed nearer the time). Admission 4.00 pounds adults 3.50 children under 2's are free From Manchester: Come off the M62 at Junction 26 - turn right onto the A638 - Follow this road through Cleckheaton - Turn right at the clock tower in Heckmondwike centre. The centre is sign posted on the right. Turn down Station lane, under the railway bridge, past Al Murad tiles and we are the next left turn. From Leeds: Turn off M62 at Junction 27 (Showcase Cinema) and pick up the A62 towards Huddersfield. Through 6 sets of light and turn left into Heckmondwike centre - then turn right at the clock tower in Heckmondwike centre. The centre is sign posted on the right. Turn down Station lane, under the railway bridge, past Al Murad tiles and we are the next left turn

A fabulous indoor play area, with plenty of seating. My children love the big slides & the swing…read morebest. Parties catered for, though there isn't much parking unfortunately. Friendly staff.

A great playzone for the kids. It's not huge, but there's plenty to do for your younger children,…read morewith a ball pool & padded area for babies & toddlers, plus bigger area for older children. Parties catered for & drinks / snacks & lunch served.