School holidays are almost here, which means six glorious weeks of snacks, sun cream, “are we nearly there?” and wondering how one small child can require seventeen separate drinks by 10.30am.
Thankfully, Otley has plenty going on this summer for families, from live music and outdoor adventures to pottery painting, soft play, ghost tours, boats, markets and free town centre activities.
Here are some of the best things to do with kids in Otley this summer.
Tiny opera, big adventure
Mini Magic Flute
Otley Courthouse
Sunday July 19, 2026. Doors 2pm, show 2.30pm
Opera North brings a little bit of magic to Otley Courthouse with Little Listeners: Mini Magic Flute.
Inspired by Mozart’s famous opera, this fun 40-minute family adventure follows a prince on a quest to find a princess, with fantastical characters including a bird-catcher and a dragon along the way.
Led by a trio of opera singers and an accordionist, it’s a brilliant first introduction to opera for younger audiences, especially children aged 4 to 7, while still being enjoyable for the whole family.
See here for this and other Otley events: https://www.visitotley.co.uk/whats-on/calendar/
Saturday soundtrack in the square
Music in the Marketplace
Market Place
Saturdays July 25 to August 22, 10am–2pm
Otley Market Place will have a proper summer soundtrack this year as Music in the Marketplace returns on Saturdays.
Funded by Otley BID, the free live music sessions bring a relaxed feel-good atmosphere to the heart of town, with performers providing the perfect backdrop while you browse the shops, grab a coffee, wander the stalls or simply let the kids have a little town-centre mooch.
It’s a lovely low-effort Saturday option: music, shopping, snacks and no need to pack the car like you’re crossing the Alps.
See here for this and other Otley events: https://www.visitotley.co.uk/whats-on/calendar/
Market mooches and crafty finds
Farmers’ Market and Craft Fair
Market Place and Otley Courthouse
Sunday July 26. Farmers’ Market 9am–1pm. Craft Fair 10am–1pm. Farmers’ Market also Sunday August 30, 9am–1pm
Otley does a Sunday mooch extremely well, and July 26 gives families a double helping.
The Farmers’ Market brings local food, drink, produce and handmade treats to Market Place from 9am to 1pm, while Otley Craft Fair takes place at the Courthouse from 10am to 1pm.
It’s ideal for a gentle wander, supporting local traders and possibly leaving with something delicious you definitely didn’t plan to buy but now consider essential.
The Farmers’ Market is also back on Sunday August 30.
See here for this and other Otley events: https://www.visitotley.co.uk/whats-on/calendar/
Yorkshire Day gets turned up
Woolpack Studios Yorkshire Day Festival
Woolpack Studios, Bondgate
Saturday August 1, 11am–6pm
Yorkshire Day in Otley? Naturally, we’re not going to underplay it.
Woolpack Studios hosts its Yorkshire Day Festival on Saturday August 1, with live music outside the Bondgate studios from 11am to 6pm.
Expect an eclectic mix of performers, community groups and musicians connected to the studios, making this a great free family-friendly stop-off during the day.
Flat caps not compulsory, but spiritually encouraged.
See here for this and other Otley events: https://www.visitotley.co.uk/whats-on/calendar/
Free fun in the Market Place
Kids Free Funzone
Market Place
August 5, 12, 19 and 25, 10am–1pm
The Kids Free Funzone returns to Otley Market Place this August, bringing a run of free family activities into the town centre.
Funded by Otley BID, the sessions are designed to give children something fun to do during the holidays while also encouraging families to stay in town, visit local shops, grab food and generally make a day of it. Loads of local businesses taking part including Soma yoga studio and Puffin Pottery.
Expect a lively mix of activities for children, with more details available through the Visit Otley calendar.
Free fun in the middle of town? That’ll do nicely.
See here for this and other Otley events: https://www.visitotley.co.uk/whats-on/calendar/
Big inflatable energy
Breeze in the Park
Garnett Field
Thursday August 6, 12–4pm
Breeze in the Park comes to Garnett Field on Thursday August 6, bringing an afternoon of affordable family fun to Otley.
The Leeds-wide summer programme includes inflatables, interactive play, arts, games, sports, food and plenty of activities to keep children busy. Tickets are £1 per child and booking is required.
It’s a strong option for anyone already deep into the school holiday chorus of “I’m bored” and pretending not to hear it.
See here for this and other Otley events: https://www.visitotley.co.uk/whats-on/calendar/
Courthouse creativity for the holidays
Otley Courthouse summer workshops
Otley Courthouse
Various dates and times
Otley Courthouse has a packed summer programme of children’s workshops and activities, with options across the holidays for younger children and older ones too.
From creative sessions to music, storytelling, arts and hands-on activities, the Courthouse is a great place to check when the weather is doing the classic British summer routine of “all four seasons before lunch”.
Some sessions may need booking in advance, so it’s worth checking the calendar and grabbing places early.
See here for this and other Otley events: https://www.visitotley.co.uk/whats-on/calendar/
Proper childhood, actual trees
Chevin Forest School holiday club
The White House, Johnny Lane
Various dates, 9.30am–3pm
Chevin Forest School is running holiday club sessions this summer, giving children the chance to enjoy a proper outdoor adventure on Otley Chevin.
Aimed at children aged 5 to 11, the sessions include den building, woodland crafts, outdoor games, soft archery, pond dipping and cooking on the fire.
In other words: all the good stuff childhood summers are supposed to involve, with considerably less screen time.
Children should bring a packed lunch and water bottle, and dress for the weather.
See here for more https://www.visitotley.co.uk/events/chevin-forest-school-holiday-club/
Things that go bump round the Buttercross
Otley Ghost Tours
Market Place
Fridays at 6pm, 7.30pm and 9pm; Saturdays at 6.30pm and 8pm; Sundays at 6.30pm
Fancy seeing a spookier side of Otley?
Otley Ghost Tours are led by Otleyenzian ghost Spindleshanks McScrew, who takes guests on an hour-long walking tour around the town’s “Orrible Otspots”.
The tour has been running since February 2024 and is suitable for all ages, with dogs welcome too. There are even Emotional Support Ghosts available for more sensitive guests, which feels very Otley and frankly excellent.
It’s a brilliant choice for older children, brave younger ones, and adults who like their local history with a side order of theatrical nonsense.
See here for this and other Otley events: https://www.visitotley.co.uk/whats-on/calendar/
Row, row, row your boat
Otley Boats
Wharfemeadows Park
Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays, weather permitting. 10am–5pm
Otley Boats are back on the River Wharfe for summer 2026, offering one of the town’s most charming ways to enjoy a sunny day by the water.
Based in Wharfemeadows Park, Otley Boats give families and visitors the chance to take a gentle trip along the river, with boats available for up to four people.
It costs £15 per boat for 30 minutes, for up to four people, making it a lovely option for an affordable summer activity in Otley.
Add in the riverside walks, play area, café and open green space, and it’s a brilliant way to make the most of a summer day in Wharfemeadows Park.
See here for more https://www.visitotley.co.uk/2026/07/otley-boats-opening-times-2026/
Feed the children without breaking the bank
Kids eat for £1
Olive & Fig, Westgate Arcade
Olive & Fig, the cool subterranean café in Westgate Arcade, has launched a new summer menu with everything from a Breakfast Burger and Turkish Eggs to Chicken & Halloumi Gyros, summer salads and Breakfast Loaded Fries. Even better, during the holidays and on weekends in term time, kids eat for just £1.
That means parents get proper food, children get fed, and everyone avoids the emergency bag of crisps in the bottom of the pram. A result all round.
See here: https://www.buyinotley.co.uk/acadp_listings/oiive-fig/
Cheat the hill, keep the view
Otley Chevin Minibus
Otley Bus Station to Surprise View
Sundays until and including August 16. Departures from Otley Bus Station Stand 5 at 10am, 11am, 12noon and 1pm. Returns from Surprise View at 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm and 1.30pm
The Chevin is one of Otley’s great adventure playgrounds for children, with woodland paths, open space and one of the best views in Yorkshire.
The only slight issue? Getting to the top can be a bit of a mission if you don’t have a car, are travelling with little legs, or simply don’t fancy arriving looking like you’ve just completed a mountain stage of the Tour de France.
This summer, the free Sunday minibus to Surprise View makes it much easier. Hop on at Otley Bus Station and enjoy the views, woodland and fresh air without tackling the full climb.
Well-behaved dogs are also welcome on board.
CTA: See here for this and other Otley events:
https://www.visitotley.co.uk/whats-on/calendar/
Paint it, glaze it, admire it
Puffin Pottery
2b Boroughgate, Otley
Puffin Pottery is a paint-your-own pottery studio in the heart of Otley, with hundreds of designs to choose from and prices to suit different budgets.
Families can choose their pottery, paint their piece, then leave it with the team to be glazed and fired in the onsite kiln before collecting it later.
The studio is child-friendly, buggy accessible and serves hot and cold drinks, cakes, sweets and snacks, making it a strong choice for creative children, rainy days, birthday treats or anyone who believes a wonky painted mug is a family heirloom in waiting.
See here for more: https://puffinpotteryleeds.co.uk/
Soft play salvation
Buttercups
Westgate Arcade
Buttercups is Otley’s family-friendly soft play and café in Westgate Arcade, aimed at younger children and their grown-ups.
There are designated areas for little ones, a play frame for bigger kids, role play areas and plenty of soft play to burn off energy while adults enjoy the frankly underrated luxury of a hot drink that is still hot.
With food and drinks available too, it’s a handy indoor option for wet days, tired legs or when everyone needs a reset before the next round of holiday adventures.
See here for more: http://www.buttercupsotley.co.uk/
Wild things, tiny legs and actual nature
Gallows Hill Nature Area
Gallows Hill, near Pool Road
For a low-cost, low-drama family trip, Gallows Hill Nature Area is a lovely riverside option.
The site has a pushchair and wheelchair-friendly path, wildlife, an orchard, birds, insects, amphibians and the possibility of spotting frogs, toads or even a kingfisher if you’re lucky.
It’s close to Wharfemeadows Park too, so you can combine a nature wander with the play area, riverside, café or boats.
Maximum “look, nature!” potential. Minimum wallet damage. Lovely stuff.
See here for more outdoor ideas in Otley: https://www.visitotley.co.uk/outdoors/