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

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!!

Recently visited with my 2.5 yr old daughter and she absolutely loved it here…read more A wide range of activities inluding ride-on toys/cars, slides, ball pond and large trampoline and enclosure. Seats and tables located all down the side of the play area and children have to be lifted in and out so this gives parents an extra bit of security. Small cafe bar serving hot/cold drinks and snacks at reasonable prices, also offer children's parties including party tea, games, disco and dj. One of the best play gyms around, located just off the main roundabout in Elland near the Cp-op supermarket so accessible for drivers and walkers.

Dirty, dangerous netting which needs a safety inspection, poor service (We waited an hour for a cup…read moreof tea and currant teacake) Miserable owner and staff, not welcoming at all

We visited funsters for the first time last week. wow! its fab. very easy to find and the staff…read morewere lovely and friendly. great for children of all ages. Very safe, very clean and reasonably priced, £3 each but they do get a free slice of toast and a drink if you go before 10.30am. food was very nice too - cooked properly, not stodgy or stale like some places and very generous portions great choice for both adults and children, homemade too. We will definately be going back.

Hard to find, in an old warhouse type place but on first impressions it seems clean…read more It is quite costly to get in and there is more for older children than the younger ones but ok just to pass the time. There is too many sweets and other things for children to nag for which gets quite annoying. They sell home made food which is tasty and ok priced. They provide other services as well like parties and the staff are friendly. The price is more during half terms but as I say it passes the time.

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

I went to fizzy lizards for the 1st time today with my 4 year old and 13 week old baby…read more The first thing I noticed was how wonderfully clean, light and airy the place is. We have yet to sample the food however there was an excellent menu offering plenty of healthy meals and snacks. All very reasonably priced. The equipment was clean and of a good variety also with an outdoor play area and section for crawlers and small toddlers. We will definitely go again and I will recommend it to friends.