Erin Ek Rush

Whether your idea of the perfect Halloween is a rave from the grave, cooking up a spooky treat or getting dressed up for an interactive film, there is plenty of kid-friendly fun to be had in and around Leeds this All Hallow's Eve.  Here is just a selection of ghostly goings-on: The Corpse Bride with Sneaky Experience   Corpse Bride   Watching a film is an interactive adventure with Sneaky Experience and the pop up cinema group has organised a collection of films in the perfectly eerie atmosphere of Kirkstall Abbey. On Sunday November 1, families can watch Tim Burton's animated tale of love and the walking dead, 'The Corpse Bride'. Before the film everyone can play a live, kid-friendly game. This spooky treat will see cinema goers placed into teams and becoming the pieces for a spooky board game.  The Corpse Bride with Sneaky Experience. November 1, 3-6.10pm. Kirkstall Abbey, Abbey Road, Leeds, LS5 3EH. Buy tickets here.  Halloween Adventure at Stockeld Park  <img id="e697a2db-1b8a-be1a-d2bf-fc5e5e5e85d2" class="photo lazy inline" src="http://media.timeout.com/images/102878294/image.jpg" alt="" align="middle" data-caption="" data-credit="Stockeld Park" data-width-class="100" data-mce-src="http://media.timeout.com/images/102878294/image.jpg" image_id="102878294"> Stockeld Park   Stockeld Park has pumpkin carving, a wizard's den, wizards and witch training and creepy creatures to scare and entertain you this Halloween season. For the truly brave (and over 8's) there are

Looking to keep the kids happy during the summer holidays without spending much money?  Happily Leeds is full of free family fun this summer. From sandy beaches to a den building festival, we bring you nine ways to have free fun in Leeds during the month of August.   1. Visit Kirkstall Abbey    A photo posted by Gemma Holman (@gemgems1305) on Jun 12, 2015 at 8:21am PDT   Kirkstall Abbey has free parking and free entry every day of the summer, but on Tuesdays and Wednesdays there is extra fun to be had. On Tuesdays under fives can get messy at the weekly messy craft session, Mini Dragons. On Wednesdays, children can bring a lunch to enjoy a picnic with the friendly dragon Barry. Kirkstall Abbey, Tuesdays 10am-midday, Wednesdays midday-1pm, Abbey Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS5 3EH.   2. Have fun in the sand at the Merrion Centre  The Merrion Centre   Don't let the rain keep you from playing on the beach this summer. Rain or shine, you can play in the sand at the Summer Sandpit at the Merrion Centre. The Merrion Centre, every day, 13 Merrion Way, Leeds LS2 8BT.   3. Look for hidden treasure     A photo posted by Hilde Vikan (@hildevikan) on Jun 27, 2015 at 2:43am PDT   All you need for a treasure hunt around Leeds is a free app from geocaching.com. There are thousands of hidden caches across West Yorkshire and over two million worldwide. Just download the app and join six million other geocachers in a real-world treasure hunt.    4. Have an art attack at Leeds Museu

Hang on? A rave – for babies? That's right. A two-hour rave across two floors, hosted by Baby Rave North at Control. Yep, the same Control on Kirkstall Road that was voted one of the Top 100 nightclubs by DJ Mag.   Surely it's different to a rave for adults? Well, yes, in some ways. Baby Rave North's largest event to date is the Big Carnival Bash on August 9. This will feature live music, sensory lighting, singing, dancing and photo booths. There will also be a soft play area, inflatables, crafts and more. So, arguably, even better than an adult rave.     A photo posted by Baby Rave North (@babyravenorth) on Jul 10, 2015 at 2:08pm PDT   What is Baby Rave North?  Baby Rave North is a group that has become well known for its unique family events where little ravers and their grown-ups can sing, dance and enjoy a high energy party. Led by Baby Rave North founder Faye Kenny since 2013, Baby Raves have been held in venues across West Yorkshire including art galleries, theatres and parks. The Big Carnival Bash at Control promises to be the biggest and most exciting rave to date.     A photo posted by Baby Rave North (@babyravenorth) on Mar 10, 2015 at 4:41am PDT     What makes the Big Carnival Bash different to other baby raves? 'The Big Carnival Bash is going to like all of our raves rolled into one! We’re pulling out all the stops with live music, samba drumming workshops and more exciting surprises! Control is one of our favourite venues as it has so much space to work

An ice-cold milkshake may be the ultimate indulgence on a hot day. Luckily, Leeds is blessed with an abundance of places to get your milkshake fix this summer. In and around Leeds, you'll find the season's top treat served up in fun locations from retro diners to shake bars. Here are five of our favourites:   1.  Rosie's Diner   A photo posted by Rosies Diner ??????? (@rosies_diner) on Dec 6, 2014 at 12:10pm PST   From the outside, Rosie's Diner looks like any other building in the surrounding retail park, but the interior is an American-style diner straight from the 1950s, complete with red bar stools and an American school bus. Rosie's milkshakes are made from luxury dairy ice cream and are served in little glass milk bottles. Choose from classic flavours like chocolate, strawberry, peanut butter and Oreo.   Along with milkshakes, Rosie's Diner also has pecan pie, ice cream sundaes, chicken wings, fries and burgers made with 100% Yorkshire beef. It's got a special menu for kids (or, rather, 'Little Rascals') too.   Rosies Diner, Cardigan Fields, Kirkstall, Leeds, LS4 2DG.     2.  Knickerbocker Shakes    A photo posted by Alice Taylor (@alice3194) on Feb 7, 2015 at 8:32am PST   Knickerbocker Shakes is famous for both its unique milkshake options and its award winning coffee. With over 250 milkshake flavours to choose from, along with a selection of retro sweets and smoothies, Knickerbocker Shakes is conveniently located minutes away from Roundhay Park in Leeds. P