Finding a family-friendly pub where the kids can stay entertained while adults enjoy a meal or a pint can be a challenge. Whether you need an indoor soft play for a rainy afternoon or a spacious beer garden with a play ground for a sunny weekend, Wakefield area and Five Towns has some excellent options.
Here is our factual guide to the best pubs with play areas across Wakefield and the Five Towns, broken down by indoor and outdoor spaces to help you plan your next stress-free family outing.
Pubs with Indoor Play Areas
Birchwood Farm | Castleford
If you want a proper pub dinner without the stress of keeping the kids anchored to their chairs, Birchwood Farm has you covered. Attached to their family dining zone is a clean, low-key indoor soft play area. It’s compact enough that it doesn’t overwhelm the dining experience, but offers the perfect safe, vibrant space for little ones to burn off energy and slide around while you wait for your food to arrive.
Turnpike Brewers Fayre | Knottingley
Turnpike features a fully managed ‘Play At’ soft play zone that is brilliant for rainy days. It features an extensive main climbing frame, a specialised low-level toddler area, and a dedicated counter where parents can order drinks, snacks, and treats directly without leaving the play den. Keep an eye out for their popular ‘Disco in the Den’ every Friday night
Wacky Warehouse at The Walnut Tree | Walton
This is a serious soft play set-up attached to a great local pub, however this area is separate to the pub and is definitely more of a soft play with pub food, than a pub atmosphere. The Walnut Tree features a large three-tier indoor play frame packed with ball pools and vertical slides. They host regular structured arts and crafts sessions, and you can book out their dedicated party area for up to 20 kids with full pub catering included. Freshly brewed coffee, cake, and full menus are available for the adults, along with free Wi-Fi.
Wacky Warehouse at The Stanley Ferry | Stanley
With scenic views of the boats passing along the Aire & Calder Navigation canal, this Wacky Warehouse feels exceptionally fresh and airy. It features a multi-level indoor frame with a dedicated toddler zone, alongside a secure outdoor pub garden playground that comes alive in the summer. Parents can take advantage of unlimited hot drink deals while the kids explore.
Outside Play Areas
The Rustic Arms | Ackworth
For a proper pub atmosphere where the kids and dogs are genuinely welcome, head to The Rustic Arms. Its extensive outdoor grounds feature a playground and a small private woodland section, its incredibly dog-friendly, and there’s plenty of grass for kids to kick a ball around. The Rustics offers enough outdoor entertainment to keep the kids happy while the adults enjoy a peaceful afternoon in the beer garden.
The White Horse | Sharlston
Overlooking the village common, this traditional pub is a fantastic spot for a sunny afternoon pitstop with the family. Its spacious, welcoming beer garden features an excellent outdoor play frame that keeps the kids thoroughly entertained while parents enjoy a cold drink in the fresh air.
The Station Pub | Crigglestone
This community pub boasts a fantastic outdoor play area that is a massive hit with local families. Complete with a secure climbing frame, slides, and plenty of space to run around, the play zone sits right alongside a great outdoor seating area, meaning parents can enjoy a peaceful bite to eat while keeping a watchful eye on the action.
The Navigation | Broad Cut
Positioned right on the canal edge at Broad Cut, The Navigation offers the ultimate combination of scenic waterside views and child-friendly entertainment. Its expansive outdoor beer garden features a dedicated children’s play frame, making it the perfect spot after a family walk along the canal towpath to watch the barges pass by.
The Malt Shovel | Carr Gate
The Malt Shovel is a classic, welcoming destination for family dining. The pub features a brilliant, spacious beer garden complete with an outdoor children’s play frame and climbing equipment. It’s an ideal setting for a relaxed Sunday lunch where the kids can happily move between the table and the play area.
The Holmfield Arms | Thornes Park
When it comes to location, it doesn’t get much better than this. Sitting right on the edge of the beautiful Thornes Park, The Holmfield Arms features its own secure outdoor play frame within its leafy beer garden. It makes for the perfect two-for-one family day out: grab some classic pub food here, let the kids explore the on-site play area, and then stroll straight out into the main park to visit the miniature railway and aviary.
The Catchpenny | Fitzwilliam
The Catchpenny is a large community pub that caters well to families looking for value meals. Outside, the spacious beer garden features a timber and rope climbing frame with slides for children. The menu covers a wide selection of traditional pub classics alongside regular food deals, making it a great choice for a weekend family tea.
The Cobbler | Pontefract
This favorite family pub and carvery is an excellent choice for a meal out with the kids. Outside, they feature a spacious beer garden alongside a newly installed, secure outdoor play area designed to let the little ones burn off energy safely. While they keep themselves entertained, parents can relax with a drink or tuck into their food. The outdoor seating is dog friendly, too.
