Summertime with Little Hiccups is all about getting outdoors, slowing down, and creating relaxed spaces where families can simply be themselves. This summer, our community picnics took on an extra layer of meaning as we linked them with our Inclusive Mosaic Trail across Leeds.
Our summer trail picnics gave families the chance to explore beautiful green spaces, hunt down our permanent mosaic installations, and enjoy chilled-out days together under the safe, non-judgemental umbrella of the Little Hiccups community.
Spotlighting Our Newest Trail Stop: The Royal Armouries
The highlight of our late August meet-ups was an informal gathering at The Royal Armouries to celebrate our newest mosaic going live on-site!
Installed proudly on the external walls alongside our official Little Hiccups plaque, this vibrant piece was designed based on original artwork by Emily. Despite an overcast and very breezy Leeds afternoon, Emily’s cheerful design brought instant warmth to everyone who gathered.
Emily’s family shared:
“It was a small but select gathering at the Royal Armouries for the summer picnic and informal viewing of Emily’s mosaic. The weather was overcast and very breezy so it was a good thing the mosaic itself was nice and sunny!
The original artwork featured Emily’s fingerprint and a nice smiley face, and it was lovely to see the different beautiful shades of yellow and orange (Emily’s favourite colours) incorporated into the mosaic.
We’ve always enjoyed visits to the Royal Armouries as a family and with visiting cousins in the school holidays. The jousting displays are great fun if you get chance to watch. It’s a great place to go whatever the weather. We like to walk around the canal area, browse the exhibits, and relax in the cafe. The Changing Places toilet means we don’t have to rush because we can keep Emily comfortable all day.
The picnic was a great opportunity to catch up with friends and, like all good Little Hiccups events, I’ve come away with new information and recommendations about services and equipment. Thanks!”
Having a spot at the Royal Armouries is particularly special because it highlights what true accessibility looks like—from level canal-side strolls and museum exhibits to essential Changing Places facilities that ensure families can stay as long as they wish.
Highlights Across Leeds: A Summer on the Move
Alongside the Royal Armouries, we made the most of the school holidays with outdoor meet-ups across some of our favourite green spots in Leeds:
- Skelton Grange Environment Centre (x2): We loved Skelton so much we visited twice! Children explored the forest trails, picked ripe plums straight from the fruit trees, got stuck into Twister and giant lawn games, and had great fun playing photographer with the Little Hiccups camera.
- Harewood House: A wonderful summer day out where families spread out across the expansive grounds, enjoyed the seasonal activities, and relaxed among friends old and new.
- Middleton Park: Exploring the woodland paths, enjoying the parkland, and catching up over packed lunches.
- Temple Newsam: A lovely open-air gathering with plenty of room to roam, relax, and explore the historic estate grounds.
- Tropical World: Combining our picnic fun with a sensory journey through indoor rainforests, desert habitats, and wildlife viewing in Roundhay.
What Our Families Said
The feedback from this summer’s gatherings captured the true spirit of Little Hiccups:
“It’s lovely to meet other families. It’s a chilled session. Can then go on to do anything you’d like. The places chosen have something nearby to do more with the family. There are also people from Little Hiccups who are available for advice, which is helpful.”
— Kerry
“An opportunity to try a ‘social picnic’ under the safe umbrella of Little Hiccups around a cohort of like-minded people. Explore the lovely grounds on-site and visit some of the summer-themed activities.”
— Kathleen, Stanley & Marlow
“We had a lovely day, great meeting friends and new friends. Thank you for the activities that were provided. Nice to be in a safe space where there’s no judgement.”
— Zoe
“Theo and I really enjoyed being outdoors exploring the forest. Theo loved taking photos with the Little Hiccups camera, playing games, and taking part in the nature trail. I enjoyed being part of the Little Hiccups community, sharing time with other families.”
— Gill
Explore the Inclusive Mosaic Trail
Every mosaic on our trail represents the real-life perspectives and artwork of our children, installed in accessible, welcoming venues across Leeds to showcase art and nature for everyone.
Next time you are visiting Leeds Dock or exploring the Royal Armouries, keep your eyes peeled for Emily’s smiling sunshine mosaic, scan the plaque’s QR code, and see how many other stops on the trail you can find!
Find out more about our trail locations and the story behind each installation:
👉 Discover the Little Hiccups Mosaic Trail
