The bank holiday weekend is almost upon us and the kids’ half-term holidays are next week. So how will you be spending your time?
Some of you may already have a day-by-day itinerary. But for those of you who are still wondering how you’re going to keep the kids entertained during this time, keep reading!
From museums to National Trust locations, all the way through to attractions and amusement parks. There is no shortage of fun for UK-based families this half term!
Where Can I Take My Kids in May Half Term?
May half-term is a great opportunity to spend some quality time with your children. Plus it’s a perfect time to keep them engaged in fun and educational activities.
Here are some ideas of places to go and things to see, to keep your kids busy during the break:
Museums
Whilst some kids might not be sold on the idea of looking at historic artefacts. There are so many great museums in the UK that have been designed with kids in mind!
Offering a hands-on way to learn about a host of different subjects, the following museums are ideal for a fun-filled family day out:
Thinktank
Thinktank is Birmingham’s Science Museum and is chock full of fun things to see and do.
Explore MiniBrum, their child-sized mini city. Plus you can visit the 4K Planetarium where you can journey to the stars! Even discover a world of science in our interactive outdoor Science Garden.
Check out their site to see what attractions are on, on the days you’d like to visit.
Eureka – The National Children’s Museum
Specifically designed for children, Eureka – in Halifax, West Yorkshire and also the Wirral – offers fully-interactive fun for kids. Explore our six zones, extensive grounds, creativity space – with more than 400 exhibits to spark their curiosity.
Book your tickets for Eureka, Halifax, here.
London Science Museum
Free to visit, the Science Museum in London offers seven floors of educational fun!
With award winning exhibitions, iconic objects and stories of incredible scientific achievement, there really is something for all members of the family to enjoy!
The Roald Dahl Museum
Pop along to The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre, in Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire; and come face-to-face with Fantastic Mr Fox!
Measure up to your Roald Dahl Heroes. Pull a power pose next to Matilda. Evendiscover Roald Dahl’s famous Writing Hut – the birthplace of your favourite characters. All this at the Museum of the World’s No.1 Storyteller.
National Space Centre
Explore all things space at this center in Leicestershire. National Space Centre Visitors can learn about everything from astronauts to astronomy.
You can also see one of the only known Soyuz spacecraft in Western Europe, a Digistar 3 dome cinema and a planetarium.
Book ahead to avoid any disappointment.
What to Do with Children During Half Term?
Why not take a day trip? Plan a day trip to a nearby city or attraction.
You could visit a theme park, zoo, or aquarium, or simply explore a new town or city.
Attractions and Amusement Parks
Check out your local parks and attractions. Many offer special events during the school holidays, such as animal encounters, art workshops, and nature trails.
National Trust Locations
The National Trust has locations all over the UK, with plenty of family friendly (and even dog friendly) places to visit.
From spring trails to blossom festivals, forest bathing to craft days. For more information about all of the wonderful sites that are open for families to explore this half term, head to the National Trust website.
Alton Towers
With 50+ rides and attractions, Alton Towers Resort, in Alton, Staffordshire, is the perfect day out for families of all ages. The theme park features a number of high-octane rides. Plus its kid-friendly attractions and areas, make it ideal for kids – both younger and older.
Thorpe Park
Home to thrilling rides, attractions and live events. Not to mention a themed hotel! Thorpe Park Resort in Surrey is the ultimate destination for thrill seekers. It features some of the UK’s most popular roller coasters and amusement park rides.
Sea Life Brighton
The world’s oldest operating aquarium is an absolute must-visit!
Discover more than 1,500 sea creatures at Sea Life Brighton. Go on a rainforest adventure or stop by the seahorse nursery. Even view the starfish display, or uncover all the secrets of the reef!
National Sea Life Centre Birmingham
At the National Sea Life Centre Birmingham, families will enjoy 60 displays of freshwater and marine life. Featuring over 2,000 creatures and 15 themed zones, you can get up close to everything from jellyfish to sea dragons!
Keep all members of the family entertained, at the Penguin Ice Adventure, the rock pool, and the 360° Ocean Tunnel!
Whipsnade Zoo
Experience a world of wildlife at the UK’s biggest zoo – ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.
Its 600-acre site, in Bedfordshire, offers a brilliant day out and is home to more than 10,000 animals. See everything from brightly coloured butterflies to gigantic elephants! Your kids will love spotting their favourites as they embark on an adventure like no other.
Enjoy Some Quality Time This May Half Term
If those ideas don’t float your boat, or you’re wanting to save the pennies. There are so many other fantastic things you can do, as a family, that don’t cost a penny.
Inside Ideas
- Have a movie day:
Set up a movie marathon for the kids with some snacks and drinks. You could even make it a themed day with movies based on a particular topic or genre.
- Have a family game day: Get out the board games, card games, and puzzles and spend a day playing as a family. This is a great way to bond with your children and teach them important life skills; such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.
- Cook together: Get the kids involved in the kitchen and teach them how to cook a meal. Or bake a cake. Why not try our ‘Carrot and Sweet Potato Cake’ recipe! This is a fun and practical way to teach them important life skills while spending quality time together.
- Learn a new skill: Sign the kids up for a class or workshop to learn a new skill or hobby. This could be anything from coding and robotics to dance and drama.
- Do some arts and crafts: Set up a crafting station and let the kids get creative! Paint, draw, even making things. You could even plan themed craft projects based on a particular topic or event. Have a go at some of our craft ideas.
Outside Ideas
- Set up a treasure hunt: Organise up a treasure hunt around the house or garden. Create clues and puzzles for the kids to solve, leading them to a prize at the end.
- Have a picnic: Plan a picnic in a local park or nature reserve. Let the kids help prepare the food and snacks, and bring along some outdoor games and activities to keep them entertained.
- Go on a nature walk: Take the kids on a nature walk to a local park, forest or nature reserve. Bring along a field guide and encourage them to look for and identify different species of plants and animals.
Whatever you decide to do, make sure to spend some quality time with your kids and enjoy the break together!
