5 ways to keep the kids entertained this May half-term
If you are anything like us, you’ll be scurrying around looking for fun stuff to do over the long bank holiday weekend.
This bank hols we’ve got ahead and done some research: here’s our list of some really great events taking place up and down the country over this weekend and through next week. Have fun!
1. Go space explorer mad!
With the 50th anniversary of the historic moon landing this summer, there are lots of space themed events happening and the list is growing all the time.
Rocket Lab!
Where: Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre, Macclesfield
Date: 25th -27th May 2019
http://www.jodrellbank.net/events/may-half-term-rocket-lab/
Drop into The University of Manchester Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre this weekend to get involved all the fun and interactive activities taking place about rocket science – intriguing for adults as well as kids! Entry is included with general admission to the museum.
Apollo 11: First steps edition 2D
Where: Science Museum, London
Dates: Various dates in May, June and July 2019 (showing three times a day throughout half term)
https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/see-and-do/apollo-11-first-steps
Visit the IMAX cinema at the Science Museum to experience never before seen footage of the epic moon landing – as it happened. A must see!
The Science Museum also has loads of space exhibitions and live action shows happening daily. Discover out-of -this-world objects and gain a unique insight into the history of rockets in the ‘Exploring Space’ exhibition. Or unveil the secrets of space travel in the live Science Show ‘The Rocket Show’. There really is so much to do and lots of fun to be had by all the family!
2. Channel your inner palaeontologist and go dino crazy this half term!
Are your little ones dino mad? Then you are really in luck this half-term with dinosaur events taking place all over the country.
Dino Trail
Where: Hawk Conservancy Trust, Andover
https://www.hawk-conservancy.org/your-visit/easter-2019/
Launched in the Easter holidays, the Dino Trail is a perfect activity for budding palaeontologists, there are dino pictures to hunt down along the trail and lots to learn about how birds of prey are related to their prehistoric ancestors!
Dino week
Where: National Forest Adventure Farm, Staffordshire
Dates: 25th May – 2nd June
https://www.adventurefarm.co.uk/event/dino/
From meeting the baby dino to panning for fossils, there is so much to discover at Dino Week and endless fun to be had!
World Premiere of PREDATORS
Where: Chester Zoo, Chester
Dates: 25th May – 8th September
https://www.chesterzoo.org/whats-here/predators/
This half term marks the opening of the dino-tastic PREDATOR exhibition at Chester Zoo where kids can have a blast coming face to face with the most fearsome dinosaurs of the prehistoric world! Entry is included with zoo admission.
While there, take the opportunity to meet Karamojo, the famous baby giraffe born last week and already more than six-feet tall!
3. Get spying and become an undercover agent
Train as a secret agent
Where: Beaulieu National Motor Museum, Hampshire
Dates: 25th May – 2nd June
https://www.beaulieu.co.uk/events/may-half-term/
Did you know that Beaulieu was a top secret school for agents of the Special Operations Executive during World War II? This half term, the kids can follow in the footsteps of their ancestors and learn espionage skills, crack codes and try out different disguises before graduating as a fully-trained SOE agent.
Agent Nitrate's Spytastic School Holidays!
Where: Royal Gunpowder Mills, Waltham Abbey
Dates: 25th May - 2nd June 2019
https://www.royalgunpowdermills.com/Event/may-half-term
All wannabe spies will love Agent Nitrate’s Spytatsic School Holidays! Packed full of fun activities every day from spy themed arts and crafts to photographic memory tests to the writing their own secret messages – perfect plot to treat any budding spy too!
4. Grab a picnic and explore the great outdoors!
Where: National Trust parks (various locations)
Dates: 25th May – 2nd June
If you’re looking for an excuse to be outside and enjoying the warmer days and longer evening this half term, then take a look at what National Trust parks have to offer. From hunting for bugs and planting seeds to milling demonstrations, there’s an activity for everyone! Check out what’s happening at a park near you here.
5. Or opt for a creative stay-cation!
Have fun at home and keep the kids entertained with these hands-on non-screen activities.
Summer garden collage
Create your own ‘garden’ with scraps of paper cut from catalogues, leaves, flowers, fabric from worn-out clothes simply glued onto a large sheet of paper or card.
Try flower pressing
Gather favourite flowers and leaves outside, then press between paper and pile lots of heavy books on top! A little patience required for results – takes a couple of weeks for your flowers to be fully pressed. Later it’s fun to follow up by researching what each – great to follow up on a rainy day.
Drawing from nature
Drawing around items found in the garden to make patterns and mixes – leaves, stones, flowers, bugs
Leaf and flower painting and printing
Choose interesting-shaped leaves, twigs and even simple flower heads. Paint one side and press onto paper.