May Half Term Activities Bristol 2025
Find our picks of May Half Term Activities in and around Bristol below! May half term is Sat 24 May – Sun 1 June for Bristol, Bath, Gloucestershire and North Somerset.
Jump to:
- Animal & Adventure Parks
- Spring Walks at Gardens & Estates
- Museums, Caves & Trains
- Creative & Nature
- Theatre
- Other Events
- Parties & Entertainment
- New Openings
- Free and Cheap Days Outs
Animal & Adventure Parks
SpringFest at Bristol Zoo Project
24 May – 1 June | Family fun in Tower Meadow including giant lawn games, spray painting and stamping, face painting, music making and more! Book tickets
Inflatable Theme Park at Gatscombe Farm Shop
10, 11, 17, 18, 24-31 May & 1, 7 & 8 June 10am – 5pm | £10 for an all day wristband which includes most rides (a few excluded). Strictly for ages 2-14 only. No over 14s on equipment. Free admission for accompanying adults. Weather dependent – check on their Facebook page for updates. Buy tickets on the door.
Steve Backshall Live at Longleat
24 May – 1 June | Exclusive live show for Longleat with Steve’s favourite animals and birds of prey. In new open air theatre. Book the show for £1 with your day ticket. You can also check out their Medieval Love Debate exhibition, which tells the story of a 15th century manuscript. Book tickets
Dinosaur Valley: LIVE! at Avon Valley
24 May – 1 June | Huge collection of animatronic dinosaurs, trail and quest, meet dinosaurs, dinosaur shows, fossil excavation, foam party, as well as the rest of the adventure park! Book tickets
Roar into Summer at Noahs Ark Zoo Farm
From 23 May | The brand new lion enclosure will be open! Book tickets
Aardman presents Lloyd of the Flies Wetland Bug Hunt at Slimbridge
5 April – 1 June | Follow the trail to help Lloyd and tour guide Dart the dragonfly find Lloyd’s friends and family and make their way to the bug hotel. Augmented reality trail app! Find out more
If you work in the public sector or civil service check out Boundless Membership (aff link) as it gives you free entry for yourself and up to five children, and 50% off another adult at WWT sites!
May Half Term at Cattle Country
24 May – 1 June | The splash pool opens for half term! Explore the farm, play in the (quite) new indoor play barns – soft play and sand play, jumping pillows, and outdoor play. Book tickets
Mini Beast Bale Trail at Palette and Pasture
May and June dates | Search for bales that are either mini beasts or have mini beasts hiding on them! Visit the ice cream parlour, inflatables weather dependent (£5 for 30 mins), tractor ride ons, a few animals and sand play! See our reel from a previous round bail trail! Book here
Micro Marvels at Bristol Aquarium
24 May – 1 June | More details TBC Book here
Dinosaur Week at Old Down Country Park
24 May – 1 June | Dinomania dinosaur experience with fossil workshops and maze. The soft play bus will be open on weekends. Help paint a giant dinosaur on 30 May! Check timetable
It May Be Wild at Over Farm Countryside Adventure
24 May – 1 June | The farm becomes home to reptiles, dinosaurs and birds of prey during the holidays. Near Gloucester. See our reel from a previous visit. Book tickets
May Half Term at Cotswold Farm Park
24 May – 1 June | Lamb feeding, nature activities and wildflower celebrations at Cotswold Farm Park. Book tickets
Spring Walks at Gardens & Estates
Tyntesfield
22 May – 3 June | Fluent in Flowers trail – learn about the use of flowers in Victorian England. Free with admission. More info
May half-term fun at Dyrham Park
24 May – 1 June | Get active in the great outdoors with some garden games at Dyrham Park. Activities are free with usual admission. More info
May half-term fun at Prior Park
24 May – 1 June | Activities around the lower part of the garden. Explorers backpack also available throughout the year. Activities are free with usual admission. More info
May Half Term at Newark Park
23-31 May | Explore the garden trail and find out about Spike the dragon weather vane. Inside the house, collect an animal spotter sheet and see how many dragons you can find. Activities free with usual admission. More info
May Half Term at Stourhead
24 May – 1 June | Families can enjoy fun in the Stableyard with crafts, games, and an obstacle course. There’s also a spotter challenge activity sheet, perfect for little explorers. More info
May Half Term at Lacock
24 May – 1 June | Art and craft activities More info
Bristol Walk Fest
Bristol Walk Fest is on throughout May with various events. Family friendly pick: Treasure Island Story Walks Age 5+ Book tickets
Arnos Vale Cemetery
Beautiful Victorian Cemetery well worth a visit. It has some great free or inexpensive family activities. Free parking, nice cafe and free scavenger hunt:
27 May I Bugging-out for kids
27 May I Lovely leaves-hammer printing workshop
27 May I Gruesome tour for teens and tweens
28 May I Den building workshop
Booking required for most of these events here
Half Term Events at American Museum and Gardens
26 May I Rainbow Family Community Day – Celebrating LGBTQ+, Arts, Culture & Heritage. Pay what you can entry.
28 May I Planetarium Show – Stories in the Sky
30 May I Kids’ Rave with the Super Pirates
May Half Term at Bowood House & Gardens, Wiltshire
24 May – 1 June | Arts & Crafts throughout May Half Term
31 May – 1 June | Garden Party Activities taking place over the bank holiday weekend
Bowood House and Gardens has an amazing adventure play area! Located around an hour east of Bristol, near Chippenham. See photos from our last visit. Book tickets
Sudeley Castle
27 & 30 May | Face painting fun – free with admission
28 & 29 May | Dig & Delve Days – wildlife crafting and forest school adventure sessions
The Buzz About Bees at Painswick Rococo Gardens
24 May – 1 June | Environmentally friendly family trail Book tickets
Knights’ Tournament & Historical Hysterical Critters at Berkeley Castle
25-26 May | Knights’ Tournament – See four fully armoured knights and their loyal squires battle for glory and honour!
27-28 May I Historical Hysterical Critters – Hands on animal workshop meeting creatures like snakes, rats and frogs, whilst learning about their interesting and surprising roles in history.
Museums, Caves & Trains
Women of the Waves at the SS Great Britain
24 May – 1 June I This May half term Victorian passengers will take over the SS Great Britain, bringing the historic dockyard to life! Learn about stories of fearless women at sea. Free with admission. Book tickets
May Half Term at Aerospace Bristol
24 May – 1 June I Details TBC Book tickets
Half Term Fun at Wookey Hole
24 May – 1 June I Explore the caves, meet the witch of Wookey Hole, dinosaurs, pirate themed adventure golf, soft play and a circus show! There is also the “Magique Presents: Fire and Water Magic & Illusion Show” 28 May 6.30pm which requires separate booking. Book tickets
Ancient Animal Odyssey at Cheddar Gorge & Caves
22 April – 2 June I A magical illuminated trail with flowing lanterns of ancient beasts and dinosaurs.
24 May – 1 June I May half term trail
MShed Steam Train
24-26 May I MShed Steam Train Ride. Buy tickets on the day at the ticket office by the MShed platform. Single £3.50, Return £5. More information here
Historical Walk: Pirates and Prejudice
27 May 11am I A walk that explores Bristol’s dockside haunts of smugglers and slavers, pirates and privateers. Book tickets
Ashton Court Miniature Railway
25 & 26 May I Ashton Court Miniature Railway Public Running Days. More info
Brick Express at Avon Valley Railway
31 May & 1 June I Avon Valley Railway “Brick Express” Train rides with Lego building workshops and models. Family trail around the station. Children travel for £1! Book here
May Half Term at Haynes Motor Museum
24 May & 1 June I Brand new family trail. Outdoor car displays are back for half term. Book here
Archaeology Adventures & Family Crafts at Roman Baths
27-30 May I Archaeology Adventures -Dig for roman artefacts, and learn how to identify, record, and uncover hidden treasures.
27-30 May I Red and Gold Family Crafts – Get crafty using gold and red to create your very own special Roman brooch.
Creative & Nature
Children’s Scrapstore
Various craft workshops available over half term. Book here
Bats of Stoke Park
23 May I Bats of Stoke Park Guided Walk. Ages 12+ Book here
Biscuit Decorating at Boujon Bakery
23, 26, 27, 28 & 29 May I Animals and under the sea themed biscuit decorating workshops Book tickets
Lush Cribbs Causeway Workshops
23 May – 1 June I May half term workshops Book tickets
Kingfisher Forest School
25 May I Harry Potter Half Term Special (All ages) Book here
Minecraft Canvas Workshop with Artventures
27 May I BTP Cheswick Village. Ages 6+ Book tickets
Cheery & Chipper Farm Play
27, 29 & 30 May I Farm outdoor playgroup with animal petting and creative play at The Compass Inn, Tormarton. Ages 1-6 Book tickets
Shadow Puppet Show & Workshop at New Room, Bristol
28 May I Family session with music, interactive shadow puppetry and colourful projections! Book here
BE Wild Over 5’s Family Day at Belmont Estate
28 May I Over 5’s Family Day Book here
Lego Day at Zion Bristol
30 May I Zion Bristol Book tickets
Theatre
The Beautiful Future Is Coming at Bristol Old Vic
15 May – 7 Jun I Ages 12+ Book tickets
Farm Boy at The Redgrave Theatre
24 May I Ages 8+ Book tickets
Exciting Science at The Redgrave Theatre
25 May I Ages 4+ Book tickets
The Farmer and The Clown at Trinity Centre
26 May I Ages 3+ but suitable for all Book tickets
Andy and the Oddsocks at Good Times LIVE 2025
26 May I Tickets include free fairground rides, inflatable zone and mini rave + foam parties. Book tickets
Boxville at Windmill Hill City Farm
28 & 29 May I Craft along family show from Cardboard Adventures. Aimed at ages 4-8 Book tickets
Spot’s Birthday Party at Tobacco Factory Theatres
28-31 May I Age 2+ Book tickets
Our House at The Redgrave Theatre
28-31 May I Ages 12+ Book tickets
Breathe at The Wardrobe Theatre
29 & 30 May I Ages 5+ and their families Book tickets
Wind in the Willows from Illyria Outdoor Theatre at Lacock Abbey
30 May I Ages 5+ Book tickets
Fail Fail Fail Fail Win at The Wardrobe Theatre
31 May I Ages 3-10 Book tickets
Rude Science at The Forum
31 May I Ages 6+ Book tickets
Other Events
Royal Bath and West Show
29-31 May I Action packed rural themed family day out in Shepton Mallet. Lots of activities, entertainment and demonstrations. Book here
Play in the Bay & Surfing/Bodyboarding at The Wave
There are activities for all ages at The Wave!
- Play in the Bay water play sessions for all ages (no surfboards but you can bring bodyboards).
- Little Rippers Surf Lessons for ages 4-9.
- Bodyboarding and surfing lessons and sessions for ages 6+
You can visit for free as a spectator and enjoy a play area, cafe, table tennis, boules, skate ramp! It is a great spot for scooting. Book here
Community Farmer Day at The Community Farm
24 & 31 May I Free Family friendly farmer day in Chew Valley Book tickets
Treasure Island Story Walk
24, 25 & 27 May I Family trail for ages 5+ Book tickets
Scoot Stride Glide Ramp It Up
25 May I Ramp it up session for ages 2-8 Book tickets
Family Fun Day at Flourish Farleigh Road
26 May I Family fun day with live music, dog show, bouncy castle, games and more! Free entry. This is Flourish at Farleigh Road, south east of Bath More info
Parties & Entertainment
- Magical Moon Entertainment Elsa’s Dance Party at Meadow Vale Community Centre 27 May Ages 2-6 Book tickets
- The Great Jaydini at Burdall’s Yard, Bath 27 May Book tickets
- Glow Party with Party Peeps On The Pier Family Rave at The Grand Pier, WSM 29 May Book tickets
- Adam Allsortz Magic Show at Emersons Green Village Hall 29 May Book tickets
- Disney Stay and Play with Soft Play Heaven at Little Stoke Community Centre 30 May Book tickets
- TikTok Brain Rot Party at Almondsbury Creative 31 May Book tickets
New Openings
- Pickle Street – New roleplay village opening in May
- Water Adventure Play Park – New play equipment!
- Little Explorers Play Cafe – New play cafe in WSM! Opening 6 May
- My Small World Toys – New dreamy toy store in Bath!
- King Pins Bowling
- Boing Lawrence Weston (term time only)
Free and Cheap Days Out
Looking for a free or low cost activity? Check out this post for over 50 ideas of free and inexpensive days out that would be great half-term activities in Bristol!
Thank you for reading our Bristol May half-term post!
There are so many fabulous days out in and around Bristol. Please follow us on our Instagram (most active) or Facebook for more days out ideas, the latest openings and events!
Disclaimer: I do my best to provide accurate information, but it may be a good idea to double check details directly in case of any changes, cancellations or discrepancies.
