SpringFest at Bristol Zoo Project

25 May – 2 June. Spray painting, den building seed bomb craft, storytelling, giant lawn games, musical exploration and photo opportunities. Plus We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Trail is on! See our reel on this. Book here

Steve Backshall Live at Longleat

25 May – 2 June. Exclusive new show for Longleat with Steve’s favourite animals and birds of prey. In new open air theatre. Book the show alongside your tickets. See Longleat’s newest additions African Painted Dogs. Book here

Dinosaur Valley: LIVE! at Avon Valley

25 May – 2 June. Huge collection of animatronic dinosaurs, trail and quest, meet dinosaurs, dinosaur shows, fossil excavation, as well as the rest of the adventure park! Book here

Bing’s Nature Explorers at Slimbridge

23 March – 2 June. Join Bing and Flop to become a Nature Explorer with activity trails, storytelling, character appearances and much more. See our post from our visit here. If you work in the public sector or civil service check out Boundless Membership as it gives you membership to the WWT for only £40 a year (and you can take +1 adult and +6 children with you!)

Mythical May at Bristol Aquarium

Learn how different cultures have tried to understand the weird and wonderful world of aquatic life through their myths and legends, from the 25th May – 2nd June. Meet a mermaid 10am-3pm 25 May – 2 June. Book here

May Half Term at Old Down Country Park

Soft play bus will be open on selected dates, there will be storytelling, a teddy bears picnic 30 May, arts and crafts and games. Check timetable

It May Be Wild at Over Farm Countryside Adventure

Wild week for May half term! The farm becomes home to reptiles, dinosaurs and birds of prey during the holidays. Near Gloucester. See our reel from a previous visit. Book here

Craft a Colourful Bird at Tyntesfield

Inspired by ‘Echoes from the Aviary’; a sound and collage installation filling Tyntesfield’s aviary this spring, have a go at creating your own colourful collaged birds in this free family drop in. Usual admission applies. 25 May – 2 Jun. More info

May half-term animal antics at Dyrham Park

Activities to get families out and active in the great outdoors will run from Fri 24 May to Sun 2 Jun. Activities will be free of charge. Usual admission applies. More info For Outdoor Theatre events, see theatre section below.

Endangered Animal Trail at Prior Park

Have fun this half term by finding the hidden animals and guessing which endangered species they are. 25 May – 2 June. Usual admission applies. More info

May Half Term at Newark Park

Get creative with art boxes around the gardens, animal spotters trail and lawn games. Booking not required More info

Bristol Walk Fest

Bristol Walk Fest is on throughout May with various events. During half term: The Forester’s Story – storytelling walk best for 6-10 year olds 29 May Book here

Westonbirt Arboretum

• Minibeast Mimics – half term family activity exploring how creatures mimic each other, quiz, play games and get crafty. 28-30 May
• Spring family trail until 31 May
• Gruffalo Party Trail From 10 Feb Ongoing. Interactive family trail – help find the missing party items to give the Gruffalo a birthday to remember. Party themed activities, games and fun facts. In the Old Arboretum (no dogs allowed). Trail pack £4

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:

• Den Building Workshop 28 May

• Natural Dyeing and Leaf Printing 28 May

• Fire Lighting Workshop 30 May

• Wild Cooking Workshop 30 May

Booking required for most of these events here

Round Bail Trail at Palette and Pasture

Palette and Pasture Round Bail Trail. The trails here are lovely, there is also an ice cream parlour, inflatables weather dependent, ride ons, a few animals and sand play! Open every day during half term. See our reel from a previous round bail trail! Book here

Ugly Bug Ball Trail at Hestercombe Gardens

Ugly Bug Ball Trail with activity sheet and prize. Interactive magnetic minibeasts, dress them ready for the ball! 25 May – 2 June Book tickets

May Flower Weekend at Sudeley Castle

A weekend of fun family activities, live music, and floral crafting workshops. Beautiful castle and gardens. 25-27 May. Book tickets

Unipiggle Rainbow Riddle Trail at Painswick Rococo Gardens

Unicorn pig trail around the gardens with puzzles to solve.Join Unipiggle and friends in unravelling the mystery of the dull rainbows that have lost their vibrant colours. 50p in addition to entry. 25 May – 2 June Book tickets

May Half Term at Bowood House & Gardens, Wiltshire

House and gardens with an amazing adventure play area! Extra activities on for half term. On 25 & 26 May expect puppet shows, face painting, activities, arts and crafts. From 25 May – 2 June pick up a Nature Explorers booklet and complete the activities around the grounds. Located around an hour east of Bristol, near Chippenham. See photos from our visit. Book tickets

The Merry Monarch and Knight School at Berkeley Castle

• The Merry Monarch – Living History Weekend with King Charles II, a 6 horse display, maypole dancing, and music 26 & 27 May

• Knight School – Learn sword fighting, watch the warrior show and see steel armour displays. For ages 5 – 12. £8 on top of admission requires pre-booking 28-29 May.

Passenger Takeover at SS Great Britain

During Malf half-term Victorian passengers will take over the SS Great Britain to bring the historic dockyard to life. Meet those who travelled on Brunel’s iconic ship and discover stories about what it was like on board from merchants and farmers to botanists and scoundrels. 25 May – 2 June Book tickets

Aerospace Bristol – Bristol Cars & Remote Control Car Racing

Try your hand at shaping a car body as well as racing a remote-controlled car alongside the last Concorde ever to fly. You’ll also have the chance to explore the craftsmanship of the iconic hand-built luxury cars and real Bristol Cars. Book here

Half Term Fun at Wookey Hole

Explore the caves, meet the witch of Wookey Hole, 4D cinema adventure, pirate themed adventure golf, soft play and a wild west circus show! There is also the “Magique Magic & Illusion Show” 29 May at 6pm which requires separate booking. Book tickets

Wildlife Wonders at Cheddar Gorge & Caves

Wildlife talks, how to sessions, help build a mega bug hotel, owl encounter 25 May, live bee hive display on 29 May & 1 June, arts and crafts. Book here

MShed Steam Train

MShed Steam Train Ride. Buy tickets on the day at the ticket office by the MShed platform. Single £3, Return £4.50. 25 – 27 May. More information here

Avon Gorge Cave Tour

A tour of the the Eastern (Clifton) side of the Avon Gorge, including caves, forts, tunnels and bunkers. Adults and children age 10+. 25 May Book tickets

Ashton Court Miniature Railway

Ashton Court Miniature Railway at Ashton Court 12-5PM 26 & 27 May.

Big Kids Toys Week at Haynes Motor Museum

The British Motor Show will be at the Museum with a selection of fun family activities. Outdoor car displays are back for half term 27 May – 2 June Book here

Mr Doodle! Museum Mayhem at The Holburne Museum

New art show from Mr Doodle! Doodle and Draw Trail for kids and creative area next to the cafe. See our reel for what to expect! Book tickets

A Roman Writing Tablet at Roman Baths

• Closer to History Spring event with costumed characters, activity trail, children’s audio guide until 31 May
• Half-term activity Make a Roman writing tablet from plasticine and card 27 – 31 May Book tickets

Toulouse-Lautrec and the Masters of Montmartre at Victoria Art Gallery, Bath

New art exhibition with a family trail, and family crafts 10.30-2pm on 28-31 May inspired by the famour ‘Chat Noir’! Book tickets

UPFEST PRESENTS

17 day street art festival 17 May – 2 June. 75 murals will be painted across Southville, as well as workshops (lots for kids including lego printing, collage art, printmaking, POSCA character drawing, cardboard animals and more!), artists panels, comedy, theatre, street art tours. See what’s on

Festival of Nature

A celebration of the natural world with lots of free events 1-9 June! We enjoyed the Wild Weekend in Millenium Square last year. Take a look at the programme, some events need booking See what’s on

Bristol Old Vic “Birthday Family Day”

Birthday Family Day at Bristol Old Vic 11-3PM 30 May. Crafts, trails, workshops and more. Free but workshops can be booked in advance

Children’s Scrapstore

Various craft workshops available over half term. Book here

Play Time: A Woodland Wonder at The Egg

Play-along theatre adventures for 2-6 year olds and their grownups Book here

Kingfisher Forest School

Half Term Specials (Ages 1-7) – Teddy Bears Picnic 26 May & The Very Hungry Caterpillar 1 Jun Book here

Big Nature Play Day with Nature Makers

31 May Book tickets

Kids’ Pottery Workshop at American Museum and Gardens

Kids’ Pottery Sessions – admission required to the museum. Book here

Jungle Themed Craft Day at Emersons Green Village Hall 29 May

Book tickets

Theatre in the Garden at Redcatch Community Garden

Book tickets

Zion Bristol

• Free Board Game Day 28 May
• Lego Competition 29 May
• Pirate themed family theatre 30 May
• Slime sessions 30 May Booking details
• Pirate musical adventure 31 May
• Book tickets

Crafts at Whitehall Garden Centre, Lacock

• Children’s Miniature Chelsea Garden Making 27-31 May
• Children’s Butterfly House Making & Decorating 1-2 June
• Book tickets

Clay at Create

Pottery Holiday Workshops for Children aged 7-16. 29-30 May Book tickets

Lush Cribbs Causeway Party Workshops

Make a limited edition bath bomb and play party games in store 25-26 May Book tickets

Adult and Child Bagels and Butter at The Little Kitchen

Make your very own flavoured bagels and fresh butter together! Age 6+. 30 May Book tickets There is also a children’s holiday cookery club (drop-off) 29 May more details

Hamilton at Bristol Hippodrome

Age recommendation: 10+ and under 16s need to be accompanied by an adult Book tickets

Hags: A Magical Extravaganza at Tobacco Factory Theatres

24-25 May (Age 11+) Book tickets

Andy and the Oddsocks and Party Peeps at Good Times Yate

See Andy and the Odd Socks at Yate Town Football Club 26 May Book tickets

A Strange New Space at The Wardrobe Theatre

26-28 May (Age 4+ and their families) Book tickets

The Great Stink at The Egg

27-28 May (Age 7+) Book tickets

Minny Stynker at Tobacco Factory Theatres

29 May – 1 June (Age 3+) Book tickets

Shelf: The Kids’ Show at The Wardrobe Theatre

29 May (Age 3+) Book tickets

Les Miserables School Edition at The Redgrave Theatre

29 May – 1 June (Age recommendation: Family, under 18s accompanied by an adult) Book tickets

Skydiver at The Egg

30-31 May (Age 3+) Book tickets

Forest Fairy by Tidal Tales Collective

• The Community Farm 31 May Book tickets
• Heart of BS13 1 June
• Trinity Centre 2 June
• Bath City Farm 8 June Book tickets

Ages 3+ Book tickets

Wonderland at The Egg

1-2 June (Ages 6 months – 3 yrs) Book tickets

Alice in Wonderland Outdoor Theatre at Dyrham Park

1 June 6.30pm Book tickets

Royal Bath and West Show

Action packed rural themed family day out 30 May-1 Jun in Shepton Mallet. Lots of activities, entertainment and demosntrations. Book here

Inflatable Theme Park

Inflatable Theme Park at Gatcombe Farm Shop, Long Ashton. 25 May – 2 Jun. More information here

The Wave

Free family fun activity – Plant a sunflower seed in a compostable coffee cup and take it home! Also has a play park, table tennis, boules, skate ramp, and surf lessons/Play in the Bay/Little Ripper sessions if you fancy getting in the water! Book here

Party Peeps On The Pier

Family Rave at The Grand Pier, WSM 31 May Book tickets

Community Farmer Day at The Community Farm

Free Family friendly farmer day in Chew Valley 25 May & 1 June Book tichttps://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-community-farm-3065992760kets

Wheelie Good Time

Wheel themed playgroup in Frenchay 25 May & Longwell Green 28 May Book tickets