Things to Do At May Half Term 2026
Image Credit: Ilona
May Half Term in 2026 falls between Monday 25th May 2026 and Friday 29th May 2026.
Hopefully by now there is some good weather to look forward to in the UK, so when the kids have a week off from school, you are going to need some ideas for things to do!
School holidays may vary so always double check your children's school holiday dates before booking anything. You can check out UK school holiday dates here.
So here is a whole lot of ideas of places to go and things to do during the May Half Term holiday.
Events and Places To Go in May Half Term 2026
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Family events happening across the whole of the UK during the school May Half Term holidays this year.
- Get Down On The Farm
- National Trust
- Seems A Bit Fishy..
See the life aquatic at one of the best aquariums in the UK see anything from fish to sharks, seals and otters. There are locations across the UK.
As well as experiencing Britain's amazing sea creatures you can learn about the underwater realms around the world.
Image Credit: Ariana Prestes
The UK has a wonderful abundance of Farm Parks - places where you can get up close with animals. You can feed chickens or baby lambs, stroke sheep or goats or even pet rabbits.
Animal lovers will have a brilliant time at one of the UK's Top Farm Parks, whether you love sheep and goats, cows, horses, chickens and rabbits. Some places include more exotic animals such as llamas and meerkats.
The National Trust properties across the UK will be holding events over Half Term, so check out your local venus for events, including lots of way to tick items off your 50 things to do before you're 11 ¾ list.
There are events that are happening across the UK, then you can find out what is happening where you live.
- May Half Term Events in England
- May Half Term Events in Scotland
- May Half Term Events In Wales
- May Half Term Events in Northern Ireland
May Half Term Holiday Events In England
Family events happening across England during the school May Half Term holidays this year.
- For real life?! Bluey is at at Alton Towers!
Image Credit: Merlin
Join Bluey and Bingo on Bluey the Ride: Here Come the Grannies!, the world’s first Bluey junior coaster, and watch your little ones light up as they experience their very first coaster moments.
Explore the UK’s only CBeebies Land, packed with rides, shows, and playful surprises designed just for them. Whether you're after pure adrenalin-pumping experiences or family fun, there is something for kids of all ages this May Half Term.
For older kids try the incredible selection of mind-bending, pulse-pounding rollercoasters, like Wicker Man, Oblivion and The Smiler. Or venture into Forbidden Valley to encounter a fearsome creature, fury heightened and more uncontrollable than ever before… Nemesis Reborn
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Lloyd of the Flies at the Eden Project
In Cornwall the Eden Project have got lots planned May Half Term for a fantastic family fun event from 23rd – 31st May full of microscopic fun.
This May, Eden will burst into miniature mayhem as Aardman’s hit animated series Lloyd of the Flies takes over the gardens and Biomes with a fun-packed programme for the whole family.
Tiny creatures, huge adventures in a week of interactive trails, hands-on encounters and larger than life mini-beasts.
- Drench Towers and Splash Safari re-opening at LEGOLAND Windsor
Image Credit: Merlin
Pack swimsuits for the children as they're guaranteed to get wet at Drench Towers and Splash Safari - LEGOLAND's water play area where toddlers can safely splash around amongst a menagerie of DUPLO® themed animal friends – from lions and giraffes, to zebras and elephants - and a range of interactive water features.
High at the top of the Valley sits Drench Towers - the largest water play structure in the UK especially designed for maximum soaking. Older kids will love dodging the oversized tipping brick and whizzing down the splashtastic water slides.
- The Manchester Flower Festival
- Viking Raiders at Warwick Castle
- Wallace & Gromit at Young V&A
Young V&A in Bethnal Green has an exciting exhibition this year about the legends that are Wallace & Gromit and Friends.
In Aardman’s 50th anniversary year, peek behind the scenes of your favourite stop-motion animations and find out how Aardman brings clay to life. Visit Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep and Morph as many times as you like with your exhibition pass.
Go behind the scenes of stop-motion animation and explore how Aardman’s iconic characters and worlds are brought to life.
It runs until 15th November 2026.
- Wonderlab: The Bramall Gallery
Head down to the National Railway Museum this May to try out Wonderlab: The Bramall Gallery, an unmissable new interactive experience for families - where nothing is off limits.
Play your way through 18 hands-on challenges and fuel their curiosity with amazing live experiments.
Test your engineering skills as you step into the human wind tunnel, launch a rocket, and build big—then immerse yourself in an explosive live show to reveal the science behind the fun. They also have a full programme of May Half Term events.
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons at SEALiFE Birmingham!
The Manchester Flower Festival is a fantastic FREE event all over Manchester City Centre with floral installations, outdoor dining, live music and entertainment, you’re in for a bloomin’ amazing long bank holiday weekend from 23rd to 25th May 2026.
Follow the Floral Trail with tributes to Manchester's finest Icons, From floral installations to outdoor dining, live music and entertainment, you’re in for a bloomin’ amazing long weekend in Manchester city centre.
Free and open to all, come along and see Manchester in flowers.
Image Credit: Merlin
Get ready to choose your side as the story of Æthelflæd, daughter of Alfred the Great, unfolds in an epic tale of invasion, battle and bravery at Warwick Castle this May Half Term.
A royal celebration is torn apart as Vikings ride into battle on horseback and launch a fierce attack, unleashing conflict and a fight for survival. Watch as Æthelflæd rises to lead, proving her strength as England’s First Warrior Queen in the face of war.
Set against the backdrop of the castle and packed with explosive stunt action, epic fight scenes, fire, powerful horse action and stunt riding, Viking Raiders is a high-energy, action-packed experience you won’t want to miss.
Viking Raiders opens 23rd May until 17th July 2026.
Image Credit: Sealife
One of Birmingham's most stunning attractions is the amazing undersea world of SEA LIFE Birmingham which can be found in the heart of Birmingham in Brindleyplace, on the Water's Edge.
From 23rd May to 11th June 2026, you can find out just how AMAZING turtles are!
The journey of a turtle's life is truly incredible. The places they go, the animals they meet – both friendly and not so friendly! The skills they have, how far they swim, the dangers they face, the things they eat (And that eat them – EEK!)
Learn How Turtles have evolved throughout time, the tasty treats that Turtles love to eat, the different stages of a turtle’s life and the threats that Turtles face everyday
If you book online in advance you can get big savings at all the SEALIFE's aquariums across the UK including London, Brighton, Cumbria, Birmingham, Manchester, Loch Lomand and Weymouth.
May Half Term Holiday Events In Scotland
Family events happening across Scotland during the school May Half Term holidays this year.
- Edinburgh International Children’s Festival
The Edinburgh International Children’s Festival takes place over May Half Term and celebrates the best of children’s theatre and dance from around the world.
From 30th May to 7th June 2026 there is a full programme of performances, activities and pop-up events that are dedicated to entertaining and engaging children from toddlers to teenagers at locations across Edinburgh.
May Half Term Holiday Events In Wales
Family events happening across Wales during the school May Half Term holidays this year.
- Hay Festival Hay-on-Wye
- Meet The Gruffalo In Llanarthne
- Fairbourne Railway
Image Credit: Chris Athanasiou
The Hay Festival is one of the UK's biggest and most prestigious literary festivals in the UK, and they have a huge programme of bookish events for children and families.
The program for 2026 will be announced in March.
The festival runs in Hay-on-Wye on the Welsh border from 21st to 31st May 2026.
Image Credit: NBGW
This May half term kids can week of spring-themed fun at BeeWild Club at the National Botanic Garden of Wales in Llanarthne Carmarthenshire.
Create your own blossom crown ready for a Garden adventure, and let your imagination take flight by making bright and beautiful butterflies in this cheerful craft session full of springtime fun. These sessions are included with your admission to the garden.
You can also visit the Gruffalo Trail which features five larger-than-life sculptures of characters from the ever-popular books created by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler: Mouse, Fox, Owl, Snake and the Gruffalo.
Fairbourne Railway is a little hidden gem in North Wales, running from Fairbourne village to the mouth of the Mawddach Estuary, connecting with the ferry to Barmouth for over 100 years.
Accompanied children go for just £1!
They also have a miniature railway where from May 23rd to 25th they have a Steam and Diesel Gala, with model railways and miniature train rides.
May Half Term Holiday Events In Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland does not typically have a full week's half term holiday, rather they only have the late spring bank holiday on the last Monday in May.
So there are few family events happening across Northern Ireland at this time, but here are a few ideas of events happening in late May for those visiting Northern Ireland.
- WWT Castle Espie in County Down has fun for all the family, where you can fill your spring with the sights, sounds and sensations of nature, plusr there is a fabulous kids adventure play area.
- Under the Hawthorn Tree is a powerful story of hardship, loss and survival. This exhibition brings to life Marita Conlon-McKenna's much-loved children's novel at Ulster American Folk Park, and the exhibition runs until February 2027.
- Sea Bangor is a free, family-friendly maritime festival celebrating the rich coastal heritage of the city of Bangor. Taking place along the seafront 23rd-24th May, the event offers a packed programme of nautical-themed activities both on and off the water, along with live entertainment, music, and delicious local food.
- Peppa Pig's Big Family Show visits the Grand Opera House in Belfast 29th-30 May 2026. Oinktastic!
If you need some more ideas, here are best things to do in Northern Ireland all year round.
Staying Indoors
If the weather is bad or you just fancy a cosy day at home, here are some more ideas.
- Make your own homemade playdough from ingredients that you will already have stored in the kitchen.
- Don't let the kids brains get rusty over half term with our free printable Wordsearches and Anagrams.
- Try some retro fun and teach the kids to make a pillow fort.
- Teach the kids a useful skill that you will have for life with our 7 Tips for Teaching Kids to Knit (or find a crafty friend who can help) then get the kids knitting.
- Catch up on some classic kids books with these 20 Children's Classics that You Can Download for FREE Now. Everything from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Treasure island to Heidi, The Jungle Book and Little Women.
- I can hear the groans from here, but some kids may just have some revision to do.....
Plan out your half term week with our FREE printable School Half Term Holiday Planner which is free to download and print off in PDF format.