With the May Half Term holiday about to start in the UK, we thought we would compile our favourite “things to do near me with kids” list. From countryside walks to magical experiences, and even a Hoedown in Huddersfield, we have got you covered with a variety of family fun days out for you and your little ones!

Whether your little ones prefer outdoorsy adventures, solving puzzles, or exploring a science museum, we have an array of things to do near me with kids this May Half Term 2024.

So here is our “things to do near me with kids” complete list:

Fairies and Dragons Trail - Beaulieu

For the first time, Beaulieu introduces a Fairy and Dragon trail to their beautiful Mill Pond walk which promises to be an enchanted day out for all the family!

Starting on 18th May until 30th June, head to the tranquil village of Beaulieu to embark on an enchanted adventure, spotting woven willow sculptures of fairies, dragons, and other mythical creatures.

To keep little ones entertained, you can also purchase an Enchanted Activity Book at Beaulieu which is full of fun activities including drawing, word searches, and spot-the-difference challenges.

After exploring Beaulieu, you can drive the 15min journey to Lymington and visit our little Dotty Dungarees shop! We will be open every day during half term including the Bank Holiday Monday. Try on our Spring/Summer collections including our range of adult dungarees for you too!

For more information about Lymington and where to eat, check out our blog post: Easter Activities for Kids.

We think this will be one of the most chilled “things to do near me with kids” event this May half term.

Families Guided Village Walk - Jane Austen’s House, Chawton

With the weather brightening up, why not take a walk in Jane Austen’s shoes, literally! Calling all lovers of literature, Jane Austen’s House has organised a relaxed walk through the village where Jane Austen lived and wrote her well-known classic novels.

Aimed at families with children aged 8+, the walk will be led by Austen enthusiasts, who will share stories, and games, and initiate activities to let you into the world of Jane Austen.

After the walk, there will be squash and biscuits, (and tea for grown-ups), to enjoy and share your love of literature.

Making a day of it? Cassandra’s Cup is a quaint tea room situated close by, where you can enjoy a cream tea, light snacks, or a hearty home meal.

The walk takes place on Tuesday 28th May at 10am. We think this will be one of the most relaxed “things to do near me with kids” on a sunny day!

Mysteries and Mayhem - Winchester Science Centre

Another of our favourite things to do near me with kids is the Mysteries and Mayhem event at Winchester Science Centre.

For a more action-packed day full of hands-on experiences, live theatre, and plenty to explore, head to the Winchester Science Centre for their Mysteries and Mayhem event.

Running from 11th May - 3rd June, the event will include access to the usual Science Centre fun plus a live Science show, two floors of hands-on experiences, Forensics Hide and Seek, huge demos in their Science Live, and nature adventures in Bio:Space. There will be many opportunities for little ones to play detective, uncover clues, and solve mysteries!

We think this will be one of the most exciting “things to do near me with kids” this half term. It is also perfect for any rainy days!

Festival of Imagination - Eden Project, Cornwall

The Festival of Imagination at Eden Project in Cornwall is a celebration of art, music, literature, and design. With lots of exciting activities to choose from, this promises to be a fun day for all the family!

Try your hand at filmmaking with the Blockbuster Factory where you can be part of the filmmaking process. Whether you prefer to be on-screen, join the backstage crew as a makeup artist, or be part of the camera crew, there are a variety of roles your little ones and you can try out.

For a quieter experience, there will be daily storytelling from famous children’s authors and illustrators. Enjoy the peacefulness of the reading nook where your little ones can create at their own pace with colouring sheets and children’s books.

Don’t miss out on the daily puppet show which will include live African drumming, dance and acrobatic performances, as well as the chance to have a go yourself in their Drumming Workshop!

There is also a Game Lounge to enjoy and Creative Computing experiences for your tech-advanced little ones.

This is definitely one of our most creative “things to do near me with kids” event this May half term. 

The Library of Enchantment - Manchester

Looking for action-packed things to do near me with kids? The Library of Enchantment in Manchester is certainly that! A family-friendly escape room, this event promises to be one of adventure for energetic and puzzle-solving kids.

You are given one hour to escape by solving riddles, puzzles, and challenges in this family-fun adventure! But don’t worry, you also have a specially trained host to guide you through this maze of adventure.

This event is designed for families however children over 8 years old can participate without adult supervision. You will need between 3-8 people in your team. This will certainly be a great way to connect, build trust, and improve communication within your family whilst having lots of fun too!

The Paddington Experience, London

Newly opened, The Paddington Experience celebrates the famous London bear with an immersive adventure for all the family.

Explore the world of Paddington in his quest to prepare for the Marmalade Day Festival. The experience includes a fun train journey to the Brown’s house, exploring the Brown’s famous tree-adorned hallway, before being transported to the jungles of Peru! 

After an action-packed day exploring the world of Paddington, join the party at the Marmalade Day Festival and indulge in Paddington’s beloved marmalade sandwich.

The Paddington Experience wouldn’t be complete without a gift shop! After the event, head to Mr Gruber’s shop to treat yourself to a little memento from the day.

We think this is one of the most fun “things to do near me with kids” in London for Paddington fans!

School’s Out Skate All Afternoon - Birmingham

For any avid rollerskaters, this event is for you!

Roller Jam in Digbeth, Birmingham is putting on a rollerskating afternoon for all the family. Whether you prefer quad skating, inline skates, or have never skated before! Roller Jam welcomes all the family to a fun rollerskating disco this May half term.

The event runs throughout the half term from 11am until 6pm and is suitable for all children over the age of 3 years old.

This is one of our favourite things to do near me with kids in the Midlands. 

Hoedown at Whistlestop Valley - Huddersfield

From Tuesday 28th May until Friday 31st May 2024, join the team at Whistlestop Valley for a Half Term Hoedown. Cowboy hats are optional but highly recommended!

The event includes face painting, barn dances, cowboy games, hobby horse racing, and line dancing (Wed - Fri). 

To attend, simply book their Big Adventure tickets which allow access to all of the activities at Whistlestop Valley including train rides, crazy golf, and pedal cars.

This will definitely be one of those “things to do near me with kids” to remember this May half term holiday! 

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Many thanks to Day Out with the Kids, Visit Hampshire, Visit the New Forest, and Yorkshire Tots to Teens blog posts for all these great things to do near me with kids.

Looking for something to do on Bank Holiday Monday? Check out our blog post, Bank Holiday Events for the Whole Family. 

Make sure to tag us in all your half term adventures @dottydungarees on Instagram. We love seeing all of your Dotty stylings out and about.