27 fantastic family days out for this May 2022 half term

Celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in style with a visit to the all-new Zoobilee at Whipsnade Zoo. Make the most of the extended holidays this May half term. Packed with family-friendly activities including crafts and animal talks, the whole family will enjoy a day of celebration – not to mention discovering over 9,500 animals!
When: 28 May-5 Jun 22
Where: Zoobilee at Whipsnade Zoo, Whipsnade, Dunstable LU6 2LF

Buzz around the parkland at Charlecote Park in Warwickshire as you explore the outdoors through the eyes of a bee on a family-friendly activity trail over May half term. Find blooms around each corner and collect the flower petals to complete the trail. Why not have a go a the Bee Drive games too.
When: 28 May-4 Jun 22
Where: Charlecote Park, Wellesbourne, Warwick CV35 9ER

What makes a truly great Queen? Head to Leeds Castle this May half term as our six famous queens of Leeds Castle are brought to life in a fast-paced, story-led show of crusaders, romantics, rebels and custard tarts! Twice a day between 11am and 4pm, you can see the show on the Pavilion Lawn; expect music, singing, dancing and of course, a lot of audience interaction. Then try a Medieval Jubilee Quest! Hunt for four storytellers to find the answers to your quest; each storyteller will share their stories as you listen for the answer. One will lead you onto the next, until you’ve completed the quest.
When: 2-5 Jun 22
Where: Leeds Castle, Broomfield, Maidstone ME17 1PL

Get ready for a right royal knees-up at our Kids Rule events this May half-term. Join us in the grounds of Scarborough Castle to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with historic performers, hands-on activities and fresh-air family fun.
When: 28 May-5 Jun 22
Where: Scarborough Castle, Castle Road, Scarborough YO11 1HY

There are plenty of other family-friendly Platinum Jubilee events taking place across the UK, check out those in your area

Create a buzz this summer half-term at RHS Garden Rosemoor, and learn how to encourage these fantastic pollinators into your garden. There will be a garden trail, daily activities and interactive performances to help you discover more about our garden visitors.
When: 28 May-5 Jun 22
Where: RHS Garden Bridgewater, Occupation Road, Worsley, Manchester M28 2LJ

There are Power of Superbees half term events across the RHS sites, including RHS Hyde Hall, RHS Wisley, RHS Harlow Carr, Rosemoor,

There’s fun on tap for all the family at Hop Farm in Kent this half term. As well as meeting all the gorgeous animals, kids can also explore the outdoor adventure play area, fairground rides, giant jumping pillows and the driving school. If you don’t think you can pack it all into one day, there’s even a campsite to turn your visit into a mini break. 
When: 28 May-5 Jun 22
Where: The Hop Farm Family Park, Paddock Wood, Tonbridge, Kent, TN12 6PY 

Love visiting farms? Here are our recommendations for the UK's top adventure farm parks

Explore the Nature Corner at Audley End Railway this May half term as part of Wildlife Week. There’ll be bug hotels, wormeries, bird boxes, ant houses and more. You can learn about all the little critters that live at Audley End and their unique places in nature. It makes for a fab day out that includes the 1.5mile train ride into the woods, the Elf and Fairy Walk, and a chance to explore the adventure play area.
When: 28 May-5 Jun 22
Where: Audley End Miniature Railway, Audley End Road, Audley End, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 4JB

See Mouse, Fox, Owl, Snake and even, glup(!) The Gruffalo himself live on stage in London this May half term. Join Mouse on a daring adventure through the deep, dark wood in Tall Stories' magical, musical adaptation of the classic picture book at artsdepot. This popular theatre show features songs, laughs and monstrous fun for children aged 3 and up and their grown-ups.
When: 28 May-1 Jun 22
Where: artsdepot, 5 Nether St, London N12 0GA

Do you love all things Gruffalo? Then check out our guide to where to hunt Gruffalos around the UK

Head to the great outdoors this May half term with an exciting, family-friendly trail around the gardens at Standen House. Make the most of the warmer weather and see what you can spot around the Standen garden. The trail costs £3 per child and includes a small prize at the end.
When: 28 May-5 Jun 22
Where: Standen House and Garden, West Hoathly Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 4NE

Visit a thrilling new interactive exhibition exploring the world of science within the universe of Doctor Who lands in Liverpool this May half term. From epic monsters to costumes and props, science is brought to life as the World Museum explores some of the Doctor’s many adventures and encounters through space and time. This exhibition gives you the chance to see original artefacts, sets and much more. It's a must-see for any fan of Doctor Who and science enthusiasts too.
When: 27 May-30 Oct 22
Where: World Museum, William Brown Street, Liverpool L3 8EN

Calling all Whovians! Here are our recommendations for top Doctor Who days out

Perfect for Horrible History fans, there's a gruesome trail on offer at Sutton Hoo this May half term. Travel back in time with a tour guide who reveals the more sinister secrets of Sutton Hoo's Royal Burial Ground on this fun tour. Please be aware that places are limited so arriving early to avoid disappointment!
When: 14, 15, 22 May and 1, 2, 4, 5 Jun 22
Where: Tranmer House, Sutton Hoo, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 3DJ

The Vikings return to York for a brilliant festival of family fun in May half term. There'll be five days of living history, hands-on fun, craft workshops and other activities: put your whiskers to the test in the Best Beard Competition; stand back and enjoy the Strongest Viking competition; and cheer on teams in the JORVIK Games in challenges of strength, endurance, cunning and wit. The Vikings will also muster their fearsome armies with the March to Coppergate through the city centre.  
When: 28 May-1 Jun 22
Where: JORVIK Viking Centre,19 Coppergate, York YO1 9WT

This May half term, try out some of the 50 things to do before you're 11 3/4 at Hare Hill in Cheshire and enjoy playing in the natural play area before heading to the Walled Garden for a picnic. You could build a den; make some wild art; climb a tree; set up a snail race; try cloud watching and more...
When: 28 May-5 Jun 22
Where: Hare Hill, Over Alderley, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK10 4PY

Tiptoe around a family-friendly trail and meet dinosaurs, wild animals and more at Totally Roarsome in Coventry this May half term. A fab day out for the whole family, with a quiz, special surprises and simply loads of instagram appeal.
When: From 28 May 22
Where: Totally Roarsome, Heart of England Events Centre, Meriden Road, Fillongley, Coventry, CV7 8DX

Love dinosaurs? Here are our top recommendations for dino-tastic days out in the UK

Head to Little Moreton Hall in half term to learn more about life in Tudor times. Families can follow a fabulous, fun 'four humours trail' to find out how to keep healthy Tudor-style! You can also see how the Moreton family would have laid out a feast and celebrated the reign of Elizabeth I.
When: 28 May-5 Jun 22
Where: Little Moreton Hall, Newcastle Road, Congleton CW12 4SD

Join Quantum Theatre for a wonderful, outdoor theatrical treat this May half term. This charming new adaptation of the much-loved Beatrix Potter Tales comes to the Royal Observatory Gardens in Greenwich. Peter and his naughty cousin Benjamin know not to go into Mr McGregor’s garden, but they cannot resist and soon find themselves in all sorts of scrapes; caught In a net, trapped by a cat; and face to face with Mr McGregor himself! How will they ever escape? Can Old Mr Bunny come to the rescue? And what will Mr McGregor make of all those footprints in the flower beds? Grab the kids, a blanket and a picnic and join Peter and Benjamin on their hair-raising adventures.
When: 1-4 Jun
Where: The Old Royal Observatory Garden, Greenwich Park, The Avenue, London SE10 8QY

This show tours the UK over the rest of the summer. Are you a big Peter Rabbit fan? Check out our recommendations for enjoying other Peter Rabbit-themed days out here.

A simple twist of 'fete' whisks you into a whirlwind adventure at Tatto Park Gardens this half term, where you'll encounter a host of jubilant merrymakers' intent on a regal celebration. This is no ordinary Garden Party! Forest fun with a mythical outlaw, potty tea-time with the Mad Hatter and musical mayhem in Ancient Greece! And - bring your own royal feast (and picnic rug) to enjoy in the festive woodland glade to celebrate our Queens jubilee. In this Rusticus Adventure, you are the hero of the story! This interactive story walk will take you to some of the gardens historic beauty spots, including the Tower Garden, Pine forest paths and Choragic monument.
When: 28 May-5 Jun 22
Where: Tatton Park Gardens, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 6SG

There are more than 30 family-friendly events taking place at this year's Brighton Fringe, so you're bound to find something that'll suit your kids. There's bubble shows; science displays, kid-friendly stand-up comedy; puppet theatres; circus acts; storytelling and more.
When: 6 May-5 Jun 22
Where: various venues across Brighton

Join the cool Burger Palace Boys and the Pink Ladies as they navigate the trials and tribulations of their senior year at Rydell High in this new stage version of the ever-popular Grease The Musical. With choreography by Arlene Phillips, this is a show packed with great songs and oodles of fun, guaranteed to get your preteens 'hopelessly devoted' to stage musicals!
When: 3 May-29 Oct 22
Where: Dominion Theatre, 268-269 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 7AQ

Love musicals? Here's our recommendations for the best stage musicals for kids

If your kids would love to see a live tank display, then Dorset’s Tank Museum is the place to be this May half term. Alongside the special family-friendly activities, and the all-new World War II exhibition, you can see tanks in live action displays from 28 May to 5 June. Visit on 5 June, and you can also indulge in a pop-up food market.
When: 28 May-5 Jun 22
Where: The Tank Museum, Bovington, Dorset, BH20 6JG

At The 100 Story Hotel there are all sorts of guests; lions and tigers, dinosaurs and bears. Some sausage dogs are having a party on the hotel beach.  There’s just one problem – the hotel is usually full of 100 amazing stories, but one story has just gone missing! Can you follow the clues and track down the missing tale? Created with bestselling author and illustrator Rob Biddulph, this immersive world of play and storytelling has something for everyone aged 0-8 and their families.
When: Open now
Where: Discover Children's Story Centre, 383-387 High Street, London E15 4QZ 

After the success of last year's Zog quest activity trail, everyone's favourite dragon is back at Warwick Castle with a new, permanent playground. Inspired by Zog and the Flying Doctors, Zog Playland features colourful dragons, dragon wing zip wires, crawl tunnels, rope swings, Princess Pearl's Tower, and dragon slides, as well as places to build pretend fires to keep the Lion’s cave warm and shop at a market stall for young budding doctors... The Zog and the Quest for the Golden Star trail is also back at Warwick Castle for a second season.
When: Open now
Where: Warwick Castle, Warwick CV34 4QU

The brand new Children’s Country House is being created with, for and by children. This exciting project aims to engage children with the National Trust collections, with stories and with history by providing a playful, heritage day out where kids can use their natural curiosity to safely explore the property without barriers. We can't wait to explore this one!
When: From 7 May 22
Where: The Children's Country House, Sudbury Hall and the National Trust Museum of Childhood, Main Road, Sudbury, Ashbourne, Derbyshire, DE6 5HT

Do you love National Trust properties and gardens? Here are our recommendations for the best NT places for families

Tower of London Superbloom will be a colourful, vibrant field of flowers celebrating the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen at the Tower of London. An exciting feature of Superbloom will be a fun, family-friendly slide into the moat. On arrival, you can slide down into the moat from one of four lanes and follow the route through the display. The Superbloom slide, repurposed from an original at Cliveden House, will have planters running alongside to compliment the vibrant field of flowers below. A specially commissioned sound installation and sculptural elements will draw you in and make you feel at home among the bees and butterflies.
When: 1 Jun-18 Sep 22
Where: Tower of London, London EC3N 4AB

Like its older sibling in Epsom, the brand new Hobbledown in Hounslow offers a unique combination of beautiful animals, amazing imaginary characters, super splash zones, innovative indoor soft play, challenging adventure playgrounds and storytelling by the bucketload. We love Hobbledown in Epsom; we can't wait to meet its newer sibling this June.
When: From 1 Jun
Where: Hobbledown West London, Staines Road, Hounslow, TW4 5DS

Exciting news at Crealy Theme Park and Resort in Exeter this spring, as Sooty comes to play! Sootyland features four new rides, 15 new attractions, daily theatre performances of the Sooty Show and much, much more ...
When: From 28 May 22
Where: Sootyland at Crealy Theme Park and Resort, Sidmouth Road, Clyst St Mary, Exeter EX5 1DR

Head to Pensthorpe Nature Reserve this May half-term for lots of flora, fauna and fun, celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. There's an exciting trail around the park where you can discover nature's own royalty, and treat yourself to scrumptious tea-party themed treats in the cafe. Families can also take part in lots of fun, free activities including pond dipping, and arts and crafts; making jubilee flags or nature crowns.
When: 28 May-5 Jun 22
Where: Pensthorpe Natural Park, Pensthorpe Road, Fakenham NR21 0LN