How to Keep the Kids Happy this Half Term

       

If you’re on the look out for child-friendly activities to keep the kids happy this May half term school holidays, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve rounded up the best special events and nationwide diary dates to keep the little ones in good spirits for the break. With kids’ afternoon tea activities and outdoors pursuits, there’s something for everyone… 

Things to Do this May Half Term

May Half Term Kids Events in London

LONDON: The Tiger Who Came To Afternoon Tea at The Savoy

One not to miss – The Savoy’s very first children’s afternoon tea is sure to be spectacular. As part of the 50th Anniversary Celebrations of Judith Kerr’s treasured classic, the iconic picture book will be the inspiration for a feast of teatime treats such as those that Sophie and her mummy shared with the visiting Tiger.

HOW?The Tiger Who Came to Tea at The Savoy will be priced from £40 per child aged from five to 12 years old and will comprise sandwiches, tiger striped scones and pastries and more. fairmont.com/savoy-london

LONDON: Mary Quant at the V&A

Inspire budding fashion designers with a walk around the Mary Quant exhibition, which tells the story of one of England’s most influential fashion designers. The V&A has curated the first international retrospective of iconic British designer Mary Quant in almost 50 years, with over 200 garments and accessories including unseen pieces from her archive, and interactive elements of the display, which will hold the attention of older children. The exhibition explores the years between 1955 and 1975 in which Quant launched a fashion revolution on the British high street. Read more about the Mary Quant exhibition in our guide.

HOW? vam.ac.uk

Easter School Holidays Events in the Country

KENT: Dreamland, Margate

This half term will see a week of nautical fun at Dreamland Margate, with highlights including Ozzy the Octopus, a hoola-hooping mermaid and pirates, nautical face-painting and a special Octonauts event. There will also be a Baby Shark and Pink Fong stage show on Friday 31 May and a screening of The Little Mermaid on Sunday 2 June.

HOW? Dreamland is free to enter, and guests can pay per ride but are advised to buy ride wristbands in advance to save 25% online on the normal day price. Dreamland Members ride for free and also benefit from numerous discounts and offers across the park (annual memberships start from £50). dreamland.co.uk

HAMPSHIRE: Mary Rose Shipwreck Explorers

This half term the Mary Rose launches a shipwreck experience to re-live the ship’s miraculous story with a new interactive trail for families. Guests will be equipped with a map and clues and can then join the trail to learn how the shipwreck was found, excavated and salvaged, as well as learning what life would have been like onboard.

HOW? ‘Shipwreck Explorers’ is free with a valid Mary Rose tickets and those who complete the trail will be rewarded with a memento of their success and be able to join the Mary Rose’s new ‘Shipwreck Explorer Club’. 24 May – 2 June | maryrose.org

CORNWALL: Eden Project

If you’ve never been, May is the perfect time for a visit to The Eden Project. An absolute must-visit for nature-lovers young and old, you can spend a whole whatever-the-weather day exploring the best inland attraction in the county. An educational charity, The Eden Project’s visitor destination is a mixture of indoor and outdoor plant havens, nestled in a giant crater. The two enormous biomes hold a living rainforest and Mediterranean paradise of plant and animal life that kids of all ages will enjoy exploring, thanks to the educational stations dotted throughout, plus daily activity schedule from expert talks to story telling sessions. There are various outdoor play stations for them to burn off some energy, while the indoor weather maker in the rainforest biome is a firm favourite, where you can walk through the clouds on a canopy bridge. Find more Cornwall ideas in our Cornwall for Kids guide.

HOW?Adult tickets from £26. edenproject.com

KENT: Port Lympne

A must-visit for animal-lovers; this Kent-based conservation charity is not your average UK wildlife experience. Whether you opt for a day visit or a short stay, you’ll come face to face with big cats, gorillas, giraffes and many more. If you really want to push the boat out, (and blow their minds in the process) book in for a stay at Tiger Lodge, where tigers play right outside your (very sturdy) windows.

HOW? aspinallfoundation.org/port-lympne

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