There’s always something great to do in York with kids, and no more so than this May half term. Enjoy circus fun at Piglets Adventure Farm, meet the Romans at the Eboracum Roman Festival or fly a kite at Scarborough Castle’s Kite Festival. Here’s our pick of the best things coming up in and around York this May half term.
There are new animals to meet at Beetle Bank Farm this May half term, as well as all the old favourites: say hello to the pygmy hedgehogs, goats, ponies and more. There’s adventure to be had, too, with the adventure playground, sand pit, ride-ons and inflatables. Pack a picnic or enjoy a meal or snack
Beetle Bank Open Farm Moor Lane, Murton, York YO19 5XD
Open daily, 9.30am/10am - 5pm (summer opening)
Family of four £22/family of five £26
Explore the fine line between science, religion and magic in medieval society at Barley Hall. Explore the role of magic in the everyday lives of people living in the Middle Ages and learn about the individuals pronounced as witches and wizards, the ‘science’ of magic, alchemy and experimentation and find out more about protective charms
2 Coffee Yard, York YO1 8AR
Open daily, 10am to 5pm
Take a step back in time this bank holiday weekend at Murton Park to see what it was like living in the Wild West and as Viking!
Yorkshire Museum of Farming Murton, York, YO19 5UF
25th to 27th May 2019, 10am to 4.30pm
Roll up, roll up to the big top tent and be wowed by the amazing Fatt Matt! With death-defying stunts, upside down juggling and amazing acrobatics, it’s jaw-dropping entertainment every day over half term at Piglets Adventure Farm. That’s as well as the usual Piglets fun, including tractor rides, bouncy pillows, big sandpit and indoor
Piglets Adventure Farm, Towthorpe Grange Towthorpe Moor Lane York, YO32 9ST
25th May to 2nd June 2019
Join the ZooLab rangers for an exciting animal handling experience at Brodsworth Hall and Gardens this half term. Meet some amazing animals including snakes, scorpions, tarantulas and many more. And don’t forget to discover some fantastic new friends along the critter trail.
Brodsworth Hall and Gardens, Brodsworth DN5 7XJ
Saturday 25th May to Sunday 2nd June 2019
This May half term, trot to Mother Shipton’s for a day of unicorn magic and have a roarsome time searching for dinosaur footprints. Unicorns and dinosaurs are in the park: follow the adventure trail and you never know what you might find! Mother Shiptons – 25th May to 2nd June 2019 – 10am to 5.30pm (last
Mother Shipton's Cave Prophecy Lodge, High Bridge Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, HG5 8DD
25th May to 2nd June 2019
For one weekend only, we’ll be throwing off our Viking helmets and embracing all things Roman for this year’s Eboracum Roman Festival. Go back in time and immerse yourselves in York’s Roman history at the Roman Living History camp in York Museum Gardens where there’ll be demonstrations, activities and talks galore. While you’re there, why
York Museum Gardens, Museum Street, York YO1 7FR
1st and 2nd June 2019
Budding Master Masons will have the chance to create their own version of York Minster this May half term using the best-selling video game, Minecraft. Using the 3D construction game, they can build the cathedral and see their creations projected onto a big screen inside the Minster on Tuesday 28th, Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30th
York Minster, Deangate, York YO1 7HH
Join in with the fairy tale themed fun this May half term at Lotherton. Can you find all of the fairy tale characters hidden around the house, grounds and throughout Wildlife World with the help of the Traditional Tales Trail? Dress up like your favourite fairy tale character, or have a go at magical crafts
Off Collier Lane, Aberford, Leeds LS25 3EB
25th May to 2nd June 2019
Take part in a nature scavenger hunt, paint with goodies from the garden and join a guide to discover creatures great and small from around the site.
Fountains, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 3DY
25th May to 3rd June - 10am to 5pm
Dive in and learn more about super shark senses at The Deep in Hull this May half term. Join an interactive shark senses workshop and discover the amazing senses that sharks have used to survive for over 450 million years. You can even try your hand at hunting for prey just like a shark too!
The Deep, Tower Street, Hull HU9 1TU
25th May to 2nd June 2019
Compare your school holidays to the Terry children and play games inside and out, from 1920s pinball to garden games like clock golf, tennis, bowls and croquet.
27 Tadcaster Rd, York YO24 1GG
25th May to 2nd June 2019 (closed Tuesdays), 10.30am to 5pm
From 27th May to 2nd June, join in with a nature-inspired week of activities including a ‘nurture and grow’ garden trail, critter crafts and nature natter. On 25th May and 26th May, get hands on with bird box making and bug hunting and get closer to nature with Lion Learners animal encounters.
Nunnington Hall, York
27th May to 2nd June 2019
The ever-popular Scarborough Kite Festival is returning for 2019! Watch the experts as they create a spectacle on the stunning headland and see kites unlike any you’ve seen before. Have a go at making your own kite and flying it in the family flying area, or bring your one from home and get airborne. Scarborough
Scarborough Castle, Castle Drive, Scarborough YO11 1HY
25th to 27th May 2019
Fans of the loveable dragon from the popular Julia Donaldson books will enjoy this new trail at Dalby Forest. Head to the Visitor Centre first to pick up your activity pack (small charge), then embark on the trail and see who and what you can find!
Dalby Forest Drive, Low Dalby, Pickering YO18 7LT
Daily, 10am to 4.30pm
Trail free; pay for parking and activity pack