Looking for Things to Do with Kids in the May Half Term? 🌼☀️
With the May half term in the UK and two brilliant bank holidays (Early May Bank Holiday and Spring Bank Holiday), it’s the perfect time for families to enjoy longer days, outdoor fun, and quality time together. Whether you’re looking for May half term activities for kids, family days out in the UK, or budget-friendly ideas at home, we’ve got you covered!
From outdoor adventures and creative crafts to baking and simple home activities, here are 50 brilliant ideas to keep the kids entertained this May half term.
Outdoor May Half Term Activities for Kids
May is one of the best months in the UK for getting outside and enjoying the warmer weather and longer daylight hours.
- Go on a spring scavenger hunt in your garden or local park.
- Visit a farm to see lambs, chicks, and baby animals.
- Take a family bike ride along a scenic trail.
- Go on a nature walk and spot wildflowers and insects.
- Fly a kite in an open field or on a breezy hill.
- Explore a woodland walk and look for signs of late spring.
- Visit a national park or nature reserve.
- Enjoy a family picnic in the sunshine.
- Plant flowers, herbs, or vegetables together.
- Go pond dipping or bug hunting.
- Try paddleboarding, kayaking, or canoeing.
- Visit a local playground or outdoor adventure park.
- Spend a day at the beach (even if it’s just for a walk and ice cream).
- Watch wildlife and go bird spotting.
- Have a “screen-free” outdoor adventure day.
May Half Term Crafts for Kids
Keep little ones busy indoors or in the garden with fun spring-inspired crafts.
- Paint flower pots and plant seeds inside.
- Make paper butterflies and bees.
- Create a spring or May half term scrapbook.
- Make homemade cards for friends and family.
- Paint rocks and hide them around your local area.
- Create flower crowns using paper or real flowers.
- Make salt dough garden decorations.
- Design and decorate sun hats for summer prep.
- Build a cardboard garden or mini greenhouse.
- Try tie-dye T-shirts ready for summer holidays.
May Half Term Baking & Cooking with Kids
Get the kids involved in simple, seasonal cooking fun.
- Make fruit skewers with fresh strawberries and berries.
- Bake lemon drizzle cupcakes.
- Make iced biscuits shaped like flowers or animals.
- Create homemade pizza with garden-inspired toppings.
- Make no-bake cheesecake pots.
- Blend fresh smoothies or milkshakes.
- Build a DIY ice cream or lolly station.
- Make mini sandwiches for a picnic lunch.
- Bake fairy cakes and decorate with spring colours.
Family Days Out During May Half Term
With two May bank holidays, it’s the perfect time for longer family days out across the UK.
- Visit a zoo or wildlife park.
- Spend the day at a farm park or petting zoo.
- Explore a castle or historic attraction.
- Visit a science museum or interactive exhibit.
- Go to a botanical garden in full bloom.
- Try mini golf or adventure golf.
- Visit a theme park or adventure playground.
- Enjoy a local spring fair or community festival.
- Go strawberry picking or visit a pick-your-own farm.
- Take a scenic train ride or countryside trip.
Fun At-Home May Half Term Activities for Kids
Perfect for relaxing days in between outings or during unpredictable UK weather.
- Have a family movie afternoon with popcorn.
- Build a den or indoor fort.
- Play board games or complete puzzles together.
- Start a half term reading challenge.
- Create a family time capsule.
- Do simple kitchen science experiments.
- Build an indoor obstacle course.
- Host a mini family talent show.
- Let kids plan and cook a meal.
- Write and perform a short play or puppet show.
Extra May Half Term Ideas
- Visit your local library for spring events and story sessions.
- Take part in community festivals or village fairs.
- Join Ultimate Activity Camps for multi-activity holiday camps for children aged 4-14 and over 40 activities every week!
- 3-day Cricket Academy with Ultimate Sports Academies for children aged 7-14 in Reading!
- Use the Early May Bank Holiday and Spring Bank Holiday weekends for mini family breaks or staycations.
The May half term is the perfect mix of spring sunshine, blooming nature, and two fantastic bank holidays that give families extra time together. Whether you’re planning outdoor adventures, creative crafts, baking days, or simple family time at home, there are endless ways to keep kids entertained.
Even better, many of these May half term activities are free or low-cost, perfect for making memories without stretching the budget! Weather not on your side? Check out our blog full of Rainy Day Ideas for Kids!