The May half-term is just around the corner, and if you’re wondering how to keep the family entertained, look no further! LittleBird have rounded up some top picks for you, with plenty of exciting activities both indoors and outdoors to make this school holiday one to remember.
From thrilling theatre to creative crafts and amazing adventures to exhilarating experiences there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
So, grab a cuppa, get comfy, and dive into the LittleBird guide to discover all the fantastic events and activities waiting for you this half-term!
Let’s make this May half-term one for the books! 📚✨
Brought to you by LittleBird.co.uk – ideas and saving for families all year round. To find out how, click here.
⭐ Spirited Away at London Coliseum | 2 May – 24 August | Tickets selling fast!
Studio Ghibli’s Oscar-winning Spirited Away, is re-imagined for the stage and on at London Coliseum this summer.
The original Japanese cast* perform this extraordinary production with wildly imaginative puppets, dazzling set and costume designs and a live orchestra . A masterpiece of storytelling and stunning visuals Spirited Away tells the enchanting tale of Chihiro in this genre-defining animation classic. Find out more and buy tickets here
⭐ Pied Piper: A Hip-Hop Family Musical | Southbank Centre | 31 May – 2 June
Give in to the sway of hip-hop beats as this modern twist on the classic story pulls you under its spell – just look out for the rat catcher’s catchy tunes…
Get ready for an electrifying night of vocal wizardry for all the family; in this brand new hip-hop musical Pied Piper, a raucous re-imagining of a medieval fairy tale. Tickets from £14, buy your tickets here
⭐ The Princess and the Pea at the Unicorn Theatre | 17 May – 16 June
In a lavish Palace there lives a pampered Princess. Each day, three loyal servants attend to her every wish and whim. But one dark and stormy night, she ventures beyond her Palace walls and everything changes…
A breathtaking acrobatics and fairy-tale adventure combine in this funny and playful remix of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic story. For ages 2+, get your tickets here
⭐ Roald Dahl’s The Enormous Crocodile Musical at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre | 17th May to 8th June
The Enormous Crocodile is weaving his way through the jungle in search of delicious little fingers and squidgy podgy knees.
Don’t miss this wonderful new musical version of Roald Dahl’s picture book, perfect for families to enjoy! Buy tickets and find out more here
⭐ Zog and The Flying Doctors |Rose Theatre | 28 May – 2 June
Featuring Zog and his Flying Doctor crew, Princess Pearl and Sir Gadabout who tend to a sunburnt mermaid, a unicorn and a lion with the flu but her Uncle, The King has other ideas. Can Pearl prove princesses can be doctors too?
Based on Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s bestselling sequel, this is a truly modern take on the classic fairy tale. Tickets from £15, age recommendations 3+ but all ages welcome, more info here
⭐ Polka Theatre | The Colour of Dinosaurs | 11 May – 9 June
A rip-roaring, prehistoric science pop gig for curious humans of all ages.
Join five amazing musicians and famous palaeontologist Dr Jakob Vinther as they enter the multi-coloured world of the dinosaurs with soaring music, catchy songs and mind-blowing science. Tickets from £10, for ages 6-12, find out more here
⭐ Mr. Toad at the Greenwich Theatre | 20 May – 1 June
Based on Kenneth Grahame’s ‘wind in the Willows’, this is a show at the Greenwich Theatre filled with love, laughter and heart-warming lessons in friendship. The perfect family treat!
Age recommendation 3+, tickets from £19, more info here
⭐ Grand Soft Day at Southbank Centre
Explore the excitement of the wind, rain, frost and much more in this curious and charming new show that celebrates the wonder of the world around us.
For ages 2-6, tickets from £14, find out more here
⭐ Goldilocks : The Ballet |Sadlers Wells Theatre London | 29-30 May
Join Goldilocks, the girl with the lovely locks and her jar of magical honey, as she befriends a family of bears and teaches everyone the value of sharing. Goldilocks : The Ballet is the perfect opportunity to enjoy the magic of live, professional ballet!
Tickets from £15, buy your tickets here
⭐ The Tiger Who Came to Tea at the Albany Theatre | 31 May – 2 June
The doorbell rings just as Sophie and her mummy are sitting down to tea. Who could it possibly be? What they certainly don’t expect to see at the door is a big, stripy tiger!
Join the tea-guzzling tiger in this delightful family show; packed with oodles of magic, sing-a-long songs and clumsy chaos.
Age 3+ | Tickets from £17.50 | Book here
⭐ Family Storytelling Workshops at Shakespeare’s Globe | 25 May onwards
Bring the whole family to celebrate the wonders of Shakespeare in their series of family workshops for 5-8 and 9-12 year olds. Choose from Macbeth, Romeo & Juliet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Tickets from £15 | Find out more here
⭐ Mr. Sleepybum at Park Theatre | 28 May – 2 June | Ages 3+
Do you have silly and strange dreams at night? Well, Mr. Sleepybum does, and he’s going to re-enact them all for you in this high-energy, interactive, kids’ comedy show for the whole family. Mr Sleepybum is a multi-award-nominated, one-man, character comedy kids show, perfect for age 3+
Tickets from £12.50, buy your tickets here
Experiences & Exhibitions
London’s newest attraction, the large-scale multi-sensory interactive adventure for all ages featuring Paddington and the beloved Brown family opens on 31st May 2024 at London County Hall on the Southbank.
This multi-room, immersive experience will take you into Paddington’s world. Explore recognisable locations from the Paddington stories, whilst you embark on an interactive adventure full of gameplay, to help Paddington and the Brown family prepare for a very special occasion. Buy tickets here
⭐ Horrible Histories – Terrible Thames returns from 23rd March!
Terrible Thames is back! You’ve seen them on stage, now join them onboard for a sensational sightseeing tour of the River Thames like no other and take the family! Take a dive with Horrible Histories into real life stories in this history of the Thames with all the nasty bits left in.
Tickets from £15 – find out more here
Flock to the Natural History Museum this May half-term to see this new exhibition where you can learn all about the surprising survival tactics of birds and get to know our beaked friends better.
Test your bird skills with interactive fames, feel the beat of a hummingbird’s heart, find our how dinosaurs are related to birds and discover easy ways you can help birds thrive!
It’ll be a hoot! Recommended for hatchlings aged 8+, tickets here
LittleBird Top Tip : Don’t miss our competition to win 1 of 3 family tickets to the Birds: Brilliant and Bizarre Exhibition, free entry here
⭐ Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians at London Zoo – Reptile Record Breaker! | 25 May – 2 June
This May half term, London Zoo are celebrating the opening of The Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians. Many of their reptiles and amphibians have record breaking strengths, so they’re challenging you to see how you match up against them! Test out your own skills on the lawn and see the animals’ skills in action! Offering fun for the whole family this May half term, the reptile record breaker games are free with Zoo entry.
Find out more and buy tickets here
⭐ Save 15% off Go Ape TreeTop Adventure Experiences!
May half-term is the perfect opportunity for your dedicated audience to gather their Tribe and enjoy some time outdoors in the (hopefully) warm spring air! Enjoy up to 3 hours in the tree tops, featuring platform-to-platform challenges, Tarzan swings and super-fast zip wires. Book here
⭐ Free Downloadable Voucher for Diggerland! Save 20% off Admission to any Location
Diggerland is a fun day out for the whole family! Children and adults can enjoy a day of thrilling and unforgettable experiences as they ride, drive and operate REAL full-size machinery. Download the voucher here for 20% off all locations.
⭐ The British Museum – Life in the Roman Army – on until 23 June 2024
From family life on the fort to the brutality of the battlefield, experience Rome’s war machine through the soldiers who served in it.
Families can also follow Rattus, otherwise known as Claudius Terrattus, on their Horrible Histories trail and there are a series of interactive stations for all ages to enjoy as wellas other family events and activities. Adult Tickets from £22, Under 16’s free, find out more here
⭐ Young V and A | Myths to Manga Exhibition | On until 8 Sept 2024
Take an exciting and atmospheric trip through Japan – and explore how landscape and folklore have influenced Japanese art, technology and design. Tickets £10, find out more here
⭐ Routes & Roundels this May Half-Term at London Transport Museum | 25 May – 2 June
There is a bus load to do this May half-term at the London transport museum! Design a roundel, join in an interactive storytelling session; discover trams, trains, buses and trolleybuses from London’s past; get hands on with interactive exhibits in the Future Engineers Gallery and explore the all aboard family play zone!
Free with museum entry, find out more here
⭐ The Braves and the Waves at the Historic Dockyard Chatham | 25 May – 2 June
‘The Brave and The Waves’ is a theatrical journey of courage and kindness. Embark on a voyage across time, from 1779 to the present day, guided by three young adventurers: Frank, Billy, and Lola. Witness tales of bravery and compassion as they transport you from the shores to the ever-changing sea. Included with ticket admission, find out more here
Pick up some paper, charcoal or a pencil and become an artist for the day! Depict Hever Castle or gardens in any style or take part in a free art challenge! Join actors as they take you on a journey through the grounds, take part in some art challenges and finish off your day by becoming a walking piece of art with a creative face paint (additional charge – weekends only).
Included with admission, running daily 10.30-6pm, find out more info here
⭐ The roarsome Dinosaur rEvolution at the Horniman Museum and Gardens
Which dino features are better – horns, spikes or quills? Did T-rex actually have feathers? And how did some dinosaurs survive extinction?
Dinosaur rEvolution is a colourful and fascinating exhibition, including five large animatronic models, cast fossil skeletons and skulls – some touchable, detailed graphics, dress up, games, and more!
10.00am – 5.30pm | On until 3 Nov 2024, tickets from £6, find out more here
⭐ Kids Rule! at Eltham Palace this May half term! | 25 May to 2 June
Join Eltham Palace and Gardens during May half term for hands-on activities and family fun in the fresh air! Meet Anne & George Boleyn at Eltham Palace and discover Anne’s rise in the Tudor Court. Learn all about courtly etiquette and have a go at Tudor dancing. Try your hand at writing poetry and enjoy fun games.
Don’t miss the wooden outdoor play area too and relax in the beautiful glasshouse café. Book online and save 15%, more details here
LittleBird Top Tip : Save 15% on annual and gift memberships for English Heritage here
⭐ Mysterical Mayhem at Hobbledown |The Festival of Dragons and Fairies | 25 May to 2 June
Magic, dragons and mayhem collide to this May half-term at Hobbledown! Join them for the Merrydown Festival and enjoy thrilling dragon parades, whimsical fairy schools, Tipp’s Fab Lab, jelly eating contests and more!
Included in the price of admission, for tickets book here
FREE Events and Entry
⭐ UNIQLO Tate Play Holiday Make Studio: Kinetic | Tate Modern | FREE 25 May – 2 June
Create, make and play with large moving art in the Tanks at Tate Modern this May Half Term. They have got all sorts of squishy stuff, sturdy objects, and interesting bits and bobs for you to get creative with. Get hands-on and use your imagination to connect, attach, twist, balance and stack your way from floor to ceiling.
And for under 5’s, they have a special soft, playful space where little ones can can crawl, balance and create using movable surfaces and stacking parts.
⭐ SmileyWorld® Art Trail at Battersea Power Station until 2nd June!
Discover the SmileyWorld® Art Trail, taking place until 2nd June, both inside and outside of Battersea Power Station!
The free, self-guided art trail is perfect to explore with family and friends. Grab a SmileyWorld® Season Activity Book which includes the trail map from guest services, located at the North and South entrance of the Power Station.
Make a day of it, with over 140 shops, bars, restaurants, leisure and entertainment venues and so much on, you’ll never be short of things to do or places to visit at Battersea Power Station!
⭐ Strut down to the Museum of Docklands for their their fashion events – all FREE | 27 May – 2 June
Strut down to Docklands this May half term. Strike a pose on their red-carpet catwalk and design your own digital outfit. Listen to a new take on the classic tale The Emperor’s New Clothes or touch the real thing with their fashion handling collection. All free, all fabulous! Find out more info here
⭐ artsdepot Young Artists Exhibition | FREE event | 26 May – 1 June
The Young Artists Exhibition at artsdepot is a celebration of the creativity of North London’s young people. Experience a riot of creativity in this exhibition of work by local young people aged 11 – 25. Open 10-4pm, no need to book, just turn up!
Want to be part of it? Find out how to submit your work.
⭐ Hyde Park Discovery Days : Time Traveller | 28-30 May | FREE | 11-3pm
Travel back in time through The Royal Park’s history and take part in a variety of activities. Create a plant print, design a park of the future, try your hand at Calligraphy and meet and greet with Queen Victoria!
⭐ Take the kids to Outernet at Tottenham Court Road and see the vast, interactive screens!
Outernet is London’s most visited attraction. They are the virtually real ™ immersive entertainment district bringing together breath-taking arts, culture and music experiences for all the family!
Take a stroll and take in their experiences worth sharing on their interactive, wrap-around screens – download the Outernet app to find out more!
Things to read…
⭐ Astrochimp by David Walliams | Release date 23 May | A COSMIC comic book adventure published by HarperCollins Children! Chump the Chimp is one ASTRONOMICAL astronaut on a MONUMENTAL mission! Strap in and hold onto your bananas for infinite laugh-out-loud mayhem, out-of-this-world characters and zooming spaceships!
⭐ Fitter, Healthier, Happier!: Your guide to a healthy body and mind by Joe Wicks | Out Now | For Everyone | Learn all about your body and mind in this dynamic new fact-filled children’s book from #1 bestselling author and global fitness phenomenon Joe Wicks! | Published by HarperCollins Children’s books, this is an informative and fun journey through your body and mind, with plenty of inspiring ideas and activities too!
⭐ The Tooth Fairy and the Crocodile by Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks | Ages 3-7 | Release Date 6 June 2024 | MacMillan Childrens Books | Full of fun and packed with adventure, Ruth Mary the tooth fairy, gets more than she bargained for when she collects the teeth of some jungle animals, including a less-than-friendly crocodile! A brilliantly illustrated story from picture-book superstars Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks – perfect for any child with a wobbly tooth!
⭐ The Week Junior is like a weekly ride through our wonderful world! Inspire your child’s natural curiosity with The Week Junior! Take out a free trial worth £21 and they will also send you a FREE digital download Earth day guide full of practical tips and suggestions to help your child navigate climate change worries in healthy ways.
⭐ And I Hear Dragons | Ages 8-12 | Releases 30th May | A wonderful new children’s poetry anthology of ‘dragon focussed’ poems from across Wales from Firefly Press for children aged 8-12.
⭐ Zombie Fighter by David Owen | Ages 9+ | Out now | Things are about to get seriously spooky for Alex Neptune in his fourth action-packed adventure and published by Usborne – perfect for fans of Percy Jackson and Dragon Realm!
⭐ What on Earth! Magazine is the UK’s fastest-growing children’s magazine. Each issue is packed with amazing facts, stunning photos, quizzes, puzzles, jokes and so much more to keep curious kids aged 7-14 engaged and entertained. Save 10% on a 6 month plan PLUS a free £10 What on Earth Books voucher! Shop the offer here
LittleBird Top Tip | Read our blog here by LittleBird Mum on what their family thought of What on Earth Magazine!
⭐ 365 Things to Make and Do | Out now | Fiona Watt | An amazing activity book containing ideas for things to do every day of the year! Contains projects such as a flag chain, fabric collages, leaf printing, spoon-people, door signs, gift tags, dangly cowboys and many more things to make, draw and paint!
⭐ Want to grow your own? Read Fun Kids Radio Top Tips for growing tomatoes!
Want to grow your own fruits and veggies? Read Fun Kids Radio‘s top 10 facts for growing your own tomatoes and check out their site too for amazing podcasts, quizzes, competitions, facts and listen live to their fabulous radio too!
Looking Ahead…
⭐ Little Welly Obstacle Course and Festival | 8 and 9 June, Henley
Get ready to go wild and have some fun at The Little Welly Goes Wild in Oxfordshire! This event for young children and their families starting from 9 am. Experience a day full of adventure, with over 30 obstacles to tackle, including mud ditches, climbing walls, foam pit and more! Enjoy the great outdoors with your family and friends. There will also be live music, food stalls, and plenty of activities for everyone to enjoy.
PS There may be lots of mud!
⭐ The Acrobatic Swan Lake, Sadlers Wells, 21-29 June
The Acrobatic Swan Lake has dazzled sold-out audiences around the world and is now returning to London this Summer for a limited run! A unique fusion of Western Classical Ballet and mesmerising Chinese Acrobatic Arts . and this awesome production, created by China’s breath-taking Xi’an Acrobatic Troupe is the first and only “ballet on shoulders” version of Swan Lake in its 147 year history. Buy your tickets here
⭐ Fun Kids Space Station Sleepover at the National Space Centre, Leicester | 8-9 June
Join Fun Kids for a fun-filled sleepover at the National Space Centre in Leicester for an evening of out-of-this-world activities!
Get exclusive access just for Fun Kids Space Station participants! This is the ultimate space evening. Discover six galleries, including the iconic Rocket Tower and the UK’s largest domed planetarium, crammed full of space suits, rockets, satellites and meteorites. Plus you’ll get to participate in special events that’ll be taking place throughout the night including talks, screenings and experiments! To book, see here.
⭐ English National Ballet’s Swan Lake in-the-round at the Royal Albert Hall | 12-23 June
With 60 swans, stunning costumes and atmospheric lighting, this breath-taking in-the-round production transforms the Royal Albert Hall into a magical lake with Tchaikovsky’s memorable score played live by the English National Ballet Philharmonic. Tickets from £25, buy here
⭐ Barbie® The Exhibition is coming to The Design Museum this July!
A major exhibition exploring the design evolution of one of the world’s most famous dolls: Barbie® is coming to The Design Museum this July! Journey into the Barbie universe and discover over 250 remarkable objects, with rare, unique and innovative dolls dating from 1959 to the present day.
Tickets from £8, under 6’s FREE, find out more here.
⭐ Shrek The Musical, Eventim Apollo, London, 19th July – 31st August
The Broadway and West End smash hit musical returns to London for 6 weeks only this summer holidays! Retaining all the impact of the blockbuster film, this energetic stage adaptation features a cast brimming with infectious enthusiasm.
Join Shrek and Donkey on their intrepid journey to rescue the beautiful, but cursed, Princess Fiona from a castle protected by a fearsome fire-breathing dragon. Tickets from £24 here.
The Summer programme is now live! Discover science directly from minds of worlds leading scientists with talks, discussions and family friendly events, workshops and fun days at the Royal Institution. Book on site here.
⭐ Great Ormond Street Hospital | RBC Race for the Kids | 12 October
Join Great Ormond Street for their family festival and fun run RBC Race for the Kids. Walk, jog, wheel or scoot 2k or 5k in London’s Hyde Park on Saturday 12 October 2024 and join the race to help beat childhood cancer.
Bring the whole family for a fun-filled day of music, entertainment, food, games, face painting and much more. Early bird adult registration is £15 for the 2k and £18 for the 5k, register and find out more here.
ABC – Arts, Baking and Crafts
⭐ Download Free Activity Packs from Bloomsbury for all your favourite books!
Download free activity packs from Bloomsbury for all your favourite books, so many to choose from, perfect to keep little ones, and more grown-up ones, engaged!
⭐ Discover and Make in the Family Zone from the Crick!
Tons of fun and inspiring science activities to keep your brains fizzing and your hands creating. Get your family together, have a go at some of the activities and see what you discover.
⭐ Get crafty and creative with these fun, free ideas from Orchard Toys!
Lots of fun craft ideas from Orchard Toys to keep kids entertained! There’s everything from cotton wool sheep to an out of this world kitchen roll rocket! Find out more here
⭐ Easy Pepper Octopus Vegetable Platter from Eats Amazing!
A super fun idea for birthday parties or a healthy snack! Check out the Eat Amazing website here for lots of other fun baking ideas.
Looking for tutoring support for the exam season?
⭐ Put Tassomai’s learning app to the test! FREE day trial and 25% off your first two months here
Take a fresh look at Tassomai and give your kids a head start this exam season! They launched a new website over Easter, packed with great examples of their online quizzing and tutoring program in action. Find out more here
The Maths Factor is a leading maths website created by Carol Vorderman to help your child master years 1 to 7 maths topics! 21 days free, then £4.99 per month. Find out more here