Things to do this May half term in Bristol 2024

Below you’ll find a list of Bristol activities for kids this May half term 2024, hand-picked by me, a Bristol resident for some 20 years and expert on the city. From historic Harbourside train rides to community street fairs, theatre shows, nature events, plus things to do within an easy drive of Bristol.

I will keep adding events to this round-up list as I discover them, so please share with your local friends, bookmark this page and keep checking back for more Bristol activities for kids in May!

Outdoor May half term Bristol things to do 2024

Bristol Walk Fest 2024

When? 1-31 May 2024

Bristol’s annual month-long walking festival has over 250 stroll-related events taking place across the city, with plenty on offer for families and all ages and abilities during the May half term week. Take a look at their website to browse the full list – highlights for kids include Wild Word Story Walks, ‘Treasure Hunt Bristol’ and walking rugby.

Ashton Court Miniature Railway

When? 19, 26, 27 May 2024

Based in the top part of Ashton Court Estate, Ashton Court Mini railway run by Bristol Model Engineers is a firm favourite with families (1.75 a ride, 5 rides for £7.50). It’s brilliant, cheap fun, take a picnic and make a day of it! Trains will be running on 28 and 29 May.

Historic Harbourside rides on Bristol dockside

When? 25-26 May

Chug along Bristol’s historic dockside on an old locomotive! Trains leave from outside M Shed and run to Brunel’s SS Great Britain. Single £3 / Return £4.50. Under 6s travel free.

Arnos Vale Cemetery

Established in 1839, this Victorian garden cemetery, set among 45 acres of woodland is a scenic, nature-filled sanctuary in the city. Pick up or download the Discovery Trail or Woodland Walk map, keeping an eye out for fairy doors, wildlife and monuments honouring notable former Bristol residents. There will also be several events taking place during Bristol May half term – book in advance to avoid disappointment.

• Den Building Workshop – 28 May 2024

• Natural Printing – 28 May

• Fire Lighting Workshop – 30 May

• Wild Cooking Workshop – 30 May

Play in the Bay, The Wave

If you’re currently planning what to do in half term, check out Play in the Bay at The Wave. As well as surf sessions and lessons, the popular water play sessions will be returning this May half term – (book in advance). There’s also a play park and space for scooting and skateboarding.

West Country Water Park

At West Country Water Park, you’ll find water-based things to do this half term such as lake swimming, a floating inflatable obstacle course, paddleboarding, kayaking and jet skiing as well as an open-air cinema, a café, shop, equipment hire centre and more activities coming soon.

National Trust May half term days out

Prior Park Landscape Garden endangered animal trail

• When? 25 May-2 June 2024

Find eight endangered species that are spread around the garden, read the clue and see if you can work out what they are. You’ll also be able to read a bit about the work that’s been happening at other National Trust locations to help reintroduce or protect the environment for these species.

Craft a colourful bird at Tyntesfield

• When? 25 May-2 June 2024

Inspired by ‘Echoes from the Aviary’; a sound and collage installation filling Tyntesfield’s aviary this spring, have a go at creating your own colourful collaged birds in this free family drop in.

May half-term animal antics at Dyrham Park

• When? 24 May-2 June 2024

Crawl like a caterpillar, wriggle like a worm, hop like a bunny and leap like a frog this May half term at Dyrham Park.

More National Trust near Bath and Bristol: days out with kids

Theatre in Bristol May half term holidays

Bristol Hippodrome

Hamilton, 30 April- 22 June 2024

Wardrobe Theatre

A Strange New Space, 26-28 May 2024, 11am & 2pm (no 11am on Sunday)

Shelf: The Kids’ Show, 29 May 2024, 3pm

The Redgrave Theatre

Les Miserables School Edition 29 May-1 June 2024

Tobacco Factory Theatres

Minny Stynker from Soap Soup Theatre 29 May-1 Jun 2024

Hags: A Magical Extravaganza (for slightly older ones/teens) from the feminist icons at Scratchworks.

The Community Farm, Chew Magna

The Forest Fairy, 31 May 2024, 11am-12pm

The Egg, Bath

A Woodland Wonder, 10am, 11.30am & 1.15pm 27 May 2024

Arts & crafts May half term activities Bristol

Bristol Old Vic Birthday Family Day

• When? 11-3pm, 30 May 2024

Crafts, party games, trails, workshops and more in celebration of BOV’s 258th birthday. Wear your best party clothes! Free and open to walk-ins, but workshops can be booked in advance.

Children’s Scrapstore

Various craft workshops will be available over half term, book now.

Soft play in Bristol

Bristol is lucky to have so many cafes with soft play to choose from. If you’re searching for indoor things to do in Bristol half term, I’ve put together a list of cafes with play areas and the best soft plays in Bristol in case you need a contained space to let the kids loose in.

Best play centre and soft plays in Bristol

May half term events in Bristol

Inflatable Theme Park

• When? 11-12, 18-19, 25 May-2 June, 8-9 June 2024

The biggest and original Inflatable Theme Park will be returning to Gatcombe Farm, Long Ashton just outside Bristol in May. £9 for ALL DAY Wristband *excludes bungees, zorbs, wipeout and cars* Ages 2-14.

May half term family events at Bristol attractions

Bristol Aquarium

• When? 25 May – 2 June 2024

Learn how different cultures have tried to understand the weird and wonderful world of aquatic life through their myths and legends, from the 25 May–2 June. Meet a mermaid 10am-3pm. Book here

Curious Cure Museum trail at John Wesley’s New Room

When? 25 May – 1 June 2024

Explore the ingredient in John Wesley’s ‘Primitive Physic’! Mysterious potion bottles holding the name of an ingredient that Wesley would use to create his cures have been hidden around the museum – can you find them all?

Don’t miss the May half term family workshop – Marvellous Medicine. Learn about different herbs and make your mini garden to take away.

Bristol Cars & Remote Control Car Racing at Aerospace Bristol

Try your hand at shaping a car body as well as racing a remote-controlled car alongside the last Concorde ever to fly. You’ll also have the chance to explore the craftsmanship of the iconic hand-built luxury cars and real Bristol Cars. Book here.

Springfest, Bristol Zoo Project

When? 25 May – 2 June 2024

In addition to wildlife-viewing and indoor play fort, entertainment and conservation activities for may half term will be taking place at Springfest on Bristol Zoo Project’s Tower Meadow. Highlights include spray painting, den building, seed bomb craft, storytelling, giant lawn games and musical exploration.

Things to do this May half term near Bristol

Dinosaur Valley: LIVE! at Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park

When?  25 May-2 June 2024

Dinosaur Valley: Live is taking over Avon Valley for a totally ROARsome, interactive extravaganza.

As well as all the usual animal handling talks, fairground Chair-O-Plane Ride, Mini Jeep Safari, Miniature Train Ride, Jumping Pillows, Sand & Water Play Area, Outdoor Play, Climbing Towers, Ziplines, Swings and Slide, visitors will also have the following dino activities included with their ticket.
– the South West’s largest collection of animatronic dinosaurs, including a 15 meter T-Rex.
– a self-guided trail and fossil excavation activities.
– a chance to meet the mobile and interactive T-Rex, Triceratops & Dilophosaurus, as well as the baby Diplodocus, Triceratops and Raptors.
– The Dinosaur Research Lab with a theatrical experience and dinosaur live shows.

Brick Express at Avon Valley Railway

When? 1-2 June 2024

Jump onboard the Brick Express at Avon Valley Railway and try building with the world’s most popular construction toy bricks.

Steam trains will also be running throughout May half term.

Cattle Country Farm Park

When? 25 May-2 June 2024

Cattle Country Farm Park has all kinds of animals and play areas and things to do at half term. Visitors can take part in animal activities and there are also assault courses, jumping pillows, indoor play barns with soft play, trampolines, boating lake with canoes for hire, a water play area, a splash pool and a playground named after it’s close neighbour, Berkeley Castle. 

Click here for more Bristol May half term day trips

Bing’s Nature Explorers, WWT Slimbridge

Learn all about wetland nature and wildlife with Cbeebies’ Bing on half term days out at WWT Slimbridge. Join Bing and Flop to become a Nature Explorer with activity trails, storytelling, character appearances and much more.

Animal experiences – Fairfield Animal Centre, Trowbridge.

Bristol half term activities at Fairfield Animal Centre involve getting up close to a range of animals. Located in Southwick, near Trowbridge, visitors can walk alpacas and goats, and meet donkeys.

Medieval merriment at Berkeley Castle

When? 26-27, 28-29 May 2024

For half term day trips from Bristol, enjoy a fabulous living history weekend at Berkeley Castle. “The Merry Monarch”, King Charles II will be visiting Berkeley Castle (26-27 May) and the royal occasion will be celebrated with a six horse display, music, maypole dancing, and the chance to talk to King Charles himself.

Learn the ancient skill of sword fighting at Knight School (28-29 May, 12.30pm & 2.30pm), watch the Warrior Show on the Lower Lawns each day. Perfect for ages 5-12 years old.

Fun family day out by bike, Strawberry Line Cycle Project

When? All year round

Fancy a jolly bike with scenic views and a picnic stop-off? Try the Strawberry Line Cycle Project. Your hosts will provide you with a map of the Strawberry Line which details the mostly traffic-free route to Cheddar.

A great option for novice cyclists, the peaceful route runs for 9 miles from Yatton station to Cheddar (18-mile round trip). Bikes are available for all ages and sizes.

Spring into nature at Cheddar Gorge & Caves

Explore and learn about the flora and fauna of Cheddar Gorge and Caves as you wander around the Cliff-Top Walk and explore underground in the caves, plus help furnish a mega bug hotel to encourage the local populations of creepy crawlies thrive.

Party Peeps On The Pier, Grand Pier, Weston

When? 31 May 2024

Join Party Peeps On The Pier in Weston-super-Mare on Friday 31 May 2024 2-4pm for a family rave featuring family games and challenges, foam, bubbles and confetti, live DJs, prizes and giveaways, character appearances, a full licensed bar, sweet shop, face painting and festival glitter stalls.

Royal Bath and West Show, Shepton Mallet

When? 30 May-1 June 2024

For countryside-themed half term things to do, The Royal Bath and West Show in Shepton Mallet is one of England’s biggest celebrations of rural life. You’ll find everything from The Imps Motorcycle Display Team with their breath-taking fire jumps to the Pony Club Games final, a spectacular vintage vehicle parade, a woodland and countryside arena, Great British Dogs and heavy horses, livestock and equine classes.

Gruffalo party trail, Westonbirt Arboretum

Don’t miss the Gruffalo party trail, celebrating 25 years of this beloved tale at Westonbirt Arboretum. The interactive family trail features all sorts of party-themed activities and games, along with fun facts to teach you about life in the forest for the Gruffalo and other creatures. Packs are £4 from the Westonbirt shop.

Minibeast Mimics (28-30 May) – half term family activity exploring how creatures mimic each other, quiz, play games and get crafty.

Spring family trail until 31 May 2024.

May Half Term at Old Down Country Park

• When? 30 May 2024

The soft play bus will be open on selected dates at Old Down Country Park, there will be storytelling, a teddy bears picnic, arts, crafts and games. Check timetable.

Round Bail Trail at Palette and Pasture

A lovely farm trail plus an ice cream parlour, inflatables (weather dependent), ride-ons, animals and sand play.

Cheap things to do Bristol May half term

Entertaining kids in Bristol needn’t cost too many of your pretty pennies. From fascinating museums to historic towers, city farms, brilliant play parks and of course, that mother of a bridge, you can experience some of the best things the city has to offer for no money at all. Here are my top free things to do Bristol with kids.

Do you know of any other Bristol activities for kids in Bristol during May?  Please do let me know about it by commenting below! 

More Bristol activities for kids:

What to do in Bristol with kids when it’s raining

Family-friendly pubs with play areas in Bristol

What’s on this May half term holidays in Somerset