May 2025 : What's On for Kids & Teens across North East England (+ Half Term)

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What's On for Kids & Teens across North East England : May 2024 (+ Half Term)

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Hello and welcome to our guide to what's on in the North East for kids and teens this May. Before we jump in, I'd like to invite you to sign up to our weekly 'what's on' newsletter.

It's sent out every Thursday evening and packed with ideas for things to do across the North East for the weekend ahead. I send a bonus version out for school holidays too.

As it's in your inbox, it's handy as you can always easily access it.

To sign up, look out for the form that says 'Sign up to our FREE what's on Newsletter' as you read this post and pop your email address into the box OR you can sign up here.

Thank you xxx

(ad) Exclusive Kynren Discount Code

We are counting down the days until Kynren's 2025 season begins in July. You can expect 2000 years of history, myths and legends condensed down into one spectacular 90 minute performance that will have you on the edge of your seat. I'm talking jousting, walking on water, historical figures, magic and more.

You'll meet characters from Roman, Viking and Tudor times right up to the present day with a few Kings and Queen's making appearances too.

I am pleased to share two exclusive discount codes for North East Family Fun readers. Discounts cannot be applied to existing bookings:

NEFF1STSHOW: £10 off opening night on 19/7/2025 (excludes VIP seating)
NEFF2025: 15% off all other shows (excludes VIP & 19/7/2025 show)

Book now for the best choice of seats: https://www.11arches.com/kynren

(ad) Top Picks for May 2025

HALF PRICE FLAMINGO LAND TICKETS

Half Price Flamingo Land tickets are back! You can find out more about this deal and book here: https://ashms.co/r/NEFFADFLMAY
There are limited half price vouchers available and you can use them on ANY date from now until 2 November.

✅Suitable for 4 people aged 4+, this deal is perfect to enjoy this weekend or save as an end of term / school holiday treat. Booking is nice and simple, just follow the instructions in the link

If it’s been a while since your last trip, here’s just some of the fun that’s included:

☀️Dino Stone Park with 5 Dinosaur themed rides and a Dinosaur themed Playground with Moving Dinosaurs and a Dino Dig Area

☀️A Zoo with over 140 species including White Rhinos, African Lions and a Baby Hippo

☀️ Daily Keeper Talks

☀️ Peter Rabbit Adventure Playground & Character Appearances & Show

☀️ Daily Live Pirate Shows

☀️ Children’s Planet Adventure Area with Animal Talks & Handling Sessions

☀️ Lots of Thrill Rides including Sik and Velocity

☀️ Family Rides including Mischief Mansion and Voodoo

☀️ Kids Rides including Frog Hopper and an indoor boat themed Soft Play Area

☀️ Zoo Monorail and Mini Trail

& lots more!

Make sure you check the t&cs and height restrictions. Attractions may close in bad weather / for maintenance.

You can find out more about this deal and book here: https://ashms.co/r/NEFFADFLMAY

Ridley Park Fun Zone : 24 May - 1 June

The FREE Entry Kids Fun Zone is back at Ridley Park in Blyth. Open daily across the holidays from 11am with no booking required - just turn up!

There's loads going on including:
Carousel Rides
Flying Plane Rides
Spinning Cups
Giant Inflatables
Bumper Cars
Garden Games
Mobile Play Zone for Little Ones
Daring Dinosaur Encounters
Visits from the Legendary Bubble Man
Surprise Guest Appearances and Characters
Classic Punch & Judy Shows
Creative Face Painting

& more! Cash / Card accepted, simply pay for the attractions you use.

AND the Ridley Park Splash Pad will be available daily so don't forget to bring your swimwear. There's a cafe and on-site toilets too. Use postcode NE24 3HF, there is a small free car park onsite or Ridley Park is a short walk from Blyth Bus Station with regular buses direct from Newcastle.

Read our full guide to visiting Ridley Park here: https://www.northeastfamilyfun.co.uk/2020/08/ridley-park-blyth-best-park-northumberland.html

Tynemouth Food Festival

Tynemouth Food Festival returns to Tynemouth Priory & Castle on 10 & 11 May. You'll find some of the region's tastiest streetfood, local beers and cocktails alongside a selection of market traders inside the marquee.

Plus there's loads of entertainment included at no additional cost. Highlights include a full schedule of live music, family yoga sessions, children's cooking classes, messy play, face painting, sports and crafts.

Tickets are just £4.95 per person and under 15s GO FREE. Book here: https://www.seetickets.com/event/tynemouth-food-festival/tynemouth-priory-and-castle/3291262

The Very Hungry Caterpillar at Northern Stage

The Very Hungry Caterpillar and friends is heading to Northern Stage in Newcastle (just opposite Haymarket) this May Half Term. Expect 4 retellings of Eric Carle Stories with 75 magical puppets. This 1 hour production has received bucketloads of 5* reviews and combines lovable puppets with magical storytelling, captivating colours and fun.

Suitable for all ages. 28 May - 1 June.

Book here: https://northernstage.co.uk/whats-on/the-very-hungry-caterpillar/

Whitehouse Farm

Whitehouse Farm is open daily across May and with lots of activities included with admission from small animal handling to birds of prey meet and greet, soft plays and adventure playgrounds, it's somewhere you can easily spend a full day out.

Across early May Bank Holiday Weekend (3-5 May) you can also meet Bowzer the Dragon and Chomp the Dinosaur along with their trainers in an immersive show packed with games, challenges and training plus a meet and greet. Repeated at several times across the day and included with admission.

Then across May Half Term you can meet a range of characters including Belle, Spider-Man, Barbie, Batman, Olaf and more. They'll be hosting sing-a-longs and meet and greets across the day. Check who is visiting when here: https://www.whitehousefarmcentre.co.uk/events/character-week-bank-holiday-and-half-term-fun/

May Half Term at Beamish Museum

The Festival of Transport is taking over Beamish for 9 days across May Half Term this year (24 May - 1 June). There'll be a whole host of vintage and veteran vehicles on display around the museum and for the first time since 2020, visitors will be able to take a short steam train ride from Rowley Station. This is super exciting!

Find out more here: https://www.beamish.org.uk/events/festival-of-transport-2025/

National Trust North East

The stunning Laburnum Arch will form part of Seaton Delaval Hall's Blossom Trail

There are loads of activities included with National Trust membership at no additional cost for you to enjoy this May. Don't miss the Blossom and Blooms walk at Gibside or the Blossom Trail at Seaton Delaval Hall and over May Half Term you can celebrate insects at Wallington with a host of themed activities including trails and crafts or why not visit Gibside and try some of the detective activities they have on offer?

You can check what's on & get inspired for your next National Trust visit here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/family-friendly

National Trust North Yorkshire

The beautiful Beningbrough Hall Gardens

If you fancy a little trip to Yorkshire this half term, there are some lovely events to enjoy and they're all included with National Trust membership at no additional cost. Nunnington Hall near York is hosting a Village Fete week with lots of traditional activities to try including Hook a Duck and a Coconut Shy.

Or why not spend the day at Fountains Abbey where the whole family can enjoy a Bird Spotters Trail around the grounds?

You can check what's on & plan your next National Trust visit here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/yorkshire/family-friendly

Discovery Museum

There's a mega LEGO build taking place at Discovery Museum in the Great Hall on Thursday 29 May. Guests are invited to join together and build a giant city in celebration of Newcastle gaining city status 140 years ago.

Sessions are two hours long (you don't need to stay for the full session) and are best suited to Primary School aged children (but all are welcome). Tickets are just £1.50 per child (+bf) - accompanying adults and under 5s go free.

Book here: https://discoverymuseum.org.uk/whats-on/build-a-city

Science at Life (+ discount code)

Wilde Farm will be bringing their goats, chicks and lambs to visit the centre from their farm in Ponteland from 3-5 May. This is a chance to get up close, learn more about them and feel more connected to life on land. Use code MAY25 for a 25% discount when booking ahead online.

And then over May Half Term, Lightbox opens on 24 May and is available to enjoy daily with immersive and hands on fun activities. There's a chance to step inside a 6 foot tornado, play with digital water, hear your heartbeat on a drum, send cloud rings through the air and creep down sneaky feet coridoor as quietly as you can. Sounds fun!

Find out more: https://www.life.org.uk/whats-on/event/lightbox/

Great North Museum

The brilliant Murray the Mole trails continue at Great North Museum this May. They're FREE and available every day - just drop in and collect from reception. There are four trails to complete (all at once if you're keen or save your map to come back another day) and with every completed trail you receive a sticket. This is a fab way to engage with the museum objects in a new way - we enjoyed it!

During May Half Term, visitors can enjoy Blossom - a visual and immersive experience and new way to enjoy everyone's favourite season. FREE, simply drop in from 24 May - 1 June during museum opening hours.

Discover what's on, when here: https://greatnorthmuseum.org.uk/whats-on

3/4/5 May (North of Tyne)