- Our Top Picks for May
- Deals and Offers
- Kids Eat Free / Dining Out Offers
- May Days Out to Book Now
- May Days Out with NO Booking Required
- Walks, Parks & Picnics
- 1 May (Bank Holiday Monday)
- 8 May (Bank Holiday Monday)
- 27 May - 4 June (May Half Term in Northumberland - apologies if your holidays are different)
- 29 May (Bank Holiday Monday)
Top Picks to May 2023
May Half Term at Beamish
Beamish is open daily from 10am over half term (including Bank Holiday Monday) and you can just drop in without booking in advance.
Dogs on leads are welcome in the outdoor areas, some of the outbuildings and The Sun Inn Pub (see here for full info).
May Half Term Highlights:
- Pick up a special Tramway 50th Anniversary Ticket at the Entrance and get it clipped by the conductors
- 1900s Pit Village - play traditional games in the back lanes
- 1940s Farm - learn about traditional crafts, see wartime cooking & get your identity card stamped (collect from reception)
- 1820s Pockerley Old Hall - Georgian skills and crafts and a quick visit from the quack doctor
- 1900s Town - At 11:30am and 1:30pm you can join in with the Suffragettes march to win votes for women. Create a postcard in the Masonic Hall and turn detective and solve the Cluedo mystery
- Take a steam train ride through the Georgian landscape on the 1820s Pockerley Waggonway (running Bank Holiday Monday then Wednesday-Sunday)
- Visit the 1950s playpark
- Spains Field Farm is open weekends and Bank Holiday Monday. You will find traditional toys and games to play with, a children's dressing up box and you can learn all about butter churning and milking
- There is a HUGE line up of live music each day from The Darling Dollies and Backworth Colliery Band to The Dead Skunk Skiffle & Blues Orchestra, The Old Time Rags Travelling Show and The Jack Logan Band. Check the line up here: What's On : Beamish Half Term
- Swim sessions cost £3.50 per swimmer (for a 60 minute session) and should be booked in advance
- PAYG open swim sessions are available at Paddlepod Shiremoor, Killingworth and Whitley Bay
- Warm pools which are maintained between 30-32 degrees
- Adult : child ratios are as follows - one adult can supervise up to two children under the age of 8 years and one adult can supervise up to five children aged 8-16 years
- Modern changing rooms
- Pool toys, floats and small inflatables are included
- Some sessions are available exclusively for families with babies and pre-schoolers
- Some sessions are available for all to enjoy
- Additional open swim sessions available during school holidays
- All venues have on-site cafes and play areas for under 5s
- Pools come with modern viewing areas where family can watch (with a nice cuppa too)
- Find out more, check timetables and book here: paddlepod.co.uk/swim/open-swim-sessions
Find a class near you & sign up here: Bloom Toddler Classes
Classes take place at venues across Northumberland, North Tyneside, Newcastle and Durham and focus on activities to help develop languauge, support EYFS, improve fine motor skills and prepare your toddler for school.
Suitable for walkers aged 15months - 4 years, no two classes are ever the same. They are delivered by passionate and highly trained individuals and include a huge range of fun activities from phonics and Makaton to messy play, sorting games, bubbles & parachute games.
They're determined to stand up for what they believe in and make a change. Protest explores what it means to make a difference, the power of friendship and the importance of using your own voice.
Check out the trailer above and read our review here.
Tickets are available from £10 here: Protest at Northern Stage Tickets.
Tynemouth Food Festival
Find out more and buy your tickets here: Tynemouth Food Festival Tickets
FREE drop in sports including archery, street golf and mini olympics
FREE cooking sessions with Fun Little Foodies
FREE creative and messy play with ARTventurers
FREE glitter art and face painting
FREE family yoga sessions
FREE craft actvities with North Tyneside Recycling Team
Dogs are welcome on leads in the outdoor areas. It's a brill event, we've been going for the past two years and will be going again this year.
FREE Face of Engineering Family Fun Day at The Common Room, Newcastle
- Talks and demonstrations from industry experts
- Have a go at creating your own designs through various fun activities
- Learn from and be inspired by the best engineering experts
- Discover more about engineering and innovations
All ages are welcome. Find out more and book your free ticket here: FREE Family Fun Day Tickets
*Discovery Museum is open daily from 10am-4pm on weekdays and 11am-4pm on weekends. They are closed on Bank Holidays so won't be open on Monday 29 May. Free entry, donations welcome.
- Daily - Red Arrows Simulator
Experience a thrilling 4 minute flight like no other as you join Red Arrows in their cockpit for a flight above Cyprus. Expect stunning visuals, surround sound and dynamic movement. Suitable for those over 1.07m (certain health conditions excluded). Tickets are £3.50 pp and can be purchased on arrival. - 27 May - 4 June - Drop-In Shipbuilder Trail
Purchase this trail from the museum shop on arrival (50p per trail). This self-led trail has been designed for all ages to enjoy together. Row, steam and sail around the museum galleries to complete the trail. There is a chance to win a playmobil bundle too. - Tuesday 30 May - Discovery Days: Shipshape
Join in with some nautical themed crafts in celebration of the industries the River Tyne has shaped over the centuries. Booking in advance is recommended but there will be a limited number of 'on-the-day' tickets available too.
Crafts available include 'Build a Wooden Ship' (£2), 'Create a Boat Magnet' (£1) and 'Design a Paper Boat' (free). Most suitable for ages 5-11 years but all welcome. - Wednesday 31 May - Discover a Story : The Boy Who Sailed the World
Suitable for ages 3-5 years (+ grown ups), this special Tiny Sparks session includes a themed storytime and craft session for little ones. Tickets are £3.50 each with babies/accompanying adults going free. Booking is essential for this one. - Friday 2 June - Hartbeeps Toddler Disco
Suitable for toddlers who can walk confidently, enjoy a special boogie time with bubbles, puppets, lights, music and more in the stunning Great Hall. These events usually sell out and receive fantastic reviews. Tickets are £6 per toddler with accompanying adults+babies going free. Booking is essential for this one.
The following events are available to book now:
- 27 May - Nature Wand Making at The Sill
- 28 May - Paint Your Own Glow in the Dark Owl at The Sill
- 30 May - Make a Clay Badger at The Sill
- 31 May - Walltown Wild Sounds Safari
- 31 May - Frogs and Flapjacks at Walltown Country Park
- 31 May - Walltown Nature Rangers
- 1 June - Northumberland National Park Holiday Club
Hey Duggee Live is heading to Newcastle later this month
🙌 Winner of BEST FAMILY SHOW at the Olivier Awards 2023
🐿 Touring for the first time EVER
Find out more and book here: Book Hey Duggee at Newcastle Theatre Royal
📌 Thursday 18 - Sunday 23 May at Theatre Royal Newcastle
⏰ Running time 55 minutes (no interval)
🫶 Relaxed performance Thursday 18 May at 4:30pm
👍 Tickets from £10
🐿 Hey Duggee The Live Theatre Show will feature Duggee and the Squirrels alongside many beloved characters. There is so much to do, but luckily, Duggee has his theatre badge. Will you get yours too?
🐿 Betty wants to make costumes, Happy wants to sing, Tag wants to make music, Norrie wants to dance and Rolly wants to make jelly. They'd love to invite you all to join them in the clubhouse.
🐾 ❤️ It's time for a Duggee Hug
Find out more and book: Book Hey Duggee at Newcastle Theatre Royal
Suitable for all ages. Babes in Arms tickets for children under 18 months are available but should be purchased alongside an adult ticket at check out.
👍 BSL interpreted performance on Saturday 20 May at 1pm
Calling all teachers, PTAs & school groups
🎡 Carnival Rides is now taking bookings for summer fayres & fun days
🎡 An easy and hassle free way to add a revenue stream to your school without any outlay
🎡 Lots of fun for kids, staff and visitors
🎡 Available for school bookings Monday-Friday until the end of July
🎡 They currently cover schools from North Yorkshire to Northumberland
🎡Carnival Rides can offer a tailor made package for your school including:
🎡 Children’s Rides
🎡 Bouncy castles,
🎡 Catering vendors
🎡 Face painting
🎡 Ice cream vans
🎡 Mascots and more
🦺Safety is a number one priority and is paramount to Carnival Rides operations. Bookings include:
🦺Site visit and terrain suitability
🦺Full risk assessment
🦺Public liability insurance cover of £10 million
🦺Method statements
🦺Adips registered attractions
🦺DBS checks
Years of experience - you have probably visited one of their many events at local community fairs, Brocksbushes, Spilmans & more......
If you would like more information please don’t hesitate to contact Carnival Rides:
☎️ 0191 486 2718
📞 07725626811
📧 info@carnivalrides.co.uk
May 2023 Deals and Offers
- Half Price Bowling & Soft Play Mon-Thurs in term time at Dunes Adventure Island when booked online. Use code SPRING50 - see here for more info
- Buy May's Gardeners' World Magazine for a whole year of 2for1 entry to some top attractions including Gibside, Alnwick Garden, Belsay Hall and more - see here for info
Kids Eat Free / Dining Out Deals
May/Half Term Days Out to Book Now
Booking ahead is preferred for these events although walk ins may be available on the day (but do check). Apologies if any of these have sold out. I keep the links live in case of cancellations / extra tickets. If you're looking for drop in events with no booking required, scroll to the next section.....
- Daily - The World's Biggest Playground has Opened at Alnwick Garden
- 23 May - 4 June - Planet Circus OMG in South Shields
- 25 May - 10 June - I, Daniel Blake at Northern Stage (14+)
- 27 May - I Spy with My Little Eye at Alnwick Playhouse
- 27 May - Nature Nerds Club at West Boldon Lodge
- 27 May - Nature Wand Making at The Sill
- 27 May - FREE Face of Engineering Family Fun Day at The Common Room, Newcastle
- 27 & 28 May - Comic Con North East at Utilita Arena Newcastle
- 27 May - 4 June - Superheroes and Princesses Week at Whitehouse Farm
- 27 May - 4 June - Virtual Reality Jungle Boat Ride at Dorman Museum
- 27 May - 4 June - Fantastic Fossils at Seven Stories
- 27 May - 4 June - Jurassic Jars at Seven Stories
- 27 May - 4 June - ROAR like a dinosaur at Seven Stories
- 28 May - I Spy with My Little Eye at Queen's Hall Arts Centre
- 28 May - Meet the Animals at Ouseburn Farm
- 28 May - Paint Your Own Glow in the Dark Owl at The Sill
- 28 May - Open Swim Session at PaddlePod Shiremoor
- 29 May - Open Swim Session at PaddlePod Killingworth, Whitley Bay & Shiremoor
- 29 May - Baby & Pre-School Open Swim Session at PaddlePod Whitley Bay & Shiremoor
- 29 May - 2 June - Greatest Days at Newcastle Theatre Royal
- 30 May - Grooving with Pirates at The Fire Station
- 30 May - Circus Skills at Cleadon Park Library
- 30 May - Make a Clay Badger at The Sill
- 30 May - Baby & Pre-School Open Swim Session / Swim, Eat, Play at PaddlePod Whitley Bay
- 30 May - Open Swim Session at PaddlePod Killingworth & Whitley Bay
- 30 May - Children's Otter Painting Workshop at WWT Washington
- 30 May - Introduction to Pottery at The iscuit Factory (ages 8-14)
- 30 May - Ship themed crafts for ages 5-11 at Discovery Museum
- 30 May - Rockpool Ramble at St Mary's Lighthouse
- 30 May - Incredible Insects (Mysterious Moths) at Wharton Park
- 30 May - Family Nature Crafts and Stories at Northumberlandia
- 30 May - Mini Beast Hunt at Druridge Bay
- 30 & 31 May - Meet the Animals at Ouseburn Farm
- 31 May - The Boy Who Sailed the World Storytime & Crafts for ages 3-5 years
- 31 May - Open Swim Session at PaddlePod Whitley Bay & Shiremoor
- 31 May - Baby & Pre-School Open Swim Session at PaddlePod Killingworth
- 31 May - Incredible Insects (Queen Bee) at Hardwick Park
- 31 May - Bronze Age Vessels at Sunderland Museum & Winter Garden
- 31 May - Pond Dipping at St Nicholas Park, Gosforth
- 31 May - Walltown Wild Sounds Safari (13+)
- 31 May - Walltown Nature Rangers (7-12)
- 31 May - Walltown Frogs & Flapjacks (5+)
- 31 May - Do You Believe in Ghosts? at The Fire Station (12+)
- 1 June - A Shoddy Detective at Washington Arts Centre (7+)
- 1 June - Northumberland National Park Holiday Club
- 1 June - Open Swim Session at PaddlePod Whitley Bay, Shiremoor and Killingworth
- 1 June - Baby & Pre-School Open Swim Session at PaddlePod Whitley Bay
- 1 June - Make an Owl Sculpture at The Biscuit Factory (4-7)
- 1 June - Incredible Insects (Mysterious Moths) at Hardwick Park
- 1 June - Wonderful Worms Family Activity at Hauxley Wildlife Centre
- 1 June - Cookie Decorating at Whickham Hermitage Community Garden
- 1 June - Children's Wildlife Walk at Raby Castle
- 1 June - Family Goat Drawing at Ouseburn Farm
- 1 & 2 June - MarioKart Tournament at Metrocentre
- 1 & 2 June - Farmer's Club at Ouseburn Farm
- 2 June - FREE Plant Mania at Sunderland Winter Gardens
- 2 June - Circus Skills at Jarrow Focus
- 2 June - Pop Art Portraits at The Biscuit Factory (8-14)
- 2 June - Open Swim Session at PaddlePod Killingworth, Whitley Bay and Shiremoor
- 2 June - Baby & Pre-School Open Swim Session at PaddlePod Killingworth
- 2 June - Baby & Pre-School Open Swim Session OR Swim/Eat/Play at PaddlePod Whitley Bay
- 2 June - Dinosaur Day at Newham Grange Farm
- 2 June - Fossil Frolic at St Mary's Lighthouse
- 2 June - Hartbeeps Toddler Disco at Discovery Museum
- 2 June - Meet the Animals at Ouseburn Farm
- 2 June - Discover Snorkelling with Scuba Steve
- 3 June - Sing-a-long Greatest Showman at Herrington Country Park
- 3 June - Open Swim Session at PaddlePod Whitley Bay and Shiremoor
- 3 June - Doctor Who - The Tomb of the Cybermen Event at Star & Shadow Cinema
- 3 June - Baby & Pre-School Open Swim Session at PaddlePod
- 4 June - Encanto Outdoor Cinema Experience at Herrington Country Park
- 4 June - Top Gun Maverick Outdoor Cinema Experience at Herrington Country Park
- 4 June - Open Swim Session at PaddlePod Whitley Bay and Shiremoor
May/Half Term Days Out with NO Booking Required
- 25 of the Best Parks and Playgrounds across North East England
- 30 Things do to at Newbiggin-by-the-Sea
- 20 Things to do at Bamburgh, Seahouses and Beadnell
- 14 Things to do in Morpeth
- 75 Things to do in Newcastle with Kids
- 20 Things to do in Durham with Kids
- 14 Things to do in Hexham with Kids
- A Guide to North East Splash Pads
- Daily - Quentin Blake Trail at WWT Washington
- Daily - FREE Myth Quest at Great North Museum
- Daily - FREE Last Chance for The Lost Spells at The Sill (ends 4 June)
- Daily - FREE ZOG Trail at Hamsterley Forest
- Daily - FREE ZOG Trail at Kielder Forest
- 26 May - Live Music and Crepes Night at Land of Oak and Iron
- 26 - 29 May - Bedlington Funfair
- 27 May - Nature Explorer Day at Ormesby Hall
- 27 May - Elmer Arts & Crafts at The Word
- 27 May - Ushaw Classic Car & Bike Show
- 27 May - Pond Dipping at WWT Washington
- 27 May - FREE Whitley Bay Carnival
- 27 May - FREE Buddha's Birthday at Oriental Museum Durham
- 27 & 28 May - FREE Amble Puffin Festival
- 27 May - 4 June - The Old Time Rags Travelling Show at Beamish
- 27 May - 4 June - House Flower Trail at Wallington
- 27 & 28 May - FREE Entry Machine Meet at Eshott Airfield
- 27 - 29 May - FREE Entry Feast in the Park at Bents Park
- 27 - 29 May - Viking Re-enactment with Acle at Bamburgh Castle
- 27, 28 & 29 May - Pond Dipping at Ormesby Hall
- 27 May - 4 June - Comic Adventure Week at Preston Park Museum & Grounds
- 27 May - 4 June - World of Wonder Week at Tynemouth Aquarium
- 27 May - 4 June - Alnwick Untamed at Alnwick Garden
- 27 May - 4 June - Early Bird Trail at Hardwick Park
- 27 May - 4 June - Early Bird Trail at Wharton Park
- 27 May - 4 June - Shipbuilder Trail at Discovery Museum
- 27 May - 4 June - House Flower Trail at Wallington
- 27 May - 4 June - Kids Rule World War II Activities at Tynemouth Priory
- 27 May - 4 June - Kids Rule Merry Monarchs Coronation Week at Belsay Hall
- 27 May - 4 June - Kids Rule Merry Monarchs Coronation Week at Warkworth Castle
- 27 May - 4 June - Kids Rule Roman Activities at Chesters Roman Fort
- 27 May - 4 June - Make a Bug Magnet at Woodhorn
- 27 May - 4 June - Runic Codebreakers at Berwick Museum & Art Gallery
- 27 May - 4 June - Scratch Art Bookmarks at Hexham Old Gaol
- 27 May - 4 June - FREE Cereal Disco at Doodle at BALTIC
- 28 May - FREE Heritage Open Day at Washington Old Hall
- 28 May - Nature Printing at WWT Washington
- 28 May - Dog Social at Tyne Bank Brewery
- 28 May - World Ocean Day at St Mary's Lighthouse
- 28 May - FREE Jarrow Folk Festival at Jarrow Hall
- 28 May - FREE Cullercoats Dolphin Watch Family Fun Day
- 29 May - Marley the Miniature Pony at Bamburgh Castle
- 29 May - Warrior School at Bamburgh Castle
- 29 May - Pond Dipping and Crafts at WWT Washington
- 29 May - Dog Friendly Launch Day at Dalton Park
- 29 May - Dino Art & Crafts at Whickham Hermitage Community Garden
- 29 May - FREE LEGO Time at Hebburn Library
- 29 May - FREE Little Mermaid & Sebastian Event + Face Painting at Manor Walks
- 29 & 31 May - FREE Souter Sports at Souter Lighthouse
- 29 May - 1 June - Duck Races at Wallington
- 29 May - 2 June - FREE Nature Trail at Whickham Hermitage Community Garden
- 29 May - 3 June - Marcus the Medicus at Roman Army Museum
- 29 May - 4 June - FREE Mermaid & Spidey Colouring Station at Manor Walks (Quiet session on 4 June)
- 30 May - FREE Make a Flower Bouquet at South Shields Museum
- 30 May - Kite Making at Souter Lighthouse
- 30 May - FREE Tractors and Diggers Day at Darlington Market Square
- 30 May - Elmer Arts and Crafts at Hebburn Central Library
- 30 May - 1 June - FREE Moss Troopers Myth Maker Days at Great North Museum
- 30 May - 1 June - FREE Big Science UK Show at Locomotion Shildon (book on arrival - 30 tickets per show available)
- 30 May - 4 June - Titanic Cat Trail at Dorman Museum
- 30 May - 4 June - Seven Seas Fish Trail at Captain Cook Museum
- 31 May - Glass Painting for ages 4+ at National Glass Centre
- 31 May - FREE Make a Mini Bow and Arrow at Oriental Museum Durham
- 31 May - Storytelling in the Walled Garden at Wallington
- 31 May - Pond Dipping at WWT Washington
- 31 May - FREE LEGO Time at The Word
- 31 May - FREE Mini Pride at Kirkleatham Museum
- 31 May - FREE LEGO Time at Jarrow Focus Library
- 31 May - FREE Make a Spring Flower Picture at Arbeia Roman Fort
- 1 June - Natural Printing at WWT Washington
- 1 June - Titanic Porthole Family Craft at Dorman Museum
- 1 June - FREE Design a Plantpot at Stephenson Railway
- 1 June - FREE LEGO Time at Hebburn Library
- 1 June - FREE LEGO TIme at Cleadon Park Library
- 1 - 4 June - Seeds of Hope at Woodhorn
- 1 - 5 June - Cramlington Carnival
- 1 - 5 June - Festival of the Rose at Roman Army Museum
- 2 June - Glass Painting for ages 4+ at National Glass Centre
- 2 June - FREE Make Wild Seed Bombs at Hebburn Central Library
- 2 June - FREE Kitchen Science Demos and Experiments at Locomotion Shildon
- 2 June - FREE Spidey Event + Face Painting at Manor Walks
- 2 June - FREE Ancient Egyptian Shabti Making at Oriental Museum Durham
- 3 June - FREE Windows into Strange Worlds Crafts at Sunderland Winter Gardens
- 3 June - FREE Make a Beautiful Bird at Oriental Museum Durham
- 3 June - Pond Dipping & Crafts at WWT Washington
- 3 June - FREE Picnic in the Park at Northumberland Square, North Shields
- 4 June - Northumberlandia Food & Craft Market
Walks, Parks & Picnics
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Wynyard Woodland Park |
- 30+ Walking Trails for Kids
- Wynyard Hall Gardens & Woodland Walk
- Wynyard Woodland Park
Carlisle Park, Morpeth
- 10 Easy Coastal Walks
- 11 of the Best Woodland Walks
- 10 Family Walks with Cafes and Playgrounds nearby
Sea Glass Hunting at Blast Beach
- Rising Sun Country Park Walk & Farm
- How to Climb Roseberry Topping
- How to find the Cramlington Giant Spoon
Low Hauxley Nature Reserve
- 10 Walks with Waterfalls
- Ridley Park, Blyth
- Tyne Green Park, Hexham
Auckland Castle Deer Park
- Causey Arch Picnic Area
- Treasure Trails Guide
- 15 of the Best Playgrounds across North East England
Bedlington Country Park
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