What's On for Kids & Teens across North East England : May Half Term 2023

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What's On for Kids & Teens across North East England : May 2023 (+ Half Term)

This post will be split into the following sections:

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

There's lots going on in May! Here are some dates for your diary:

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

As always, there is lots of fun to be had at Beamish this half term. All events & activities below are included with admission and FREE to Beamish Unlimited Pass Holders.

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

The traditional fairground, North East themed golf course, treats from the bakery, Beamish Ices, bags of sweets from the old-fashioned sweet shop and of course, fish and chips will all be available for an additional charge.

Swimming at Paddlepod

Did you know you can book an open swim session at any Paddlepod venue on a pay as you go basis? We are big fans of these pools. Here's why we love them:

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

Bloom Toddler Classes

Bloom Toddler Classes are a brand new toddler development class from the same people behind the multi award-winning Bloom Baby Classes.

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.

Protest at Northern Stage

Protest is a new production showing at Northern Stage from 27 April - 6 May. Perfect for ages 8+, we follow three young girls as they notice injustices in the world around them for the first time.

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

Tynemouth Food Festival is back for May 2023. Taking place in the historic grounds of Tynemouth Priory & Castle on 13 & 14 May, entry is just £3.75+bf per adult with children under 15 going free. This is a big saving on standard entry which is usually £19 per family.

Find out more and buy your tickets here: Tynemouth Food Festival Tickets

You can expect lots of local street food, pop up bars, live music and market traders selling local produce plus there is plenty of FREE entertainment for kids including:

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

Taking place on Saturday 27th May, this FREE Family Fun Day is designed to celebrate diversity and inspire future engineers. You can expect:

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

Get Shipshape at Discovery Museum this May

*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.

May Half Term at Northumberland National Park

The weather looks like it's going to be glorious next week and what better way to enjoy the sunshine than an event in Northumberland National Park.

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

Why not combine this with a trip to see the FREE Lost Spells Exhibition at The Sill or a walk to Sycamore Gap? It's very do-able with kids (especially if you take the easy route).

Hey Duggee at Newcastle Theatre Royal

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 Schools.........

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

Please let me know if you spot any 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.....