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

ADVERT. This post contains adverts & affiliate links. Please always check with venues direct for the most up-to-date information before setting off, especially regarding dates/times, age guidance and whether booking is required. This info is subject to change.

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

Sign up to receive my FREE what's on emails

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) Ridley Park Kids Fun Zone - 25th May - 2 June

FREE Entry | Open Daily from 11am | Just Drop In |

Best for ages 2-10 years | Cash & Card accepted

Postcode NE24 3HF (free car park on site or a short walk from Blyth Bus Station)

Ridley Park is hosting a Kids Fun Zone across May Half Term. Expect funfair rides, face painting, giant bouncy castles, soft play, games and much more. PLUS look out for character appearances:

25 & 27 May - Transformers and Dinosaurs
28 & 29 May - Bubble Man
30 May, 1 & 2 June - Bluey, Bingo, Stutch and Angel

Check for updates here: https://www.facebook.com/carnivaridesuk

Ridley Park is one of our favourites in the North East (read our full guide here) and as long as everything goes to plan, their free splash pad should be switched on daily across half term too so make sure you bring the kids a change of clothes.

(ad) Cluedo 2 - The Next Chapter at Newcastle Theatre Royal

Cluedo was one of favourite family board games growing up. I was always Miss Scarlett and although my family always accused me of cheating, I promise I didn't and I just had a natural knack for it and I would absolutely love to see the game played out on stage.

Following the success of Cluedo, the hilarious whodunit is back on stage with a brand new storyline. West End and TV star Jason Durr (who played David in Casualty) is playing Colonol Mustard (I think he'll really shine in this role) alongside Strictly Champion Ellie Leach as Miss Scarlett.

Recommended for ages 8+ and playing at Newcastle Theatre Royal from 28 May - 1 June and with tickets from £15, this will be a brilliant half-term treat for families with older kids / teens or just a fun alternative night out for grown ups.

Find out more and book: Book Tickets Here

(ad) What's On at North East National Trust this May

Keep an eye on Seaton Delaval Hall's social media for the best time to see their beautiful Laburnum Arch

1 May - Dawn Chorus Safari at Wallington
4 May - Tours to the Top at Penshaw Monument
4 May - Time Bandits at Washington Old Hall
4 & 11 May - Meet the Beekeepers at Gibside
10 May - Delaval Dusk Bat Night at Seaton Delaval Hall
11 May - Blossom Origami Art at Gibside
11 & 12 May - Blossom Picnic Weekend at Crook Hall Gardens
12 & 14 May - Moth Mornings at Wallington
12 & 26 May - Seashore Safari at Souter Lighthouse
15 May - Beaver Ecology Talk at Wallington
23 May - Blossom Walk - Crook Hall to Durham Botanic Gardens
1 - 31 May - Moth and Butterfly Trail at Gibside
25, 27, 29, 31 May - Pond Dipping at Ormesby Hall
25 May - 2 June - Musical Mayhem Half Term at Ormesby Hall
25 May - 2 June - Half Term Incredible Insects Trail in the Walled Garden at Wallington
25 May - 2 June - Incredible Insects in the House at Wallington
27 & 28 May - Wallington Duck Races
29 & 30 May - Storytelling and Crafts in the Walled Garden at Wallington
28 May - FREE Souter Sports at Souter Lighthouse
30 May - Half Term Sports at Crook Hall Gardens
Various Dates in May - Beaver Enclosure Safari at Wallington
Fridays - FREE Tots Play at Seaton Delval Hall (membership is not required)
Saturdays - FREE Park Play at Souter Lighthouse
From 15 May - North East Emerging Artist at Seaton Delaval Hall

Additional May Half Term events will be added soon.....

(ad) May Highlights at Beamish

As always, daytime events at Beamish are included with the Beamish Unlimited pass. Pay once, and visit for a full year for FREE! Find out more here: https://www.beamish.org.uk/plan-your-visit/

May Half Term events to be added soon........

(ad) What's On at Raby Castle this May

The Plotters' Forest at Raby Castle

5 May - The Great British Dog Walk (with free doggy bandana) at Raby Castle Deer Park. Raising funds for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. 3km & 8km routes.
11 & 12 May - Guided Blubell Walk at Raby Castle in their private woodland
12 May - The Raby Races with Teesdale Atheletics at Raby Castle

May Half Term events to be added soon......

What's On 1 - 3 May

(ad) 1 - 3 May - The Boy at the Back of the Class at Newcastle Theatre Royal

Told from a child's perspective and balancing heart with humour, this adaptation of the best-selling book by Onjali Q Rauf highlights the power of kindness in a world that doesn't always make sense. Suitable for young people aged 7+, teens and adults with tickets available from just £10.
1 May - Tiny Sparks! at Discovery Museum

(ad) 2 - 4 May - Beaver Enclosure Safari at Wallington
(ad) 3 May - FREE Tots Play at Seaton Delval Hall (membership is not required)
1 May - Korean Skincare Workshop at R Place North Shields
1 & 2 May - Frankenstein at Northern Stage
1-3 May - Oliver Jnr at Seaham Town Hall
2 May - Aromatherapy Roller Oil Workshop at R Place North Shields
3 May - Embroidery Workshop at R Place North Shields
3 May - (ad) Bingo, Bluey, Stitch and Lilo at Kids Fun Zone, Brocksbushes
3 May - Museum Mice Under the Sea at Great North Museum
3 May - Slice Wars at Wylam Brewery

What's On 4 - 6 May

(ad) 4-6 May - Kids Fun Zone at Brocksbushes for ages 2-10 years with UNLIMITED rides, trampolines and inflatables for 2 hours. PLUS appearances by Bluey, Bingo, Stitch, Lilo and The Bubble Man
(ad) 4 May - The Boy at the Back of the Class at Newcastle Theatre Royal
(ad) 4 May - Beaver Enclosure Safari at Wallington
(ad) 4 May - Tours to the Top at Penshaw Monument
(ad) 4 May - FREE Park Play at Souter Lighthouse
(ad) 4 May - Time Bandits at Washington Old Hall
(ad) 4 May - Meet the Beekeepers at Gibside
4 May - Slice Wars at Wylam Brewery
4 May - Darlington Star Wars Day
4 May - FREE Minecraft Club at The Farrell Centre

4 May - Oliver Jnr at Seaham Town Hall
4 May - Yo Ho Ho Pirate Day at Heugh Battery
4 May - FREE Japanese Children's Day at Oriental Museum Durham
4 May - Small and Mighty Family Crafts at Washington Arts Centre
4 & 5 May - FREE Build a LEGO Star Wars Darth Vader and Princess Leia to take home at LEGO Store Metrocentre
4 & 5 May - LEGO Weekend at Discovery Museum
4 & 5 May - FREE Bookmark Making at The Farrell Centre
4-6 May - Princess and Superhero Weekend at Whitehouse Farm
4 - 6 May - Dino Breakout at Lightwater Valley
4 - 6 May - Ugly Bug Safari at Belsay Hall
4 - 6 May - Whippet Whippet Crafts at Woodhorn
4 - 6 May - Monster Truck Show at Newcastle Racecourse
4 - 6 May - Newcastle Food Festival
4 - 6 May - Mini Beast Mask Making at Science at Life
5 May - Nature Watercolour Painting at Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre
(ad) 5 & 6 May - May Day Celebrations at Beamish
5 & 6 May - Roman Pottery Demos at Vinodlanda
(ad) 5 May - The Great British Dog Walk (with free doggy bandana) at Raby Castle Deer Park. Raising funds for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. 3km & 8km routes.
6 May - Marley the Mini Pony at Bamburgh Castle

What's On 7 - 10 May

7 & 8 May - Strictly Come Dancing the Professionals at Sunderland Empire
8 May - Dried Flower Workshop at R Place North Shields
8 May - Tiny Sparks! at Discovery Museum
8 May - The Very Hungry Caterpillar Story, Craft and Trail at Harwick Park
7 - 10 May - FREE Spirit of Invention at Discovery Museum
9 May - FREE Little Builders at The Farrell Centre
(ad) 9 -11 May - Beaver Enclosure Safari at Wallington
9 - 13 May - Ashington Funfair
(ad) 10 May - FREE Tots Play at Seaton Delval Hall (membership is not required)
(ad) 10 May - Delaval Dusk Bat Night at Seaton Delaval Hall

What's On 11 - 17 May

(ad) 11 & 12 May - Tynemouth Food Festival

Taking place at the spectacular Tynemouth Priory, you can expect live music, entertainment, kids activities, local and regional food produce and stalls and more across the weekend. Kids go free too.