Top Things To Do During May Half-Term

With Summer right around the corner, it’s a great time to get outside, discover something new and have fun!

During the May Half-Term and Bank Holiday, Leeds will come to life with family fun activities for all ages. Here we’ve rounded up the top things to do this May Half-Term which are guaranteed to put a spring in your step.

ROYAL ARMOURIES

From the 24th May to 1st of June you can enjoy 5 live shows a day at the Royal Armouries Museum including combat demonstrations, talks on weapons and battle stories all marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

You can also take part in the Escape Room AND the Crossbow Challenge from only £15.50 for both.

Find out more here.

LOTHERTON HALL AND WILDLIFE WORLD

Wildlife World is hosting a Love Your Zoo Week where you can follow the animals through the estate, hop on board the famous tractor-trailer to go in search of deer and listen to keeper’s stories on the animals.

You can even get up close to some with the Capybara and Wallaby Experiences.

The last weekend of May, Lotherton will be invaded by the Volsung Vikings with battle performances, activities and more.

Find out more here.

HAREWOOD HOUSE

LEEDS CITY MUSEUM

Embark on an adventure around the City Museum with Miffy by picking up a free trail map and following the clues. There will also be Miffy-themed arts & crafts suitable for all ages.

Find out more here.

TEMPLE NEWSAM

Temple Newsam is bringing joy to families this half-term with their Find Your Happy activities inside the house.

Explore the outdoors with the RHS Children’s Gardening Week where kids can learn about flowers, plants and wildlife as well as learning to plant your own tomatoes.

Hop on over to the Home Farm to meet the pigs, sheep, cows and more farm animals.

Find out more here.

Did you know there is Go-Ape at Temple Newsam? Take the tree-top adventures for kids as young as 4 years old.

LEEDS DISCOVERY CENTRE

Voted one of the best hidden-gems in the UK, by Transpennine Express, the Leeds Discovery Centre holds the Leeds Museums & Galleries collection with over 1.3 millions objects to discover. Enjoy some behind the scenes tours and find out about meteorites, old telephones and toucans.

Find out more here.

THACKRAY MUSEUM OF MEDICINE

This May half-term at Thackray Museum is all about blood – what exactly is it, and what does it do? Take part in science shows, trails, craft activities and – if you’re feeling brave – their infamous hands-on heart dissection workshops!  There is even an interactive trail for under-5s!

Find out more here.

ABBEY HOUSE MUSEUM & KIRKSTALL ABBEY

Some cheeky garden gnomes have taken over Abbey House Museum and are hiding throughout the Victorian Streets. Help tidy up by finding them all, or maybe join them in their mischief! Also enjoy the Storytime Exhibition and see how children throughout history enjoyed stories.

Find out more here.

Across the road, Kirkstall Abbey has a Scarecrow Festival. You might find a Hungry Caterpillar in the Kitchen, a ladybird in the library or a horse in the hospital!

Find out more here.

TROPICAL WORLD

Celebrate the animals at Tropical World and meet the Sulcata tortoises – Tank, Scoop, Dizzy, Roley, and Muck.

Find out more here.

MARKS & SPENCER ARCHIVES

Explore the history of Marks & Spencer, find all the clues and grab yourself a pack of Percy Pigs!

Find out more here.

EVENTS

The Great British Food Festival at Harewood House is the perfect day out for all ages or days as it’s on for whole 3 days! Expect a mouth-watering mix of the finest local and regional artisan producers, sizzling street food stalls, top chefs live on stage, delectable bars, craft and gift stalls, children’s entertainment, foraging walks, all set to the soundtrack of fantastic live music.

Explore a variety of family-friendly movies like Song of the Sea and The Minecraft Movie with Hyde & Seek at Hyde Park Picture House.

Meet The Baddies at Carriageworks – they roar, spook and cast wicked spells to try and scare a girl out of her wits…who will succeed? Or perhaps the girl is braver than they think…

Meet the author behind How To Train Your Dragon, Cressida Cowell, to launch her new book How To Train Your Dragon School at Leeds Central Library.

Decorate your own Fairy Door! at the Corn Exchange Leeds with the team at Quartz ‘n All and take them home to let the magic in at home.

Join Bethan Woollvin for These Are My Rocks at Leeds Libraries, a workshop and book launch based on the art of collecting.

Join the Kirkgate Market team for some free activities at May Mayhem, Stay and Play. Lego, crafts, and colouring will be available.

Join Hey Duggee at the Merrion Centre on the 29th May for some singing, dancing and other activities.

Woolfest lands at Leeds Industrial Museum. The Museum will be packed out with crafting markets to expert demonstrations, talks, performances, tea room pop-ups and loads more. Whether you’re a natty knitter or crackers about crochet, it’s a great day out for all ages.

OTHER ENTERTAINMENT

Following a big renovation recently, Tenpin at the Merrion Centre has reopened with an array of new attractions, including karaoke, interactive darts and escape rooms, alongside classic favourites like pool, arcades and a refreshed bar area serving a new menu of food and drinks.

Funstation is a new addition to The Light featuring arcade, VR Games and a whole lot of fun!

With wall-to-wall trampolines and inflatables, as well as laser tag, Jump Inc by AirHop is a great activity for the family.