Get Ready for May Half Term with the Best Activities Across the North East and Yorkshire
With the May half term is on the horizon, and there's a lot going on for kids across the North East and Yorkshire
Remake Learning Days Festival 2024, Doncaster
22nd–31st May
During this 10-day festival, venues and organisations across Doncaster will be hosting free activities for children and families of all ages to learn together. Whether you fancy some arts and crafts, a day out at the fire station or trying science experiments, explore their website to see just how much is happening.
remakelearningdays.org
Making Faces Tree Trail at Fountains Abbey, Ripon
25th May–2nd June
Clay faces will be hidden in the trees around the magical ruins at Fountains Abbey. Explore the grounds to find as many as you can, then have a go at sculpting your own.
Garden Play at The Hepworth Wakefield Garden
11am–4pm every day during Wakefield school holidays
These special play sessions in The Hepworth Wakefield Garden are limited to weekends during term time but will be happening every day of the school holidays. Get ready to stack, build experiment, draw and explore (remember to bring a change of clothes).
hepworthwakefield.org
Family Arts Festival at Shipley Art Gallery, Gateshead
10.30–11.30am & 1–2pm, 28th May
These special holiday sessions at Gateshead’s Shipley Art Gallery take inspiration from the sea-life that decorates their ceramics collection. Learn about artists who have been inspired by life under the sea, and then spend some time crafting your own underwater creatures. Tickets can be pre-booked online.
shipleyartgallery.co.uk
Make a Monster Pot at Ravn Clay Pottery, Ford Village
29th & 31st May (earlier and later dates available)
In this monstrous pottery session, aspiring potters of all ages will have the chance to create their own horrifying plant pot using the slab-building technique. Once you’re done, the experts at Ravn Clay will glaze and fire your pot so it’s ready to house your favourite plant… perhaps a Venus flytrap?
ford-and-etal.co.uk
Zen Garden at Theatre Hullabaloo, Darlington
Monday–Saturday, 10am–2pm till 1st June
As its name suggests, Theatre Hullabaloo’s Zen Garden aims to provide a space for calming play inspired by the natural world. No booking is required for free drop-in sessions, but you can book private 25 minute slots if you or your child are neurodiverse.
theatrehullabaloo.or.uk
Factor Nifty
There’s been a lot of noise arounds kids’ skincare recently. I think we all know that 10 year olds probably don’t need a five-step routine, but one thing that remains vital is sun-protection. With this in mind, here are our picks of the best sunscreens for kids
For All-Round Performance
Anthelios Kids Invisible Spray SPF50+ 200ml, £19.12 La Roche-Posay at Boots, branches regionwide
For Schoolbags
Kids Caring Roll-On SPF50+ 50ml, £a5.49 Nivea Sun, stockists regionwide
For Teens
Sun Squad Sensitive Skin SPF30 For Face 50ml, £25 spots-and-stripes.com
