May half term and the late Bank Holiday weekend in Birmingham offer a wealth of family-friendly activities. Schools break up on Friday, May 22, and return on Monday, June 1, giving families a full week of fun that includes an extra day off for most parents.
Bangers N' Mashup Family Rave at Rowheath Pavilion
Bangers N' Mashups are Birmingham raves raising money for families in need, and all ages are invited. The next event takes place on May 31 at Rowheath Pavilion in Bournville from 3:30pm to 6:30pm. These family-friendly events feature old school bangers, balloons, glitter tattoos, face paint, and free fruit sundae stations for kids. Best of all, they fund workshops across Birmingham and Sandwell, empowering people in temporary housing to eat healthily on a budget. Find out more via the Bangers N' Mashup CIC Instagram page and book tickets via Skiddle.
Choose Your Adventure Story Trail at Selly Manor
There is a special 'Choose your adventure' story trail at Selly Manor over May half term. Families can enjoy dressing up and games in the pretty garden at this easy-to-reach attraction. There is also the chance to create your own 'tapestry tale' as part of the Fragments event. Running from May 26 to 28, no need to book; just drop in between 10am and 5pm. Find out more on their website. Address: Maple Road, Bournville.
Magic of the Gardens at Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Discover a little 'everyday magic and wonder' at Birmingham Botanical Gardens during the late Bank Holiday weekend. Families can look out for hidden stories, music, and 'playful encounters' inspired by folklore from around the world. Meet the Green Man, watch B’Opera: When Fairies Sing concert, and hear 'enchanting' tales told by fairies in the Storytelling Corner. Running from May 23 to 25, the event runs from 10am to 6pm each day. There is a special early bird offer with 10% off all tickets booked before May 4. Under fives go free. Find out more and book tickets on their website. Address: Westbourne Road, Edgbaston.
West Midlands Safari Park Giraffe Jamboree
West Midlands Safari Park has a new event on selected dates throughout May celebrating one of its most iconic animals: the tower of beautiful giraffes. The Giraffe Jamboree features trails, shows, competitions, and the chance to win prizes. You can also see the newest members of the herd, calves Namara and Olive, and learn all about these incredible creatures. It takes place on May 2, 4, 9, 10, 16, 17, and 23 to 31. Find out more and book tickets on their website. Address: Bewdley, Worcestershire.
Art Club at BMAG
An art club takes place on the Wednesday and Friday of May half term at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. Entry into BMAG is free, and art club tickets cost just £3.50 per child, with accompanying adults free. Kids can use acrylic paint and varnish to decorate plant pots to take home. Find out more and book tickets on their website. Address: Chamberlain Square, Birmingham city centre.
Half Term Trail at Charlecote Park
There is a May half term trail around the gardens at Charlecote Park, accessible for pushchairs and wheelchairs. The fun runs from May 23 to 31. Between the quiet Woodland Garden, deer park, luscious borders, and Tea Garden, there are many areas to explore plus nature-themed games. Find out more and book on their website. Address: Wellesbourne, Warwick.
Character Week at Packwood House
Story time at the National Trust's Packwood House this half term. Running from May 23 to 31, families can spot lots of fun characters in the gardens, from scared little piggies to a very peckish caterpillar. Afterwards, pop into Sundials bookshop to pick up your next bedtime story. Head out on the Welly Walk and build a den, watch the birds, and hop over logs – don’t forget your wellies! This event is included in the admission price. Find out more and book tickets on their website. Address: Packwood Lane, Solihull.
Dino Lab at Thinktank
Birmingham's science museum, Thinktank, encourages visitors to travel back in time with its Dino Lab experience. Taking place in the Science Garden from Monday, May 25 to Friday, May 29, families can become fossil hunters and design a prehistoric pathway using dinosaur footprints. There is also the chance to get hands-on with the museum's fossil handling collection and dig for fossils in the sand pit. This drop-in event is included in the admission price. Find out more on their website. Address: Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham.
Nature Activity Clouds at Baddesley Clinton
This May half-term, from May 23 to 31, celebrate the anniversary of Lady Chatterton and explore a new exhibition at Baddesley Clinton. Head out into the spring gardens to spot the nature activity clouds. Find all nine, complete the activities, and get inspired to create a drawing, painting, poem, or short story for inclusion in the exhibition. On Saturday, May 23, try a children’s yoga session with movement, stories, songs, and creative play on the front lawn. £5 per child, normal admission applies, booking essential. Find out more on their website. Address: Rising Lane, Knowle, Solihull.
Arts and Crafts Sessions at Compton Verney
Compton Verney has a half term programme full of creative activities suited to different ages and interests. There are Big Blue Blocks sessions for building with giant blocks and shapes, STEM science and engineering activities with Kineton RAF. Children can make a statement collage to take home in the Trouble Makers sessions, and under-fives can Get Mucky Get Making in forest school sessions that end with a story and a toasted marshmallow by the fire. Find out more and book tickets on their website. Address: Compton Verney, Warwick.
Luminarium at Harwell Campus in Oxford
A bit further afield but worth a look is a 'spectacular' walk-through light installation at Harwell Campus in Didcot, Oxford, from May 29 to 31. The Light Project’s Luminarium Terceradix is a huge inflatable structure filled with winding pathways, twisty tunnels, huge glowing domes, translucent fabrics, and constantly changing colours. Suitable for all ages, it costs only £5 for adults, £3 for children, and babes in arms go free. It takes just over 90 minutes to get there via the M40 and A34. Find out more and book tickets on their website. Address: Harwell Campus, Didcot, OX11 0DF.
Follow our Brummie Mummies Facebook page and Instagram page, sign up to our Brummie Mummies newsletter, and listen to our podcasts to keep updated on brilliant things to do around Birmingham and the West Midlands.
