Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
What's On in Avon
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Spring Family Trail at Westonbirt Arboretum
1st March-31st May 2025
Venue: Westonbirt Arboretum
Website: www.forestryengland.uk/westonbirt/family-trail-spring
Become a biodiversity detective and search for as many livings things in nature as you can as you follow along this family spring trail. Collect your detectives activity sheet from the Welcome Building...
Ancient Animal Odyssey
22nd April-1st June 2025
Venue: Cheddar Gorge and Caves
Website: www.cheddargorge.co.uk
Meet the magnificent creatures that once ruled the Earth millions of years ago and learn lots of fun facts – even be surprised to learn which ones still walk among us today! It’s a journey through...
Giffords Circus
9th-19th May 2025
Venue: Sudeley Castle and Gardens
Website: www.giffordscircus.com
Over the past 25 years since its first inception, Giffords Circus has captivated and entertained over one million people with its unique, creative and dazzling shows, performed under the canvas of its...
AJ Bell Junior and Mini Great Bristol Run
10th May 2025
Venue: Bristol City Centre
Website: www.greatrun.org/events/junior-mini-great-bristol-run
There’s a Mini (ages 3-8) 1.5km dash and a Junior (9-15) 2.5km challenge, offering something for all ages, giving our younger runners the chance to take centre stage on Super Saturday before the Great...
Tom Gates Epic Stage Show
11th May 2025
Venue: The Playhouse
Website: www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk
With catchy tunes and hilarious performances, this fantastic new stage show brings the best of the Brilliant World of Tom Gates into one live show. It’s pure fun for the whole family whether you're a...
Alfie and Amelia Fact Finding Trail
12th May-6th July 2025
Venue: Aerospace Bristol
Website: www.aerospacebristol.org/whats-on
Take off on an aviation adventure with Alfie Fox and his sister Amelia. Download your Alfie and Amelia comic book story ahead of your visit, or pick up a free copy in admissions.
Family Adventures at Mendip Activity Centre
12th May-6th July 2025
Venue: Mendip Activity Centre Sandford
Website: www.mendipbasecamp.com
Looking for a family adventure? Head to Mendip Basecamp, Mendip Activity Centre's award-winning family adventure campsite nestled in the Mendip Hills. With live music, storytelling, flexible pitches and...
Little Stoke Junior Parkrun
12th May-6th July 2025
Venue: Little Stoke Park
Website: www.parkrun.org.uk/littlestoke-juniors
A free, fun, and friendly weekly 2K event for juniors (4 to 14 year olds) every Sunday at 9am. Free to join but you must register before your first run. The aim is to have fun, so go along and join in...
Mad Science Summer Camps
12th May-6th July 2025
Venue: Various venues
Website: www.madsciencecamps.co.uk/find-a-camp-near-you/#bristol
Bristol is positively bursting with Mad Science Camps this year, with locations and venues across the city and beyond. Book single days or full weeks, each day is packed with hands-on experiments, thrilling...
Stick Man trail
12th May-6th July 2025
Venue: Westonbirt Arboretum
Website: www.forestryengland.uk/westonbirt
The interactive family trail follows Stick Man on his journey as he tries to get back to the family tree. Enjoy the wonderful world of Stick Man as you complete lots of fun stick-based activities, discover...
The Outdoors Project
12th May-6th July 2025
Venue: Horfield Common, The Ardagh and Sefton Park School
Website: www.theoutdoorsproject.co.uk
Their mission is to encourage children to spend time outdoors, away from screens. They have lots of exciting activity-themed days to choose from such as Wildcraft vs Minecraft Day, Bushcraft, Viking Day,...
Time for Walkies
12th May-6th July 2025
Venue: Westonbirt Arboretum
Website: www.forestryengland.uk/westonbirt/forest-walkies
Join Wallace and Gromit for the ultimate forest walkies. Bond with your pooch by taking on dog-tastic challenges together, solve crossword clues and have lots of fun along the way – with everyone’s...
We The Curious
12th May-6th July 2025
Venue: One Millennium Square, Anchor Road
Website: www.wethecurious.org
With two floors brimming with interactive exhibits, the science centre on Bristol’s Harbourside is the perfect destination for families of all ages, school groups or grown-ups, and those with a curious...
Amazing Artefacts – Home Educators Monthly Sessions
14th May 2025
Venue: Weston Museum
Website: www.westonmuseum.org
Sessions are designed to be active and accessible for a mix of ages and abilities with two separate sessions for younger or older children. Each season, you will explore a new theme, which for the Spring...
Acting: 7-9yrs. Summer 2025
17th May-12th July 2025
Venue: Theatre Royal Bath
Website: www.theatreroyal.org.uk
Exploring puppetry, mask work, clowning, improv and some of the best comedic plays of our time - participants will be invited to further improve their performance skills while sharpening their comedy chops.Bursaries...
Relaxed Opening Session
18th May 2025
Venue: Bristol Zoo Project
Website: www.bristolzoo.org.uk
The perfect opportunity for individuals with additional sensory needs and their carers to visit in a much quieter and environment. With quiet space available, no animal talks during this time, noise levels...
Walk to School Week
19th-23rd May 2025
Venue: Nationwide
Website: www.livingstreets.org.uk
The annual five-day walking challenge and takes place 19-23 May and this year’s challenge will see pupils take on The Great Space Walk, encouraging them to travel actively to school every day of the...
National Numeracy Day
21st May 2025
Venue: Nationwide
Website: www.nationalnumeracy.org.uk
A third of people in the UK give managing money as the reason for wanting to improve their numeracy.National Numeracy Day is on Wednesday 21 May. It will offer FREE helpful and friendly activities for...
Farm Boy
24th May 2025
Venue: Redgrave Theatre
Website: www.redgravetheatre.com
Following successful UK tours and a critically acclaimed run in New York, Michael Morpurgo's compelling sequel to 'War Horse' returns to the stage in this delightful, family-friendly show combining drama,...
May Half Term Fun and Games at Wrest Park
24th May-1st June 2025
Venue: Wrest Park
Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk
Visit the grounds of Wrest Park for hands-on activities this May half term. Enjoy family fun and games in the fresh air! 10am-5pm. Book early and save 15%.
Micro Marvels
24th May-1st June 2025
Venue: Bristol Aquarium
Website: www.bristolaquarium.co.uk
Waiting for information....
Mini Beasts Bathbomb Making Workshop
24th May 2025
Venue: Weston Museum
Website: www.westonmuseum.org
Get ready to embark on a journey into the world of bathbomb making. A skilled instructor will walk you through the step-by-step process and all equipment is provided. £6 per person (accompanying adults...
Springfest
24th May-1st June 2025
Venue: Bristol Zoo Project
Website: www.bristolzoo.org.uk/springfest
Enjoy family fun on Tower Meadow where you can find giant lawn games, crafts, music making and more! Experience the new multi-level adventure play for all ages, needs, and abilities. Explorers Basecamp...
Train rides
24th-26th May 2025
Venue: M Shed
Address: Princes Wharf, Wapping Road
Website: www.bristolmuseums.org.uk
Take a steam train ride on Bristol Harbour Railway from M Shed. The train will be pulled by the locomotive Henbury. Advance booking advisable to avoid disappointment by calling 0117 352 6600. Also 7, 8,...
Exciting Science
25th May 2025
Venue: Redgrave Theatre
Website: www.redgravetheatre.com
This brand new exciting and educational show will amaze and astound all ages from 4 years +. With Fun and fact filled experiments, watch in amazement as they recreate a volcanic eruption; turn a vacuum...
Knights’ Tournament
25th-26th May 2025
Venue: Berkeley Castle
Website: www.berkeley-castle.com
Throughout the tournament, a skilled Marshall and an entertaining compere will guide you through the action.Explore the immersive knights’ camp, where each knight has their own tent and is ready to meet...
Wickedly Ariana
25th May 2025
Venue: The Playhouse
Website: www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk
The first theatre production to celebrate the contemporary icon Ariana Grande, one of the most influential and loved artists of the generation. The sensational Hannah Thomas, with her amazing band and...
Archaeology Adventures
27th-30th May 2025
Venue: The Roman Baths
Website: www.romanbaths.co.uk
Dig for Roman artefacts (replicas) in the special excavation trench and learn how to identify, record, and uncover hidden treasures. Discover, Investigate, Identify, Reconstruct … just like real archaeologists!...
Historical Hysterical Critters
27th-28th May 2025
Venue: Berkeley Castle
Website: www.berkeley-castle.com
Get ready for a wild, wacky, and wonderfully educational adventure at Berkeley Castle this May half term. In this hands-on workshop, children will meet fascinating creatures like snakes, rats, and frogs...
Paper Flower Headband Family Activity
27th May 2025
Venue: Glastonbury Abbey
Website: www.glastonburyabbey.com
Take inspiration from the many flowers in the abbey grounds and gardens and create your own flower inspired headband using paper craft and recycled craft items. There's no need to book and the activity...
Red and Gold - Family Crafts
27th-30th May 2025
Venue: The Roman Baths
Website: www.romanbaths.co.uk
Get crafty using gold and red to create your very own special Roman brooch. 2-4pm. Free with admission.
Woodland Webs – family activity days
27th-29th May 2025
Venue: Westonbirt Arboretum
Website: www.forestryengland.uk/westonbirt
Family event to discover what woodland webs are through a series of challenges and crafts. Create your own woodland web paper chain, make some pipe cleaner trees, and have a go at using microscopes to...
Spot’s Birthday Party
28th-31st May 2025
Venue: Tobacco Factory Theatres
Website: www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com
Join Spot and his friends for this engaging and interactive show for everyone age 2plus and their grownups.With integrated Makaton, catchy songs, dancing and lots of interactive party games, this is going...
Breathe
29th-30th May 2025
Venue: The Wardrobe Theatre
Website: www.thewardrobetheatre.com
Join this extraordinary journey to discover the rhythms of a wild woodland world. Beautifully realised with stunning puppetry, breath taking sets and groundbreaking live camera work. An epic children’s...
Creative Costumes - Stay and Play
29th May 2025
Venue: Children's Scrapstore
Website: www.childrensscrapstore.co.uk
Go and make masks, costumes and head dresses using specially selected scrap from the warehouse and transform yourself into something fantastic! This workshop is aimed at children aged 5+. 1.45-3.15pm....
Discover the Future
29th-31st May 2025
Venue: The Showground, Shepton Mallet
Website: www.bathandwest.com/royal-bath-and-west-show
With an exciting line-up of organisations, Discover the Future will be bringing oodles of free fun with engineering and technology activities specially developed for children. Packed full with mind-blowing...
Matchbox Miniatures Family Activity
29th May 2025
Venue: Glastonbury Abbey
Website: www.glastonburyabbey.com
Let your creativity run wild or take inspiration from the Abbey ruins and grounds as you create your miniature picture using a mixture of drawing, collage and craft items to bring the 3D matchbox picture...
Farm Boy
30th May 2025
Venue: The Playhouse
Website: www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk
Michael Morpurgo returns to the stage in this delightful, family-friendly show combining drama, storytelling, and original music - a moving account of the changing face of the English countryside and a...
Brick Express
31st May-1st June 2025
Venue: Avon Valley Railway
Website: www.avonvalleyrailway.org
Jump onboard the Brick Express and enjoy building workshops with the world’s most popular construction toy whilst you travel the line. Plus, enjoy a family trail around the station to spot the brick...
FailFailFailFailWin!
31st May 2025
Venue: The Wardrobe Theatre
Website: www.thewardrobetheatre.com
Mark and Loz are circus performers. But circus is REALLY hard. FailFailFailFailWin! is a show about not hiding all the “try”s you did that failed. Featuring fails and possibly wins in diabolo, hulahoop...
Heli-Kids Day
1st June 2025
Venue: The Helicopter Museum
Website: www.helimuseum.com
Enjoy an interactive day including a character hunt, touch and feel exhibit tables, colouring stations, children's bespoke tours, open cockpits, heli-craft tables and the chance to try on pilots helmets....
Calm Session at Wake The Tiger
6th June 2025
Venue: Wake The Tiger
Website: www.wakethetiger.com/calm-sessions
These Calm Sessions are for anyone who could find a visitor attraction overwhelming when open to the general public, particularly SEND and neurodivergent people of all ages. So if you perhaps prefer less...
Festival of Nature
7th-15th June 2025
Venue: Various venues
Website: https://www.bnhc.org.uk/festival-of-nature/
The UK’s largest free celebration of the natural world – save the dates in your calendar for another week of in-person and online events for all ages, film screenings, guest appearances, arts and crafts,...
Super Saturday!
7th June 2025
Venue: Children's Scrapstore
Website: www.childrensscrapstore.co.uk
Join Children's Scrapstore for free and crafty fun aimed towards primary school children and their families. This drop in session runs from 10-11.30am. No unaccompanied children.
Bristol Aquarium's Even Calmer days
8th June 2025
Venue: Bristol Aquarium
Website: www.bristolaquarium.co.uk
Bristol Aquarium will be turning off our music, and children’s rides to reduce any unexpected noises. They also increase the lighting in some of the darker areas throughout the day to create a more consistent...
Brake's Kids Walk
11th June 2025
Venue: Nationwide
Website: www.brake.org.uk
Take part in Brake’s Kids Walk to learn important road safety messages and shout out for children to have the right to make safe and healthy journeys.Sign up to take part in 2025 and receive your FREE...
Dalek Invasion at The Helicopter Museum
15th June 2025
Venue: The Helicopter Museum
Website: www.helimuseum.com
Meet the famous Daleks and other characters from Dr Who. Have your photograph taken beside the Tardis. Watch the live interactive 'Audience With The Daleks Show'. Plus Open Cockpits, Charity Stalls, Fancy...
Much Ado About Nothing
19th June 2025
Venue: Robert Glanville Playing Field
Website: www.handlebards.com
Join the troupe for a bicycle-powered production of Shakespeare’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ like you’ve never seen before.This performance is free to attend, and seating is unreserved. Doors open...
Bristol Pretty Muddy Kids
21st June 2025
Venue: The Downs, Stoke Road
Website: www.raceforlife.cancerresearchuk.org
Pretty Muddy® Kids is a fun-packed muddy obstacle course for children aged 6-12 (over 1.2m tall). The young fundraisers climb, crawl and slide their way around the course at their own pace, accompanied...
The Elmer Adventure
21st-22nd June 2025
Venue: Theatre Royal Bath
Website: www.theatreroyal.org.uk
Everyone loves the stories about Elmer the patchwork elephant – whether he’s pretending to be an ordinary grey elephant or playing a practical joke. Tall Stories brings the enchanting and colourful...
TaylorMania
25th June 2025
Venue: The Playhouse
Website: www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk
An award-winning extravaganza that plays tribute to one of the leading contemporary recording artists of our time. Katy Ellis a self confessed ‘Swiftie’ with an incredible live band and dancers promises...
Scouts! The Musical
26th-29th June 2025
Venue: Theatre Royal Bath
Website: www.theatreroyal.org.uk
Scouts from around the world have gathered to compete but when an intruder threatens to sabotage the competition, it is up to Joe and Eliza to put aside their rivalries and use their newfound skills to...
Teddy Bears Picnic
28th June-29th May 2025
Venue: Avon Valley Railway
Website: www.avonvalleyrailway.org
All children will travel for FREE on this special weekend if they bring their Teddy Bear! As well as enjoying a 50-minute train ride up and down the line, back at Bitton station, you can enjoy magic shows,...
Gromit Unleashed 3 Trail
30th June-31st August 2025
Venue: Bristol
Website: www.grandappeal.org.uk/gromit-unleashed/trails/gromit-unleashed-3
Welcome to the world of Gromit Unleashed! Together with Aardman Animations, we’ve created three unique, award-winning character sculpture trails in the UK and beyond, to raise funds for Bristol Children’s...
Bath City Farm Fest
5th July 2025
Venue: Bath City Farm
Website: www.bathcityfarm.org.uk
Bath City Farm is celebrating being 30 years old this year! Visit Bath City Farm Fest and enjoy live music, games and activities.This is a fundraising event for the Farm. More details to follow...
Inflatable 5K
5th July 2025
Venue: North Somerset Showground
Website: www.ukrunningevents.co.uk/events/inflatable-5k/bristol-2025
Get ready to jump, bounce, slide and swing through the World's biggest and craziest Inflatable 5k Obstacle Course! Great for the family of 4! Sign up now for an awesome time. Discounted for 2 adults and...
In The Night Garden Live
8th July 2025
Venue: The Playhouse
Website: www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk
Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy, Makka Pakka and friends are coming to Weston-super-Mare in their fun-filled live show Igglepiggle’s Busy Day!You’ll see all your favourite characters beautifully brought to...
Out of this World: Sci-fi Weekend
12th-13th July 2025
Venue: Avon Valley Railway
Website: www.avonvalleyrailway.org
Meet your favourite sci-fi characters and meet some of the DroidBuilders team as they show off their newest builds. You never know who you might bump into…Best of all, children who go in sci-fi fancy...