What's On in Avon

Mini-museum hunt! 50 years of Aardman

Venue: Bristol Museum and Art Gallery

Website: www.bristolmuseums.org.uk

A little bit of Aardman magic has arrived at Bristol Museum and Art Gallery celebrating Aardman’s 50th anniversary in Bristol. Tiny treasures from the beloved animation studio have been hidden around...

Spring Family Trail

Venue: Westonbirt Arboretum

Website: www.forestryengland.uk/westonbirt/family-trail-spring

A new family trail takes you on a journey to discover the best kept secrets at Westonbirt. Try some of the activities at each spot - see if you can spot the changing colours of the horse chestnut flowers,...

Gozzle

Venue: WWT Slimbridge

Website: www.wwt.org.uk

Discover a season of firsts this spring, on a fun-filled wetland adventure with Gozzle the gosling. With outdoor adventures, special activities, storytelling sessions and more, enjoy a season of firsts...

Gozzle Vet Check

Venue: WWT Slimbridge

Website: www.wwt.org.uk

Discover the fun-filled play clinic, where children can learn how to handle, measure, weigh and x-ray toy geese – just like WWT vets do with real birds. Put on your lab coat, pick up your record card...

Boat trips

Venue: M Shed

Website: www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/whats-on/m-shed/boat-trips

All three of historic working boats Pyronaut, Mayflower and John King offer scenic trips around Bristol Harbour. This is an experience not to be missed, led by hardworking and knowledgeable volunteers....

Crane visits

Venue: M Shed

Website: www.bristolmuseums.org.uk

Experience a working crane on the dockside with trips inside the electric cranes, M Shed’s biggest exhibits! Watch the impressive landmarks at work and find out about the vital part they played in the...

Spring Family Fun at The Georgian House Museum

Venue: Bristol Museum and Art Gallery

Website: www.bristolmuseums.org.uk

Take part in the Georgian mouse trail and look for the cute critters in their costumes around the house and join the friendly volunteers for historical story time. Learn about the Georgian passion for...

African Forest habitat at Bristol Zoo Project

Venue: Bristol Zoo Project

Website: www.bristolzoo.org.uk

African Forest offers a unique opportunity to learn about forests, the diversity of life and primate evolution. As you wind your way through the immersive habitat, you’ll find plenty of ways to learn...

Explorers Basecamp

Venue: Bristol Zoo Project

Website: www.bristolzoo.org.uk

Explorers Basecamp is a three-storey play tower with slides, rope jungles, climbing walls, a companion slide, floor trampolines, family swing, racing zip line, and animal footprint climbing wall are just...

King Pins

Venue: Cabot Circus

Website: https://kingpins.co.uk

Enjoy state-of-the-art Ten Pin bowling, as well as tech darts, ice-free curling, shuffleboard, an amazing arcade, private karaoke party room and loads more. Plus delicious pizza and crispy chicken from...

Kings Weston Junior Parkrun

Venue: Kings Weston Estate

Website: www.parkrun.org.uk/kingsweston-juniors

A free, fun, and friendly weekly 2k event for juniors (4 to 14 year olds) every Sunday at 10am. Free but register before you first go along. The aim is to have fun. Go along and join in whatever your pace!

Little Stoke Junior Parkrun

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 10am. Free but register before you first go along. The aim is to have fun. Go along and join in whatever your pace!

Mad Science Camps

Venue: Various locations across Bristol

Website: https://madsciencecamps.co.uk

Designed for ages 5–11+, each day is packed with exciting experiments, creative challenges, and immersive STEM adventures. With brand-new themes every day, no two camps are the same, making it perfect...

Mendip Mini Fests

Venue: Mendip Activity Centre

Website: www.mendip.co.uk

Mendip Basecamp, an award-winning family adventure campsite near Bristol, are delighted to launch a brand new entertainment schedule throughout the summer - perfect for adventurers of all ages. Mendip...

Pulse: Music and Movement for Kids

Venue: Beacon Music Centre

Address: Stanton Road

Website: www.bristolbeacon.org

Pulse Kids offers a weekly, relaxing and fun space where children aged 7-15 with additional needs can meet, express themselves and thrive through music and movement. Registration is currently via referral...

Room on the Broom trail

Venue: Westonbirt Arboretum

Website: www.forestryengland.uk/westonbirt/room-on-the-broom

This interactive family trail is packed with Room on the Broom themed activities, fascinating forest facts and plenty of hands-on fun. Once you’ve finished the trail, snap a photo with Witch and her...

The Climbing Academy

Venue: The Arc Chippenham

Website: www.theclimbingacademy.com/the-arc

Climb indoors with bouldering for all ages - no booking needed - plus auto-belays and roped climbing for ages 6+. Friendly instructors are always around to help. The fun continues outdoors with a free...

The Outdoors Project

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,...

Train rides

Venue: M Shed

Website: www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/whats-on/m-shed/train-rides

Take a steam train ride on Bristol Harbour Railway from M Shed. The train will be pulled by the locomotive Henbury. Buy tickets on the day from the ticket office by the M Shed platform.Single £3.50 /...

Wake the Tiger: Inspire, Disrupt, Believe

Venue: 127 Albert Road

Website: www.wakethetiger.com

At Wake The Tiger, art, storytelling, and imagination come to life in a hyper-reality adventure. Visitors take a self-guided journey through over 40+ immersive spaces, each filled with colour, movement,...

Home Educators - Arty Artefacts

Venue: Weston Museum

Website: https://westonmuseum.org

Monthly sessions will be organised in pairs and the Early Summer season will focus on nature inspired art, with leaves and flowers galore! Children will explore a variety of examples of 2D and 3D art inspired...

Home Education Tours at Bristol Aquarium

Venue: Bristol Aquarium

Website: www.bristolaquarium.co.uk

Dive deeper into your child’s education of the natural world, whilst meeting other home educated students. Each month during term time Bristol Aquarium host tours on a different subject to cater to...

May Half Term at We The Curious

Venue: One Millennium Square, Anchor Road

Website: www.wethecurious.org

Spring into summer at Bristol’s science centre and enjoy a day full of play, invention and connection. With two floors of interactive exhibits to explore and an action-packed programme of activities,...

May half-term fun at Dyrham Park

Venue: Dyrham Park

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Get out in the great outdoors with some activities this half term at Dyrham Park, running from Sat 23 to Sun 31 May.Location of activities to be confirmed nearer the time. Free (normal admissions apply)....

The Wrong Trousers LIVE!

Venue: Redgrave Theatre

Website: www.redgravetheatre.com

Wallace and Gromit: The Wrong Trousers is being screened at the Redgrave Theatre, complete with a live performance of the soundtrack by City of Bristol Brass Band. It’ll be a grand day out, so grab your...

Heli-Kids Day

Venue: The Helicopter Museum

Website: https://helimuseum.com/events.html

Enjoy an interactive day for younger visitors including a character hunt, touch and feel exhibit tables, colouring stations, children's bespoke tours, open cockpits, heli-craft tables and the chance to...

Shelf: The Kids’ Show 2 – The Power of 2

Venue: The Wardrobe Theatre

Website: www.thewardrobetheatre.com

Fresh from their first award-winning family friendly sketch show, Rachel and Ruby are back – presented by Chuckle Busters. It’s double the funny, double the silly, double the sketch and it’s fun...

Archaeology Adventures - May Half Term

Venue: The Roman Baths

Website: www.romanbaths.co.uk

Dig for replica Roman artefacts in the special excavation trench and learn how to identify, record, and uncover hidden treasures—just like a real archaeologist. What new and exciting things will you...

Dinosaurs Live

Venue: The Forum

Website: www.bathforum.co.uk

Ever since they were first identified in the 1800s, dinosaurs have sparked the imagination of kids and adults alike. The world-renowned Natural History Museum has teamed up with Mark Thompson Productions...

Life Cycle themed Pick and Mix Crafts Workshop

Venue: Weston Museum

Website: www.westonmuseum.org

Unleash your creativity with Art in Mind. During the workshop, you will have the opportunity to pick and complete 2 crafts. There are 2 age ranges for these workshops - under 5 and over 5. Please specify...

Ludi Florales - Free Family Crafts

Venue: The Roman Baths

Website: www.romanbaths.co.uk

Join The Roman Baths to celebrate a special Roman spring festival and create a flower garland to wear. 2-4pm. Included in admission.

May Half Term: Children's International Cookery Adventure

Venue: Cooking It!

Address: 37, Gloucester Road

Website: https://cookingit.co.uk

This May Half Term, Cooking It invites young chefs to embark on a global culinary journey. The International Cookery Club is designed for children aged 8 to 14 who are eager to explore new flavours, master...

Shrek The Musical

Venue: Redgrave Theatre

Website: www.redgravetheatre.com

Join BAOS Youth for a hilarious, heartwarming adventure as Shrek, Donkey and Fiona journey from swamp to fairytale ending. Packed with dazzling songs, laugh-out-loud moments, and larger-than-life characters,...

The Deep Sea Seekers

Venue: The Wardrobe Theatre

Website: www.thewardrobetheatre.com

Join Alph, Betty and Gammo for an exhilarating, warm, audience driven children’s show that journeys through our oceans meeting incredible creatures, exploring unmapped shores and tackling unwelcome plastic...

Alice in Wonderland

Venue: Theatre Royal Bath

Website: www.theatreroyal.org.uk

The Let’s All Dance Ballet Company returns with this fabulous family favourite. Stunning dancing, much loved characters and super costumes bring the famous tale to life in this magical production. Don’t...

Brainiac Live!

Venue: Bristol Old Vic

Website: https://bristololdvic.org.uk

Brainiac Live! the UK’s original and favourite family science show explodes on stage and will take you on a breathless ride through the wild world of the weird and wonderful. With a great range of explosive...

The Royal Bath and West Show

Venue: The Showground, Shepton Mallet

Website: www.bathandwest.com

Young visitors can dive straight into the Discover the Future STEM zone, where free, hands-on science and engineering activities are designed to spark curiosity and inspire budding inventors. At Lakeside...

Inflatable 5K

Venue: North Somerset Showground

Website: www.ukrunningevents.co.uk

This unforgettable inflatable fun run features giant obstacles, slides, tunnels and bouncers that make running more exciting than ever before. Choose your distance - 2.5k, 5k, 10k or 15k (based on laps)...

Slime Workshop

Venue: Weston Museum

Website: www.westonmuseum.org

Art in Mind presents the ooey-gooey Slime Workshop! Get ready to personalise your slime to be as unique as you. Choose from a range of colours, you can even make your own colour. Limited spots available...

Sir Charlie Stinky Socks and The Really Big Adventure

Venue: Redgrave Theatre

Website: www.redgravetheatre.com

Step into the world of Sir Charlie Stinky Socks, where nothing is quite what it seems and a really big adventure is about to begin. The show features live music, glorious puppets, interactive storytelling,...

Sunday Jam

Venue: Lantern Hall

Website: www.bristolbeacon.org

Sunday Jam is a music and movement club for disabled young people aged 25 and under, along with their families. Experiment with instruments and technology, play musical games, create and sing songs and...

Matilda The Musical

Venue: Bristol Hippodrome

Website: www.atgtickets.com

With book by Dennis Kelly, music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and directed by Matthew Warchus, Matilda is the story of an extraordinary little girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares...

The Cat In The Hat

Venue: Redgrave Theatre

Website: www.redgravetheatre.com

From the moment his tall, red and white-striped hat appears, Sally and her brother know that the cat in the hat is the funniest, most mischievous cat they have ever met. With the trickiest of tricks and...

Calm Session

Venue: Wake the Tiger

Address: 127 Albert Road

Website: www.wakethetiger.com

Suitable for anyone who may find a visitor attraction overwhleming when open to the public. Explore this self-guided, non-linear experience with more than 40 spaces of wild and surreal art installations.Suitable...

King Arthur and the Holy Fail - Outdoor Theatre

Venue: Garden Theatre Festival at The Holburne Museum, Bath

Website: www.threeinchfools.com

In a land of daring quests, dashing knights, and endless jousting, there lived a would-be hero – waiting in the wings – who went by the name of Arthur. Destiny awaits, chivalry calls, and the quest...

Blooom

Venue: Theatre Royal Bath

Website: www.theatreroyal.org.uk

Meet Gargadenia, a curious girl who, like Alice, stumbles into a mysterious and surprising world of nature. Like the flowers around her, she wants to take root and find her place. But what does it really...

Festival of Nature

Venue: Bristol, Bath and Online

Website: www.bnhc.org.uk

Trees and Forests are at the heart of the festival. They protect our wildlife, slow climate change and provide endless health benefits. Get your hands in the soil, explore the world of woodland creatures,...

Somerset Safari lates

Venue: Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm

Website: www.noahsarkzoofarm.co.uk

Back by popular demand - Somerset Safari Lates – an exclusive after-hours adventure for the whole family! Explore at your own pace, soak up the atmosphere and discover unforgettable moments around every...

Summer Fair

Venue: St Werburghs City Farm

Website: https://swcityfarm.co.uk

St Werburghs City Farm famous summer fair is returning, with live music, food from local traders and plenty of family fun. Activities include storytelling, a craft market and of course the Samba Procession....

The Great Big Green Week

Venue: Nationwide

Website: www.greatbiggreenweek.com

Children and young people are our best advocates for climate and nature and there are plenty of ways to get your school involved. Visit the website for free resource packs available for primary and secondary...

Bristol Aquarium – Even Calmer Days

Venue: Bristol Aquarium

Website: www.bristolaquarium.co.uk

Even Calmer days create a more relaxing sensory experience for any customers who may need it. The music and children’s rides will be turned off to reduce any unexpected noises and lighting will be increased...

Attenborough and His Animals

Venue: The Wardrobe Theatre

Website: www.thewardrobetheatre.com

A blue whale swims through the depths. Racer snakes pursue an iguana across the desert. Two hapless fools recreate wonderful scenes of the natural world. Clownfish Theatre brings the wild beauty of nature...

Home Educators - Arty Artefacts

Venue: Weston Museum

Website: www.westonmuseum.org

Each month, take part in a variety of different hands on and creative activities inspired by historical art and design or linking to items from the collections. Monthly sessions will be organised in pairs...

Aardman in Concert

Venue: Bristol Beacon

Website: www.bristolbeacon.org

Take the whole family for a hilarious, heartwarming big-screen celebration featuring Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep, Timmy Time, Morph, Creature Comforts and more – all accompanied live by a world...

K-Pop All Stars

Venue: The Forum

Website: www.bathforum.co.uk

Ride the global K-pop wave with K-POP All Stars - the explosive live celebration of the music, the artists, and the culture taking over the world. Feel the power of stadium-sized anthems, razor-sharp choreography,...

Bristol Birdman

Venue: Harbourside

Website: https://grassrootcommunities.org/the-bristol-birdman

The Bristol Birdman is supporting young people and communities to fly on 14 June.The spectacle will be held from 10am – 12pm on Bristol's Harbourside, between The Cottage Inn and Bristol Marina. As well...

Dalek Invasion Day

Venue: The Helicopter Museum

Website: https://helimuseum.com/events.html

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...

Bristol Pretty Muddy Kids

Venue: The Downs, Stoke Road

Website: https://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...

Cracking Exhibition, Gromit! 50 Years of Aardman in Bristol

Venue: M Shed

Website: www.bristolmuseums.org.uk

In Aardman’s 50th anniversary year, step behind the scenes and discover how Wallace & Gromit, Shaun, and Morph come to life! Explore rarely seen models, sets, and secrets of Aardman’s iconic stop motion...

Fun For Little Ones

Venue: The Forum

Website: www.bathforum.co.uk

Bringing Ms Rachel's character to life in a fun, interactive live on-stage performance with lots of audience participation for the little ones. With over 5 Billion Views and over 8 million subscribers...

Monster Truck Motorfest Bath

Venue: Bath Racecourse

Website: https://ramonsterevents.com/event/monster-truck-motorfest-bath

Experience The mighty Slingshot Monster Truck, Flyin Ryan - fast moving, daredevil motorbike display with huge jumps, pyrotechnic stunts, wheelies and freestyle tricks and Stuntshowsuk — Motorbikes,...

As You Like It

Venue: Boiling Wells Amphitheatre at St Werburghs City Farm

Website: www.handlebards.com

Pedalling from venue to venue with all of their set, props and costumes on the back of their bikes, the HandleBards are a four-strong troupe of actors who are spending the summer bringing environmentally...

Father’s Day – Dads go Free

Venue: Avon Valley Railway

Website: www.avonvalleyrailway.org

Make this Father’s Day truly unforgettable with a nostalgic steam train journey through the beautiful Avon Valley.It’s a great experience for all the family, with something that both kids and grown-ups...

Kid Carpet and The Noisy Garden Centre

Venue: The Wardrobe Theatre

Website: www.thewardrobetheatre.com

The latest Kid Carpet and The Noisy Animals show for ages 3-10 and their families, featuring their signature relaxed performance style of catchy songs, lo-fi puppetry, video magic and audience participation.

Winterbourne Medieval Day

Venue: Winterbourne Medieval Barn

Website: https://winterbournebarn.org.uk

Medieval midsummer festivities with combat displays, knight schools and have a go archery from the Warwick Warriors, wandering jesters, games and live medieval musicians. Plus, a living history village...

Bristol Aquarium – Even Calmer Days

Venue: Bristol Aquarium

Website: www.bristolaquarium.co.uk

Even Calmer days create a more relaxing sensory experience for any customers who may need it. The music and children’s rides will be turned off to reduce any unexpected noises and lighting will be increased...

Horrible Histories: Tudors and Egyptians

Venue: Bristol Old Vic

Website: www.bristololdvic.org.uk

We all want to meet people from history. The trouble is everyone is dead! So, it’s time to prepare yourselves for Horrible Histories live on stage. Using actors and eye-popping 3D special effects, these...

Miss Americana

Venue: The Forum

Website: www.bathforum.co.uk

Step into the unparalleled world of Taylor Swift in this tribute show featuring the incredible Xenna as Taylor. A celebration of the iconic pop sensation's music, style, and unrivalled stage presence.The...

Aylmers Circus: Making A Scene

Venue: Redgrave Theatre

Website: www.redgravetheatre.com

With show-stopping musical numbers, daring circus feats, the sounds of classic hits, and dazzling costumes, Making a Scene is packed with laughter, and plenty of audience participation - don’t miss this...

The Enormous Crocodile The Musical

Venue: Bristol Old Vic

Website: www.bristololdvic.org.uk

The Enormous Crocodile is weaving his way through the jungle to Bristol Old Vic in search of delicious little fingers and squidgy podgy knees… Only the other jungle creatures can foil his secret plans...

Colour Run

Venue: Wincanton Racecourse

Website: www.thejockeyclub.co.uk

Set within the stunning grounds of the racecourse, this fun and vibrant 5km event invites participants of all ages to run, jog or walk three laps of the course while being covered head-to-toe in every...

Kids Summer Adventure Camps

Venue: Mendip Activity Centre

Website: www.mendip.co.uk/adventure-camps

Summer camps for ages 8-15 are completely screen-free with an exciting mix of adventure, exploration and fun. Set in Mendip Lodge amongst 250 acres of ancient woodland, children will be so busy climbing,...

Toto The Ninja Cat

Venue: Redgrave Theatre

Website: www.redgravetheatre.com

A brand-new family musical for everyone over 5. Based on Dermot O’Leary’s best-selling children’s book, illustrated by Nick East, this purr-fectly thrilling tale is filled with original music, laugh-out-loud...