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 Dorset
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Pliosaur the Terrifying Sea Rex
1st-2nd January 2026
Venue: Museum of Jurassic Marine Life - The Etches Collection
Website: www.theetchescollection.org/giant-sea-monster
See the amazing Pliosaur skull discovery and learn more aobut how it lived, hunted and died in the Jurassic seas of Kimmeridge
Giant Sea Monster
1st-1st January 2026
Venue: The Etches Collection
Website: www.theetetchescollection.org
See the Pliosaur skull discovery and learn more about how it lived, hunted and died
Gladiators of Britain
25th January-11th May 2025
Venue: Dorset Museum
Website: www.dorsetmuseum.org.uk
A British Museum Partnership exhibition with Colchester and Ipswich Museums delving into the lesser-known history of gladiatorial contests in Roman Britain
Dorchester Science Festival
7th-16th March 2025
Venue: Various locations
Website: www.facebook.com/dorchestersciencefestival
Schedule of events to celebrate British Science Week. See the website for the full schedule
Heroes and Superheroes
15th-15th March 2025
Venue: Lighthouse Poole
Website: www.lighthousepoole.co.uk
Film themed musical concert from Bournemouth Symphonic Orchestra
Crafty Fools
16th-16th March 2025
Venue: Dorchester Corn Exchange
Website: www.dorchesterarts.org.uk
Science themed show suitable for ages 6+
Family Science Day 2025
16th-16th March 2025
Venue: Dorchester
Website: www.facebook.com/dorchestersciencefestival
Meet a real scientist, get involved with fascinating hands-on learning and experiments and experts on hand to ask questions. Tickets are free and can be obtained form the Dorset Museum website
Bournemouth Brick Festival
23rd-23rd March 2025
Venue: Bournemouth International Centre
Website: www.bic.co.uk
Day for families, sci-fi collectors, fans and displays, props, traders, celebrities from TV and the movies, cosplay and more
Bournemouth Comic Con
23rd-23rd March 2025
Venue: Bournemouth International Centre
Website: www.bic.co.uk
LEGO fan event with speed building competitions, large scale displays, activities, traders selling loose bricks, new LEGO sets, retired LEGO sets, minifigures and accessories plus a dedicated building...
Mothers Day at Farmer Palmers
29th-30th March 2025
Venue: Farmer Palmers Farm Park
Website: www.farmerpalmers.co.uk
See the website for details
Mums Go Free - Abbotsbury Swannery
29th-30th March 2025
Venue: Abbotsbury Swannery
Website: www.abbotsburyswannery.co.uk
Visit the Swannery over the Mothering Weekend with free entry for mums - see the website for terms and conditions
Mother's Day at Carey's Secret Garden
30th-30th March 2025
Venue: Carey's Secret Garden
Website: www.careyssecretgarden.co.uk
Explore the beautiful walled gardens. Pre-bookable cream tea and afternoon tea options available
Mothers' Day Afternoon Tea
30th-30th March 2025
Venue: Gullivers Farm Shop
Website: www.gulliversfarmshop.co.uk
Celebrate Mothers' Day with a delicious Afternoon Tea and mindful crafting
Protest
5th-9th March 2024
Venue: Theatre Royal Plymouth
Website: https://theatreroyal.com/whats-on/protest/
For ages 7+. Running is Alice’s happy place – you might even say it’s in her DNA. She’s the best runner at her school but is struggling to prove her worth. Jade is slowly coming to realise that...
30% off Oceanarium memberships
Venue: Oceanarium
Address: Bournemouth
Website: www.oceanarium.co.uk
See the website for details
Attenborough's Giant Sea Monster - Sea Rex
Venue: The Etches Collection
Website: www.theetchescollection.org/giant-sea-monster
Pliosaur Skull Discovery - see the amazing creature and learn more about how it lived, hunted and died in the Jurassic seas of Kimmeridge 150 years ago
Beautiful Bournemouth Mini Exhibition
Venue: Russell Cotes Museum
Website: www.russellcotes.com
Discover the evolution of Bournemouth through this display in the Print Room
Easter Hunt at Moors Valley Country Park
Venue: Moors Valley Country Park
Website: www.moors-valley.co.uk/easter
Find the hidden giant Easter egg shapes around Moors Valley - solve the riddles, spot the eggs and write down the letters to work out the hidden answer
Fantazy
Venue: Babbacombe Theatre
Website: www.babbacombe-theatre.com
Variety show with comedy, illusion, vocalists and dance
Pieces of our Past
Venue: Highcliffe Castle
Website: www.highcliffecastle.co.uk
Experience the history of the Castle with never before seen photographs and artefacts
Rebellion and Revolt
Venue: Museum of East Dorset
Website: www.museumofeastdorset.co.uk
Thought provoking exhibit delving into two pivotal national struggles that profoundly impacted Dorset: the English Civil War of the 1640s and the Monmouth Rebellion of 1685. Themed trail around the Museum,...
West Bay In The War
Venue: West Bay Discovery Centre
Website: www.westbaydiscoverycentre.org.uk
Discover what happened locally in WW2. Find out about local memories, coast defences and more