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 Nottinghamshire
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Blossom and Bees
3rd May-1st June 2025
Venue: The Workhouse and Infirmary
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Visit throughout May to discover interesting facts about blossom and bees, get stuck into some bee related craft activities or have a go at blossom origami. Last admission at 3pm. Activities are ongoing...
Feel Good Activity Bag at Sherwood Pines
12th May-6th July 2025
Venue: Sherwood Pines
Website: www.forestryengland.uk/sherwood-pines
Try a forest activity bag for children aged 4-13 years old and their adults to use to discover the wellbeing benefits of forests. Includes binoculars to help you spot butterflies and birds, a scavenger...
Go-Kan-Ryu Karate (GKR)
12th May-6th July 2025
Venue: Various Venues
Website: www.gkrkarate.com
GKR Karate is taught in a non-contact environment and promotes both character and physical development. GKR is a club for all ages and promotes self-defence, fitness, coordination, discipline, confidence...
Gruffalo Orienteering
12th May-6th July 2025
Venue: Sherwood Pines
Website: www.forestryengland.uk/sherwood-pines
Enjoy a fun, navigational challenge at Sherwood Pines by following the easy to read map and finding twelve Gruffalo markers hidden in the deep, dark wood. Before you begin, head to the Visitor Centre to...
Hocus Pocus Soft Play
12th May-6th July 2025
Venue: 131 Queens Road Beeston
Website: www.hocuspocussoftplay.co.uk
Hocus Pocus is a wonderfully themed magical indoor play and party venue with a difference! They boast a huge four tier play frame with a separate toddler area, amazing party packages with themed private...
Kids Club
12th May-6th July 2025
Venue: Savoy Cinema
Website: www.savoyonline.co.uk
Kid’s club screenings take place on Saturday and Sunday (every day in the school holidays) at 10am. Parents and Children can enjoy a movie at the cinema for the incredible low price of just £3 each....
Kumon Free Assessment
12th May-6th July 2025
Venue: Various venues
Website: www.kumon.co.uk
Designed to help any child, of any ability, realise their potential and become an enthusiastic learner. Through daily worksheet study and Instructor guidance, your child will work at the 'just-right' level...
Maid Marion Family Cycle Route
12th May-6th July 2025
Venue: Sherwood Pines
Website: www.forestryengland.uk/sherwood-pines
Taking just over one hour to complete at a leisurely pace, the Family Cycle route is ideal for those with small children who would tire on the longer trails or newcomers to cycling just wanting a leisurely...
Newark Junior Parkrun
12th May-6th July 2025
Venue: Sconce and Devon Park
Website: www.parkrun.org.uk/newark-juniors
A free, fun, and friendly weekly 2k event for juniors (4 to 14 year olds), every Sunday at 9am. It's free to join but please register before you first go along. The aim is to have fun. Go along and join...
Razzle Dazzle Pots
12th May-6th July 2025
Venue: 852 Woodborough Road
Website: www.razzledazzlepots.co.uk
Looking for a fun, family-friendly activity this half term? Razzle Dazzle Pots in Mapperley, Nottingham, is the perfect place for children and parents to unleash their creativity. This charming pottery...
The Attic Theatre School
12th May-6th July 2025
Venue: 11 Radcliffe Rd (entrance on Pavilion Rd), West Bridgford
Website: www.attictheatreschool.co.uk
Attic Theatre School run mid week classes as well as Saturday classes in acting, musical theatre, Contemporary and choir alongside 1-2-1 singing lessons and acting coaching. Visit the website for more...
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...
A Squash and A Squeeze
22nd-24th May 2025
Venue: Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall
Website: www.trch.co.uk/whats-on/a-squash-a-squeeze
A heartwarming and hilarious adventure, full of beautiful puppets and enchanting songs. Based on the original book A Squash and a Squeeze – written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler....
Luminarium: Myriad
24th May-1st June 2025
Venue: Lakeside Arts
Website: www.lakesidearts.org.uk
Be among the first to walk through this brand-new labyrinth of tunnels and domes, of colour and light, where daylight alone brings the luminarium to life. Captivating visitors of all ages, the Nottingham-based...
May Half Term
24th May-1st June 2025
Venue: Gulliver’s Kingdom
Website: www.gulliverskingdomresort.co.uk/opening-times-and-prices
Enjoy fun-filled adventures at Gulliver’s every day during May half term. Book early to save more on your theme park tickets or extend the fun with a magical short break!
May Half-Term
24th May-1st June 2025
Venue: Gulliver's Kingdom
Website: www.gulliverslandresort.co.uk
Enjoy fun-filled adventures at Gulliver’s every day during May half-term. Book early to save more on your theme park tickets or extend the fun with a magical short break!
Mysteries of Space - May Half Term
24th May-1st June 2025
Venue: National Space Centre
Website: www.spacecentre.co.uk
Explore the unanswered questions about space this May half-term! From strange pictures of space to tricks of the eye, find out the stories behind these mysteries. Don’t miss this fun, educational, and...
Space Descent
24th May-1st June 2025
Venue: Lakeside Arts
Website: www.lakesidearts.org.uk
Join astronaut Tim Peake in a thrilling high-speed spaceflight with a new virtual reality experience Space Descent from the Science Museum Group.Experience what it feels like to sit inside the Soyuz capsule...
Dino Week
26th-30th May 2025
Venue: White Post Farm
Website: www.whitepostfarm.co.uk
Meet the dinosaurs, learn about fossils, partake in a dino dig and so much more! All of this on top of the usual farm fun, with a full timetable of activities. Get ready for lots of dino selfies and a...
Nottingham Robin Hood Cup
26th May 2025
Venue: David Ross Sports Village
Website: www.visit-nottinghamshire.co.uk
Much more than a football competition, the Nottingham Robin Hood Cup is a vibrant festival of sport, culture, and community. Fans and visitors can enjoy international food stalls, cultural showcases, interactive...
Camp Williams
27th-30th May 2025
Venue: The Becket School
Address: West Bridgford
Website: www.ymcarobinhood.org/camp-williams
Encompassing a variety of indoor and outdoor sports, group games, artistic projects, and traditional camp activities such as rallies and campfire songs – Camp Williams is a place where children ages...
Family Acro
27th May 2025
Venue: Nottingham Playhouse
Website: www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk
This fun family acro workshop ran by Laurie and Kev, aka acroredheads, is for adults with children aged to work together learning acrobalance.Starting with some pairs synchro activities, basics and fundamentals,...
May Half Term Camp - Little Wickets
27th-29th May 2025
Venue: Rushcliffe Spencer Academy
Website: www.littlewickets.com
More than just batting, bowling and fielding; the qualified, vetted and experienced Little Wickets’ coaching team ensure that the ‘Spirit of Cricket’ and good sportsmanship is at the heart of all...
Fabric Faces Workshop
28th May 2025
Venue: Lakeside Arts
Website: www.lakesidearts.org.uk
Dive into the world of fabric art and learn to design and create unique faces using felt and fabric in this hands-on workshop.This workshop is designed for children to enjoy independently. Suitable for...
Half Term Fun Drama Workshop
28th May 2025
Venue: Nottingham Playhouse
Website: www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk
Join the expert Playhouse practitioners for an hour and a half of half term fun and theatre games at the iconic Nottingham Playhouse. All for just £4! The workshop is designed to be accessible for everyone.Suitable...
Multi Sensory Workshop – Welcome to the Jungle!
28th May 2025
Venue: Nottingham Playhouse
Website: www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk
This workshop is designed to appeal to all the senses and is suitable for profound and multiple learning disabled children and their families/carers. £7 for one child and up to two adults. Additional...
Fabric Sculptures Workshop
29th May 2025
Venue: Lakeside Arts
Website: www.lakesidearts.org.uk
You can draw inspiration from the artists featured in the Material Worlds exhibition. You’ll create your very own sculptures using fabric, textiles, and everyday materials that would normally be thrown...
Tots' Hot Shots Cricket and Tennis Activity Mornings
30th May 2025
Venue: West Bridgford Tennis Club
Website: www.littlewickets.com
A Great Introduction to two great sports .... one brilliant morning! With a strong emphasis on the ‘FUNdamentals’ of movement and developing hand-eye co-ordination, Tots’ Hot Shots is a great way...
Green Hustle
31st May 2025
Venue: Old Market Square
Website: www.visit-nottinghamshire.co.uk
Green Hustle will take over Old Market Square on Saturday 31 May for a day of free summer fun open to all, under the theme of Growing Together. Already lined up for this year is live music and entertainment...
Medieval Merriment
31st May-2nd June 2025
Venue: Newstead Abbey
Website: www.newsteadabbey.org.uk
Go along to Newstead and enjoy Medieval Merriment with The Knights of Skirbeck, medieval village, outdoor medieval trail, medieval dress up rail and medieval themed crafts and activities.
Robyn Hood
31st May 2025
Venue: Nottingham Playhouse
Website: www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk
Robyn Hood is a magical new show for children and their families. An original take on the classic folktale, the production features playful storytelling, original live music, friendly audience participation...
The Dinosaur That Pooped: A Rock Show
31st May 2025
Venue: Nottingham Playhouse
Website: www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk
Adapted from the number 1 best-selling books by Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter, the whole family will have a poopy good time enjoying a brand, new story for the stage. Featuring new songs by Tom and Dougie,...
Family Extravaganza Raceday
1st June 2025
Venue: Nottingham Racecourse
Website: www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/nottingham/events-tickets/afternoon-racing-3
Enjoy a thrilling day of live horse racing while making unforgettable memories with your loved ones and kids go free! Plus free entertainment lined up for the little ones, including exciting inflatables,...
Splat!
1st June 2025
Venue: Djanogly Theatre
Website: www.lakesidearts.org.uk
Join two aspiring artists on a whirlwind journey through the history of visual art. Set in an artists studio, following two aspiring artists one tidy, the other messy – can they learn to embrace their...
Teach Rex Live
1st June 2025
Venue: Nottingham Arts Theatre
Website: www.nottingham-theatre.co.uk
Teach Rex uses life-like dinosaurs to perform their 1 hour show, teaching children about the anatomy and life of one the most mesmerising creatures that have ever roamed our planet. The show is teamed...
Dinosaur World Live
6th-8th June 2025
Venue: Nottingham Playhouse
Website: www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk
Dare to experience the dangers and delights of Dinosaur World Live in this roarsome interactive show for all the family! Meet a host of impressive creatures, including every child’s flesh-eating giant,...
An Afternoon Picnic with Birds of Prey
7th June 2025
Venue: Thoresby Park
Website: www.thoresby.com
Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast, a lover of countryside traditions, or simply looking for a memorable day out, this event promises an unforgettable mix of nature, heritage, and entertainment. Perfect...
Paper Weaving Workshop
8th June 2025
Venue: Lakeside Arts
Website: www.lakesidearts.org.uk
This hands-on activity is designed to spark creativity and develop fine motor skills in a fun and engaging way. This workshop is designed for parents or carers to stay and watch the creativity unfold....
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...
Ninja Workshop
12th June 2025
Venue: Lakeside Arts
Website: www.lakesidearts.org.uk
This workshop adopts a format inspired by the popular ninja challenge, which includes tasks such as jumping, running, tumbling, parkour, and martial arts. It also blends in elements of dragon and lion...
Outdoor Cinema - Shrek
13th June 2025
Venue: Nottingham Racecourse
Website: www.thejockeyclub.co.uk
Grab your blankets, take your friends and family, and enjoy this nostalgic outdoor cinema event. Sing along to your favourite tunes, like "All Star" and "I'm a Believer," as Shrek and Fiona take you on...
Wind in the Willows - Outdoor Theatre
13th June 2025
Venue: Wollaton Hall
Website: www.illyria.co.uk/shows
Mole yearns to explore the wide world. Badger enjoys peace and quiet. Rat likes just messing about in boats. Their idyllic lives on the Riverbank are turned upside down when Toad reveals his latest obsession:...
Mini Police Community Fun Day
14th June 2025
Venue: Melbourne Park, Melbourne Road
Website: www.nottinghamshire.police.uk
An exciting community event, packed with activities and demonstrations to promote safety and crime prevention.Demonstrations include police dogs showcase their skills, learn about traffic safety with the...
No Dragon No Lion
15th June 2025
Venue: Djanogly Theatre
Website: www.lakesidearts.org.uk
In a ground-breaking twist of tradition, this high-energy performance shatters boundaries, marring elements of the classical lion dance and Chinese opera with the pulse-pounding beats of beatboxing and...
Twelfth Night - Outdoor Theatre
19th June 2025
Venue: Wollaton Hall
Website: www.ticketsource.co.uk/tlcm/twelfth-night
Join The Lord Chamberlain’s Men for Shakespeare’s greatest romantic comedy, Twelfth Night. With a history stretching back to William Shakespeare’s original company, they present this joyous play...
Magic of Thailand Festival in Nottingham
21st-22nd June 2025
Venue: Forest Recreation Ground
Website: www.magicofthailand.co.uk
Treat yourself to a weekend wonder and take along your families and friends to feel a touch of Thai culture, where you can challenge your taste buds and feast your eyes on world class food and performances....
Positively Empowered Kids – Family Festival
22nd June 2025
Venue: Nottingham Castle
Website: www.nottinghamcastle.org.uk
The ‘Superhero’ Festival is designed to ‘Positively Empower Kids’, with interactive experiences of demonstrations, activities, and workshops to ensure the early intervention and prevention of mental...
Foodies Festival
27th-29th June 2025
Venue: Wollaton Park
Website: www.foodiesfestival.com
The Kids Cookery theatre gives children a chance to taste new flavours and learn basic cooking skills. Kids can try out cooking with specialist teachers who make learning fun! Free sessions will introduce...
BBC Concert Orchestra - CBeebies Prom Wildlife Jamboree
28th June 2025
Venue: Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall
Website: www.trch.co.uk
Duggee, Bluey, the Octonauts and lots more CBeebies friends invite you, to join in with music, songs and lots of wildlife fun. A magical multi-media event featuring CBeebies theme tunes, orchestral treats,...
Galactic Gathering - Festival of the Force
28th-29th June 2025
Venue: National Space Centre
Website: www.spacecentre.co.uk
Dive into interactive workshops and hands-on experiences designed to teach STEAM skills - the perfect balance of fun and learning.Explore the intersection of science, technology, engineering, arts, and...
UK's Strongest Man 2025 Live Final
28th-29th June 2025
Venue: Motorpoint Arena Nottingham
Website: www.motorpointarenanottingham.com
UK's Strongest Man returns to Nottingham. This high octane televised Channel 5 show is suitable for all the family! Saturday's Finals see the 12 athletes go head to head in four stunning strongman events...
Little Bop Pirates Cove Family Mini Fest
29th June 2025
Venue: Binks Yard
Address: The Island Quarter
Website: www.binksyard.com/event/little-bop-pirates-cove-family-mini-fes
Join the lively pirate hosts, roaming entertainers, and performers for a swashbuckling treasure hunt, foam party, bumper boats, water zorbs, and lots more! Plus there will be stations for face painting...
Bing's Birthday
11th-12th July 2025
Venue: Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall
Website: www.trch.co.uk/whats-on/bings-birthday
Join Bing and his friends Sula, Pando, Coco, Amma and of course Flop as they get ready to celebrate his special day in the brand-new live stage show, Bing’s Birthday! Things won’t always go to plan...
Miss Americana – A Tribute to Taylor Swift
11th July 2025
Venue: Nottingham Playhouse
Website: www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk
Step into the unparalleled world of Taylor Swift and her Eras experience in this electrifying show featuring the incredible Xenna. A celebration of the iconic pop sensation’s music, style, and unrivalled...
Captain Narwhal's Pirates vs French Dinosaurs
12th-13th July 2025
Venue: Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall
Website: www.trch.co.uk/whats-on
Captain Narwhal’s happy band are at it again, stealing treasure from the local town. Only this time, they’ve taken more than they bargained for… Join them in their quest to right their wrongs whilst...
Sweet and Sour - The Ultimate Tribute to Sabrina Carpenter and Olivia Rodrigo
18th July 2025
Venue: Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall
Website: www.trch.co.uk/whats-on
Get ready for an electrifying night of pop anthems, heartbreak hits, and fierce rival vibes at Sweet and Sour. Featuring a powerhouse live band and dynamic dancers, this show brings every beat and lyric...