What To Do With Kids In The South-East During May Half-Term

The May/June half-term is soon going to be upon us, which is why parents need to start planning what to do with their children over the break. Here are some great events taking place over the next few weeks that will keep kids entertained. 

1) The National Trust – The Very Hungry Caterpillar Trail

The National Trust is well-known for its child-friendly activities that encourage little ones to spend more time outdoors and enjoy nature. That is why it is introducing the Very Hungry Caterpillar Trail at various locations this May half-term. 

Whether families go to Sheffield Park and Garden in East Sussex, Cliveden in Buckinghamshire or Hatchlands Park in Surrey, they will be able to immerse themselves in Eric Carle’s famous story. 

Children will be able to explore the trail to find the different fruits and snacks mentioned in the much-loved story, from Swiss cheese to cherry pie, chocolate cake to lollipops, and strawberries to salami. 

There will also be games and activities, as well as lots of exciting facts to learn before discovering the beautiful butterfly at the end. 

2) Roar! Dinosaurs at Birdworld

Anyone living in the south-east will be familiar with Birdworld; an exciting, outdoors adventure play area full of rope nets, raised walkways, suspended trampolines, bridges, and birds’ nests set in a woodland. 

Well, this half-term, the popular play area is being transformed with a herd of terrifying dinosaurs. The Dinosaur Discovery Trail will allow children to get close to the prehistoric creatures, from T-rexes to triceratops! 

There will also be dinosaur shows throughout the day, giving children the opportunity to learn more fascinating facts about dinosaurs, which is just perfect for dino-mad kids out there. 

3) Eastbourne Carnival

For a fun day out, consider hiring a luxury minibus for family and friends on May 24th and head to Eastbourne for its annual carnival. 

The event will take place along the seafront, starting at Western Lawns and heading to Princes Park. 

Over 1,500 walkers have signed up to take part in Eastbourne Carnival, showcasing flamboyant costumes and celebrating different cultures through design, art, music and dance. 

This year’s theme is Celebrations of the World, so the 25,000 spectators who are expected to turn up will be able to see inspiration from different global festivals, from Mardi Gras to Brazilian Carnival, and St Patrick’s Day to Masquerade Balls. 

Prizes will be given for the best costume, best float, best performance and best non-Sussex entrant, so stay till the end to find out who will be crowned winners. 

4) Go Wild at Drusillas Park 

Drusillas Park in Sussex is a hugely popular attraction, thanks to its zoo animals, water park, outdoor playgrounds and rides. 

There are more than 80 species of animals to see at the zoo, including penguins, sloths, red pandas, giant anteaters, armadillos, lemurs, servlas, owls, flamingos, otters, snakes and tortoises. 

Visitors can also get close to the creatures in its walkthrough exhibits, including Lemurland, Lory Landing and Jungle Walkthrough. 

Aside from the animal experiences, there are countless play areas, including outdoor adventure playgrounds; a splash zone; SPARK, an immersive projector experience that transports children to a different world; and the Jurassic Jungle, which enables children to get close to animatronic dinosaurs and imagine what prehistoric life must have been like. 

The bravest among you can also go on family-friendly rides, from the Flying Cheetah to Toucan Twister, giving everyone a chance to have a great day out over half-term.

5) Saxon Life at Weald & Downland Living Museum

Give kids the chance to discover what life was like hundreds of years ago with a visit to Weald & Downland Living Museum in Chichester. 

The attraction covers 40 acres of land and has more than 50 historic buildings, which depict different periods of history in south-east England from 950 AD to the 19th Century. 

Visitors can explore these structures, which have been re-erected and contain real artefacts from the time, including maps, books, tools, cooking equipment, and machinery. 

Between May 24th and June 1st, the museum will be celebrating Saxon Week, which will be great for children learning this period of history at school. 

As part of this special event, visitors can decipher Ancient Runes to solve some riddles, listen to Saxon storytelling, have their future told, and meet the museum’s Saxon man who lives in the Saxon Hall House. He will teach children how to live life as a Saxon, from weaving to grinding corn. Visitors will also be able to try on some clothing from this period and see some authentic Saxon weapons. 

During the week, families can also meet the Cunning Women, who were famous for their potions they claimed to cure illnesses and injuries. The interactive shows between 1030 and 1600 every day will give children an insight into how herbs, magic, and folklore were essential components for medicinal treatments during the Saxon times.