Family Days Out: Things to do This May Half Term Including Jubilee Events
Looking to entertain the little ones over the holiday? We’ve rounded up the best family days out and things to do in and around London during the May half term, including family Jubilee events, below.
There are two words that tend to spark fear into lives of busy parents: half term. No school, excitable children and pressure to cram as many activities and play dates into one or two weeks as humanly possible.
To help you come up with some creative ideas to keep you and your little ones occupied this May half-term, we round up the best family days out and things to do in London.
Fun for all the Family at Pubs Across London
The Eagle, Shepherds Bush
Swing into the weekend and take a step back in time to the 1950s. From 3pm on Saturday 4th June, The Eagle will be dressing to impress in 1950’s regalia, with a Little Jubilation Party for little ones with entertainment into the early evening. The Swing party will then continue with live music from Hayley Jo Whitney into the night.
When: Saturday 4 June from 3pm
Where: The Eagle, Shepherds Bush
Queen’s Banquet at The County Arms, Wandsworth
Toast to 70 years at Wandsworth’s local pub, The County Arms, on 4th June with a day of fun-filled activities and a banquet inspired by the Queen’s favourite dishes. Enjoy a three-course feast inspired by royalty in the newly refurbished Trinity Room with specials running throughout the whole weekend, while the pub will be serving up a quintessential afternoon tea on Thursday and Friday. There will also be a host of activities throughout the weekend, as well as the pub joining in the Wandsworth Common community garden party.
When: Thursday 2 June-Sunday 5 June
Where: The County Arms, Wandsworth
Garden Party at the Red Barn, Surrey
Head outside as countryside pub The Red Barn in Surrey hosts a Jubilee Garden party on 4th June from 12-10.30pm. The party starts early with activities for the little ones including a Punch & Judy show, while food and drinks will be flowing from the garden kitchen and caravan bar. As evening rolls in, dance the night away to live music from local band Crazy Lil Things.
When: Saturday 4 June from 12pm
Where: The Red Barn, Surrey
Seven Dials’ Jubilee Celebrations
From Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th June the streets of Seven Dials will hold an array of live music, on-street entertainment, masterclasses, prizes to be won, and exclusive discounts to celebrate all things 1950s, the decade of the Queen’s coronation.
The line-up will feature everything from a 50’s themed stretch class at Stretch Inc and Royal Afternoon Tea at the Covent Garden Hotel to an on-street flower crown-making workshop and English sparkling wine tasting at Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels.
When: Thursday 2 June–Sunday 5 June
Where: Seven Dials Market, Covent Garden
Southbank Centre’s Family Jubilee Events
Taking place across the latter half of May half term the Southbank Centre’s eclectic programme of Jubilee events encompasses both “Official” and “Alternative” Royal Command Performances alongside classical music, punk, dance, performance and parties, to appeal to diverse and wide-ranging audiences.
Little ones (aged two to five) are invited to Party in the Southbank Centre’s Blue Room from 2-4 June. Afonso is invited to his best friend’s birthday party, and the excitement and nerves become too much to handle. Heartfelt, provocative and full of quirky humour, Party presented by Half Moon immerses families with striking designs and a glorious soundtrack, taking them to a place where difference is celebrated.
When: Wednesday 1 June-Sunday 5 June
Where: Southbank Centre, London
Frozen the Musical
Frozen the Musical is the must-see production on London’s West End at the moment and is hugely enjoyable for the whole family – not just die-hard fans of the film. For mini first-time theatregoers it doesn’t get more dazzling that the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
The incredible sets and special effects, combined with breathtakingly beautiful costumes are a feast for the senses! This production has already garnered numerous theatre awards and nominations and it’s easy to see why. We challenge anyone not to be moved by the epic performance of “Let It Go” – simply magical! This show will be most enjoyed by children aged six and above. Seen the show? Add a photo of the view from your seat (all photos earn points that can be exchanged for £10 theatre vouchers) with SeatPlan, one of the leading theatre websites in the UK, who focus on user-uploaded views from seat photos from the West End and beyond.
When: Wednesdays-Saturdays at 7pm, Thursdays & Saturdays at 2pm and Sundays at 1pm & 5.30pm
Where: Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London
Chelsea Physic Garden Family Flower Workshop
Hidden in the heart of London, Chelsea Physic Garden is London’s oldest botanic garden. Join Chelsea Physic Garden and make your own floral arrangements to celebrate this season’s blooms with a family floral arrangement workshop where you will design and paint your own jar and arrange a selection of fresh seasonal flowers.
All materials will be provided, but if you have containers at home you would like to reuse for your arrangement, you are welcome you to bring them with you. This workshop is designed for children ages 5 and up.
When: Tuesday 31 May 11:30 – 12:30pm, 2pm – 3pm or 3:30pm – 4:30pm
Where: Chelsea Physic Garden, London
Half Term Events at Morden Hall Park
Combine a visit to Morden Hall Park with a range of family events, including a magical performance of Aesop’s Fables; the annual BioBlitz, where invited experts and stallholders find, identify and record as many species in the park as they can; the BeeQuest trail, where you’ll follow the self-led trail to decipher the codes, learn more about bees and complete the Bee Quest; and beeswax candle making.
When: Various dates between Saturday 21 May and Sunday 5 June
Where: Morden Hall Park, London
Food Forever Weekends at Kew Gardens
Kew’s family-friendly event of the summer is focussed around the future of food and how we can transform our planet for good through four new art installations and a major exhibition across the Gardens.
There will be a whole host of talks and after hours evening events, guest menus by inspiring chefs as well as weekend drop-in workshops and activities, focussing on what we can do together to combat climate change and biodiversity loss to protect our food from extinction and secure a sustainable future. Family events include new art installations, major gallery exhibitions and guest chefs at the Pavilion Bar and Grill.
When: 11am to 4pm every weekend from Saturday 21 May-Saturday 18 September
Where: Kew Gardens, London
Get Creative at the London Transport Museum
Visit London Transport Museum in Covent Garden this May half-term – where kids go free – for nine days of imagination, fun and curiosity, choosing from activities including a creative workshop and storytelling. Follow and record clues around the Museum as part of a ‘My Visit to London Transport Museum’ activity and get creative at an artist-led tyre-printing and spirograph workshop, as well as enjoying story-telling sessions about ‘The Curious Adventure of the Underground Mouse’.
When: Saturday 28 May-Sunday 5 June 2022
Where: London Transport Museum, Covent Garden
The Kid’s Table, various destinations across London
From 7th May, Design District Canteen, an independent global street food hall based in Greenwich, welcomed The Kids’ Table, offering free supervised crafty fun for 3-10 year olds while parents can enjoy the food and drink concepts on-site in several areas in London, including Hampstead, Greenwich, Battersea, Wimbledon and many more, as well as areas in Surrey and Kent.
The food offering includes Hermanos Taco House (Mexican), Guasa (Venezuelan), Raastawala (Kolkata street food), and Eat Lah (Malaysian) plus a bar open daily, serving coffee, cocktails and more.
When: 11.30am-3.30pm every Saturday and Sunday
Where: Several locations in and around London
Music, DJs and Party Games at The Grand Junction Arms
To celebrate in truly royal style, The Grand Junction are having all kinds of fun. The canal side local will be taking you back in time with both adult and child-friendly games, from an egg and spoon race and a three-legged race, to pin a tail on Corgi. Throughout the weekend, there will be live entertainment, DJs, saxophonist, music from the Chronicles of Zee and slushies from a Rekorderlig Frusen machine.
When: Friday 2nd–Sunday 5th June
Where: The Grand Junction Arms, Acton Ln, London NW10 7AD
Peter Rabbit Workshops at Dobbies Garden Centres
To mark 120 years since the publication of Beatrix Potter’s much-loved children’s classic, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Penguin Random House Children’s has teamed up with non-profit garden designers Grow2Know, featuring the Grow With Peter Rabbit challenge, bringing the benefits of gardening and spending time in nature to as many families as possible.
28th May to 5th June marks National Children’s Gardening Week 2022 and there will be free Peter Rabbit workshops taking place on 5th June at Dobbies garden centres at 65 locations across the UK, which will be a celebration of 120 years since The Tale of Peter Rabbit was published, with the chance to make Peter Rabbit nature-themed ears, explore the vegetable patch and making Squirrel Nutkin’s Cuttings.
When: Saturday 28th May–Sunday 5th June
Where: Dobbies Garden Centres across the UK
Lego Dots at London Westfield
A first of its kind LEGO DOTS event has officially been announced just in time for May half term – where kids can discover, experiment and express themselves in any way they choose. The event, coming to London Westfield, will be open to all throughout half term.
Kids can immerse themselves by exploring a vibrant bedroom display, get creative and play at the LEGO DOTS Creation Station, plus have some Instagrammable photo opportunities with the chance to ‘Meet and Greet’ some of the UK kids favourite content creators – Elena & Clara and Amazing Arabella.
When: 30 May-5th June 2022
Where: Westfield London
Capital Karts at Canary Wharf
The UK’s fastest indoor go karting track has just opened in Canary Wharf, with 800 metres of track and speeds up to 40MPH for both first-time karters and seasoned pros.
The track features multiple twists and turns, and can facilitate up to 16 drivers on the track at one time, but the venue can host groups of all sizes, so is perfect for a family day out. Each kart has been made in London and includes state-of-the-art technology that measures lap time so drivers can track improvement.
Capital Karts is the latest in a series of leisure activities at Canary Wharf, ranging from ping pong to basketball, and outdoor cinema to London’s largest collection of outdoor public art, where over 100 pieces from some of the world’s best known artists are free to view.
When: 10:30am to 11pm daily
Where: Canary Wharf, London
The Jubilee at Sacrewell, Peterborough
Join Sacrewell, a heritage and visitor attraction, for an extended weekend of Jubilee fun for all the family. Highlights include an inflatable assault course, live music, crafts and games, a family theatre show and much more from Thursday June 2 to Sunday June 5.
There will be hopscotch, hoopla, and more themed games for children, as well as craft activities, and Sacrewell will be inviting youngsters to help create a Silhouette Window display in celebration of the occasion.
Artisan Courtyard residents, including Stamford Heavenly Chocolates, Nene Valley Spirits, Hops & Hare and Whyte Wytch Artisan Cheese will be selling their unique gifts, food and drink throughout the event. Visitors will also be able to enjoy rural skills with Sacrewell’s resident Blacksmith and with Nene Coppicing and Crafts as well as experiencing artists Djibo Art and Street Arts Hire.
When: Thursday 2 June-Sunday 5 June
Where: Sacrewell, Wansford, Peterborough
Matilda-Themed Afternoon Tea at Luxury Family Hotels
The Luxury Family Hotels brand have launched a Matilda-themed afternoon tea at all five of their properties in Cornwall, Dorset, New Forest, Bury-st-Edmunds and Bath. Pair the Matilda Afternoon Tea experience with a stay at one of the hotels for spa treatments, countryside adventures and family-friendly dining.
For families wanting to make the most of their Matilda experience, Luxury Family Hotels offers the ‘Magical Matilda Escape’ overnight stay packages at all five properties. Carefully curated to include the Matilda Afternoon Tea with activity sheets for younger guests, overnight family accommodation, delicious full works breakfast the morning before guests depart and a Matilda book to take home.
Read More:
- 12 of the Best Mum Bloggers to Follow Now
- The Best Family Villas To Book For This Summer
- Top 10 Family Staycation Locations & Weekend Breaks in the UK
Want more information and inspiration on everything parenting and lifestyle? Just hit ‘Like’ on our Little London Facebook page, and ‘Follow’ on our @_Little_London Twitter account, and you’re all set.
