May Bank Holiday & Half Term Family Events in Bristol

May Bank Holiday & Half Term Family Events in Bristol

Posted on: 25 May 2018

Bristol's alive and kicking with a mind-boggling array of things to see and do at the best of times, and when Bank Hols and Half Terms kick in everything ramps up a notch or two. So, with the kids off and the inevitable need to prevent boredom setting in, what are you going to do? Bristol, naturally, has the answer (actually it has lots of them). Servants to the city and relentless purveyors of indispensable advice, here's 365Bristol's guide to family-friendly events and activities to keep you more than occupied over the Bank Holiday and Half Term.  

 

BIAZA’s Love Your Zoo 25 May – 2 June 

Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, Clevedon Road, Wraxall, Bristol, BS48 1PG

They've certainly packed a lot in at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm over the next week, with a bursting-at-the-seams array of talks, workshops, events, a photo competition, and whole load more. And how's this for an aaahhhh-inducing added bonus: find all the hidden hearts in the animal enclosures and you could win an animal adoption. Take part in the colouring competition and you could be in with a chance of winning a Keeper Experience.  

Noahs Ark Zoo Farm Holiday Stay & Play 29 - 30 May

Children’s Scrapstore, 21 Sevier Street, St Werburgh’s, Bristol, BS2 9LB

When it comes to creative stuff to keep the kids entertained then look no further than Children's Scrapstore, a positive oasis for encouraging young minds to engage in creative and artistic activities. For a few days here the little 'uns can stimulate their artistic inclinations with endeavours such as cross stitch and clay moulding.  
 

Airhop 

Patchway Trading Estate, Unit 5, Britannia Rd, Bristol BS34 5TA

All ages and all physical abilities are catered for in the incredible venue - the largest trampoline park in the world – so not just a way to get the kids to stop bouncing on the sofa at home, but also a great bit of exercise for the whole family.

135 interconnected trampolines make up AirHop Bristol and besides the option to just bounce about like Tigger, there are slam-dunk lanes, dodgeball courts, battle beams, foam pit lanes, slack lines and a ‘Total Wipeout zone! This is the perfect activity for both kids and adults - lots of fun whilst burning calories!

For something a bit different, why not take some time out to explore another world in one of their incredible AirVR booths! Inside the four dedicated booths you can create, battle and explore in virtual reality with games including Serious Sam, Fruit Ninja, and Fantastic Beasts. Travelling to an alternate reality to play these immersive games is a mind-blowing experience, so make sure you make the most of this unique gaming sensation at AirHop with the AirVR Bundle – 1 hour jump session, some AirHop non-slip socks & 10 minutes on our AirVR booths for £16.00.

Airhop in Bristol

Clip 'n Climb 

3, New Gatton Rd, Bristol BS2 9SH

Clip 'n Climb is composed of a wide selection of climbing-based activities providing healthy, challenging fun for all the family! Test your resolve and determination across all of their separate challenges - climb commando style on the Jungle Gym, reach new heights on the Skyscraper, take the Speed Climbing challenge, tangle yourself in Spaghetti, dare to tackle the Lightning Crack or race your friends up the Stairway to Heaven!

No climbing experience is necessary and full briefing is given. Visitors are required to arrive 15 minutes prior to your booked session for your introduction and briefing as part of your fun-packed session and full equipment will be provided. Indoor climbing has never been easier or safer as automatic belay devices take in the slack while you climb before lowering you gently to the ground.

 

Family Fun Day 10 June 

Peny Brohn UK, National Centre, Chapel Pill Lane, Pill, Bristol BS20 0HH

Supporting the fabulous work of cancer charity, Penny Brohn UK, and ensconced in the majestic four acres of the National Centre, this event has plenty to keep the whole family entertained, whether it's taking a chilled out, guided relaxation session or giving your vocal chords a boisterous workout with the Penny Brohn Community Choir. 

Penny Brohn Family fun day

Summer Stargazing 3D 23 May – 3 Sept 

We The Curious Big Screen, Millennium Square, Bristol BS1 5DB

For every budding Brian Cox or Patrick Moore (remember him?), here's the ultimate space-themed intergalactic treat. Take a trip into space and witness the awe-inspiring wonder of whizzing through Saturn's rings and hitching a ride on a blazing comet. Cosmic, thrilling and an exciting blast for everyone who's into the night's blanket of twinkling, shimmering stars and stargazing. Even better, it's all in 3D too. 
 

The Big Blue 26 May  – 3 June

Bristol Aquarium, Anchor Road, Bristol, BS1 5TT

Aquatic adventures don't get much more amazing than those at Bristol Aquarium, and with The Big Blue you can learn about those incredible watery depths and how the inordinate varieties of species survive. Combining stunning nautical educational insight with hand-on activities, this will keep the whole family captivated for hours.  


The Land of Adventure 26 May – 3 June 

Wild Place Project, Blackhorse Hill, Bristol, BS10 7TP

Kids love dressing up (as do, for that matter, plenty of adults) so this is the perfect chance to don the attire of your favourite adventurer for some heroic derring-do.  Part of the Really Wild Quest at the Wild Place Project, you'll need to have your wits about you as you navigate an exciting range of challenges and obstacles to collect stamps for your handbook. You can take a break from the Indiana Jones-style adventures later, however, exploring an enchanted woodland for fairy doors and making a special wish by the wishing tree.
 

The Matthew

Princes Wharf, Wapping Rd, Bristol BS1 4RN

Owned by The Matthew of Bristol Trust, the ship docks outside Bristol’s M Shed museum where you can visit for free. 500 years after John Cabot’s ship The Matthew crossed the Atlantic in 1497, a replica of the ship was made to repeat the journey. Ever since returning from the States, the carbon copy has been moored in Bristol’s floating harbor and regularly takes trips around the vicinity and hosts regular pantos for the kids!

The Matthew of Bristol

Wookey Hole 26 May – 3 June 

The Mill, High St, Wookey Hole, Wells, BA5 1BB

A few miles out of Bristol but always worth a visit. And with Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom hitting multiplexes any minute now, dinosaurs are the main attraction here (well, those of the animatronic variety replete with authentic hissing and roaring sounds, anyway). There's also the Ice Age: Dan of the Dinosaurs 4D experience too. Dinos may have been extinct for 65 million years but they've been magnificently resurrected for a week, Wookey Hole-style.  


Grand Opening of Air Bouncers 26 May 26, 11am

Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park, Pixash Lane, Keynsham, BS31 1TP

Kids are little bundles of energy anyway, so they'll have a boinging, bouncing field day with the launch of Air Bouncers - basically two huge inflatable pillows. The phrase 'Jumping for joy' could have literally been invented for this.


Tree-mendous Fun 31 May 

Bristol Zoo Gardens, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 3HA

Ahhhh, nature, eh? You just cant beat it. The verdant joy, the bucolic splendour, truly in contact with Mother Earth and all her leafy glories. This green-themed event takes place on the impressive pastures of the magnificent Downs, where you can weave your ways betwixt the age old trees before using beautiful leaf patterns to design your own nature-inspired T-shirt.  


Brick Express 9 - 10 June 

Avon Valley Railway, Bitton Station, Bath Road, Bitton, BS30 6HD

Wannabe builders and engineers can take advantage of this brick-inspired showcase that's putting on plenty of stimulating building workshops as you cruise your way down the line. If you're lucky, you might even get the chance to cross paths with adult builder Tom Poulsom who's a dab hand at producing some darned impressive creations out of Lego. 

Whatever you do, have a fantastic half term!

365Bristol


Article by:

Jamie Caddick

Jamie is a writer, blogger, journalist, critic, film fan, soundtrack nerd and all-round Bristolian good egg.  He loves the music of Philip Glass, the art of Salvador Dali, the writings of Charles Bukowksi and Hunter S Thompson, the irreverence of Harry Hill, and the timeless, straw-chomping exuberance of The Wurzels.  You can sometimes find him railing against a surging tide of passing cyclists, or gorging himself senseless on the Oriental delights of a Cosmos all-you-can-eat buffet.