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
Secrets of the Shadows Family Quest
29th August-29th November 2025
Venue: Corfe Castle
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/corfe-castle
Family quest to learn about the ghostly figures roaming the castle ruins
Autumn Market
11th-11th October 2025
Venue: Athelhampton
Website: www.athelhampton.com
See the website for details
Run Bournemouth
11th-12th October 2025
Venue: Bournemouth
Website: www.runbournemouth.com
Running events of varying distances incluidng kids and junior races
Weymouth Beach Motocross
12th-12th October 2025
Venue: Studland Bay
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/studland-bay
Nature journal activity to encourage kids to explore their surrounding and connect with nature
Sherborne International Film Festival
16th-19th October 2025
Venue: Powell Theatre, Sherborne
Website: www.rcsc.org.uk/our-key-events/shiff
Film screenings - see the website for the full line-up
Purbeck Film Autumn Festival
17th October-2nd November 2025
Venue: Various locations
Website: www.purbeckfilm.com
See the website for the full line-up
Belle and Sebastian
18th-18th October 2025
Venue: Powell theatre
Website: www.rcsc.org.uk/our-key-events/shiff
Film screening based on the beloved children's TV series
Dorchester Literary Festival
18th-25th October 2025
Venue: Various locations
Website: www.dorchesterliteraryfestival.com
See the website for the full-line-up
The Dorset Open - Celebrating Creativity Across the County
18th October-30th November 2025
Venue: Dorset Museum
Website: www.dorsetmuseum.org
Brand-new major art competition
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