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
Jane Austen: Down to the Sea
14th June-14th September 2025
Venue: Dorset Museum
Website: www.dorsetmuseum.org
Exhibiton exploring the sea as a setting for Jane Austen's ficitonal worlds and its influence on her
Summer at Monkey World
1st July-31st August 2025
Venue: Monkey World
Website: www.monkeyworld.org
Celebrate summer at Monkey World with activities, themed weeks and the Children's Activity Centre open daily for crafts, fun and learning
Open Garden - the Old Rectory, Litton Cheney
6th-6th July 2025
Venue: Litton Cheney
Website: www.findagarden.ngs.org.uk
Open garden - children free
Robin Hood
6th-6th July 2025
Venue: Dorchester Corn Exchange
Website: www.dorchesterarts.org.uk
Hilariously adventurous take on the famous story from The Pantaloons
Dorset Volksfest
11th-13th July 2025
Venue: Wareham
Website: www.dorsetvolksfest.co.uk
Weekend of family entertainment with music, street food and free things for kids to do
Swanage Jazz Festival
11th-13th July 2025
Venue: Swanage
Website: www.swanagejazzfestival.co.uk
See website for programme details
The Rustic Stomp 2025
11th-13th July 2025
Venue: Knoll Farm
Website: www.rusticstomp.co.uk
Festival celebrating Americana Music and culture. Free entries to under 16s
Weymouth Beach Rugby and Netball Festival
11th-13th July 2025
Venue: Weymouth Beach
Website: www.weymouthbeachrugbyfest.co.uk
See the website for the schedule
Food and Drink Festival at Corfe Castle
12th-13th July 2025
Venue: Corfe Castle
Website: www.corfecastle.co.uk
Two day festival showcasing locally produced food and drink in the South Dorset area
Jurassic Fields Music Festival
12th-14th July 2025
Venue: West Bay Fields, Nr Broomhill Farm, Bridport
Website: www.jurassicfields.com
3 day family friendly festival
Monkey World's Chimpanzee recognition week
12th-20th July 2025
Venue: Monkey World
Website: www.monkeyworld.org
Celebrate the anniversary of the rescue of the first chimps at Monkey World, and World Chimp Day. Visitors can learn more about their closest living relatives through stalls, displays, games and activities
Bin Rat!
13th-13th July 2025
Venue: Lapford Mill
Website: www.theploughartscentre.co.uk
Open air performance
Dog Show at The Walled Garden Moreton
13th-13th July 2025
Venue: The Walled Garden Moreton
Website: www.walledgardenmoreton.co.uk
Day of family fun, delicious food and prizes to celebrate your canine companions
Obscure Desires
13th-13th July 2025
Venue: Exeter Phoenix
Website: www.exeterphoenix.org.uk
Visually stunning journey through the depths of human emotion - told through jaw-dropping acrobatics, live music and powerful storytelling
Way of the wild - Bushcraft taster sessions
30th-30th July 2025
Venue: Brownsea Island
Hands-on bushcraft experience - see the website for details
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