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!
May half term in Dorset 2021
With restrictions continuing to lift and the weather (hopefully) improving, this May half term is a great time for families in Devon to get out and about to explore our amazing county and see what our fabulous local businesses have to offer! We've pulled together some of our favourite suggestions for things that are going on. We are currently pulling together our bumper summer edition so if you have any events that you would to see featured - send us an email here
**Do not forget that due to the ongoing global situation, activities and events are more subject to change than ever before so we always advise you to double-check that the event is still going ahead and as you expect or before travelling and making any arrangements. Please also expect that due to visitor and attendee numbers being reduced, spaces will fill up particularly quickly so if you are interested in anything below - be quick!
1) Hooray! Adventure Wonderland is open everyday from Half Term in May! See their new Crazy Golf Experience
The Adventure Wonderland team are busy putting the finishing touches to their brand new attraction, ‘Alice at the Movies - Crazy Golf!’ The 9-hole crazy golf course is part of the parks 30th Anniversary celebrations - themed on some of your top family favourite films!
Get those putter fingers ready! It’s going to be tee-rific!
Your full park, full day visit includes all your favourite Wonderland rides and attractions, the reopening of Wild Thing indoor play, Shetland World and performances of “Thanks Alice for the Music”on the outdoor stage - starring the parks resident characters: Alice, the Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts.
Plus, joining the half term happiness is TV superstar, Hey Duggee! who will be visiting Adventure Wonderland on Wednesday 2 June 2021 and making appearances throughout the day.
Check opening times and attraction availability on the website.
2) Splashdown Poole
Splashdown Poole are incredibly excited to welcome everyone back! The Covid secure protocols implemented last summer have served them very well. In the absence of any further regulatory changes by the government these will be in place again this year which includes reduction in capacity, online booking in advance only, timed sessions and slots, enhanced cleaning regimes and staff PPE.
They hope to welcome people back from the 21st of May, and to Lemur Landings on the 17th May and can't wait! It's a different visit to what people might have previously been used to, but they are confident that they can provide a safe and memorable trip that's still incredibly fun! Online booking only. Find out more via the Splashdown Poole website here.
3) Wimborne Model Town
With no booking necessary, Wimborne Model Town is open every day 10am – 5pm. After check in there’s a special one-way distanced route marked by vintage style road signs around the miniature buildings and gardens. Take the free quiz trail to find out more about the shops and buildings that make up the miniature 1/10th scale world of Wimborne in the 1950s. How about Crazy Golf and the Wendy Street play area for younger visitors or simply enjoy the NGS listed gardens.
From May 17 indoor facilities are scheduled to be open when the recently rehomed Wareham Bears can be seen for the first time – shopping, building, playing tennis – what will they get up to next? Life Before Lego is the new exhibition featuring building toys and models of yesteryear. The model railway has many new features including touchless motion sensor controls for visitors to drive the trains.
The Tea Room offers hot and cold drinks, homemade cakes, sandwiches, snacks and ice cream while the shop has some great new souvenir lines.
See the Model Town’s website for more details.
4) Create @ Upton Country Park
Fancy something different......something relaxing and a great way to unwind with family & friends? Multi-Award Winning 'Create @ Upton Country Park offers a relacing space for visitors to 'Get-Creating'!!! They offer a fantastic selection of craft activities, there is something for everyone to choose from: Paint your own Pottery, Decopatch, Model-Making, Craft Kits, Build-your-own-Bear and their new Fairy range!
Remember - you must pre-book a table online to avoid disappointment.
Please visit the 'Create at Upton Country Park' website for more info
5) Monkey World
Monkey World is open! After a long year, the park and primates are overjoyed to welcome visitors back! The 250 rescued and endangered primates have kept staff busy, coming up with new and fun ways to keep their intelligent brains busy. Now, that the park’s open, the chimps love seeing all the fun and funky coloured masks that visitors are sporting! After visitors have caught up with their primate pals, they can enjoy the large picnic areas and three play areas too. To book, and see the ways that Monkey World are keeping you safe, visit their website
6)Don’t just play, go and stay at Woodlands Caravan and Camping/Family Theme Park!
Whether you’re looking to camp under canvas or take along your caravan or motorhome, Woodlands Caravan & Camping pitches are available to book until 31st October 2021. Located in beautiful countryside near Dartmouth, Devon. Designed by a family with your family holiday in mind. Includes FREE entry to Woodlands Family Theme Park when you stay 2 nights or more! Book today to create memories that last a lifetime! See the website for more details.
7) Get arty with the Creative Kids charity
Creative Kids is a children's charity offering affordable, accessible arts activities that help children and young people age 6 + grow in confidence as budding artists because every child deserves the opportunity to shine. The Charity was founded in 2008 by working class parents on low-incomes wishing to address inequalities in arts accessibility. The idea is to use the arts as a driver for social change and close the attainment gap for local children. They run an Arts Education Centre and Studios in Boscombe that offers a combined arts Holiday Arts Club, VIP Kids Cinema, Youth Arts Project, Saturday Arts Award Club and we work with local artistic partners such as Coda Fiddle Orchestra and Pavilion Dance South West to bring exceptional talent in to inspire local children in need. They offer all children free enrolment onto The Arts Award and the opportunity to gain a national qualification in the arts. The charity also run an outdoor pop-up arts project that tours national festivals and are winners of The Queens Award (MBE for volunteers) 2016.
Find out more at their website.