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May half term events for children in Suffolk

Updated: 1/5/2015

May Half term activities for children in Suffolk

Fun Play from May

There’s really no excuse for the kids to get bored this May, June and July as there’s a truly wonderful line up of events taking place week after week. Here’s a little taster for you...

Museums at Night: 16 – 18 May

Museums at Night, the annual late night festival of art, culture and heritage, will take place this year over three nights in May from Thursday 16 to Saturday 18 May.

Tying in with the European event La Nuit des Musées, hundreds of museums, art galleries and heritage spaces all over the country will be opening up late and putting on a fantastic mix of events: expect bands playing in art galleries, costumed balls, contemporary artist happenings, unique literary events, sleepovers in museums, family-friendly science and astronomy events and beautiful historic houses lit by candlelight. For up-to-the-minute listings, visit www.museumsatnight.org.uk

National Family Week: 27 May to 2 June

National Family Week is back once again from the 27 May to 2 June 2013! Since launching in 2009, families have enjoyed competitions and over 15,000 family friendly events all over the country. The week creates a wealth of opportunity for families to spend time together and works with organisations to provide fun activities and useful resources that actively combat the biggest barriers to positive family life. To find an event near you, check out the website, www.nationalfamilyweek.co.uk

Open Farm Sunday – Sunday 9 June

Open Farm Sunday is a fantastic project which has seen hundreds of farmers across the UK open up their farm for one Sunday each year since 2006! It is a fantastic opportunity for everyone, young and old, to discover what it means to be a farmer. Activities during the day may include a farm walk, nature trail, tractor and trailer rides, pond dipping, and activities for children, a mini farmers market or picnics. To find out which farms in your area are taking part visit www.farmsunday.org

Bike Week: 17 to 23 June

Last year the nation fell in love with cycling, with more families than ever riding their bikes, inspired by Olympic heroes Victoria Pendleton and Bradley Wiggins. So it goes without saying that British cycling really is riding on the crest of a wave at the moment and organisers of Bike Week are hoping these endorsements will inspire families to fall in love with the sport all over again this year. A number of exciting events will take place across the country from 17 to 23 June 2013, demonstrating the social, health and environmental benefits of cycling. Bike Week aims to get people to give cycling a go - for fun or as a means of getting around to the local shops, school, the library or just to visit friends. You will be able to find a special bike week event close to you by going to www.bikeweek.org.uk/event_search.php

Child Safety Week: 24 to 30 June

It’s the little actions that parents carry out each day that keep children safe and help prevent serious injuries or accidents. This is why, in 2013, the theme for Child Safety Week has the special title for parents ‘Be a Safety Hero’. During Child Safety Week, from 24 to 30 June, families will be encouraged to make simple changes to protect children from serious harm. The Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) is offering safety advice by age group, letting parents know what to watch out for as their child grows up. One of the reasons children have accidents is because they develop so fast and mums and dads can’t keep up! Find out more at www.capt.org.uk/safety-advice or www.childsafetyweek.org.uk

Armed Forces Day: 29 June

Communities across the UK are being encouraged to apply for funding to hold events as part of the nationwide Armed Forces Day campaign, held in honour of our Servicemen and women past and present. Since 2009, Armed Forces Day has been marked annually with events large and small throughout the UK, and this year the celebrations will fall on Saturday 29 June, with a major national event held in the City of Nottingham. Armed Forces Day celebrations include tea parties, parades, big band concerts, civil war military re-enactments and live and static demonstrations; all designed to enable people to show their support for the men and women of the Armed Forces family. For more details go to www.armedforcesday.org.uk

National Camping and Caravanning Week – 27 May to 2 June

National Camping and Caravanning Week celebrates the nation’s growing love of camping, caravanning and the great outdoors. Now in its 13th exciting year, this outdoor event is designed to provoke families to spend more time pitching up and enjoying the fresh air. A recent survey conducted at the Spring Caravan and Camping Show showed that 54% of families had never been on a camping or a caravanning holiday, despite 60% of them wanting to. For more information about Camping and Caravanning Week go to www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk

Go wild at Banham Zoo

Banham Zoo is an award winning family attraction and one of the most exciting wildlife collections in the country with over 2,000 animals from around the world.

Throughout the day there are plenty of activities to thrill and entertain families, and as children go around the zoo they can collect stamps to complete the Passport Challenge and collect a medal at the end of the day. There are daily animal feeding talks and displays, an exciting Birds of Prey display, the incredible Giraffe House and Zarafa Heights, Province of the Snow Cat, live Amazing Animal presentations, a free safari roadtrain, indoor soft play, a Tarzan Towers adventure play area, and fun interactive activities in the Education centre. An incredible new experience at Banham Zoo is Lemur Encounter - visitors are often captivated by the beautiful lemurs! For admission prices and closing times go to www.banhamzoo.co.uk or call 01953 887771

Africa is closer than you think!

Explore the sights and sounds of Africa and discover lions, giraffes, rhinos, cheetahs, hyenas and many more animals and birds from the African continent. Visit the “Plains of Africa” to see giraffe, antelope, zebra, rhino and ostrich roam freely together as they would in the wild. Enjoy a bird’s eye view of the magnificent lions from the Lookout Lodge and visit Lemur Encounters to be captivated by the beautiful ring-tailed lemurs. For the under 12s there is an amazing innovative indoor adventure play area aptly named ‘The Wild Zone’; watch and listen to the daily feeding, seasonal Bird of Prey displays and climb aboard the safari road train for a free journey around the Park. For more details ring 01502 740291 or visit www.africa-alive.co.uk

Fairhaven Gardens goes green on 23 June

To find out how your family can go green, make sure you go along to the Green Festival at Fairhaven Gardens on Sunday 23 June to discover new and easy ways to reduce your carbon footprint, and have a great family day out too! For more information take a look at our special Go Green for Energy feature or go to www.fairhavengarden.co.uk or ring 01603 270449

Go on an adventure with the dinosaurs

The closest you'll get to experiencing Jurassic Park is tracking through the woods at Dinosaur Adventure. Children will gasp in amazement as they come face to face with the 8 meter Spinosaurus and the mighty T-Rex, Brachiosaurus, Stegosaurus, Triceratops, and more, along the woodland dinosaur trail.

The all-weather indoor play ‘Dinomite’ has 3 levels of fun and adventure for all the family, with a two-level area totally dedicated to the under 5s. Inside you will find everything from climbing nets, bridges and ball pools right up to the three massive slides which go from gentle slopes to a terrifying vertical drop. Another experience at the park is Stone Age Road Race where children will have oodles of fun as they race round the track.

Brave children can also tackle the adventure play area, Arachnophobia, a giant prehistoric spider’s web, 'Climb-a-Saurus' a 75ft dinosaur activity, Xtinction, Jurassic Putt, Raptors Racers and down in the Secret Animal Garden experience some reptile encounters. For admission prices and closing times visit www.dinosauradventure.co.uk or call 01603 876310

Alder Carr Farm’s Strawberry Fayre: Saturday 29 June

This year Alder Carr Farm’s Strawberry Fayre is on Saturday 29 June from 10am-4pm and promises to be bigger and better than ever. This annual event brings together the very best of local food, drink, crafts and children's activities and celebrates the Great British strawberry. New for this year there will be a magnificent Suffolk Punch horse from the Suffolk Horse Society, Shetland pony rides, a huge combine harvester for children to explore and Audrey the vintage ice cream van. In addition there will be strawberries galore, including pick your own; food and craft stalls, the Alder Carr hog roast, BBQ and refreshments, a bouncy castle, face painting and much more. The Strawberry Fayre will take place at Alder Carr Farm at Creeting St. Mary. See www.aldercarrfarm.co.uk for more information.

The new season sees four new rides at Pleasurewood Hills

As part of a £3.5 million investment pledge, Pleasurewood Hills has four new rides for 2013. Significant resource has also been spent refurbishing the Theme Park making it an even more vibrant place for a day out for all the family. New rides for the 2013 season will include Hobs Pit, one of the most scary rides in the UK – not for the faint hearted - coming soon; Pleasurewood Paddlers - the return of the pedalos to Pleasurewood Lake; Woody’s Tea Party - a traditional family tea cup ride and ‘Moby Dick’ mariners fun for the youngsters.

Since 2011 when the Looping Holding Group, who own seven attractions across Europe, took over the park, a total of nine new rides and attractions have been added to Pleasurewood Hills.  Last year new rides and attractions included The Jolly Roger, a 40 metre drop tower; The Lighthouse, a thrilling kid’s shoot-up-tower; the Pleasurewood Pony Rail, a gentle family fun ride; Laser Labyrinth, an adrenaline fuelled indoor laser game and the Illusionist Magic Show performed by Britain’s Got Talent star, Sean Alexander in the Castle Theatre.

Day visitors will also have the opportunity to ride ‘Wipeout’, the tallest, fastest and most extreme rollercoaster in the East of England, get soaked on the ‘Timber Falls’ log flume and watch the Sea Lion and Parrot shows. Plus, there’s loads more rides and attractions to explore in the 50 acres of enclosed coastal parkland. For full details go to www.pleasurewoodhills.com or call 01502 586000.

Something for everyone at Bressingham

Whether your passion is gardens, steam, exhibits, rides or even a mixture of them, Bressingham has something for all! A wonderful way to explore the beautiful gardens and woodlands of Bressingham is by climbing aboard the magnificent steam engine. With over five miles of narrow-gauge steam lines and four journeys to choose from, it's the perfect way to relax and enjoy the scenery.

A trip to the locomotive sheds brings the power and the glory of mighty steam engineering up close. The National Dad's Army collection lets you wander through Walmington-on-Sea looking at original props and vehicles from the series. Also, there’s a real chance to step back in time and enjoy a ride from bygone days on the 1897 Gallopers Roundabout.

Children, and dads, are in for a treat this spring as some really special events have been arranged including a visit by TV favourites Ben and Holly on Sunday 2 June, the delightfully cute Peppa Pig will be appearing at intervals on Saturday 29 June and Sunday 30 June, plus there’s a Father’s Day sleepover event on Saturday 15 June too! For more details go to www.bressingham.co.uk or call 01379 686900

Museum’s at Night Film Night: Friday 17 May

Visit the Museum of East Anglian Life, Stowmarket this May and experience the museum at night! On 17 May families can see ‘Where The Wild Things Are’ (PG), an adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic children's story, where Max, a disobedient little boy sent to bed without his supper, creates his own world--a forest inhabited by ferocious wild creatures that crown Max as their ruler. Tickets are available in advance from the Tourist Information Centre, numbers are limited. For more details ring 01449 612229

South Suffolk Leisure…leading the way to active living

Children up to the age of 10 will have fun exploring the play frame at Little Kingfishers Play Centre in Sudbury with its great features such as the spiral, wavy slides, to ball canyon, ball swing and V net bridges plus much more. For younger babies there is a baby area which has interactive and sensory soft play so there’s plenty to keep your young ones entertained whilst you enjoy a cuppa and tasty treat in the large café seating area. Enjoy one of the money saving special offers which are available after school from 3pm and includes play and a children’s meal for your child for just £5! For all offers and opening times visit www.littlekingfishers.co.uk or call 01787 375656

May Mayhem at the Museums

During the children’s May half-term holiday, why not venture further afield and explore some of the great family sessions being held at the Colchester and Ipswich Museums? The Ipswich Museum has everything from mammoths to mummies, plus many other weird and wonderful curiosities. While Christchurch Mansion houses the biggest collection of John Constable paintings outside of London. All six Colchester and Ipswich Museum venues offer fun, hands-on sessions that encourage children to express themselves through a variety of mediums such as art, music and literature. For further information visit www.cimuseums.org/whats-on

Accompanied Kids go Free on Summer Saturdays at Newmarket Racecourses

Families can certainly save the pennies this year at Newmarket Racecourses as kids go free on Saturday’s during the summer. The July Course is the perfect destination for families as great entertainment will be provided for children in the family enclosure.  The first Summer Saturday on 8 June will be extra special with a live, open air concert featuring The Saturdays and Lawson taking place once the last race has finished. To book tickets call 0844 579 3010 or go to www.newmarketracecourses.co.uk

Vintage Power Day at Pakenham Water Mill

Pakenham Water Mill has now reopened for the season and has an exciting number of events lined up. On Sunday 16 June, Fathers Day, there will be a Vintage Power Day from 1pm until 5pm featuring vintage and classic cars, stationary engines, the Mill’s 1904 Blackstone oil engine running, BBQ and refreshments. As usual at this popular event the mill will be working and visitors can see fine wholemeal flour being ground in the traditional way or watch a demonstration of baking in the old brick bread oven. For more details ring 01379 783554 or go to www.pakenhamwatermill.co.uk

ITFC Charitable Trust supporting young people in the community

The ITFC Charitable Trust is a charity supporting individuals, families and schools across Suffolk. Through the medium of football they inspire, motivate and improve the education and life chances of those who are in need. The ITFC Charitable Trust provide community education and sport activities with a highly dedicated team who deliver educational support and coaching sessions to thousands of young people across Suffolk every year.  

Working with, 16 – 25 year old NEET (not in education, employment or training) sector they support a large number of young adults each year, providing a positive direction in life, helping to prepare them to enter the workplace, whilst generating more active and productive citizens. To read more take a look at www.itfccharitabletrust.org.uk

It’s full steam ahead with the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway

The Mid-Suffolk Light Railway is the only full-size heritage railway in the county and tells the story of a typical country branch line. This Spring’s events include Steam Models and Miniatures on 26 and 27 May featuring a collection of model and miniature steam engines for visitors to examine, plus there’s a special Family day on Sunday 7 July. You will find the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway at Brockford Station in Stowmarket. For more details 01449 766899 or go to www.mslr.org.uk

Step back in time at Kentwell Hall

Visitors to Kentwell Hall near Long Melford will witness history brought to life this spring. From Saturday 25 to Monday 27 May there will be a ‘Kentwell through the Centuries’ event that will allow visitors to explore a Medieval Village, see Tudor crafts, stroll around a Victorian household and a WWII camp - all in the space of a single day.

Shortly afterwards, there will be a series of themed Tudor Kentwell 1559 events running each weekend from Saturday 15 June to Sunday 7 July. During Tudor Kentwell, visitors will be able to embark on a time travel experience which takes them back to Tudor times. Three of the weekends have special events; on 22 and 23 June, see the Tudors celebrate midsummer with the burning of a wicker man. The weekend of 29 and 30 June will hold a Pageant - expect lots of flags, floats and pageantry. The weekend of 6 and 7 July sees a Tudor Fair with games, challenges, plays, performances, music and dancing. For more details go to www.kentwell.co.uk or call 01787 310 207

What’s on at Jimmy’s Farm this spring?

Visitors to Jimmy’s Farm will be able to discover the newest additions to the nature trail this spring. Children will be thrilled to see a new zip wire, climbing pyramids and a bouncy animal enclosure plus the giant sandpit will allow little ones time to create masterpieces out of the golden sand.  Educational signage has now been positioned all around the farm, to help children learn more about the animals – remember to go to the animal petting and feeding area to see the fluffy new arrivals. If the outdoor farm explorations have left the children feeling hungry then there are three sausage making workshops that might appeal. Taking place on Tuesday 28, Thursday 30 May and Saturday 1 June these workshops will teach pupils how to make sausages like the Jimmy’s Farm butchers! Contact education@jimmysfarm.com to book your space as these workshops get booked up quickly! To find out more go to www.jimmysfarm.com or ring 01473 604206