Things to do in May Half Term in Newcastle Gateshead

Are you looking for things to do with your family in NewcastleGateshead during May half term? Taking place in the North East from Saturday 28 May - Sunday 5 June, it is an extra special school holiday this year as the country celebrates the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Look out for even more events, activities and celebrations to keep an eye on in Newcastle and Gateshead.  

With so much going on at attractions and venues across NewcastleGateshead, it can be difficult to decide what to do, where to go and when to do it. Don’t worry, we have picked out some highlights in a handy guide of things to do in the North East during May half term.

In celebration of Fenwick Newcastle's 140th anniversary, the iconic city-centre department store will host two circus-themed family events during May half term. Children will love having a go at a series of circus tricks on Monday 30 May when the talented team at Let's Circus roll into toon. The 45-minute family-friendly workshops will be full of fun and laughter as children learn how to juggle with scarves and spin plates. Find out more about the circus workshops at Fenwick Newcastle here.

If that feels a little too challenging for small clowns and mini performers, then settled down for a lively storytime session with the excellent team at Seven Stories who will be making a visit to Fenwick Newcastle on Tuesday 31 May. Book your tickets in advance online and share magical circus-themed stories with your little ones this half term. 

From the 19 May and beyond, you can celebrate everyone’s favourite astronaut, Buzz Lightyear, at Life Science Centre with a series of inspired-by events and activities. Enjoy new, space-themed activities such as Moon Buggy Building - build your own moon buggy and see what it feels like on the moon’s rocky terrain. Or how about a Space Zone adventure where you can be the boss in Mission Control and check out how astronauts poo in space. Launch your own rocket in the Experiment Zone by mixing real chemicals together and have an out-of-this-world experience.

On Friday 3 June, celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with hands-on crown-making activity in the Making Studios. Create your own special crown for the chance to win a fantastic family prize which includes a trip to Life Science Centre AND Alnwick Castle - where they can show off their crown in a real castle. Find out how to enter at life.org.uk/crown. That's not all - the first 100 people to visit the science centre on Friday 3 June wearing red, white and blue will receive a free Jubilee cupcake!

From Friday 27 to Monday 30 May, Tour de Moon will take you on a mission to unbox creativity. See performances, installations, interactive experiments, and immersive experiences - created by a galaxy of nightlife artists, musicians, digital dreamers, writers, scientists, technologists, and creative pioneers. Newcastle will be one of only four UK cities to host the Tour de Moon festival and it will be a fully magical, lunar experience! Look out for the daily Moon Convoy each day at 3pm in Newcastle city centre.

Many of the activities including music events and talks are aimed at adults and older children so please check the Tour De Moon website directly when you book your free tickets. 

Beamish Museum will be hosting a full week of Platinum Jubilee Celebrations during May Half Term. Join in their 1950s Front Street party, where you will see colours of red, white, and blue flurry around the terrace and watch the coronation ceremony in the welfare hall. During the week of celebrations there will also be performances by bands and choirs, football matches, crown making and many opportunities to join in with including singing the national anthem.

Kielder Waterside, Northumberland offer water activities for all the family. Book a place on board the Osprey Ferry Cruise across Kielder Water and get the best view of the landscape. Join in the fun on the Osprey and Canapes cruise ran by Wild Intrigue. The cruise offers a special opportunity to watch the birds as they soar overhead and fish the tranquil water. If you are looking for more of a thrilling activity, Kielder offer a variety of water sports such as paddleboarding, kayaking and canoeing.

Every Saturday from 10am -12noon, Jarrow Hall invite you to go behind the scenes with their young farmers to discover life on the farm and learn about the animals who live at Jarrow Hall. Suitable for ages 8 – 12. Booking is required and the team will supervise the children throughout the session. Jarrow Hall strongly advise that you wear appropriate clothing with wellies being essential.

From Tuesday 31 May to Wednesday 1 June Seussical the Musical will be on show at the Playhouse Whitley Bay. Dr Seuss’s best- loved characters will be brought to life in a fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza. Fans of Dr Seuss can expect to see Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz and many more in the worlds of Jungle of Nool, Circus McGurkus and Whos.

Where did all the Animals Go? is a free exhibition at the Great North Museum: Hancock by Jane Lee McCracken and 700 children from the North East. The drawings show the world’s most vulnerable species that are facing extinction. This exhibition provides an opportunity to form connections with each species, through the creative response of a generation of young people.

Find your inner artist at The Shipley Art Gallery at Gateshead. Start with a blank canvas and create your own masterpiece whilst drinking a beverage. Shipley Art Gallery provide you with all the materials you need to make your one-of-a-kind artwork, once you have finished you can keep it forever and show it off to all your family and friends. The next Paint and Sip class is on Saturday 28 May 2.30-4.30pm, booking is essential.