There are some fantastic activities for families in the North East to enjoy during May half term 2023 – without breaking the bank! Most of the free and low cost activities below donβt need to be pre-booked, so are perfect for a few last minute plans. Thereβs fun for all ages with carnivals, fun days, trails, crafts and more!
You can browse the A-Z below or check our quick guide in date order here. This list will continue to be updated so do check back, and if you have any recommendations to add please get in touch hereπ
Details are subject to change and some events may be weather dependent, please check details directly with organisers using the purple links below. Facebook links are provided for each organiser to check for the latest updates, followed by additional links with event info where available.
Arbeia Roman Fort β Crafty Romans
π Baring Street, South Shields, NE33 2BB
π Wed 31st May 2023
πΌMake your own spring flower picture in celebration of the ancient Roman Spring Festival Floralia. 11am-1pm and 1.30-3pm.
π
Saturdays 3rd-18th June 2023
πΌEnjoy an afternoon of free live music, picnics welcome. 1-3.30pm.
π Free (donations welcome), drop-in. More info here.
BALTIC – Cereal Disco & Doodle
π Gateshead Quays, NE8 3BA
π 27th May – 4th June 2023
πΌFree cereal, fruit and juice along with a doodle and a boogie in Front Room available Wed-Sun during half term, 9.30-11am. Free tea & coffee kindly from Pumphreys throughout the day.
π Free, drop-in. More info here.
Bilton Hall Community Trust – Family Funday
π Jarrow, South Tyneside, NE32 3RT
π Sun 4th June 2023
πΌAnnual funday with rides, music & karaoke, crafts, games, bouncy castle, sports, climbing wall, youth activities, face painting, raffle and stalls.
π Free entry, Β£3 bouncy tickets. More info here.
The Dairy Barn – Alpacas & Bird Crafts
π Crook, Co Durham, DL15 8AN
π Tues 30th & Wed 31st May 2023
πΌ Meet the Alpacas: an opportunity to meet Fellside Alpacas, feed them and find out lots of interesting facts. 12 – 4pm.
π Sat 3rd June 2023
πΌ RSPB Crafts: make a bird feeder with Cheerios and find some interesting information on local birds.
π Free, donations welcome. Updates here.
Discovery Museum β Shipbuilder Trail
π Blandford Square, Newcastle, NE1 4JA
π 27th May – 4th June 2023
πΌA self-led museum trail around the galleries, with a chance to win a boat themed prize. ‘Shipshape’ crafts also available Tues 30th May (booking recommended with some limited drop in tickets).
π 50p trail sheet from museum shop. More info here.
Durham Cathedral β Half Term Events
π Palace Green Town Centre, Durham, DH1 3EP
π Mon 29th May – Fri 2nd June 2023
πΌLots of activities for all ages, including: seed planting, flower pressing,
making natural colour pigments, self-led Bede the Bear trail around the cathedral, exploring Harry Potter filming locations, and climbing the 325 steps to the top of the Tower (ages 8+). Crafts 11am-3pm.
π Free (donations welcome). More info here.
Exhibition Park – Miniature Train Rides
π Newcastle, NE2 4PZ
π Sun 4th June 2023
πΌMiniature open air train rides typically run on the first Sunday of every month (seasonal & weather permitting), with the Tyneside Society of Model & Experimental Engineers. 11am β 3pm.
π More info here.
Felling Volunteer Library – Creative Play
π Felling Hub, NE10 9LT
π Wed 31st May 2023
πΌ Crafts and free refreshments, suitable for children under 5 yrs old. 10.30-11.30am.
π Free, updates here.
Gateshead Family Hubs – Festival Fun
π Centres across Gateshead
π 30th May – 2nd June 2023
πΌ Lots of fun activities with a festival theme, suitable for parents/carers and under 5’s (older siblings welcome).
π Drop-in on the day,Β updates here.
Gateshead Libraries β Hey Duggee Storytime
π Wed 31st May @Blaydon Library & Leam Lane Library
π Fri 2nd June @Birtley Library & Pelaw Library
πΌ Be part of the squirrel club and collect your library badge. Share some big dog stories and create a Duggee craft. Suitable for families with young children.
π Free, just turn up. More info here.
Great North Museum: Hancock β Moss Troopers Myth Maker Days
π Barras Bridge, Newcastle, NE2 4PT
π Tues 30th May – Thurs 1 June 2023
πΌ The Moss Troopers roving trio will bring to life elements of the NEW Myth Quest exhibition, where families can complete three self-led adventure quests.
π Free, donations welcome. More info here.
Northumberland Wildlife Trust – Bioblitz
π Whittle Dene, Ovingham, Prudhoe, NE42 6BL
π Sat 3rd June 2023
πΌExperts will be on hand to give guided walks and provide identification advice. Come for as much or as little of the day as you like. Suitable for families, adults, experts, beginners. 9am – 5pm.
π Free. More info here.
Royal Quays β Meet & Greets
π Royal Quays Outlet, North Shields, NE29 6DW
π Thurs 1st June 2023
πΌOwl Experience: get up close with stunning owls, suitable for all ages. Holding owls Β£2 pp (cash/card payments available).
π Fri 2nd June 2023
πΌMermaid Princess: free meet and greet with Princess Ariel. 11am – 3pm.
π More infoΒ here.
Secret Garden – Superhero Kids Club & Disco
π Seaton Delaval, Whitley Bay, NE25 0PP
π Sun 28th May & 4th June 2023
πΌ Kids Club: Weekly family entertainment on Sundays. Characters on stage from 1pm with games, dance competitions and meet and greet – 28th May features Spidey & Super-Girl. Event lasts approx. 1 hour 15 mins.
π Thurs 1st June 2023
πΌ Kids Disco: dancing, glow sticks, sweets and food offers – kids eat free @Fat Butcher Steakhouse & kids eat half price deal @Don’t Stop Me Bao. 1-3pm.
π Free, book a table or walk ins welcome.
Segedunum Roman Fort & Museum – Marvellous Mondays
π Wallsend, North Tyneside, NE28 6HR
π Mon 29th May 2023
πΌMake your very own Roman soldier helmet to take home, and help Technology Tom to build the Colosseum to be displayed in the museum. You can also make Colosseum parts to take home.
π Regular admissions charges apply, Β£6.95pp (under 16s & NE28 residents free). More info here.
Souter Lighthouse β Sports & Crafts
π Coast Road, South Shields, South Tyneside, SR6 7NH
π Mon 29th & Wed 31st May 2023
πΌSouter Sports: outdoor games and mini-sports activities in the Foghorn Field for all the family, including football, tennis, basketball and archery. Tips and encouragement given. 11am-3.30pm.Β
π Sun 4th June
πΌSeashore Safari: join rangers to search for sea creatures on Souter’s shore and learn lots of wildlife facts. Age 3+ years. Meet at the base of the lighthouse tower. 1.30-3.30pm.
π Safari: Β£1 per child (sports free). More info here.
South Shields Museum & Art Gallery – Tremendous Tuesday
π South Shields, NE33 2JA
π Tues 30th May 2023
πΌ Create a floral art collage inspired by flowers in the collection, then visit the family of critters in Creature Corner. 11am-3pm.
π Free, donations welcome. More info here.
South Tyneside Libraries β Half Term Events
π
27th May – 1st June 2023
πΌ Elmer arts & crafts: Β£2 per craft (suitable for ages 4+).
π Sat 27th May @The Word, South Shields
π Tues 30th May @Hebburn Central Library
πΌ Lego Time: free drop-in sessions where children can get creative. 10am-4pm.
π 29th May @Hebburn Central
π 31st May @The Word & Jarrow Focus
π 1st Jun @Hebburn Central & Cleadon Park Library
π Drop-in. More info here.
Stephenson Steam Railway β Make & Take Thursdays
π North Shields, NE29 8DX
π Thurs 1st June 2023
πΌ Create a design a colourful plant pot, and plant your own seed to take home (take in a clean yoghurt pot to recycle), 11am-3pm. Along with Heritage train rides – Kids ride for Β£1! (charges apply, booking recommended).
π Free, donations welcome. More info here.
St Mary’s Heritage Centre – Trail & Crafts
π Gateshead, NE8 2AU
π Tues 30th May – Fri 2nd June 2023
πΌYou Are My Sunshine trail to find themed pictures hidden in the graveyard and claim a treat. Plus ‘Whatever The Weather’ craft session on Tues 30th May, 10am β 2pm.
π Free trail, Β£2 crafts. More info here.
Ideal for under 8s.
Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens – Trails & Crafts
π Sunderland, SR1 1PP
π 22nd April β 3rd June 2023
πΌSun and Seasons Trail: learn amazing facts about the Sun and how it supports all life on earth and claim a prize sticker. Trails available from the Museum Shop.
π Sat 3rd June 2023
πΌWindows into Strange Worlds: make a magic window picture with a view into an imaginary world. Drop-in sessions 11amβ12.30pm & 1.30-3pm.
π Trail Β£1, crafts free. More info here.
Trinity Square – Family Funday
π Ellison Walk, Gateshead, NE8 1AG
π Sat 27th May 2023
πΌ Family entertainment, face painting, arts & crafts and fun and games to celebrate Trinity Square’s 10th birthday. 11am-2pm.
π Free, info here.
Whitley Bay Carnival
π Whitley Bay, North Tyneside
π Sat 27th May, 10am-7.30pm
πΌAnnual carnival with live music, street theatre, circus and street food from 10am, with parade at 11am.
π Donations welcome, info here.
Thereβs plenty on Gateshead Mumbler to help keep little ones (and big ones!) busy, checkΒ hereΒ for more ideas and info for playgroups, classes and fun days out from tots to teens!
If youβd like to keep up to date when new resources are added, please click here and like theΒ Gateshead Mumbler Facebook page