MAY HALF TERM EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

Info: Set sail for a week of pirate-themed fun with a pirate treasure hunt, parade ground pirate ship, buccaneer games, pirate dress up, family activities, and more!

Dates: Saturday 23rd – Sunday 31st May 2026

Address: Nothe Fort, Barrack Road, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8UF

Website: Nothe Fort

Info: The trail takes visitors around the Swannery grounds, to discover more about the swans and the adventurous mice. Designed for families to enjoy, the trail includes interactive activities, stamp points and questions to answer, all alongside the swans and discovering more about the unique Swannery.

Dates: Saturday 14th March – Saturday 31st October 2026

Address: Abbotsbury Swannery, New Barn Road, Abbotsbury, Dorset, DT3 4JG

Website: Abbotsbury Swannery

Info: The indoor trail will be running from Sunday to Thursday along with activities in the Castle. Crafts are available on Tuesday and Thursday and this is included in Castle admission. On Wednesday, enjoy 50% off admission at the special family day.

Dates: Sunday 24th - Sunday 31st May 2026

Address: Highcliffe Castle, Rothesay Drive, Highcliffe, Dorset, BH23 4LE

Website: Highcliffe Castle

Info: Get active outdoors on the Pokémon Trading Card Game Mega Evolution Trail. Team up as a family to search the woodlands for each Mega Evolution Pokémon, discover their powers and complete your own challenges.

Dates: Saturday 23rd May – Sunday 6th September 2026

Address: Kingston Lacy, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 4EA

Website: National Trust Kingston Lacy

Info: In the wild, animals see poo as something valuable, it can be used, reused, recycled, and even played with. Have a go at the fun games like cow pat frisbee, roll balls like a dung beetle, and try to identify the poopetrator.

Dates: Saturday 23rd – Sunday 31st May 2026

Location: Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour

Website: Brownsea Island

Info: Get ready for a fun adventure at Corfe Castle based on The New Famous Five by Chris Smith, inspired by Enid Blyton. The interactive quest invites families to explore the castle like true detectives. Solve clues, crack puzzles and uncover hidden secrets as you explore the ruins. During half term, families can also plant your own nasturtium seeds in an eco pot and join the Keeper of the Castle on a lively, interactive storytelling tour that brings the past to life.

Dates: Saturday 23rd May – Sunday 6th September 2026

Address: Corfe Castle, The Square, Corfe Castle, Dorset, BH20 5EZ

Website: Corfe Castle

Info: Pick up your trail pack from the Castle reception and discover Durlston's amazing 'flying penguins' and other seabirds! Trail cost applies.

Dates: Friday 15th May – Monday 1st June 2026

Address: Durlston Country Park, Lighthouse Road, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 2JL

Website: Durlston Country Park

Info: Follow the trail, find the clues, complete the hunt and claim your prize. On selected dates, families can also enjoy an archaeology walk and mock examinations.

Dates: Saturday 23rd – Sunday 31st May 2026

Address: Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre, Broadway, Southbourne, Dorset, BH6 4EW

Facebook: Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre

Info: Enjoy animal and critter themed trails, lawn games, hunts and crafts all included in the usual admission price. The team from Mad 4 Animals will also be there at 12 noon and 2pm for daily critter shows.

Dates: Sunday 24th – Friday 29th May 2026

Address: Lulworth Castle, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5QS

Website: Lulworth Castle

Info: Join a guided fossil walks with a warden to find and take home your own Jurassic fossil. The fossil walks are a great introduction to hunting and when they meet you on the day, you’ll spend the 1.5 hour session on the beach discovering your own fossils.

Dates: Wednesday 27th May - Sunday 31st May 2026

Address: Charmouth Coast Heritage Centre, Lower Sea Lane, Charmouth, Dorset, DT6 6LL

Website: Charmouth Coast Heritage Centre

Info: Young explorers can enjoy a host of hands-on, creative and curiosity fuelled activities designed to bring the age of dinosaurs vividly to life. Little palaeontologists will be able to build their own binoculars before setting off on a dinosaur hunt through the museum and get involved in themed activities along the way.

Dates: Saturday 2nd May – Saturday 2nd June 2026

Address: Museum of East Dorset, 23-29 High Street, Wimborne Minster, Dorset, BH21 1HR

Website: Museum of East Dorset

Info: There’s a huge range of indoor and outdoor activities, attractions, and animal events at the farm plus additional fun with Wet the Western tractor trailer rides and fun foam parties on selected dates.

Dates: Saturday 23rd – Sunday 31st May 2026

Address: Farmer Palmers, Wareham Road, Organford, Poole, Dorset, BH16 6EU

Website: Farmer Palmers

Info: The Tank Museum brings the story of tanks and their crews to life. Experience the biggest day out in history with explosive live displays, 300 tanks, and activities. Discover how tanks and trees grew side by side. Explore the role forests played in tank warfare, and enjoy a range of hands-on craft activities inspired by the natural world.

Dates: Saturday 23rd – Sunday 31st May 2026

Address: Tank Museum, Linsay Road, Bovington, Dorset, BH20 6JG

Website: The Tank Museum

Info: Step into Conkers Magical Earth Academy - a place where curious minds and wild imaginations flourish. Here, children can conjure up wands, concoct potions, craft dragon eggs and more in a warm, welcoming space designed to inspire creativity and wonder.

Dates: Saturday 23rd – Sunday 31st May 2026 (Selected dates)

Address: Rock & Rose, Upton Country Park, Poole Road, Poole, Dorset, BH17 7BJ

Website: Rock & Rose

Info: The new Trail of Enchanted Doors invites you to discover beautifully crafted doors belonging not only to fairies, but to other enchanting woodland characters. Discover who they are as you wander and explore.

Dates: Saturday 23rd – Sunday 31st May 2026

Address: The Blue Pool, Furzebrook Road, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5AR

Website: The Blue Pool

Info: Follow the nature and animal themed trails around the historic house or take part in the garden trail. Children can also enjoy nature themed crafts from Tuesday to Thursday.

Dates: Saturday 23rd – Sunday 31st May 2026

Address: Russell-Cotes Museum, East Cliff Promenade, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 3AA

Website: Russell-Cotes Museum

Info: Grab your map, explore the gardens to complete the quiz, learn amazing facts, find all the butterflies and solve their mystery word – then claim your prize from the at the end! In addition to the trail there’s also bug and exotic animal experiences on Wednesday and Friday. Trail and bug experience costs apply.

Dates: Saturday 23rd – Sunday 31st May 2026

Address: The Walled Garden, Station Road, Moreton, Dorset, DT2 8RH

Website: The Walled Garden

Info: Follow the Thorncombe Loop to discover hand-painted discs scattered around the reserve, highlighting the variety of leaves found on the Thorncombe trees. Free pocket maps are available in the car park or visitor centre, to help navigate you around the trail.

Dates: Friday 22nd May – Sunday 28th June 2026

Address: Thorncombe Woods Visitor Centre, Higher Bockhampton, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 8QH

Facebook: Hardy’s Birthplace

Info: Enjoy an underwater journey with the family this half term and learn more about the amazing marine creatures above and below the waves at the Oceanarium! To make your underwater journey even better, use code KIDSGOFREE for child ticket to be redeemed.

Dates: Saturday 23rd - Sunday 31st May 2026

Address: The Oceanarium, Pier Approach, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH2 5AA

Website: The Oceanarium

Info: Monkey World is an internationally-acclaimed ape rescue centre and is home to over 250 rescued and endangered monkeys and apes of 20 different species. This May half term, kids enter for a quid!

Dates: Tuesday 26th – Sunday 31st May 2026

Address: Monkey World, Tout Hill, Longthorns, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 6HH

Website: Monkey World

Info: Families are invited to explore the new tree trail – an outdoor adventure filled with discovery, fresh air and plenty of fun beneath the branches. Tree packs can be collected from the Visitor Centre.

Dates: Saturday 23rd – Sunday 31st May 2026

Address: Symondsbury Estate, Manor Yard, Mill Lane, Symondsbury, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 6HG

Website: Symondsbury Estate

The interactive trail will have you following a treasure map, cracking codes and having lots of family fun along the way, while discovering secrets of Studland Bay. Head to the Adventurers Hub to start your journey, before seeking out 9 activity points along the trail. Use your map to find your way, collect letters, spot differences, look for clues and even try your hand at pirate yoga.

Dates: Saturday 23rd – Sunday 31st May 2026

Address: Knoll Beach, Ferry Road, Studland, Dorset, BH19 3AQ

Website: National Trust Studland Beach

Info: Brewery Square are hosting a hands-on planting day where little ones can take a seedling home to nurture and help plant a bloomed “twin” in the Community Legacy Planter.

Date: Friday 29th May 2026

Address: Brewery Square, Copper Street, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1GH

Website: Brewery Square

Info: The Bournemouth Natural Science Society is well worth a visit to see fossils, minerals, an Egyptology collection and much more. Entry is free however donations are hugely appreciated.

Dates: Monday 25th, Tuesday 26th & Saturday 30th May 2026

Address: Bournemouth Natural Science Society, 39 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 3NS

Website: Bournemouth Natural Science Society

Info: Bring your favourite bear and enjoy themed arts & crafts, storytelling, balloon modelling and face painting.

Dates: Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th May 2026

Address: Wimborne Model Town, King Street, Wimborne Minster, Dorset, BH21 1DY

Website: Wimborne Model Town

Info: This is a special and unique event that will be beneficial to children from ages 5 - 12 years. Workshops will start with a puppet show and handling the puppets, then the children will craft their own finger puppets before putting on their own little show for the adults.

Date: Wednesday 27th May 2026

Address: The Palm House, Swannery Lake, Commercial Road, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 7TZ

Facebook: The Palm House

Info: Families will love the heathland walks, butterfly trail and fun play area. On Wednesday, children can take part in archery and axe throwing sessions and on Thursday there’s grass head making workshops.

Dates: Saturday 23rd & Sunday 31st May 2026

Address: Avon Heath Country Park, Brocks Pine, St Leonards, Dorset, BH24 2DH

Facebook: Avon Heath Country Park

Info: On Wednesday, families can take part in a fun and creative bag printing workshop and on Friday Treehouse Theatre will be there for a magical storytelling adventure designed specifically for children aged 4 – 7 years.

Dates: Wednesday 27th & Friday 29th May 2026

Address: Red House Museum, Quay Road, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 1BU

Website: Red House Museum

Info: Visit for a fun guided walk along the Pier and travel back in time! Follow in the footsteps of sailors and townsfolk as you uncover thrilling tales of pirates, smugglers, shipwrecks and even hidden treasure beneath the waves.

Date: Thursday 28th May 2026

Address: Swanage Pier, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 2AP

Website: Swanage Pier

Info: On Thursday, children can become pond dipping detectives and attend a high energy show with Mad 4 Animals. On Saturday, The Great OutDorset event is a free, outdoor celebration packed with hands‑on activities, displays and plenty of chances to discover something new about the place we call home.

Dates: Thursday 28th & Saturday 30th May 2026

Address: Upton Country Park, Poole Road, Poole, Dorset, BH17 7BJ

Website: Upton Country Park

Info: There are multiple events on during half term including clay modelling workshops, fossil talks and demonstrations, fossil polishing workshops and 3D modelling.

Dates: Monday 25th – Thursday 28th May 2026

Address: Lyme Regis Museum, Bridge Street, Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT7 3QA

Website: Lyme Regis Museum

Info: Follow the buzz and embark on an exploration around the galleries. Hidden throughout the spaces are “Dumbledore” – the Dorset dialect word for bee. Discover fun Dorset dialect names for wildflowers and you explore.

Dates: Saturday 23rd May – Sunday 7th June 2026

Address: Dorset Museum, High West Street, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1XA

Website: Dorset Museum

Info: Dive into a world of adventure with the Room on the Broom Trail, multiple play areas, woodland walks, Moors Valley Railway, Ranger Den activities, and much more.

Dates: Saturday 23rd – Sunday 31st May 2026

Address: Moors Valley Country Park, Horton Road, Ashley Heath, Ringwood, BH24 2ET

Website: Moors Valley Country Park

Info: There’s lots going on at the farm during half term with animal feeding experiences, craft workshops and bouncy castles on selected dates.

Dates: Saturday 23rd – Sunday 31st May 2026

Address: Madjeston Milk Station, Cole Street Lane, Gillingham, Dorset, SP8 5JQ

Website: Madjeston Milk Station

ICE AGE ADVENTURE LIVE
Date: Tuesday 26th May 2026

Address: Lighthouse Poole, 21 Kingland Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1UG

Website: Lighthouse Poole

UNICORN LIVE!
Date: Saturday 30th May 2026

Address: Bournemouth Pavilion, Westover Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 2BU

Website: Bournemouth Pavilion

K POP FOREVER LIVE ON STAGE
Date: Saturday 23rd May 2026

Address: Weymouth Pavilion, Esplanade, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8ED

Website: Weymouth Pavilion

ALONG CAME A MAGPIE
Date: Saturday 30th May 2026

Address: The Barrington, Penny's Walk, Ferndown, Dorset, BH22 9TH

Website: The Barrington