Top Picks to Book Now for May Half Term
- FamilyFunDarloMum
- May 16
- 5 min read
ᴬᵈ Here’s our top picks for May Half Term. With ideas across The Tees Valley, County Durham and North Yorkshire for all ages and budgets during the May Half Term (22nd May-31st May 2026).
All information is correct at the time of publishing. Please check directly with the organisers for any updates and availability. Booking/more info links are provided under each listing both hyperlinked on the title and where it says BOOKING HERE.
• Friday 22nd-Sunday 24th May
“Based on the original Julia Donaldson, live on stage for the first time! Once upon a time, a little old lady lived all by herself in her cosy cottage, but she wasn't happy – her house felt just too small. Whatever could she do? A heart-warming and hilarious adventure, full of beautiful puppets and enchanting songs.“
📍Princess Alexandra Auditorium, Yarm
🧒 Aimed at ages 3-8
💷 £16 child | £18 Adult | £64 family of 4 (2 ads, 2ch)
🎟️ More info and BOOKING HERE
• Saturday 23rd May
“Using recycled materials, you will create your own world of messy adventure, so come and join us! We’ll be playing games, getting to know each other and building something created by you, for you to enjoy!”
📍The Hullabaloo, Darlington
🧒 Ages 4-10 (Neurodiverse Session also running)
💷 £5 per child
🎟️ More info and BOOKING HERE
• Saturday 23rd May until Monday 25th May
“Conjured up by The Wizard Walk of York, WizardFest is York’s Official Festival of Wizardry! Come celebrate the best of wizardry and family fun in the city. Almost ALL paid activities sold out last year, so book early before tickets VANISH!”
📍 Various activities and family entertainment across York City Centre
🧒 All ages (some individual activities may have age restrictions)
💷 From FREE to £13pp depending on activity
🎟️ You only need to book payable activities. More info and BOOKING HERE
• Saturday 23rd May until Saturday 30th May (except 24th and 25th)
“Toni and Bev (What’s on for Kids nominees!) will be running their Baby Movers and Little Movers Sessions over half term week with a Fun in the Garden theme. Perfect for early years development, team work and confidence building through fun activities, dance movements and catchy songs”
📍Various locations in County Durham
👶 Baby Movers (Birth to Crawling)
🧒 Little Movers and Little Tutus (Walking to 5 years)
💷 £6.50 per child
🎟️ More info including timetable and BOOKING HERE
• Tuesday 26th May
“Sooty heads into town in a spectacular new show to delight the whole family! Expect wonderful wizardry, thrills and spills and of course lots and lots laughs with Sooty, Sweep and Soo- but watch out for Sooty’s supercharged water pistol!”
📍Princess Alexandra Auditorium, Yarm
🧒 All ages
💷 £18.50 Child | £21 Adult
🎟️ More info and BOOKING HERE
• Wednesday 27th May
“This session celebrates the beauty of nature through creativity, with plenty of messy play, nature-inspired games, and opportunities to explore. It’s the perfect space for curious minds to play, create, and connect with the natural world in a joyful and imaginative way”.
📍 The Hullabaloo, Darlington
👧 Ages 2-5 (Neurodiverse Session also running)
💷 £5 per child
🎟️ More info and BOOKING HERE
• Thursday 28th May
“In this session with Karina, you will get to hear the story ‘What a Mess’ and engage in some fun & messy tuff tray activities, too! There will be rhymes, a chance for you to join in on the story, and lots of fun trays themed around the book to engage with”.
📍 The Hullabaloo, Darlington
👧 Ages 0-5 (Neurodiverse Session also running)
💷 £5 per child
🎟️ More info and BOOKING HERE
• Friday 29th May
“Fusing the mystery of magic with wondrous and miraculous feats of science. Hang on to your seats and experience a non-stop action packed interactive magical science show with experiments and magic that will capture the imagination”.
📍Darlington Hippodrome
👦 All ages
💷 £10-£13 per child | £12-£16 per adult
🎟️ More info and BOOKING HERE
• Friday 29th May
“You’ll be surrounded by lots of objects that make different marks, leaving endless opportunities to make your own artwork in your own special way! There will be games to see if you can identify different objects and the impressions they make, as well as a chance to make your own art, too!”.
📍 The Hullabaloo, Darlington
👧 Ages 2-10 (Neurodiverse Session also running)
💷 £5 per child
🎟️ More info and BOOKING HERE
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Thanks for reading and I hope this top picks guide has helped you with your plans.
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This article has been written and published by Charlotte Walcott (Business Owner of ©️Family Fun Darlo Mum)
“Mum to 2 boys, Kamron-9 and Leo-3. Sharing and producing honest, useful social media content, website guides and articles for family days out ideas, family venues, UK Breaks, family friendly events and general family fun!
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