If you're looking for something to do this May half term in Basingstoke, you've come to the right place. From clubs, classes, events and local companies, you will be spoilt for choice. All places recommended are within 30 minutes drive from Festival Place.
I'm going to update this as new events roll in, so please do check back now and again for more ideas!
***Don't forget to check out the websites / social media pages of the events below to stay up to date with the latest information***
(Jump to the bottom to see what's open everyday or click on a date below)
SATURDAY 25th MAY
The Wellington Arms
❓Children's Garden Party - Face painting / Magic Show / Garden games /BBQ
📍 RG27 0AS
⏰ 11am-3pm
💰 Free ticketed event
👨👩👧👦 open to everyone
Oakridge hall for all
❓Community Fayre
📍 RG21 5RG
⏰ 1pm-5pm
💰 FREE
👨👩👧👦 open to everyone
SUNDAY 26th MAY
Army Flying Museum - PAY ONCE GO ALL YEAR
❓Model making session / trail and craft activities
📍 Stockbridge, SO20 8FB
⏰ 10am-3pm
💰 £17 adult / £10 5-15years / Under 5s FREE
👨👩👧👦 open to everyone
Anvil Arts
❓Fireman Sam - The Great Camping Adventure
📍The f. Wote Street RG21 7NW
⏰ 12pm / 3.30pm
💰 £21.50 over 16 years / £20.50 under 16 years
👨👩👧👦 All the family
Hampshire Hospitals Charity
❓Lions Picnic Family Fun Day
📍 Winchester Rugby Club, Nuns Walk SO23 7EF
⏰ 10am-4pm
💰 Free Entry
👨👩👧👦 All the family
Roller Kings
❓Roller Disco
📍 Basingstoke Sports Centre, Festival Place
⏰ 1.30-3pm and 3.15pm-4.45pm
💰 £8.99 per skater incl skates
👨👩👧👦 Size 6 toddler to adult skates available
MONDAY 27th MAY
My Little Unicorn Rescue
❓ Meet the rescue ponies
📍 Bushley Copse, Pound Farm Lane GU12 6EH
⏰ 11am-12.30pm / 2pm-3.30pm
💰 £7 per person + limited pony rides £7.50pp
👨👩👧👦 All ages welcome
Willis Museum and Sailsbury Gallery
❓Natural Basingstoke - skull identification / owl pellet dissection and more + Spring hunt
📍Market Place, RG21 7QD
⏰ 11am-4pm
💰 FREE
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for all ages
Bartons's Mill Pub
❓ Duck Race / BBQ / Family Fun
📍 RG24 8AE
⏰ 12pm
💰 Free entry -
👨👩👧👦 All ages welcome
Maximum Play
❓ Maximum fun stay and play
📍 Silchester Village Hall, RG7 2ND
⏰ 10.30am-12pm
💰 £8.50 for 1 child and 1 adult
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for children up to 8 years
The Arc Winchester
❓ Make a clay pot like Grayson Perry
📍 The Arc Winchester, Jewry Street SO23 8SB
⏰ 2pm - 4.30pm
💰 £22 per child inc a tote bag
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for children 9+
Millers Ark
❓Petting Farm Fun
📍 RG27 9PH
⏰ Slots between 10.30am and 3.30pm
💰 £13.98 adult / £12.90 child 2-15 years / Under 2s FREE
👨👩👧👦 open to everyone
TUESDAY 28th MAY
Army Flying Museum - PAY ONCE GO ALL YEAR
❓Model making session / trail and craft activities
📍 Stockbridge, SO20 8FB
⏰ 10am-3pm
💰 £17 adult / £10 5-15years / Under 5s FREE
👨👩👧👦 open to everyone
Mamacanta Collective
❓Singing group for parents - bring your babies along
📍 Proteus Creation Space, RG21 3DH
⏰ 9.30am-10.45am
💰 FREE taster
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for babies up to 1 year
The Arc Winchester
❓ Fizzy Painting
📍 The Arc Winchester, Jewry Street SO23 8SB
⏰ 10am-11am
💰 £8 per child
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for all
The Arc Winchester
❓ Lino Print Tote Bags
📍 The Arc Winchester, Jewry Street SO23 8SB
⏰ 1pm-3pm
💰 £22 per child
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for 9 years plus
WEDNESDAY 29th MAY
Bonnie Bairns Play Co
❓Glow Worms Sensory Soft Play
📍 Chineham Village Hall RG24 8YE
⏰ 10.15am / 11.15am
💰 £10.50 per child
👨👩👧👦 0-36 months
PFT Academy
❓Parkour Easter Holiday Camps
📍 Sycamore Halls, RG23 8AB
⏰ 9.30am-3.30pm
💰 £25 a day members / £40 a day non members
👨👩👧👦 4-17 years
Camberley Theatre
❓Shrek The Musical Jr
📍 Knoll Road Camberley GU15 3SY
⏰ 11.30am / 1.30pm / 7pm
💰 £17.50 per ticket
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for All ages
Dragonfly Crafts - drop off session
❓Children's craft
📍 Chawton Village Hall GU34 1RX
⏰ 10am-12pm
💰 £24 per child
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for children aged 4-11years
Willis Museum and Sailsbury Gallery
❓Create your own bouquet of paper flowers + Spring hunt
📍Market Place, RG21 7QD
⏰ 10am-12pm and 2pm-4pm
💰 £1 per child
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for 4 years +
Whitchurch Silk Mill - PAY ONCE GO ALL YEAR
❓Make a mini May pole
📍RG28 7AL
⏰ 11am-1pm
💰 £3 per trail + entry costs Adult £10 / Child £5 / Under 5s FREE
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for 3-16 years
The Roger Morris Centre
❓Baker tots - pizza / muffins or biscuits
📍RG21 4QE
⏰ 9.30am - 10.30am
💰 £4.00 1st child / sibling £2.50
👨👩👧👦 3+
The Arc Winchester
❓ Weave your own bracelet
📍 The Arc Winchester, Jewry Street SO23 8SB
⏰ 10am-11.30am
💰 £8 per child
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for 6 years plus
Andover Trees
❓ Wildflower Art Attack
📍 Harmony Woods
⏰ 2pm-4pm
💰 £8 inc refreshments
👨👩👧👦 Age 7-11 years (drop off possible)
Millers Ark
❓Petting Farm Fun
📍 RG27 9PH
⏰ Slots between 10.30am and 3.30pm
💰 £13.98 adult / £12.90 child 2-15 years / Under 2s FREE
👨👩👧👦 open to everyone
Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm
❓Meet Bluey and Bingo + Fun on the farm - magic shows / scavenger hunt / daily activities
📍 SP4 0EW
⏰ 10am-6pm
💰 £14 adult / £20 child / under 2 FREE
👨👩👧👦 All ages welcome
THURSDAY 30th MAY
Camberley Theatre
❓Rapunzel
📍 Knoll Road Camberley GU15 3SY
⏰ 2.30pm
💰 £19 adult / Under 16 £17
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for All ages
Army Flying Museum - PAY ONCE GO ALL YEAR
❓Model making session / trail and craft activities
📍 Stockbridge, SO20 8FB
⏰ 10am-3pm
💰 £17 adult / £10 5-15years / Under 5s FREE
👨👩👧👦 open to everyone
The Arc Winchester
❓ Learn how to knit
📍 The Arc Winchester, Jewry Street SO23 8SB
⏰ 10am-11.30am
💰 £10 per child
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for 6 years plus
Andover Library
❓ Fun crafts around Tales of the Riverbank
📍 SP10 1LT
⏰ 10am-11am
💰 £2 per child
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for all
Andover Trees
❓ Superworm outdoor play
📍 Harmony Woods
⏰ 10am-12pm
💰 £8 inc refreshments
👨👩👧👦 Age 3-6 years (drop off possible)
Andover Trees
❓ Who is hiding in this paradise?
📍 Harmony Woods
⏰ 2pm-4pm
💰 £8 inc refreshments
👨👩👧👦 Age 7-11 years (drop off possible)
Millers Ark
❓Petting Farm Fun
📍 RG27 9PH
⏰ Slots between 10.30am and 3.30pm
💰 £13.98 adult / £12.90 child 2-15 years / Under 2s FREE
👨👩👧👦 open to everyone
Proteus Theatre
❓Playtime: A Woodland Wonder
📍 Proteus Creation Space, RG21 3DH
⏰ 10am / 11.30am /2pm
💰 £8 adult / £6 child
👨👩👧👦 Children 2-6 years
FRIDAY 31st MAY
Bonnie Bairns Play Co
❓Glow Worms Sensory Soft Play
📍 Chineham Village Hall RG24 8YE
⏰ 10.15am / 11.15am
💰 £10.50 per child
👨👩👧👦 0-36 months
Westside Community Association
❓Family Fun Day - Arts and crafts / inflatables / Hook a duck / Hot Dogs / Cake Stall
📍 The Ridgeway Centre RG22 5BN
⏰ 10am-2pm
💰 activities by tickets - 25 tickets £10 / 12 tickets £5 or 50p per ticket
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for all ages
no need to book - more info on Facebook
Perfect Parties
❓Dance with a Princess - Belle
📍 Hook, RG27 8LJ
⏰ 10am-11am
💰 £9.95 per child
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for 3+
Book here - send message to book
SATURDAY 1st JUNE
My Little Unicorn Rescue
❓ Meet the rescue ponies
📍 Bushley Copse, Pound Farm Lane GU12 6EH
⏰ 11am-12.30pm / 2pm-3.30pm
💰 £7 per person + limited pony rides £7.50pp
👨👩👧👦 All ages welcome
Trainmaster HQ and Hampshire
❓ Play with trains
📍Crookham War Memorial, GU52 8LD
⏰ 9.45am-10.45am / 11am-12pm
💰 £7.50 one adult and one child
👨👩👧👦 All ages welcome
The Arc Winchester
❓ Fizzy Painting
📍 The Arc Winchester, Jewry Street SO23 8SB
⏰ 10am-11am
💰 £8 per child
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for all
Millers Ark
❓Petting Farm Fun
📍 RG27 9PH
⏰ Slots between 10.30am and 3.30pm
💰 £13.98 adult / £12.90 child 2-15 years / Under 2s FREE
👨👩👧👦 open to everyone
SUNDAY 2nd JUNE
Miniature Steam and Electric Train Rides
❓Public rides include two laps of the track circuit where you will experience a non-stop run through the station at speed, with a total ride of just under 2000ft in length.
📍Viables Craft Centre, Basingstoke, RG22 4BJ
⏰11am-4pm
💰£1.50 per person
👨👩👧👦 All ages welcome
Millers Ark
❓Petting Farm Fun
📍 RG27 9PH
⏰ Slots between 10.30am and 3.30pm
💰 £13.98 adult / £12.90 child 2-15 years / Under 2s FREE
👨👩👧👦 open to everyone
OPEN EVERYDAY DURING MAY HALF TERM
See what's on at the cinema:
Soft plays:
🛝 McDonalds (Top of Town)
Other activities:
⛸️ Planet Ice
The Watercress Line - 29th March-1st April
❓Day out with Thomas
📍 Alresford SO24 9JG
⏰ 9.30am-4.45pm
💰 advanced tickets - £24 adult / £19 aged 5-17years / 4 and under FREE
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for all ages
The Vyne National Trust
❓ Wildlife Bingo
📍 The Vyne RG24 9HL
⏰ 10am - 4pm
💰 £15.40 Adult / £7.50 Child
👨👩👧👦 All ages welcome
No need to book - more info here
Squires Garden Centre - 28th-31st May
❓ Plant a vegetable pot
📍 Badshot Lea, Farnham GU9 9JX
⏰ Every 30 minutes from 9.30pm-1.30pm
💰 £6.50 per child
👨👩👧👦 All ages welcome
Winchester Science Centre
❓ Mysteries and Mayhem - Live Science Show / Huge Demos / Nature adventures / Forensic Hide and Seek
📍 Telegraph Way, Winchester, SO21 1HZ
⏰ 9.30am - 5pm
💰 £14.20 Adult / Child £14.20 / Under 3 Free - Advanced Ticket Price + £3 parking
👨👩👧👦 All ages welcome
Milestones Museum - PAY ONCE GO ALL YEAR
❓1940s week and evacuee trail
⏰ 10am - 4.45pm
💰 £20.50 adult / £14.50 child / Under 5s Free
👨👩👧👦 All ages welcome
4 Kingdoms
❓Dinosaur Invasion
📍RG19 8JY
⏰ 10am-4.30pm
💰 Adult £19.50 / Child over 2 £19..50 / Child 1-2 £4.95 / Under 1 FREE
👨👩👧👦 All ages welcome
Finkley Down Farm
❓Say hello to our friendly animals, children's shows, live children's entertainment, Farmyard Golf, Jumping Pillows, Little Farmers Driving School, Indoor Play
📍Andover SP11 6NF
⏰ 10am - 5.30pm
💰 £13.95 adult / £13.95 2years-16years / 1 year old £5.95 / baby free
👨👩👧👦 All ages welcome
Marwell Zoo
❓Zoo entry - 100s of animals, 140 acre park, 5 adventure parks, animal feeds
📍 SO21 1JH
⏰ 1pm-8pm
💰 Adult £28 / 3-16 years £24 / 2 and under FREE
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for all ages
Gilbert White's House - PAY ONCE GO ALL YEAR
❓Timothy Tortoise Trail - Pick up a Timothy Tortoise Trail bag from Reception and get a ‘tortoise-eye’ view of the world as you go round the grounds! Bags contain resources and activities for sensory engagement.
📍 High Street GU34 3JH
⏰ 10.30am-5pm
💰 £18 adult / £6 child / Under 5s FREE / Museum entry + £1 per trail
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for 2 - 8 year old
Jakes Indoor Playworld
❓ Mini Farm and Soft Play
📍 Yateley Rd, Sandhurst, Berkshire GU47 8JQ
⏰ 9.30am - 5.30pm
💰 Farm - £8.45 adult / £7.95 over 3s / £7.45 Under 3s / £1.95 Under 1s
💰 Soft Play - £2.50 adult / £9.40 over 3s / £8.35 Under 3s / £2.50 Under 1s
👨👩👧👦 All ages welcome
Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm
❓ Fun on the farm - magic shows / scavenger hunt / daily activities
📍 SP4 0EW
⏰ 10am-6pm
💰 £8 adult / £7 child / under 2 FREE
👨👩👧👦 All ages welcome
MAY HALF TERM HOLIDAY CAMPS
Basingstoke Gymnastics Club (28th May-31st May)
❓May Half Term Camp
📍 Active Life Centre, RG21 6XR
⏰ 8.30am-3.30pm
💰 £40 per day
👨👩👧👦 Ages 5-11 years
Gol! Elite Coaching - May Half Term
❓Football and Multisports Camps
📍 5 x locations in Basingstoke
⏰ 9am-4pm or 9am-5pm
💰 £32.59 per day or £137.50 for the week
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for 4-12 years
SCL Active
❓ May Half Term - learning and play
📍 See website for various locations
⏰ 9am - 4pm (8am - 6pm available)
💰 From £28 per day
👨👩👧👦4 years - 12 years
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