If you're looking for something to do in 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.
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***
Open Everyday
Milestones Museum - 1940s Week
❓Evacuee Trail £2.50 including 40s themed prize
📍Basingstoke Leisure Park, RG22 6PG
🗓️ 27th May - 4th June 2023
⏰ 10:00am-4:45pm
💰 £17.50 adult / £12.00 Child / Under 5s Free
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for all ages
4 Kingdoms Adventure Park - Dinosaur Invasion
❓Dino Fossil Dig / Chat with a real caveman / Visit the Dino Hatchery and feed a Baby Dino
📍Newbury Road, Thatcham RG19 8JY
🗓️ 27th May - 4th June 2023
⏰ 10am - 4.30pm
💰 £15 aged 2 - adults / £4.95 aged 1-2yrs / Under 1s Free (Advanced ticket prices)
👨👩👧👦 All ages welcome
The Vyne National Trust - Coronation Garden Trail
❓ Find 74 crowns hidden the The Vyne's Gardens
📍Vyne Road, Sherbourne St John, RG24 9HL
🗓️ 6th May - 4th June 2023
⏰ 10am - 4pm
💰 Free for Members / £15.40 adult / £7.50 child / Under 5s Free
👨👩👧👦 All ages welcome
Basing House - Art in the Gardens
❓Make the most of our free art supplies, included in admission
📍Barton's Lane, Basingstoke RG24 8AE
🗓️ 27th May - 4th June
⏰ 2pm-3pm
💰£9 Adult / £6 Child 5-15yrs / Under 5s Free - Buy once go all year!
👨👩👧👦 All ages welcome
Finkley Down Farm
❓Stu-di-doo, Silly Scott, Lovely Bubbly show, Showtime Shane - dates vary
📍North Way, Andover, SP11 6NF
🗓️ 27th May - 4th June
⏰ 10am-5.30pm
💰£12.95 adult / £12.95 2-16 years / £4.95 1-2 years / Under 1s Free
👨👩👧👦All ages welcome
Winchester Science Centre - Mysteries and Mayhem
❓Dormouse Orienteering, Magnet mayhem demo in Science Live and more...
📍Telegraph Way, Winchester, SO21 1HZ
🗓️ 13th May - 5th June
⏰ 9.30am - 5pm
£13.75 Adult / Child £13.75 / Under 3 Free - Advanced Ticket Price
👨👩👧👦All ages welcome
Wellington Country Park - Animal Farm Week
❓Join us for Animal Farm week as we celebrate our resident animals + Pop up play village
📍Odiham Road, Riseley, Berkshire, RG7 1SP
🗓️ 27th May - 4th June
⏰9.30am - 5.30pm
💰£18.95 Adult 16+ / £18.95 aged 2 - 16 years / 1 and under Free
👨👩👧👦All ages welcome
Marwell Zoo
❓A day at the zoo
📍Thompson Lane, Winchester SO21 1JH
⏰ 10am-5pm
💰£26 adult / £22 3-16yrs / Under 2s Free
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for all ages
The Square, Camberley
❓Bugs, Birds and Blooms - find out more on link below
📍Thompson Lane, Winchester SO21 1JH
🗓️ 30th May - 2nd June
⏰ Times vary - see link below
💰FREE just turn up
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for all ages
Watercress Line
❓Days out with Thomas
📍The Railway Station, SO24 9JG
🗓️ 27th May-4th June
⏰ 9.50am - 4.45pm
💰 Adults £26 / 2-16 years / Under 2s Free
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for all ages
Saturday 27th May 2023
The Haymarket - ZOG Live on Stage
❓Large in size and keen in nature, Zog is eager to win a golden star at Madam Dragon’s school, where dragons learn all the things that dragons need to know.
📍Wote Street, Basingstoke, RG21 7NW
⏰10.30am-11.30am / 1.30pm-2.30pm / 3.30pm-4.30pm
💰£17 Under 16s / £19 Adult
👨👩👧👦Suitable for ages 3+ but all ages welcome
The Lights Andover - ATMC The Hunchback of Notre dame
❓Based on the Victor Hugo novel and songs from the Disney animated feature
📍Andover College, SP10 1AH
⏰💰 2.30pm - £11.00 per ticket / 7.30pm - £18.00 per ticket
👨👩👧👦Suitable for 12+ although parents digression for younger children
Miller's Ark Farm
❓ Open day on the farm
📍Blackstocks Lane, RG27 9PH
⏰ 10.30am - 3.30pm (1.5hr slots)
💰 £12 Aged 16+ / £10 2-15 years / Under 2s FREE
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for All ages
Chineham Library
❓Elmer day - Storytime, crafts and treasure hunt
📍Chineham District Centre, RG24 8BQ
⏰ 10.30am
💰 FREE
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for all ages
No need to book - just turn up
Basingstoke Discovery Centre
❓Elmer day - Storytime, make your own Elmer ears and puzzles
📍Festival Place, RG21 7LS
⏰ 10am-4pm
💰 FREE
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for all ages
No need to book - just turn up!
Sunday 28th May 2023
The Haymarket - ZOG Live on Stage
❓Large in size and keen in nature, Zog is eager to win a golden star at Madam Dragon’s school, where dragons learn all the things that dragons need to know.
📍Wote Street, Basingstoke, RG21 7NW
⏰10.30am-11.30am / 1.30pm-2.30pm / 3.30pm-4.30pm
💰£17 Under 16s / £19 Adult
👨👩👧👦Suitable for ages 3+ but all ages welcome
The Highclere Show
❓Food, drinks, music, animal events, kids zone
📍Highclere castle, RG20 9RN
⏰ 9am - 5pm
💰 £15 adults / £6 child / Under 5s FREE
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for all ages
Monday 29th May 2023
Basingstoke Loddon Rotary
❓Annual duck race, music and face painting
📍 Bartons Mill Old Basing, RG24 8AE
⏰1.30pm-3.30pm
💰 £1 per duck
👨👩👧👦Suitable for all ages
Naturally Curious Play
❓Outdoor woodlad fun, climbing, exploring, digging and more...
📍YMCA Activity Centre, Ramptons Lane, Padworth, Reading, West Berkshire, RG7 4QT
⏰10am - 11.30am - Aged 5yrs and under
⏰12.30pm - 2pm - Under 11s welcome
💰£7.23 1 child / £12.50 2 children / £14.75 3 children / £17.00 4 children
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for children under 11 years
Gilbert White's House
❓Picture Day - photographers walk around the venue taking photos to use in their marketing. Make sure you are happy for your children to be in public photos
📍Alton, GU34 3JH
⏰10.30am - 5pm
💰Free Entry (on this occasion)
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for all ages
Wellington Arms
❓Spring Market, facepainting
📍Basingstoke Road, Stratford Turgis RG27 0AS
⏰ 11am-2pm
💰Free Entry
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for all ages
Muddy Puddle Club
❓Wild Woods - free play opportunities, some summer crafts and cooking marshmallows on the fire.
📍Audley's Close, RG25 2HA
⏰ 10.30am - 2.30pm
💰 £12.50 per child
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for 5+
The Highclere Show
❓Food, drinks, music, animal events, kids zone
📍Highclere castle, RG20 9RN
⏰ 9am - 5pm
💰 £15 adults / £6 child / Under 5s FREE
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for all ages
Miller's Ark Farm
❓ Open day on the farm
📍Blackstocks Lane, RG27 9PH
⏰ 10.30am - 3.30pm (1.5hr slots)
💰 £12 Aged 16+ / £10 2-15 years / Under 2s FREE
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for All ages
Tuesday 30th May 2023
The Arc
❓As a team, we will tackle a selection of cardboard boxes and sheets, building them into the sturdy walls, towers, keep.. possibly even a moat and drawbridge that makes up an impressive castle!
📍Jewry Street Winchester SO23 8SB
⏰ 2pm-3.30pm
💰£10.00 per child
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for ages 5+
Totally Tennis
❓Tennis camp 2023
📍War Memorial Park RG21 4AG
⏰ 4- 8 years - 9.30am - 10.30am
⏰ 9-16 years - 11am - 12.30pm
💰 4 - 8 years - 1 day £10 / 2 days £16 (Tues / Thurs)
💰9-16 years - 1 day £15 / 2 days £26 (Tues / Thurs)
Miller's Ark Farm
❓ Open day on the farm
📍Blackstocks Lane, RG27 9PH
⏰ 10.30am - 3.30pm (1.5hr slots)
💰 £12 Aged 16+ / £10 2-15 years / Under 2s FREE
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for All ages
Chineham Library
❓Story time
📍Chineham District Centre, RG24 8BQ
⏰ 10.30am
💰 FREE
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for all ages
No need to book - just turn up!
Basingstoke Festival
❓Make a willow bird puppet and positivity crown
📍Dice Tower, RG21 7NY
⏰ 10.30am-3pm
💰 FREE
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for ages 3+
No need to book, just pop in!
Wednesday 31st May 2023
The Lights Andover - The Twits Stinky Beard Making Workshop
❓Story by Amanda by Merry-Go-Round, Make your own gruesome beard
📍Andover College, SP10 1AH
⏰10.30am - 11.30am
💰£6.50 - one child and accompanying adult
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for 4+
The Lights Andover - Fantastic Mr Fox Puppet Making Session
❓Story by Amanda by Merry-Go-Round, Make your own puppet
📍Andover College, SP10 1AH
⏰1.30pm - 2.30pm
💰£6.50 - one child and accompanying adult
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for 4+
The Arc
❓Using a selection of gems, ribbons, sequins and more, design your own royal crown fit for a coronation. Each child will receive a foam crown to decorate however they please- the more sparkle, the better!
📍Jewry Street Winchester SO23 8SB
⏰2pm-3pm
💰£6.00 per ticket
👨👩👧👦 Ages 3+
The Malls Shopping Centre
❓Carnival Mask Workshop - Come along to the shopping centre and use your imagination to create your very own mask
📍Outside Festival Place - towards Primark
⏰11am - 4pm
💰FREE
👨👩👧👦 All ages welcome
No booking required
Dragonfly Crafts
❓ Children’s craft session
📍 Chawton Village Hall, GU34 1RX
⏰ 10am - 11.30am
💰 £10 per child
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for ages 4-11 years
Junk Jody
❓Free recycled arts and crafts
📍Oakridge West Community Centre RG21 5SN
⏰10.30am-12.30am
💰 Free
👨👩👧👦Suitable for ages 3-8 years
Roger Morris Community Centre
❓ Pizza making workshop
📍 Eastrop Way, RG21 4QE
⏰ 9.30am-10.45am
💰 £8 per child
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for 2 - 10 years
Totally Tennis
❓Tennis camp 2023
📍War Memorial Park RG21 4AG
⏰ 9am - 12.30pm
💰 1 day £30 / 2 days £35 (Weds or Fri)
👨👩👧👦 4-16 year olds
Blue Bear Bookshop
❓Children's plasticine workshop
📍3, Farnham GU9 7ND
⏰ 2pm-3.30pm
💰 £15 per child
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for 5+
Muddy Puddle Club
❓Wild Woods - free play opportunities, some summer crafts and cooking marshmallows on the fire.
📍Audley's Close, RG25 2HA
⏰ 10.30am - 2.30pm
💰 £12.50 per child
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for 5+
Tadley & District Community Association
❓Stepping into summer - planting spring vegetables, paper plate suns, stone decorating and more
📍The Link, Newchurch road, Tadley RG26 4HN
⏰ 10am-11.30am
💰 £3.75 per child
👨👩👧👦 For ages 3-11 years
Thursday 1st June 2023
The Haymarket - The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland
❓Take a leap down the rabbit hole and enjoy appearances from your favourite characters, including the fearsome Queen of Hearts.
📍Wote Street, Basingstoke RG21 7NW
⏰7pm
💰£18 Under 16s / £20 Adult
👨👩👧👦Suitable for 3+ but all ages welcome
Roger Morris Community Centre
❓Arts and crafts
📍Eastrop Way RG21 4QE
⏰9.30am-10.30am
💰£4 per child
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for ages 2-7 years
Viables Community Centre
❓Messy play
📍The Harrow Way RG22 4BJ
⏰ 1pm-2pm
💰 £3.50 per child / £2 extra child
👨👩👧👦Ages 1 - 7 years
Proteus Creation Space
❓The Bonkers Balloon Science Show
📍 Council Road, RG21 3DH
⏰ 11.30am and 3.30pm
💰 £11 per ticket
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for ages 5 - 11 years
Totally Tennis
❓Tennis camp 2023
📍War Memorial Park RG21 4AG
⏰ 4- 8 years - 9.30am - 10.30am
⏰ 9-16 years - 11am - 12.30pm
💰 4 - 8 years - 1 day £10 / 2 days £16 (Tues / Thurs)
💰9-16 years - 1 day £15 / 2 days £26 (Tues / Thurs)
Miller's Ark Farm
❓ Open day on the farm
📍Blackstocks Lane, RG27 9PH
⏰ 10.30am - 3.30pm (1.5hr slots)
💰 £12 Aged 16+ / £10 2-15 years / Under 2s FREE
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for All ages
Trainmaster Hampshire
❓ Play with trains, tracks and cars
📍 Oakridge Hall for Hall, RG21 5RL
⏰ 9.50am - 10.50am and 11am - 12pm
💰 £7.50 per child
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for toddlers to adults
Friday 2nd June 2023
The Wote Street Club - Children's Fundraising Event for Autism Hampshire
❓Character appearances, Disco hosted by DJ Fudge, Face painting and glitter tatoos, Hoola Hoop workshop
📍2 Seal Road, Rg21 7NG
⏰12pm-4pm
💰£3 per child on the door
👨👩👧👦 All ages welcome
Miller's Ark Farm
❓ Open day on the farm
📍Blackstocks Lane, RG27 9PH
⏰ 10.30am - 3.30pm (1.5hr slots)
💰 £12 Aged 16+ / £10 2-15 years / Under 2s FREE
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for All ages
Naturally Curious Play
❓Outdoor woodlad fun, climbing, exploring, digging and more...
📍YMCA Activity Centre, Ramptons Lane, Padworth, Reading, West Berkshire, RG7 4QT
⏰10am - 11.30am - Aged 5yrs and under
⏰12.30pm - 2pm - Under 11s welcome
💰£7.23 1 child / £12.50 2 children / £14.75 3 children / £17.00 4 children
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for children under 11 years
The Lights Andover - The Big Friendly Gigantic Picnic Party Seated Event
❓Marvellous music, fantastic storytelling, and pure imagination!, Dress up as your favourite Roald Dahl character and bring your picnic
📍Andover College, SP10 1AH
⏰11.30am - 1.30pm
💰£3 per person
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for under 7s
The Haymarket - The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland
❓Take a leap down the rabbit hole and enjoy appearances from your favourite characters, including the fearsome Queen of Hearts.
📍Wote Street, Basingstoke RG21 7NW
⏰7pm
💰£18 Under 16s / £20 Adult
👨👩👧👦Suitable for 3+ but all ages welcome
The Arc
❓Using a selection of gems, ribbons, sequins and more, design your own royal crown fit for a coronation. Each child will receive a foam crown to decorate however they please- the more sparkle, the better!
📍Jewry Street Winchester SO23 8SB
⏰2pm-3pm
💰£6.00 per ticket
👨👩👧👦 Ages 3+
The Arc
❓As a team, we will tackle a selection of cardboard boxes and sheets, building them into the sturdy walls, towers, keep.. possibly even a moat and drawbridge that makes up an impressive castle!
📍Jewry Street Winchester SO23 8SB
⏰ 2pm-3.30pm
💰£10.00 per child
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for ages 5+
🛑CANCELLED🛑 -Dragonfly Crafts
❓Children’s craft session
📍 Chawton Village Hall, Winchester Road, Alton GU34 1RX
⏰ 10am-11am
💰£8 per child
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for ages 2-4 years
Jane Austen's House
❓Poetry Workshop - Join us for a fun and inspiring poetry workshop, and write the kind of poems that you want to write!
⏰ 2pm-3.30pm
💰£6.50 per child
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for ages 11-16 years
Jane Austen's House
❓Bring the kids and join us for a fun-filled gambol around Chawton, the lovely country village where Jane Austen lived and wrote.
⏰ 10.30am - 11.30am
💰 £16.50 per family (2 adults and up to 3 children)
👨👩👧👦 This walk is particularly aimed at families with children aged 8+ but all are welcome!
Totally Tennis
❓Tennis camp 2023
📍War Memorial Park RG21 4AG
⏰ 9am - 12.30pm
💰 1 day £30 / 2 days £35 (Weds or Fri)
👨👩👧👦 4-16 year olds
Chineham Library
❓Rhyme Time
📍Chineham District Centre, RG24 8BQ
⏰ 10am
💰 FREE
👨👩👧👦 Under 1s to preschool
No need to book - just turn up!
Saturday 3rd June 2023
Basingstoke gymnastics
❓Family fun session at the open gym
📍Active life centre, Stephenson Road RG21 6XR
⏰ 4.30pm-6pm
💰£6 per child
👨👩👧👦Suitable for 4-11 year olds and guardians
Blackbushe Airport
❓Blackbushe Airday - static air display, bouncy castles, minature ride on planes, live entertainment and stalls
📍Blackbushe airport, GU17 9LQ
⏰ 11am-5pm
💰£15 adult / £7.50 3-17 years / Under 3 Free
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for all ages
Miller's Ark Farm
❓ Open day on the farm
📍Blackstocks Lane, RG27 9PH
⏰ 10.30am - 3.30pm (1.5hr slots)
💰 £12 Aged 16+ / £10 2-15 years / Under 2s FREE
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for All ages
Trainmaster Hampshire
❓ Play with trains, tracks and cars
📍 Augusta Park Community Centre, SP11 6RD
⏰ 9.45am - 10.45am and 11am - 12pm
💰 £7.50 per child
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for toddlers to adults
Chineham Library
❓Craft club
📍Chineham District Centre, RG24 8BQ
⏰ 10am
💰 FREE
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for all ages
No need to book - just turn up!
Sunday 4th June 2023
The Anvil - Ministry of Science Live
❓Expect 20ft liquid nitrogen clouds, exploding oxygen and hydrogen balloons, fire tornados, hydrogen bottle rockets, ignited methane, and even a self-built hovercraft!
📍Churchill Way, RG21 7QR
⏰1.30pm
💰£17 Under 16s / £19 Adult
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for 6+
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
If you have an event you'd like to list - get in touch! I'd love to hear from you.