Make memories this May half term - 10 fun activities for families in the North East

1. Enjoy Interactive Storytime at Great North Museum: Hancock
2. Build a Bridge at Discovery Museum
3. Enjoy a Family Art Class at Laing Art Gallery
4. Take a Teddy Bear Train Ride at Stephenson Steam Railway
5. Take part in an Art Class at Shipley Art Gallery
6. Get up close to Birds of Prey at Woodhorn Museum
7. Take part in a Large Scale Drawing Workshop at Hatton Gallery
8. Step Outdoors at Segedunum Roman Fort 
9. Enjoy Free Craft Activities at South Shields Museum & Art Gallery
10. Enjoy Crafting Activities at Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort

Even more ideas for fun, family trips out

View all events for families at North East Museums during May half term 2026

Entertainment group The Moss Troopers return to the museum to bring the past into the present with an immersive Anglo-Saxon living history experience for families and visitors of all ages. 

This interactive history event is a great way to learn about Anglo-Saxon life through hands-on activities, storytelling and live demonstrations.

Great North Museum: Hancock | Friday 29 May | 10.30am - 2.30pm | Free, drop in

Get your thinking caps on and your busy fingers ready for a free, hands-on family event designed to spark creativity and challenge your problem-solving skills. 

Using K’Nex, children and grown-ups are invited to design and build their own bridge in celebration of the 150th anniversary of Newcastle’s iconic Swing Bridge.

Discovery Museum | Friday 29 May | Various sessions | Free, booking required

Young people are welcome to explore the galleries, talk about art and create their own work in sessions led by a professional arts educator. 

Experiment with materials, learn new skills, and create a dynamic set of works in the Laing's Art Studio.

Laing Art Gallery | Wednesday 27 May | 10am - 12 noon and 1-3pm | £15 per half day, booking required

Bring your favourite teddy bear for a heritage train ride and a fun-filled family day at the museum. 

Enjoy 10-minute Woodland Animal Stories puppet shows from The Moss Troopers, follow the Teddy Bear Trail to collect clues, and drop in for teddy-themed crafts to make a passport for your furry friend's train journey.

Stephenson Steam Railway | Monday 25 May | Various times | From £7, booking recommended

Join a 90-minute art class for children aged 7–12 and their accompanying adult, led by professional artist, Steph. Each session explores a different theme while teaching practical artistic techniques in a fun, supportive setting. This family art workshop is a great opportunity to enjoy creative time together, with children and adults working side by side to produce a shared artwork to take home.

Shipley Art Gallery | Thursday 28 May | 10.30am - 12 noon and 1-2.30pm | £4.50 plus booking fee

Discover the fascinating world of birds of prey with Ridgeside Falconry and enjoy spectacular, interactive flying displays at the museum. Their handlers will share insights into their behaviour, habitats and hunting skills. These family-friendly flying demonstrations are both educational and fun - perfect for animal lovers and curious minds.

Woodhorn Museum | Wednesday 27 May | 11am - 3pm | Included with Annual Pass

Take inspiration from the BA student exhibition on display and produce your own large-scale artwork using pastels, charcoal or pencil. Work from real objects, images or your imagination as you experiment with drawing techniques in this engaging family art session.

Hatton Gallery | Thursday 28 May | 10.30am - 12.30pm | Free, arrive at start time

Little ones can explore, play and learn in a welcoming environment while grown-ups relax with free tea, coffee and refreshments. Drop in and explore outdoor play opportunities, cosy indoor spaces with story time and singing, and the chance to meet our friendly mascots, Rufus and Regina. 

Segedunum Roman Fort | Wednesday 27 May |10.30am - 12 noon | Free, drop in

Join the museum every Tuesday during the school holidays for free family craft activities inspired by current exhibitions and artworks from the collection. These drop-in, hands-on craft sessions are perfect for children and adults to get creative together while exploring the museum’s displays. During half term, families can create a watercolour painting inspired by the rivers, steams and sea around them. 

South Shields Museum & Art Gallery | Tuesday 26 May | 10am - 12.30pm and 1-3pm | Free, drop in

Design and make your own colourful Roman-style vase in this fun, hands-on family craft activity inspired by ancient Roman art. Use bright tissue paper to decorate your vase with bold patterns and colours, creating a beautiful display piece to take home.

Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort | Wednesday 27 May | 11.30am - 12.30pm and 1-3pm | Free, drop in

• Make a notebook at Hexham Old Gaol
• Plant herbs and follow a trail at Segedunum Roman Fort
• Build a LEGO® city at Discovery Museum
• Go on a Time Odyssey at Great North Museum: Hancock
• Do some family craft activities at Shipley Art Gallery
• Get sketching and scribbling at Great North Museum: Hancock
• Enjoy storytime at Discovery Museum
• Try seed planting at Stephenson Steam Railway
• Become a little artist at Laing Art Gallery
• Create a colourful whippet at Woodhorn Museum
• Complete the treasure trail at Great North Museum: Hancock

Our May half term events are part of our Ways to Play programme of free and low-cost family-friendly activities. 

Make your Ways to Play adventure a great value day out by travelling to our venues by the Metro and/or Ferry. Up to three children aged 11 and under can travel for free on the Metro and the Shields Ferry with a fare-paying adult. Metro is the convenient, fast and frequent way to get to your favourite attractions and now it's even more affordable. 

To find out more about kids go free on the Metro, visit the Nexus website.

Ways to Play is sponsored by Tyne and Wear Metro.

May half term 2026 is the same week everywhere across the region: 23-31 May.

That covers schools in Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, Gateshead, South Tyneside, Sunderland, Durham, and the Tees Valley.