May half-term family activities

Whatever the weather this half term, make the most of the holiday with great days out, interactive learning and expert-led workshops. Beth Longville lists some highlights in the city

Bristol Zoo
With over 400 species of animals from all over the globe, there is plenty to see at Bristol Zoo. With a fantastic mix of fun and learning, it’s a great place to take kids during the half term. On May 28, enjoy a family event for children aged 8-12 years by spending the morning on the Downs to spot butterflies and learn all about their world. 
www.bristolzoo.org.uk 

Bristol Sightseeing
Stop off at Bristol Aquarium, Brunel’s SS Great Britain, the Downs, Clifton Village and Bristol Zoo with Bristol Sightseeing. See the city from the top deck and bask in the Bristol’s great sights from a fantastic vantage point. The last bus leaves stop 1 at 4.45pm, Broad Quay, BS1 4DA. Children under 5 travel free.
www.citysightseeingbristol.co.uk 

Brunel’s SS Great Britain
Head on down to Brunel’s SS Great Britain to find out all about the great engineer and the world’s first luxury liner. During the half-term, you can meet Brunel himself and ask him about the challenges he faced. Alternatively, for an adventurous end to the holiday, for an additional £10 your family can challenge themselves by climbing the huge mainmast of the SS Great Britain from May 28.
www.ssgreatbritain.org/ 

Downy Duckling Days
Slimbridge Wetland Centre offers great family fun from hand feeding the world’s rarest species of goose to daily amphibian and otter talks. Throughout the holiday, Slimbridge is offering the chance to go behind the scenes of their busy duckery. As well as seeing newly hatched ducklings, you and your family will learn how the centre rears hundreds of young birds every year. 
www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/slimbridge/ 

The Deep Blue
As well as all the usual spectacular undersea journey the aquarium offers, encounter The Deep Blue this half term. With this daily event, your family can discover the mysteries of the deep with fantastic hands-on activities. If you have the stomach for it, you can learn all about the elusive squid by witnessing a small squid dissection in the Learning Lab. 
www.bristolaquarium.co.uk/ 

Scarecrow Trail
In its fourth year, Westwood’s scarecrow trail is back for the May half term week with a Heroes and Villains theme. Enjoy some family fun by taking a gentle stroll along the trail and try to find all the scarecrows. If you manage to successfully name all the heroes and villains you could be in for a prize!
www.westwoodnursery.org/scarecrow-trail.html 

‘50 Things’ in Leigh Woods
Tick off number 40 in the ’50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾’ at Leigh Woods this half-term. ‘Go on a nature walk at night’ and discover the wonders of Leigh Woods when everyone else has gone home! Witness the woods at night, play games and see if you can spot any bats. There’s also an opportunity to go on a Great Big Tree Climb and go on a family hunt for bugs.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/leigh-woods/ 

Remix Sessions
Remix sessions at Colston Hall offer your young, budding musician a chance to explore their musical interest and get expert help. The drop-in workshops for 11-21 year olds will cover a range from song writing, vocals, bands, music production and DJing. There are two sessions throughout the course of the half term, May 23 and May 30.
www.colstonhall.org/ 

At-Bristol
Head on down to one of the UK’s leading science and discovery centres for a whole host of activities this half term. You and your children can unleash your inner astronaut in the Mars Lab by designing your very own ‘Mars Rover’ and taking rock samples you’ve gathered to the lab for analysis. On the final weekend of half term, you can meet Polar Scientists and investigate the environment and climate of the Polar Regions with hands-on activities. 
www.at-bristol.org.uk/ 

Bristol and Avon Railway
Jump aboard one of the Bristol and Avon Railway locomotives for a fun-filled outing. The steam trains run right to the edge of the Avon Valley, ensuring wonderful views. A station cat, lawns to relax on and a shop full of souvineers and memorabilia, as well as a Booking Office full of railway artefacts posters and signs, and information on the Bristol to Bath railway line.
www.avonvalleyrailway.org

Moomin Mania at the Watershed
Celebrate 70 years of Finland’s enormously popular Moomins, with a screening of the new feature film Moomins on the Riviera. The lure of fame and fortune see the Moomins travel to the French Riviera to join high society. Jealousy, division and temptation cause friction and leave Moominmamma exasperated. Will they come to their senses and remember their motto: “Live in peace, plant potatoes and dream”?
May 22 – 31
www.watershed.co.uk/whatson/6512/moomins-on-the-riviera/

Tomorrowland
With its release date conveniently placed during the half-term holidays, head to the cinema on a rainy day to see this year’s most highly anticipated film. Disney’s ‘Tomorrowland’ is a mix of science fiction, mystery and adventure. It follows a scientifically curios teen and a former boy-genius inventor, played by George Clooney, who travel to unearth the secrets of a place only known as Tomorrowland.
Screening in various cinemas. 

Table Tennis Training Club
Use this half term for your child to learn a new sport. On May 28 and May 29, The Bristol Table Tennis Academy Club will be opening their doors to players of all ages and abilities. They will improve their technique and game while under the supervision of academy players and TTE’s qualified coaches. 
www.bristolacademyofsport.co.uk/table-tennis-academy/