Looking for things to do with your children over May half term? Mama Around Town has you covered with a range of clubs, classes, entertainment and family fun to keep your family entertained.

Family Days Out

Basingstoke has lots to offer a range of ages. Have you been to Basingstoke Leisure Park recently? 

Hollywood Bowl has a small arcade, an American-style fast food restaurant and, of course, their iconic bowling lanes. Make sure you book before you go, as it can get really busy!

The Aquadrome has recently had a refurbishment of the Under the Sea Splash & Play pool. If you have a range of ages, the Lagoon Pool is perfect older children can zoom down the water slides while the smaller swimmers can splash in the warm shallow waters. Take a pound for the locker and don’t forget your flip flops for the changing room.

On the same complex, is Milestones Museum where you can step back to Victorian times and get your ration book stamped to enjoy a bag of sweets from the 1940s shop - Abrahams, become a fireman and jump onto a Victorian fire engine, or spend your old pennies at the Milestones Pier. Parking is free and once you buy your ticket, you can enter the rest of the year for FREE!

Immerse yourself in theatre this half term where Freckle Productions in association with Rose Theatre present Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s much loved “ZOG: Live on Stage” on 25 – 28 May at The Haymarket. They are also hosting “The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland” on 1 to 2 June, all suitable for ages 3 and up. 

Ride the train at Viables Craft Centre where the Basingstoke & District Model Engineering Society are publicly running live steam locomotives on Sunday 4 June 2023 from 11am until 4pm.  You could also book your seat at the Parlour Tea Room for a yummy sandwich and delicious cake – cakes locally made by Pips Pantry.

Getting Outside

Hoping that the weather is kind to us this half term, spending time outside as a family is the best way to create the best memories and most of the time, it’s completely FREE! 

Take a walk from the Top of Town to War Memorial Park.  A buggy-friendly, dog-friendly stroll through the wildflowers takes you to the children’s play area – don’t forget to take your scooter!  Enjoy hot drinks, cold drinks and lunch from the Orchard Community Café whose profit from sales, support local youth services and young people in the borough

Eastrop Park is a well-loved favourite after popping into Festival Place for a browse.  A short 15-minute walk from the centre, you’ll arrive to pedal boating lake with ducks, a shallow splash pool, children’s play area and café, selling drinks, snacks and ice creams.

Black Dam Pond has a free car park, where you can choose to take a long or short walk around the lake to Crabtree Plantation and beyond.  This is the perfect place to feed the ducks, put your sun hat on and enjoy a picnic on the benches.

Burn Some Energy

Children under seven can jump into the ball pit, ride the see-saws, climb up the frames and whizz down the slides at Basingstoke Sports Centre - Jungle Adventure Soft Play.  Book your play session before you go and why not pop into Marks and Spencer, opposite for lunch? They’ve recently refurbished their café will an all-new digital system!

There are two trampoline parks in Basingstoke. Flip Out Basingstoke is the biggest adventure park in Basingstoke. Not only are they a trampoline park, they also have Ninja tag, laser quest and climbing walls to burn all that energy. Atmosphere Trampoline Park hold sessions for all ages with over 70 trampolines, a soft play and inflatable zone and gigantic airbag to jump straight into. They also offer unlimited coffee (one for the adults!)

If you’re working this half term and need some childcare, Gol! Elite Coaching hold football camps throughout the week at various locations in Basingstoke which is suitable for ages between four to 12 years or climb, jump and stretch at Basingstoke Gymnastics Club suitable for five to 11 years.

You can find out more of what’s on in Basingstoke and the local area by visiting www.mamaaroundtown.com and stay up to date by following us on Facebook and Instagram.

Over and out!

Guest blog supplied by Mama Around Town, May 2023