Looking for things to do with your children over May half term? 

It doesn’t feel long since we were wondering how we’d keep the kids entertained at Easter and now the May half term holiday is upon us. It can be hard finding things locally that everyone wants to do, so in true Love Basingstoke style, we’ve scoured the internet to give you the go to list for what is on this May holiday.  We’d love to hear what you get up to, so please make sure to tag us or use #LoveBasingstoke in your pics!

Get outside

It’s great to get outside and make the most of the longer days (and hopefully warmer weather!)

For some bank holiday family fun, roll up to Whitchurch Silk Mill’s Spring Fayre on Monday 26 May from 10.30am to 4pm. Whether you hook a duck, splat the rat or want a turn at tin can alley, there will be something for all the family. They’ll be stacks of games, children’s crafts and shows from BubblesMan throughout the day! The event is free entry.

Millers Ark is open on selected days during the half term holidays on Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28, Friday 30 and Saturday 31 May for animal cuddles including young lambs and goat kids. The Old Dairy café will be open for brunch, lunch or coffee and cake.

Prehistoric residents are taking over 4 Kingdoms Adventure Park as Dinosaur Invasion takes place from Saturday 24 to Saturday 31 May. A day of fun and adventure, experience up-close encounters with friendly dinosaurs, play hide and see with the T-Rex, and dance the day away at the Dino Disco. Dino activities are part of the general admission ticket including indoor soft play, lasers, and outdoor areas of the park, such as the bouncy pillows and tractor rides.

Swing by Knight’s Realm near Basingstoke Leisure Park for an epic crazy golf adventure with an 18-hole course to keep all the family entertained. Just don’t poke the dragon if you can’t take the heat!

For a lovely day out, National Trust owned The Vyne is a fantastic location to explore all around the scenic grounds, a visit to the historic house, a walk along the river or a long woodland stroll. Over half term The Vyne is encouraging kids to ‘be bold, be brave’ and ‘dream big’ this season, don’t miss this trail Little People, BIG DREAMS®.

For train enthusiasts, Basingstoke and District Model Engineering Society are running public steam and electric train rides on Sunday 1 June from 11am to 4pm at Viables Craft Centre.

Walks

As May is also National Walking Month, here’s some ideas to make the most of the charming walks and trails on our doorstep this half term too:

1. Beacon Hill is home to an impressive hill fort with magnificent views over the North Wessex Downs and Highclere Castle.
2. The Whitchurch Mill trail, a leafleted walk telling the story of the surviving watermills on the upper reaches of the River Test.
3. The Basing trail takes in Basing House, Basingstoke Common, Crabtree Plantation, War Memorial Park and Eastrop Park.
4. To celebrate the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth, the Overton Jane Austen Trails have been created to provide walking and cycle trails through the footpaths and bridleways of Overton, Steventon and the surrounding countryside.
5. Enjoy a relaxing circular stroll through the trees all year round at The Vyne, Morgaston Woods. Look out for the remains of a medieval fish pond and the remnants of a storage site built for use during the Second World War.
6. Pamber Forest and Upper Inhams Copse Nature Reserve, a beautiful ancient woodland bursting with wildlife. From the tallest oak to the delicate primrose, the wildlife is ever-changing with the seasons.

If the weather allows, why not pack a picnic, if you are looking for inspiration for your perfect picnic spot, check out our guide, Picturesque Picnics and discover some of the best outdoor areas in Basingstoke and Deane.

Indoor fun

If the weather takes a turn, you could head to the cinema. Every morning during the holidays there is a kids club at the Odeon cinema at Basingstoke Leisure Park. Standard seats and premier seats are the same price. There are shorter advert sessions plus you can take your own food and drink and there’s free parking.

There is also the fantastically immersive Milestones Museum located at the Leisure Park and as May is Local and Community History Month what better time to head to Milestones for a fun and educational experience for the whole family. Pay once and you get entry for a year. During the May half term, become Sherlock Holmes and take part in an epic history mystery with treasure, suspects and puzzles around the museum.

Hours of fun to be discovered in the town centre

Basingstoke town centre has lots to entertain the whole family. As well as shopping in Festival Place you can visit the Basingstoke Discovery Centre, where there are regular groups and activities being held throughout the week. Children and adults can burn off some energy at Flip Out jumping on the trampolines, playing ninja tag or exciting laser quest and there is even a toddler soft play for the littlest ones. 

At the Top of the Town you’ll find the Willis Museum and Sainsbury Gallery. The hilarious and sweet Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards exhibition is on display until Sunday 29 June 2025.

"Ohh arrr Pirates Love Underpants!" Join the swashbuckling party of pirates on their quest to find the fabled Pants of Gold for the captain's treasure chest at The Haymarket on Saturday 24 May.

An outrageous science show comes to The Anvil this half term. Brace yourselves for the return of BBC Gastronaut Stefan Gates' revolutionary, high-tech, highly-explosive show ‘Rude Science’ packed with outrageous science stunts, this time at The Anvil on Tuesday 27 May, shows at 11.30am and 3pm.

The Vue cinema in Festival Place offers Mighty Mornings, for only £2.49 for both adult and child tickets, running every morning of the school holidays! 

A feast for the eyes at the West Berkshire and North Hampshire Open Studios exhibition at Proteus Creation Space.  Works featured include mixed media, textiles, photography, drawing and painting and printmaking. The exhibition is free to attend. No booking required to attend, and the café will be open for refreshments, there is a free carpark on site.

We’d love to hear what you get up to so make sure to tag us or use the #LoveBasingstoke in your pics!

Please note the inclusion of any business within this listing should not be seen as an endorsement of their services. While the information is considered to be true and correct at the date of publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the information.  

May 2025