The Best Things to Do in Newcastle this May Half Term

Jurassic Takeover @ Utilita Arena

Head to Utilita Arena this May half term for a roar-some time at Jurassic Takeover! The UK’s only interactive walkthrough and theatre experience arrives in Newcastle on Saturday 31^st May, offering a chance for young rangers (and their grown-ups!) to get up close and personal with the prehistoric creatures. Expect to learn about baby dinosaurs in the hatchery, learn about dino skeletons in the paleontology area, hear some dino-mite tales in the story time area, and much more.

Saturday 31^st May 2025, From £29 / Children under two go free

Family Fun @ Life Science Centre

This May, Life Science Centre celebrates their 25th birthday, so of course there’s plenty of family fun to be had. Whether you create a jack-in-the-box in their Making Studios (from 10^th May) together, catch the return of animated show Earth Defenders! in the Planetarium, or become scientists in the Experiment Zone, it’s an ideal way to get the kids away from those screens. And that’s not forgetting that their new series of interactive exhibits, Lightbox, opens from Saturday 25^th May too!

Monday 26^th – Friday 30^th May 2025, Prices vary

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show @ Northern Stage

The critically acclaimed production of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show crawls into Northern Stage this half term, bringing the stories of Brown Bear, Brown Bear, 10 Little Rubber Ducks, The Very Busy Spider, and The Very Hungry Caterpillar to life! With seventy-five lovable puppets on stage, this vibrant celebration of Eric Carle’s catalogue is sure to entertain and delight audiences of all ages.

Wednesday 28^th May – Sunday 1^st June 2025, From £14

Mexican Stand Off @ Wylam Brewery 

Nacho average day out, Mexican Stand Off returns to Wylam Brewery this half term! This edition of the family-friendly food fest celebrates Mexican food, influences and flavours with over fifteen specialists battling it out to guac your world and be crowned the best in the business. For the little ones not quite ready to taste their taste-buds just yet, there’ll be plenty of sides, desserts and refreshments too – including an ice cream van for any sweet tooths that need satisfying!

Friday 23^rd – Saturday 24^th May 2025, Free entry

Children’s Bakery Classes & Adult's Sparkling Cream Tea @ Fenwick

Families are all in for a super sweet time at Fenwick this half term, with their children’s bakery classes and adult's sparkling cream tea. Young budding bakers will get to work creating delicious cupcake masterpieces, before digging into a mini afternoon tea complete with a finger sandwich, fresh fruit pot and glass of juice. Meanwhile, the adults can kick back with a sparkling cream tea, including a glass of sparkling wine (or non-alcoholic alternative), freshly baked scones and a choice of tea or coffee.

Wednesday 28^th May 2025, From £15

Art Club @ Laing Art Gallery

Alternatively, let the kids’ creativity run wild with the Laing Art Gallery’s Art Club. Across three days, young people have the chance to explore the venue, and create their own work with the help of a professional arts educator in the Laing’s Art Studio. Whether they want to experiment with new materials, learn new skills, or are simply eager to try something new, it’s a great way to get those imaginations booted up!

Tuesday 27^th – Thursday 29^th May 2025, From £35

Shrapnel Boys: Life on the Home Front Museum Trail @ Discovery Museum

To celebrate the release of award-winning children’s author Jenny Pearson’s upcoming novel, the Discovery Museum invites families to take part in a national family trail around their fantastic venue. Kids can pick up a free activity sheet and search for hidden objects around the museum, learning what life was like for children on the home front while they’re at it. Engaging and educating, there’s even a competition for the little ones to take part in too, so it’s worth a visit over the May half term!

Saturday 24^th May – Sunday 1^st June 2025, Free

Doctor Who – The Season Finale @ Tyneside Cinema 

For an out-of-this-world experience, head to Tyneside Cinema to catch the season finale of Doctor Who on the big screen! Travel through time and space with this two-part end of the season at Newcastle’s beloved cinema as Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor, Varada Sethu’s Belinda Chandra, and Millie Gibson’s Ruby Sunday work together to save the universe once again.

Saturday 31^st May 2025, Prices vary

Kids Comedy Club @ The Stand 

Elaine Robertson and Lee Kyle’s Kids Comedy Club returns to The Stand this May, promising plenty of chaotic fun for all the family! A hilarious way to while away the afternoon, there’ll also be food on offer during the interval. If you loved last year’s Big Family Christmas show, then this is a must-see.

Saturday 24^th May 2025, From £8

May Half Term @ Great North Museum: Hancock

This May half term, Great North Museum: Hancock is celebrating the National Trust Blossom Festival with a special series of family-friendly activities. From mindful paper crafting, to Murray the Mole family trails and Mouse Tale story sessions, there’s loads to get involved with. And of course, don’t forget to explore the Museum’s brilliant usual exhibitions while you’re there too.

Saturday 24^th May – Sunday 1^st June 2025, Free entry

Newcastle Food & Drink Festival @ Leazes Park

Foodie families will also want to make sure they’ve got tickets for Newcastle Food & Drink Festival over at Leazes Park this May. Following their incredible debut last year, they’ve gone all out for 2025’s event, with events for the whole family to enjoy. Feast on international street food from some of the best traders around the UK, learn something new at their live chef demos, catch the Magic Matt show taking place each day, bounce through the Inflatable Land, and much much more!

Saturday 31^st May – Sunday 1^st June 2025, Prices vary

Cookery Clubs @ Blackfriars

Whether the kids are kitchen wizards, or want to get a bit more confident with their cooking, Blackfriars’ holiday clubs are definitely worth taking advantage of. The Little Monks Club is perfect for seven to ten year-olds, offering the chance for them to learn how to enjoy fruit and veg, and make their own lunch with a sweet treat for afterwards. Meanwhile, 11 to 17-year-olds will love the chance to build on the basics at Smart Cookies, creating some delicious dishes from challenging recipes, or ones more within their comfort zone.

Tuesday 27^th – Friday 30^th May 2025, From £75

Dinosaur Adventure @ Tyne Theatre & Opera House

Returning back to where we started this article, as Tyne Theatre & Opera House are also getting into the rex-ellent spirit with Dinosaur Adventure this half term. Face the Jurassic storm alongside the audience and help save the dinosaurs before its too late with this fantastic theatre show!

Sunday 25^th May 2025, Prices vary

With something for everyone, regardless of age or interest, there are a host of fun activities in Newcastle this half term. And don’t forget the city’s wonderful open spaces at Exhibition Park and Leazes Park, perfect for a picnic! What will you get up to in NE1? 

Main image: Life Science Centre

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