Top Picks
Cornwall 365’s May Half Term Top Picks
Looking for fun stuff to do in Cornwall with the kids this May half term holiday? Get inspired with our guide to half-term events and activities.
We’re keeping everything crossed for some sunshine this May half term (Saturday 26th May – Sunday 3rd June), but whatever the weather, there are loads of fabulous things to do to keep the whole gang happy.
Read on for our Top Picks of the best family-friendly half term activities in Cornwall.
We’ll see you out there!
1. Cotehele Quay’s Nancy Belle boat trips
Mon 23rd April, 2018 — Tue 4th September, 2018
Cotehele, Saltash
Climb aboard the Nancy Belle and take a river trip up the Tamar past riverside woodlands, under the railway viaduct, past Calstock and deeper into the valley towards Morwellham Quay. Throughout the two hour trip you can also learn about the valley’s flora, fauna and history. Dress for Cornish weather!
2. Fal River Festival 2018
Fri 25th May, 2018 — Sun 3rd June, 2018
Fal River, Falmouth
This fantastic 10 day celebration offers something for everyone, with over 100 events showcasing creative talent from the worlds of art, music, food, theatre, film, adventure and more. Highlights for families include giant mural painting, parkour sessions, ParkLive, castle crafts at St Mawes Castle, art workshops at Falmouth Art Gallery and much more.
3. Dinosaur Quiz Trail at Paradise Park
Sat 5th May, 2018 — Sun 2nd September, 2018
Paradise Park & JungleBarn Indoor Play Centre, Hayle
Explore the grounds of Paradise Park on a dinosaur expedition – search for the dinosaurs and their eggs, answer the questions on the Dinosaur Quiz, and win a special ‘Paradise Park Professor of Paleontology’ certificate and your own mini dinosaur.
There will also be a chance to enjoy all the daily activities at the park including the Eagles of Paradise display, Carrot Time in the Fun Farm, penguin feeding times and the indoor JungleBarn play centre!
4. Invisible Worlds Launch Week Activities at Eden
Fri 25th May, 2018 — Sun 3rd June, 2018
Eden Project, St Austell
Join Eden this half-term to celebrate the launch of their brand new major exhibition with a packed line-up of special guests, hands-on fun and exciting events for all the family.
Get ready for awesome activities and a measure of mayhem from Ministry of Science in an epic live science show, or drop in and get hands-on with cool activities, experiments and interactive displays, as you delve into a fascinating microscopic world with Sciencedipity. Listen as the Eden Storytellers introduce you to some microscopic monsters, and experience real-time experiments as Eden’s scientists (and other friendly experts) explore some of the secrets of the Invisible World with a rolling programme of talks and showcase workshops.
5. Curious Seed | Chalk About at Devoran Village Hall
Sat 26th May, 2018
Devoran Village Hall, Truro
Exploring the nature of identity, Chalk About asks some BIG questions. What makes us who we are? Is it where we are from? Or how we talk? Is it the way we dance? Our pasts, our futures? And, most importantly, doesn’t everyone like pizza?
Playful, funny and sometimes moving, this show is for adults and children alike.
6. Poppy Power! Half Term at Bodmin Keep
Sat 26th May, 2018 — Sun 3rd June, 2018
Cornwall’s Regimental Museum, Bodmin
Cornwall’s Regimental Museum is collecting handmade poppies for a 2018 commemorative project – come along and get crafty this half term and your poppy could feature in the special exhibition. There will also be fun activities all week including a quiz and trail, dressing up, historic gun handling and more!
7. Teddy Bear’s Picnic at Bodmin & Wenford Railway
Sat 26th May, 2018 — Mon 28th May, 2018
Bodmin & Wenford Railway, Bodmin
If you go down to the railway today… make sure to bring teddy for stories, music and family fun. Bicycling botanist Isabella Necessity will be keeping passengers entertained with stories about her incredibly adventures around the world. Don’t forget to stock up on picnic supplies from the cafes for your teddy bear’s picnic!
8. May Half Term at Camel Creek
Sat 26th May, 2018 — Sun 3rd June, 2018
Camel Creek Adventure Park
Join Camel Creek for a week of fun activities, including a treasure hunt, a chance to meet the new meerkat pups, and a special day to meet The Gruffalo.
9. Marvellous Mini Beasts at Newquay Zoo
Sat 26th May, 2018 — Sun 3rd June, 2018
Newquay Zoo, Newquay
Get to know the local wildlife and complete the Nearby Nature trail before meeting the more exotic residents at Newquay Zoo!
10. Tate Create: May Half Term
Sat 26th May, 2018 — Sun 3rd June, 2018
Tate St Ives
Get creative and have some fabulous holiday fun making Barbara Hepworth inspired sculptures and creating giant hanging masterpieces!
11. Green Man Festival at Mount Edgcumbe
Sat 26th May, 2018 — Sun 27th May, 2018
Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park, Torpoint
The giant figure the The Green Man returns for a sixth year at this free family festival. You’ll find him presiding over music, delicious food and drink, entertainment and more – including medieval knights and archery for all!
12. Heligan Wild Week
Sat 26th May, 2018 — Sun 3rd June, 2018
The Lost Gardens of Heligan, St Austell
Wild Week returns to Heligan and they’re inviting you to discover your wild side with a week of fun outdoor play – grubby knees guaranteed!
Choose your animal tribe before joining in the fun with face painting, making tribal headdresses, tackling the giant assault course and creating a tribal call for a wild sing-along. At the end of it all, wind down and chill out by the fire where you can toast your own marshmallow and tune into the sounds of nature as you relax in hammocks nestled under the trees.
13. Super Spring Half Term at Land's End
Sat 26th May, 2018 — Fri 1st June, 2018
Land’s End Landmark, St Just and Land’s End
Head to the westernmost point of Cornwall for spring-time fun. Collect a free trail from the Visitor Centre to explore Land’s End’s fantastic family attractions and much more.
14. Deck Games at National Maritime Museum Cornwall
Sat 26th May, 2018 — Fri 1st June, 2018
National Maritime Museum Cornwall, Falmouth
Step aboard the S.S. Chitteranjan, one of the finest passenger ships bound for the Mediterranean and the Far East and re-live the golden age of cruise ships! Lead by your Social Hostess Bunty Pforbes, try your hand at Deck Games including Simon Says, and hear how to be initiated into ‘Neptune’s Crew’ as you cross the equator. As well as Deck Games for all the family and craft making too, you’ll also find the Treasure Island Play Zone, the Titanic Exhibition and all the usual family favourites such as the boat pool, survival zone and Tidal Zone.
15. May half-term at Trengwainton Garden
Sun 27th May, 2018 — Sun 3rd June, 2018
Trengwainton Garden, Penzance
Pick up your trusty explorer’s stick and head off on an exploration of Trengwainton Garden with the help of their trail. Wander along wooded paths, cross streams and peer into ponds, with opportunities to tick off some of your ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾.’
16. Return to the 1940s at Helston Railway
Sun 27th May, 2018 — Mon 28th May, 2018
Helston Railway, Helston
Return to the 1940s at Helston Railway and experience the first steam hauled passenger trains on the branch line since the 1940s, plus military vehicles, period music and displays.
17. Rockpool Explorer at St Michael's Mount
Sunday 27 May & Sunday 3 June 2018
St Michael’s Mount, Marazion
Have you ever wondered what marine life you can find on the Cornish coast? Explore what lies beneath the tideline in the rockpools surrounding the causeway with Great Scott! Adventures Outdoors and uncover the underwater world of these wonderful creatures – whether it’s a St Piran’s hermit crab, a spiny starfish or a sea cucumber!
18. Tudor costume day at Trerice
Mon 28th May, 2018
National Trust Trerice, Newquay
Step back in time to sixteenth century Cornwall with Trerice Costume Group by trying on recreated period clothes. Don’t forget your camera!
19. Heartbreak Theatre: The Midnight Gang at Penlee Park Theatre
Tue 29th May, 2018
Penlee Park Theatre, Penzance
Drum roll, please… Heartbreak Theatre invite you to join them for the grand opening of The Lord Funt Hospital Playground, a spectacular new play area for the convalescent child. As they gather in the middle of the night in the name of magic, mischief, and memory making, be prepared to be daring at this outdoor adaptation of David Walliams’ bestseller. Who knows where the night may lead?
20. Half-Term Fun for Children and Families at Truro Cathedral
Tue 29th May, 2018 — Wed 30th May, 2018
Truro Cathedral, Truro
Enjoy a visit to the Cathedral with lots of different trails to follow and daily drop-in craft activities.
21. Castle of Legend at Tintagel Castle
Tue 29th May, 2018 — Thu 31st May, 2018
Tintagel Castle, Tintagel
Take part in Tintagel’s play, join in their have-a-go games and become spellbound by tales of Arthurian folklore.
22. Get Muddy with Cob at Mount Pleasant Eco Park
Wed 30th May, 2018
Mount Pleasant Ecological Park
Get stuck into learning more about the versatile and low impact material cob, a building material made from compacting sandy soil, clay and straw. Mix and make cob blocks for a future Eco Park project, as well as your own mini cob sculptures to take home.
23. The Swordstorians at Cornwall's Regimental Museum
Wed 30th May, 2018
Cornwall’s Regimental Museum, Bodmin
Every sword has a tale to be told. Swords have long held a mystical place in our hearts, their stories passed down through generation after generation. Swashbuckling Cornwall presents this family performance which brings to life these tales of dashing heroes, scurvy villains, and those in-between…
24. Clash of Knights at Pendennis Castle
Wed 30th May, 2018 — Thu 31st May, 2018
Pendennis Castle, Falmouth
Experience this all-action contest as four teams of knights battle it out for victory. Armed only with clubs and shields, strength and skill, the knights will meet head-on in an adrenalin-fuelled combat that’s not to be missed.
If the heat of battle gets too much, join the jester for some historical high-jinx or listen to our minstrels play merry tunes. Budding young knights can test their skill at have-a-go archery, or hear musical tales of Reynard the Fox.
25. COAST – Songs, stories and poems about Cornwall and the sea at Tresanton Chapel
Thu 31st May, 2018
Tresanton Chapel, St Mawes
Part of the Fal River Festival, the glamourous Story Republicans will be sharing tall tales and short stories with a Cornish twist in the beautiful, atmospheric setting of Tresanton Chapel in St Mawes. For 8 year olds and over!
26. Gweek Players: The Pirates of Trebah
Thu 31st May, 2018 — Sat 2nd June, 2018
Amphitheatre at Trebah, Falmouth
Ahoy young scallywags and seadogs! Some 300 years ago, two brave and adventurous children discovered a group of stranded privateers without their ship… This May Half-Term the Gweek Players shall share their Pirates tale!
27. Badger Forest School Summer Stomp at Wheal Martyn
Fri 1st June, 2018
Wheal Martyn, St Austell
Make camp fires, create nature crafts, scramble along scavenger trails, build dens and more!
28. Boatmaking Workshop at The Exchange
Fri 1st June, 2018 — Sat 2nd June, 2018
The Exchange Penzance, Penzance
Luff the sails and rebuild speed – the popular boat making workshop is back! All welcome at this free community workshop delivered in partnership with Golowan.
29. Wonders of the Sea at Falmouth Art Gallery
Sat 2nd June, 2018
Falmouth Art Gallery, Falmouth
Get stuck into Falmouth Art Gallery’s family art workshop inspired by the ‘Seeing the Sea’ exhibition.
30. Bude Sea Pool Big Lunch Community Picnic
Sun 3rd June, 2018
Bude Sea Pool
Celebrate Bude Sea Pool’s community day with entertainment, live music and events in and around the water and picnic. The day includes a raft race, surf lifesaving demonstrations, water polo, pebble painting, paddle boarding taster sessions and a BBQ by Life’s A Beach!
