Your guide to half term events
Wondering how you’re going to keep the kids amused during half term? We’ve come up with plenty of ideas:
Around the World Adventure Trail
23 May-2 June, The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth
Follow the trail on this interactive holiday hunt to learn about the Donkey Sanctuary’s worldwide work while playing fun games. Solve the number combination to unlock your very own prize to take home! Pick up your entry form at the Visitors' Centre. £3 per entry, 9am-4pm.
Railway Rummage
24-26 May, Devon Railway Centre, Bickleigh, Tiverton
Join Max Trax the railway mad monkey to investigate the railway rummage and solve the clues. www.devonrailwaycentre.co.uk
Donkey grooming
24-26 May, The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth
If you’ve got a budding donkey groom in the family, why not take them along for a special hands-on session with one of the donkeys in our events team, and leave with a certificate!
Booking not required. 10.30am-1pm. £3 per person. www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk
Castle of colours trail
24 May-1 June, Castle Drogo
Come and explore the colourful Castle Drogo garden and grounds, complete the trail and claim your prize. 11am-4pm. £1.50 per trail (including prize).
Bushcraft Week and the Brilliant Things you can do with a Stick!
24 May-1 June, Escot Park, Ottery St Mary
Release the spirit of adventure! Children can take part in bushcraft skills - fire making, shelter building, campfire cooking, whittling, care and use of tools, arts and crafts and of course toasting marshmallows over the campfire! There is also "the brilliance of sticks" workshop. Most activities run throughout the day with the exception of shelter building taking place at 11.15am and 2.30pm. Meet at the Greenwood Centre. Shelter building may not be suitable for children aged 5 and under. 10am - 5pm every day. www.escot-devon.co.uk
Caribbean Carnival Week
24 May-1 June, World of Country Life, Exmouth
Caribbean Carnival Week - May half-term week. Feeling hot, hot, hot! Caribbean themed fun is scheduled to take place all week in the special Pirates’ Cove at the World of Country Life.
Half term fun
24 May-1 June, Pecorama, Beer
With daily children’s entertainment featuring undercover shows from wizards, jesters, clowns and jugglers at the Top Spot Stage. Visit the outdoor activity areas, including the PECO Pirate Ship and the fantastic new multi-tiered indoor play area, the ‘PECO Play Station’. www.pecorama.info
Otter Trail
24 May-1 June, Escot Park, Ottery St Mary
Escot’s cheeky family of otters give visitors hours of fun. Escot support the conservation and protection of otters in the wild and to raise money for this cause (and to have some fun) they have devised a fun family otter trail for you to match otter facts to the right otter with a prize for all completed clue sheets! £1 per clue sheet. Normal entry fee applies to non-members. www.escot-devon.co.uk
Kings and Queens Week
25-30 May, Powderham Castle
Powderham Castle presents an original show called 'Millennium of Monarchs involving puppets and live action. Full of interesting facts about England's Kings and Queens - over a thousand years of history reduced to 45 manic minutes!Themed activities are included in a child’s admission. www.powderham.co.uk
Exeter West Lions Club Fun Day
26 May, Alphington Sports Ground, Exeter
A great day out for all the family with lots to see and do. Help the Lions support local projects and go along between noon and 5.30pm.
Punch and Judy
May 26, Killerton House, Broadclyst, Exeter
Enjoy a fun performance of Punch, Judy and friends in the garden with Professor Radd. Enjoyed by children and adults! 2pm-3pm. Free but normal admission applies. http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/killerton
Letter Boxing Challenge
26-30 May, The Miniature Pony Centre, near Moretonhampstead
Letterbox challenge plus magic, juggling and horse shows giving the whole family a chance to be thoroughly entertained every afternoon. Also, there will be many opportunities to meet the adorably cute miniature ponies and their foals, donkeys and other endearing and cuddly baby animals. For more information visit: www.miniatureponycentre.com
Victorian circus skills
26-30 May, Knightshayes Court, Tiverton
Roll up, roll up, and join the team at Knightshayes as they host a series of Victorian circus skill workshops this May half-term. Running from 24 May through to 1 June, between 11am and 4pm, the event will give kids of all ages the chance to try their hand at skills. Between Monday 26 and Friday 30 May the property will also play host to circus performer, Robin Fox. The cost of the activities, to include a garden trail, is £3 and normal admission fees apply.
Children’s craft activities
27 May, A La Ronde, Exmouth
Make some fun items to take home. 11am-4pm. Gates open 10.30am, all tickets £1.50. Normal admission charges apply
Roary the Racing Car visits Devon's Crealy
27 May, Devon’s Crealy Great Adventure Park, Exeter
Roary the Racing Car will whizz into the Park ready to delight children as he races across the finishing line with Big Chris to perform his Mini Show. Appearances at 11.30am, 1pm, 2.30pm and 4pm. http://www.crealy.co.uk/Devon
Woodland Adventure Club
27-30 May, Haldon Forest Park, near Exeter
Looking for a holiday club with a twist? Try the Woodland Adventure Club packed with fun and excitement in the woods for children aged 6-13. Learn woodland skills, getting muddy and make new friends. The club runs on 27, 28, 29 and 30 May from 9am-3.30pm. Click here for further details. Call Hannah on 07929 613284 or email info@atouchofthewild.co.uk to book.
On a Silver Platter
28 May, St Nicholas Priory, Exeter
The title of the activity suggests you can achieve with little effort. Emulating Exeter’s master silversmiths of the 16th century isn’t as easy as it sounds! Engrave, chase and emboss your own dish or plate. Drop in - 10.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30 to 3.30pm. www.rammuseum.org.uk/young-ramm
Exploring the Vertues of Herbes
29 May, St Nicholas Priory, Exeter
Learn more about the power of plants. It is the year 1602; meet, observe and help the ‘herb women’ preparing natural remedies in the Tudor kitchen at St Nicholas Priory. They will be preparing infusions, tisanes, poultices and healing salves for the benefit and wellbeing of the Hurst-Clifton household. May, 11am to 1pm, drop in. Admission charged.
Landscape Layers
29 May, RAMM, Queen Street, Exeter
10.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30 to 3.30pm. Cost: £2.50. Create a landscape using paint and pieces of neoprene to produce an interesting effect. To book call 01392 265858 or visit www.rammuseum.org.uk/young-ramm
Wildlife Day
29 May, Killerton House, Broadclyst
Get stuck in and discover the wildlife at Killerton, build bird boxes, uncover bugs and mini beasts and find out where they hide. £2 activity charge. 11am-4pm. Normal admission applies. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/killerton
Meet the Archaeologist
29 May, A La Ronde, Exmouth
Meet an NT archaeologist and discover how 'finds' are identified and dated. Find out about flint knapping and how our ancestors made tools. Bring along your own finds for identification. 11am-4pm. Normal admission applies. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/a-la-ronde
Kids Go Free – Camp Wild Day
30 May 2014, Escot Park, Ottery St Mary
Free entry for all children to Escot. Check out Yurt Village and all that happens at Camp Wild. There’ll be storytelling by the fire, toasted marshmallows, Camp Wild games, pond-dipping, shelter building, bushcraft fun and a swamp walk! A little taste of a Camp Wild summer - for free! Further details: www.escot-devon.co.uk
Family Saturday
31 May, Exeter Phoenix
Storytelling, art drop-in, Jumping Beans, free taster classes and lots more!
Family Sundays have now become Family Saturdays. As part of the change there is a new mix of brilliant workshops and exciting art activities for families to enjoy together. 10.30am-2pm. http://www.exeterphoenix.org.uk/events/family-saturday-may/
Jungle Jim visits Devon’s Crealy
31 May, Devon's Crealy Great Adventure Park, Exeter
Join Jungle Jim at Devon's Crealy Great Adventure Park with all his jungle friends - Pee Wee the elephant, Dandelion, Slippy the seal, Rufus the gorilla, Scratch the rat, Pippo the hippo, Camilla the ostrich and lots more. Appearances at 11.30am, 1pm, 2.30pm, 4pm. www.crealy.co.uk/Devon
