The bank holiday weekend is over meaning that May half-term has well and truly kicked off - but this also leaves parents tasked with finding new and exciting activities to keep the kids entertained.
Which can be even trickier when you've got toddlers and babies and need events that will keep them occupied too!
Luckily, this May there are some brilliant, budget-friendly events and activities taking place this half term.
We've done the hard work for you and searched out some of the best days out that the whole family can enjoy from tiny tots to older kids and parents.
Check out our top picks below!
What's included in the guide?
- Best events for toddlers and small children
- Top family days out
- Things to do on a rainy day
Best events for toddlers and small children
When you've got small children and babies, it's easy to think that some go-to half term activities might not be quite right for your kids.
However, nowadays there are more and more hotspots catering to young ages; for example, theme parks used to be for thrill-seeking teens and adults, but nowadays you can find a plethora of parks suitable for toddlers and babies .
Plus you can get some great deals if you've got small kids - for example Alton Towers lets kids under 3 go free .
Check out our top pick of toddler-friendly half term events below...
1. Geronimo Festival
This quirky festival at Arley Hall in Cheshire has something for kids of all ages from a mini motorcycle track where they can have a ride, to sock wrestling, donkey rides, a fairytale-themed garden, performances and meet and greets with some fascinating creatures and birds.
For parents and older kids there'll be plenty of live performances, food stalls and a whole host of fun experiences too.
Tickets are usually £33 per person but on Bank Holiday Monday they're offering a 2-for-1 offer. All kids aged under two go for free.
2. New rides at Peppa Pig World
Paulton's Park has added two exciting new rides to its popular Peppa Pig World; The Queen's Flying Coach Ride and Grampy rabbits Sailing Club.
The new section of the park also boasts new dining area 'The Queen's Kitchen', not to mention there's now a dedicated baby care centre.
Check out our full review here .
3. Chilterns Walking Festival
Perfect for little explorers who love the outdoors, this walking festival has a whole host of adventures for families to enjoy, with plenty on offer for toddlers and small children.
Think over 60 designated family-friendly routes covering parts of Bucks, Oxon, Herts and Beds, with plenty of surprises along the way from storytelling sessions to fun picnics.
The walks are free but extra charges may apply to select activities.
4. Legoland's Half Term Programme
This May half term, Legoland Windsor Resort is making quite the splash thanks to its kid-friendly DUPLO® Splash Safari, DUPLO Drench Towers, and the exhilarating Raft Racers.
Not to mention the beloved LEGO Friends return to Heartlake Harbour with their live show, LEGO Friends to the Rescue .
Toddlers can splash amongst a DUPLO themed animal friends while older children can brave the oversized tipping LEGO brick and whiz down the water slides.
Not to mention that the resort has plenty of new attractions for 2018 - and there are some great deals to snap up cheap tickets .
5. Big Fish Little Fish festival
If it feels like you and your kids are constantly having a dance party at home, then this could be the ideal event for you!
Head to the BBC Wales Hub which will play host to Big Fish Little Fish – a family rave that brings together renowned DJs with fun activities for kids.
Tickets for the event are completely free, but they are on a first come, first served basis.
6. Fairy and Dragon World
If you're looking to run a few errands and need a few bits to get the garden summer-ready, then you may want to head down to Hayes Garden World.
That's because the garden centre is also home to an enchanting world filled with fairies and dragons, where you can search for hidden treasures, try out your musical skills on the giant piano, play hook the dragon or even try a dragon-themed laser quest!
The event is running until the 9th September.
Child tickets from £10, adult tickets from £2.
Top family days out
If you've got older kids as well as toddlers, there are plenty of events and activities that tailor to a wide range of ages.
As well as the UK's best theme parks and water parks, there's plenty of fun to be had across Britain whether you're exploring top English Heritage sites , enjoying a day out at one of the UK's best beaches , checking out National Trust offerings , or even taking on some dinosaurs at dino-themed events .
Not to mention that there are plenty of cheap days out on offer this half term too.
Check out more great family days out this half term below...
1. Forage for pizza
Everybody loves pizza, and this half term, Ty Mawr Kitchen Garden in the Brecon Beacons has created a 'forage for your pizza' day where families can search the woods to gather fuel for the pizza ovens, and fresh ingredients for the toppings.
While the ovens heat up, you can learn to make the perfect dough and sauce from scratch - and then of course it's time to tuck into your creations!
The event takes place Thursday 31st May from 11am-2pm. Tickets from £40 which includes one adult and two children.
2. Arundel Castle Siege
History buffs and brave knights can go on quite the adventure at Arundel Castle in West Sussex this bank holiday weekend as a French raiding party 'seizes' the castle from Saturday 26th through to Monday 28th May.
Although it's not based on a real siege, there'll be armoured knights battling it out, replica cannons and a tented encampment to offer a taste of what a real life 15th century battle would have been like.
Kids can also hear thrilling tales in the storytelling sessions, tuck into some delicious themed food and check out the live-action shows.
Adult tickets from £13, child tickets from £11.
3. MakeFest at the Museum of Science and Industry
From pinhole cameras to handmade prints, budding scientists and engineers can put their skills to the test at MakeFest held at the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester.
There'll be engine demonstrations, workshops and talks packed with fascinating tidbits, as well as a host of games and interactive experiences for kids to get stuck into.
MakeFest takes place Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th May during the bank holiday weekend.
4. Visit the world's largest ice cream shop
Indulge your sweet tooth and head to The Ice Cream Farm just outside of Chester, which just so happens to be home to the world's largest ice cream shop.
Check out the Honeycomb Canyon, a sand and water play area tailored for kids of all ages, or visit Daisy's Garden and Strawberry Falls where you'll find a mini golf course.
Oh, and make sure little ones see the Ice Cream Tree, which releases bubbles every 30 minutes!
Entrance to the park is completely free, with rides available on a 'pay and play' basis for just £1-£3.75.
Things to do on a rainy day
In an ideal world, the Spring Bank Holiday would bring heaps of sunshine and balmy temperatures. Unfortunately, the British weather doesn't always play ball.
Luckily, there are plenty of indoor events that are sure to keep smaller kids occupied - and saves parents frantically improvising activities when the weather lets you down!
1. Explore the ocean at SEA Life centres
Forget the drizzly weather and go exploring a whole new underwater world where fascinating creatures and interactive experiences await.
SEA Life London is launching a Rainforest Adventure with creepy crawlies and other mysterious creatures to discover, while SEA Life Weymouth will explore the Jurassic Seas and discover terrifying monsters from long-gone eras.
Ticket prices from £11.95pp.
2. Theatre shows for kids
If you're caught out by bad weather, a trip to the theatre could be the ideal solution - it's a couple of hours of entertainment, there are plenty of shows that will appeal to parents too, and you can find some great last minute deals.
Visiting London? West End shows such as Matilda , Aladdin and the Lion King are sure to be a hit with kids. Considering an overnight break? Super Break offers theatre breaks including hotel stays and show tickets.
3. A good old-fashioned trip to the cinema
It's a classic day out for a reason! After all, there's popcorn, sweets, entertainment... and it means you can get the kids out of the house for a few hours before they start to run wild from being indoors all day.
Cineworld has a dedicated ' Movies for Juniors ' section where you can find the latest family-friendly films, including full listing details for half term.
Meanwhile Odeon also offers a dedicated half term page with listing details and information on morning screenings for younger kids.