May Half Term in Surrey | Things to Do 2023

May half term is one of my favourite school holidays. The weather’s usually nice and it brings with it the prospect of the summer holidays just around the corner. But, it can often be hard to know what to do on the sunny days of May half term so I thought I’d put together some ideas and suggestions.

When is May half term in Surrey?

May half term, in the middle of the summer term 2022, in the Surrey school holidays runs from 30 May to 3 June 2022 which is the same as many of the neighbouring county half terms this year. Make sure you check term dates on your school website.

Days Out in Surrey

If you’re just looking for a day out to enjoy over the May half term holiday dates then we have a lot of inspiration for you and these posts should be helpful:

Our Favourite Days Out in Surrey

National Trust Days Out in Surrey

West Green House Garden {National Trust}

If you’re happy to go a little further afield then these posts may be helpful too:


Afternoon Tea in Surrey

If you fancy going for afternoon tea as a half term treat there are plenty of places to choose from and these guides may help you find somewhere perfect!

The Best Places to Have Afternoon Tea in Surrey

12 Options for Children’s Afternoon Tea in Surrey

Easter Holidays in Surrey

National Trust Events in Surrey

National Trust is one of our go to places during any school holiday and they always have so many events and trails on to keep the whole family entertained. Here are a few options for half term fun at National Trust this May:

Winkworth Arboretum

Winkworth’s Enchanted Forest – Saturday 28 May to Sunday 5 June – £2 per child.

Read about our time at Winkworth Arboretum here.

Winkworth Arboretum {National Trust}

Claremont Landscape Garden

May Half Term Jubilee Celebration – Saturday 28 May – Sunday 5 June – £3 per child

Read about a visit to Claremont Landscape Garden here.

Claremont Landscape Gardens After Lockdown {National Trust}

Dapdune Wharf

Half-Term Jubilee – Monday 30th May to Sunday 5th June 2022

Celebrate the jubilee at Dapdune Wharf. Make your own crown to wear, bring a picnic and relax by the river.


Runnymede and Ankerwycke

Jubilee Trail – Thursday 2nd June to Sunday 5th June – £2 per trail

This May Half Term treat your little ones to a world of fun at Runnymede on the Jubilee Trail.


Polesden Lacey

Celebrate the Jubilee at Polesden Lacey – Saturday 28 May – Sunday 5 June – Family fun for all ages plus the following special events.

Thursday 2nd June: The Swing Ninjas – Playing on the South Terrace from 1pm-3pm

Friday 3rd June: The Scott Baylis Trio – Playing on the South Terrace from 1pm-3pm

Saturday 4th June: The Polka Dots – Playing on the South Terrace from 1pm-3pm

Sunday 5th June: Nick Crawford and band – Playing on the South Terrace from 2pm-4pm

Read about a trip we took to Polesden Lacey here.

Polesdon Lacey {National Trust}

Morden Hall Park

Bee Quest Trail – 28th May 2022 to 10th September 2022 – £3 per trail

How much do you know about bees? Follow the self-led trail to decipher the codes, learn more about bees and complete the Bee Quest!

Read about a day we spent at Morden Hall Park here


Days Out with Half Term Activities in Surrey

Kew Gardens

Food Forever Weekends – Every weekend, 21 May to 18 September 2022

Each weekend throughout Food Forever, join drop-in workshops and activities led by inspiring artists and creatives at the Food Forever Corner.

You can read about a day at Kew Gardens here

A Gruffalo Adventure at Kew Gardens

Hampton Court

Jubilee Joust – Wednesday 1 June – Sunday 5 June

Experience the thrill of the tournament as the country’s greatest knights battle it out to be crowned champion of the Jubilee Joust.

Read about a day we spent at Hampton Court here.

A Family Trip to Hampton Court Palace

Denbies Vineyard

Children’s Nature Train Ride – 30 May 2022 to 3 June 2022 at 10am – £8.95 per child (under 12 months free of charge) £6.95 Adults

Enjoy a journey on the outdoor train learning about nature activity in the vineyard. Taking place on the outdoor Vineyard Train, warm clothing recommended.


Brooklands Museum

Jubilee Celebrations this May Half Term – 28 May 2022 -5 June 2022 – 10am to 5pm

This May half term visit Brooklands Museum to explore the science behind speed and aerodynamics! Have a go at building a mini car in a hands-on activity session before testing your car to see how fast it can go. There will also be pedal planes and cars, vintage car rides and the London Bus Museum will be operating bus rides around the local area.


Watts Gallery

Summer Half Term

Summer Make Space – 28 May 2022 – 5 June 2022 – Sessions at 10.30am – 11.30am, 1 – 2pm or 3 – 4pm – Age 5+ – £3 per child | Members £2 per child (accompanying adult free with admission)

Platinum Jubilee Lawn Party – Thursday 2 June 2022 – Sunday 5 June – 12 – 3pm – Free with admission

Join the lawn in the woodlands for an afternoon of picnics, games, activities and pop-up performances.


Chessington World of Adventures

MARDI GRRRA! – 27 May 2022 – 26 June 2022

The brand new family-fun street carnival with a WIIILD twist. Get ready to throw your beads in the air, because it’s time to hit the streets and bring on the celebrations at Mardi GRRRA! – new at Chessington for 2022.

You can read about a day we spent at Chessington here.


Thorpe Park

Mardi Gras – 19 May 2022 – 19 June 2022

Spice up your life as Thorpe Park Resort brings you a taste of New Orleans with the new Mardi Gras event! With Louisiana vibes, world-class rides, authentic street food and more beads than Mr T has gold chains, Mardi Gras is set to be the most exhilarating, fun-filled celebration you’ll attend this spring.

You can read about a day we spent at Thorpe Park here

Our first Family Visit to Thorpe Park - and Digi-Pass!

Gatton Park

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee – Picnic in the Park – Sunday 5th June 2022 – 12pm – 5pm – £6 per adult entry, children go free

Mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee at Gatton Park.  Enjoy commemorative events for the whole family and a picnic in front of Gatton Hall, on the lakeside or Japanese Gardens.  Picnic food, cakes, refreshments and ices available to buy.

Read about a trip we took to Gatton Park here.

Visiting Gatton Park with Kids

Godstone Farm

Farmyard Antics – 28 May 2022 to 5 June 2022.

Help to keep the animals happy and healthy during May half term as you experience life as a farmer! Fill buckets, muck out straw and get stuck right in! With over 500 animals, an exciting indoor play barn and outdoor play areas there’s plenty of fun to be had at the farm.

You can read about our visit to Godstone Farm here

Visiting Godstone Farm After Lockdown

Birdworld

Zoobilee – 28 May 2022 to 5 June 2022

Celebrating the first ever Royal Platinum Jubilee at Birdworld’s ZOObilee! There’s a whole selection of events for you and the family to get involved with this May Half Term!

  • Grab a free ZOObilee Activity Booklet on arrival
  • Learn more about our animals and hunt down Birdworld’s Crown Jewels with the ZOObilee trail
  • Join the Goats and other animals with daily tea parties
  • Visit the ZOObilee Marquee for a Royal Selfie

You can read about a visit we made to Birdworld here


Syon Park

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee – Sunday 5th June 2022

To celebrate the 70th year of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, visit Syon Park and have a picnic in the gardens! Entry to the gardens is free on Sunday 5th June! 

You can read about our trip to Syon Park here.

A Rainy Day at Syon Park - Middlesex

RHS Garden Wisley

May Half Term – Super Bees – 28 May 2022 to 5 June 2022 – 10am – 5pm

Create a buzz this May half term and learn how to encourage bees into your garden. There will be a garden trail, daily activities and interactive performances to help you discover more about your garden visitors.


Bocketts Farm

Superheroes Week – 28 May 2022 – 5 June 2022

  • Learn superhero skills at the superhero academy with live shows daily
  • Create a superhero badge and mask
  • Enjoy the bubble diso
  • Meet birds of prey
  • Pan for gold

You can read about our trip to Bocketts Farm here

A Birthday Day Out at Bocketts Farm Park

Treasure Trails

If you want to get outside but you don’t really know where, we love Treasure Trails. It’s an adventure that the whole family can get involved in. Solve a mystery, save the day or be a spy! It’s great fun and we always really enjoy it. Here are some of the Surrey Treasure Trails – you can see the full list here.

You can read about one of our Treasure Trail adventures here.

Going on an Adventure with Treasure Trails

Theatre Shows

Going to the theatre is a great activity that the whole family will enjoy and Surrey has a lot of great theatres to really make the most of. Here are the family shows on during May half term:

Painshill Park Outdoor Theatre

Peter Pan By J.M. Barrie – 2 June 2022 – 1hr 40mins with 20 minute interval – Suitable for age 5+

Rose Theatre Kingston

Oi Frog and Friends! Live on Stage – 31 May 2022 – 4 June 2022 – 55 minutes, no interval, best suited to age 3+


Yvonne Arnaud Theatre

In The Night Garden Live – 3 June 2022 – 4 June 2022 – Approximately 55 minutes with no interval.

Read our review of In The Night Garden Live here.

Review: In the Night Garden Live

Harlequin Theatre Redhill

Fartology – 30 May 2022 – 1 hour, no interval

Pop Divas Live – 31 May 2022 – 2 hours with interval.

Read our review of Pop Divas Live here.

The Wizard of Oz – 1st June 2022 – 2 hours with interval


Camberley Theatre

Rapunzel – 29 May 2022

The Little Mix Show – 21 May 2022


Indoor Activities Surrey

If the weather isn’t great over half term then you may want to do something indoors that still gets you out of the house. Here are some ideas:

Leisure Centres in Surrey

Leisure centres can be a fantastic place to spend time as a family and they’ve come far over recent times, now having so much more than just swimming pools. Many have indoor climbing facilities, soft play centres and even trampoline parks within them! Here are all the ones in Surrey to choose from:

You can read about out climbing experience at Places Leisure Camberley here


Roller Skating in Surrey

If your children love to skate then you may want to find a skating session or a skate park where they can practice their skills and meet new people too. This post may help:

Where to go Roller Skating in Surrey 2022


Trampoline Parks in Surrey

Trampolining is a fantastic activity that children love and it’s perfect for a wet weather day. Here are the trampoline parks in Surrey – and many of the leisure centres above offer trampolining classes too. It’s great fun for all ages.

You can read more about trampolining options in Surrey here


Soft Play and Indoor Play Centres in Surrey

Soft play and other indoor play centres are fantastic for children and are great for bad weather days too. We have so many great indoor activity hubs in Surrey from typical soft play centres to role play dressing up experiences.

You can read more about indoor play centres and soft play in Surrey here

Review: Our New Favourite Place - Little Street!

Shopping Centres in Surrey

Shopping centres are a great place to spend time. You can wander round the shops, grab some lunch and there are often organised activities and events in to make the most of as well.


Pottery Painting in Surrey

Pottery painting is a fantastic activity for the whole family as well as being a calm and relaxed experience. Children of all ages will love it and it’s so nice to have something to take away with you afterwards – or pick up a few days later when it’s been fired! Here are our Surrey pottery painting destinations.

Discovering Mrs Potts' Place - Camberley

Bowling in Surrey

Bowling is another great activity for the whole family and perfect when the weather isn’t great. Here are the Surrey bowling alleys to choose from.


Laser Tag in Surrey

Laser Tag was such a new thing when I was a child but they’ve grown massively in popularity over recent years and now laser centres are everywhere. Here are both indoor and outdoor laser tag sites across Surrey.

You can read more about Laser Tag options in Surrey here


Climbing Centres and Aerial Adventures in Surrey

Climbing is another great family activity and we have so many centres across the county – plus those included in the leisure centres above. Here are some more indoor and outdoor centres to give you some climbing inspiration.

We’ve written more about climbing centres in Surrey here


Cinemas in Surrey

Most cinemas have reduced tickets at weekends and in school holidays, a great budget activity that the whole family can enjoy together

VueMini Mornings – Camberley – Croydon – Staines

At Vue’s Mini Mornings you can see the best kids and family films from only £2.49 each. Mini Mornings run every Saturday and Sunday morning from 10am plus every day in the school holidays.

OdeonOdeon Kids – Kingston – Epsom – Guildford

With special Odeon Kids screenings of the most spellbinding fairy tales and animated films, grown-ups pay kids’ ticket prices, making it a great value day out for the whole family.

There are many other cinemas in Surrey – Everyman, Empire and Harlequin to name a few, but they all seem to have the same ticket prices and offerings during school holidays.


Holiday Clubs and Camps in Surrey

If you need to work over the holidays and need childcare then holiday clubs are a really popular idea – and there are so many across Surrey that you’re bound to find one perfect for your children that’s close to where you live or work. This post may be helpful:

School Holiday Clubs in Surrey

I’ve also put some of our top choices for May half term below:

Young Magicians Workshop

Where: G Live Guildford

When: Tuesday 31st May 2022 – 10am to 4pm

Ages: 7-12 year olds

Abracadabra! It’s time to learn all the secrets of up close and tabletop magic with Ketsys Young Magicians. Learn brilliant new magic tricks that will amaze all of your family and friends in this one-day introduction to magic for any aspiring performer.

Ketsys Young Magicians

Create Your Own Comic

Where: G Live Guildford

When: Wednesday 1st June 2022 – 10am to 4pm

Ages: 7-12 year olds

Learn how to draw a variety of weird and wonderful sea creatures – Goblin sharks, yeti crabs, vampire squids and more! Then combine different underwater animals to create your own crazy characters and their underwater realms. Join illustrator Aaron Blecha, as we take a deep dive into Sea Creature Creation. You’ll also receive your very own sketch, drawn by Aaron himself!

Create Your Own Comic

Woking Leisure Centre Holiday Camp

Where: Woking Leisure Centre

When: 9am – 3:30pm with extended hours available

Ages: 4 – 13 year olds

Sports, games, arts & crafts, competitions and more. The holiday camps are jam packed with exciting things to keep kids active and entertained during the holidays – it’s cool, it’s fun, and definitely not boring!


YMCA East Surrey Holiday Club

Where: YMCA Sports and Community Centre, Redhill

When: Monday 30 May 2022 – Wednesday 1 June 2022 – 08:00-08:30 to 4pm or 6pm

Ages: 4-12 year olds

The focus is on having fun in a warm and welcoming environment while learning new skills and enjoying a range of activities including sports, crafts and games. Children have access to a new outdoor play area, a fantastic sports hall and dedicated children’s activity rooms.


Explore Activity Centre Activity Camp

Where: The Quays, Coleford Bridge Road, Mytchett, Surrey, GU16 6DS

When: Monday 30 May 2022 – Wednesday 1 June 2022 – 9am-5pm

Ages: 7+

Mainly land based bush craft activities. These include making bow and arrows, crafting wooden mallets, as well as cooking chocolate baked bananas, toasting marshmallows and drinking hot chocolate along with many other land based activities like obstacle courses, orienteering, team games and shelter building.


Koosa Kids

Where: Ashford Park Primary School, Ashford – Danetree Primary School, West Ewell – Knaphill Lower School, Woking – Manby Lodge Infant School, Weybridge – St Edmund’s Primary School, Godalming – St Joseph’s Primary School, Guildford

When: Monday 30 May 2022 – Wednesday 1 June 2022

Ages: 4 – 13 year olds

Experience all the fun and excitement of a Royal Celebration with KOOSA Kids May Half Term Holiday Clubs. With a mixture of active and non-active games and activities, the Winter Olympics Spectacular caters for all tastes and interests. 


CASA Clubs

Where: St Polycarp’s, Farnham – South Camberley Juniors, Camberley – Lakeside Primary School, Frimley

When: Monday 30 May 2022 – Wednesday 1 June 2022 – 10am to 4pm or 8am to 6pm

Ages: 4 to 12 year olds

The daily activity programme incorporates a balance of sports activities, creative fun and messy play with ‘chill out’ time, competitions, challenges and theme days. Activities include: Crossbow Challenge, Archery, Messy Play, Free Play, Water Play, Arts and Crafts, Sports, Cookery, team games, dress up Fridays, parachute games and more.


Ultimate Activity Camps

Where: Prior’s Field School, Godalming – Amesbury School, Haslemere – Holy Cross Prep School, Kingston – Manor House School, Bookham – Lingfield College, Lingfield – Surbiton High School, Surbiton – Hinchley Wood Sports Ground – Sutton High, Sutton –

When: Most school holidays Check website for dates

Ages: 4 – 14 year olds

At Ultimate Activity Camps, children will enjoy a fantastic range of sports, games and art activities every week led by engaging staff at amazing locations. Fun is at the heart of everything they do.


Fit For Sport

Where: Places Leisure, Camberley – Westcroft Leisure Centre, Carshalton

When: Monday 30 May 2022 – Wednesday 1 June 2022

Ages: 4 to 12 year olds

Fit For Sport’s holiday camps have been running for over 30 years and are designed to engage all children through multi-sports, games, arts and crafts and more so that they can make friends and keep active throughout the holiday.

You can read our Fit For Sport review here.


Premier Education Holiday Camps

Where: Twickenham Preparatory School, Hampton – Elmbridge Xcel Leisure complex, Walton – Our Lady of the Rosary RC Primary School, Staines – Walsh CofE Junior School, Ash –

When: Monday 30 May 2022 – Wednesday 1 June 2022

Ages: 4 to 12 year olds

Premier Education have a range of fun and exciting holiday camps to keep children active. Each Holiday Camp features a range of activities and with a choice between a Multi-Activity camp, Multi-Sport camp, Performing Arts camp, or a Sport-Specific camp.


I hope that’s given you some inspiration for family friendly things to do over the May half term holidays before the kids are back at school for the last half term of the year. I’ll add more suggestions as I come across them and if you know of anything going on in Surrey that I’ve missed please do get in touch and let me know.

May Half Term in Surrey

Leave a comment