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Things to do during May half term 2019 in Preston

Posted on - 14th May, 2019 - 12:00pm | Author - | Posted in - Arts, Brockholes, Kid's stuff, Parks, Things to Do in and around Preston, What's On in Preston
The Harris Museum and Art Gallery is just one of the venues holding events during half-term Pic: Tony Worrall
The Harris Museum and Art Gallery is just one of the venues holding events during half-term Pic: Tony Worrall

It may seem like the kids were only just off school for Easter but May half term is nearly upon us!

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Most schools still have one week off but others have now introduced a fortnights holiday.

Here’s hoping the weather is on our side, but if not, we’ve compiled a list that should give you the option of enjoying both indoor and outdoor activities.

The Harris Museum and Art gallery – 18 May – 08 June

The Harris Museum and Art gallery has a few different events to suit all ages. 

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Saturday Art Club is back with a special two-day printing workshop, suitable for ages 8-12 years.              

It takes place on Saturday 18 May and Saturday 25 May at 10am-3pm, booking is essential and there is a cost of £10 to cover both days.

A Detective Science Workshop suitable for ages 8-12 years takes place on Wednesday 29 May at both 11am and 1pm.           

It helps kids become familiar with many of the scientific components used to solve crimes. Booking is again essential and there is a cost of £5.

Author of The Boy at the Back of the Class, Onjali Rauf will be reading from her book at the Harris on Saturday 8 June at 11:00am – 12:30pm & 1:30pm – 3pm. Onjali is the winner of The Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2019 and Blue Peter Book Award 2019. There is a small charge of £2.60 for the talk and book signing.

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All events at the Harris can be booked via the Eventbrite link.

Brockholes Nature Reserve – 25 May – 02 June

Brockholes nature reserve
Brockholes Nature Reserve Pic: Sonia Bashir

Brockholes Nature Reserve has lots of half term events taking place.

The Brockness Monster Weekend of Pond Dipping for is for children and adults to enjoy and takes place on Saturday the 25th, Sunday the 26th, Monday the 27th and Wednesday the 29th of May.

Pond Dipping sessions are £2 per person and 30 minutes long and take place at 11.00am, 11.45am, 12.30pm, 2.00pm, 2.45pm.

Craft activities with a watery theme to mark the start of the 2019 pond dipping season take place on Saturday the 25th, Sunday the 26th and Monday the 27th of May.

There is no need to book for the craft activities, just drop in between 10.00am – 12.00 and 1.00pm – 4.00pm.

The Xplorer Challenge is back. Brought to you in partnership with British Orienteering, Xplorer is the perfect outdoor activity explore Brockholes, find the themed markers, complete the challenge, have fun together!

This activity takes place every day from Saturday the 25th of May until June the 2nd from 10:00am until 4:00pm. There is a £3 charge per map pack.

Wildside is Lancashire Wildlife Trust’s Outdoor Adventure Club for children aged 8 – 14 years.

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Wildside activities vary each day, but may include activities such as shelter building, fire lighting, woodland games, minibeast hunting etc. It’s a chance to get outside, go wild and have an adventure this school holiday!
The session runs from 9.30am – 4.00pm but can be extended until 5.30pm (for an extra charge). Prices start from £17.50.

Forest School Family Fun is on Thursday 30 May from 2pm – 4pm. This session is an opportunity for families to experience a Forest School session together at Brockholes. The sessions will include an environmental activity, snack time in the woodland (included in ticket) and an opportunity for play and discovery. Children must be accompanied by an adult with a ticket, charges start from £5 per individual and £18 per family. Under 2’s are free of charge but must book a ticket.

Wild Families is on Friday 31 May between 2pm and 4pm, activities are designed to get the whole family outside and working together. Activities will include building Toad Hall, creating a boat for Ratty, Mole mud castles and much more. Children must be accompanied by an adult with a ticket, charges start from £5 per individual and £18 per family. Under 2’s are free of charge but must book a ticket.

Tickets for all the events can be bought via this website.

Ribble Steam Railway – 25 – 27 May

Ribble Steam Railway are hosting a Bank Holiday Teddy Weekend.

You and your furry friend can visit the museum, workshop, cafe and be treated to unlimited train rides. There will also be free face painting, balloon animals and a new playground.

Day tickets include entry to the museum, workshop and unlimited train rides and cost adults £8.00 and children £5.00.

Under 3’s go in for free and there is also a family ticket available for (2 adults, 2 children) for £23.00.

Guys Thatched Hamlet – 26 May – 03 June

Bubble & Bounce Inflatable Hamlet is a field of over 20 giant inflatables: giant slides, ball ponds, moon walk, farmyard adventures etc including childrens rides.

Sessions start on the hour every hour. Open from 10am with the last entry at 5pm.

Admission is £5 per child and is aimed at toddlers to 14 years. Taking place at Guys Thatched Hamlet from 10am – 5pm.

Cuerden Valley Park – 26 May – 01 June

Cuerden Valley Fair takes place on the 26th of May from 10-4pm.
Fun activities for all the family include animals, rides, food stalls, music, entertainers, craft stalls and lots more. 

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Adult tickets are priced at £5, children £3 and a family ticket for 2 adults and 2 children costs £10.

Bookings are now being taken for the popular Forest Schools on Thursday 29 May 10am-3pm.

Activities include playing games, making dens and shelters, having a camp fire with tasty treats, exploring the wonderful nature in the Park and making things from natural materials. The sessions will be run by Simon Moorhouse from Wood Sage. The cost is £20 per child, per day, ages 5-11.

Astral Circus takes place at the Park on the 31st of May and 1st of June. The traditional circus features acts to entertain the whole family.
Tickets for adults cost £7, children £5 and under 3’s go free.
Times for both days are: 1:30, 4:00 & 7:30 pm.

Book tickets for the forest school and circus via buytickets.at/CuerdenValley

Samlesbury Hall – 27 May – 30 May

Salmesbury Hall will host lots

Entertain the kids at Samlesbury Hall with a week of FREE activities.
Betsy Bumblebee is back with her stories and you can also find clues around the Hall to complete a quiz. Tickets are not required but please be aware that places can’t be guaranteed. Taking place from Monday the 27th until Thursday the 30th of May at 11am and 12pm.

Preston Guild Hall – 29 May

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly takes place for one day only at the Guild Hall.

From the creators of Don’t Dribble On The Dragon, the magical show has been written especially for grown ups to enjoy with their young children.
Tickets start from £13 for the Wednesday 29 May, 2.30pm show and can be booked via the theatre’s website.

Read more: See what’s on in Preston

Barton Grange Garden Centre – 30 – 31 May

Get creative and decorate your very own Ceramic Flowerpot at Barton Grange Garden Centre on thursday the 31st of May. There are different shaped pots to choose from including hedgehogs, wellington boots and more!

The workshops will take place at: 11:00am, 11:30am, 12:00noon, 12:30pm, 1:00pm, 1:30pm, 2:00pm and 2:30pm.

Places are limited to 8 children in each workshop and children must be over the age of 3.

Each session costs £3.50 and must be booked by calling the centre on 01995 642980.

The North West Air Ambulance takes place on Friday the 31 May between 10 and 4 pm.

There will be a colouring in table for the children and opportunities to test your CPR skills with the latest training equipment that will give you a score and you might just get the chance to meet the NWAA mascot ‘Paramedic Pup’!

Although this is a free event, donations are welcomed.

Avenham and Miller Parks – 31 May

Explore the park and follow the map to find the markers. This time the Xplorer is attempting to break the record for the most amount of people taking part in the family navigational challenge!

This is a free event on between 10:00am – 4:00pm but to take part you must register and collect your map from the Pavilion Cafe on the day.

Preston Flag Market – 01 June

Summer Saturdays are back for 2019! Each Saturday will see a new and exciting free event around the city centre.

On Saturday the 1st of June between 12pm-4pm, Jazz in the City takes place at the Flag Market, Preston Markets and the Harris.

As part of the Preston Jazz and Improvisation Festival, you can expect top jazz performances and improvisational events, that include Shade of Dango, Aziz Ibrahim, and the Worldwise Samba Drummers.

Read more: Here’s everything on the Flag Market for this year’s Summer Saturdays

Hoghton Tower – 02 June

Supercar Showtime takes place at Hoghton Tower on Sunday 2nd June 11am to 3pm.

Tickets must be booked and cost £5 per person, children under 16s go free. Supercar enthusiasts from all over the North West come together in an exclusive event to raise money for the ongoing care and activities of children, young adults and families supported by Derian House Children’s Hospice in Chorley.

What are your plans for half term? Let us know if we’ve missed off your event by adding it to the comments below:

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