Top eleven things to do in and around Exeter during May Half Term 2018

How is it nearly May Half term? I feel like it was just yesterday that I was buying my little ones very first school shoes and now all of a sudden she’s got half a term of Year One left. How did that happen?

If you are anything like me, you like to have a good plan of action, full of activities to see you through the school holidays. As always in Exeter there’s a huge range of fun events to choose from this half term, which is fab but can sometimes be a little overwhelming to know what to pick…don’t worry though,I’ve done the hard work for you, here’s my round-up of what I think will be the 11 best activities during the week.

 

1. Alfie’s Night out

The RAMM is always a favourite activity in our family and they’ve got some cracking exhibitions at the moment. They are celebrating their 150th year anniversary and so have some rather special things happening. As part of the celebrations, they have had a children’s storybook created by illustrator Victoria Byron.

The book is about Alfie, a sparrow who sits amongst the other birds in the gallery. One night, when the visitors have all left, something magical happens: the museum comes alive and Alfie goes exploring.

There are some beautiful and colourful illustrations of some of the museum’s well-known objects and the book takes children on a wonderful tour of RAMM. The exhibition includes original illustrations from the book as well as Victoria’s sketchbooks, showing her inspiration and creative process.

There is a special trail leaflet you can pick up from reception to follow around the museum and there are all also various other opportunities to read and tell stories.

Cost: Entry to the museum is free!

Age: Suitable for all ages.

Date: Anytime during half term (the museum is closed on Sundays and Mondays)

Venue: The Ramm, Queen Street. Exeter

 

2. Double Elephant Children’s Printmaking Workshop Monday 28th May

Just before half term, it is Exeter Art Week and there are LOADS of fab activities on (find the full programme here)

DoubleElephant are offering some free drop-in sessions to see their workshop and have a quick go and are also offering some longer, paid for, workshops. They’ve got two children specific workshops on the Monday of half term for children aged 7-12 (must bring along an adult).

Cost: £10 per child

Age: 7-12-year-olds

Time:  10-11:30 and 12-1:30

Venue: Double Elephant Workshop, the lower ground floor of The Phoenix

 

3. Exeter University Concert Band Annual Concert on the Quay

On Saturday, May 26th join Exeter Universities Concert band for their annual concert on the Quay. They will be playing some of their favourites from the past year including songs from Doctor Who and Moana.

Cost: Absolutely Free

Age: Everyone!

Date: Saturday, May 26th 1-2:30.

Venue: Quayside

 

4. Little Rebels indie disco

Love Music, but the concert band not quite your thing?  Well at the same time, but in a different place, you can introduce your little ones to your favourite 90’s indie and Britpop hits!  There will be a dancefloor, crafting, facepainting and more along with an open bar.

Cost: £9 per ticket (under 2’s free)

Age:  Everyone

Date: Saturday, May 26th 1 pm

Venue: Exeter Corn Exchange.

 

5. Kids TV week at Crealy

 

Everybody loves a trip to Crealy and each holiday they pull out the stops to bring something a little extra. This half term its Kids TV week. Each day there will be special guest visitors from different kids TV shows. Check out the Crealy page to find out which day your favourite characters might be about.

Costs: Tickets vary depending on visitors age ( A family ticket is around £40)

Age: Suitable for all the family.

Date: The park is open 10:00-5:30 daily.

Venue: Crealy Adventure Park, just minutes from J30 of the M5.

 

6. Killerton Half Term Wildlife Trail

Killerton is a National Trust estate just outside Exeter. It has lots of parkland for the kids to run, explore and play in. It has a couple of park areas, a coffee shop and the main house on the estate has some awesome exhibitions.

During half term the is a wildlife trail they takes you out into the Parkland and around the estate and helps you discover what variety of wildlife they have there.

Cost: There is no extra cost for the trail, but normal day admission costs apply- find out more here.

Age: Suitable for all the family.

Date: The estate is open 10:00-4:00 Daily.

Venue: Killerton Estate, Broadclyst, EX5 3LE

 

7. Kids Animation Mix and Match Workshop

A two-hour workshop for kids age 5-11. Similar to body flipbooks, the children will be provided with basic templates of different parts of the body (head, torso & legs) on to which they can design and colour their own different monsters or characters. This can then be mixed up to create something completely new! Afterwards, the puppet can be animated and filmed to do simple motions or movements.

Children will be able to take their designs home with them and adults are welcome to stay with their children.

There is also felt making and mask making workshops later on in the week.

Cost: £14 per child

Age: 5-11-year-olds

Date: Tuesday 29th May, 10:30-12:20

Venue: The Phoenix, Gandy street

 

8. Devon Wildlife Trust Family Fun Nature Day at Meeth

Be prepared to walk, get muddy and explore at Meeth. A fun day for all the family to explore the wildlife and record important discoveries.

Spaces are limited and must be booked via the weblink above. You’ll need to take a packed lunch and come dressed for the weather.

Cost: £4 per child

Age: Most suited to aged 4 and above (though everyone is welcome)

Date: Wednesday 30th May 11:00-3:00

Venue: Meeth Quarry,  EX20 3ER

 

9. Topsham Outdoor Pool

If the weather continues to be oh so beautiful, then we recommend heading to Topsham outdoor pool for a dip and a fun day out.

Cost: £4 per adult £3 per child (under 2’s free)

Age: Everyone (children must be accompanied by an adult)

Date: Its open all half term but has different sessions across the week so do look on the website.

Venue: Topsham Pool, Fore Street, Topsham, EX3 OHF

 

10. Exmouth festival

Exmouth festival runs from Friday 25th May until Sunday 3rd June, so there is a LOT on over the whole week. We recommend you check out the full programme on the website to pick out the bits that suit your family best. Highlights include live music over the bank holiday weekend, and lost of fun circus skills workshops and family-friendly shows. There is also art and poetry workshops during the week.

Cost: Entry to the festival is completely free!

Age: Suitable for all ages

Date: Various events between Friday 25th May- Sunda,y June 3rd.

Venue: Exmouth – varying locations check out the website above to find out what’s happening when and where!

 

11. Dawlish Arts festival

Dawlish Arts festival runs from Saturday 26th May until Saturday 2nd June and just like Exmouth festival promises to be an awesome event. There are many events happening over the week and so its best to check out ttheirwebsite and see what you’d like to try and get to. There’s live music, workshops and shows. Every day there is an activity on the lawn aimed more specifically at children.

Two highlights for me would be:

Tuesday 29th (11-2pm): Devon Rocks & Stones on The Lawn

Adults and children are welcome to come along and decorate stones and hide them around the county for others to seek.

Wednesday 30th (11-2pm): Plastic Monster on The Lawn

Dawlish Against Plastic will be engaging with children and adults alike, to make a large plastic monster out of rubbish. This will signify the current struggles with plastics and how to reduce their usage.

Cost: lots of free events but some shows are ticketed at varying cost.

Age: Suitable for ages

Date: The festival runs from Saturday 26th May until Saturday 2nd June. Check out their website for moe specific timings for events.

Venue: Various venues around Dawlish.

 

Well, that’s our top tips for a fab half term. Whatever you get up to we hope it’s a great one and don’t forget to tell us what you get up to by tagging us in your pics online or using the hashtag #ExploringExeter.

Tags: Alfies night out, animation, crealy, dawlish arts festival, dawlish festival, devon rocks and stones, Devon Wildlife Trust, double elephant, Exeter Phoenix, exeter university, exmouth festival, little rebels, RAMM, royal albert memorial museum, topsham outdoor pool