20 fun things to do in May with your family

Where: Brixham, South Devon, Brixhampiratefestival.co.uk

When: 6 May

Join in the swashbuckling pirate festival around the harbour and town. There’s live music, games, re-enactments and if you dress up as a pirate, you can join in an attempt to break the World Record for the most pirates in one gathering.  Dig out a pirate style hat or bandana, eye patch, sword, an eye patch (and wear your nastiest snarl, too, of course).

Cost: Free

Where: Delamere Forest, Cheshire, Spellboundforest.org.uk

When: 19 & 20 May       

Wild Rumpus & the Forestry Commission invite you and your family to step into The Spellbound Forest. Three twisting paths through the forest tell English Fairy Tales through theatrical performance, music, visual art and dance. Lose yourself in the enchanted world and meet characters and challenges along the path.

Cost: Adult: £12.50, Child: £7.50

Where: Theatres in Plymouth, Blackpool, Cardiff, Swallowsamazons.co.uk

When: Until May 19

Follow Captain John and his able crew as they set sail to wildcat island on an adventure to encounter savages, capture dastardly pirates and defeat mortal enemies. Tom Morris, who co-directed smash hit War Horse, directs this action packed musical based on Arthur Ransome’s classic book. With music by Neil Hannon from The Divine Comedy.

Cost: See website for venue ticket costs

Where: Five Sisters Zoo, West Lothian, Fivesisterszoo.co.uk

When: May onwards

Three very special new inhabitants arrived at the zoo last month. Peggy, Suzy and Carmen are former circus bears, rescued from Belgium where they were living in cages not much bigger than themselves. The zoo has been busily saving money to rehome them in a beautiful purpose built woodland area and now they’ve happily settled into their new home. Visitors to the zoo can also get close to a range of creatures including meerkats, pythons and tarantulas, plus there’s a soft play area, outdoor castle and pirate ship.

Cost: Adult: £7.95, Child: £5.95. Family tickets available

Where: La Tasca restaurants nationwide, Latascakitchen.co.uk

When: May onwards

Now kids get their own loyalty card! Pick up a kids’ passport from your nearest Spanish tapas bar La Tasca and get it stamped each time you visit. Three stamps gets your tot a free drink and six stamps = a free t-shirt. The kids’ new tapas menu includes three mini tapas (choose from chicken croquettes, meatballs, pork ribs, paella and more), a dessert, drink, plus crunchy vegetable sticks on the side.

Cost: Passports are free, kids’ tapas meal: £5.95

Where: Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, Blenheimpalace.com

When: 5-7 May

Join the ‘Knights of Royal England’ on Blenheim Palace’s South Lawn to watch a spectacular jousting tournament. The weekend will be packed with knights charging on horseback, falconry displays and the chance to have a go at archery.

Cost: Admission to Park & Gardens (including the jousting tournament) Adults: £11.50, Children: £6 Small extra charge for archery.

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Where: Earl’s Court Two, London, Londonpetshow.co.uk

When: 12-13 May

Wondering what pet to get? Or just love all things animal? Then enter a world of all creatures great and small in the UK’s largest pet show. The event has four zones - dogs, cats, small furries and exotics & qquatics - each with its own live, interactive feature areas, talks and activities focused on pet care and what breed is right for different lifestyles.  There are also exciting animal displays such as duck herding, rabbit show-jumping (yes, you heard right) and dog heelwork to music. Bless!

Cost: Adults: £13, Children over five: £9

Where: Nationwide, including Northampton, Swansea, Inverness, Stevebackshall.com

When: From 31 May, through June & July

Fearless wildlife expert and popular kids’ TV presenter Steve Backshall (Deadly 60, Live and Deadly, Deadly 360) is touring theatres from the end of this month in his show ‘A Wild Life’. The illustrated talk will include tales from his worldwide expeditions, encounters with wild wonders such as boxing mantis shrimp and charging tigers and film clips of the animals that have inspired him, plus an opportunity for audience Q&As. The tour also marks the publication of his first children’s novel, Tiger Wars, published by Orion Books, £9.99.

Cost: See website for nearest venue and ticket costs

Where: Norwich and Norfolk Festival, Nnfestival.org.uk

When: 12-20 May, various times, see website

Catch the UK premiere of Australian company Erth’s Dinosaur Petting Zoo. It’s your child’s first chance in 65 million years to get up close and personal with a dinosaur  - helping to feed, water and care-for prehistoric marvels. Prepare to be growled at and caught off guard too!

Cost: Free

Where: NEC, Birmingham,  Grassrootsfootball.co.uk

When: 25-27 May

The biggest football event of its kind in Europe, this is one for all budding Rooneys and Ronaldos. An action packed weekend of football with sessions from elite coaches, theatre, interactive entertainment, Q & A sessions, kickabout areas plus exhibition and shopping opps too.

Cost: Adults: £10, Children: £5

Where: Peterborough Arena, Trebleaceevents.co.uk

When: 12-13 May

A two day event for fans of Sci-Fi, Cult film and TV, featuring Torchwood stars including John Barrowman, Philip Glenister from Ashes to Ashes, costumed starts from Star Trek, Star Wars, Predator and more. There’ll be stage shows, talks, interviews and the chance to get papped with your favourites.

Cost: Ticket prices vary from free entry for children under 14 and £11 for adults. See website for full details

Where: Braunton, north Devon, Museumofbritishsurfing.org.uk

When: Through May

Check out the history of surfing, surfboards, wetsuits and more at the newly opened museum paying homage to all things surf-dude, man.

Cost: Adults: £3.75, Children: £2.75

Where: The O2, London, then touring the country afterwards, Facebook.com/ColgateKeepingBritainSmiling

When: 2-27 May

Step into the unique world of your mouth and learn all about the history of dental hygiene. Did you know that the ancient Egyptians used toothpaste made of vinegar and powdered pumice stone or that goats’ feet helped keep the Ancient Greeks gums healthy? Or that - wait for it - the Romans rinsed with human urine to keep their teeth white. Figure out “Clever Mouth Myth Busters,” and discover the “Ingenious Innovations” that are currently being researched for exciting advances in the future of dentistry.

Cost: Free

Where: Sarehole Mill, Birmingham, Middleearthweekend.org.uk

When: 19-20 May

Calling all elves, orcs and goblins. It’s The Hobbit’s 75th anniversary and to celebrate, there’s free admission to Sarehole Mill. As well as archery, drama, battle re-enactments, medieval craft displays and dragon shows there’s an exhibition which includes copies of Tolkien's own illustrations, displays on how the wider Birmingham area influenced his work and a specially commissioned short film about Tolkien's life in the city. Highlights also include a barefoot walk and climbing wall. Visitors are invited to come along in Lord of the Rings and Hobbit inspired costume. For ideas on dress, visit the website.

Cost: Entry is free, though some events will incur a cost

Where: Various Theatres including London, Edinburgh, Bristol, Sheffield, Breakinconvention.com

When: 5 May - 2 June

The international festival of hip hop dance theatre is back on tour with a line-up of jaw dropping performances by international and local dance crews. Go to be inspired. Arrive early to enjoy demos in the foyer.

Cost: Ticket prices vary from venue to venue, see website

Where: Luton Hoo Walled Garden, Luton, Beds, Lutonhoo-walledgarden.co.uk

When: 20 May

The first Luton Hoo Children’s Book Festival is themed to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Frances Hodgson Burnett's book The Secret Garden. Meet authors Justin Stomper (Vampirates) Cressida Cowell (How to Train Your Dragon) and more plus be inspired by illustrators, listen to stories, create your own masterpiece and hunt for mystical golden armour.

Cost: Entry is £5 (under 5s free) and author talks and other events are £2 each, booked in advance.

Where: New Art Exchange, Nottingham, Nae.org.uk

When: 19 May

Dress up as your favourite superhero, tuck into superhero themed goodies in the café, get your action-photo taken against a fabulous set, explore your own super powers through dance, animation and poetry workshops and watch a special screening of Spider-Man 2 - those in costume get a free cinema goodie bag.

Cost: Free (Prior booking is required)

Where: Isle of Wight, Isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk

When: 5-20 May

Join in the UK’s largest walking festival – even the kids won’t moan at the idea of a Fossil Hunt Walk, Troll Trail Family Quest or a Wild Wood Walk & Scavenger Hunt. There’s a Story walk (dress up as a prince or princess) or Pram & Toddler walk too.

Cost: Some walk are free, others incur charges
 

Where: The Big Welsh Coastal Walk, Cardiff, Aberystwyth and Flint, Ramblers.org.uk

When: 5 May

Join in one of a series of Ramblers Cymru walks to coincide with the opening of the Wales Coast Path (a continuous walking path around the country). Even if you don’t want to join in the walks, you’ll enjoy the community events arranged to celebrate the opening of the path, with lots of children’s entertainment such as magic workshops and story-telling.

Cost: Walks are free but online registration with the guides is essential.
 

Where: Bath, Kempton Park, Salisbury and more, Lovetheraces.com

When: Various dates in May

Place your bets at a special Family Day at various racecourses through the UK. As well as the usual excitement of the chase, the events can include anything from meeting horses up-close-and-personal, to puppet shows and fairground rides.

Cost: Various prices, but children go free