What have you got planned for the Whitsun May bank holiday and half term? If you’re not yet sure there’s plenty going on in and around Cardiff to keep families entertained.

All eyes will be on Cardiff Bay this week as the Volvo Ocean Race Stopover arrives in Cardiff from Sunday 27 May until Sunday 10 June with a host of family activities. The circus is also in town with No Fit State presenting its contemporary creative look at the history of circus with Lexcicon (main photo); and Circus Vegas at Cardiff City Stadium until Sunday 3 June. Plus there’s plenty of theatre and performance; outdoor and historical events and much more. Details all this and more are below.

Please be aware that all events are subject to change or cancellation so do check ahead to avoid disappointment.

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REGULAR FAMILY EVENTS AND TODDLER DAYS

Sherman Storytime

Sherman Theatre, Cardiff

Mondays 4, 11, 18 and 25 June; 2 and 9 July 10.30am-12pm

£3.50 per child

Traditional storytelling, engaging games and activities combine in the Sherman’s weekly activity for under 5s. The cost includes a healthy snack and drink for the youngsters.

Baby and Toddler Tuesdays

Greenmeadow Community Farm, Cwmbran

Every Tuesday from 6 February until 27 November; 10am-5pm

£6.50 adults; £5.40 children 2-16; under 2s free; family 2+3 £23.50

As well as all the usual farm attractions there’s a range of music, craft and outdoor sessions for pre-schoolers (see website for timetable) all included in the regular admission cost. Read our review of what else to expect at Greenmeadow here.

FREE Toddler Time at the Play Lab

Big Pit National Coal Museum, Blaenavon

Wednesday 20 June and 18 July, 1.30pm-2.45pm

A new monthly session in the museum’s Play Lab will see plenty of themed activities and toys for little ones to enjoy as well as a story and rhyme time.

FREE Toddler Time 

National Museum Cardiff

Every Friday during term-time, 1.30pm-4pm

The museum welcomes pre-schoolers every Friday afternoon, with special boxes of toys, games and books hidden in different galleries to help parents and children explore the museum through play. Read our review of a previous  Toddler Time here.

Toddler Day – Marvellous Minibeasts

Techniquest, Cardiff Bay

Friday 8 June, 9.30am-4.30pm

(Plus Friday 6 July A Day At The Seaside)

Marvellous Mini Beasts is the theme this month as Cardiff Bay’s hands-on science centre opens its doors to the pre-schoolers of Cardiff and beyond. As well as more than 100 exhibits, you can expect mini beast-themed drawing, colouring and crafts, as well as story time and music sessions. Under 4s are free, with accompanying adults paying £5.50 entry. Read our review of a previous toddler day here.

FREE Dinky Dragons

Cardiff Story Museum, The Hayes, Cardiff

Friday 8 June, 10am-3pm

The Cardiff Story is a fascinating hands-on exhibition exploring the history of Cardiff. You can read our review here. The monthly Dinky Dragons free family days are great fun, taking place usually on the second Friday of each month, between 10am and 3pm. As well as the usual exhibits and dressing up clothes, there will be toys to play with, detective trails, crafts, messy play and rhyme time and story time at 11am and 1pm.

FREE Toddler Time 

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay

Fridays 22 June; 20 July; 14 September, 11am-2.30pm

Singing dancing playing and creating for pre-schoolers with a special programme of activities for little ones and their parents.

FREE Clore Explorers 

National Museum Cardiff

Saturdays and Sundays during term time, 2pm

Free workshops give families the chance to find out more about objects from the museum and take part in a crafty activity. Read our review of a previous session here.

FREE Family Saturdays

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay 

Saturdays, 11am-4pm

Drop in to enjoy some family-friendly arts and crafts in Wales Millennium Centre’s foyer, with a different theme every week.

FREE Super Saturdays 

National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon

Saturdays from, 11am-4pm

Every Saturday, visitors can discover what life was like for a soldier in the Roman army. Visit the reconstructed barrack room and learn more about the weapons and armour, as well as try on some replica armour. Families can also dress up and play games in the Capricorn Centre, a relaxed hands-on area of the museum. Both areas are closed on Sundays but are open during some school holidays. Read our review of the National Roman Legion Museum  plus other Roman sites in Caerleon here.

THEATRE AND PERFORMANCE 

Circus Vegas

Cardiff City Stadium, Sloper Road, Cardiff

Wednesday 23 May-Sunday 3 June

£12 – or get 2 for 1 at any performance by quoting Juggler when you call the box office on 07904428555
Circus Vegas arrives in the UK for its first full British tour. Housed inside its huge stars and stripes big top Circus Vegas merges all the elements of circus with all the glitz, glamour & spectacle that you would imagine when you think Vegas.

Lexicon – No Fit State Circus

Big Top Volvo Ocean Stopover, Cardiff Bay

Saturday 26 May-Saturday 9 June

Cardiff’s contemporary circus company presents a daring, seductive and utterly contemporary take on circus for a seated audience in the round. Drawing inspiration from circus history, heritage and traditions the performance excavates underground memories and celebrates the past, present and future of circus.

Art

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay

Monday 28 May-Saturday 2 June

Tickets from £14; age guidance 8+ (no under 2s)

Starring Nigel Havers, Denis Lawson and Stephen Tompkinson. Art is a phenomenon and one of the most successful plays ever. Having opened in 1996, it took both the West End and Broadway by storm, won Olivier, Tony, Moliere and every other major theatre award, and has been packing in audiences worldwide for more than twenty years. When Serge spends an extortionate amount of money on an all white modernist painting, his close friends Marc and Yvan are baffled. But does their violent reaction to this provocative canvas mirror more dangerous antagonisms towards each other? Yasmina Reza’s dazzling study of friendship, prejudice and tolerance is a masterpiece.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

New Theatre, Cardiff

Wednesday 30 May-Sunday 3 June 2018

Wednesday-Saturday 7.00pm; Wednesday-Sunday matinees 2.00pm

£14-£26

Cardiff’s amateur dramatic company Orbit present this stage adaptation of the beloved 1968 film of Ian Fleming’s children’s book. An eccentric inventor, Caractacus Potts sets about restoring an old racing car from a scrap heap with the help of his children Jeremy and Jemima. They soon discover the car has magical properties including the ability to float and take flight. Trouble occurs when the evil Baron Bomburst desires the magic car for himself.

Honk

Dinas Powys Parish Hall

Wednesday 30 May-Saturday 2 June, 7.30pm

Adults £9; children £7

Bilboard Ensemble Juniors present this musical comedy based on the Hans Christian Andersen story The Ugly Duckling.

There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly

The Riverfront, Newport

Wednesday 30 May at 3pm

£9; family of four £32; ages 2+

The People’s Theatre Company bring one of the world’s best loved nursery rhymes to life to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Pam Adams’ best-selling book. This magical show features a feast of sing a long songs, colourful animal characters and heart-warming family fun with songs in the show including If You’re Happy and You know It, Incy Wincy Spider and many more.

Tom Thumb

Sherman Theatre, Cardiff

Friday 1-Saturday 2 June

Friday 1.30pm and 4.30pm; Saturday 11.30am and 1.30pm

£9; running time 50 minutes

Tom shows everybody that even though he is small he is still mighty as he outwits his parents and the ogre, protects his brothers, finds the treasure and makes sure they’ll never be hungry again. CBeebies star Patrick Lynch brings this classic story to life in a playful and fascinating show which is performed entirely on and under a kitchen table.

The Snail and the Whale

Sherman Theatre, Cardiff

Tuesday 5 and Wednesday 6 June

Tuesday 4.30pm; Wednesday 10.30am and 4.30pm

£16; under 16s half price

Age guidance 4+; 55 minutes, no interval

The acclaimed Tall Stories theatre company present this stage adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s much-loved book. Longing to see the world, a tiny snail hitches a lift on the tail of a humpback whale. Together they go on an amazing adventure – but when the whale gets beached, how will the snail save him? Follow the tiny snail’s exciting journey, as seen through the eyes of an adventurous young girl and her seafaring father.

Alternative Routes

The Dance House, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay

Thursday 7-Saturday 9 June; 7.30pm

Tickets from £12

National Dance Company Wales anad designers from Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama come together to create four fresh dance works in which design is the beating heart, made by artists who have their finger on the pulse of Cardiff’s creative and collaborative culture.

Feast

Depot Construction House, 22 Dumballs Rd, Cardiff, CF10 5FE

Saturday 30 June-Wednesday 4 July

Saturday 11am; Sunday 11am, 2.30pm & 5pm; Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday 10am & 7pm

£10 adults; £8 children

The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama presents The Tragic History of the Troubled Rise and the Terrible Demise of the Greatest Chef the World Has Ever Known. A Faustian tale of fine dining and foolish choices, performed and created by the college’s puppeteers. Witness the troubled rise and terrible demise of one of the greatest chefs in the world, in a cautionary tale of greed, pride and devilishly good food!

Tickledom: Basil and the Ice Witch

New Theatre Cardiff

Tuesday 19-Saturday 23 June

Tuesday-Thursday 10am & 1.00pm; Friday 10am; Saturday 4.00pm

Running Time: 75mins; ages 3+; tickets frpm £15

Following the success of the previous Tickledom adventures this show is created by Welsh duo, John Manders (Book and Lyrics) and award winning composer Matthew Brind (Music and lyrics). It follows Princess Violet as she loses her knowledge of flowers, plants and herbs, Basil sets off on a perilous journey to discover the truth and find the mysterious Evergreen who he hopes can break the spell.

CULTURAL

FREE Wriggle – The Wonderful World of Worms 

National Museum Cardiff 

Until Sunday 3 June 2018

Last chance to see this exhibition which offers a fascinating look into the weird and wonderful world of worms, this has plenty of interactive exhibits, perfect for children. Read our review here. Please note the museum is not open on Mondays.

FREE Women In Focus

National Museum Cardiff

Saturday 5 May 2018-9 June 2019

A year-long exhibition that explores the role of women in photography, both as producers and subjects of images. The exhibition draws on works from the permanent photographic collections at Amgueddfa Cymru-National Museum Wales and comprises two parts:

Part One: Women Behind the Lens 5 May-11 November 2018

Part Two: Women in Front of the Lens 1 December 2018-9 June 2019

A summer of stories

Chepstow Castle Bank Holiday Monday 28 May; 11am-4pm

Tintern Abbey Tuesday 29 May; 11am-4pm

Castell Coch Wednesday 30 May; 11am-4pm

Adults £6.90; children £4.10; family £20

Caerleon Roman Fortress and Baths Thursday 31 May; 11am-4pm; FREE

Blaenavon Ironworks Friday 1 June; 11am-4pm; FREE

Summer of Stories is a celebration of Wales’s oral traditions, held across several Cadw sites. Listen to stories based on historical characters, legends and myths from across Wales.

Each story can last up to 30 minutes. No booking required.

Beyond The Border Festival 2018

St Donats Castle

Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 June 9.30am-10pm

Weekend tickets – adult £75; children £55; family £210

Saturday or Sunday only – adult £45; children £30; family £125.

Daytime family ticket 11am-6pm £55

Open air ticket (limited access) adult £10; children £5

Celebrating 25 years of the international storytelling festival expect fables and myths, music and magic, love stories and laughter, fun and games for children and fairy tales for grown-ups, all in the beautiful grounds of the castle by the sea. Plus world food stalls; craft market; workshops for all ages; story walks; open mic stages.

WorldSong Choir

Insole Court, Cardiff

Tuesdays 12 June-3 July; 10am-11.30am

£9 drop in; £80 per term

Experience the joy of unaccompanied harmony singing. The group will sing songs from around the world, all taught by ear, using a fun and accessible teaching method designed to help everybody feel relaxed, confident and at ease. This choir is open to all: no special skills or experience are necessary. Babies are welcome – there will be a space for them inside the singing circle.

ARTS AND CRAFTS

Votes for Women Banners

Glanfa Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay

Saturday 28 May-Saturday 2 June 11am-4pm

Help create fantastic banners to pay tribute to the brave Suffragettes who campaigned to secure women the right to vote.

Family craft session

The Cardiff Story Museum, The Hayes, Cardiff

Wednesday 30 May, 10am-3pm

£1 per child

Get creative in this drop in half term family craft sessions. Entry to the museum is free.

Castle Make and Take Day

Chepstow Castle

Wednesday 30 May; 10am-4pm

Adults £6.90; children £4.10; family £20

Drop into a fun family craft activities and make something to take home!

Slime Workshops

Chapter Arts Centre, Canton, Cardiff

Wednesday 30 and Thursday 31 May, 10am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm

Ages 5+; £11.07 per child

A chance for slime-obsessed children to learn how to make the gooey stuff in this creative slime workshop. All ingredients and equipment will be provided and children will finish up with two tubs to take home.

Family Fun Play-Doh

Rhiwbina Memorial Hall, Cardiff

Friday 1 June, 10am

£6; £4 for siblings

Squishy, squashy fun for all the family hosted by The Creation Station.

FREE Half Term: Year of the Sea

National Museum Cardiff

Tuesday 29 May-Friday 1 June, 11am-3pm

Age 3+

Celebrate Wales’s Year of the Sea with nautical crafts this half term. Use your science skills to make junk boats and see which ones float – and which don’t. Feel free to bring your own junk (yoghurt pots, milk bottle tops etc).

Craft Club

Winding House, New Tredegar

Friday 1 June, 11am

£2.50 per child; booking essential

Family-friendly arts and crafts this half term.

WELSH LANGUAGE

Eisteddfod yr Urdd

Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells

Bank Holiday Monday 28 May-Saturday 2 June

Adults £16; children £8; family from £45; additional payment for some events and activities

Welsh language youth movement Yr Urdd brings its annual Eisteddfod to Builth Wells this half term with children from across Wales competition on the stage; shows and concerts; merchandise and food stalls and more.

FREE Ffiliffest

Caerphilly Castle

Saturday 9 June 11am-7pm

A Welsh language festival of arts, language and music, in partnership with Menter Iaith Caerffili.

The day will feature Dawnsio Gwerin, arts and crafts activities, sports Urdd activities, food and local stalls.

FREE Gŵyl Fach Y Fro 2018

Barry Island

Sunday 16 June 11am-7.30pm

An annual festival celebrating the Welsh language and culture with live music, street entertainment, craft stalls, food and drink, circus workshops, arts and crafts, sports, activities for Welsh learners.

FREE Tafwyl

Cardiff Castle

Saturday 30 June and Sunday 1 July

A family-friendly festival showcasing the Welsh language but open to all whether you speak Welsh or not – last year more than 36,500 people attended. Expect a lively mix of live music, literature, drama, comedy, art, sports, food and drink. The event is 9 days in total: a fringe event held all around the city in museums, libraries, cafés, bars and art centres for 7 days, ending with the main event over this weekend.

ACTIVE FAMILIES

Open air swimming

Lido Ponty, Ynys Angharad Park, Pontypridd

Open daily from Saturday 26 May until the end of September

£2.50 for adults; children under 16 free

With three pools including a main pool, an activity pool and a splash pool, Lido Ponty offers fantastic swimming opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. For just £2.50 per adult and free for children, visitors can also enjoy everything from fun inflatables to Aqua Scooterz, Aqua Peddlerz and Water Walker.

Read our review of Lido Ponty from last year here.

FREE Victoria Park Splash Pad

Victoria Park, Canton, Cardiff

Open daily from Saturday 26 May

Three zones designed for toddlers, juniors and families, with 33 exciting features for children to enjoy including sprays, jets, a tipping water bucket and a tunnel.

Half price bowling before 10am

Hollywood Bowl, The Red Dragon Centre, Cardiff Bay

Saturday 26 May-Sunday 3 June

All the fun of ten pin bowling but half the price when you book in advance online to bowl between 9am and 10am. Plus from 4pm-6pm strikes mean prizes with pink pin painting pink pin game, face painting with fun stencils, colouring-in, treasure hunts and more!

Let’s Ride Pop-up

Llandaff Fields Bowling Green Pavilion, Cardiff

Sunday 27 May, 11am

A free monthly pop-up event which gives you the chance to ride a traffic-free cycle circuit as many times as you want, at a pace that suits you. The event is open to all ages and abilities and the circuit is easy to ride, with volunteers on hand throughout, ensuring peace of mind and safety for all cyclists.

Half term activities

Treetop Adventure Golf, Level P3 St David’s Shopping Centre, Cardiff

Bank Holiday Monday 28 May-Saturday 2 June

Simi the mascot will be making an appearance on Monday plus from Monday to Saturday 12pm-4pm guests can enjoy complimentary face painting. Usual prices apply.

Ty Hafan Bubble Rush

Coopers Field, Cardiff

Saturday 16 June

Single entry £15; group entry (minimum of 5) £15

Bubble Rush is a 5k fun run with a difference. Four bubble stations with four large foam cannons will be pumping out coloured bubbles. All ages are welcome and the event is very family orientated– you can run, skip, walk or jog through the course. The fun will also not end at the finish line participants are invited to join Ty Hafan at the “bubble village” for music, games, children’s entertainment and food and drink. Suggested sponsorship amounts for participants are £50 for adults and £20 for under 16s.

FAMILY FUN DAYS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Captain Henry Morgan’s Pirate Weekend

Tredegar House, Newport

Saturday 26-Bank Holiday Monday 28 May 11am-4pm

Included in normal entry prices; adults £10.40; children £5.20; family £26

Ahoy! Calling all swashbucklers, join us in your best buccaneer costume for a full weekend of fun and sea shanties.

PLUS Try pirate kayaking on the lake for £5 per person. Battles last 10 minutes. Over 4s.

FREE Volvo Ocean Race Cardiff Stopover Free Festival

Alexandra Head, Cardiff Bay

Sunday 27 May-Sunday 10 June

The Volvo Ocean Race is the ultimate ocean marathon as 66 men and women race around the world’s toughest oceans, covering a distance of 46,000 nautical miles over eight months. For the first time in its history the race will stop in Cardiff, as well as all the racing action the Volvo Ocean Race festival site, called the Race Village, will be located on Cardiff Bay Barrage hosting a variety of entertainment. Highlights include the Globe Cinema, providing an insight into the race and its participants; the Race Boat Experience where you can take a selfie behind the wheel of a replica Volvo Ocean-65 racing yacht; live lunchtime music; National Marine Aquarium Workshops; circus performances and workshops; water sports activities; and the Military Festival of Music (Saturday 2 June).

Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival 2018

Sunday 27-Monday 28 May, 9.30am-5pm

The best of Welsh food and drink with stalls, demos, activities, games, special offers and more suitable for all the family.

Miniature Railways and Tramways

Heath Model Railway, Heath Park, Cardiff

Sunday 27 and Monday 28 May, 1pm-5pm

A chance for the whole family to ride on miniature steam, diesel and electric trains, plus a tram, as Cardiff Model Engineering Society open their doors. Entry is £1.80 per person and each ride is £1.80 per person. Under 3s are free.

Fantasy and Fairy Tales

Raglan Castle

Sunday 27-Bank Holiday Monday 28 May

Castle open 9.30am-5pm with events from 11am-4pm

Adults £6.90; children £4.10; family £20

Meet Fairy tale characters and fantastic dragons; take part in a fairy door trail or dragon school and become a Knight or Lady of the Realm.

Dino Day

Cantref Adventure Farm Brecon

Bank Holiday Monday 28 May; Wednesday 8 and 22 August

£9.95 per person; family of 4 £38.70; children under 93cm free

A chance to see amazing realistic-looking dinosaurs. Learn how to tame the Terrific T-Rex and stomp with the Spine Tingling Spinosauraus and they parade through the farm park with their Rangers. Plus Fossils, dinosaur games, fun dinosaur facts, so much dino-fun for the whole family.

Spy Week

The Royal Mint, Llantrisant

Bank Holiday Monday 28 May to Sunday 3 June

Adult £13, Child 5-15 £11 and under 5s free. Family of 4 £38.50

Various spy activities including code breaking, message deciphering and more.

Unicorn Pony Parade

Parc Play, Curran Embankment, Cardiff

Bank Holiday Monday 28 May, 10.30am-2.30pm

Adults £1; under 2s £2.50 (free with an older sibling); ages 4-12 £6.

Pony rides £2

A unicorn pony parade at the outdoor-indoor play centre.

Read more about our visit to Parc Play here.

FREE Meet the Stormtroopers

The Red Dragon Centre, Cardiff Bay

Bank Holiday Monday 28 May

1pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm

To celebrate the release of Solo: A Star Wars Story at ODEON this May, two Stormtroopers will be patrolling The Red Dragon Centre Bank Holiday Monday, meeting and greeting visitors and generally enjoying some down time from the trials of threatening the galaxy with mortal peril.

Charity Family Magic Show

All Saints Church, Heol Y Felin, Rhiwbina, CF14 6NB

Tuesday 29 May, 1.30p

£5 children; accompanying adults free

Cardiff mum Emily is running the London Marathon in 2019 in support of WellChild, the national charity for sick children. As part of her fundraising she is hosting a charity family magic show with a performance from well-known local magician Simon Sparkles, a refreshment stand and a raffle with prizes donated by Tesco. Contact Emily on 07714017691 for tickets in advance. Limited number of tickets available on the door.

A Dinosaur Encounter

Cardiff Castle

Tuesday 29, Wednesday 30 May, and Friday 1 June; various timed slots;

£6 per person

A 30 minute session in the Castle’s Undercroft with a close look at the dinosaur models, eggs, and the animals living today who are their direct ancestors. Plus a chance to meet Rex, the baby T-Rex in the Castle grounds.

Family Fun Days

Bedwellty House, Tredegar

Tuesday 29 May – Pirate and Mermaid Fun

Wednesday 30 May – Favourite Story Trails wit Louby Lou

Wednesday 30 May – Mini Movers

Thursday 31 May – Gruffalo Themed Messy Play

The Baby Dragons’ 1st Birthday Party

Caerphilly Castle

Wednesday 30 and Thursday 31 May; 10am-5pm

Adults £8.60; children £5.10; family £24.60

Join Caerphilly Castle’s resident dragons Dylan and Cariad for two days of dragon-themed festivities including face-painting, dragon story-telling, arts-and-crafts and a spectacular birthday bouncy castle. Plus, party guests are invited to wrap-up and bring birthday gifts for the one-year-old beasties, which will later be donated to Follow Your Dreams — a Valleys based children’s charity which cares for children and young people with learning disabilities.

Superstars of Welsh Wrestling 2018

The Riverfront, Newport

Friday 1 June, 7pm

£13 adults; £10 children; family of four £39

Get ready for the glitz, glamour and the high-flying body-slamming action as the international stars of Welsh wrestling battle it out in an evening of action entertainment suitable for the family.

Depot in the Castle

Cardiff Castle

Saturday 2 June 12pm-11pm

£37.43 adults, £16.50 children 12-17, 11 and under free, family £95.40

Depot presents a festival of live music including The Fratellis, Sister Sledge, Hackney Colliery Band and Fleetmac Wood plus more, as well as delicious local street food and plenty of family fun.

FREE Art4U 9th Annual Friendship Tree Festival

Knap Gardens, Barry

Sunday 3 June, 11am-7pm

Featuring local talented musicians, dancers, artists and craftspeople, the theme of the festival is Peace and Friendship. A free day of music, art, dance, peace and friendship in a beautiful natural setting.  Bring a picnic and a blanket. Donations welcome.

FREE Roar-some Dinosaurs

The Red Dragon Centre Cardiff Bay

Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 June

Celebrate the release of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom by meeting some dinosaurs at The Red Dragon Centre. Rex and his baby dinosaur friends will be making appearances over the weekend with T-REX at 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm; and Baby Dinos at 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm & 3.30pm

FREE Armed Forces Day Parade and Festival

Barry Island

Saturday 9 June 11am-6pm

Celebrate and support the Armed Forces Community, past, present, and future with a day of exciting events and activities for the whole family including a marching parade led by the Royal Marine Band; military displays and vehicle; and an opportunity to meet serving personnel and veterans. Military displays and vehicles will be showcased throughout the day and stalls will be hosted by military charities and community groups who provide support services to the armed forces community.

FREE Barry Festival of Transport

Barry Island

Sunday 10 June 10am-5pm

Barry Island’s annual Transport Festival returns with vintage buses and coaches at Nells Point car park, classic and specialist cars along the promenade and gardens plus bikes on the Eastern shelter.  Free return Heritage bus trips run during the Festival from Barry Island to the Depot on Broad Street.

kINDIEgarten – Indie Music for Indie Kids’ Kids

Tramshed Clare Road Cardiff CF11 6QP

Saturday 23 June; 2pm-5pm

£9.50 per person; pre-walking infants are free

An family disco for children age 0-8 and their Indie loving parents.

Get ready for the biggest family disco for indie lovers! Propaganda legend DJ Dan (Oasis afterparty DJ) will get the whole family on the dance floor with the best indie floor fillers from Arctic Monkeys, The Smiths, Oasis, The Strokes, New Order, Green Day, Blur and much more. Expect bouncy castle, soft play, crafts, baby area, cartoon cinema, face painting, photo booth, street food and family fun.

 Unicorn Day

Cantref Adventure Farm Brecon

Saturday 30 June and Sunday 1 July; Wednesday 1st August; Thursday 2nd August; Tuesday 14th August; Wednesday 15th August

£9.95 per person; family of 4 £38.70; children under 93cm free

A fun filled day of unicorns and glitter, including unicorn rides, pamper my pony sessions, meet Spirit The Magical Unicorn, craft and lots more.

HISTORICAL

Traditional Victorian Fun

Aberdulais Falls Neath Porth Talbot

Saturday 26 May-Sunday 3 June

Usual admission applies; adults £6.50; children £3.25; family £16.25

Experience life as a Victorian family as part of Aberdulais Falls National Trust property’s Women’s Work exhibition. Have a go at making peppermint creams, then see how a Victorian family might have decorated their home with some simple crafts. Try your hand at needlework or cross stitch, dance round the maypole, play a traditional game of hopscotch or see who can win at cup and ball. Plus you can dress up as a Victorian working family.

FREE Behind the Scenes at the Museum

National Museum Cardiff

Saturday 26 May, 10am-4pm

A behind the scenes exploration with the scientists and curators who work in the museum day to day as they explain the busy work that goes on. From cataloguing new species and research into climate change; to mending old paintings and looking after Roman bones, there’s a huge variety of work that goes on preserving the heritage of Wales for future generations. The museum will be running stalls in the main hall for the curators to show off their interesting artefacts and behind the scenes tours into the labs and basements to show you how it’s all done. With hands-on experiments and workshops as well, visitors will get to see what really goes on behind the scenes.

Big Pit Explorers Trail

Big Pit National Coal Museum, Blaenavon

Saturday 26 May-Sunday 3 June, 12pm-4pm

£1 per explorer.

Be a Big Pit Explorer for the day, pick up a trail and spot the objects around the museum to claim your prize. Entry to the museum is free. Read our review here.

PLUS for under 5s – Soft Play in the Mini Lab. Free admission. 12pm-4pm.

A Weekend with Bowlore

Caerphilly Castle

Saturday 26-Bank Holiday Monday 28 May, 10am-5pm

Adults £8.50; children £5.10; family £24.60

A weekend of medieval fun and mayhem with Bowlore a medieval archery and sword display group. Learn skills as well as watching weapons displays and demonstrations. The day includes two archery shows; a weapons show; have-a-go archery; Sword School; and hands-on weapons and armour display throughout the day.

FREE Stickin Gladiators

Caerleon Roman Fortress

Tuesday 29 May to Wednesday 30 May, 10am-4pm

£2 per child; entry to the museum is free

Create and customise your own Roman Gladiator using stickers. Children will learn about different gladiators before creating their own unique fighter.

FREE World War 1 Comes to Blaenavon

Blaenavon Ironworks

Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 June, 11am-4pm

World War I Commemoration, with Great War re-enactment and living history, Punch and Judy, weaponry displays, working blacksmith and craft demonstrations, and Gwent in the Great War Exhibition.

Joust! 

Cardiff Castle

Saturday 23-Sunday 24 June 10am-5pm

Early bird tickets (book by 18 June) £13 adults, £8.50 child, under 5s free, £37 family

Full price tickets £15.50; £10; £43

The Knights of Royal England return to Cardiff Castle with a dazzling show and an epic display of jousting. See some spectacular horseback stunts as the knights stop at nothing as they charge full tilt in an attempt to strike their opponent’s shield and knock them out of their saddle. Storytelling, strolling musicians, combat displays and a village encampment makes for a magical medieval day out. Come in costume and be part of the spectacle, jeer or cheer for your favourite knight and join in the children’s parade and dragon parade.

FREE  The Winding Engine

The Winding House, New Tredegar

Saturday 26 May; 30 June; 28 July; 25 August; 29 September; 27 October; 24 November; 12pm

The Winding House is a museum built on the site of the former Elliot Colliery. Its centre-piece is the original Victorian winding engine, which used to operate the cages which transported men and coal between the surface and the mine below. Visitors can see the huge engine in operation for 10-15 minutes at 12pm on the last Saturday of the month.

NATURE, ANIMALS AND THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Bank holiday and half term events

Mountain View Ranch, Caerphilly

Saturday 26 May-Saturday 2 June

£6 per person age 2+; under 2s free; family of 4 £23; family of 5 £28

One hundred acres of free range fun including Wales’s only licensed Gruffalo trail, a magical fairy forest, Hobbit Hill, den building, a unicorn, rope tree swings, a climbing tree, an adventure play area and more. Extra daily events during half term include 9.45am – Walk with the Funny Goats; 12pm – Ranch Story; 2.30-3.30pm :Space Hopper Races – dry weather; Campfire & Marshmallows – If it’s wet. For the over 7s there’s a high ropes course (book online for 25% discount). Read our review of Mountain View Ranch here.

Half term events

Greenmeadow Community Farm Cwmbran

Saturday 26 May-Sunday 3 June

Adults £6.50; children £5.40; family £23.50

Daily events include tractor and trailer rides; cuddle corner with smaller animals; milking demonstration and crafts. Additional events from Saturday to Bank Holiday Monday include shearing demonstrations; a chance to watch the chickens have their lunch; while Tuesday to Sunday includes pig washing and bottle feeding the goats (£2.50 extra)

Nature Spotter Trail

Dyffryn Gardens Vale of Glamorgan

Saturday 26 May-Sunday 3 June 10am-5pm

Adults £10.40; children £5.20; family £26

Discover all things natural in the gardens of Dyffryn, see the flowers and insect bursting and buzzing into life. Follow the multi-sensory nature trail and take in the colours, smells and buzzing sounds of the enormous gardens, discovering different types of leaves to seeking out textures and colours inside the mansion. Read more about Dyffryn Gardens here.

Sophie’s Spring Nature Spotter Trail

Amelia Trust Farm, Barry

Saturday 26 May-Saturday 2 June 10am-4pm

£2.50 per participant with prize

Help Sophie, the farm’s spring nature spotter, explore the farm with the help of some clues, in search of the ‘planted’ answers! See if you can find all of her flying friends buzzing around and beautiful flowers and plants on display and win a prize at the end. Ask in farm kitchen café on arrival. Cash payment only.

Falconry

Tintern Abbey

Sunday 27-Bank Holiday Monday 28 May; 10am-4pm

Adults £6.90; children £4.10; family £20

See majestic birds of prey in flight and have your photo taken with them for a unique souvenir. Learn how falconry was part of Tudor life and how birds of prey live.

Half term fun: Nature

St Fagans National Museum of History Cardiff

Tuesday 29 May-Friday 1 June, 12-4pm

Small charge for some activities

Celebrate nature this half term with family-friendly activities inspired by the plants and animals that fill the museum at this time of year.

Flower Seed Activities

Studio 3 Weston Centre for Learning

12-4pm; £2 per child

Make a seed bomb to start your very own wildflower patch, then create a special seed packet for some sunflower seeds to take away.

Family Nature Tours: Hedges and Ponds

1pm and 3pm; Free

A fun free tour to find out what’s growing in the museum’s hedges and who’s living in the Tannery ponds. No need to book, meet in the main entrance. Tours last approximately 40 minutes.

Half term nature events

Cwmcarn Forest

We are going on a bear hunt – Tuesday 29 May, 11am-3pm, £3.50 per child, age 3+

Follow the bear prints around the valley crossing wild ponds and snow storms to find the bears’ cave! Collect your magic paw to claim your prize at the end

Mini bird house fun – Wednesday 30 May, 11am-2.45pm (4 sessions), £4.50 per child, age 4+, booking essential

Use paints, glues and natural bits to decorate a mini bird house to take home.

Tiny Tots crafts – Thursday 31 May, 1030am-12.15pm (2 sessions), £2 per child, age 1+; booking essential

Messy crafts for little ones.

Unicorn Poop Pots – Friday 1 June, 11am+ (3 sessions) , £4.50 per child, age 4+; booking essential

Bring along an empty jar and decorate with glitter and ribbon then make unicorn poop (or make an insect poop jar if you prefer)

Mud Magic

RSPB Newport Wetlands

Bank Holiday Monday 28 May to Friday 1 June

10.30am-12pm or 2pm-3.30pmRSPB members £4.40 / non members £5.50

What lives in the mud?  Join the RSPB to discover what lurks in the bottom of the boggy pond or slithers in the slimy soil. Get your hands dirty making mud sculptures and mud paintings of the creatures that you find on your mud exploration.

FREE Mini beast hunting

Bute Park Education Centre, Cardiff

Tuesday 29 and Thursday 31 May, 10.30am-12pm

Storytelling, arts and crafts, outdoor activities suitable for ages 3-8. Book in advance.

Spring Fair

Amelia Trust Farm Barry

Wednesday 30 May 11am-4pm

Adults £2; children £1.50; £5 family; under 2s free

Family fun and plenty of activities including stalls with gifts and food; a bouncy castle and games for the children; farm activities to meet the animals; tractor and trailer rides; face painting and more.

Read more about our trip to Amelia Trust Farm here.

FREE SeaQuest Beach Discovery Workshop

Bryngarw Country Park, Bridgend

Thursday 31 May, drop in event 1pm-3pm

To celebrate Wales’ Year of the Sea, take part in activities associated with the sea. There will be numerous tables to explore which will include, fishing and crab netting (not real animals), rainbow shells, microscope and magnifiers (beach artefacts) and much more.

FREE Moth Morning

Parc Slip Wildlife Trust Visitor Centre Tondu Bridgend

Thursday 31 May 9am-10am

Parc Slip will set an overnight light trap to survey the moth species that can be found on the nature reserve. Come along and take part in the recording of our marvellous moths the following morning, when the moth recorders will be checking the trap and identifying the species we’ve caught. Suggested donation of £2 to support the work of the Wildlife Trust.

Flying Kites and Lazy Owls

Caerphilly Castle

Friday 1 June 11am-4pm

Adults £8.50; children £5.10; families £24.60

Experience birds of prey up close and personal with Pembrokeshire Falconry. Learn about hunting with birds, as well as why owls are so silent in flight. There will be photo opportunities throughout the day for a small additional charge. The birds may be viewed throughout the day when not flying. Flying displays will be at 12pm and 3pm.

FREE Meet the Beekeepers

St Fagans National Museum of History Cardiff

Sunday 3 June, 11am-1pm & 2pm-4pm

Pop into Llwyn yr Eos farm house to meet the beekeepers. Learn more about the secrets of life in the hive and why bees sometimes like to swarm at this time of year.

FREE Woolly Weekend

St Fagans National Museum of History, Cardiff

Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 June, 11am-4pm

Call into Llwyn yr Eos farm to see our flock getting their annual haircut and learn about the journey from fleece to fibre. Meet the sheep, see some expert spinning in action and have a go at some simple family friendly activities. Plus pop to Esgair Moel Woollen Mill to meet the museum’s resident weaver.

CINEMA

I’m focusing on special film events and cheap family screenings at holidays and weekends here, rather than regular cinema screenings.

The Greatest Showman Sing-A-Long

Memo Arts Centre, Barry

Tuesday 29 May 2018; 5:30pm

Adults £6 full, concessions £4 concession, under 16s £3 when booked in advance; £6.50/£4.50/£3/50 on the door

Inspired by the ambition and imagination of P.T. Barnum, The Greatest Showman tells the story of a visionary who rose from nothing to create a mesmerising spectacle that became a worldwide sensation. A show-stopping extravaganza for musical-lovers everywhere The Greatest Showman is back at the Memo due to popular band with this sing-a-long version of the box office smash.

Odeon Kids

Odeon Cinema, The Red Dragon Centre, Cardiff Bay

The 10am weekend and school holiday showings are £2.50 per person. Films to be announced; films are usually a few months old rather than new releases.

Movies for Juniors

Cineworld, Mary Ann Street, Cardiff

The 10am weekend and school holiday Movies for Juniors showings are just £2 per person. Check online for schedule; films are usually a few months old rather than new releases.

Mini Mornings

Vue Cinema, Millennium Plaza, Cardiff

The 10am weekend and school holiday Movies for Juniors showings are just £2.49 per person. Check online for schedule; films are usually a few months old rather than new releases.

Chapter Arts Centre, Canton, Cardiff

A different family film every week

£4/£3 booked in advance; see website for full listings.

Memo Arts Centre Barry

A selection of family-friendly films at weekends and during school holidays.

Adults £6; concessions £4; under 16s £3 when booked in advance. £6.50/£4.50/£3.50 on the door.