MOST children across Mid Cheshire will start their half term break today, Friday, ready to enjoy one or two weeks away from the classroom.
What activities and events are on offer for youngsters to keep them occupied and entertained during the holidays?
From puzzles and challenges to science and discovery, there promises to be something for families with children of all ages.
The May half term holidays differ across the UK with most English schools taking a break between Monday, May 27 and Friday, May 31 but some local schools will be enjoying a fortnight off and not returning to school until Monday, June 10.
Term dates vary each year even within a local authority so some schools might be on holiday at slightly different times – it’s worth checking your school’s website for holiday dates.
Here is our round up of activities taking place just a short drive, train or bus journey from the area:
Oxygen Wilmslow
Oxygen Wilmslow Activity Park
This May half term, families are invited to visit Oxygen Wilmslow to play, jump, dance and join in with the big-time fun.
Home to over 60 trampolines, an interactive multi-sports arena, six climbing walls, a cardio wall, and three storeys of soft play area, sky-high fun is guaranteed at Oxygen Wilmslow, even while the weather is unpredictable.
Guests can get more Activeplay for less this half term with the Winners’ Pass, which grants the holder one hour of free jumping every weekday of the half-term holidays, for just £25.
Oxygen Wilmslow is jumping into the ultimate summer of sport early, by hosting challenges and contests throughout the half-term, to build anticipation ahead of the upcoming sporty season.
Eager jumpers should put their game faces on and get ready for relay races, evasion games and individual, confidence-yielding challenges.
Lucky players are in with the chance of winning amazing prizes including a free birthday party or a three-month bounce pass.
With the Winners’ Pass, jumpers can get rewarded for participation throughout the whole week.
Oxygen Wilmslow is also hosting the High-Flying Holiday Club, from Monday, May 27 to Friday, May 31, for parents looking for support with childcare over the break.
RHS Bridgewater
RHS Bridgewater
Young gardeners can grow their skills this May half term with the RHS Family Gardening Festival, which runs from Saturday, May 25 to Sunday, June 2.
The festival looks to get families gardening together with a host of fantastic activities in all RHS gardens, including RHS Garden Bridgewater.
Gardeners of all ages can participate in interactive planting activities, creative crafts, inspirational storytelling and fun garden trails to explore.
Almost all activities are free and included with ticket prices with free entry for under fives and RHS members, although some tickets need to be booked.
The Crystal Maze
The Crystal Maze LIVE Experience, Lower Byrom Street, Manchester
Manchester’s Crystal Maze LIVE Experience – the UK’s premiere live immersive theatre experience – has a special half term offer.
There’s 50 per cent all family tickets from Sunday, May 26 until Sunday, June 2.
Prepare for an unparalleled adventure like no other and complete heart-pounding quests to become the champions of the Crystal Maze.
The 90s iconic gameshow features puzzles and interactive activities for anyone aged nine and above with teams of up to eight competing against the clock to solve mysteries and complete mental and physical challenges, guided by the maze master.
The four zones – Industrial, Futuristic, Medieval and Aztec – are visited as you head for the crystal dome.
Martin Mere
Martin Mere, Lancashire
A rare opportunity for children to meet Bing and Flop from the pre-school series Bing, in real life, is on offer at WWT Martin Mere this half term.
The children’s TV favourites are visiting the wetland and wildlife centre in Ormskirk as part of the Bing’s Nature Explorers event programme, which encourages little and big explorers alike to discover and learn more about wetland nature and wildlife.
As well as the exciting chance to meet and have their photo taken with Bing and Flop, children can enjoy one of the interactive mini shows, which will be held three times a day.
A quieter, more relaxed session will also be held on select days for those with neuro-divergent or different needs.
Other activities for Bing’s Nature Explorers include grabbing a map and taking part in a fun-filled activity trail.
Helping little ones learn more about the wetland nature and wildlife, Bing and friends appear on colourful signposts that challenge children to discover the amazng natural world surrounding them at Martin Mere.
Children are also invited to listen to a Bing story read by a member of the WWT team, from a beloved HarperCollins book, in one of the Bing interactive storytelling sessions that will be held at 12:30pm each day.
Every child that takes part in the trail receives a souvenir Bing sticker plus their very own pair of paper Bing ears to take home when they attend a meet and greet, mini show, or storytelling session.
Imagine That!
Imagine That! Wavertree Technology Park, Faraday Road, Liverpool
Imagine That! staff takeover means a STEM-sational May half-term!
Enjoy the best of Liverpool’s science and discovery centre as staff roll out their favourite activities, shows and workshops from years gone by.
Liverpool’s Imagine That! is packed with more activities, experiments and workshops than ever before as each staff member shows off their favourite activity.
The science and discovery centre offers a fun, stress-free day out for children aged 10 and under – and accompanying adults may find themselves enjoying the activities as much as their little ones.
The three-hour visit to Imagine That! is made up of four 45-minute sessions in the different zones.
In each zone – the Imagination Village, Artbeatz, Bright Sparks and Slime Factory – visitors can enjoy a range of activities, shows and workshops guaranteed to keep the whole family entertained.
Children can take home everything they make including their fridge magnet, crafts, never-melting snow, souvenir photo and a pot of gooey slime.
May holidays at Imagine That! run from Monday, May 27 to Friday, May 31.
Tickets and must be booked in advance.
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