Keep little ones’ entertained this weekend.
And giving you a few minutes to rediscover yourself.
With a long (and potentially rainy) weekend ahead, we’ve pulled together the ultimate Bank Holiday Survival Kit.
From engaging activities designed to build confidence and self-esteem, to a directory of ‘what’s on’ across the UK. We’ve got you covered.
And the best bit? It’s all completely free!
Indoor & Outdoor Fun
With mixed weather reports, we’re not sure which way the wind is blowing this weekend. So to cover all bases, we’ve selected a handful of activities to keep children happy - come rain, or come shine.
What’s On?
Belsize Library Art Workshop, Belsize Park
Saturday 4th May | Suitable for 8+ | FREE
Leon and Jen will guide your children through different art mediums and techniques to create their own masterpieces.
Skateboarding Lesson for Kids, Northolt Park
Saturday 4th May | Suitable for 7 to 17 | FREE
Join for a fun-filled skateboarding lesson, perfect for everyone. Learn something new and have a blast with other kids!
Southbank Centre Food Market, London
Sunday 5th May (11 – 9) & Monday 6th (12 - 6) | All Ages | FREE
With a huge choice of street food and drinks, this a must-visit – whether you're a certified food lover or just peckish!
Parents & Toddlers Group, Barking
Saturday 4th May | 10am | All the Family | FREE
This is a great opportunity to spend some quality time with your little person, as well as to meet local parents over a coffee in this welcoming and supportive class.
Lego Club for Kids, Blackfen Community Library
Saturday 4th May | 10 - 11 am | All Ages | FREE
Have some fun with Lego and get creative together! Why not meet your friends and family and make a day of it?
Thorndon Neurodivergent Forest Fun, Brentwood
Saturday 4th May | 10 - 12 | Neurodivergent children 5+ | £7.69
Join for these popular Forest Fun sessions, a morning of exploration and play in a peaceful woodland setting awaits!
Mindful Art & Craft, Buckhurst Hill
Saturday 4th May | 11:30 -12:30 | 4 to 11 years | £15
A workshop filled with creativity and mindfulness! Join for circle time, yoga fun and games.
Kids Film Club, Wood Street Library Walthamstow
Sunday 5th May | 1 pm | All Ages | FREE
Join for a Family Friendly Film on a at Wood Street Library - a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon!
Messy Church, Southampton
Saturday 4th May | 10:30 to 11:30 am | All the Family | FREE
Find a range of practical and messy activities, followed by a short service and lunch. Donations are welcome if you feel led.
Fun Day, Brampton Golf Course, Northampton
Saturday 4th May | 12 - 4 pm | All Ages | FREE
This Family Fun Day includes a bouncy castle, BBQ, golf coaching for kids and mini games!
Family Nature Club & Outdoor Play, Liverpool
Saturday 4th May | 10.45 - 11:45 am | FREE
Outdoor Nature & Play sessions, including Nature Activities & Crafts, Gardening, Mindful Nature Hunts, Stories, Outdoor Play Activities, Bug Spotting and more!
Tennis Club, Gravesend
Sunday 5th May | 11 - 2 pm | All the Family | FREE
Come and join Tennis Club for a fun-filled day of free coaching for adults and kids of all levels.
Muddy Mushlings, Derbyshire
Monday 6th May | 12 - 1:30pm & 4 to 5:30pm | All Ages | FREE
At Firs Estate Allotments, join a fun-filled kids nature session! Let your children explore the community allotment plot, gather flowers for flower crowns and have a go at Hapa Zome - transferring flowers to material using a mallet!
Thornbridge Estate’s Bank Holi-YAY!, Derbyshire
Saturday 4th May, 10m & Monday 6th May 4 pm | Adults £8, Kids £4 & Under 3’s FREE
With a nature trail, lawn games, 10 acres to explore, meet & feed the animals in The Thornbridge Smallholdings, you can be sure to find something to keep the whole family entertained!
Music 4 Kidz, North Leeds
Saturday 4th May | 9:30 am | 4 to 6 years | FREE
Music 4 Kidz is a weekly class for students between the ages of 4 and 6 years old and it’s the perfect way of introducing your child to music, social skills and cognitive development.
Rediscover You!
Discover the 5 Senses
Engage in mindful sensory exploration: spend one minute with each sense. Observe your surroundings, listen to the sounds, feel the textures, inhale the scents deeply, and savor the tastes, fully immersing yourself in the present moment.
Allow Yourself to Daydream
When you daydream, you clear your mind and allow yourself to let go and enjoy the moment, helping you recharge. Find a quiet and comfortable space. Take a few deep breaths to ground yourself in the present moment. Let your thoughts float freely, let your imagination wander and explore thoughts that bring you joy.
Scan Your Body
Take a few deep breaths to centre yourself. Close your eyes and bring focus on your body. Start from your toes, moving upwards, feet, legs, abdomen, chest, arms, and face. Squeeze each muscle group tightly, hold for a few seconds, and release. Notice the sensations with each squeeze, let go of tension with each exhale.
Take a Stroll
A walk, whether alone or with your family, offers mood-boosting benefits, with fresh air and sunlight enhancing well-being.
For children, it's a sensory adventure, stimulating growth through sounds, smells, and sensations.
Express Yourself
Indulge in mindful coloring, a therapeutic practice for adults and children alike. Create a serene atmosphere with soothing music, and select materials that inspire you. Release tension, focus on the present moment, and immerse yourself in the sensory experience of colors and patterns.
Take Deep Breaths
Find comfort in deep breaths. Inhale calmness, exhale tension. Let your breath be an anchor, grounding you in the present. Feel each inhale and exhale, a simple tool to help manage stress. Take a moment for yourself, and feel the rhythm of your breath guide you back to calmness.
Quick, easy recipes for all the family.
Pizza Faces
You will need:
2 cups of flour (plus extra for dusting your board)
1 cup of salt
Half a teaspoon of Cream of Tartar
2 cups of warm water
2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
Mixing bowl and spoon
A couple of different food colourings.
How to do it:
Combine flour, salt, yeast, and oil to create a dough, allowing it to rise until doubled in size. After rolling it out, spread tomato paste and mozzarella cheese atop, inviting your child to customize with their favorite toppings before baking to golden perfection.
Honey Biscuits
You will need:
120g softened butter
120g sugar
1 large tablespoon honey
1 egg yolk
1 level teaspoon cinnamon
180g self-raising flour
1 tbsp. sugar and ½ teaspoon cinnamon combined on a plate.
How to do it:
Mix butter and sugar until creamy, then add honey and egg yolk. Mix in cinnamon and flour to form a soft dough. Shape into balls, roll in sugar-cinnamon mix, and bake at 175°C for 10-12 minutes. Cool on a rack. Enjoy the delicious aroma while baking!
Homemade Playdough
You will need:
2 cups of flour (plus extra for dusting your board)
1 cup of salt
Half a teaspoon of Cream of Tartar
2 cups of warm water
2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
Mixing bowl and spoon
A couple of different food colourings.
How to do it:
Mix flour, cream of tartar, and salt in a bowl. Slowly add warm water and oil, mixing well. Dust a board with flour, knead dough until smooth and not sticky. Adjust consistency with more flour if needed. Separate dough, add food colouring, knead to mix colours. Enjoy vibrant playdough fun!
Want More?
We’re proud to be BBC Children in Need’s newest Early Years’ partner. Very soon we’ll be sharing more exciting news and freebies! Join the waitlist below to be the first to find out!