FREE MAY HALF TERM EVENTS IN YORKSHIRE 2026 ☀️

Your ultimate family guide to free fun across Yorkshire this May half term (23 May – 1 June 2026)

If you’re looking for ways to keep the kids entertained this May half term without spending a fortune, Yorkshire is FULL of amazing free events, trails, workshops and family activities!

From Shaun the Sheep trails in Leeds to Roman festivals in York, science shows in Sheffield and dinosaur days in Barnsley — there really is something for everyone.

Here’s your HUGE detailed guide to the best FREE family-friendly things happening across Yorkshire this half term 👇

🏙️ LEEDS & WEST YORKSHIRE EVENTS

🐑 Shaun the Sheep AR Trail – Leeds

A brilliant interactive augmented reality trail where children can hunt for Shaun the Sheep around Leeds using a phone or tablet. Families can explore the city centre while unlocking fun animations and activities along the way. Perfect for primary school children and little ones who love a challenge.

📅 23 May – 1 June 2026

📍 Leeds City Centre

💰 FREE

🦔 Hedgehog Hideaway Trail – Leeds

A cute family trail encouraging children to spot hedgehogs hidden around participating locations. Great for toddlers and younger children who enjoy simple scavenger hunts and outdoor exploring.

📅 23 May – 1 June 2026

📍 Various Leeds locations

💰 FREE

🎵 Mini Musicians Trail – Leeds

A musical-themed interactive trail where children can explore sounds, instruments and mini activities around Leeds. Ideal for preschoolers and music-loving children.

📅 23 May – 1 June 2026

📍 Leeds

💰 FREE

⚔️ Saxons Story Hunters – Royal Armouries, Leeds

Step back in time with storytelling, history-themed activities and interactive learning experiences inspired by Saxon Britain. Expect hands-on fun and educational family sessions.

📅 23–31 May 2026

📍 Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds

💰 FREE

🦸 Everyday Heroes – Leeds Discovery Centre

An engaging event celebrating community heroes and important jobs through interactive activities and family learning experiences.

📅 26 & 28 May 2026

📍 Leeds Discovery Centre

💰 FREE

🌈 Sensory Room for SEND Families – Leeds

Special relaxed sessions designed for SEND families with sensory play opportunities and quieter environments for children who benefit from additional support.

📅 Selected half term dates

📍 Leeds

💰 FREE

🎨 Spiky Crafts – Leeds

Creative craft workshops inspired by hedgehogs and wildlife. Expect colouring, making activities and hands-on fun.

📅 23–31 May 2026

📍 Leeds

💰 FREE

🎤 Spiky Singing with a Side of Silliness – Leeds

Fun musical sessions packed with songs, dancing and silly entertainment aimed at younger children and toddlers.

📅 23–31 May 2026

📍 Leeds

💰 FREE

🌱 Bean Planting at Temple Newsam – Leeds

Children can learn about gardening and nature by planting their own beans and exploring outdoor spaces at Temple Newsam.

📅 25 May 2026

📍 Temple Newsam, Leeds

💰 FREE

🏛️ Leeds Museums Half Term Trails – Leeds

Leeds museums are running special family trails, crafts and activity sheets throughout half term across several museum sites including Leeds City Museum and Abbey House Museum.

📅 23–31 May 2026

📍 Various Leeds museums

💰 FREE

🧬 Thackray Museum “Amazing Anatomy” – Leeds

An exciting science-themed half term programme featuring body trails, interactive exhibits, sensory activities and educational fun.

📅 23–29 May 2026

📍 Thackray Museum of Medicine

💰 FREE activities included

🎭 SHEFFIELD & SOUTH YORKSHIRE

🍔 Sheffield Food Festival – Sheffield

A huge city-centre food festival with live music, entertainment and family-friendly activities. While food purchases cost extra, entry and entertainment are free.

📅 23–25 May 2026

📍 Sheffield City Centre

💰 FREE entry

🔬 Free Kids Science Show – Sheffield

Live science demonstrations designed to wow children with experiments, reactions and interactive fun.

📅 23–31 May 2026

📍 Sheffield

💰 FREE

💖 Taylor Swift Bracelet Making – Sheffield

Swiftie fans can make friendship bracelets inspired by Taylor Swift in these free drop-in crafting sessions.

📅 23–31 May 2026

📍 Sheffield

💰 FREE

🧪 Free Kids Slime Workshop – Sheffield

Messy sensory fun where children can make and customise their own slime creations.

📅 23–31 May 2026

📍 Sheffield

💰 FREE

🌎 Toddler Around the World Music Session – Sheffield

A lovely music experience introducing toddlers to songs and rhythms from different countries and cultures.

📅 23–31 May 2026

📍 Sheffield

💰 FREE

❄️ Mini Disco with Princess Anna – Sheffield

A Frozen-inspired toddler disco session with music, dancing and character fun.

📅 23–31 May 2026

📍 Sheffield

💰 FREE

🕷️ Mini Disco with Spidey – Sheffield

A superhero-themed disco experience for younger children featuring music and interactive entertainment.

📅 23–31 May 2026

📍 Sheffield

💰 FREE

🏛️ YORK & NORTH YORKSHIRE

🏺 Eboracum Roman Festival – York

One of York’s most popular family events featuring Roman soldiers, battle reenactments, storytelling, workshops and living history experiences.

📅 23–24 May 2026

📍 York Museum Gardens

💰 FREE

🌿 York Museum Gardens Family Trails – York

Family-friendly nature and history trails around York’s beautiful museum gardens.

📅 23–31 May 2026

📍 York Museum Gardens

💰 FREE

⚔️ Roman Games and Pastimes – Castleford

Interactive Roman-inspired activities where children can learn ancient games and traditions.

📅 23–31 May 2026

📍 Castleford

💰 FREE

🛡️ Meet the Romans – Castleford

Meet costumed Roman characters and discover what life was like in Roman Britain.

📅 23–31 May 2026

📍 Castleford

💰 FREE

🏰 Castleford Roman Festival – Castleford

A full Roman-themed festival with demonstrations, activities and hands-on family experiences.

📅 23–31 May 2026

📍 Castleford

💰 FREE

🎡 Scarborough Fair Family Events – Scarborough

Family entertainment, performances and traditional seaside fun happening throughout half term.

📅 23–31 May 2026

📍 Scarborough

💰 FREE activities available

🌿 WAKEFIELD & KIRKLEES

🍃 Hidden Nature Worlds – Wakefield

Nature-themed family activities encouraging outdoor exploration and wildlife discovery.

📅 23–31 May 2026

📍 Wakefield

💰 FREE

🎉 Wakefield May-Hem Family Day – Wakefield

A packed family fun day with crafts, sports, STEM activities and entertainment.

📅 27 May 2026

📍 Wakefield

💰 FREE

⛏️ National Coal Mining Museum Half Term Activities – Wakefield

Family trails, crafts and educational activities exploring Yorkshire’s mining history.

📅 23–31 May 2026

📍 National Coal Mining Museum

💰 FREE entry

🎨 BARNSLEY & SOUTH YORKSHIRE

🌸 Barnsley Garden Party – Barnsley

Outdoor family entertainment, nature-inspired activities and community fun.

📅 23–31 May 2026

📍 Barnsley

💰 FREE

🦖 Dinosaur Day at The Alhambra – Barnsley

A dinosaur-themed family event featuring meet-and-greets, crafts and prehistoric fun.

📅 23–31 May 2026

📍 The Alhambra, Barnsley

💰 FREE

🌳 OUTDOOR TRAILS & EXPERIENCES

🐝 Pontefract Pollinators Trail – Pontefract

A nature trail celebrating bees, butterflies and pollinators with educational activities for children.

📅 23–31 May 2026

📍 Pontefract

💰 FREE

🎨 Mini Arts Festival – North York Moors

Outdoor arts and creative family sessions surrounded by beautiful Yorkshire scenery.

📅 23–31 May 2026

📍 North York Moors

💰 FREE

📚 Stockeld Park Storybook Spring Magic – Wetherby

Storybook-themed family fun with trails, characters and outdoor adventures.

📅 23–31 May 2026

📍 Wetherby

💰 FREE areas & activities available

🦕 Thornbridge Estate Dino Fun – Peak District Edge

A dinosaur-themed outdoor experience with trails and family activities.

📅 23–31 May 2026

📍 Thornbridge Estate

💰 FREE activities available

Save this guide for later and share with another parent who needs some half term inspiration ☀️