May half-term activities Lake District 2026

There’s so much to do in the Lake District for families. This is my guide toMay half-term activities Lake District 2026. I’ve not found many events specifically for the school holidays, but I’m sure more will be released and I’m updating the post until the holidays start. This post is part of a series of posts onMay half-term activities in North West. If you are close to one of the region’s borders, click through to see what else is on in the surrounding areas.

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Please ensure you click through to the event organisers’ website and check if the event is still running before travelling to your chosen event. Occasionally events do get cancelled due to severe weather etc and I can’t guarantee I will be aware.

I will be continuing to update this post right up until the holidays. If you know of an event I’m not aware of then please email me at info@northwestforkids.co.uk

National Trust properties in Cumbria with May half term events

Wonder World: Earth, Children’s Trail, Sizergh Castle

When – 14th February – November 2026.

Delve down into the muddy earth and you’ll find a whole world bursting with life. 

Designed with Nosy Crow, this family trail will take you along the Holeslack accessible trail where you’ll learn all about the magical, marvellous world of soil.

Full details here – Wonder World: Earth, Children’s Trail

Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trail at Sizergh

When – 23rd May – 6th September 2026.

Get active outdoors on our Pokémon Trading Card Game Mega Evolution Trail. Team up as a family to search the gardens for each Mega Evolution Pokémon discover their powers and complete your own challenges. 

Are you ready for a mega adventure?

Trail sheets will be available to collect on the day normal admission also applies free for National Trust members.

Full details here – Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trail at Sizergh

Events in museums across Cumbria and the Lake District May half term

May half term at windermere Jetty Museum, Windermere jetty museum

When – 23rd – 31st May 2026.

Free activities in the learning centre:

Make a Flying Fish – What kinds of fish live in Windermere? Get creative in the Learning Centre this half-term and make your own paper flying fish using the resources provided! 

Available in the Learning Centre on Monday 25, Tuesday 26 and Wednesday the 27 between 11am – 3:45pm. 

Interactive STEM Lab – Explore fun, hands-on STEAM interactives inspired by our collection, engineering, and Windermere. Available every day in May half term except Saturday 30 May.  This includes:

• Interactive Ball Run: Colourful towers and guttering for kids and adults to engineer their own long ball runs.
• Illuminated Creations: A light box featuring luminous Lego, letters, shapes, and other objects for building glowing models and sculptures.
• Quiet Space: A designated regulatory space featuring a tee-pee, toys, and books.
• Blue Blocks: Get creative with this loose parts play system which includes bricks, cylinders, chutes and channels.

The above activities are free to participate in on a drop-in basis. 

Why not extend your visit and explore the kid-friendly activities available in the museum too? With museum admission, families can also enjoy the activities mentioned below. 

Fish Trail in the Museum – Let’s go fishing! Can you find all the different fish that live in Windermere hidden around the museum? Have a go with our self-led trail available from the ticket desk. 

Cargo Chaos Game – Can you beat the highest score? Race the clock in our recently installed remote-controlled game inspired by Raven’s history, one of our largest historic vessels.  

Full details here – Windermere jetty museum

May half term, Blackwell

When – 23rd – 30th May 2026.

Decorate a Pot! – Decorate your own paper pot inspired by Blackwell’s collection. 

Available every day during May half term.  

Make Something Useful/Beautiful – On Thursday 28 May, drop into the Guild Room and craft your own coaster or bookmark inspired by our current exhibition.

This drop-in session will be running between 11am–3pm on Thursday 28 May.

These activities are included with house admission.  

Full details here – Blackwell

May half term at Abbot Hall

When – 23rd – 30th May 2026.

Celebrate spring at Abbot Hall with creative, family-friendly activities running throughout the Easter holidays. From hands-on crafts to gallery adventures, there’s plenty to keep curious minds busy. 

Draw a Self-Portrait! – Draw a self-portrait using the creative prompts and resources available in the Coffee bar in the Creative space. Perfect for all ages, this self-led activity is a great way for some creative reflection and it is free! 

What is Home? Facilitated Workshop – Inspired by one of our summer exhibitions, The Paper Quilt Project, this workshop supports a creative exploration on the theme of ‘home’. Workshop will take place in The Paper Quilt Project exhibition in Gallery 6. Booking required.

Art Trail – Follow Sully the Cat on a family-friendly journey through the galleries with our refreshed Art Trail. Activity prompts are available in every space, helping children (and grown-ups) look closely, ask questions and spot hidden details. 

Available on the Art Cart. Included with gallery admission. 

Full details here – Abbot hall

Kites & Gliders craft, Keswick Museum

When – 27th Mat 2026.

Come to the museum to make your own paper bag kites and wooden gliders, and listen to a story about kiteflying. There’ll be plenty of time to build and decorate your creation, then let them soar in Fitz Park!

5 per crafter.

Book now – Kites & gliders

May half term events on farms across Cumbria

May Mayhem at Walby Farm Park

When – 23rd – 31st May 2026.

This year’s May Mayhem includes:

• The Sunflower Show – brand-new interactive show, featuring a very naughty Sunflower who has uprooted itself and a very frustrated Farmer! Running Sat 23 – Fri 29 May.
• The Potting Shed – Plant pollinator-friendly seeds and take home your own mini garden.
• Bee Crown Crafts – Create your own buzzy masterpiece in our crafty corner.
• Bug Hotel Making – Help us build a brilliant bug hotel.
• Meet Walby’s Beekeeper – Discover fascinating facts about bees and honey-making.
• Foam Parties – Back by popular demand! (Weather permitting, daily at 4pm.)

Book here – Things to do during May Half Term in Cumbria | Walby Farm Park

Dinosaur days, Lakeland Maze Farm Park

When – 23rd – 29th May 2026.

No details yet for 2026 but in 2025 it included roaming T-rex, life size raptor and baby dinos. There’ll also be fossil digging and access to the full farm included.

Book here – Dinosaur days

Other outdoor events Cumbria

Medieval Muncaster festival

When – 23rd – 31st May 2026.

Experience medieval magic where knights clash, stories unfold, and the past comes alive!

Each year, Muncaster invites you to step into the past and immerse yourself in the wonders of the Medieval era. The Medieval Muncaster Festival is a grand celebration where history comes alive, filled with excitement, adventure, and fun for all ages.

Book here – Medieval Muncaster Festival

Room on the Broom trail at Whinlatter Forest and Grizedale Forest

When – From 27th January 2026.

Follow the trail through the forest to discover spellbinding stops filled with fun Room on the Broom activities and fascinating forest facts. Help Witch find her lost hat, bow and wand along the way and collect special ingredients to complete the spell.

These trails are fantastic for families. They keep your children entertained on a short walk. There are large boards along the trail, filled with illustrations based on the book, fun facts and activities. Young children love how these trails bring their favourite books to life.

Packs cost £4 from the visitors centre.

Full details here – Forestry England Room on the Broom

We love the amazing play trail at Whinlatter Forest. Find out why here – Whinlatter forest walks

Find out more about Grizedale forest walks here.

Mud Monsters, Grizedale Forest

When – 26th May 2026

Using clay and natural materials, make a mud monster and smelly potion (nice or nasty!).

On the way to the wood we’ll play some sensory games.

£8 per child (plus one accompanying adult)

Book here – Mud Monsters

Willow Star Wand Walk, Grizedale Forest

When – 28th May 2026

Follow an un-nature trail, spotting things you wouldn’t expect to find, to a magical spot to make your own willow wand!

£8 per child (plus one accompanying adult)

Book here – Willow Star Wand Walk

Family theatre in Cumbria and the Lake District

The Jungle Book, The Coro

When – 23rd May 2026.

Swing into the jungle this spring and join Mowgli and friends Baloo the bear, Bagheera the panther, a gang of mischievous monkeys lead by King Louie in this enchanting new musical adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s much-loved classic.

This funny, exciting, and wildly entertaining new musical adaptation will be filled with catchy songs that will leave you howling with laughter. The Jungle Book will captivate the whole family and leave you jumping for joy.

Book here – The Jungle Book

Toto Kerblammo! Theatre by the Lake

When – 27th May 2026.

Tim Crouch’s powerful play about listening, friendship and finding hope in the darkest of places.

Wearing headphones, the audience will experience Effy’s world through 3D binaural audio technology. Immerse yourself in a compelling live mix of sound and action, and discover the sound of things you never knew had sounds…

Book here – Toto Kerblammo! – Theatre by the Lake

Once upon a fairytale, Theatre by the Lake

When – 28th – 29th May 2026.

A magical adventure through some of the world’s most loved fairytales, where every page comes to life. Along the way, you’ll meet familiar faces like Little Red Riding Hood, The Gingerbread Man and some rather grumpy bears!

Expect an interactive production packed full of energy, big bold dance moves and a fair bit of silliness from the award winning Story Craft Theatre.

Book here – Once upon a fairytale – Theatre by the Lake

Other family events this May half term

Bouncefest, Kirby Lonsdale

When – 28th – 30th May 2026.

Get ready for a spectacular inflatable extravaganza! We’re bringing at least 20 incredible inflatables—a thrilling mix of bouncy castles, giant slides, epic obstacle courses, disco bounce zones, and fun-packed inflatable games.

Book here – BounceFest

Events at The World of Beatrix Potter

When – 25th – 29th May 2026

Bee House Decorating – 25th May – booking required

Peter Rabbit tea & tails – 26th May – booking required

Biscuit making – 29th May – booking required

Full details here – events at The World of Beatrix Potter

Nearby May half-term activities for kids

There’s plenty going on in Lancashire if you do want to head south this half-term. Find out what’s on here – May half-term activities in Lancashire.

More things to do in the Lake District with kids

Whilst I haven’t found that many events on for the school holidays yet, there are always so many things to with kids in the Lake District. Here are some of my posts that you might find helpful for planning your visit.

• Find my ultimate guide to things to do in the lake district with kids here. It’s filled with the best family attractions and more in Cumbria.
• Find all the best Child-friendly attractions in the Lake District here.
• Find the 25 best things to do in the Lake District when it rains. After all, if it didn’t rain in the lake district, we wouldn’t have the lakes.
• Here are the best Child-friendly walks in the lake district. If you’re visiting the Lake District, I’m sure you’re planning a walk or two.
• If you need a pram-friendly walk, there are more than you’d think. Find the best Pram-friendly walks Lake District here.
• Still, looking for more walks? Have you seen I run a Facebook group specifically about walking across the region? Join here – Family Walks North West England

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