May half-term activities Liverpool 2026
There’s so much to do in Liverpool for families. This is my guide to the May half-term activities Liverpool 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 on May 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 Merseyside with May half term events
Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trail at Speke Hall
When – 23rd – 31st May 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.
Full details here – Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trail at Speke Hall
Festival of Blossom – Poetry in Blossom, Speke Hall
When – 25th April – 31st May 2026.
This May half term, celebrate the Festival of Blossom at Speke Hall with a self-led poetry trail through the Orchard, South Lawn and Clough Woodland.
Discover five stops along the way, featuring poems by Simon Armitage inspired by the surrounding landscape. At each stop, you can listen to recorded poetry and music by Simon Armitage and LYR, bringing each piece to life as you explore.
Full details here – Festival of Blossom – Poetry in Blossom
Half Term Indoor Mouse Trail, Speke Hall
When – 27th – 31st May 2026.
Follow a self-led trail through seven stops around the mansion. Keep your eyes peeled for tiny mice, hidden in unexpected places and celebrating blossom alongside the folklore of spring.
Pick up a trail sheet and, once you’ve completed the trail, collect your sticker – a fun activity for families to enjoy together.
Full details here – Half Term Indoor Mouse Trail
Events in museums across Liverpool and Merseyside May half term
Big Art special: Art Sparks. Walker Art Gallery
When – May: 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 2026.
Spark your creativity and have fun with our fabulous friendly facilitators in Big Art! Big Art is a very special place for young children and their grown ups to discover arty things together.
Explore your creativity as a family with our special facilitated activities and make a marvellous masterpiece to take home. Plus you’ll have some time to explore Big Art and all the wonderful resources for yourself.
Art Sparks sessions take place (subject to availability) on Saturdays and Sundays during term time at 2:15pm. Then Monday-Sunday during Liverpool school holidays at 2:15pm.
£2 per child, must be booked in advance.
Book here – Big Art special: Art Sparks | National Museums Liverpool
May Half Term Heroes, Eureka! Science + Discovery
When – 23rd – 31st May 2026.
Meet real-life superheroes and discover the science behind their powers in our action-packed live show!
Full details here – May Half Term 2026 – Eureka! Science + Discovery
For the love of art with splatter and stick, Lady Lever Art Gallery
When – 23rd May 2026.
Splatter and stick offers an inclusive environment with the aim to develop a child’s self confidence, natural exploration skills, hand eye co-ordination and manual dexterity, through the exploration of arts and crafts with sensory play. We aim to create a fun and creative environment that supports families with children who may need additional support.
Tickets cost £2 per child over the age of 1. Babes in arms are free but please still book them a space.
Book here – For the love of art with splatter and stick | National Museums Liverpool
Make It! Craft Workshop, The Atkinson
When – 28th May 2026.
Be inspired by our museum, gallery and theatre programme in an arts and crafts workshop suitable for all the family. There’s something for all ages, with all materials supplied and all for free!
Drop-in any time between 11am – 3pm and get creative.
Children under 12 must be supervised by an adult.
Full details here – Make It! Craft Workshop – The Atkinson
Free Return of the detector dogs! World Museum
When – 28th May 2026.
Detector dogs work with a handler from Border Force to detect hidden objects and smuggled goods. The Museum is hosting a special visit from these highly skilled dogs with a unique chance to see them in action and find out more!
Demonstrations will take place in our Treasure House Theatre at 12 noon, 1pm and 2pm.
Sessions are drop-in, no booking required
Full details here – Return of the detector dogs!
Free Beside the Seaside: National Museums Liverpool at 40
When – 28th May 2026.
Beside the Seaside invites families to dive into a day of coastal creativity, music, and hands-on discovery. Inspired by the seaside scenes in Bathers, Dieppe and New Brighton, 1977 by photographer Martin Parr, alongside a range of maritime models, paintings, and objects from our NML 40 exhibition, this event brings the spirit of the seaside to life.
Create your own seaside-inspired scenes, take part in creative activities, and get up close with real maritime objects. Discover the stories behind life by the sea — from boats and voyages to the tools and treasures of the coast.
Full details here – Beside the Seaside: National Museums Liverpool at 40
Other outdoor events in Merseyside this May half term
Once upon a time, Knowsley Safari
When – 23rd – 31st May 2026
Knowsley Safari transforms into a world of mythical creatures, storytelling and wonder.
Families can discover enchanting installations, create their own characters, explore literary-inspired trails, and bring stories to life through hands-on activities and live performances.
Whether you’re crafting puppets, spinning extraordinary creatures, or uncovering hidden mythical beasts across the park, every corner of the Foot Safari becomes part of the story.
Book here – Once upon a time
Free Shaun the sheep trail at Liverpool ONE
When – 1st -31st May 2026.
Explore Liverpool ONE and follow the trail using the bespoke ‘Fun with the Flock’ AR app to track down nine markers across Liverpool ONE. At each location, unlock animated scenes, complete Bitzer the dog’s checklist of fun challenges, and interact with Shaun and his farmyard friends in unexpected places!
Full details here – Shaun the Sheep Fun with the Flock AR Trail – Liverpool ONE
May Half Term at Otterspool Adventures
When – 23rd – 31st May 2026.
Miss Rachel adventure – 23rd & 27th – Sing, learn, and play along with the Miss Lucy Experience—a fun-filled tribute to Miss Rachel!
Richie, A tribute to Blippi – 24th & 29th – Jump into the fun with Lukie—a high-energy Blippi tribute packed with songs, dancing, and big smiles!
Magic & Mishaps with Melrin! – 26th & 30th – Expect laughs, surprises, and a little bit of chaos with Magic & Mishaps with Merlin!
Barbie’s Dream Disco – 25th & 28th – Join Barbie for a fun-filled disco packed with music, dancing, sparkle, and non-stop pink party vibes!
Book here – May half term
Story time, Palm House Sefton Park
When – 26th May 2026.
Join the palm house team for story and rhyme time!
Book here – story time
Free Writing on the Wall – children’s story telling, Palm House Sefton Park
When – 27th May 2026, 11am–12.30pm
A lively and inspiring morning led by much-loved children’s writers and performers. This vibrant event will spark young imaginations, celebrate cultural heritage, and introduce children to the magic and power of stories brought to life aloud.
Through captivating tales and creative expression, young listeners will be inspired not only to listen but to dream up adventures of their own.
Book here – Writing on the Wall
Family theatre during May half term
The dinosaur that pooped, Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse Theatres
When – 26th – 30th May 2026.
Adapted from the number 1 best-selling books by Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter, the whole family will have a poopy good time enjoying a brand new story for the stage. Featuring new songs by Tom and Dougie, a lot of laughs and a whole lot of poo!
Book here – The dinosaur that Pooped
Dinosaur Adventures live! St Helens Theatre Royal
When – 28th May 2026.
Captivating both the young and young at heart, step back in time to a world of living, breathing, life-like Dinosaurs in this brand-new ROAR-some adventure! Taking you on an unforgettable journey through the Jurassic era, experience the thrill of getting up close with Dinosaurs and feel the thunderous roar of a T-Rex, learn about their history and even feed them but be careful – you might end up on the menu!
Book here – show – St Helens Theatre Royal
Ice Age Adventure, The Atkinson
When – 29th May 2026.
Journey back in time to meet incredible prehistoric animals in the coolest family show this side of the arctic circle.
Join the fearless explorers as they trek through snow-packed valleys, outwit sabre-toothed surprises, and make friends with the coolest cavemen, even bringing back some extinct Dodo friends for the ride!
This icy adventure is sure to knock your snow boots off! Help our heroes save the woolly mammoth by joining in with the frosty fun in this live theatre show at The Atkinson.
After the show, get up close like never before and meet your prehistoric pal; the polar bear!
Book here – Ice Age Adventure
The Utterly Revolting Science Show, The Atkinson
When – 30th May 2026.
Brace yourselves for the Rude Science team’s hilarious, high-tech, highly-explosive new journey through the human body, packed with burp biology, fart physics and revolting edible chemistry. Expect enormous bottoms, edible fireworks, burp machines and the world’s loudest fart in this riotous science spectacular.
Book here – The Utterly Revolting Science Show
Flowers and Friendship Bracelets (pop concert), St Helens Theatre Royal
When – 27th May 2026.
Let’s ‘Shake it Off’ to our very own Taylor Swift; sing along to ‘Flowers’ with Miley Cyrus; dust off all our best dance moves to ‘Vampires’ with Olivia Rodrigo, and not forgetting the unstoppable Sabrina Carpenter performing all her top hits such as ‘Espresso’. Plus Chappell Roan who’s HOT TO GO! Watch the girls delight the audience in this incredible concert with a huge pop party to finish the show.
Flowers and Friendship Bracelets creates unforgettable memories for children and families. This show is the Ultimate Concert Experience!
Book here – show – St Helens Theatre Royal
Other half term events
Mini movies at Calderstone Park, Mansion House
Tiddler – 26th May 2026, £5 per ticket. Book here – Tiddler
Zog – 27th May 2026, £5 per ticket. Book here – Zog
Outdoor paddling pools
Fancy a trip to an outdoor paddling pool or splash pad this May half-term? We have lots in the North West and many are free. Some of them do require pre-booking though.
Full details of them all here – Outdoor paddling pools and splash parks in the North West
Nearby May half-term activities for kids
There’s plenty of places you might like to visit this half term in Cheshire and Lancashire.
Find my guide to Lancashire here – May half-term activities in Lancashire
Find my guide to Cheshire here – May half-term activities in Cheshire
More things to do in the Liverpool with kids
Here are some of my posts that you might find helpful for planning your time in Liverpool this half-term.
If you have older children then this post might help – Things to do in Liverpool for teenagers.
If you have children under 5, then this is the guide for you – Things to do with toddlers in Liverpool
Always looking for inspiration for family days out across the North West? Join the Family Days Out North West Facebook group to be part of a community sharing the best family days out across the region. Join here.
