May Half Term 2026: Best Kids Activities in Wirral, Liverpool & Chester

May half term 2026 runs from Monday 25 May to Friday 29 May, with the bank holiday falling on Monday 25 May. That means you’ve got a full week (and a lovely long weekend to kick things off) to fill with adventures, memory-making, and plenty of fun for the little ones.

Whether you’re based in Wirral, Liverpool, Chester, or anywhere across Merseyside and Cheshire, we’ve put together the ultimate guide to keeping kids entertained this May half term. From sun-soaked outdoor adventures to reliable indoor options for those unpredictable late-May showers, there’s something here for every family.

Bank Holiday Weekend: Get Half Term Off to a Flying Start

The bank holiday weekend (Saturday 23 May to Monday 25 May) is the perfect opportunity to kick off the half term break before the crowds arrive midweek. Here are some brilliant ways to make the most of those first few days.

Start with Indoor Play at Bubbles World of Play

There’s no better way to launch the half term holidays than a trip to Bubbles World of Play. With over 30 themed zones spread across one of the UK’s biggest indoor play centres, the kids will be entertained for hours. From the dinosaur land and Wild West ball cannons to the Northern Lights zone, there’s something to delight every age group from babies right through to 11-year-olds.

Why families love it at half term:

• 2+ hours of non-stop play to burn off all that end-of-term energy
• Dedicated baby and toddler areas so the little ones can explore safely
• A 5-star rated kitchen serving proper meals for hungry adventurers (and tired parents)
• FREE ride-on toys — just ask for tokens at reception
• Comfortable seating with full CCTV coverage, so you can relax with a coffee

Top Tip: May half term is one of the busiest weeks of the year, so book your admission tickets in advance to guarantee your spot. Walk-ins are welcome when capacity allows, but booking ahead takes the stress out of planning.

New Brighton Beach and Promenade

If the bank holiday sunshine makes an appearance, head to New Brighton for a classic seaside day out. The beach is sandy and spacious, perfect for building sandcastles, flying kites, and paddling in the shallows. The promenade has plenty of cafes and ice cream stops to keep everyone fuelled up.

Perfect For: All ages, pushchair-friendly promenade

Pro Tip: New Brighton is just minutes from Bubbles World of Play, so you can easily combine a morning at the beach with an afternoon of indoor play — or the other way round!

Birkenhead Park Family Picnic

Pack up the picnic basket and head to Birkenhead Park, Britain’s first publicly funded park. With 226 acres of gorgeous grounds, playgrounds for different age groups, and the beautiful Swiss Bridge and boating lake, it’s a wonderful spot for a relaxed bank holiday afternoon.

Don’t Miss: The Grand Entrance bridge is a favourite with little explorers and makes a lovely photo spot.

Outdoor Adventures for May Half Term

Late May is one of the best times of year for outdoor family adventures across Merseyside and Cheshire. The days are long, the weather is (usually!) warm, and the kids have bags of energy to burn. Here are our favourite outdoor activities for May half term 2026.

Royden Park Nature Reserve, Frankby

This 235-acre country park is an absolute gem for families. Woodland walks wind through bluebells (if they’re still blooming in late May), there are wide open meadows for running and games, and the nature trails are pushchair-friendly throughout.

Don’t Miss: Climb up to the iconic Rapunzel’s Tower viewpoint for stunning views across the Wirral countryside. The kids will love pretending to be fairy tale characters!

Perfect For: Ages 2+, dog-friendly, free entry

Thurstaston Common and the Wirral Way

Head to this National Trust site for breathtaking views across the Dee Estuary to Wales. The famous Thor’s Stone — a giant sandstone boulder — never fails to impress young adventurers. From here, you can pick up the Wirral Way, a traffic-free path that’s ideal for family cycling and scooting.

Perfect For: Nature lovers, ages 4+, free parking

Eastham Country Park

Explore woodland trails, spot wildlife along the River Mersey, and enjoy the beautiful views from this peaceful country park. The onsite cafe does a lovely ice cream and the perfect cuppa for the grown-ups.

Top Activity: Follow the Wirral Way coastal path southwards for a gentle walk that even younger children can manage.

Croxteth Hall and Country Park, Liverpool

Just a short drive into Liverpool, Croxteth Hall offers a brilliant free day out. The Victorian walled garden is gorgeous in late May, and the farm is home to pigs, sheep, goats, and more. Little ones love the adventure playground, and the parkland trails are perfect for burning off energy.

Perfect For: Ages 1-10, free entry (charges for some activities), ample parking

Calderstones Park, Liverpool

One of Liverpool’s loveliest green spaces, Calderstones Park features an excellent playground, a beautiful Japanese garden, and the Reader’s cafe inside the stunning Mansion House. In late May, the park is bursting with colour and the ice cream van is never far away.

Perfect For: All ages, great for a half-day outing

Indoor Activities for Rainy Days

Let’s be honest — even in May, the British weather can surprise us. Having a few reliable indoor options up your sleeve means you’ll never be stuck for something to do, rain or shine.

Bubbles World of Play — Your Rainy Day Rescue

When the heavens open, Bubbles is always the answer. The sheer size and variety of the play zones means kids genuinely never get bored, even on a second or third visit in the same week. Many families make Bubbles their half term tradition, popping back for multiple sessions throughout the holiday.

Check out our things to do in Wirral page for more ideas on pairing a Bubbles visit with other local adventures.

World Museum, Liverpool

Free entry and packed with exhibits that fascinate children of all ages — from the aquarium and bug house to the planetarium and dinosaur gallery. The World Museum is a solid half-day outing that’s both fun and educational. Allow at least two to three hours.

Perfect For: Ages 3+, free entry (planetarium charges apply)

Williamson Art Gallery & Museum, Birkenhead

This wonderful Birkenhead gallery offers free admission and regularly puts on special children’s workshops during school holidays. Keep an eye on their website for May half term events.

Perfect For: Ages 5+, rainy days, culture-loving families

Chester Zoo

Technically an outdoor attraction, but Chester Zoo has so many indoor houses and exhibits that it works brilliantly on drizzly days too. May is a wonderful time to visit — many of the animals have spring babies, and the gardens are in full bloom. Book online in advance to save on admission and avoid the queues.

Perfect For: All ages, allow a full day

For more ideas in the Chester area, have a look at our things to do in Chester guide.

Day Trip Ideas from Across the Region

May half term is a great time for slightly bigger adventures. Here are some brilliant day trips that are easily reachable from Wirral, Liverpool, Chester, and the surrounding areas.

From Chester and Warrington

Delamere Forest is roughly 20 minutes from Chester and offers miles of walking and cycling trails through beautiful woodland. The Go Ape adventure course (ages 6+) is a real hit with older children, while the Gruffalo trail keeps younger ones entertained.

Tatton Park near Knutsford is another cracking option. The deer park, adventure playground, and beautiful gardens make for a full day out. The farm is perfect for toddlers, while the mansion house appeals to older children and grown-ups.

From Liverpool and Bootle

Formby Beach and Red Squirrel Reserve makes a wonderful day out from Liverpool. The dunes are spectacular for running and exploring, the pine woods are home to the famous red squirrels, and the beach stretches for miles. Pack a picnic and make a day of it.

Martin Mere Wetland Centre near Ormskirk is fantastic for animal-loving children. Canoe safaris, otter feeding, and the adventure playground make it well worth the trip.

From Southport

If you’re heading to Southport, the Marine Lake, Botanic Gardens, and the classic pier are all family favourites. Combine a morning in Southport with an afternoon visit to Bubbles World of Play — it’s only around 40 minutes down the road, and the kids will thank you for it.

Budget-Friendly May Half Term Ideas

Half term doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are some of our favourite free and low-cost activities for families.

• Beach days — New Brighton, Formby, and West Kirby Marine Lake are all free to visit
• Park picnics — Birkenhead Park, Calderstones Park, and Sefton Park all offer free playgrounds and gorgeous grounds
• Nature walks — Royden Park, Thurstaston Common, and Eastham Country Park are free to explore
• Library events — Many local libraries across Wirral and Liverpool run free craft sessions and story times during half term
• Museum visits — The World Museum, Walker Art Gallery, and Museum of Liverpool are all completely free

And remember, booking your Bubbles admission tickets online is the best way to plan ahead and manage the family budget over the holidays.

Planning Your May Half Term Week

To help you make the most of the full week, here’s a sample itinerary that balances outdoor adventures, indoor fun, and a bit of downtime.

Saturday 23 May (Bank Holiday Weekend): Kick off with a trip to Bubbles World of Play — book tickets here

Sunday 24 May: Beach day at New Brighton or West Kirby Marine Lake

Monday 25 May (Bank Holiday): Day trip to Chester Zoo or Delamere Forest

Tuesday 26 May: Morning at Royden Park, afternoon at the World Museum in Liverpool

Wednesday 27 May: Back to Bubbles for another play session (the kids will be asking for it!)

Thursday 28 May: Formby Beach and red squirrel spotting, or Croxteth Hall if it’s wet

Friday 29 May: Wind down at Birkenhead Park or Calderstones Park with a picnic and playground time

Don’t Forget to Book Ahead

May half term is one of the most popular weeks of the year for family attractions across Wirral, Liverpool, and Chester. To avoid disappointment, we’d always recommend booking in advance wherever possible.

For Bubbles World of Play, grab your admission tickets online to secure your preferred date and time. We look forward to welcoming your family this May half term!

Explore more family-friendly ideas on our things to do in Wirral and things to do in Chester pages.