It’s the May Bank Holiday and as usual Bristol has come up trumps in terms of activities and events for children and families!
Whether you fancy Scarecrow spotting in Pucklechurch, a miniature train ride or two at Ashton Court Miniature Railway, arts and crafts at Arnolfini, free foodie fun at Bristol Food Connections, meeting Queen Victoria at Tyntesfield, watching maypole dancing, meeting some of the horses in Horseworld or going to one or more of the 9 FREE family fun afternoons organised by The Noise 2016, below is the full list of events from Saturday 30th April to Monday 2nd May!
Please do like the Bristol Mum Facebook page to keep up with even more upcoming events for children and families, too!
SATURDAY
Join artist Beth Collar and Arnolfini’s learning team to explore Arnolfini’s exhibits and events through exciting activities for families to do together. Drop-in throughout the day to see what fantastic creations you can make! Most suitable for ages 5+ but all welcome.
- Saturday 30th April
- 1 – 5pm
- FREE (donations welcome)
- More details
Train Rides on Bristol Harbour Railway
Take a train ride on Britain’s only dockside steam railway from M Shed on a Bristol-built locomotive. Buy tickets on board during the day. Trips last 20 minutes approx.
- Saturday 30th April, Sunday 1st May and Monday 2nd may
- Single £2 / return £3 / Under 6s travel free
- More details
Love Our Library Party at Hanham Community Centre Green
A Love our Library party organised by the Save Hanham Library Group (read more about this group here). Book swap, children’s author story tent, face painting, tea and cake stall and more. For children and families of all ages.
- Saturday 30th April
- 1 – 2pm
- Hanham Community Centre Green
Free Craft Session at Hanham Library
Free kids craft session at Hanham Library immediately following the above event.
- 2 – 3pm
- FREE
- Hanham Library, High Street, BS15 3EJ
The Noise Free Family Fun Afternoon: Horfield
Inflatables, face painting, craft zone, café area and more.
- 2.30 – 4.30pm
- FREE
- Horfield Common (near leisure centre), BS7 OXJ
The Noise Free Family Fun Afternoon: Sea Mills
Inflatables, face painting, craft zone, café area and more.
- 2.30 – 4.30pm
- FREE
- Sea mills Square, BS9 2BY
The Noise Free Family Fun Afternoon: Easton
Inflatables, face painting, craft zone, café area and more.
- 2.30 – 4.30pm
- FREE
- Beaumont Street, Easton BS5 0US
The Noise Free Family Fun Afternoon: St Werburgh’s
Inflatables, face painting, craft zone, café area and more.
- 2.30 – 4.30pm
- FREE
- Mina Road Park, St Werburgh’s BS2 9XN
An opportunity to meet all of the animals currently on the adoption scheme at HorseWorld’s Welfare Department which is not normally open to the public.
There will also be the opportunity to adopt a horse. This is a day that is open to everyone and you will be able to meet many of the rescued horses that are now fit and healthy. Talks and tours throughout the day. Refreshments available.
- 10.30am – 3pm
- FREE
- Keynes farm, Staunton lane, Whitchurch BS14 0QL
- More details
Three days of fun for children and parents: Entertainment, May Queen, stalls, music, maypole, crafts, demonstrations, small animals, remote control boats and much more!
- Saturday 30th April, Sunday 1st and Monday 2nd
- More details
Free Guided Tour of Clifton Suspension Bridge
Learn all about Clifton Suspension Bridge, how and why it was built, the amazing feats that took place on the bridge and how it works. Find your volunteer guide by Clifton Toll Booth (Bristol side of bridge) wearing a high visibility jacket. Tours last 45 minutes – 1 hour, finishing at the Visitor Centre (Leigh Woods side of bridge).
- Saturday 30 April, Sunday 1st May and Monday 2nd May
- 3pm
- More details
Queen Victoria will be making her annual inspection of the estate and her soldiers will also be popping in!
- Saturday 30th April, Sunday 1st May & Monday 2nd May
- Free event (normal admission charge applies)
- More details
Bristol Food Connections event at College Green
From today until Monday 2nd May, College Green will be transformed into a hub of foodie activity. There is lots of foodie fun including talks, tastings and free cooking workshops, plus lots of great free fun for kids too.
SUNDAY
Train Rides on Bristol Harbour Railway
Take a train ride on Britain’s only dockside steam railway from M Shed on a Bristol-built locomotive. Buy tickets on board during the day. Trips last 20 minutes approx.
- Single £2 / return £3 / Under 6s travel free
- More details
The Noise Free Family Fun Afternoon: Barton Hill
Inflatables, face painting, craft zone, café area and more.
- 3 – 5pm
- FREE
- Urban Park, Barton Hill, BS5 9XE
The Noise Free Family Fun Afternoon: Lawrence Weston
Inflatables, face painting, craft zone, café area and more.
- 2.30 – 4.30pm
- FREE
- Lawrence Weston Baptist Church, Long Cross, BS11 0LU
The Noise Free Family Fun Afternoon: Brentry
Inflatables, face painting, craft zone, café area and more.
- 2.30 – 4pm
- FREE
- Brentry primary School, Brentry, BS10 6RG
Miniature Train Rides at Ashton Court Miniature Railaway
Take a miniature train ride with your children at the Ashton Court Miniature Railway. Suitable for all ages.
- Sunday 1st May and Monday 2nd May (weather permitting)
- 12 – 5pm
- 90p for 1 ride / £4 for 5 rides / £8 for 10 rides
- Waether permitting, call 0117 946 7110 if unsure
- More details
Pick up your scarecrow trail maps and clues from St Thomas a Becket Church and explore Pucklechurch Village whilst having fun with your friends and family. Guess the names of the scarecrows and return your entry form to Church by 4.30pm on Monday 2nd May to be in with a chance of winning a £50 prize!
- Sunday 1st May and Monday 2nd May
- Tickets available at the church door: £2 adults, £1 children, £5 family ticket (up to 5 people)
- More details
Three days of fun for children and parents: Entertainment, May Queen, stalls, music, maypole, crafts, demonstrations, small animals, remote control boats and much more!
- Saturday 30th April – Monday 2nd May
- More details
Free Guided Tour of Clifton Suspension Bridge
Learn all about Clifton Suspension Bridge, how and why it was built, the amazing feats that took place on the bridge and how it works. Find your volunteer guide by Clifton Toll Booth (Bristol side of bridge) wearing a high visibility jacket. Tours last 45 minutes – 1 hour, finishing at the Visitor Centre (Leigh Woods side of bridge).
- Saturday 30 April, Sunday 1st May and Monday 2nd May
- 3pm
- More details
Queen Victoria will be making her annual inspection of the estate and her soldiers will also be popping in!
- Saturday 30th April, Sunday 1st May & Monday 2nd May
- Free event (normal admission charge applies)
- More details
Bristol Food Connections event at College Green
From today until Monday 2nd May, College Green will be transformed into a hub of foodie activity. There is lots of foodie fun including talks, tastings and free cooking workshops, plus lots of great free fun for kids too including a free poetry workshop for kids aged 6 – 13.
MONDAY
Train Rides on Bristol Harbour Railway
Take a train ride on Britain’s only dockside steam railway from M Shed on a Bristol-built locomotive. Buy tickets on board during the day. Trips last 20 minutes approx.
- Single £2 / return £3 / Under 6s travel free
- More details
The Noise Free Family Fun Afternoon: Lockleaze
Inflatables, face painting, craft zone, café area and more.
- 2.30 – 4.30pm
- FREE
- Gainsborough Square, Lockleaze, BS7 9AP
The Noise Free Family Fun Afternoon: Southmead
Inflatables, face painting, craft zone, café area and more.
- 2.30 – 4.30pm
- FREE
- Glencoyne Square, Southmead, BS10 6DE
Pick up your scarecrow trail maps and clues from St Thomas a Becket Church and explore Pucklechurch Village whilst having fun with your friends and family. Guess the names of the scarecrows and return your entry form to Church by 4.30pm today to be in with a chance of winning a £50 prize!
- Tickets available at the church door: £2 adults, £1 children, £5 family ticket (up to 5 people)
- More details
Three days of fun for children and parents: Entertainment, May Queen, stalls, music, maypole, crafts, demonstrations, small animals, remote control boats and much more! Today there is also a ‘Mythical Creatures’ fancy dress procession.
Iron Acton May Day on the Green
Maypole dancing, live music, dog agility display, Tae-Kwon Do display, modern and traditional dancing and more.
Free Guided Tour of Clifton Suspension Bridge
Learn all about Clifton Suspension Bridge, how and why it was built, the amazing feats that took place on the bridge and how it works. Find your volunteer guide by Clifton Toll Booth (Bristol side of bridge) wearing a high visibility jacket. Tours last 45 minutes – 1 hour, finishing at the Visitor Centre (Leigh Woods side of bridge).
- Saturday 30 April, Sunday 1st May and Monday 2nd May
- 3pm
- More details
Queen Victoria will be making her annual inspection of the estate and her soldiers will also be popping in!
- Saturday 30th April, Sunday 1st May & Monday 2nd May
- Free event (normal admission charge applies)
- More details
Bristol Food Connections event at College Green
From today until Monday 2nd May, College Green will be transformed into a hub of foodie activity. There are lots of foodie fun including talks, tastings and free cooking workshops, plus lots of great free fun for kids too.
Redland May Fair
Loads of fun on offer for children and families including Maypole dancing, storytelling, a range of live music and performances, Pirate puppet show, magic show, stalls and much more!
- 1 – 5pm