1. Poo Trail at Pensthorpe

Saturday 23rd to Sunday 31st May 2026
Pensthorpe, near Fakenham

Pensthorpe’s very popular Poo Trail is back for Whitsun half-term, with new trail boards, prehistoric poos and Professor Poo’s Laboratory. Your day ticket also includes indoor play at Hootz House, outdoor play at Wild Rootz, reserve trails, pond dipping and access to the 700-acre reserve. A fun one for younger children who like nature with a silly twist.

2. Everything Goes at Bure Valley Railway

Saturday 23rd to Monday 25th May 2026
Aylsham and Wroxham

For train fans, Bure Valley Railway’s Everything Goes event is a rare chance to see and travel behind the complete line-up of steam and diesel locomotives. There is an intensive timetable and unlimited travel available, making it a proper bank holiday weekend day out between Aylsham and Wroxham.

3. Norwich Games Festival - Trader and Collector Day

Monday 25th May 2026
10am to 4pm
The Forum, Norwich

A great free city option for gamers and families. Trader and Collector Day includes video games, tabletop games, trading cards, merch and playable game spaces, including the Retro Game Cave. There will also be local designers and developers alongside traders, so it is a good one for children, teens and nostalgic grown-ups.

4. Neon Sun’s Roller Circus

Monday 25th May 2026
12.30pm and 2.30pm
Epic Studios, Norwich

For something high-energy, Neon Sun’s Roller Circus is at Epic Studios on bank holiday Monday. The show is described as an urban skating adventure, with performances at 12.30pm and 2.30pm. Tickets are listed at £11 for children and £16 for adults.

5. Africa Alive - Kids for £1

Saturday 23rd to Sunday 31st May 2026
Africa Alive, Kessingland

Africa Alive has a half-term “Kids for £1” offer running across the school holiday week. The offer is valid for visits from Saturday 23rd to Sunday 31st May, with £1 kids’ tickets available online and at the gate. A strong North Suffolk family day out for animal lovers.

6. Pleasure Beach Whitsun Fireworks

Wednesday 27th May 2026
Fireworks from 9pm
Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach

A big midweek half-term treat at the seaside. Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach is hosting its Whitsun firework display on Wednesday 27th May from 9pm. The Pleasure Beach says it is open from 11am to 9pm, with evening wristbands available from 5pm, so families can make an afternoon and evening of it.

7. Rock Pool Rummaging at West Runton Beach

Thursday 28th May 2026
West Runton Beach

Norfolk Wildlife Trust has half-term nature activities at West Runton Beach on Thursday 28th May, including Rock Pool Rummaging and fossil finding. This is a lovely one for curious children who enjoy the coast, wildlife and hands-on exploring.

8. Out There Festival

Thursday 28th to Saturday 30th May 2026
Great Yarmouth

Out There Festival returns to Great Yarmouth from Thursday 28th to Saturday 30th May. It is listed as a free festival for everyone, with outdoor arts, performance and family-friendly entertainment around the town. A good choice if you want something different, colourful and lively without necessarily paying for a full family attraction day.

9. May Half-Term at Sutton Hoo

Monday 25th to Friday 29th May 2026
Sutton Hoo, near Woodbridge

Sutton Hoo has half-term activities themed around buried treasure, mysterious mounds and archaeology. Families can imagine what it was like to be an archaeologist on the eve of a discovery, explore Tranmer House and find out more about the treasures discovered underground. National Trust listings also include arts and crafts from 10am to 3.30pm and family tours during the week.

10. Chantry Place Dinosaur Scavenger Hunt

Saturday 23rd to Sunday 31st May 2026
9am to 4.30pm
Chantry Place, Norwich - Free

A handy free option in Norwich. Chantry Place has a dinosaur-themed scavenger hunt running throughout half-term from 9am to 4.30pm. Families can follow clues around the centre, find the dinosaurs and collect a medal after completing the trail. Dippy the Dinosaur is also due to appear on Monday 25th May between 10am and 3pm.

Before you go: bank holiday and half-term events can be busy, so check booking details, ticket availability, parking and timings before setting off.

School is out, the weather is looking brighter, and families across Norfolk and North Suffolk are looking for ways to make the most of half-term without every day costing a fortune.

The good news is there are plenty of options, whether you want a proper day out, a simple trip to the coast, a local walk, or something fun in the garden.

Local days out with the kids

If you want an easy family attraction, places like Wroxham Barns, Pensthorpe, Bewilderwood, Africa Alive, Roarr!, Bure Valley Railway and Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach are all strong half-term choices. They give children plenty to do, and they work well when you want a full day planned rather than trying to invent activities as you go.

For animal lovers, farm parks and wildlife attractions are always a good bet. Children can meet animals, burn off energy outdoors and enjoy something that feels a bit different from a normal weekend. It is worth checking opening times, booking requirements and any half-term activities before you travel, as some events may need tickets in advance.

Make the most of the coast

A beach day is one of the simplest ways to make half-term feel special. Great Yarmouth, Gorleston, Cromer, Sheringham, Wells-next-the-Sea, Southwold and Lowestoft all make brilliant family trips.

You do not need to spend much. Pack sandwiches, drinks, sun cream, a blanket, buckets and spades, and make the treat something small like an ice cream or chips to share. Children often remember the sandcastles, paddling, shell collecting and seagull-watching more than anything expensive.

For a slightly quieter day, try a coastal walk with a picnic. Even a short stretch of prom, beach or cliff path can feel like an adventure when school is out.

Explore parks, rivers and the Broads

The Norfolk Broads are perfect for a slower family day. You could visit Wroxham, Hoveton, Horning, Ranworth or Beccles and build the day around a walk, picnic and boat-spotting.

Local parks are another easy win. Take a football, frisbee, kite or cricket bat and let the children run around for a couple of hours. If you want to make it feel more exciting, create a family challenge: who can spot the most birds, find the biggest leaf, or take the best nature photo?

Norwich is also good for a low-cost family day. Have a wander through the city, walk by the river, visit a park, grab picnic bits and turn it into a “tourist in your own city” afternoon.

Free and budget ideas at home

Not every half-term day needs to be a paid day out. If money is tight, make the garden or local green space the main event.

Try chalk drawing, bubble games, a homemade obstacle course, water play, den building, a teddy bears’ picnic, a scavenger hunt, garden camping, or a “make your own ice cream shop” using supermarket cones and toppings.

You could also plan a no-spend day where the children help choose lunch from what is already in the cupboards, make tickets for a home cinema, or create a family sports day.

The key is to give it a name. “Back Garden Festival” sounds much more exciting than “we’re staying at home today”.

Keep it simple and enjoy it

Half-term does not have to be perfectly planned. Mix one or two bigger days out with easier, cheaper days at home or close by.

A beach trip, a Broads picnic, a farm visit, a park afternoon and a garden games day can easily fill the week without overcomplicating things.

However you spend it, enjoy the sunshine, make a few memories, and have a brilliant half-term.