Best Kids Activities for May Day Weekend Near You

May Day weekend lands at the perfect time of year. The weather is warming up, school is still in session but a long weekend stretches ahead, and kids have energy to burn. Whether you are planning a garden party, a community event, or just trying to keep the little ones happy for three days straight, the right activities make all the difference.

Let's break it down so you can plan ahead with confidence.

Why May Day Weekend Calls for Something Special

May Day, observed on 1 May, carries a long history of outdoor celebration across the UK. From maypole dancing in village greens to local fetes, this bank holiday has always been associated with community, outdoor play, and letting kids run free.

The Early May bank holiday in 2025 falls on Monday 5 May, giving most families a three-day stretch to work with. That is more than enough time to pull together something genuinely memorable, whether you want one big event or a few low-effort activities spread across the weekend.

Here is why good planning pays off: kids who are physically active and socially engaged during school holidays are less likely to experience the restlessness that makes long weekends feel longer for parents. Research published by Sport England confirms that children aged 5 to 16 benefit from at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity per day, and the bank holiday weekend is an ideal time to hit that target in a fun setting.

Hire Inflatables and Bring the Party to Your Garden

One of the best May Day weekend kids activities you can organise from home is hiring an inflatable. Rather than driving everyone to a venue and paying entry fees per head, you bring the fun to your space.

Wacky World Hire offers a wide range of inflatables for hire in the Preston area, from small bouncy castles for younger children starting at £60, to larger all-age bouncy castles at £120 that work just as well for a mixed crowd of kids and adults. They also stock more adventurous options like the Inflatable Climbing Wall, the Base Jump, the Meltdown Inflatable, and the Rock 'N' Roll Gladiator Duel, all of which suit older children and teenagers who need more of a challenge.

Here is what makes hiring an inflatable particularly good for May Day weekend:

• You control the guest list, the timing, and the food

• Children get sustained physical activity without anyone needing to travel

• Setup and collection are handled by the hire company

• Costs are fixed, so there are no per-child entry surprises

For a birthday party that happens to fall on the May bank holiday, Wacky World Hire also offers mascot entertainers, with over 40 character costumes available, covering everything from Peppa Pig and Spiderman to Darth Vader and Stitch. You can book one or two characters for one or two hours, making it easy to match the entertainment to your child's interests without hiring a full entertainer package.

Outdoor Garden Games for All Ages

Not every May Day activity needs a hire company or a budget. A well-planned garden setup can keep children busy for hours with the right games.

Egg and spoon races and sack races remain genuinely popular with children aged 4 to 10. You can buy basic sacks and spoons at most pound shops or borrow them from a local school. Set up a course in your garden or a nearby park and run knockout rounds to keep the competitive energy going.

Giant garden games like Jenga, Connect Four, and Skittles are widely available to borrow or hire from party supply shops. These work well for mixed-age groups where toddlers and teenagers are at the same event.

Water play becomes more realistic in May when temperatures start climbing. A paddling pool, water balloons, or a simple hosepipe game costs very little and guarantees the children will sleep well that night.

Visit a Local Farm or Country Park

May is one of the best months to visit a farm or country park with children. Lambs are out, wildflowers are in bloom, and most outdoor attractions have extended bank holiday opening hours.

Let's break it down by age group:

• Toddlers and under 5s: Farm parks with gentle animal encounters, small play areas, and petting sessions. Look for farms accredited by the British Holiday & Home Parks Association or those listed on the Visit England website.

• Ages 6 to 11: Country parks with woodland trails, orienteering courses, and pond dipping. Natural England manages over 200 National Nature Reserves across England, many of which offer free entry and guided family walks over bank holidays.

• Teenagers: More physical outdoor activities like low ropes courses, den building sessions, or guided cycling routes. Many canal towpaths and National Cycle Network routes pass through rural areas and are free to access.

Check the opening times directly with any venue before you travel. Bank holiday hours often differ from standard weekend hours, and some smaller attractions close for pre-booked events.

Community Events and May Day Fetes Near You

Many UK towns and villages still run traditional May Day fetes and community events. These are worth seeking out because they tend to be low cost, family-oriented, and genuinely fun for children.

Next steps: Search your local council's events page or check community Facebook groups for listings. Searches on Eventbrite and local parish council websites usually surface events a few weeks before the bank holiday.

What to look for at a local May Day event:

• Maypole dancing demonstrations or participation

• Craft stalls and face painting

• Local food vendors

• Tombola, hook-a-duck, and other traditional stall games

• Live music or children's entertainers

These events are also a good opportunity for children to connect with local history and tradition without it feeling like a school lesson.

Arts, Crafts, and Nature Activities at Home

Rainy bank holidays are not unusual in the UK, so it pays to have an indoor plan as well. May Day has a strong connection to nature and spring, which makes it an easy theme to build craft activities around.

Pressed flower art is simple and costs almost nothing. Children collect flowers and leaves, press them between books for a few days, and then arrange them on card to create framed artwork. The Royal Horticultural Society publishes free guides on flower pressing suitable for children on their website.

Bird feeders made from pine cones are another straightforward project. You roll a pine cone in peanut butter and birdseed, tie a string to it, and hang it in the garden. Children can then track which birds visit using the RSPB's free bird identifier tool at rspb.org.uk.

Nature scavenger hunts work well in any outdoor space. Write a list of things to find, such as a feather, a yellow flower, a smooth stone, an insect, and a seed. Give children clipboards and pencils to record their finds. The Wildlife Trusts provides free printable nature hunt sheets on their website at wildlifetrusts.org.

Plan an Inflatable Event That Actually Works

If you decide to hire an inflatable for May Day weekend kids activities, a little planning goes a long way. Here is a simple checklist to get it right:

1. Book early. Bank holiday weekends fill up fast. Wacky World Hire recommends booking in advance to secure your preferred date and inflatable.

2. Check your space. Measure your garden or outdoor area before booking. Product pages on hire sites usually list the inflatable dimensions clearly.

3. Set up a rota. With a bouncy castle, younger children should have separate time slots from older ones to keep things safe and fair.

4. Sort the supervision. Most hire companies ask that an adult supervises the inflatable at all times. Assign someone specific rather than assuming everyone is watching.

5. Have a wet weather backup. Some inflatables can operate in light rain, but check with the hire company beforehand. Having an indoor plan removes the stress of watching the sky all day.

Safety and Age Guidelines for Inflatable Hire

The British Inflatable Hirers Alliance (BIHA) sets safety standards for inflatable hire in the UK. When choosing a hire company, check that they follow RPII (Register of Play Inspectors International) guidelines and that their equipment receives regular safety inspections.

A few practical guidelines to keep in mind:

• Children should remove shoes, glasses, and sharp jewellery before using a bouncy castle

• Overcrowding is the most common cause of minor injuries; keep numbers manageable

• Never allow children to use an inflatable in strong winds above 24mph, as recommended by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

• Inflatable climbing walls and base jump structures often have minimum height or age requirements; check these before booking if you have younger children attending

The HSE publishes guidance on the safe use of inflatable structures at hse.gov.uk, which is worth reading before any event.

May Day Weekend at a Glance: Quick Activity Ideas by Age

Ages 2 to 5:

• Small bouncy castle hire

• Paddling pool play

• Farm park visits

• Nature scavenger hunt with picture cards

Ages 6 to 10:

• All-age bouncy castle or gladiator duel inflatable

• Community May Day fete

• Garden games tournament

• Pressed flower art and bird feeder crafts

Ages 11 and over:

• Inflatable climbing wall or base jump hire

• Cycling or hiking on National Cycle Network routes

• Low ropes courses at outdoor activity centres

• Helping plan and run a younger child's party

FAQs: Kids Activities for May Day Weekend

What are the best kids activities for May Day weekend in the UK?

Good options include hiring an inflatable bouncy castle or climbing wall for your garden, visiting a local farm park or country park, attending a community May Day fete, or setting up garden games for a group. The right choice depends on the age of the children, your budget, and whether you want to host at home or go out.

How far in advance should I book an inflatable hire for a bank holiday weekend?

Book as early as possible, ideally several weeks ahead. Bank holiday weekends are among the busiest times for inflatable hire companies. Companies like Wacky World Hire in Preston cover local bookings and can confirm availability online, but popular dates and specific inflatables fill up quickly.

Are bouncy castles safe for toddlers and young children?

Yes, with proper supervision and age-appropriate equipment. Small bouncy castles designed for younger children are available specifically for toddlers. Always keep age groups separated during use and follow the hire company's safety guidelines, which should meet BIHA and RPII standards.

What can I do with kids on May Day weekend if the weather is bad?

Rainy day options include arts and crafts themed around nature, pressed flower projects, indoor scavenger hunts, board games, or baking. If you have hired an inflatable, check with the company in advance about their wet weather and cancellation policy so you are not caught off guard.

Do I need a big garden to hire an inflatable bouncy castle?

Not necessarily. Hire companies stock different sizes to suit different spaces. A small bouncy castle may need as little as 4 to 5 metres of clear space. Always check the dimensions on the product listing and measure your garden before booking. Good hire companies will also advise you on the best fit for your space.