21 things to do in Wales with the kids for under a fiver
A three-day weekend is around the corner so make the most of it by indulging in some fun-filled family activities that won’t put a strain on your purse. Whether it’s swimming in Swansea, bird-watching in Conwy or dancing around like a Victorian in Llandud
Take part in the biggest board game event
International TableTop Day is a worldwide gaming phenomenon, and the biggest day of the year in board gaming, for families, students, or groups of mates. There will be 12 hours dedicated to gaming and you can take part in tournaments, demo games and there is a family kids’ zone too. Where: The Angel Hotel, Cardiff. When: Saturday, April 30. Times: 10am-10pm. Cost: £5 for adaults, FREE for children under 16. Contact: Go to www.rulesofplay. co.uk for tickets.
Enjoy a Victorian extravaganza
Join the kids for a Victorian street fair, old time fair rides, steam engines, people dressing up in Victorian costume, street parades at 12 midday each day, street entertainers. Where: Vaughan Street, Llandudno. When: Saturday, April 30 until Monday, May 2. Times: From midday. Cost: FREE – rides/stalls are priced separately.
Meet a new dinosaur
It’s hard not to love a dinosaur, especially Wales’ newest one! Imagine the kids’ faces when you give them the opportunity to meet a brand new one that’s joined the collection at the museum.
The dinosaur is approximately 200 million years old, the oldest Jurassic dinosaur ever found in the UK. It belongs to the theropod group of dinosaurs and is related to Tyrannosaurus rex, although our dinosaur was walking the earth about 130 million years earlier than its more well known cousin.
Where: National Museum Cardiff, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NP.
Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-5pm (Open Bank Holidays).
Cost: FREE
Learn about the Welsh capital
Discover how Cardiff was transformed from the small market town of the 1300s, to one of the world’s biggest ports in the 1900s, to the cool, cosmopolitan capital we know today.
The museum, in the beautiful and historic Old Library building, is rich in stories, objects, photographs and film telling the history of Cardiff through the eyes of those who created the city – its people.
Where: The Old Library, The Hayes, Cardiff, CF10 1BH.
When: 10am-4pm Monday to Saturday (closed Sundays). Cost: FREE Related: Get your diaries out! All the important dates for this year’s Cardiff Festival
Get them out of bed for a real dawn chorus
Celebrate International Dawn Chorus Day! Set your alarm clocks and join a local bird expert for a stroll through woodland discovering birdsong. Perfect if you are all early risers. Where: Elan Valley Visitor Centre. When: Sunday, May 1. Times: 6.30-8.30am. Cost: FREE – but please book in advance on 01597 810880.
Take them to see a beautiful garden
Perfect for a sunny spring day, this large woodland garden is designated Grade I on Cadw Register of Historic Parks and Gardens in Wales. It has lovely views, fine mature specimen trees; formal garden near house with massive yew topiary; rhododendrons, azaleas, woodland walks and bluebells. Where: Ffynone Mansion Open Garden, at Boncath. When: Sunday, May 1. Times: 11am-4.40pm. Cost: FREE. More info: www.ffynone.org
Take your dog for a walk (or borrow one) in the Elan Valley
Guaranteed to get the kids tired for school the next day, join Annette Davies on an evening stroll of approx. 3.5 miles on May Early Spring Bank Holiday evening with your dog, through the forestry and onto the open hill. On your return there is the option to stops for refreshments at Penbont Tearooms. Dogs on leads please. Where: Meet at Penbont car park, Elan Valley. When: Monday, May 2. Time: 5pm. Cost: FREE – but charges will apply f for refreshments.
Teach them about the Battle of Mametz Wood
2016 marks the centenary of the Battle of Mametz Wood, one of the most significant and bloody battles fought by Welsh soldiers during the First World War. Now embedded in the Welsh national identity, this battle has come to represent the bravery and sacrifice of Welsh troops in World War One. The fierce fighting that took place inspired some artists and poets who were serving at Mametz such as Siegfried Sassoon, Robert Graves, David Jones and Llewelyn Wyn Griffith to share their experiences with the world. This exhibition will explore the art, poetry and writing by those who witnessed the battle first-hand and others who have since responded to it. It will also show how the battle continues to resonate with people today.
Where: National Museum, Cardiff. When: It opens from Friday, April 30. Cost: FREE.
Test their bowling skills at Hollywood Bowl
It’s fun for literally all the family with a touch of healthy competition. To level the playing field they provide handy ramps for younger kids to roll the ball at speed rather than bowling by hand, and bumpers that stop the balls going into the gutter. The very smallest ball is an XS, which is a dinky 6lb in weight ideal for kids just off the ramp. Where: The Red Dragon Centre, Hemingway Road, Cardiff, CF10 4JY. Opening times: Open every day from 10am until late. Cost: Under 16s from £4.59.
Let the little ones climb someone else’s walls
If you’ve got a child under 7 then take them to Pebbles, a climbing adventure soft play area. An assortment of obstacles and challenges allows children to explore and play in a safe environment. Cost: £3.50 (under-7s only) Where: Boulders Indoor Climbing Centre, Pengam Road, Cardiff, CF24 2RZ. Opening times: Daily from 9.30am.
Take the Fforest Fawr sculpture trail
Fforest Fawr is a woodland area close to Castell Coch, just a few minutes walk from the centre of Tongwynlais. There is a sculpture trail, which was designed to take children on a magical journey through the forest and many trails for walking and cycling. Take your wellies though, it could be muddy. It’s a walk of about 1.5 miles and the trail is based on the idea of a giant creature who lives in the woods and has discarded different object around the woods, like a watch, a treasure chest and a dragon. Where: Fforest Fawr car park, off the A470 at Tongwynlais. Cost: FREE – with free car parking but no toilets.
May Day dancing and merriment
May Day has heralded the start of summer for many hundreds of years in Wales. The day is marked with merriment, music and what must surely be the most famous of all the folk dances, the raising of the maypole. You can witness this joyful ancient ritual being celebrated with style. Where: Music and dance on Gwalia Green at St Fagan’s National History Museum. When: Saturday, April 30 until Monday, May 2. Times: 11.30am, 1pm and 2pm. Cost: FREE.
Give a little love to shopping centre Cardiff’s
St David’s will team up with local cult brand, I Loves the ’Diff, to celebrate all things we ‘Loves’ about our city. It will be a day packed with fun activities, from amazing competitions and games to entertainment throughout the centre. Whether you “Loves” food, fashion, beauty – or everything in between – there’ll be something to enjoy all day long, from the chance to win a tasty treat at the one-armed bandit game, to getting up close and personal with the stars of the St David’s ads. There is also a dedicated zone for children where they can play to "beat the buzzer” to win a prize! Where: St David’s shopping centre, Cardiff. When: Saturday, April 30. Times: 9.30am-7pm. Cost: FREE.
Get them listening to folk music with Calan Mai
Kick-start the summer at Wales Millennium Centre with the return of Calan Mai, an annual free folk music festival. This year’s Calan Mai will be curated by the celebrated Welsh artist Patrick Rimes and will bring together the very best folk musicians in two days of music, dancing and festivities, including Kizzy Crawford. Where: Wales Millennium Centre. When: Sunday May 1 from 1.30pm and Monday, May 2 from 1pm. Cost: FREE.
Splash around at Wales’ biggest indoor waterpark
The LC is home to Wales’ biggest indoor waterpark with slides, waves and our indoor surf machine the Boardrider – there’s no end to the fun you can have! Tackle the Masterblaster – the ultimate white-knuckle rollercoaster waterslide or our aqua slide and aqua tube for some adrenaline filled adventure. There is also our famous wave pool or why not relax in our whirlpool or float around the lazy river? For the little ones there is an interactive pool with mini slide, tipping buckets and fountains. Where: LC2, Swansea, SA1 3ST. When: 9am-8pm. Cost: £4 for 4-15 year olds, FREE for 3 and under, £7 adults.
Go on a wildlife walk
Join volunteer wildlife guides for a friendly and informative two-hour walk around the Conwy nature reserve. Find out what makes RSPB Conwy so special and discover some of its birds and other wildlife. No experience necessary, all are welcome! Conwy nature reserve, Where: LL31 9XZ. Saturday, April 30. 11am-1pm. £2 per adult, £1 per child. When: Time: Cost:
Trek to Llyn y Fan Fach
One of Lonely Planet’s most unusual lakes, the remote water in the Brecon Beacons is a spectacular site and the perfect destination for an outing. Where: Brecon Beacons When: Anytime! Cost: FREE
Step back in time at Oystermouth Castle
Ever wondered what it would have been like to live at Oystermouth Castle in medieval times? Step back in time at Mediaeval Living History Day. Come and see the Ostreme Theatre Players become characters such as the Lord of Gower, the White Lady, William de Breos and his daughter Alina, and bring the castle to life with stories from their past. And don’t miss the ‘make and take’ traditional willow weaving! Where: Oystermouth Castle When: Saturday, April 30. Time: 11am-4.30pm. Cost: FREE event (normal admission charges apply) Work alongside local artist Jonathan Anderson to make your favourite “Star Wars” spaceship sculpture. Use common materials like cardboard, wood, tape and paint to make a model X-wing or a TIE fighter, the Death Star, or even a science fiction inspired creation of your own. May the Force be with you! Suitable for ages 9 to infinity. Where: Swansea Museum, Victoria Road, SA1 1SN When: Sunday, May 1 Time: 10am-1pm and 2pm-4pm. Cost: All workshops are FREE. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Make a Star Wars arts sculpture See the amazing 3D photospheres at the National Waterfront Gallery
Artist Matt Wright captures various historical sites from around Wales using the latest technology. They’re presented in a series of amazing 3D photospheres, making history fun and interactive. Where: National Waterfront Museum, Oystermouth Road, Swansea SA1 3RD. When: Saturday, March 19-Sunday, May 22. Event times: 10am-5pm. Cost: Free.
Visit Cardiff’s May Day Carnival
Now in its fourth year! Cardiff’s favourite May Day Carnival in the heart of Whitchurch. It’s a fun-filled day planned with stalls, fun fair rides, face painting, BBQ, Beer Tent, entertainment through-out the day and lots more. Where: Whitchurch Common, Cardiff. When: Monday, May 2. Cost: Entry is FREE.