by Katie Thompson
Summer is in the air; the trees are bright with greenery: May half term is here! While for some it’s time to revise, it’s also the perfect time to make the most of our (hopefully!) glorious weather and spend the week with friends and family.
Norwich is packed full of things to do this month- just check out what’s on in May– and the same can be said for half term. From a fantastic games festival to creative workshops. Not to mention getting out and about in Norfolk- where a mysterious whodunnit, amazing animals and a whole lot of fun await you!
Read on for our recommendations on how to spend the May half term in Norwich.
Get to know different games and an insight into the industry at Norwich games Festival
One of the city’s most anticipated festivals returns this May. Presented by The Forum and in partnership with Norwich University of the Arts, Norwich Games Festival is back for the whole half term and packed with all-things gaming! Think activities, talks, workshops, a retro arcade and more, including games design and the chance to get advice from industry professionals.
Our top picks include:
Family Game Design Workshop
Tuesday 27 May, 2pm – 4.30pm, The Forum, children £15, adults £20, ages 8+
If you’ve ever wanted to create your own board game, make sure to book a space for Family Game Design Workshop. With an experienced games designer on-hand to answer all your questions, you’ll be shown how to take your concept from an idea to a real-life game with its rules and design all chosen by you!
The Code Zone: Coding Robots and Games
Thursday 29 May, 10am – 3.15pm, The Forum, tickets £10, ages 6 – 16
The Code Zone is where real-life and augmented reality (AR) come together. Whether you’re a pro programmer or you don’t know your bugs from your booleans, this coding club will give you hands-on coding and game-making experience. Discover how to solve puzzles with virtual robot Rob and learn how to drive real-life robot Codey- making each game your own along the way.
Mario is 40! Birthday Party and Mario Kart Tournament
Friday 30 May, 10am – 4pm, The Forum, FREE, all ages
Is there any video game character as iconic as Super Mario? Celebrate his 40th birthday with a special street party, fun activities (including crafts, tabletop and video games, and wellbeing walks) and that all-important Mario Kart tournament- with prizes to be won!
This really is a festival made for all ages- from budding beginners to inspiring the next generation. It’s time to get involved!
Hone your drama skills at Yalm with their special Act Out workshop
Yalm’s playful Act Out Drama Workshop is perfect for any budding actors or prop designers. And it’s run by professional actor Rosalind, who can give you lots of tips and tricks for a captivating performance!
Across 4 hour-long sessions, you’ll get the chance to make your own puppet character, before taking part in a drama workshop to hone your acting skills. Then perform with your puppet in front of your own theatrical scenes!
What’s more, it’s a great chance to meet new people and with all materials provided, you just need to bring yourself and your imagination along.
Giddy up into the Wild West at Norwich Puppet Theatre!
Yeehaw! It’s time to unleash your cowboy-themed creativity with Norwich Puppet Theatre’s latest puppet-making workshop. The Wild West isn’t complete without a cohort of cowboys and cowgirls, after all.
You’ll get shown how to create the initial puppet by one of Norwich Puppet Theatre’s knowledgeable workshop leaders, before being let loose to customise yours however you want with a fabulous choice of materials. And everyone will make their own puppet, so you can craft a whole family of cows, cacti, and critters!
The sun will come out in Norwich when Annie arrives at the Playhouse!
The sun will come out at Norwich Theatre Playhouse with the timeless, heart-warming tale of orphan Annie.
Set in 1930s New York, Annie is determined to be free of Miss Hannigan and find her real parents. When she’s chosen to spend Christmas with famous billionaire Oliver Warbucks, Annie’s luck might just have changed- but Miss Hannigan has other ideas.
With classic showtunes like Tomorrow and It’s the Hard-Knock Life, this much-loved musical is suitable for all ages and will leave you feeling uplifted.
Put your detective skills to the test with Holkham’s whodunnit trail
There’s nothing more intriguing than a whodunnit, especially when the crime really did happen! In Holkham’s Walled Garden this half term, see if you can solve the clues and crack the case. In 1772, money was stolen, but who took it and where did it go?
Put your detective’s hat on and find all the hidden clues with the activity sheet. Using all the evidence, piece them together and uncover the truth behind this centuries-old mystery. There might even be a tasty reward for bringing the culprit to justice!
While you’re here, make a day of it and craft your own detective’s magnifying glass (free) and take part in various family games.
Experience the zoo after hours at Africa by Night
What’s more exciting than a day trip to the zoo? A night at the zoo, of course!
This half term, Africa Alive’s sell-out event Africa by Night is back for 2 after-hours evenings. You’ll get exclusive access to encounter hundreds of the zoo’s amazing animals- it’s an adventure you’re not going to forget any time soon!
Immerse yourself into the wonder of the zoo with enjoyable entertainment- including a Pan Afro band, stilt walkers and African steel drums, delicious food trucks (from barbecue to burritos), and fun things to do like face painting, funfair rides and more!
Why not explore The Bug Parc’s brand-new butterfly house?
This one’s for the children and the parents. At The Bug Parc, you can marvel at hundreds of minibeasts and fascinating creatures- from tarantulas and invertebrates to ants and butterflies! Plus, this award-winning attraction is ideal for traditional British weather (which always seems to know when it’s the holidays!) thanks to its mix of indoor and outdoor areas.
There are 4 tropical houses to explore, including The Bug Parc’s brand-new butterfly house. Embrace the dome’s balmy temperatures as these eye-catching creatures flit around you- it’s home to over 400 butterflies and 30 different species! And why not try a unique bug-handling experience (+£2pp)? End your day with a picnic or lunch at the cafe before a go on the play areas and popping into the gift shop.
Roarr! is just one of Norfolk’s many family attractions
You can’t deny that Norfolk is home to an amazing array of family attractions. There’s Roarr!, Pensthorpe, The Bug Parc, BeWILDerwood… the list goes on! And they make the perfect destination for a day out with friends during the school holidays.
For families with younger children, you could quickly fill your half term with memorable days out- whether they’re dinosaur lovers, insect enthusiasts or enjoy exploring the outdoors. And a Roarr! Annual Pass means you get unlimited entry to Roarr! for a year, as well as 10%, 20% or even 30% off admission to our county’s top attractions. We’re already tempted!
