11 fun things to do for families in merseyside starting from today

HERE ARE SOME OF THE EVENTS TAKING PLACE OVER THE COMING DAYS THAT YOU CAN STILL BOOK 12:17, 28 May 2025Updated 13:06, 28 May 2025 The May half term is underway, and with almost half the

school holidays over already, parents may find themselves scratching their heads as to how to fill the rest of the days with their little ones. Kids return to school on Monday, June 2 in

Liverpool, so there is still plenty of time to plan some fun activities, regardless of the weather. Lots of families know how quickly the cost of half term activities can add up - but

thankfully there are lots of free family fun days and events place in and around Liverpool to get involved in. We've rounded up some of the free events and activities taking place

during the May half term. ‌There are also a number of paid-for family attractions that families can get involved in, so we've included some of these in our round-up of fun activities

that could help fill a day during the school holidays. Here are some of the events taking place over the coming days that you can still book. VISIT A HUNGARIAN HORNTAIL FROM HARRY POTTER A

ferocious dragon from the Harry Potter films has landed in Liverpool. Weighing in at 1.3 tonnes, the Hungarian Horntail sculpture can breathe fire, roar and issue a wink of its eye to

visitors. Guests will be able to get up close and personal with the dragon, which fans will recognise from Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire_. _The dragon was created to mark the launch of

the new Triwizard Tournament - Making of Champions feature at the studio tour, running from May 15 to September 8. The film monster is available to view in Liverpool ONE today only. This is

a rare opportunity to see Hungarian Horntail away from its usual home at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter. ‌The new feature celebrates the 20th anniversary of

the cinematic release of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and invites visitors to go behind-the-scenes of the Triwizard Tournament to discover how filmmakers created the competition

on-screen. Fans seeing the dragon on tour will have the chance to win tickets to Triwizard Tournament - Making of Champions through an exclusive competition. SEASIDE CARNIVAL AT KNOWSLEY

This May Half Term, Knowsley Safari's seaside carnival returns from Saturday, May 24 until Sunday, June 1, with new activities and entertainment all included in the venue's general

admission price. Part of the popular Foot Safari will be transformed into ‘Knowsley Safari on Sea’, channelling all the classic seaside vibes, with pier-themed games and side shows, such as

a coconut shy and hoopla. Adventurous family members will revel in excitement as they enter the Safari’s ‘Big Top’ to try their hand at traditional circus skills, including plate spinning

and juggling, before being wowed by daredevil professionals performing thrilling acrobatics overhead. Helena Berry, Head of Marketing and Sales at Knowsley Safari says, “We’re so excited

about Seaside Carnival this year, it’s going to be bigger and more exciting than ever before. There are so many activities and lots of entertainment for all ages to enjoy, and it’s all

included in the regular ticket price, so we’re hoping as many people as possible come and enjoy our carnival celebrations!” Knowsley Safari first opened in 1971 and the safari drive now

covers 550-acres. There are over 500 animals including lions, tigers, rhino and wolves at the site. Standard admission tickets cost £25.00 for a child and £27.50 for an adult. For further

information and to book, visit the website. LVP 3X3 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT From May 30 to June 1, Toxteth El8te are back at Liverpool ONE for the return of the LVP 3×3 basketball festival.

Expect a display of impressive skills, with appearances from top athletes who’ve played on national and global stages. The festival is completely free, with open basketball sessions where

visitors can jump in and play. A full schedule is available on the Liverpool ONE website, including a link to register for the open sessions. GANDEYS CIRCUS, NEW BRIGHTON Gandeys Circus is

in New Brighton until June 3, located on The Dips on Coastal Drive. The spectacular show brings the thrills, colour and spectacle of circus and carnival to life for families. The

Gandey's website says: "Prepare to be transported to the vibrant, lively world of Rio’s famous Carnival with stunning sounds, dazzling costumes, and an international cast full of

flair and excitement. "Carnival brings together incredible feats of strength, including the awe-inspiring Thor —the circus's very own strongman—and a heart-racing spectacle

featuring the daring space wheel and the high-speed motorbikes inside the globe. "With fast-paced thrills and nonstop excitement, this show is a treat for all ages. Immerse yourself in

the action from the comfort of your seat, as Carnival guarantees quality and a spectacular experience for everyone. With a West End-style production, a heated tent, and comfortable seating,

this is a circus event you won't want to miss. Come for the laughs, stay for the awe-inspiring feats—Carnival is a show for the whole family to enjoy!" There are numerous show

times each day, with tickets starting from £10.99. BUBBLEMANIA!, EUREKA! SCIENCE AND DISCOVERY If your children are bubble fans then this is the ideal half term activity. Running until June

1 at Eureka! Science and Discovery centre, the sessions can be booked in advance. The attraction includes The Bubble Show, hosted by Ray Bubbles, in the theatre every day at 11am, 12pm,

1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm. Expect giant bubbles, bubble tricks, and plenty of giggles in this 30-minute show that’s perfect for the whole family. There's also a hands-on science

workshop where children can explore the science behind fizz, dive into messy experiments, and even make their own water fizzer to take home! Sessions run daily at 11am, 12pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm,

and 3:30pm. This is suitable for ages 5+ and is limited to 30 participants per session. Visitors can sign up on arrival. SOUTHPORT FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL Southport Food and Drink Festival

returns this weekend for another outing. The annual celebration draws thousands of people to Victoria Park with plenty of music, entertainment and international cuisine for all ages to

enjoy. There are also various hand made items for gifting, decorating, and even supplies for your pets. Best of all, the weekend is completely free to attend. The weekend includes everything

from live bands and singers to inflatable rides, face painting and crafts. More than 50 traders set up stall at the festival, offering a range of different cuisines, sweet treats, drinks

and items to take home. ‌There are also various hand made items for gifting, decorating, and even supplies for your pets. New for this year is the experience marquee which boasts a full

programme of events across the weekend. You can purchase tickets for the events here. We have a handy guide to everything you need to know about Southport Food and Drink Festival 2025.

BOXPARK LIVERPOOL FAMILY FEASTIVAL This Sunday, June 1, BOXPARK Liverpool is offering a family festival from 12pm until 4pm. There will be food deals on offer all afternoon, as well as live

music, arts and crafts classes for kids, plus mini games for families to enjoy. There will also be a kids' quiz at 1pm which is free to play. The venue is located inside the Cains

Brewery Village on Beaufort Street in Liverpool's Baltic Triangle. DINOSAUR WORLD LIVE! AT THE FLORAL PAVILION THEATRE From Friday, May 30 until Sunday, July 1, the Floral Pavilion is

hosting Dinosaur World Live! shows. With an approximate running time of 50 minutes, the shows are at 11am and 2pm, with standard tickets priced at £18.50. The Floral Pavilion website says:

"Grab your compass and join our intrepid explorer across uncharted territories to discover a pre-historic world of astonishing (and remarkably life-like) dinosaurs. Meet a host of

impressive creatures, including every child’s favourite flesh-eating giant, the Tyrannosaurus Rex, a Triceratops, Giraffatitan, Microraptor and Segnosaurus! "A special meet and greet

after the show offers all our brave explorers the chance to make a new dinosaur friend. "Winner of the prestigious 2024 Olivier Award for Best Family Entertainment in London’s West End,

don’t miss this fun and mind-expanding Jurassic adventure, live on stage." EXCITING SCIENCE AT THE ATKINSON On Friday, May 30 from 2.30pm to 4.30pm families can enjoy an Exciting

Science show at The Atkinson Theatre for £15 plus a £1.50 booking free per ticket online. The show is for ages four and above. The fun and fact filled experiments include recreating a

volcanic eruption, turning a vacuum cleaner into a missile launcher and other fun displays. PIRATES LOVE UNDERPANTS, LIVERPOOL EVERYMAN & PLAYHOUSE THEATRES Based on the beloved book by

Claire Freedman and Ben Cort, families can join a swashbuckling party of pirates on their quest to find the fabled Pants of Gold for the Captain’s Treasure chest. Filled with music, puppetry

and glittering pants of gold, shows take place at 1.30pm or 10.30am, depending on show dates. Running from today, Wednesday, May 28, until Saturday, May 31, tickets for this half term show

are priced at £15. The running time is 50 minutes with no interval and it is suitable for children aged three and over. This production contains flashing lights, loud sounds, haze and the

use of water guns and bubbles. KIDS EAT FREE Half term can be an expensive time for parents with all the activities you have to fork out for in order to keep your little ones entertained.

And amid an ongoing cost of living crisis, many families find it difficult to cover the cost of a hot meal every lunchtime if their children are usually in receipt of a free school meal

during term time. Article continues below The good news is that a number of big name restaurants and cafes are offering kids' lunches for free or for a very low cost during the half

term holidays. Some venues require a full price adult meal to be purchased in order for the free or reduced price kids' meal to be provided, but some places are offering the free meal

with no additional spend. ‌These meal deals make it much more affordable to keep the kids happy and fed during half term, with a range of different restaurants and cafes to choose from. ‌We

have a full list of all the places kids eat for free or for £1 in the school holidays.