Looking for things to do on the Isle of Wight over the May half-term? As we head into the summer, many popular Island attractions have special events lined up.
Here are five special events on the Island that can be enjoyed during the half-term week!
Find out how to share your half-term events below
Shaun the Sheep at Tapnell Farm Park
Get ready to hop, skip and jump into ‘Shaun the Sheep: Farmathalon Live!’ at Tapnell Farm Park during the half term.
It is a madcap sporting event meets farmyard frolics, where you will join Shaun the Sheep and his flock and throw everything you have got at seven family activities!
Farmathalon is Shaun’s take on the Heptathlon! From the 20-metre Sheep Hopper Race to the Cabbage Shot-Put and the Green Bean Javelin, there is non-stop fun for everyone!
How low can you go with the 100-centimetre Herd-les? Can you master the Egg hundred metres without cracking under pressure? And do not miss out on the hilarious Sty Jump and the ultimate test of endurance, the Marrow-thon!
The special event takes place between 11am – 4pm on Tuesday, May 28, to Thursday, May 30.
Yellow Welly Week in Bembridge
Promising a week-long programme of fun and educational activities, Bembridge Lifeboat Station’s annual free event returns for the May half term.
Taking place between May 25 and June 2, Yellow Welly Week will provide a range of fun activities for youngsters, from dress-up to line-throwing and welly-wanging competitions.
There is also the Bembridge Street Fair and a chance to see the all-weather lifeboat training launch – with a ‘sausage sizzle’ afterwards!
All proceeds for the events and donations throughout the week will support Bembridge’s lifeboats, helping to save lives at sea.
Carisbrooke Castle and Osborne House
For holidaymakers, day-trippers and Islanders, England Heritage is offering plenty of historical fun at Osborne House and Carisbrooke Castle this half term.
At Osborne House, join Queen Victoria and Prince Albert at their seaside home for old-fashioned thrills, including traditional fairground rides and mesmerising magicians.
Live Victorian music from Sounds of Time will provide the soundtrack for the event, which takes place from May 28 to 30.
Find out more about Osborne House events HERE.
Over at Carisbrooke Castle, between May 25 and June 2, and on selected days throughout the week at Osborne, ‘Kids Rule!’ offers a day out to keep all the family entertained.
Included in the standard admission price at each site will be hands-on activities and storytelling, from tales of battles at the castle to royal etiquette at Osborne.
Find out more about Carisbrooke Castle events HERE.
Chillerton and Gatcombe Scarecrow Festival
The ‘Gallybaggers’ are making their triumphant return for this year’s Chillerton and Gatcombe Scarecrow Festival, which begins on Saturday (May 25).
Around 100 scarecrows – known colloquially across the Island as gallybaggers – will be on show at the week-long award-winning festival.
See photos: Gallybaggers back for Chillerton and Gatcombe Scarecrow Festival this half-term
The scarecrows can be found throughout the village, with Aunt Sally’s Tea Room open every day between 11am and 4pm and live music performances at the Gallybagger Inn.
Festival proceeds will go to local causes, including Sight for Wight, and scarecrow maps will be available from the Village Hall and Gallybagger Inn.
The scarecrow event runs until Saturday, June 1.
RNLI bicentenary special event
On Sunday (May 26), the Island’s Inshore Lifeboat Centre will host a special bicentenary event in celebration of the RNLI’s 200th anniversary.
At the free open day, RNLI volunteers will carry out guided tours of the state-of-the-art factory at Clarence Road, East Cowes, and visitors can observe the naming ceremony of a new ‘D’ class lifeboat.
Read more: Join the festivities as RNLI marks historic milestone with Island event
Youngsters will get the chance to meet RNLI mascot Stormy Stan, learn to tie marine knots, get their faces painted and watch afloat lifeboat demonstrations in the marina.
A programme of live entertainment includes musical interludes from The Slipshod Singers, the Cowes Concert Band, the Inshore Lifeboat Station’s ukulele band and the famous Medina Marching Band.
Extra events
Isle of Wight libraries
Pirates will be taking over Newport Library for the week, with the opportunity to make a parrot on a stick, a pirate spoon puppet, a treasure map and a pirate hat.
There will also be pirate tales and a fancy-dress competition.
At Sandown Library, there is a chance to meet children’s author Jules Marriner for a special puppet show, story time and craft session.
There is an animal theme at other Island libraries, with Ryde Library hosting an Elmer the Elephant story and craft session.
Cats Protection will be visiting Sandown Library, Froggie Craft at Freshwater and snake making at Ventnor.
All library activities are free, but booking may be required. Contact your local library to find out more.
Newport Museums
There will also be fun interactive family activities at Newport Museums during half term.
At the Museum of Island History, to accompany the new display of landscape pictures, families can create their own artwork with a time traveller twist and take part in a photo hunt around the gallery.
The museum is open on Tuesday, May 28 and Thursday, May 30, from 10am to 1pm. Entrance and all activities are £1 for adults and 50p for children.
Newport Roman Villa will host a ‘Build it like a Roman’ clay day on Friday, May 31, where visitors can be inspired by the skill of Roman builders and make their own unique tile to take home.
Entry to the Villa on this day will be £1 each.
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