With spring returning, May Day is a wonderful opportunity to gather and celebrate the changing of the seasons. From dancing around the Maypole to making flower crowns, there are plenty of festivities for families to take part in.
In this guide, we’ll explain what May Day is, why we celebrate it, and share six fun, educational May Day activities for kids to welcome the warmer months and savour time away from school during this joyous holiday.
What is May Day, and why do we celebrate it?
May Day is an annual European festival that takes place halfway between the spring equinox and the summer solstice, usually falling on the 1st of May. It’s a celebration of spring, fertility, and new life, often linked to the early May bank holiday, giving families time to relax and make the most of the great outdoors together.
The origins of May Day
May Day’s history stretches back thousands of years, and is thought to have come from the Celtic festival Beltane (‘the fire of Bel’). On this day, Celts would light large bonfires and decorate their homes with yellow flowers to mark the bright beginning of summer after a long, dark winter, symbolising rebirth and vitality.
Later, the Romans brought their own traditions when they invaded Britain, including celebrating Floralia, a festival dedicated to Flora, the goddess of flowers and plants. It involved wearing garlands of flowers in the hair, dancing, theatrical performances, and games.
Today, many of these ancient traditions have become a major part of the modern May Day celebrations we all know, often featuring the lively maypole dance, fun fairs, crafts, the crowning of a May Queen, and other various festivities that continue to honour nature, community, and hope for the months ahead.
6 May Day activities for kids
So, how can you and your kids celebrate May Day? We’ve compiled a list of six fantastic ideas that you can easily try at home or in your local park to make this May Day the most memorable one yet.
1. Dance around the Maypole
To kick things off, let’s start with one of the more traditional May Day activities, dancing around the Maypole! A tall, wooden pole (3-5 metres high) is decorated with long, colourful ribbons attached to the top, and children hold the ends at the bottom. As they skip and step in a circle to music, the ribbons weave together. This dance is said to represent the interconnectedness of life and the changing seasons.
For children, Maypole dancing is fantastic for developing coordination and rhythm as they must time their steps to the music and work in harmony with others to create the beautiful woven design around the pole. Most of all, it’s a great way to make new friends and learn teamwork lessons while keeping a British tradition alive!
How to do it:
- Find or create a safe Maypole using a wooden pole or a broom handle. Alternatively, a long tree branch, garden parasol, or cardboard tube works just as well!
- Use long lengths of lightweight fabric or ribbons in a variety of colours to tie securely at the top with duct tape.
- Give each child a ribbon and have them stand in a circle around the pole.
- Play lively folk music and guide half the children to move clockwise and the other half counterclockwise by walking or skipping around the pole until all the ribbons have wrapped around it.
- Once the pole is braided, ask everyone to tie their ribbons into bows and step back to admire their handiwork.
2. Gather flowers and greenery
Gathering flowers and greenery (also known as “Bringing in the May”) is a centuries-old tradition in which people head out into nature to collect seasonal flora to decorate their homes. Historically, people would gather boughs of blossoming trees, such as hawthorn, and fresh spring flowers like bluebells and primroses, to adorn their doorsteps, windows, and public spaces.
This practice is a wonderful sensory experience for kids as it gives them the chance to touch different textures, smell fresh flowers, and see all the vibrant colours of spring. It also encourages mindfulness and observation skills by teaching kids to notice tiny details, such as the shape of leaves or the buzzing of bees nearby.
How to do it:
- Grab a basket (a wicker basket or reusable bag will do).
- Head outside and look for fallen flowers first, then carefully pick only common plants like daisies, lavender or buttercups.
- Remind them to never pull plants by the roots and stay away from any thorny or potentially poisonous plants (e.g., foxgloves, hawthorn)
- Collect long grasses, pine cones, fern fronds and leaves to make your May Day display extra special.
- Bring it all home, and arrange your floral finds in a vase or glass jar.
3. Make a flower crown
Or, why not turn your gathered greenery into a magical flower crown? These are perfect for making any child feel like a May Queen or King! Flower crowns have long been part of May Day celebrations, embodying themes of fertility, growth, nature’s beauty and the season’s harvest.
If your kids love being creative, this May Day activity is a whimsical way to let them express themselves through colour, arrangements, and crafting. Skills-wise, it supports fine motor development through threading, weaving, and tying, which strengthens the small muscles in their hands. Plus, wearing their newly made crowns can also boost their confidence after successfully completing something of their own making.
How to do it:
- Measure your child’s head using a soft measuring tape, a long piece of card, or a flexible branch to form a circle.
- Overlap the ends and tape or interweave them together.
- Group 2-3 flowers with leaves, twigs and other natural materials along the base.
- Attach each bunch using tape, string, twine, or by gently threading the stems.
- Check and adjust for a comfortable fit.
4. Take a hike
Embrace the great outdoors by taking a May Day hike. With the weather warming up and the mud (hopefully) drying out, it’s the perfect time to explore a local National Trust park, a coastal path, or a forest trail. Along the way, you’ll be able to see all the glorious signs of spring, including vibrant greens, colourful displays of bluebells and daffodils, and newborn animals exploring their new surroundings.
Besides the obvious physical health benefits, hiking with kids has been shown to reduce stress and boost our mental wellbeing by encouraging gentle movement, increasing vitamin D levels (which help regulate mood and cognition), and building greater emotional resilience. What’s more, it also provides valuable opportunities for family bonding and conversation away from digital distractions.
How to do it:
- Pick a family-friendly trail or route that works for all ages and abilities.
- Wear appropriate clothing such as a waterproof jacket, layers (May has unpredictable weather) and walking boots (or wellies for some puddle-jumping fun!)
- Pack the essentials: water, snacks, waterproofs (e.g. jacket, pants), sunscreen, and a hat for UV protection.
- Turn it into an epic scavenger hunt. Give kids a list of things to find, such as a bird’s feather, a pine cone, or a white flower.
- After the hike, find a nice shady spot to sit down and reflect on the day’s discoveries.
5. Enjoy a picnic in the park
Soak up the sunshine with a May Day picnic in the park! With a day off from school and work, you can truly celebrate spring in style by sharing a delicious spread of food and drinks, playing games like frisbee or tag, and relaxing on a blanket whilst enjoying the weather.
Away from life’s busy schedules, the relaxed atmosphere of a picnic also allows families and friends to have meaningful conversations, laugh, and reminisce about old times. By socialising together, surrounded by the wonders of nature, this can strengthen relationships and help you spend quality time with those you care about. Overall, it’s simple, low-cost May Day activities like these that let you make the most of the bank holiday.
How to do it:
- Prepare your picnic lunch together. Let the kids wash the fruit and vegetables, bake some muffins the night before, or pack napkins and cutlery into the basket.
- Choose a safe, comfortable place to lay your blanket with plenty of shade, soft grass, and open space for games and relaxing.
- If you don’t fancy sitting on the ground, take a couple of lightweight, foldable camping chairs.
- Bring “low-tech” entertainment, such as a kite, a ball, or even a colouring book. The great news is that these options don’t require batteries, and they keep everyone active!
- Leave no trace behind by tidying up afterwards, putting rubbish in bins and leaving the park or green space clean.
6. Go on a May half-term adventure at PGL
If your child is ready to try something new, then a PGL May half-term holiday camp is the place to be! We turn “I’m bored” into “I did it!” with over 40 exhilarating outdoor activities to experience during their time off. From learning to draw, aim, and shoot in archery to challenging high ropes courses that’ll test even the most daring adventurers, there’s something for everyone.
But our May half-term camps offer so much more than fun! Children leave with greater confidence and independence by stepping outside of their comfort zones, making new friends, learning to work as part of a team, and most of all, discovering what they are truly capable of.
What to expect at a May half-term camp:
- Three tasty and nutritious meals per day with plenty of hot and cold options to suit all tastes
- Evenings packed with fun activities, including campfires, discos, quizzes, and arts and crafts.
- Comfortable bedrooms with nearby bathrooms, sharing the experience with new friends.
- 24/7 care and support from our highly trained team
As parents, you can rest easy knowing your kids are in safe hands, all while having an unforgettable May adventure!
Book your May half-term holiday camp today!
Interested? We offer both short 2-3 night stays and longer 4-7 night breaks during May half-term for kids aged 8 to 16 at activity centres across the UK.
Explore each of our locations below for more details:
North Yorkshire, Newby Wiske Hall
Get in touch with our friendly and experienced team today to see how we can help. It’s never too late to book!
