Five things to do in Kingston this May Half Term
With May Half Term vast approaching, you may be wondering what there is to do in and around Kingston to keep the little ones entertained.
Well have no fear because we have created a list of five family-friendly things to do in Kingston this May Half Term.
Charity Bank Holiday Weekend Fun at The Bricklayers Arms
What better way to kick off the Half Term than with some family fun at a local pub?
From Friday, 23 May – Monday, 26 May, The Brick Layers Arms pub is hosting a weekend of events to raise money for Born Too Soon charity.
The celebrations will include a kids' bouncy castle all weekend, a BBQ from 2pm – 6pm on the Sunday and Monday, and ice cream.
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VRXtra
What better way to escape the Half Term boredom than an escape from reality?
Well, VRXtra in the Bentall Centre is the perfect way to do just that.
Dubbed as "Kingston's most fun and immersive experiences", VRXtra has over 80 different experiences, including its Xtra Games, VR Escape Rooms, Smash Point, and the massively popular Arcade.
The hub is open from 10am – 7pm, with it staying open until 9pm on Thursdays, and 11am – 6pm on Sundays.
The Kingston store has 12 Tethered VR Headsets, toilets, customer seating, free Wi-Fi, and is available to book for parties.
Book your visit here.
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Retro pop-up arcade at The Bentall Centre
Similarly to VRXtra, The Bentall Centre is set to transport visitors back to the golden age of gaming with an exciting, family-friendly pop-up arcade event this May Half Term.
Running from 26 - 30 May, the centre will host a pop-up retro arcade filled with nostalgic favourites and interactive games.
Shoppers of all ages can enjoy classic titles such as PacMan and Retro Racer, all completely free of charge.
It is the perfect mix of fun, excitement, and a touch of nostalgia.
As part of the event, VRXtra will be joining the centre to offer visitors an exciting opportunity to experience modern gaming like never before.
With cutting-edge virtual reality technology, guests can immerse themselves in a range of interactive and engaging games, bringing a dynamic and futuristic element to the event.
The event is expected to be a hit with families, friends, and gaming fans, creating a lively atmosphere and offering timeless entertainment.
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Kingston Glamour
On the topic of retro, those who are more artsy might prefer the new exhibition 'Kingston Glamour', which is opening today (Friday, 16 May) and running throughout Half Term.
It is part of Kingston 2025 and will be exhibited at Kingston Museum during the museum's opening hours on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays until 10 January.
Kingston Glamour is an exhibition on art and innovation in the suburbs.
It invites locals to discover Kingston's glamorous reputation for late night cabaret, race cars and fashion, and how it led the way in architecture and modern design.
Focusing on the 1920s to the 1970s encompassing art deco, the Ace of Spades nightclub on the Kingston Bypass, Suburban Modernism, and Mary Quant and the Singing Sixties, this exhibition celebrates Kingston's starring role in the enterprising history of the suburbs.
Exhibition highlights include:
- Footage and images from the Ace of Spades Roadhouse, which in its heyday, was the glitziest and most famous nightclub outside the West End, located on the Kingston Bypass in Hook, which developed in response to the growing motoring culture of the inter- war period.
- A display of exceptional furniture and works of art by Betty Joel, one of the most high-profile art deco designers of the 30s and 40s, who had a prestigious client list drawn from high society and commissioned the leading architect Harry Stuart Goodheart-Rendel to build her a purpose-built factory at Hook Rise on the Kingston Bypass.
- An array of the cosmetics and eye-catching promotional material relating to the partnership in the Sixties between the Gala Cosmetics Company and the fashion designer Mary Quant, the successes to Betty Joel's factory in Hook Rise, who between them orchestrated the 'young make up shake up' of that era and permanently introduced fashion into the cosmetics industry.
- A recently rediscovered set of press photos relating to a rare public appearance by Mary Quant at Bentall's department store on 27 April 1977 to promote her collaboration with Viyella's 'London Pride' Label dash a reminder of the pioneering role of the department store, the first in the country to introduce a 'Miss Junior Fashion' Department, played in the young fashion revolution that radically altered the popular culture of Britain in the latter half of the Twentieth Century.
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May Half Term Pokethon at Waterstones
Another gaming one for you.
From 11am – 12.30pm on Monday, 26 May, The Bentall Centre's Waterstones will be hosting a Pokethon.
For those of you are unsure of what a Pokethon is (myself included), it is a chance for people of all ages to hone in their (Pokemon?) skills, collect, trade, and battle (or even learn the ropes) with other Pokemon fans.
While all ages are welcome, it is advised that guardians of younger children stay for the event and maybe enjoy some tea and cake in Waterstones' café.
Tickets cost £4.29 and include a Pokemon trading cards pack.
Book your tickets here.
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For those of you looking for more, feel free to check out our What's On page for events happening in the local area. You can also add your own events to this page for FREE.
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