Top 5 for Families this May Half Term
May is an beautiful time to discover the wonder of wetlands. Warmer weather and brighter days bring new life bursting forth in a green landscape.
With wild flowers blooming, butterflies in the hedgerows and ducklings on the water it’s a memory-making day out for everyone. Here are some suggestions to get the most from your family day out at Arundel Wetland Centre this May.
1. Gozzle Actvities
Explore the Gozzle interactive trail, where families follow Gozzle’s journey from fuzzy gosling to grown‑up goose - complete with animal poses, stepping‑stone challenges, sensory activities, and 15 hidden mini Gozzles to spot.
Pop into Gozzle’s Vet Check station to help nurse a toy goose back to health. Explore x-rays, measure beaks and wings, and learn how we care for our feathered residents every day. This activity is on weekends and holidays through May 31.
2. Search for New Life
Look out for newly hatched greylag geese goslings, mallard ducklings and coot chicks around the pathways and ditches around the centre. Sand martins are nesting in the banks at the Sand Martin hide. Watch here or find another nest box around the reserve to watch for a while – can you see birds going inside with nesting material or food for chicks?
3. Take a Pond Dip
Join our Learning Team at the Raised Pond to uncover incredible underwater life with a net and tray. Family dipping sessions for up to six people run in the morning and afternoon on weekends and holidays. Book at the admissions desk - a £3 donation per family to help us cover costs would be gratefully appreciated.
Book a family pond dipping session for up to six people at our admissions desk when you visit.
4. Find Secret Spots
There places around our site that are perfect little 'dens' that children love to spend time in - like the Reedbed Willow Sphere. Enter this artwork and surround yourself with wildlife! Woven from willow, a traditional wetland material, this work has hidden harriers, lapwing, sand martins, herons and dragonflies. Challenge the kids to find them all!
In the Wildlife garden is a secret glen of log stump seats around a wooden throne called Peter's chair. Children love this secret space - great for picnic lunches, looking for insects in the leaves or closing your eyes to listen for bird song.
At the end of the Tranquil Trail near the Lapwing hide is a lovely Willow Arbour. This pretty shelter has a bench inside - chill out here while the childen go butterfly hunting on the wood chipped trail outside. There is also a min-trail along the water nearby - take a seat and wave at the passing Wetland Safari boats.
In the middle of the Reedbed Boardwalk is the Reed Chamber. This pointy building of thatch is a great spot to wait out a rain shower. Bird watch out the doorway - and look for birds nesting inside the thatch!
5. Pop into Pelican Cove
Say hello to our three new Dalmatian Pelicans - Jean, Ghost and Wanda. These are the largest pelicans in the world with a 10 foot wingspan! See how do you measure up on the pelican wings sign. Meet one of our friendly Keepers at Pelican Cove each day a 2 pm. While feeding the birds they will talk all thing pelican and answer your questions about any of the amazing birds in the living collection at Arundel Wetland Centre.
A Dalmatian Pelican makes a splash while trying to catch fish - photo by visitor Tony Siddorn
Bonus: All aboard a Wetland Boat Safari!
There is something special about being on the water and one of the best ways to see wetlands if from the water. The Boat Safari ride is a twenty-minute guided trip on our quiet electric boats through beautiful reeds and channels full of spring wildlife. Your guide will help you spot the wetland wildlife all around you.
Book your Boat Safari ride tickets from our admission desk on the day of your visit for £3 per person.
Cafe and Shop
A visit to Arundel Wetland Centre is a full, fun, family day out. Bring a picnic for outdoor eating or try the Water’s Edge Café with children's sandwich boxes. Browse gorgeous gifts, books, toys and bird care in our WWT gift shop.
To round off your visit, take time to slow down, soak in the sights and sounds, and enjoy everything the wetlands have to offer. Whether you’re watching wildlife from a quiet hide, exploring with the children on one of our trails, or simply relaxing with a picnic, May half term is the perfect opportunity to connect with nature. With so much to see and do, every visit is a little different—so come back, explore again, and see what new discoveries await.
Ready to Visit?
If you've been inspired to explore Arundel Wetland Centre this spring, find out more and plan your visit online.
