Looking for ideas to get out and about with the kids this May half-term?

National Trust Cymru has put together a list of its top five sites across the region. Make lasting family memories together with fun activities and exciting challenges at some of North Wales' most picturesque historic homes and gardens.
 
From nature trails and craft events to outdoor play areas and sporty challenges, there’s plenty to keep the family entertained whatever the weather.  
 
1: Plas Newydd House and Garden, Anglesey
 
Whether you want to search for the elusive red squirrels, explore the adventure playground or see who is the top dog at frisbee golf - Plas Newydd has so much to do this half-term. 
 
Make family memories together as you play in the Dairy Woods - with its obstacle course, climbing wall, tunnels, bridges and stepping stones. Aternatively play out your own stories in the treehouse or just enjoy being out in nature.
 
If you get caught out by the rain never fear! Head inside the house and travel from the mountains of Eryri into a fantasy landscape of citadels, castles, quaysides and churches as you uncover the mysteries hidden in Rex Whistler's famous 58-foot mural or relax with sketching activities and traditional board games in the Octagon.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/plas-newydd-house-and-garden

2: Penrhyn Castle and Garden, Bangor
 
Head over to Penrhyn Castle and Garden for National Children's Gardening Week activities this half-term.

Remember your wellies and grab a magnifying glass to investigate the insects buzzing around the gardens, enjoy planting and garden games and even take part in a bit of 'welly-wanging' (watch out for flying boots!).

Penrhyn also boasts two adventure play areas - Rook Wood with its climbing ropes, swings, and see-saw and Cwt Ogwen natural playground, complete with balance beam course.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/penrhyn-castle-and-garden

3: Plas yn Rhiw, Llŷn Peninsula
 
Spring blooms overlooking the glorious sea-views of Porth Neigwl offer a calm and relaxing family day out at Plas yn Rhiw.

Children can explore the pollinator trail and discover why bees, butterflies and other bugs are so important to local habitats. They can also pick up a seasonal nature spotter pack to discover how different habitats provide homes for diverse plant and animal species.

There's plenty to discover on this beautiful site. 

The main house is currently closed due to conservation work, but the gardens are open on May 25-27, 29-30 and 1-2 June from 10.30am-4.30pm. 

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/plas-yn-rhiw 

4: Chirk Castle and Garden, Wrexham

How would you fare as a medieval Welsh knight? A visit to Chirk Castle is a great opportunity to try on armour through the ages and see just how tough it was to do battle in times of yore.

You can also head into the dungeon to experience what life was like for the enemies they captured.

If historic battles aren't your thing however the pristine gardens are now coming into bloom. Grab a free spotter sheet from the ticket office and enter the incredible world of butterflies and bees to see how many different species will you can identify. 
 
If you’re feeling arty, join the National Trust Cymru rangers in the Mindful Meadow to learn how to create hapa zome prints, beautiful pieces of art on cloth using flowers and leaves as natural printing materials. Hapa zome sessions are free and run on 28 and 29 May, 11-11.30am or 2-2.30pm. Places are limited to 10 children per session and tickets are available from the Ticket Office on the day.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/chirk-castle 

5: Erddig Hall and Garden, Wrexham
 
Only the most adventurous children enter the Wolf's Den! Nestled in Erddig's Big Wood, the Wolf’s Den natural play area is built entirely from resources found on the 1,200-acre estate.

Spanning nearly two acres, there’s plenty of space to let your little explorers run wild as they build dens, fly on rope swings, wobble across beams and climb over obstacles.
 
If you still have energy to burn, then celebrate National Children’s Gardening Week by getting messy with rock painting, seed potting and bug hunting on May 28 and 30.

Half-term also sees Erddig mark Family Volunteering Day at Felin Puleston on May 31. Nestled on the outskirts of the Erddig Estate, there’ll be plenty of fun gardening tasks to try your hand at in this wellbeing garden. With watering and weeding, seed planting and wildlife spotting, even the youngest of volunteers can get involved. 

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/erddig