Hang around in Cheshire this half-term for wallet-friendly days out

Cheshire is filled with bright ideas to beat the boredom during May half-term school holidays. Here are some of the highlights, plus tips on how to stretch the budget. For more ideas, go to the What's On page at www.visitcheshire.com.

Sink your teeth into Chester Zoo

Chester Zoo opens its new Planet Shark: Predator or Prey exhibition just in time for the holidays. Visitors can dive into the world of sharks without getting their feet wet to discover the much-maligned species' essential role on our planet. Underwater projections of sharks in motion, life-size models, and collections of teeth, jaws and rare fossilised remains, are among the displays to marvel at. Wallet-friendly tip: The new exhibition is included in the entry price and book online to save 12% on tickets.

Enjoy hoots-a-plenty at BeWILDerwood

At BeWILDerwood Cheshire this half term, all the resident curious characters and some new friends will tell a fresh exciting story at Such a Hoot!, until 30 June. Faces will be festooned with Fancy Feathers and there are Hootywoo Headbands to make (and take home). Plus the new Puzzling Park Trail has clues to follow to play along with the Hootytwoos game. Wallet-friendly tip: The half-term activities are included in the ticket price.

See the Flower Fairies at Lady Lever Art Gallery

The enchanting illustrations from the Flower Fairies books are now on display at the Lady Lever Art Gallery in Port Sunlight. The exhibition of Cicely Mary Barker's work marks the 100th anniversary of her first book, Flower Fairies of the Spring, and features about 45 original illustrations, with digital projections and costumes inspired by the fairies, designed by Vin Burnham. Wallet-friendly tip: Entrance to the art gallery is free and located in the village of Port Sunlight, an attraction in itself.

Pose a question at Jodrell Bank

Kids can ask all the questions they ever wanted to about space at the Meet The Expert sessions, 29 May to 2 June, at Jodrell Bank. There’s also a new 360-degree immersive show in the Space Dome titled ‘We Are Guardians’, which looks at how satellites can save the planet, 27 May-4 June. The role the observatory has played in mankind’s understanding of space can be explored at the new First Light Pavilion. And it's possible to get close up to the giant dish of the Lovell Telescope and put the Whispering Dishes to the test. Wallet-friendly tip: The Meet The Expert sessions are included in the entrance fee. Book in advance online and entrance tickets last for a year.

Go into battle on Chester's Rows

Youngsters can foil the efforts of a mysterious society of time travellers intent on locking Chester in a pocket in time by hunting for a secret password on the Time Travelling Treasure Hunt along Chester's famous Rows. (Meanwhile, older visitors can tune in to the free Discover The Rows self-guided audio tour to delve into the history of these extraordinary buildings.) Wallet-friendly tip: The trails are free – the treasure hunt map can be picked up at the Visitor Information Centre.

Get on the up at Capesthorne Hall

Over-6s can scale the heights of an old oak tree at Capesthorne Hall on 4 June. The special 45-minute sessions, Discover Tree Climbing, are led by expert instructors, promising a safe ascent to the top of the tree – and some awesome views of the house, grounds and surrounding landscape. Wallet-friendly tip: Tickets cost £14, a £6 discount on the usual price.

Don a crown at Beeston Castle

The Coronation party continues at Beeston Castle with Kids Rule, 27 May-4 June, a royally themed romp through the ages – complete with a crown to wear, of course. Storytelling, dressing up, and performing with costume-clad characters are all part of the celebrations. Wallet-friendly tip: Book online to get 10% off the ticket price.

Create a monster at West Cheshire Museums

Young ones can get crafty at West Cheshire Museums on various dates during half-term. Design a Paper Platosaurus at Weaver Hall Museum & Workhouse. Draw inspiration from the art on show in Chester's Grosvenor Museum and create a masterpiece at the Art Week event. Or Make A Garden Bug at the Lion Salt Works. Wallet-friendly tip: Visit Weaver Hall Museum & Workhouse first to get 10% off entrance to the Lion Salt Works.