February Half Term
Half term is here! February half term is one of the shorter ones in the school year but you still need to find a weeks worth of activities to entertain your little ones! Luckily for you we have put together a short list of different activities and events going on up and down the country to entertain our little cherubs across the half term week. Unfortunately we are not able to compile an exhaustive list of activities to cater for everyone, but we hope the following give you some ideas and inspiration for the upcoming school break.
London
Imagine Children’s Festival at Southbank Centre
Running February 7th-16th
A magical festival all about unlocking creativity and sparking imagination. There are over 130 activities and workshops spanning across theatre, comedy, music, literature, poetry, dance and many more - over 40% of which are free!
Women at Work at the London Transport Museum
2024 marks the 50th anniversary of London Transport first recruiting women as bus drivers - although it took another four years before woman were allowed to drive underground trains.
The London Transport Museum is celebrating women who’ve played a part in the history of the London Underground this half-term, themed around women at work with plenty of family-friendly activities.
https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/collections/projects/where-are-all-women
Vets in Action at London Zoo
Do your children love animals? If so, London zoo are putting on an incredible event called vets in action. This event is a fun and educational opportunity for kids to learn about animal care and wildlife conservation through a series of interactive family events during February half-term.
The event is free with a standard zoo ticket. Children will get to meet with the zoo’s vets and zookeepers and watch live demonstrations, including vet examinations and training sessions – anything from microchipping crocodiles to caring for a wounded lion. Children aged three to 11 will even have the opportunity to step into the role of vet themselves at the specially-recreated zoo vet centre.
https://www.londonzoo.org/plan-your-visit/events/vets-action-london-zoo
Unicorn theatre - Three billy goats gruff
This show is on its second year. A wonderful musical performance of the ‘Three billy goats gruff’. A 55 minute performance aimed at ages 3-7 written by Veteran musical theatre duo Stiles and Drewe. An all-singing adaptation of the much-loved fairy story about a trio of goats and their encounters with a bridge-dwelling troll. Rebecca and Maisie visited the show last February with two of their nanny kids who were 3 and 4 at the time. It’s a must watch if you have children to entertain this half term!
https://www.unicorntheatre.com/events/the-three-billy-goats-2024
Midlands
Twin Lakes Theme Park
Twin Lakes reopens on February 9th for the season. The park is putting on some exciting events including a family rave on 17th February 2024, Bluey on 20th February and 2 for 1 tickets. From February 10th - 25th, visit the park and immerse yourself in a world of romance and enchantment during their special Valen-Times Day extravaganza.
https://www.twinlakespark.co.uk/
West Lodge Farm
Visit the farm for a chance to get up close to the newborn lambs, get involved with bottle feeding the newborns, and enjoy all the other fun on the farm. The farm offers a fantastic indoor play area, daily Sheep Racing, daily pig racing, pony rides, tractor rides, adventure golf and so much more!
https://westlodgeruralcentre.co.uk/
Alton Towers
This February half term Alton Towers welcomes back the pirates of Mutiny Bay. With live entertainment, 2 Theme Park Rides: Marauder’s Mayhem and Heave Ho, Aquarium experience, Sharkbait Reef by SEA LIFE, Interactive quest, Pieces of Eight Treasure Hunt and so more. This is a must if you have children ages 6-10 but there is also lots to do for little kids including the UK’s only CBeebies Land where families can make fantabulous memories and meet some of their favourite CBeebies friends!
https://www.altontowers.com/explore/events/february-half-term/
Conkers
An outdoor adventure with a whole range of activities for all the family. Included in the admission price you can enjoy immersive ranger activities, daily crafts, amphitheatre shows, the Conkachoo train and a 4D cinema experience.
https://www.visitconkers.com/school-holidays/
Drayton Manor
This February half term at Drayton Manor the dinosaurs have escaped and they need your help to find them. Partake in the Dino trail, experience their vast range of rides and attractions, and explore the animal kingdom in their 15-acre zoo. Drayton manor also offers you the chance to book a night or two away in their on-site 4* hotel.
https://www.draytonmanor.co.uk/events/dinosaur-breakout
North England
Waterside Arts
February 13th-15th
This February Waterside Arts, Manchester, is putting on a dynamic retelling of the Three Little Pigs with live puppetry and original music. This play was co-written by a group of nine children with the most incredible ideas. The classic tale takes a twist as the three pigs, after cleverly tricking the wolf onto a bus, seek the audience’s help to save their bacon! Can you work together to outsmart the wolf and save the little pigs from being turned into pork sausages? Ticket start at £10.
Leeds Valentine Fair
February 9th-18th
Love is in the air in Millennium Square this February. Prepare for a heart-fluttering experience with lots of excited attractions and games for all the family. Leeds Valentine’s Fair will be spreading the love daily throughout the half term holidays, opening on Friday 9 February at 4pm, so if you’re stuck for something to do during the half-term week this is an excellent day out for the family. The best part about it is entry is completely free.
https://www.millsqleeds.com/?utm_source=creativetourist.com&utm_medium=listings&utm_campaign=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.creativetourist.com%2Fevent%2Fleeds-valentine-s-fair-2%2F
Science and Industry Museum
Operation Ouch! Food, Poo and You at Science and Industry Museum, Castlefield. Step inside the wonderful world of the digestive system! This brand new exhibition, starting in June 2023, brings some seriously stinky science to the North of England. Bringing the hit CBBC television series to reality in Manchester, Dr Chris, Dr Xand and Dr Ronx are embarking on an important mission to find out exactly what happens to the food in our bodies when we eat. You can look forward to a range of fun hands-on activities to explore how our organs work together to maintain a healthy digestive system. Tickets start at £9.
Eureka! Science + Discovery
A wonderful family day out in Merseyside. The North-West science hub has been created with the support of over 100 young people and provides a modern, interactive space to discover Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathemateic (STEM). The attraction is a core-point of discovery and science for young people in the UK. To celebrate the Chinese new year, Eureka is telling the story of the origins of the Chinese new year through an explosion of colour and noise everyday in their theatre at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. All ages are welcome in this 90 seat theatre. You can also discover the animals of the zodiac moving science workshop with Flux in the MakeCreate centre. Each workshop lasts 20-30 minutes which you can book upon arrival.
https://discover.eureka.org.uk/
South England
Odds Farm Park
High Wycombe’s Odd Farm Park welcomes you to join their lambing season this February. Guests can learn all about the lambing process with special talks from experienced farmers. During your visit you can also take part in plenty of hands-on crafts and explore acres of outdoor adventures!
https://www.oddsfarm.co.uk/love-and-lambs/
Dover Castle
Rising above the famous White Cliffs high above the Channel, Dover Castle is an icon of England. This February half term is a perfect time to bring your kids to the castle for a day filled of history and historical shenanigans. Guests can visit the secret wartime tunnels, stand inside the WWI fire command post, take in the panoramic views and visit the medieval kitchens.
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/dover-castle/
Roald Dhal Museum and Story Center
February 10th-26rd
This February half-term, the Roald Dhal museum will be hosting daily story telling session from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The museum offer free entry for all with no need to book!
February 13th & 23rd
The museum is putting on an amazing sweet event, Wonka’s Clay Chocolate Box. For a small fee of £4 (ages 5 and up), children can learn all about Roald Dahl’s own chocolate box and create their own chocolate box out of clay. and even design their own clay chocolates. Something to be aware of - clay is very messy! So ensure your child is dressed for the occasion, aprons will be provided but don’t dress your children in their best clothes just in case!
February 14th & 23rd
For a small fee of £4 (ages 5 and up), children can also build their own clay factory landscape.
February 15th, 16th, 20th & 21st
Willy Wonka's factory was full of magical machines that made all sorts of delightful treats from Everlasting Gobstoppers to Hot Ice Cream for Cold Days. Inspired by these, children can invent their own contraptions using junk materials for a small fee of £4 (ages 5 and over).
https://www.roalddahlmuseum.org/see-whats-on/
Chichester Festival Theatre
This February half-term the Chichester Festival Theatre is putting on a smash-hit production of We’re going on a bear hunt! This incredible performance based on the much-loved picture book by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury, returns vividly and noisily in director Sally Cookson's fun-filled adaptation set to Benji Bower's versatile lively score. An excellent activities for children ages 3 and up. Tickets start at just £10.
https://www.cft.org.uk/events/were-going-on-a-bear-hunt
Kent and East Sussex Railway
With accompanied children travelling for just £1, there's never been a better time to visit the glorious Rother Valley onboard some stream hauled trains. The railway line wends its way through the Rother Valley and is never too far away from the local waterways. This is an amazing time of year to learn more about the diversity of the birds and animals surrounding the area. All the family can enjoy our free bird-themed on-board activities to complete during the journey, taking advantage of the numerous opportunities to see the great variety of birds along the railway. Trains depart from Tenterden Town station and end in Bodium. The journey takes approximately 50 minutes. It might be a good idea to take a break and visit Bodium castle during your trip! If you're not a National Trust member, you can show your train ticket to receive a discount on admission to the castle.