20 GREAT THINGS TO DO THIS HALF TERM
Posted on Friday 10 February 2012
February half term is crammed with fun-filled activities to wear out the kids. Here are a few of the best events happening up and down the country.
FARMYARD FUN
1. Go on a trailer ride, Derbyshire
This year, Chatsworth House is celebrating rural farming, and this half term will be offering a range of farmyard activities from animal handling to trailer rides. Kids can also enjoy mud painting and on a selected day meet Shire horses.
11-19 February 2012, 10.30am-4.30pm; Adults and Children £5 each, seniors £4.50, family (two adults and up to three children) £18; 01246 565430; www.chatsworth.org
2. Little lambs, Hertfordshire
February half term at Willows Farm Village is all about the lambs. See new born lambs, learn about the lambing process, take part in Bo Peep’s hunt and watch some mind-boggling farming-inspired experiments courtesy of ‘Mad Science’.
11-19 February 2012, 10am-5.30pm; Adults £11.50, child £12.50, under 2s free; Willows Farm Village, St Albans; www.willowsfarmvillage.com
3. Scarecrow making, Essex
Gather the family for some good old-fashioned fun at RHS Hyde Hall. They’ll provide the basic scarecrow, you just need to bring the clothes to dress him in!
11February 2012, one-hour sessions at 10.15am, 11.45am and 1.15pm; Normal admission applies plus £7; RHS Hyde Hall; booking essential, call 0845 6121252; www.rhs.org.uk
4. Blast from the past, Staffordshire
Come and see how a Georgian farm would have worked at Shugborough Estate where living history characters look after the dairy and the mill, and old-fashioned farm hands go about their business just as they would have done in the 19th century. There are also lots of animals to meet, including the first newborns of spring!
13-17 February 2012, 11am-4pm; Adult £12.50, child £7.50; Shugborough Estate, Staffordshire; www.shugborough.org.uk
5. Baby animals, South Yorkshire
With 150 sheep due to lamb around half term week, there should be plenty newborn lambs to enjoy, as well as piglets, goat kids and even a baby llama! There will also be indoor craft activities and animal petting.
11-19 February 2012, 10.30am-4pm; Admission £5.95, Seniors £4.95, children under 3 free; Cannon Hall Farm, South Yorkshire; www.cannonhallfarm.co.uk
THE GREAT OUTDOORS…
6. Survive in the woods, Cornwall
For all those budding Ray Mears, join this family Bushcraft event and a learn how to gather fuel, make fire from fungus, cook a campfire feast and build a shelter.
15 February 2012, 11am-3pm; Child £3; Penrose Estate: Gunwalloe and Loe Pool; booking essential call, 01326 554715; www.nationaltrust.org.uk
7. Be enchanted, East Sussex
Children will love visiting the magical fairy glade and hearing a story about woodland elves, before making their very own woodland wand to take home!
13 February 2012, 10.30-11.30am; Children (3-6years) £6, accompanying adult (compulsory), £4.40; Wilderness Wood, Hadlow Down; to book call 01825 830509; www.wildernesswood.co.uk.
8. Hunt for mini-beasts, Northumberland
There are tons of bug-themed activities to keep the kids busy, from looking for creatures living in Hollowood, to building a bug hotel and making your very own miniature garden.
11-19 February 2012, 11am-3pm (activity times vary); mini beast hunt free with admission, small additional cost for craft activities; www.wwt.org.uk
9. See the snowdrops, Kent
Wrap up warm and follow Hever Castle’s snowdrop trail. Enjoy the early blossoms of camellia and quince.
11-19 February 2012, Hever Castle; 01732 865 224; Adult £12 (gardens only), Child £7.80 (gardens only); www.hevercastle.co.uk
10. Birdwatching for beginners, Devon
Get out in to the fresh woodland air, and learn how to identify the various birds that live there.
14 February 2012, 10am-12pm; Children £4; Plymbridge and the Upper Plym; www.nationaltrust.org.uk
GET CREATIVE…
11. Pirate Week, Dorset
Make your own pieces of eight, become a seashore scavenger, join a treasure hunt and learn about pirates and smugglers.
11-17 February, activity times and dates vary, please check website; normal admission charges apply, Studland Bay; www.nationaltrust.org.uk
12. Make a planet, Leicestershire
The Space Centre wants little hands to help them build Mercury by making a space crater to add to their giant mosaic.
11-19February 2012, free with admission, adult £13, child £11; The Space Centre; 10am-5pm; www.spacecentre.co.uk
13. Make a mummy mask, London
You can make your own mask inspired by the museums Egyptian mummies at one of their free drop-in sessions.
15-17 February 2012, 11am-3.30pm; free drop-in; Horniman Museum; www.horniman.ac.uk
14. Alien attack, Northumberland
Make your own space bugs to take home at this afternoon craft session.
11-19 February 2012, 12-3pm; suggest 50p donation; Woodhorn Museum and Northumberland Archives; www.experiencewoodhorn.com
15. Paint your own tiles, Shropshire
Learn how to decorate a tile, at this fun drop-in session. Use special techniques such as ‘tube-lining’ and ‘slip-trailing’ and complete your very own 6x6” tile.
7 February 2012, from 10am, last admission 2pm; normal admission fees apply plus £7.95 per tile plus p&p; Jackfield Tile Museum; www.ironbridge.org.uk
FOR ALL THE FAMILY
16. Vikings, Yorkshire
Join in the 27th Annual Jorvik Viking Festival, with more than 80 events taking place across York. Highlights include the play, The Viking’s Song, and the spectacular Festival of Fire Finale.
11-19 February 2012, see website for event times and details; various locations around York; www.jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk
17. All aboard!, London
Step aboard the Ship Simulator and discover the art of navigation and communication at sea. Become the captain of a ship
11-19 February 2012, 10am-5pm, National Maritime Museum, http://www.rmg.co.uk/visit/exhibitions/on-display/all-hands-and-the-bridge-interactive-galleries
18. Walk on the wild side, Wales
Discovery creepy crawlies, and take part in crafts and challenges such as den building and treasure trails.
13-19 February 2011; from midday; free with admission price; Penrhyn Castle, Wales; 01248 353084; www.nationaltrust.org.uk
19. Butterflies, Surrey
See exotic butterflies flitting and floating among the plants in Wisley’s world-class Glasshouse.
Until 26th February; normal admission applies, non-member adults £10.50, children £4.50; www.rhs.org.uk
20. Go undercover, Hampshire
Be a secret agent and follow the James Bond-themed quiz trail at Beaulieu.
11-19th February 2012, 10am-5pm; Beaulieu Motor Museum; Adult £19, child £9.50; www.beaulieu.co.uk
* While we have ensured we have include the most up-to-date information, all events can be subject to change, alteration or cancellation, so please check with event organisers before setting out to avoid disappointment.