Half-term days out for all the family: From bushcraft to building dens and meeting penguins
The weather might be brisk, but Laura Holt has great ideas for a brilliant half-term at home
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.There are hundreds of events planned across the country from 13-21 February, whether you want to learn survival skills or cook up a storm.
Family festivals
From 13-19 February, Chester Town Hall will host WayWord Festival (0845 241 7868; chesterperforms.com/literature), with 40 family events, including talks by authors, coding and gaming workshops and den-building. Most are aimed at primary-school-aged children and cost between £5-10.
At Lord's cricket ground in London, All Out Cricket Live is a free one-day festival dedicated to the sport (register at aoclive.com). Taking place on 21 February, it will feature Q&A sessions with England players, coaching, book signings and more.
Learn something
As the Canal & River Trust carries out work on our waterways, it is running behind-the-scenes open days. The free events will let children walk along the canal floor and take boat trips, at various locations. Details at bit.ly/CanalOpenDays.
RSPB Minsmere (01728 648281; rspb.org.uk) – location for the BBC's Springwatch – is running a Tidal Margins event on 13 February. Children can produce drawings and prints of the plants, birds and wildlife that inhabit this scenic stretch of the Suffolk coast, in two artist-led workshops (£3).
Great outdoors
Bear Grylls fans can try a survival-style event. On 14 February, the New Forest National Park will host Bushcraft Survival at Avon Tyrrell outdoor activity centre (01425 672347; avontyrrell.org.uk; £5). And in Cornwall, the Eden Project has its own Survival day, featuring children's character Stick Man, who will demonstrate how to shoot a blowpipe, make a fire and get close up with animals, between 13-21 February (01726 811911; edenproject.com; included in entry; adults £25, children free-£14).
Animal magic
Wildlife lovers in Surrey are spoilt for choice, with Birdworld hosting a Penguin Activity Week from 16-20 February (01420 22992; birdworld.co.uk; adults £14.95, children free-£12.95) and nearby RHS Garden Wisley hosting the Secret Life of Insects (0845 260 9000; rhs.org.uk; adults £14.50, children £7.25), where children can meet butterflies, caterpillars and more between 13-21 February.
In Manchester, the Sea Life centre launches a new giant octopus hideout (0871 221 2483; visitsealife.com; parent and child ticket £29.90). While in Northumberland, the Ugly Bug Safari is on at Belsay Hall, Castle & Gardens from 13-21 February, where children can grab a magnifying glass and join a Victorian explorer in their quest to find creepy crawlies (0370 333 1181; english-heritage.org.uk; adults £9.20, children £5.50, plus £1 for event).
Food focus
If your little ones are showing promise in the kitchen, Season Cookery School (01962 776 088; exclusivehotels.co.uk) in Hampshire is offering parent and child courses at the 17th-century Lainston House hotel near Winchester. There are courses on 16 and 18 February; the first is aimed at 12-16 year-olds, the latter aged 7-11. Parent and child tickets are £155, including lunch and tuition.
Those with a sweet tooth need only look as far as Leeds Castle in Kent, which is hosting the Charlie's Chocolate Adventure from 13-21 February, with a chocolate trail, golden tickets and sweet treats (01622 765400; leeds-castle.com; adults £21.60-£24, children free-£16-50; trail £1).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments