Perfect places to keep the kids busy this February half term

But others will be on half term next week instead.

What activities and events are on offer for youngsters to keep them occupied and entertained over half term?

From dinosaurs and pirates to wild animals and unicorns, there promises to be something for families with children of all ages.

Here is our round up of activities taking place over half term in Mid Cheshire or just a short drive, train or bus journey from the town.

When is February half term 2023?

The February half-term holidays differ across the UK with most English schools taking a break between Monday, February 13 and Friday, February 17.

Term dates vary each year even within a local authority so some schools will be on holiday the following week – Monday, February 20 until Friday, February 24.

Elvis, 'King of Rock'n'Roll', will be among scarecrows featured at the festival in Tatton Park (Image: Tatton Park)

Scarecrow Festival at Tatton Park

The coronation of King Charles III has inspired a fun-filled Scarecrow Festival.

A fascinating selection of famous royal faces and TV celebrities have been brought back to life at Tatton Park - and all the figures have been made out of straw.

Tatton Park’s education team, along with garden and farm volunteers have worked hard to build more than 50 scarecrows.

This popular event runs through half term until Sunday, February 26.

For more information visit tattonpark.org.uk

Gulliver's World is now open following its winter break (Gulliver's World)

Gulliver’s World

The theme park resort, which boasts more than 25 rides as well as a unique range of accommodation, welcomed young and young-at-heart thriller seekers last weekend when it reopened after the winter break.

An exclusive early season special deal is in place for its opening, meaning tickets are just £15 per person until March 12 when booked at least two days in advance.

Craig Clews, resort director at Gulliver’s World, said: “We are thrilled to be reopening for 2023 and can’t wait to again welcome fun-loving families from Warrington and beyond to Gulliver’s World.

“This is a big year for Gulliver’s and we have a wide range of special events and surprises to share with our guests throughout 2023.”

Gulliver’s Theme Park Resorts is celebrating 45 years in business and there will be ticket deals, special character appearances and events planned throughout the year.

For more information visit www.gulliversworldresort.co.uk

Join Zog on an adventure at Delamere Forest (Forestry England)

Delamere Forest

Join Zog on his latest adventure at Delamere Forest and have your picture taken with everyone’s favourite dragon.

Download the new ‘Zog: A Forest Adventure’ app before you visit and then point your device at special markers along the trail to access challenges and bonus activities.

Thanks to augmented reality technology, you’ll be able to collect golden stars just like Zog and take photos on your adventure.

Share your Zog fun using the #ZogTrail hashtag.

For more information visit www.forestryengland.uk/delamere-forest/zog-activity-trail-delamere-forest

Let your arty side shine at The Lion Salt Works (Image: Lion Salt Works)

The Lion Salt Works and Weaver Hall Museums

Whether creating Roman-inspired pottery is your child's thing, or they might fancy making their own winter-inspired landscape collage using salt, Northwich’s museums have something for everyone in the upcoming school holidays. 

From Saturday, February 18, to Friday, February 24, the Lion Salt Works and Weaver Hall Museums are offering free activities for families looking for half-term inspiration while learning something about the town’s cultural heritage.

At Weaver Hall, young visitors are encouraged to get inspired by Roman history by making something in clay, such as a pot decorated with a face, while at the Salt Works, children can let their imaginations run wild salt to create their own winter landscapes, perhaps inspired by a walk in nearby Northwich Woodland.

Weaver Hall's Roman inspired pottery sessions take place on Wednesday, February 22 and Thursday, February 23 between 10am and 1pm.

The Lion Salt Works winter landscape collage making sessions are on Tuesday, February 22 and Wednesday, February 23 between noon and 3pm. 

For those willing to travel a bit further afield, Chester’s Grosvenor Museum is also offering a range of activities, including mosaic T-shirt making sessions, building your own bug box, a self-guided trail around the city’s historic Rows, and a guided ghost walk.

For more information visit westcheshiremuseums.co.uk/

Get half price entry at Knowsley Safari Park during half term (Knowsley Safari Park)

Knowsley Safari Park

Children can visit their favourite animals at Knowsley for half price this half term.

From February 11 to 26 children aged up to 15 can enter the park with 50 per cent off alongside a full paying adult and under threes get in free.

Also, visitors who share their favourite memory of their day out at Knowsley Safari will be in with the chance of winning an annual Gold Membership for their family – a whole year of exploration, entertainment and fabulous fun at Knowsley.

Knowsley Safari’s Rachel Scott said: “A day out at Knowsley Safari is always fun, and full, for the whole family - not just the kids.

“The added bonus of half-price admission for children is sure to make it an even more attractive option for parents, grandparents and carers this February half term holiday.

“As well as the brilliant array of animals our visitors can see here – and our free to download audio guide app is packed with fun facts to make the experience educational, as well as entertaining – there are also so many other attractions, rides and refreshment stops for a whole day of exploration and memory making.”

To be in with a chance of winning Gold Family Membership – for two adults and two children – share your favourite memory of your visit on Knowsley Safari’s Facebook, Instagram or Twitter tagging @KnowsleySafari #MakingWildMemories.

Deadline for entries is midnight on Tuesday, February 28.

For more information visit www.knowsleysafariexperience.co.uk/

Make some noise at Turn It Up The Power of Music (Museum of Science and Industry)

The Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester

Make some noise over the next few days at the Museum of Science and Industry as you explore sound and music.

Play, create and experiment with free drop-in activities and science shows for the whole family and visit the special exhibition ‘Turn It Up: The Power of Music’ to discover weird and wonderful musical instruments or play your way through 50 years of gaming with a trip to Power UP.

Events will run until Sunday, February 26.

For more information visit www.scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk/whats-on/february-half-term-2023

Get up close and personal with the dinosaurs on the trail at Arley Hall (Newsquest)

Arley Hall

Let the kids run wild - and probably give themselves a scare - at Totally Roarsome’s family friendly trail, which is returning to Arley Hall once again.

Arley Estate’s beautiful 'Big Wood' will be transformed into a primordial world of hyper-realistic sculptures of prehistoric creatures, fantasy beasts, and buccaneers.

Visitors can explore the 1.5km trial at their own pace with plenty of selfie opportunities along the way.

The attraction opened today, Friday, February 17 and will run until Sunday, February 26.

For more information visit www.totallytickets.co.uk/

Out of this world fun and games at Imagine That

Imagine That

Visitors to Imagine That! will be taken out of this world this half term as Liverpool’s science and discovery centre welcomes space fans and budding astronauts.

The venue on Farraday Road in Wavertree will be taken over by space with a whole host of galactic adventures and plenty of gooey slime.

The four zones – Imagination Village, Artbeatz, Bright Sparks Science Zone and the Slime Factory – will be open every day from 9.15am and science buskers will be on the floor with their alien spinning saucers, amazing workshops and space-themed activities.

For more information visit www.imaginethat.org.uk

See if you can spot the new babies at Chester Zoo (Chester Zoo)

Chester Zoo

You’ll hear the pitter patter of tiny feet if you visit Chester Zoo this half term with new arrivals welcomed earlier this year.

A rare tree kangaroo joey – the first to ever be born at Chester Zoo – emerged from its mum’s pouch for the first time at the end of January and critically endangered Western chimpanzee ZeeZee safely delivered a tiny baby boy.

Science is everywhere at the zoo over the next few weeks, from recording bird songs in the aviaries to studying elephant poo in the lab!

You can discover the wild side of science between Saturday, February 18 until Sunday, March 5 exploring five wonderlabs.

Wilflide cameraman and presenter and Strictly Come Dancer champion Hamza Yassin will be presenting two shows on Tuesday, February 21, where he will discuss his life behind the lens.

For more information visit www.chesterzoo.org/