MOST children across Mid Cheshire start their school break today, Friday, and are ready to enjoy a week away from the classroom.
But what activities and events are on offer for youngsters to keep them occupied and entertained over February half term?
From dinosaurs and Gruffalos to wild animals and unicorns, there promises to be something for everyone and 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 area.
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 19 and Friday, February 23.
Term dates vary each year even within a local authority so some schools will have been on holiday last week – Monday, February 12 until Friday, February 16.
Delamere Forest
DELAMERE FOREST
A NEW ‘party’ trail has launched at Delamere Forest celebrating 25 years of the popular children's character, The Gruffalo.
From this month on, families can enjoy making their way around this celebratory trail, which will run all year long, to immerse themselves in the magical world of Julia Donaldson’s award-winning picture book, illustrated by Axel Scheffler.
The Gruffalo has been a fixture at Delamere, and other forests across the UK, since 2014 when a collaboration began between Forestry England and Magic Light Pictures.
A Foresty England spokesman said: “The Gruffalo’s 25th birthday trail is going to be a big party in the forest.
“As part of the adventure, families will be encouraged to work together to search for missing party items whilst enjoying fun and games along the trail. Participants will also learn about the intricate ways plants and animals look after each other.
“The trails will boast five large activity panels, two of which will include interactive elements. In addition, visitors can expect 15 smaller spotter panels, where they can search for missing party items.
“Five rubbing stations will also be scattered along the trail, adding an artistic touch to the adventure.
“This fantastic celebratory trail is set to captivate Gruffalo fans of all ages, offering a memorable and educational experience amidst the beauty of our fabulous forests.
“Mark your calendars for 2024, as the Gruffalo’s 25th birthday promises to be an adventure you won't want to miss.”
For those looking to enhance their experience, an accompanying trail pack will be available to buy on-site for £4.
These will include a festive party headband to get you into the party spirit, an activity leaflet for curious minds, stickers, pencils and crayons to get creative, and a woven Gruffalo sew-on patch as a cherished keepsake.
Click here for more information and updates on this new trail
STEM Skill Clubs
STEM Skills Clubs
CHILDREN in Northwich can learn something a little bit different this February half term thanks to STEM Skill Clubs in Hartford.
The holiday club at The Grange Sports Centre offers the chance to learn news skills in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) for youngsters aged between eight and 13.
Dr Liz Surry, director and founder of STEM Skill Clubs, said: “Our holiday clubs are a place for local children to learn new skills, meet new friends and enjoy themselves in a safe, friendly atmosphere.
“The holiday clubs this year are extra special as we are celebrating ten years of STEM Skill Clubs.”
The clubs are designed by scientists and educators for children aged between eight and 13 and budding scientists can test and discover how and why things fly, code Sphero robots to make animations or create and code fairgrounds before bringing them to life.
STEM Skill Clubs will run from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm every day from Monday, February 19 until Friday, February 23 and cost £35 per day.
There’s no minimum booking - children can come for one day or a few days or the whole week – and there is a discount for full week bookings.
Early drop off and late pick-ups are available at an additional cost.
Click here for more information
Arley Hall
ARLEY HALL
A FAMILY friendly trail around a world of dinosaurs, wild animals, pirates and unicorns is back next week at Arley Hall.
From tomorrow, Saturday, February 10, Totally Awesome will be keeping youngsters entertained until Monday, April 1.
This event is suitable for any age but best appreciated mostly by children aged between five and 11.
Totally Attractions is all about imagination - each attraction features static themed displays with appropriate sound effects, a fun quiz and countless photo opportunities.
This trail takes around an hour.
BeWILDerwood
BEWILDERWOOD
A WOODLAND adventure park will reopen this month with a special buy one get one free offer for visitors.
BeWILDerwood in Cheshire is offering two for one tickets at their adventure theme park on the A49 near Whitchurch and Tarporley during February half term.
BeWILDerwood is based on the magical and enchanting books by author and creator Tom Blofeld and a day spent at BeWILDerwood promises to inspire imaginations.
The venue, which was nominated for Best New Event at the UK Theme Park Awards and picked up the award for New Tourism Business in the 2022/23 Marketing Cheshire Awards, I shopping to attract families looking for a fun-filled day out while school is out for half term.
Tom said: “After all this chilly weather, we want to spread some BeWILDerwood magic and get people back outdoors again!
“It’s a chance to get together and explore the enchanting world full of curious BeWILDerwood characters, giant slides and family fun.
“We really do recommend snapping tickets up quick as demand was so high last year that we actually sold out!
“We look forward to welcoming new and old explorers to discover our enchanted world.”
Tickets for this limited time offer, which will run between February 17 and February 25, are limited and customers will get the cheapest ticket free.
The outdoor adventure theme park fills 70 acres and is home to giant wooden treehouses, huge play structures and muddled mazes as well as den building, slippery slides and wobbly zip wires.
Click here for more information or to book tickets
Gulliver's World
GULLIVER’S WORLD
GUULIVER’S World is offering an early season special for February half term - £15 theme park tickets.
The early season special offer is available when tickets are booked at least two days in advance
There's a great selection of rides and attractions available alongside play areas that are perfect for younger children.
Don't forget parking is completely FREE every time you visit.
Click here for more information and to book tickets
Knowsley Safari Park
KNOWSLEY SAFARI PARK
KIDS can attend Knowsley Safari for free during February half term.
Seeing Knowsley Safari’s pride of African lions, Crumpet, the Congo buffalo calf and the cheeky baboons, who are all capturing viewers’ hearts in the new docuseries, is now more affordable for the whole family.
The park has recently featured in six episodes of the Channel 4 docuseries, Secret Life of the Safari Park.
Viewers needn’t worry about the baboons causing damage to their cars in the Monkey Jungle - as seen on the TV show, there’s a Car Friendly Route, plus the Safari’s Baboon Bus is available to book.
The specially equipped bus is kitted out with ladders and ropes for the baboons to climb on, so visitors can relax and enjoy the fun as the animals get up close and swing right next to the windows.
Rachel Scott, head of Marketing, Knowsley Safari, said: “Secret Life of the Safari Park has given people behind-the-scenes access to the Safari that’s never been shown before.
“Now is a great time for viewers to come and experience in real life the wild adventures they’ve seen on TV – and the kids go free offer makes it a little easier for families to bring the magic alive from now, during half term and right through to the end of February.”
One child goes free with one full paying adult from now until February 29, 2024.
Museum of Science and Industry
MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY
PLAY, explore and experiment this February half term at Manchester’s Museum of Science and Industry.
Discover the power of play with a programme of free, hands-on fun, games and challenges for all ages.
Pick up a Play Passport—follow your curiosity and find pop-up activities across the museum
Explore the Rust Retreat—a sensory experience inspired by Manchester's industrial past and present
Spark your imagination at the Story Station
Get hands-on and find out how play creates innovation and scientific discovery
Add a ticket to Operation Ouch! Food, Poo and You and journey through the digestive system with interactive games and challenges, fun facts and fascinating objects on a special mission to find out what happens to food when we eat.
Play your way through the very best video games from the past five decades with a ticket to Power Up—the ultimate gaming experience.
Enjoy family favourites in our free, permanent galleries. See science in action in our interactive gallery, Experiment.
Meet mighty machines in the Textiles Gallery and discover world changing ideas in Revolution Manchester.
Explore incredible objects from Professor Stephen Hawking's office in our highlights display.
The event runs between Saturday, February 10 and Sunday, February 25 and is suitable for all ages.
Imagine That!
IMAGINE THAT!
SET sail to Liverpool’s science and discovery centre this February half term as Pirates Revenge returns to Imagine That!
Liverpool’s Imagine That! is calling on young swashbucklers to set sail to its Pirates Revenge.
The science and discovery centre, located on Wavertree Technology Park, has some ‘arr-mazing’ activities to keep the kids entertained during the school holidays.
Children aged 10 and under can join in the fun across its four zones – the Imagination Village, Artbeatz and Bright Sparks areas before ending the visit in the Slime Factory.
Swashbuckling youngsters, with the help of their grown-ups, can join the crew and help solve puzzles as they navigate through all four zones looking for hidden treasure.
There will be prizes along the way and plenty of pirate-themed activities for all the family.
Manager Abbey Wallace said: “Pirates Revenge was so popular, so we’ve decided to bring it back for this February half term along with a couple of new surprise guests in the science area.
“We’ve got plenty of fun planned for any budding buccaneers – from pirate-themed arts and crafts to ‘sea snot slime’ and buccaneer bath bombs.
“Everything the children make on the day, whether that’s painted fridge magnets, colourful pots of sticky slime or a piece of spin art, they can take home.
“So, it’s a smashing swashbuckling day out for all our visitors and a chance to make some fantastic memories with the family, whatever the weather.”
Imagine That! pirates will be on deck in the centre’s Bright Sparks science area with science busking workshops.
Imagine That! Pirates Revenge is a three-hour journey that runs at weekends and every day between Saturday, February 10 and Sunday, February 25.
Click here for tickets, which must be booked in advance.
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