The February half-term break is just a few days away; if you’re looking for fun February half term activities with children, these ideas will keep the kids entertained.
Left your half-term planning late? There are plenty of fun family activities in and around London that you don’t have to book far in advance. Including new West End musicals, interactive exhibitions, beautiful woodland trails and even the chance to hit the slopes (just an hour from the city), this is the Citizen Enfants guide to making the break from school interesting, exciting, and even a little bit educational for your children.
The Science Museum
The Science Museum is a one-stop-shop, bursting with interactive experiences that children will love, and that will teach them about the environment, space, technology and so much more. Spread across seven different zones, this museum offers loads of opportunity to interact with real scientific phenomena: see lightning strike before your eyes; play with forces on giant slides; or travel through space under a canopy of stars. Under-fives will have a great time in the Pattern Pod, a learn-through-play multi-sensory area where they’ll explore water ripples (without getting their feet wet); create symmetrical images on touch screens; and follow robot trails. Then there’s the Wonderlab, an interactive experience filled with science shows, demonstrations and the chance to ask questions, that older kids will enjoy. Teens will make a bee line for Power Up, a hands-on gaming experience featuring the very best video games and consoles from the past 50 years – from Pong to Pacman, Minecraft to Mario, and a 3D IMAX cinema. Located in South Kensington, the museum also hosts special events in school holidays – for the February half-term they’re teaming up with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the National Grid for an exciting programme of free activities exploring careers in aviation and the transmission of power across the UK. It’s aimed at young people aged 7-15, but all age groups are welcome. Be sure to check out the cool science-themed afternoon tea too.
The Snow Centre
If you’re not setting off for the slopes this February half-term, but want to get in some ski practice, head to the Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead. There are two slopes, the huge 160-metre main slope split into (easier and harder) sections, as well as the UK’s largest indoor lesson slope that feels very much like a ‘green’. Both skiing and snowboarding are available on these slopes, each over 30 metres wide and maintained with real snow created via cannons overnight. Book lessons with qualified instructors in either groups or one-to-one sessions; those who know how to ski can simply purchase a lift pass and go up and down, working on their skills. All equipment such as skis, snowboards and helmets can be hired – plus ski suits if you don’t have your own warm gear. For something else fun, check out the Ringo Slide where those four years old or more can whizz, spin, and slide for 30 minutes in what looks like a giant rubber ring. Last but not least, The Lodge is the centre’s Alpine-feel restaurant with a panoramic view of the slopes, making it easy for parents to have a cuppa and watch their little ones learn, or for the whole family to refuel at after time on the slope. After all, what would skiing be without the après?
Imagine Children’s Festival at Southbank Centre
The superb Imagine Festival at the Southbank Centre has been running for over two decades, wowing kids with activities, workshops and performances that span theatre, comedy, music, literature, poetry, dance, and more – many of which are free. Aimed at kids aged from 0 to 11, highlights include the first stage adaptation of much-loved book There’s A Bear On My Chair, which sees characters brought to life through giant puppets. CBeebies Wildlife Jamboree will be in attendance, along with favourite characters such as Duggee and the Squirrels; join in a Poetry Adventures session which features performances from poet Kate Wakeling with plenty of opportunities for children to get involved and write their own poems; or book into an afternoon of drawing with illustrator Rob Biddulph where he brings to life his award-winning picture books – children can learn how to draw one of Biddulph’s newest characters step-by-step. Still feeling creative? Have some fun a the Giant Chalkboard where kids are invited to scribble and doodle to their heart’s content. When it’s time to have a run around, head to the centres Limitless Recycled Playground; part installation, part adventure playground the space is built entirely out of repurposed waste materials. There’s a café and lots of baby changing facilities on site too, so it’s an easy day out with little ones.
The National Trust
National Trust looks after 500 historic properties around the UK, 250,000 hectares of farmland, more than 780 miles of coastline, stunning gardens and nature reserves – and the vast majority of locations are very family-friendly. If you’re not a member of the National Trust (it’s not essential to be one) you can buy day tickets for your group and enjoy exploring the likes of fairy-tale castles and medieval deer parks, all beautifully maintained and with knowledgable guides. Just outside of London are places like Polesden Lacey in Surrey, Chartwell in Kent, Sheffield Park and Gardens in East Sussex and Stowe in Buckinghamshire, where kids can play in thousands of acres of wood and parkland or let off steam in natural play areas, often complete with excellent play equipment. There’s buggy-friendly routes, tree houses, story trails and children’s menus in welcoming cafes. All these properties offer a different jam-packed programme of events over school holidays too, so there’s plenty to keep children occupied. In London, check out Ham House and Gardens in Richmond and Osterley Park in Isleworth – where there’s a Horrible Histories adventure programme running over half-term, allowing kids to uncover the fascinating and gruesome history of Georgians from the 18th century as they venture through the house and gardens finding out about life as a royal Georgian Queen or King, complete with enormous wigs and hats to try on.
The Lightening Thief, The Percy Jackson Musical
Arriving in London’s West End just in time for the half-term, The Lightning Thief, The Percy Jackson Musical makes the perfect theatre outing for the whole family. Based on the first of the 18 best-selling books in the Percy Jackson series, this much-anticipated musical stage adaptation will be captivating for those who are already familiar with the high-action tales, as well as for those who are only just discovering them. The story goes that ‘when New York City teenager Percy Jackson discovers he is the half-blood son of the Greek god, Poseidon, his life takes a dramatic turn as he is plunged into a world much bigger than he could possibly have imagined’. So far, so gripping. Realising he has special powers as well as mythical monsters after him, Percy has to learn pretty quickly how to be a hero as he and his friends embark on an epic adventure to save the world. While it might be a bit too much for young children, the over-eights audience to which this performance is aimed at will be on the edge of their seats throughout. Author Rick Riordan’s books have been translated into forty-two languages and have sold more than thirty million copies in the United States alone, as well as being made into Hollywood films. The new production housed in The Other Palace Theatre is bound to be just as much of a success.
Making Egypt At The Young V&A
The ancient Egyptian civilisation is taught in primary schools as part of the national curriculum, meaning from a young age kids are familiar with how people lived along the Nile thousands of years ago. Now, a new exhibition at the Young V&A, Making Egypt, explores the ancient era’s creativity and how it continues to influence art, design and popular culture. Following the success of the museum’s inaugural temporary exhibition Japan: Myth to Manga, 2025 sees it host this extensive temporary exhibit of over 200 items gathered from the V&A archives, with the oldest around 5,500 years old, and many never-before-displayed. See the inner sarcophagus of Princess Sopdet-em-haawt and examine the influence of Egyptian design on contemporary comics, games and films, including Moon Knight, Minecraft, LEGO and The Mummy. New films will explore ancient Egyptian art techniques, and there will be kids’ hands-on activities including drawing with scale, deciphering hieroglyphics and designing your own amulet. Suitable for all ages, but mainly aimed at those aged eight to 12, this exhibition is a great day out for those who are studying the Egyptians at school, or for those who just want to know more about them.
Robot Zoo At The Horniman Museum
Ever wondered how some animals can jump so high, run so fast or change their appearance all together? Well step into the fascinating world of The Robot Zoo to discover the mechanisms that give animals their amazing abilities. The Horniman museum is one of the most family-friendly in London. Always looking for innovative ways to educate and inspire young visitors, they regularly put on events that appeal to children: expect larger-than-life animals that have been innovatively recreated using familiar machine parts, plus hands-on exhibits and specially commissioned interactive murals to reveal how their real life counterparts see, eat, hunt and hide. A robotic rhino, a squid with 18-foot tentacles and a huge housefly with a vacuum cleaner for a mouth are among the oversized, mechanical animals on display. There are also interactive exhibits that allow visitors to try jet-propelled squid racing and shoot a chameleon’s ‘tongue-gun’. A true treasure trove of a place, the Horniman is a free museum with extensive permanent collections of natural history, anthropology, musical instruments and cultural artefacts. Plus you can also see the new aquarium, the beautiful gardens and pop into the lovely café. All of which adds up to a great day out at this much-loved South London spot.
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