February half term in North Yorkshire
Fantastic February Fun
- Stories & Inspiration
- February Half Term In North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire is the place to be this February half term
With amazing events taking place, activities to try and attractions to explore. Start planning your days out so once the holidays start, you can gather the whole family together and head out on adventures guaranteed to keep everyone entertained.
From light trails and dark skies to family theatre shows and craft activities, you can plan your whole week to keep boredom at bay and make some incredible memories.
Magic after dark
See millions of stars twinkling in the nights sky and learn about the magic of the constellations and planets when you book onto one of the many events taking place across the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales during the 11th Dark Skies Festival. Children can follow trails to discover more about the stars or join a workshop and make something to take home.
Half term week is your last chance to see the amazing Luminescence – A Winter Light Trail at Swinton Estate. Follow the nature-inspired light trail through the woodland and around the edge of the lake and enjoy toasting marshmallows over the fire pit.
Highlight event: Glow Nocturnal at Carlton Towers
A magical evening awaits you at Carlton Towers, near Selby as you discover the glowing animals of Glow Nocturnal. Meet the fox, dormouse, and other animals in the grounds and state rooms.
Food and drink are available from the Stables Tearooms and there is mandala colouring for children. This is the perfect family half term event.
Note: advance booking required.
Have fun outside
Outdoor exploration is waiting for you at our attractions this half term. Wrap up warm and head to Beningbrough for the winter woodland animal trail. This family trail runs from 9 January to 22 February (on selected dates) and is the perfect way for children to connect with the nature around them as they look for the animals hiding in the bird boxes around the gardens.
Join the fun with Mole, Ratty, Badger and Toad and enter the world of The Wild Wood, the riverbank and Toad Hall as The Wind in the Willows comes to RHS Garden Harlow Carr. Follow the new all-year round garden adventure trail and find different characters as you learn about nature. Events are running from 15 to 22 February and include a planting activity (16 February), Storytime with the Garden Detectives (17 & 20 February), a craft workshop (18 & 20 February) and storytelling (19 February)
Wrap up warm and enjoy a day out on the Yorkshire coast. Take a wander along the beach and see what little creatures you can find in the rock pools or perhaps you will find a hidden fossil or two. Count the steps up to Whitby Abbey before playing hide-and-seek amongst the ruins and enjoy an ice cream even if the weather is a bit chilly.
Highlight event: Hop into the Wild
Tying in with the release of the Disney Pixar film “Hoppers” on 6 March, you can take part in the ‘Hop into the Wild’ family trail at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden this half term from 14 February – 8 March. Pick up your free discovery passport, find the cutouts of the “Hoppers” gang around the grounds and learn about the animal kingdom. A great way for children of all ages to explore the estate in the fresh air.
North Yorkshire is home to amazing museums where you can step back in time. The three museums in Ripon take you through social and law and order history and over February half term children can try a range of activities. Make your own theatre at Ripon Workhouse and Garden Museum, work out who’s eaten all the chocolate at the Ripon Courthouse Museum and sketch the subject at the Ripon Prison and Police Museum (these events run from 14 – 22 February).
Travel back to the sights, sounds and smells of the Second World War this half term at Eden Camp Modern History Museum near Malton. February Half Term on the Homefront highlights ordinary peoples’ experiences away from the frontline – try some hands-on activities and learn about stories of resilience and how people ‘made do’. The 22 huts take you through all aspects of wartime Britain plus you can decorate your own plant pot and learn about Dig for Victory.
There are some great family shows happening across North Yorkshire including Wind in the Willows at the Stephen Joseph Theatre and The Very Hungry Caterpillar at Harrogate Theatre. A perfect way to entertain little ones.
Children can follow the Winnie the Pooh Book Trail around Skipton town centre from 13 February – collect a map from Skipton Town Hall or Skipton Library, find Pooh, Piglet and their friends around the town and answer their questions. Children under 12 can return their entry to enter a prize draw.
Crafty days
Children can join a Make & Take session at the Mercer Art Gallery and create an artwork using print and ink inspired by the current exhibition Vision and Labour: Making Comics. The Make & Take session at Skipton Town Hall is My Little Book of Me where children can make a personalised scrapbook. Both sessions are on 18 February.
Head to Funland at Pickering Showground for a day of fairground fun to burn off some energy. There are unlimited rides and inflatables plus games and music or visit Scarborough to see the annual Pancake Race and Skipping event on Shrove Tuesday (17 February). Watch the pancake race through the town centre with participants in fancy dress before heading to the Foreshore for the skipping by the sea tradition.
Start making your February half term plans and be ready for the best time with family and friends. Find more ideas and inspiration on our family page and events page and don’t forget to tag us in your pics on socials so we can see all your adventures.
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