After the madness of December and the quietness of January, attractions are finally beginning to reopen and are pulling out all the stops to get us off our sofas and back outdoors. This year, with Derby and Derbyshire having a later February holiday than other nearby counties, the half term activities at many locations are running for two weeks instead of just the one. Fingers crossed for an upturn in the weather so we can make the most of it! Our list here has something for everyone from arts and crafts to nature trails to animal encounters and the big attractions! Enjoy!
P.S. Look out for our shiny, new March-April issue full of more events, articles and classes. Read it online on March 1st!
TRAILS
Carsington Water - Severn Trent’s Fantastic Fun Facts Trail
Sat 17 to Sun 25
10am to 3pm
Test your knowledge with our fantastic fun facts quiz about wonderful water! FREE but parking charges apply. More info here.
National Memorial Arboretum – Woodland Activity trail
Sat 10 to Sun 25
10am to 4pm
Explore the wide range of trees across the 150 acres of grounds and see if you can find all the Arboretum’s friends. Complete the trail and return to the Remembrance Centre for a special treat. £2.50. Or have a go at the free Stick Man trail and enjoy the outdoor play areas and sensory play garden. Free entry but parking is £4 in advance and £6 on the day. More info here.
The National Stone Centre – Family Fossil Trail
Mon 19 to Fri 23
More info here.
Thornbridge Hall – Chinese New Year Garden Trail
Sat 10 to Sun 25
10am to 4pm
Come and enjoy a day filled with making memories, discovering tradition, learning and fun! Immerse yourself in the spirit of Chinese New Year and discover its rich symbolism and significance. Arts and crafts, decorations, games and activities. £3 garden entry. More info here.
ANIMAL FUN
Bluebell Dairy - Farm Academy
Sat 17 to Sun 25
10am to 5pm
Come and share the joy of agriculture and farm life with us including lambing live, indoor role play activities, crafts, educational activities and pony fishing! Note that this event is part of the ‘The Spring 3’ ticket which also includes Easter and May half term for £30pp. Book here.
Chatsworth – Half Term in the Farmyard
Sat 10 to Sun 25
10.30am to 4.30pm
Discover life on the farm with animal feeding, milking demonstrations, and tractor and trailer rides through Stand Wood. Tickets are available on entry. Children £8; adults £4. Parking free until 14th March. Farm shop and café open. Note part of the playground including the zip wire and climbing frame are closed for redevelopment. More info here.
Matlock Farm Park – Half Term Fun
Sat 10 to Sun 25
10am to 4.30pm
Meet the chicks, sheep and ferret racing, alpaca and sheep walking plus all the usual animal and playtime fun. More info here.
National Forest Adventure Farm – New Life on the Farm
Sat 10 to Sun 25
10am to 5pm
The farm will all be about new life as we enter the most magical season of the farming calendar. Say hello to the cute new arrivals in the animal barn and have a go at feeding baby lambs on the ewe maternity ward. Ticket includes access to softplay and outdoor adventure zones. Book for New Life on the Farm (£12.99; under 2s free) and return for Easter Eggstravaganza at half price. Book here.
Peak Wildlife Park – Cub Chronicles Half Term Trail
Sat 10 to Sun 25
10am to 5pm
Chill and thrill while we celebrate our favourite polar pals. Included with entry ticket. Book here.
Twycross Zoo – The Great Gibbon Mission
Open every day
10am to 4pm
Step inside Gibbon Forest, take on the mission and earn your exclusive Zoo Crew badge. Don’t forget there’s also Gruffalo Discovery Land to enjoy too! Daily tickets are now valid for a whole year. Children £17.95; adults £24.25 in advance. Book here.
White Post Farm
Open every day
10am
Try out the brand new Jungle Barn indoor soft play! That’s on top of all the usual unmissable animal encounters! Children over two £15.50; adults £15.95. £1 off if you book online. Book here.
MUSIC, FILM, THEATRE, ARTS AND CRAFTS
Belper North Mill – Family Crafts and Games at Belper Community Hall
Wed 21
1 to 3pm
Have a go at the games our Victorian ancestors would have enjoyed such as hoop-la, marbles and a coconut shy. Make pop-up puppets, windmills and a cup and ball game to take home. Story time and refreshments available. £4 per accompanied child.
Book here.
Buxton Opera House - Hare and Tortoise
Tue 20
2pm, 4pm & 6pm (autism friendly performance)
A perfect introduction to live ballet for children. Join a playful cast of characters as they retell this classic tale. £11 adult; £9 child. Book here.
Chesterfield Library – Fun on the Farm Crafts
Tue 20
10am to 12pm
No booking required. Free.
Deda – Punk Alley
Sat 17
2.30pm
Looking for your first experience in Punk for your little one? Punk Alley is the answer! Suitable for age 5+ and is BSL friendly. £12.50. Book here.
Déda 1 Click Away
Fri 23
11am & 2pm
A fun-filled, interactive performance, about the impact of online shopping on the environment, that will leave a lasting impression on you and your family. From £5 (pay what you want). Book here.
Derby Museum of Making - LEGO Derby
Wed 21
10.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30 to 3.30pm
Create your own mini LEGO city of Derby.
Suggestion donation £1. No need to book.
Derby Museum and Art Gallery - History Makers Half Term Activities
Thu 22
10.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30 to 3.30pm
Create your own mixed media artwork inspired by Derbyshire artist, Anisha Parmer.
Free. Give what you think. No need to book.
Derby Theatre - Dear Zoo
Thu 22 & Fri 23
10.30am & 1.30pm
Dear Zoo, the timeless children’s classic book, returns to the stage! Suitable for age 2+. £15. Book here.
Dormouse Belper – Wild Book Day
Sat 24
1.30pm
Book signing, drawing demo and character creation with illustrator, James Brown.
Erewash Museum - The Big Dot Exhibition
Thu 1 to Sat 24
11am to 3pm
Inspired by Yayoi Kusama’s Obliteration Room at the Tate last summer, join Erewash Museum’s interactive sticker exhibition. Collect your stickers from reception. More info here.
Erewash Museum - Shine Bright
Wed 21 – FREE crafts and trail
11am to 4pm
Thu 22 – Family yoga sessions (£3 per person; age 4+; booking required)
11am to 4pm
Fri 23 – Candle and bath bomb making workshops (£3 per person; age 4+; booking required)
11am to 4pm
Sat 24 – Shine Bright Night (FREE)
1 to 4pm lantern making workshop
5 to 7pm lantern trail in the museum grounds with an electrifying LED performance and musical entertainment from drummers Can Samba
More info here.
Family Hubs - Family Fun Sessions (all 10.30am to 1pm)
For 0-11s and their families. Includes a FREE lunch. No need to book.
Mon 19 Rosehill Family Hub – clay painting, junk modelling, storytelling and pitta bread making
Tue 20 Derwent Family Hub – arts and crafts, face painting, circus skills, games, junk modelling and outdoor activities
Wed 21 Osmaston Allenton Family Hub - arts and crafts, face painting, circus skills, games, junk modelling, outdoor activities and fruit kebab making
Thu 22 Becket Family Hub – hip-hop taster session (8+), stay and play, arts and crafts, playdoh making and pitta bread/fruit kebab making
Thu 22 Sinfin Family Hub – nature walk, arts and crafts, face painting, outdoor activities, circus skills, card and board games and fruit kebab making
Fri 23 Mackworth Morley Family Hub – arts and crafts, junk modelling, clay painting, circus skills, games and outdoor activities
Sparks Arts Half Term Holiday Camp
The Grand Pavilion, Matlock Bath
19 to 23
10am to 4pm
Join fellow film school students to learn all the tricks of the trade as you produce your very own film! £299.00 per child.
Book here.
St Mark’s Church, Openwoodgate - Family Film Club
Sat 10
4 to 6pm
Evan Almighty (PG) with hot dogs and nibbles provided. FREE – donations welcomed.
Children should be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
The Winding Wheel, Chesterfield - Shark in the Park
Sat 17 & Sun 18
2pm & 4.30pm
This fin-tastic family musical follows Timothy Pope and his telescope on three exciting adventures! £13.70. Book here.
Wirksworth Heritage Centre – Kids Leap Year Crafts
Tue 20
10am to 12pm
Join us for a froggy funtime! Make a 2D ‘handy’ frog picture, a frog window clinger or a rainbow collage. No booking required. £1.50.
ADVENTUROUS ACTIVITIES
Shining Cliff Woodland - Kids’ Woodland Adventure Day
Tue 20
10am to 3pm
A drop-off session for children in year 1 and over featuring den building, games, activities and eating packed lunches round the campfire. £26.50 per child.
Book via info@woodlandconnections.org or on Eventbrite
The Pavilion Gardens, Buxton
Mon 19 to Fri 23
Session times 9.30 to 11.30am, 12 to 2pm, 2.30 to 4.30pm
Little ones can spend two hours bouncing, climbing and sliding in the Octagon with the fantastic inflatable fun sessions. £5 plus booking fee. Suitable for ages 2-10. Supervising adults allowed in for free but aren’t allowed on the inflatables themselves. Book here.
ATTRACTIONS
Buxton Town Centre - Illuminate Buxton
Buxton town centre
Wed 21 to Sat 24
6.30pm
Projections of light and sound onto local landmark buildings. Free. More info here.
Cromford Mills
Mon 12 to Sun 25
10am to 4pm
Free family fun games in the marquee. A great place to run around and enjoy a day out with the family. More info here.
Drayton Manor – Dinosaur Breakout
Sat 10 to Tue 20
10.30am to 4.30pm
Get ready to roar into adventure. There’s been a Jurassic breakout and the rangers need your help! Step into the dino-verse and come face to face with pre-historic giants. Thomas Land rides only. Book here for cheaper tickets.
Heights of Abraham - Chinese New Year/Derbyshire Half Term
Sat 10 to Sun 18 / Sat 17 to Sun 25
Chinese New Year celebrations including cable car fortune cookies and a Chinese lion dance. Throughout these dates, all the usual attractions are open - the cable cars, caves, guided tours, cafe, play areas and indoor film showings. Book here.
Magna Science Adventure Centre – Febru-AIR-y
Sat 10 to Sun 25
10am to 4pm
Brand new flight simulators, air workshops, craft activities and the Air Pavilion Trail (return your sheet and win a prize!). Children £13.95; adults £15.95 online. Book here.
Wyvern Rail – Kids Go Free with a Teddy Bear
Sat 17 to Sun 25
Trains run at various times
Enjoy a family steam train ride from Wirksworth. Museum, gift shop, model railway, vintage fairground at Wirksworth Station on Sundays. Children can travel for free all day when they accompany any fare-paying adult or concession. Book here.
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