February Half Term Events For Families In The Manchester Area.

This half term it seems everyone is pulling out the stops to cheer up what is likely to be yet another windy, rainy week. If you want to get out and about in Manchester this half term then here are a few places you can go which won't break the bank....

Manchester Area:

Imperial War Museum North, Salford Quays, Manchester have Potato or Pike? for half term. Pack your sandwiches and dust off your pike. Discover what life was like in the Home Guard – also known as ‘Dad’s Army’. A week of free family activities this half term at IWM North between 13 and 21 February. Entry is free.

Z-Arts, Manchester have absolutely loads happening over half term, far too much to list here. Check out the Z-Arts website for more details... Prices are heavily subsidised and incredibly fair.

The National Football Museum, have Pitch to Pixel: The World of Football Gaming running at the moment, and will have skill, fitness and craft activities running at certain times half term, as well as 'make your own drawing robot' with Doodlebots each afternoon through half term.

The Police Museum Manchester is open on Tuesdays 10.30-3.30, but private tours can be arranged for groups of 5-25 on other days by arrangement. Suitable for anyone aged 6+. Free of charge.

Museum Of Science And Industry, Manchester will play host to Steam, Sweat & Sewers - A week of fun family activities exploring the Industrial Revolution in Victorian Manchester, including a Victorian Fairground and 'Goo In The Loo'.... Entry is free.

The Trafford Centre will be facing Panda-monium all half term as Kung Fu Panda joins them for free arts and crafts, noodle-tasting and Kung Fu lessons.

LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, Barton Square, Trafford Centre, Manchester is open as usual 10-7 every day, and unfortunately the new 4D Movie won't be ready until 12th March, but it features all the characters from The LEGO Movie and promises to be awesome! Joint Entry to LEGOLAND Discovery Centre and Sealife is £20 per person aged 2+ when you book online.

SEA LIFE, Barton Square, Trafford Centre, Manchester will be welcoming their brand new Octopi!! They'll be in the tanks before half term and ready for visitors. Joint Entry to LEGOLAND Discovery Centre and Sealife is £20 per person aged 2+ when you book online. We went last weekend to see their newest exhibit - the Octopus Hideout.

The Lowry Outlet at MediaCity are going Julia Donaldson and Axel Schiffler mad from Tuesday 16th to Friday 18th, with storytelling and other activities from Room On A Broom, The Gruffalo and Stickman.

Heaton Park have the 'Huge Valentine's Funfair' in place until the end of the holidays, the fair is open 12-5 each day and rides do cost, but it's not usually heartbreaking if you set your limit before you start. Entry to the park is free, parking is £1.50. 

Slightly further afield... 

Eureka National Children's Museum in Halifax will be hosting Blast Off - the only place in Yorkshire where you’ll get to take part in Destination Space sessions, designed by experts in space travel (for children aged 5 – 11), to learn about Tim Peake’s life in space plus the science and people that got him there. Discover the role that you’d have in the space crew, and learn all about the effects that life in space has on the human body. And that's in addition to everything else....an annual pass works out at £12 each...

The Met Theatre in Bury on Monday 15th will be playing The Tap Dancing Mermaid. A one-woman show for age 3+ Friday, tickets are £7 each. On Friday 19th they will be playing The Curious Adventure Of Pinocchio - suitable for age 4+ the play features Patrick Lynch from CBeebies and tickets are also £7 each (book in advance).

The Horse And Bamboo Theatre in Rawtenstall will be playing 'Tom Thumb' from DNA Theatre on Tuesday 16th February at 3pm, tickets are £7 each. A puppet show featuring the smallest hero in the world and a fearsome foe who breaths fire...(book in advance).

Jumbles Reservoir And Country Park is among a number of reviews of local attractions by Let Them Be Small, who also reviewed Portland Basin in Ashton-Under-Lyne.

SEA LIFE Blackpool are hosting Jurassic Seas. Journey back in time to explore a prehistoric attraction that showcases the remains of the great beasts that once wandered the seas. Save 20% booking online - Adult £13, Child £10.50

Knowsley Safari Park, Prescott, reopens on February 13th, just in time for half term, and they have a programme of  pre-bookable activities for children of all ages. 

Safari Zoo (formerly South Lakes), Cumbria will be open all half term, Adults are £15.50 and all Children enter for FREE. If you wish you can purchase a £6 wristband to be able to use the Bouncy Castle, Skating rink, Giraffe feeding, the Road Train and narrow gauge Steam Train.

Delamere Forest Stickman Trail is currently closed because of all the rain, but will hopefully be open again by half term. Activity packs are £3 from the bike shop or cafe.

Museum Of Wigan Life have an Ancient Egypt Rediscovered exhibition running - tenuous links there to Wigan life I feel, but absolutely fascinating to plenty of children. Family friendly and free.

St George's Hall, Liverpool is hosting The Alice Experience until Feb 19th, so you can just catch it! A journey through the story of Alice In Wonderland and also through St George's Hall itself! Tickets range from £5-£12 depending on the time and age, under 3's are free.

Norton Priory in Runcorn will have some great events for bird lovers - on Monday 15 & Tuesday 16 February Help the birds get ready for spring by making bird feeders, and find out about the different birds found at Norton Priory through fun trails and activities. On Thursday 18th it's birdbox making for £5, book in advance. 

Finally, but by no means least for Julia Donaldson fans, if you fancy crossing the border, there is a Room On The Broom Trail at Anglers Country Park in Wakefield...only an hour from Manchester if the wind is blowing in the right direction.

I wasn't paid or coerced to add these events to my list. Have fun!