February Half Term Family Activities in the North West UK

Here is a compilation of activities and events that are on this February for families in the Northwest UK, Manchester, Liverpool area. Half term has really caught me out this year as my kids don't break up until Friday, but some children are already off, so apologies to anything that's already started! I'll keep everything in start date order, add more as I get them in, and try to italicise anything that is already over...

Please feel free to get in touch if you have a family-friendly event or activity running over the next two weeks in the North West UK. including Manchester, Liverpool and even Bury, but please stop sending me events for Bury St Edmunds - that's a different place and a long way away from Manchester....

Eureka, National Children's Museum, Halifax - Circus Showtime

10th February until 25th February
Celebrate 250 years of circus with two weeks of thrills and spills. We’ll play host to professional circus performers every day, showcasing a mix of shows, demos and interactive circus skills to mark 250 years since the Circus was created, right here in the UK. PLUS, we’re opening early at 9.30am on weekdays during our half term event, so get here early to avoid the longest queues!

12th – 23rd February be astounded, amazed and amused by the fire-eating, knife-juggling, pun-wielding wonder that is The Great Mandavi. Don’t miss the ‘Walk of Death’ finale to this awe-inspiring show.
24-25 February we’re welcoming our friends from Circus Sensible who will be bringing their interactive show to our Little Big Top. Audience participation, comedy, circus skills and unadulterated silliness guaranteed.

Find out more on the Eureka Museum website.

Museum Of Science And Industry, Manchester - Victorian Manchester

Saturday 10th until Sunday 25th February

With fun shows and workshops, Steam, Sweat and Spinners is our annual celebration of all things Victorian and beyond. (And don't forget to pick up your People Power Trading Cards—collect a different card featuring a worker or inventor at each activity and discover who's the sweatiest of them all - eww!)

SCIENCE SHOWDOWN: REVOLUTIONS
Time: 11.30 and 13.30 Age: Recommended for ages 5 and older
This show pits the digital against the industrial, and asks you which one has changed your life the most with action-packed experiments, amazing demonstrations, and more than a few laughs.

CURIOUS CAMS
Time: 11.00, 11.30, 12.00 and 12.30 Age: Recommended for ages 7 and older
Price: Free, but booking required at the front desk - Go like clockwork at this tinkering inspired workshop where you can make your own mechanical toy to take home.

VICTORIAN FAIRGROUND
TIME: Open 10.00–16.30 daily, PRICE: £2 per person, per ride.
Whiz around the helter skelter, try your luck at Hook-a-Duck, ride a magical carousel horse and more. Book tickets in advance and get 6 rides for the price of 5. Various restrictions, including height and/or age restrictions apply to certain rides/sideshows.

Find out more on the Museum Of Science And Industry Website.

St Helens Theatre Royal - The Wizard Of Oz

Tue 13 – Sun 18 February
Regal Entertainments’ enchanting panto production of The Wizard of Oz returns starring BBC’s Pitch Battle star Maddie Hope Coelho as Dorothy, X-Factor’s David Heath as the Scarecrow, the brilliant Philip McGuiness as the Tin Man, the loveable Si Foster as the Cowardly Lion, and the adorable little dog Toto, as they follow the Yellow Brick Road to the Merry Old Land of Oz to meet the Wizard.
Dates: Tuesday 13 February – Sunday 18 February 2018, Times: Tues: 1pm/ Weds – Sat: 1pm & 5:30pm/ Sun: 1pm, Tickets: From £14 plus booking fees.
For more information, please visit: www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com, visit the Box Office or ring 01744 756 000

Waterside, Sale - Half Term Shows

Saturday 10th to Sunday 18th Feb

Tue 13 Feb 11:30 & 14:00 THE CHIT CHAT CHALK SHOW presented by Hawk Dance Theatre & The Knotted Project. Kiko is a confused young girl, struggling to understand how she feels about the strange new world she lives in. With her new friends, she embarks upon a quest to discover the mixture of emotions and colours that make her unique! The story dances, draws and giggles its way through from beginning to end. £9 / £7 / Family Club £4.50. Age 3 – 8 | 60 mins

Fri 16 Feb 11:00 & 14:30 SPARK THE GOBLIN WIZARD Spark's magic can turn anything into anything. He'll turn the bogeys up his nose into some pink ribbons and bows. He'll make a gorgeous high-heeled shoe out of a pile of donkey poo... However, something strange and terrible begins to happen in Spark's forest. With lyrics, laughs and lots of joining in, poet Dommy B needs your help to save the day! £9 / £7 / Family Club £4.50. Age 5+ | 65 mins plus interval

Sat 17 Feb 14:00 DESPICABLE ME 3 (2017) Gru meets his long-lost charming, cheerful, and more successful twin brother Dru who wants to team up with him for one last criminal heist. £5 / £2.50 Family Club members U; 1h 30m

FAMILY CLUB
Join Waterside’s popular Family Club for just £7.50 per family per year for exclusive offers on theatre shows, special events, half price family films and over half price entry to art club.  Find out more at watersidearts.org/familyclub

Flip Out Blackburn - SUPER HERO HALF-TERM

10th to 18th February

Batman, Spider-Man and even our famous GREEN NINJA will be stopping by and the Flip Out Blackburn team are asking visitors to join in the fun and dress up as their favourite superhero or villain during SUPERHERO HALF-TERM. Competitions throughout the week including Ninja of the day, plus live DJ 12-5pm. USE DISCOUNT CODE HERO1 on the payment screen for 10% off on jumps 10th-18th Feb. Book on the Flip Out website. To see more of what it's like, see our Flip Out Blackburn review.

The National Trust Properties NW UK (Special events only, a regular programme also exists for weekly and weekend activities). 

Hare Hill 
Monday 12 February until 16th February
Week of walks from 11am - Join one of our gardeners on a guided walk around the garden as it comes to life in early spring.

Lyme
Tuesday 13 February (also 14 March, 7 April, 25 May)
Ranger-led 2 hour walks, times vary, see website.

Tatton Park 
Tuesday 13th February
Winter deer walk, 10am–12 noon, join the rangers for a guided walk of the winter parkland and see Tatton’s deer in their natural surroundings. Age 18+. £12 Booking Essential

Lyme
Friday 16 February
Uncovering the house 10am & 1pm, Join this guided tour to discover our conservation cleaning secrets then tuck into a delicious afternoon tea. Tel: 0344 2491895 £24.95 Booking Essential, booking fee applies

Lyme 
Saturday 17 February and Sunday 18th February
Bugs and beasties, 11am–4pm. Did you know that some little critters make their home in the nooks and crannies of the house at Lyme? Come and find out more.

Tatton Park 
Friday 16th until 25 February
Scarecrow festival, 10am–4pm, take the garden trail to discover our resident scarecrows in the garden.

Quarry Bank 
Monday 19 February until 23rd February
Welly walks, 11am–4pm, get your wellies on and take a walk on the wild side this February half-term.  Booking Essential

Little Moreton Hall 
Monday 19 February until 23rd February
Candlemas half-term activities, 11am–4.30pm. Join us for fun activities during Candlemas, explore the smells of the season and make your own candle.

Hare Hill 
Monday 19th February until 23rd February
Family walks for half-term, 10.30am–4pm. Explore the garden on our fun-filled self-guided trail.

Lyme 
Monday 19th until 23rd February
Get sporty, 11am–4.30pm, Have fun and get active with games in the garden.

Tatton Park 
Tuesday 20th February, Tuesday 21st February
Deer feed and trailer ride, 9.30–10.30am. Take a trailer ride with the rangers to watch the daily deer feed and get a closer look at hundreds of deer feeding in their natural setting. Age 4+. £10 Booking Essential

Hare Hill
Friday 23 February (also 1 June) 
Ranger skills 11.30am–3.30pm. Find out more about the work of our rangers on a fun-filled day. Have a go at knot tying, learn how to throw a rope and make a swing, and try den building.

Speke Hall 
Saturday 24 February
Night Run from 5.30pm. If you fancy running through the gardens of a Tudor mansion or exploring ancient woodland in the dark, then Night Run is for you. Get your glowsticks ready! Adventurer route (7km) £15, Explorer route (3km) £7. Booking Essential via nationaltrust.org.uk/nightrun

To book or find out more, please visit nationaltrust.org.uk/events or call the venue on the numbers below.

Hare Hill 01625 584412 / Dunham Massey 0161 941 1025 

Formby 01704 878591 / Little Moreton Hall 01260 272018 

Lyme 01663 762023 / Quarry Bank 01625 527468

Rufford Old Hall 01704 821254 / Speke Hall 0151 427 7231

Tatton Park 01625 374400

Z-Arts, Hulme, Manchester - Fun-Filled Half-Term

17th to 25th Feb

Saturday 17 February ~ Chinese New Year Family Fun Day with free arts and crafts activities from 10.30am – 1.30pm.
Wednesday 21 to Sunday 25 February ~ Snow Mouse presented by Travelling Light and The Egg. With puppetry, music and lots of play, this enchanting tale will be at Z-arts for 3 months to 3 years and their grown-ups.
Sunday 25 February ~ Where's My Igloo Gone? presented by The Bone Ensemble. Journey into a dazzling world of soaring snow geese, pet husky dogs, starry nights and the kind of cold that makes your skin tingle…with enchanting live music, it’s a fun, magical experience for those aged 5+.
Skyscrapers to Igloos – Changing Skylines. Young people aged 6 - 10 can try their hand at arts, architecture and engineering in partnership with Manchester company Renaker. Places are strictly limited, so book early to avoid disappointment! Completely free for Bright Sparks Members, it’s easy to register and membership costs just £15 for the whole family for a year. New members can join online, over the phone or in person at the Box Office.
For more information, drop into Z-arts in Hulme, visit the Z-arts website or call Z-arts Box Office on 0161 232.

The Met Theatre, Bury -  Half Term Family Shows.

Yana And The Yeti
Saturday 17 Feb, 2pm A snowy tale for children aged 5+, featuring exquisite music, Arctic landscapes and a cast of extraordinary puppets.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaagh! Dinosaurs!
Tuesday 20 Feb 2pm A young troll girl finds herself defending her town from a gang of destructive, deadly dinosaurs! For ages 5+.
Lost and Found
Friday 23 Feb 11:00 am, 2:00 pm Once there was a boy who found a penguin. They set out on a journey to the South Pole... For ages 3+.

For more information or to book tickets see The Met website.

Storyhouse Chester ~ WayWord Half Term Festival

CAPTAIN FLINN & THE PIRATE DINOSAURS 2: THE MAGIC CUTLASS

Tuesday 20 February, TIME: 1:30pm,
Dare to experience the dangers and delights of the dinosaur world with this incredible interactive show. Based on the best-selling children’s books, Flinn, Pearl and Tom are in the middle of their school play when their old nemesis, Mr T the T-Rex, appears and kidnaps them, forcing the children to hunt for the secretive Magic Cutlass – a sword that grants the holder any wish.
Youngsters are invited to join an intrepid explorer across unchartered territories to discover a pre-historic world of astonishing (and remarkably life-like) dinosaurs. Meet a host of impressive creatures, including every child’s favourite flesh-eating giant the Tyrannosaurus Rex, a Triceratops, Giraffatitan, Microraptor and Stegosaurus. TICKETS: Adults £11.50 / Under 16 £9.50 / Family £38

 

WAYWORD

Saturday 17 February – Saturday 24 February, VARIOUS TIMES
Storyhouse annual WayWord half-term festival . The week-long festival is dedicated to families and young people, and features Gruffalo illustrator Axel Scheffler, silent discos, stand-up comedy for kids, a raft of workshops, tea-time movies, and free and crafts. TICKETS: From £4

Tickets for all events are on sale now and can be booked on the Storyhouse website, by phone 01244 409 113 or in person in the theatre. Storyhouse has a dynamic pricing policy on the majority of shows, ensuring the earlier you book your tickets, guarantees the best seats at the lowest price.

St Helen's Theatre Royal ~ Teletubbies

Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th February, 10am/1pm

Join Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po in a captivating stage show full of love, laughter, music and “Big Hugs”. Produced by leading children’s theatre team, Fiery Light, in collaboration with licensor DHX Brands. Featuring full-sized Teletubbies characters, bright colours, puppetry, movement, songs and actions. For further information visit: www.Teletubbieslive.com
Tickets from £15.00pp. Book in person at the Theatre Royal Box Office, Corporation Street (Mon – Sat 10am – 5pm), call 01744 756 000 or online.

St Helen's Theatre Royal ~ A Spoonful Of Sherman

Mon 26 – Wed 28 February
A new musical stage show from Robert J Sherman which tells the compelling story of three generations of Sherman song writing. Tin Pan Alley songwriter Al Sherman; the Oscar and Grammy Award winning Sherman Brothers; up to present day, with songs from Robert J. Sherman’s own musical Love Birds.
Featuring much loved classics including A Spoonful of Sugar; I Wanna Be Like You; Chitty Chitty Bang Bang; The Wonderful Thing About Tiggers; Jolly Holiday and Chim-Chim-Cher-Ee and starring a highly talented cast led by Olivier-nominated Sophie-Louise Dann as well as A1 boyband member Mark Read; Glenn Facey; Jenna Innes; and Ben Stock.
Times: Mon & Tue 7:30pm/ Wed 2pm, Tickets: Adult £23.50 / Concession & Child: £17.50
Book in person at the Theatre Royal Box Office, call 01744 756 000 or log on to the St Helens Theatre Royal website.