February half-term is approaching, and many parents and family members are stuck for activities for the children.
Here are a handful of events in Nottinghamshire that all come under the £10 price mark.
1. Enchanted Fairy Trail
This magical experience at Rufford Abbey County Park encourages children to spread their wings and follow the enchanted trail to discover a world of mystery.
Children are faced with the challenge of discovering the miniature houses, finding the King and Queen, walking under archways to find the beastly dragon and whisper your secrets into the ear of the wishing fairy.
With surprises round every corner and the discovery of all the magic creatures that children have only dreamed about, this is the ultimate activity for you and the children.
Price: £2.50 per trial sheet
Date: 12th-27th Feb
Time: 10am- 4PM daily
Where: Rufford Abbey
2. Boots and Brambles Forest School
This unique forest school experience allows children to learn in the environment of their local woodlands.
Fran Groombridge, owner of Boots and Brambles and session runner, said: “I run Boots and Brambles Forest School and we are just relaunching and have some fabulous February half-term sessions planned.
“We run Baby sessions, sessions for pre-schoolers and our Family Sessions are open to all ages.”
This outdoor learning experience is open to all ages during the February half-term and it also helps support local Nottingham businesses.
This programme is set up to help children who are struggling in mainstream school to progress them back up to speed with the school’s curriculum, all sessions are led by an experienced Forest Schools-trained practitioner.
The sessions let children explore nature in fun, exciting, and educational ways.
Each week they host different seasonal themed sessions and conduct activities such as mud kitchens and waterfalls, so let their hands and feet get muddy!
Price: Ranged (all sessions run at a different price)
Date: February half-term sessions
Where: held in various woodlands in south Nottinghamshire
3. Rushcliffe Play Forum
This is a resource centre for families and organisations to support their own activities from home, this is a cost effective way of keeping the kids entertained from home and it opens up to all ages.
Barbara Breakwell, member of Rushcliffe Play Forum, said: “If you and your children enjoy being creative and you like to be eco friendly consider becoming a member of Rushcliffe Play Forum
“We are a volunteer run charity based in Keyworth and have numerous resources donated by local businesses and individuals that would otherwise go to landfill.
“We also sell pre-cut shapes and basic art resources at very reasonable prices. Check out our Facebook page Rushcliffe Play Forum.”
Be creative and come up with your own activities from the comfort of your own home with your children this half-term as it’s important to spend quality time together, Rushcliffe Play Forum will guide you on your way.
Price: A membership scheme which is £5 for a family to join and then £2.50 a basket of scrap.
Date: Open Tuesday and Thursdays – appointments only
Where: School Bungalow, Nottingham Rd, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5FB
4. Pop Up Play Village
This mobile educational role play village for children to engage in educational ways of having fun.
This is the perfect activity for children eight-years-old and younger to challenge and push their imagination to the limit, it brings the creativity out of every child.
It involves play in construction, hospitality, arts studio and much more, so let their imagination run wild.
For one child and one adult it will be seven pounds and for any additional children it’s an extra £5.50 and for a ‘baby on the move’ it will be an additional £3.50.
This event will run every Tuesday and Thursday including the 15th and 17th of February which means it will run through the half-term.
Charlie Featherstone, organiser, said: “Pop up play village is a franchise.
“However, I decided to join the franchise as I have seen first-hand how amazing role play is for Children’s development.
“My daughter absolutely loves role playing.”
Price: £7 minimum
When: Tuesday and Thursday Where: Tuesday morning Keyworth (The parochial church hall),Tuesday afternoon West Bridgford (The Methodist Church Hall), Thursday Bingham (The Rugby Club Pavilion)
5. Junior detectives
Children aged five to ten are given the task to solve the case of an escaped prisoner.
This is a family-friendly experience that uses detective and problem-solving skills in the Victorian streets of our Narrow marsh museum experience, fancy dress is welcomed to add to the experience.
You are given the task to search the Narrow Marsh to seek out clues and solve the puzzle.
You will be escorted to the Grand Courtroom to go through your findings and solve the case if you have found all the pieces to the puzzle.
Can you solve the mystery?
You have an hour and a half to solve the crime, time is ticking, will you crumble under the pressure?
Price: £9.95
Where: National Justice Museum
Date: All throughout February half-term
When: Morning sessions are 10am-11:30am, afternoon session are 1:30pm-3:30
6.Nottingham Festival of Science and Curiosity
There are many events at Nottingham Festival of Science and Curiosity from Space Race Toys to a Strawberry Extraction Workshop
Depending on the age of the child and their hobbies you can choose the event that best suits them.
This is something that will keep the young ones pre-occupied for the afternoon.
Sammi Harrison, a mum from Sherwood said: “Kids have heard a lot about research and scientists over the past couple of years, so taking part in research is a great way for them to meet some real-life scientists.
“Research studies are great ways for kids to learn more about science, ask lots of questions, and they’re both educational and lots of fun.
“Great memories for them to share with their friends when school returns too.”
Price: Free
Where: Unit 5 Cobden Place, Nottingham NG1 2ED
Date: Depends on the selected event.
When: Depends on the selected event.
7. Cinema
For the slightly older children cinema is a great way to occupy your time with the children.
Half-term is a time for relaxing and there is no better way than relaxing in a cinema with popcorn and snacks in hand.
Film and cinema are a great way to dive into imaginary worlds of magic, enchantment, witchcraft and much more.
It gives them a chance to be away from a learning environment and feel the weight of stress lifted of their shoulders.
Children go at discounted prices!
Price: under £10 but dependent on the cinema.
Where: Various locations in Nottingham
Date: February half-term
When: Runs throughout the day.
So, if you’re looking for some February inspiration for you and the family in Nottinghamshire this is a list of all the fun activities and events that your children can attend.
