Half term is fast approaching and there are lots of exciting events happening around the county during the week to help keep the kids entertained! We’ve listed a few of our favourites below to give you some ideas.
Wild Imagination Week at Sheffield Park, 10 – 18 February
Get outdoors in nature during February half term at Sheffield Park and Gardens, with a week packed full of activities for all the family from making a natural mobile decoration or messing about in a mud kitchen.
Fire and Ice returns to the Bluebell Railway, 10 – 18 February
Visit the Bluebell Railway and enjoy ice skating on real ice at Sheffield Park Station in the unique and amazing location of the Locomotive Shed.
Glide across the ice and see where the locomotives are prepared in the morning before they steam through the beautiful Sussex countryside. Enjoy the interactive exhibits in SteamWorks and take a ride on one of the heritage trains.
The South Downs Dark Skies Festival is back, 10 – 18 February
The Dark Skies festival will feature a host of events. These include the popular “Walk the Planets” trail with the planets laid out to scale, stargazing (weather-permitting), storytelling and nocturnal wildlife encounters, and Star Parties.
Half term History Makers at Battle Abbey, 10 – 18 February
Join characters from the past for historical hijinks and hands-on shenanigans at Battle Abbey this half-term.
Be transported back in time to the medieval period. Enrol into sword school and take part in cavalry training, and hear stories from 1066 to find out what happened during that very famous battle.
Make wild memories at Drusillas, 10 – 18 February
Experience the family friendly zoo, where the focus is always on ‘fun finding out’, visit the Jurassic Jungle and roar and claw through the prehistoric walk-through, and battle it out in the new retro-style arcade with free unlimited turns on awesome arcade machines.
Planetarium at Hastings Museum and Art Gallery, 13 – 15 February
Experience the stars and planets at Hastings Museum. Step inside the mini celestial theatre and take a trip to the stars. Join Immersive Experiences as they bring the wonders of the universe to the Durbar Hall!
Wild Wednesday, Ashdown Forest, 14 February
Wild Wednesday takes place mid way through half term week.
10.00am- 12.00noon Woodpeckers – Ashdown Forest is home to many woodpeckers and February is a great time to hear them and see them. Head down and discover these unusual birds with the team. Suitable for age 5 – 9 years accompanied by a parent / guardian.
1.30pm – 3.30pm Weave a willow bird nest pocket – have you ever wondered how hard it is to build a nest? Come and use your skills to weave a hanging nest to take home. Suitable age 7 -12 years accompanied by a parent /guardian.
Towner Eastbourne – Family Day: Turner Prize with Amy Leung, 16 February
Take over the gallery with artist Amy Leung as part of the Towner’s half-term Family Day. Explore the big ideas behind the impressive work of the Turner Prize nominees Jesse Darling, Ghislaine Leung, Rory Pilgrim and Barbara Walker.
Free activities will spread out over the whole building which you can join at any point. Make materials, install large collaborative pieces and think about ways we can use art to connect us while taking up as much space as possible!
The great outdoors
And don’t forget our wonderful beaches, stunning coastline and beautiful green spaces. Wrap up warm and go rock pooling in the wintery sunshine, stomp along the seafront promenades embracing the fresh air or simply get out and enjoy nature! Places to visit include Birling Gap, the Seven Sisters Country Park, Ashdown Forest, Rye Harbour Nature Reserve and Hastings Country Park.
We know there are lots of events happening during the half term week, so do let us know if we’ve missed any activities. And remember there are more ideas in our Things to See and Do section. Happy half term!
Picture credit – Towner Eastbourne, Cameron Brown
