- Search out spring!
It’s very early, but the snowdrops are popping up and the crocuses are saying hello! So why not take the family out in search of other signs that spring is on its way? From the singing birds, to the first little buds on the trees in cities, towns, parks and woods, hidden little signs can be found everywhere... Make a map of your finds, take snaps along the way, wrap up and make a day of it!
- Get to know your past!
Every city and most towns have an array of Museums and Galleries that are free and over the holidays most offer an exciting range of special activities and shows, go get organised and check them out.
It’s a great day ‘in’ if the weather isn’t good and a brilliant introduction for children to history and culture. Keep cost to the minimum by taking your own food, snacks and drinks, as the cafes can be a bit pricey!
- Discover your local treasures
The National Trust website, have an abundance of family free events, such as Wassailing and campfires at Moseley Old Hall, Staffordshire. 19th to the 23rd of February and Hibernating Hedgehogs at Hughenden, Buckinghamshire, 12th to the 16th February. There’s loads more going on all over the UK this half term so visit the website for your nearest event!
- Family Fitness for Free!
For free sporting activities for the whole family visit www.Parklives.com where you’ll find loads of events taking place in major parks around the country. They have family running and walking mornings which sound great, a lovely way to meet people, social and get fit!
- On your bike!
Cycling a lovely, fun way to spend time together as a family. There’s a huge network of traffic free routes across the country now and most cycle paths are suitable for all ages. Cycling is a perfect opportunity to build up a child’s confidence as well as balance, muscle and stamina! So, get your bike out of the shed or garage, check they are road worthy and get out in the wonderful outdoors.
For route ideas close to you visit www.sustrans.org.uk
- Make a splash
Most swimming classes stop for half terms so it’s usually a free for all at the local pool. Check the time table before grabbing your towel and running but swimming a is a super splashy and low-cost family way to spend a day!
- Fun at the Farm
You don’t have to live in the countryside to enjoy rural life, City farms are popping up all across the country and many offer special deals during school holidays. Farms provide stimulating environments for children to learn and interact safely with animals, they can feed and touch them and understand how to care for them. Most offer children the chance to get close up to farm machinery and are taught how to stay safe within the farm environment.
- Get gardening!
It’s fair to say most gardens are probably looking a bit minimal in February, so it’s a good time to sweep up the leaves, tidy up the plant pots and get the garden ready to welcome spring! Whether it’s a few pots on the window, a back yard or Kew gardens using tools like trowels and sweeping brushes are an excellent way of developing hand, arm and back muscles all used by children when learning to write.
- Pebble hide and seek…
It’s a craze that’s sweeping our countryside, woods and urban parks! First go on a search to find some lovely smooth stones of all shapes and sizes. Bring them home and give them a quick scrub and let them dry. Then get creative with some acrylic paints or pens, creating beautiful pictures and patterns on your stones. On the bottom write a message. Once all the paint has dried, cover them in a clear varnish, let that dry and then you’re ready to go and hide your pebbles in public places for other people to find them. A lovely way to combine creativity and getting outdoors – all the family will love this.
- Mini gorge walking
For the ultimate in welly adventures, go find your nearest stream (no more than ankle deep of course) and walk your way up or down steam...feel the water on your feet and look out for wildlife along the way. It’s the perfect introduction to gorge walking so Kick, splash and have some fun!