10 Half Term Events for February 2020 in Dorset
It is just two weeks until the kids break up for February half term and my thoughts have turned to what we are going to do to keep the kids entertained.
My post 10 Things to do in Dorset in February Half Term is still a popular post and has now been updated to reflect some changes, but Dorset also puts on some fabulous events for everyone to enjoy.
Teddy Zip Wire at Corfe Castle
One of our favourite events of February half term is back – the Teddy Zip Wire!
The National Trust are celebrating their 125th anniversary through showcasing 1000 years of History.
Bring your teddy bear to transform it into a brave Knight who escapes the wrath of King John, plus watch missiles launch from the castle’s medieval siege engine with Trebuchet launches at 11:30am, 12:30pm and 3pm.
Historic games, castle quests and medieval dressing up will also be available and all activities are included in the cost of entry, which is free for National Trust members.
Durlston Country Park
Durlston Country Park is a beautiful location for a refreshing walk. See the Great Globe, the Tilly Whim Caves and the Anvil Point Lighthouse.
They are also running Mucky Monday or Wild Wednesday during half term where you can discover animal tracks, get mucky and create arty animal footprints.
Light Up Poole – Festival of Light
From Thursday 20th – Saturday 22nd February, from 6pm-10pm, light and sound installations with be illuminating the historic old town, urban high street, and waterfront.
Cool Coast Ice Rink
The Cool Coast Ice Rink is the south coast’s largest indoor ice skating rink, situated in the BIC.
There is a mini rink for little ones, or you can book a penguin skate mate to help them glide around the ice on the larger indoor ice rink.
Take a Guided Fossil Hunting Walk
There are many brilliant beaches for fossil hunting all the way across Dorset, but our favourite has to be Charmouth.
Charmouth Heritage Centre is running a daily fossil hunting guided walk everyday of half term to coincide with low tide, which includes a 20 minute talk discussing what you will find on the beach, before heading out onto the beach to see what you can find.
To find out more and book, visit charmouth.org/chcc/event-category/fossil-events/ or check out www.facebook.com/jurassiccoastguides/ for other locations.
Shaun the Sheep Glow Trail at Moors Valley
The brand new children’s activity trail at Moors Valley is based on the new Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmegeddon.
Children must help Shaun the Sheep by searching for UV puzzles along the Glow Trail using a special UV light pen-torch, available in the Glow Trail Kit which costs £3.50 from the Visitor Centre.
Download the Glow Trail app, available to download on App Store and Google Play, before you go which allows you to complete the challenges and pose for a picture with the alien, Shaun and an augmented reality hidden spaceship.
Haynes Motor Museum Family Workshop
This February half term, take your budding engineers to Haynes Motor Museum in Sherborne to learn how a car works in fun, family-friendly workshops for ages 5-15.
In these fun and interactive drop in sessions, discover how a car works, learn what happens under the bonnet and explore the handling collection. Then join the team for a special behind the scenes visit to the Haynes Workshop where you can see car restoration in action!
These workshops run throughout half term with morning (11am) and afternoon sessions (2pm) and is included with Museum admission.
Jawsome Sharks at Weymouth Sea Life Centre
SEA LIFE Weymouth is on the hunt for brave adventurers who are enthusiastic about all things aquatic and are totally Top Trumps mad!
This February half term, the Jawsome Sharks and Friends quest is being launched to help Professor Finn find the missing Top Trumps cards, so he can teach everybody about the incredible sharks and sea creatures that live at the aquarium.
Help Professor Finn him in his mission to locate all of the missing cards and place them in the correct order. Once the rangers have qualified, the they will receive a very special reward to take home and continue to learn and develop their passion for exploring.
A celebration of Scouting and Guiding at Brownsea Island
This February half term sees Brownsea Island host a week-long celebration of Scouting and Guiding and other family fun, where kids can take part in Junior Ranger days, or just warm up by a campfire and toast some marshmallows as a well deserved ending to your winter walk.
It’s also the first chance to try out the new natural play area in the woods – with balancing beams, climbing apparatus and stepping stones.
Get back to nature at Hengistbury Head
Hengistbury Head is hosting daily events throughout half term, including pond dipping, sand art, bird safari’s and even a bird of prey workshop.
Pre-booking is essential and more details can be found at www.visithengistburyhead.co.uk/Events/January-to-April.aspx
Have you made any half term plans yet?
Steve
Great write up. My little man would certainly love the Shaun the sheep glow trail, Shaun is his idol!
Rachel
I can’t wait for half term! We won’t be venturing out too far as we have decorating the teenagers bedroom. Shame we don’t live near Dorset, it looks like there are some fun events planned.
Kelly-Anne
I’ve always wanted to go to dorest, it looks like an amazing place to take holiday.
Talya
Can’t believe half term is coming up already. Some lovely recommendations here.
Bella at Dear Mummy Blog
Great ideas Kara! We’ve yet to visit Corfe Castle and have been meaning to go for years! fingers crossed we can get there this year!
MELANIE EDJOURIAN
The fossil hunting walk sounds like a wonderful idea. I’ve been considering doing that as I know my kids would love to go on one.
Jenni
I really need to get our plans sorted for the Feb half term, these all look incredible! We love our local forestry commission site and always have the best adventures there,
Samantha Donnelly
School holidays always means trying to find fun things to keep the kids entertained these are great ideas especially when you never know what the weather will be like
Treasure Every Moment
Aww I wish we lived nearer to Dorset, as it is one of my favourite areas of the country! I love the look of the Glow Trial 🙂
Anne Fraser
Some great ideas. It sound as though you are going to have fun.
Nayna Kanabar
These places look lovely , there is so much to see and do around that area.
Yeah Lifestyle
We have just started planning where to head to during the February half term break and Dorset is one of our options. Looks like there is so much to do there if you are travelling with children.
Jenny
We are off to Devon but it sounds like there is plenty to keep families busy in Dorset this half term!
Laura
WoW! I didn;t know how much there was to do for families in Dorset is look slike such a family friendly place x
Lyndsey OHalloran
I think you’d struggle to be bored over half term. There’s so much to do!
Jenni
Those sound like lots of fun things to do! We are half way through our half term, but unfortunately my youngest ended up in A&E on Day 1 with an infection, so we haven’t done any of the activities we had planned 🙁