Finding things to do with the kids in half term feels more tricky this year. Firstly, you need to find something that keeps them entertained, but more importantly than ever, this year you need to find somewhere that feels safe.

I have put together a list of fabulous days out in Hampshire, with excellent COVID19 safety measures in place.

Most have a limit on numbers and unless otherwise stated, require booking in advance, so have a look at the predicted weather forecasts and get booking as early as possible.

Days out in Hampshire with good COVID19 safety measures

Hawk Conservancy Trust

The Hawk Conservancy Trust has 22 acres of woodland and wildflower meadows to explore, when you are not watching their wonderful feeding and flying displays.

We visited just a couple of weeks ago and highly recommend spending a whole day their, to watch all of their flying displays. For October half term, they also have the Spooky Owl display, with tales of folklore and traditions, spooky decorations and ghoulish goings on, in a special flying display.

For an extra treat, why not book the Burrowing Owls VIP Encounter, where you get to meet a group of cheeky Burrowing Owls.

TOP TIP: The Hawk Conservancy Trust is an outdoor attraction with display arena’s outside, so wrap up warm.

COVID19 Measures: Booking in advance essential. Limited numbers, social distancing enforced and allocated seating for shows, managed by staff. Hand sanitiser stations around the park, regular cleaning and face masks required in indoor areas.

Winchester Science Centre

Winchester Science Centre is one of our favourite days out in Hampshire and they have just had a huge makeover!

The leading science and discovery centre in the south of England, it has the UK’s largest standalone Planetarium and a brilliant immersive sound and hearing exhibition, complete with 10m long playable guitar, explosive live demo area and indoor/outdoor nature-based experimentation zone.

TOP TIP: Make sure you check out the live shows, they are fascinating for young and old alike.

Winchester Science Centre is the perfect location to visit on a rainy day.

COVID19 Measures: Booking in advance essential. Social distancing encouraged, with lots of signage and limited numbers. Hand sanitiser and cleaning stations around the venue, regular cleaning and face masks required in indoor areas for children aged over 11 and adults.

Marwell Zoo

Over the last few years, Marwell Zoo have had some brilliant LEGO brick displays to see and this year is no exception.

October half term is your last chance to meet giant fearsome creatures at with their SUPERSIZED event which features more than two million toy bricks on display alongside the zoo’s hundreds of exotic and endangered animals until 1st November 2020.

You enter the zoo through a ‘shrinking machine’ to start your journey around an educational trail which dispels the myths of some of the deadliest creatures in the world, all blown up to enormous proportions.

Like most of the attractions listed here, they have a limit in numbers in the zoo, but we did find that their indoor areas got very busy. If there are queues to get in, we avoided them and then came back to them later when we found that they were much quieter.

COBooking in advance essential. Regular cleaning, hand sanitiser around park. Keep left system in place and masks required in indoor areas.

New Forest Wildlife Park

New Forest Wildlife Park is a hidden gem, situated just outside Southampton and contains a collection of indigenous species in their natural surroundings and a brilliant children’s adventure play area.

This is the only attraction where advanced booking is not required, but safety is still a priority, with a one-way system in place and plenty of hand-sanitiser around the site.

COVID19 Measures: One-way system around the park, social distancing encouraged, with lots of signage. Hand sanitiser and cleaning stations around the venue, regular cleaning and face masks required in indoor areas for children aged over 11 and adults.

Beaulieu

Visiting Beaulieu and the National Motor Museum has always been one of our favourite days out locally.

Not only is there the motor museum to explore, with fascinating cars from yesteryear through to some of the bizarre creations from the world of Top Gear, there is the old Abbey, Beaulieu house and beautiful gardens to explore.

Now they have added even more to do with the introduction of the fantastic new play area – Little Beaulieu.

For October half term, visitors will be able to relive the joy and excitement of their favourite childhood toy cars with a fun-filled family exhibition Motoring in Miniature – the Toys of Your Childhood showcasing more than 800 toy cars and pedal cars to celebrate miniature motoring memories and much-loved playthings of the past.

COVID19 Measures: Social distancing encouraged, with lots of signage and limited numbers. Hand sanitiser around the venue, a one-way system around indoor areas, regular cleaning and face masks required in indoor areas for children aged over 11 and adults.

Do you have any recommendations for days out with kids in Hampshire?

• 2020
• covid19
• days out with kids
• hampshire
• october half term