It feels like the kids have only been back to school for five minutes since their last school holiday, but half term is almost upon us.
February can be a bit hit and miss weather wise so here are my top ten suggestions, five indoor and five outdoor, for activities to entertain the kids during the school break.

Outdoor

Fossil hunting!
Did you know the winter months are the perfect time for searching for fossils on the Jurassic Coast?

Pull on your wellies, wear your warmest coast and check out our post on the best fossil hunting beaches to visit. It is free, fun and educational, what is not to love! You won’t be disappointed and it is the perfect excuse to warm up with a hot chocolate afterwards.

SnowTrax
Living on the south coast we are used to being disappointed by the lack of snow, but that does not mean that we still can’t enjoy activities you would normally do on snow.

We love to slip & slide down the fun and exciting Ski Bob and Ringo slopes, with Ringo’s being our favourite. These are giant rubber rings that you sit in and after a few calm slides down the dry ski slope, you will soon be begging to be spun like a washing machine or holding hands with your friends as you hurtle down the hill.

Go Ape at Moors Valley
The Go Ape Tree Top Junior at Moors Valley is perfect for little daredevils over 1m tall. Unlike the main adult course, this is a lot lower, is accessed via steps rather than a ladder and there is no clipping on and off lines for the kids.

That is not to say that it isn’t a challenge as you have to negotiate tricky crossings to get to the finish line and try out the awesome zip wire.

There are two Go Ape Junior courses to attempt, an easier one with guide ropes to hold on to and a slightly more challenging one without the guide ropes and you get to spend around an hour going around them as many times as you can, plus there is the new tree top nets.

Finish the day with a walk around the play trail, enjoy the play parks and even take a ride on the miniature railway.

Monkey World
Monkey World’s Kid for a Quid offer is back this half term and it is the perfect opportunity to visit your favourite Primates.

Although we love seeing the monkey’s leaping around and acting out King Julien’s dance from Madagascar with the Lemur’s it is the massive park where the kids get to release their inner monkey that is the biggest hit from a day out at Monkey World.

Avon Heath Country Park
Avon Heath Country Park is great for families with nature trails, a fun park and organised activities including treasure trails, crafting, pellet picking and orienteering.

There is also the Heathland Discovery Centre which is open daily with displays and games providing information about the park, its habitat and special wildlife.

Indoor

**NOW CLOSED** Activate Trampoline Park
Based in Ferndown, Activate Trampoline Park is the perfect venue for kids that have outgrown soft play.

Featuring an open jump area full of 70 trampolines, a dodgeball area, a giant air bag, tumble track and a Ninja assault course there is plenty of activities to wear them out, plus there is a large café and mezzanine area for you to relax and enjoy a cuppa with friends whilst the kids bounce.

Rockreef
Rockreef is situated on Bournemouth Pier and offers a variety of activities suitable for children aged 4 and over.

With Clip ‘n’ Climb, Caving, the Highline and the Pier Zip to try, there is plenty to keep you occupied for a good few hours. You start the day being kitted out in safety gear, have a full safety briefing before getting to attempt the 28 climbing walls, some of which offering great views of Bournemouth Bay.

The caving experience is best for children as it contains twists and turns, grottos and ball pits whilst the Highline is an indoor high ropes course for children over 1.3m.

Lemur Landings
Soft play heaven for little ones, Lemur Landings has just undergone a massive refurbishment and has even more to offer children from 0-12 years.

With an entirely new play frame for the under 5’s, a role play area, bear making, an updated play frame with cannons for older children, a new sky tykes activity, a digi wall and new a climbing wall complete with lights and timers, this is definitely the new go to soft play centre in Dorset!

Splashdown
Splashdown is an all-action waterpark based at Tower Park, Poole!

Splashdown is perfect for children age 7+as it is home to 13 thrilling indoor and outdoor flume rides. There is am under 5’s splash zone and a small pool for younger visitors too, although I would suggest you leave them at home and have some fun too.

Weymouth Sea Life Centre and Jurassic Skyline
If sea creatures are order of the day then take a fascinating journey from the coast to the ocean depths through 16 themed zones at Weymouth Sea Life Centre, including the fabulous new ideas zone where the kids can get up close and personal with some of their favourite sea creatures with the help of some handheld camera’s.

Finish off the day with a journey up the Jurassic Skyline, 54m above Weymouth. The capsule has floor to ceiling windows and slowly rotates a full 360 degrees offering uninterrupted panoramic views up to 26km away including Portland, Lulworth and beyond.

Where is your favourite place to visit in Dorset?

• activate
• Dorset
• february half term
• moors valley
• ringos
• rockreef
• sealife
• splashdown
• trampolines
• what to do with kids