Not to miss events in Dorset this February Half Term

It only seems like yesterday that the kids went back to school after the Christmas break, but February Half Term is less than a week away.
My 10 things to do in Dorset during February Half Term post from last year is proving very popular as parents try to decide what to do with their little and not so little ones this time of year and is still relevant, but there are lots of fun local events happening too.
1. Dippy on Tour
The Natural History Museum’s famous Diplodocus skeleton cast, known as Dippy, is touring the UK this year and his first port of call is Dorset County Museum in Dorchester. He will be on display from Saturday 10 February 2018 to Monday 8 May 2018. Entry to see Dippy is FREE but you have to book a slot!

2. 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 or let the kids run off some steam in one of their three parks.

3. Bird, Bat and Bug Box Making at Lulworth Cove Visitor Centre
To coincide with the British Trust for Ornithologys National Nest Box Week, Lulworth Cove Visitor Centre will be running Bird, Bat and Bug box making sessions for children aged 6+ using pre-cut wooden templates and materials. Why not team it with a bracing walk along the coast and if it’s not too cold, maybe even an ice cream (or hot chocolate) by the sea.

4. Light Up Poole – a Festival of Light
Light Up Poole, the town’s first festival of light art, is set to totally transform the High Street after dark from Falklands Square to the Quay with a series of illuminating installations, projections, broadcasts and happenings to celebrate Poole’s unique location, its cultural heritage and its emergence as a centre for creative excellence.

5. The Highway Rat Activity Trail – Moors Valley
The Forestry Commission have teamed with Magic Light pictures, who produced the film The Highway Rat, to launch The Highway Rat’ Activity Trails around the country, with our closest one being at Moors Valley Country Park.

Visitors to the trail can explore and enjoy the world of their local woodland wildlife as they follow in the footsteps of a mischievous rodent intent on swiping the sweet treats of every creature he encounters (keep a close eye on your picnics!).

6. Kingston Maurward Gardens and Animal Park
Kingston Maurward Gardens and Animal Park is a land-based college set just outside Dorchester that is home to spectacular gardens and a small animal park and they have brought back their popular half price offer for Dorset residents.

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit their last year and the kids adored feeding the animals. Do take your wellies though, it is quite muddy!!
7. The Great Escape and Castle Quest – Corfe Castle
Can you help one of the poor knights flee the clutches of King John?. The King was notorious for keeping prisoners at his favourite stronghold of Corfe Castle!

Don’t forget to bring your own brave teddy, who can help one of the knights escape down the zip wire from the Castle Keep.
 

8. Mighty Claws Adventure Golf
Last year Mighty Claws Adventure Golf opened and is a hit with all the family, although it can get rather competitive (says the undefeated, reigning champion *cough*).

As you step through the entrance to Sweet Claw Valley, you enter a Jurassic world stretched out in front of you, complete with animatronic and model dinosaurs and sound effects around every corner and just opposite the course is the Kitchen Club that offers food and refreshments. The wood-fired pizza’s are amazing and a welcome treat after all that golfing!!

9. Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre
The kids love a visit to Hengistbury Head and its always a treat to ride the “Noddy Train”, as it is known locally, a land train that travels up to Mudeford Spit and the beach huts that cost more than my house!

The visitor centre has a range of activities to keep the kids occupied this half term including sand art, cave painting and a clay workshop.
10. ‘Stars of the Sea’ event – Weymouth Sealife Centre
Discover; who is Sea Life’s most intrepid traveller, which ocean resident keeps the tidiest home, who
makes the perfect partner in crime, who could give an Olympic swimmer a run for their money and
who has fins sharper than a surgeon’s razor.

Children can also take part in Sea Life’s new giant sea discoveries game, navigating through a life-size version of ‘Stars and Ladders’ to solve puzzles with fishy clues to jump ahead and foil their foes to win a ‘Stars of the Sea’ certificate or just enjoy the Caribbean Cove play park.
What are your plans for half term?

• 2018
• days out with the kids
• Dorset
• february
• half term
• kids