With little ones being off school for a week, it can sometimes be difficult to keep them entertained, but not this February. Cardiff has plenty of events and activities taking place from February 18 to February 26.
In the capital families can take advantage of plenty of events and activities, including some free ones, to help during the cost of living crisis.
We've done a round up of just some of the things on offer to keep you busy. To get What's On stories straight to your inbox, subscribe to our dedicated newsletter here.
Read more: February half term 2023: 16 free things to do in Wales with all the family
1. Disney On Ice
While some people may be jetting off to Paris or Florida to see the esteemed cast of Disney, you won't have to as Disney on Ice is coming to Cardiff this February half term. Disney on Ice, 'Discover the Magic' is a spectacle of beloved stories of everybody's favourite Disney characters told with astounding professional ice skating.
The Cardiff International Arena will be showing the production from Thursday, February 23 to Sunday, February 23 with showtimes starting at 10.30am and ending at 6.30pm, with ticket prices ranging from £28.50 to £56. Find out more here.
2. Cardiff Science Festival
Across various Cardiff locations, free science-based events will be taking place for every age group to enjoy as part of the Cardiff Science festival from Saturday, February 18 to Wednesday, February 22.
Some of the events include; Maths Adventures Day, for a maths fun-filled day, Grangetown Hub's multiple events such as Reel Physics where you can learn the art behind making TikTok/reel videos and The Bones and Organs Project, teaching children about the human anatomy, Lush Spa Cardiff, where you can learn about the science behind the products sold at Lush Spa Cardiff and plenty more. Find out more here.
3. Space Club
From Saturday, February 18, to Sunday, February 26, Mermaid Quay will transform into a space club for children to take an adventure around our solar system. Visitors of the attraction will have the chance to enter a competition showing off their colouring skills as well as a treasure hunt.
Different space-themed activities will take place between 12pm and 4pm from Thursday, February 23 to Saturday, February 25. Children will join astronauts on their way to Mars, hop from star to star and take part in an alien investigation, exploring planets through interactive games, space walking and stories. They can also make their own rocket and slime or be painted like an alien with free face painting, as well as dressing up as an astronaut and venturing through space with a VR headset.
4. Sherman Theatre
The Sherman Theatre is celebrating 50 years this year since opening as a popular venue in the heart of Cardiff, where children and adults can enjoy engaging productions. This half term is no different as they host numerous productions for children and adults to enjoy.
With younger children prone to leaving their seats, the 'Egg and Spoon' interactive production is perfect for ages one to five. The 'Egg and Spoon', which will be performed on Monday, February 20 and Tuesday, February 21, allows its audience to play through the seasons introducing them to the magic of the theatre.
The Welsh production, Where The Leaves Blow/Ble Mae'r Dail yn Hedfan, has also toured the world, and is returning in time for half term to the Sherman Theatre. The 'funny, magical and musical' performance will be available in either English or Welsh on Wednesday, February 23 and Thursday, February 24, suitable for ages two to eight and families. Both productions' ticket prices are £9.50 each.
5. Montgomery Bonbon: Museum Mystery Trail
To celebrate the release of comedian, Alasdair Beckett-King's first children's book, 'Murder at the Museum', there will be a mystery trail set up in the Museum of Cardiff. From Saturday, February 18 to Sunday, February 26, children can solve puzzles, fill in activity sheets and have fun with their family for free during the Montgomery Bonbon: Museum Mystery Trail organised by Kids in Museums and Walker Books. Find out more here.
6. Treasure Trails
One way to keep entertained while getting in your daily exercise and daily dose of fresh air is to take part in the Treasure Trails Cardiff Bay and the Barrage or in Cardiff city centre.
The Treasure Trails are a self-guided tour that allows you to explore the city whilst becoming a detective solving a mystery investigation. The trails are suitable for all of the family but is ideal for anybody over the age of five, at just £9.99. Whilst strolling, you can learn more about Cardiff and the culture as well as admiring the views. Find out more here.
7. The Sea Horizon
The National Museum Cardiff is a fun, educational and free way to spend your family time this half term. The museum in the centre of Cardiff is home to woolly mammoths and dinosaurs as well as some of Europe's finest art, and has plenty of exhibitions all year.
There are lots of exhibitions taking place at the museum during the week of half term including 'The Rules of Art?', 'Mary Anning Rocks!' and 'Reframing Picton', but from Saturday, February 18, National Museum Cardiff will be introducing a new exhibition, 'The Sea Horizon'. The new art exhibition will feature 40 photographs by Garry Fabian Miller that depict the photographers view of the Severn Estuary near the coastline of Wales between 1776-77. The exhibition will be open until September, 10 2023. Find out more here.
8. Techniquest
Techniquest is Wales' largest science discovery centre, with over 100 exhibits that allow children to explore and learn through play - and there's lots to do there this half term. On the exhibition floor, you could try your hand at virtual surgery, create digital fireworks, feel the full force of a hurricane or the tremor of an earthquake and much, much more. With over 100 great interactive exhibits and puzzles to experience, there’s plenty to keep curious mindscaptivated for the holidays.
Add a Live Science Show to your entry ticket and you’ll be treated to the weird and wonderful world of Bubbles and Blasts. Find out how bubbles are made, what happens when we fill them with different gases and discover why they are actually a kind of sandwich – although definitely not one you should eat.
The Planetarium will be running the ever popular Star Tours, so you can stay warm and dry as you explore the night sky. Or perhaps popping on a lab coat and goggles is more to your taste? In which case, discover a world of colour at a hands-on workshop in the newly refurbished KLA Lab instead.. Find out more here.
9. Chapter Arts
Chapter Arts is a venue for contemporary arts and culture which has been in Cardiff for 50 years. They are hosting a week of 'Free Family Fun', from Monday, February 20 to Friday, February 24, which will include arts and crafts workshops, family films and free packed lunches for all children, from their Caffi-bar. Find out more here.
10. Mountain View Ranch
At only £7 per person, the Mountain View Ranch Family Trail is an affordable way to spend your day during half term. The trail is a great way for families to spend time together whilst exploring the great outdoors.
With Wales' only Gruffalo trail, you can find the book's much-loved characters along the way as well as exploring the fairy forest and wandering through the unicorn enchanted wood.
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