The school holidays are almost upon us once again, meaning most parents will be on the lookout for places to take the kids.
You never quite know what the weather is going to bring in February, so it's always good to have some indoor and outdoor attractions lined up.
Thankfully there are plenty of both in and around Greater Manchester and we've put together a list of ideas with something for kids of all ages to enjoy.
Read more: Knowsley Safari launches half price entry for February half term
Here's what's happening in and around the region this February half term.
Science and Industry Museum
The science museum is always a favourite with families looking to head indoors over February half term and there are more activities than ever.
A family friendly programme exploring sound and music is running throughout the break, from February 11 to 26.
Visitors are encouraged to march to the beat of their own drum and 'find their inner musician' with interactive activities, special shows and unique performances all themed around the science of sound.
The programme is inspired by the current Turn It Up: The power of music exhibition, where families can 'play, experiment and make music together in the specially commissioned musical playground'.
And there's also a Power Up exhibition, featuring more than a hundred consoles to play. Revisit iconic soundtracks and revel in nostalgia with retro arcade classics including Pac-Man, rock out on Guitar Hero and tackle a virtual reality mission with Astro Bot.
General admission tickets to the museum are free but must be booked online. Tickets for Turn It Up and Power Up cost £8 for adults and £6 for children and must also be booked online.
Visit the website for more details about the half term activities.
Science and Industry Museum, Liverpool Rd, Manchester, M3 4FP.
Tatton Park
The annual Scarecrow Festival is back at Tatton Park throughout half term.
Visitors are invited to search out dozens of scarecrows in the 50 acre gardens and throughout the farm.
This year's theme is Kings and Queens, so keep your eyes peeled for a right royal mix of famous faces and colourful characters - all made out of straw.
You'll also have the chance to meet Aunty Mary and the miller and hear them tell their tales at weekends down at the farm.
Normal garden and farm opening times and entry prices apply. Event runs from Saturday, February 11 to Sunday, February 26, but is closed on Mondays - February 13 and 20.
Tatton Park, Tatton Park, Knutsford, WA16 6SG.
Manchester Museum
The museum has been closed for a refurbishment since August 2021, but is reopening just in time for half term.
There will be lots to see and do including Museum Wonders, 'where imagination and learning comes to life' and Play On - a series of free drop-in activities running from February 20 to 24, to keep the kids entertained with arts and crafts during school holidays.
The museum reopens on February 18 and will also feature the Golden Mummies of Egypt exhibition, offering 'unparalleled access to the museum’s world-class Egypt and Sudan collections'.
The exhibition is being held in the museum’s brand-new Exhibition Hall, which has been created as part of the £15 million transformation.
See the website for more details.
Manchester Museum, Oxford Rd, Manchester, M13 9PL.
Imperial War Museum North
Families can get hands on with real artefacts and learn about the global impact of conflict, from the First World War to the present day.
Dig deeper into the museum’s collections and 'uncover the moving stories they tell, from people who braved shark-infested waters to ingenious nurses'.
Story Seekers, aimed at children age seven and above, is running at weekends and daily from February 11 to 19. Drop-in sessions are free and from 10am to 4pm.
Other events taking place include Home Front Volunteers, where visitors can learn more about the various roles on the Home Front – from the Women’s Land Army to the Timber Corps, and why they were vital. These are aimed at kids age five to 12 and again drop-in between 10am to 4pm from February 11 to 19.
And on two dates - Tuesday, February 14 and Thursday, February 16 - the museum is hosting We Were There Family Days, where you can meet veterans and eyewitnesses of conflict to gain a unique insight into the impact of war on people’s lives.
See the website for more details.
IWMN, Trafford Wharf Rd, Trafford Park, Stretford, M17 1TZ.
Knowsley Safari
Knowsley Safari has made a day trip to the attraction much cheaper after launching half price tickets throughout the school break.
Children aged up to 15 years can take advantage of the half price entry with a full paying adult, and under threes get in for free.
There are lots of different animals to see at the venue, which as well as featuring the five-mile Safari Drive - with white rhino, African lions, wolves and more - also includes a Foot Safari, where visitors can see everything from giraffes and meerkats, to tigers and bush dogs.
Shows are also on at various points throughout the day, including a sea lion show and birds of prey display.
The half price offer is available on all children’s tickets, from February 11 to 26 and brings the cost to £8.50 per child. Adults tickets are £18.50. For further information and to book, visit the website.
Knowsley Safari, Prescot, L34 4AN.
The Lowry
If you're thinking of a theatre visit this half term then a Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler favourite is being brought to life on the big stage.
Fierylight and Little Angel Theatre are bringing their musical adaptation of The Smartest Giant in Town to The Lowry, from February 21 to 26.
The 55-minute show, with no interval, is aimed at little ones age two to eight and marks 20 years since publication of the book, which features 'a heart-warming and vibrant story about friendship and helping those in need'.
Tickets, from £18, can be booked online.
There's another show that families might be interested in too this half term, especially if you have a young dinosaur fan in the house.
Dinosaur World Live runs from February 16 to 18 and is billed as a 'roarsome interactive show for all the family'.
Recommended for ages three plus, you can meet a host of impressive creatures, including every child’s favourite flesh-eating giant, the Tyrannosaurus Rex, a Triceratops, Giraffatitan, Microraptor and Segnosaurus. Plus there's a meet and greet after the show for those brave enough to get up close.
The show is 50 minutes in length with a 15-minute post show meet and greet. Tickets, which again cost from £18, can be booked online.
The Lowry, Pier 8, The Quays, Salford, M50 3AZ.
Trafford Palazzo
There's all sorts of free fun happening at Trafford Palazzo as part of its Feel Good Fest, which is running from now until February 26.
From a silent disco and glitter face painting, to garden games, arts and crafts, and pottery painting, there's something for kids of all ages to enjoy.
Different activities will be running on different dates, but one of the highlights is set to be a visit from Crocodile Joe, on February 21, allowing families to get up close with snakes, lizards, spiders, and other creepy crawlies.
For the full itinerary of events, visit the website.
Trafford Palazzo, TraffordCity, Trafford, M17 8AS.
Chester Zoo
A free Wild Science trail is running throughout February half term, where visitors can experience five ‘Wonderlabs’, learning how science protects precious species around the world.
From bold Asian elephants, curious capybaras to the elusive Javan green magpie, each ‘Wonderlab’ will showcase how science is saving the world’s rarest animals.
The event is running from February 18 to March 5 and on one of the days - February 21 - Strictly Come Dancing winner Hamza Yassin, will be making two special talks, sharing his adventures from across the globe as a wildlife cameraman.
Chester Zoo’s Wild Science event is free with normal zoo admission. Visit the website to book.
Chester Zoo, Moston Rd, Upton, Chester, CH2 1EU.
Inflata Nation
Visitors can enjoy Inflata Nation at a reduced rate over half term.
Trafford Park's bouncy theme park has activities for all ages and abilities to enjoy, from slides and climbing walls, to giant ball pools and assault courses.
Anyone booking in advance using the code MANC2023 will get 15% off the price. One-hour bounce sessions cost £5.95 for under fours and £9.95 for everyone else. Find out more and book tickets on the website here.
RHS Garden Bridgewater
There's lots of family fun planned at RHS Bridgewater over the break.
The Worsley attraction is promising 'a fun-filled half term' with everything from craft workshops and family story yoga, to trails and welly walks.
A 'Houseplants in the wild trail' runs from February 11 to 19, where you can 'trail around the garden, and discover all kinds of plants that can be grown indoors along the way'.
And a 'Woodland spotter trail' runs from February 13 to 17, to 'explore the woodland and see what you can spot, be inspired to bring nature into your home'.
For more details on those and the other activities running over half term, visit the website.
RHS Garden Bridgewater, Occupation Rd, Worsley, M28 2LJ.
East Lancashire Railway
There's a host of events happening at ELR's Bury Transport Museum over half term.
The fun kicks off on February 21 with Malice in Wonderland when families are invited to 'put their thinking caps on and join Wonderland’s wacky inhabitants as they try to uncover who stole the tarts'.
Hunt amongst the museum's exhibits and artefacts to find characters and clues needed to complete the crazy quests to discover the truth. You’ll meet a host of crazy characters along the way including the hatter and his riddles, a white rabbit who’s late for an important date and The Queen of Hearts who needs help with a curious game of chess.
On February 22 it's Dragon Quest, when families can 'embark on a magical quest to the Mythical Forest of Fantasy and become the newest members of the legendary Dragon Camp'.
Part mystery, part scavenger hunt and part treasure trail, families will have to complete magical missions and solve puzzles to become 'the master of dragons' while meeting some mystical characters throughout the journey including a pixie who’s grown too tall, a wise old elf who doesn’t know anything and lots of dragons.
Then on February 23 and 24 it's time for the Peppa Pig and Friends Fun Days.
The event starts with a meet and greet with Peppa and George and then visitors can complete Peppa’s activity trail and continue the fun with a fair, face painters, craft activities and even meet farmyard friends at the petting zoo.
Trains will not be running as the railway is closed for refurbishment, so all events are held exclusively at the Bury Transport Museum. Tickets cost from £12, see online to book.
ELR Bury Transport Museum, Bolton St Station, Castlecroft Goods Warehouse, Bury, BL9 0EY.
Legoland Discovery Centre Manchester
It's Mini Master Model Builder Week at Legoland throughout half term.
The event runs from February 18 to 26 and includes a scavenger hunt, Lego bingo, Lego character meet and greets and more.
Visitors are invited to 'let your imagination run wild and create a build for our Brick Metropolis' as well as enjoying all the usual fun including the 4D cinema, Mini Land and rides. To book tickets, from £15, visit the website.
Trafford Palazzo in TraffordCity next to The Trafford Centre, M17 8AS.
Sea Life Manchester
Next door to Legoland is Sea Life, which you can either pay for separately, or buy a combi ticket for both.
The attraction is hosting a Jurassic Seas event this school holiday, where families are invited to 'navigate through the Jurassic Trail'.
It will involve uncovering fossils, meeting the professor and testing your knowledge with various challenges.
The event runs from February 11 to 26 and tickets, from £15.50, can be booked online.
Trafford Palazzo in TraffordCity next to The Trafford Centre, M17 8AS.
Cockfields Farm
There's a new Kidz on the Block event running for half term, with families given the chance to meet the mums-to-be, the brand new baby goat kids and lambs.
If you're lucky you might even witness a live birth during the farm's event, which is running from February 11 to 26.
It features all the usual farm fun including cuddling the guinea pigs, grooming bunnies, meeting the snakes and naked rats and lots more.
Tickets cost from £10 a ticket online. For more details and to book, see the website.
Cockfields Farm, Lees Rd, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 8AR.
Kenyon Hall Farm
If you fancy a stroll then winter walks are running at the popular Kenyon Hall Farm until February 17.
Grab a brew and explore one of the trails around the farm.
There are two routes, each lasting around 15 to 20 mins, and you can pick up a free scavenger hunt sheet for children to enjoy along the way. There's a less muddy route that's accessible to wheelchairs and prams.
The walks, scavenger hunt and parking are completely free, but farm bosses ask customers to grab a takeaway drink to enjoy while you walk, visit the cafe for a bite to eat, or pick up some goodies from the farm shop on your way home.
There's no need to book, just call in any time from 9am, with last entry is 4pm. Visit the website for more details.
Kenyon Hall Farm, Winwick Lane, Croft, Warrington, WA3 7ED.
Totally Roarsome, Arley Hall
An outdoor woodland trail featuring dinosaurs, unicorns, farm animals and more is returning for half term.
Totally Roarsome, at Arley Hall in Cheshire, is aimed at families with primary school children who can complete a quiz as they make their way round the 1.5km track filled with models of all kinds.
The event is running from February 17 to 23. Tickets, costing £8.95 each (under twos free), can be booked online. Entry price includes a free group photo to take home. Visit the website to book.
Arley Hall, Arley, Northwich, CW9 6NA.
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