10 ideas for February half term family days out

The February half term is fast approaching, and the panic of keeping the kids occupied for the week is already setting in. Our childcare costs are upwards of £50 per day, so the idea of keeping the kids at home is attractive, however, it’s also a little boring, so a day out is a must.

At the mo, there are cereal packs with one adult free circulating or there’s this useful list from AttractionTix.co.uk of 10 places to go this half term. The team there reckon that many of their deals are cheaper than the tickets that you can on the day or via the attractions website. Ripleys and the Shard are especially great as the tickets are usually £18.

Many of the attractions are in London, but with cheap rail offers and accommodation via AirBNB places or Travel Lodges in the capital, it’s all doable on a budget if you need to travel or stay overnight.

THE SHARD – Adult tickets from £18 and child tickets FROM £1 –  £1 kids’ tickets are available for the half term break (16th-22nd February), and can be booked from now!

If a day out in London is on the cards, but you want to stick to a budget then make sure you book View From The Shard Tickets at just £1 entry for children. These cheap Shard tickets are usually priced £20 so you can make a saving whilst enjoying the stunning 360 views of capital.

RIPLEYS LONDON – Adult tickets from £21 and Child tickets FROM £1

Wow the family this half term and head to Ripleys London and spot the bizarre sights including a 4-metre model of London Bridge made of matchsticks and artwork made from remote control mini coopers.

TOWER OF LONDON – Adult tickets from £16.70 and child tickets from £8.30

The Tower of London is one of London’s top historical attractions. Learn about the Crown Jewels, The tower Ravens and thousands of years of history at your own speed with a self-guided tour.

LONDON EYE – Adults tickets from £19.10 and child tickets from £12.60

At 135m high the London Eye is the best way to spy landmarks from Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and St Paul’s Cathedral.  Opening times vary throughout the year and from January to March it is open from 10am to 8:30pm.

KEW GARDENS – Children aged 16 and under go FREE with a paying adult. Adult tickets from £13.50

With lots to see and do for all ages, Kew Gardens is an ideal half term attraction. Walk through the 326 acres of gardens or wander through tropical rainforest in the Palm house for hours of family fun if the great British weather lets us down.

HAMPTON COURT PALACE AND GARDENS – Adult tickets from £14 and child tickets from £7 (5-16 years)

Embrace British history this February and head to Hampton Court Palace for the day. Tudor history comes to life at the estate once home to Henry VIII by wandering around the palace kitchen and the Hampton Court Palace Maze.

BIRMINGHAM SEA LIFE CENTRE – Adult and child tickets from £20.95 and children under three go FREE

If your kids are Finding Nemo mad or just love to learn about new things then the Birmingham Sea Life Centre is the perfect half term day out. A must see is the incredible 4D cinema that explores the sights, sounds and smells of the ocean! Discover giant sea turtles, weedy sea dragons and hammerhead sharks.

CADBURY WORLD – Adult tickets from £12.75 and children from £9.25 (4-15 years)

The ultimate indulgence day out has to be a visit to the world famous Cadbury World in Birmingham. Tour the factory and find out how chocolate is made as whilst snacking on a tasty sample!

CHESSINGTON WORLD OF ADVENTURES ZOO – Tickets from £14 for adults and £11 for children

Whilst the theme park is closed at this time of the year, Chessington World of Adventures Zoo and Sea Life centre are open to visitors from 10am until 3pm in February. There is plenty to see and do from following the Kings trail to find gorillas, lions and tigers to bravely facing sharks in the ocean tank glass tunnel.