Free and low cost ideas for February half term

Half term is looming, so while sitting the kids in front of a screen is the easy option, here are some ideas for keeping them amused without emptying your purse.

Get crafty with Hobbycraft

In Hobbycraft stores nationwide there will be a range of activity for children to do every day between 11pm and 3pm. The activity in store is free, and includes things such as Foam Shape Decorating, Face Painting, Pom-Pom animals and decorations, Making Sessions and a few others. Find your local store here: http://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/storefinder

Cheap films at Vue cinemas

The Vue Kids AM offer which is normally over weekend mornings will be extended during the week days in half term to every morning, in selected Vue cinemas. Tickets cost from just £1.75 for 2D films and from £3 for 3D films, for both children and accompanying adults. This half term, the family can see a range of films with Kids AM including Barbie the Pearl Princess. Visit www.myvue.com/offers-savings/kids-am.

There’s also Super Tuesday: available at all 82 cinemas nationwide with up to a third off cinema tickets. Families should visit the Vue website or text the word SUPER and their email address to 51055 for a membership number, which they then show on arrival at their local Vue. Teenagers from 13 to 18 year olds can get a saving of up to 20% off all tickets this half term with special Vue Teen Tickets.

Chessington World of Adventures Resort – African Adventures

Chessington World of Adventures Resort has some fun activities for this Feb Half Term. African Adventures returns to Chessington offering adventurers a fun experience set amongst Chessington’s Zoo, Sea Life centre and safari-themed resort hotel.

Tickets to the resort for 1 adult and 1 child are £18.00 when booked online in advance, whilst the African Adventures Getaway package starts from £79 for a family of four and includes an overnight stay at the safari-themed Resort Hotel for two adults and two children (12 years and under) and one day entry tickets to Chessington Zoo and SEA LIFE centre. Oh and remember to check whether you can collect Nectar points when booking.

Play some Jumbo Games – Wasgij puzzle for hours of fun

Puzzles are a cheap way to while away a blustery Feb half term day and good fun family entertainment. Jumbo Games is offering  25% during February on its Wasjig and Falcon brands. Wasgij – is jigsaw spelt backwards and is pronounced ‘Woz-gidge’. There are four different concepts in the Wasgij range – Original, Destiny, Mystery and What If…?. There are over 50 puzzles in the Wasgij range to collect. There’s also a Wasgij app is also available via the iTunes store to attract puzzle fans who like to puzzle digitally. You can pick up the puzzles at Amazon, WHSmith, The Entertainer, Hobbycraft, Notcutts, Argos and Tesco. Normal RRP £12.99, but Aldi also sells a cheaper 500 piece version. We tried out the Wasgij Destiny 14 How Times Have Changed Jigsaw Puzzle. It’s a time-travelling puzzling concept where we had to imagine what the image on the box will look like 50 years on. This will keep your whole family busy over a few days, unless you fancy a mega puzzle session.

Take a trip on the train

Lots of train lines have cheap family offers over half term. London for example is awesome and there are loads of free museums such as the Science Museum, V&A or the Natural History Museum. With drinks and sarnies packed in your bag, you can save money, but still have a great day. A family ticket for four is £48 from our station to London.

Check your local libraries and theaters

Some will have organised activities with guest readers and workshops and often these activities are free or for a nominal charge.

Zinc Sports North Tour – learn some cool scooting skills

Zinc Sports are hosting the Zinc Team Series North Tour 2014 this February half term. The tour will hit 4 popular skateparks in Manchester, Leeds, Doncaster and Liverpool. Please see below information on your nearest event from the North Tour with ticket information and timings.  The day will be filled with scooter workshops, Team Series demos and giveaways and is perfect for both amateurs and advance riders to come down this month.

Doncaster – North Bridge Skatepark 11-3pm (£8.00 entry) 16th Feb

Leeds – The Works Skatepark 4-8pm (£8.50 entry) 16th Feb

Liverpool – Rampworx Skatepark 11-3pm (£9.00 entry/ tickets available online) 17th Feb

Manchester – Central Skatepark 4-8pm (£8.00 entry) 17th Feb

If in doubt – use parent rated kids’ activities – Kallikids

Kallikids is a sort of RatedPeople.com for kids activities. All children’s activities and services listed on the website are independently referenced with at least three parents and provide proof of the qualifications they claim.Parents can see value for money rated on all clubs, party entertainers and places to go, rated by other parents. Parents won’t waste money on the bad stuff – they can help each other and support the good activities and services. The service is currently only available in Sussex/Surrey and now Kent and Hampshire. They plan to go nationwide.