There are so many things to do for families with children of all ages in Brighton and Hove over the February half term school holidays 2012, that I thought I’d write this feature to bring them together in categories. All the events I’ve been told about or have researched are listed on my Events Calendar which displays all events by date, but I thought I’d write this blog to summarise the events by type: e.g. exhibitions, arts and crafts, farms and zoos! Go to my events calendar for all details including dates, times and ticket prices (each activity has a hyperlink to the calendar event). You can also browse through my listings “Indoor Activities” “Outdoors” (see left hand menu) for places to visit and things to do such as pottery painting cafes.
And if you are looking for places to eat during the half term holidays in Brighton and Hove, there are some fantastic Kids Eat Free offers at the following restaurants:
Las Iguanas: This Latin American restaurant and cocktail bar in central Brighton offers “kids eat free” every weekend and school holiday, so February half term is no exception! Each adult ordering a main course can claim a free kids meal from the ‘Ninos Menu’ for an accompanying child. There’s a choice of tasty main course, pudding and a soft drink. There are also colouring competitions and free t-shirt giveaways (for first five kids to enter the competition each day), as part of Carnival month See here for further details about Las Iguanas.
Courtyard Restaurant: Under 10s eat free all half term – kiddies meals homemade by their chef. The Courtyard is on 20 New Road, Brighton.
THE DYKE PUB: One free kids meal per adult eating a main course, Monday to Friday between 12-3pm and 6.30-7.30pm. This offer is currently running every week! Further details about the Dyke Pub and Kitchen
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO COMMENT ON THIS ARTICLE! TELL US ABOUT OTHER EVENTS YOU’VE HEARD ABOUT! COMMENTS BOX IS AT THE END OF THIS ARTICLE
Holiday Clubs in Brighton and Hove:
There are several holiday clubs for school age children in Brighton & Hove, which are operating during the February half term.:
Artroom Brighton; BStarz Academy; Court Farm Video film making course are three examples of holiday clubs running this half term! To find more, please have a look through the section on this site dedicated to holiday clubs: http://www.childfriendlybrighton.co.uk/indoor-activities/holiday-clubs-after-school-clubs or see the events calendar. In addition, the Council’s Family Information Service has a comprehensive list of Ofsted registered playschemes, and has put together a great list of all those open during the February half term holidays.
Exhibitions:
Robot Invasion! – Hove Museum and Art Gallery.
Robots of many shapes and sizes invade the museum in this show of robot force! A vast range of robots and space toys from the collection of Sussex artist and illustrator Chris McEwan are on display. Marvel at the many designs, shapes and types of robot which reflect how hugely popular these toys have been and still are. There is also a great free EXHIBITION TRAIL FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. The exhibition ends on 21st February so this is our last chance to enjoy it.
Opening times: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 2-5pm. Closed Wednesdays. Admission: FREE
In connection with this exhibition, there are a few events at Hove Museum:
Tues 14th Feb: Robot Challenge! – In small groups, build and decorate light-seeking robots. Pit them against each other in a race around a giant maze. There can be only one winner in this robotic battle! For 11-16 year olds (FREE)
Thurs 16th-Fri 17th Feb: Studio Days – Create your own Robot – Suitable for all ages. Create a robot from card and other craft materials, taking inspiration from the variety of shapes and colours of robots on display in the Robot Invasion exhibition (FREE)
11th and 18th Feb: Robot Animation workshops: Suitable for age 8+. In groups, create your own robotic characters and backdrops. Bring them to life using our animation software and premiere your films in front of the group!
Festivals:
The Brighton Science Festival – this festival runs throughout February 2012, and has a phenomenal array of events, activities, workshops and Family Fun Days suitable for all ages and the whole family!
Just some of the highlights of half term Science Festival include:
Family Fun Weekend on 11th Feb and 12th Feb at Hove Park School: http://www.childfriendlybrighton.co.uk/bright-sparks-family-fun-weekend and http://www.childfriendlybrighton.co.uk/white-heat-brighton-science-festival-family-fun-weekend
14th Feb: Pocket Science FunFair http://www.childfriendlybrighton.co.uk/pocket-science-funfair-brighton-science-festival
18th Feb: The Chewy Gummy Physics Fun Fair - fantastic foodie science with Mineral Miracle Berries, Jelly Baby Wave machine, Edible Balloons, Gummy Bear Chandelier, fruit and vegetable carving.
View the full list of family friendly events at the Brighton Science Festival here: http://www.childfriendlybrighton.co.uk/tag/brighton-science-festival-2012
Sport activities / clubs:
If your kids love physical activities, then there are two clubs to choose from, which are great value for money!
King Alfred Leisure Centre is running several different ‘drop and go’ sessions for children throughout half term week! They are normally based around art sessions, different types of sports activities, and intensive swimming courses, and we will put the details here shortly!
Westows Play and Football usually run multi-sports activity days during the February half term holiday. It is a full day of playing lots of different sports such as hockey, cricket, football and more. Details will be posted here soon.
Half term activities at local Sussex Attractions:
The Child Friendly Brighton website contains general listings on places to visit, attractions, farms and zoos and museums, and below is a summary of some scheduled activities at these venues, especially for the February half term holidays.
The Observatory Science Centre – some fantastic workshops and drop in activities in the Zany Zone. There is something different going on every day from 13th-16th Feb such as “Arty Stars”, “Valentine Workout”, and “Curious about Chemistry” so check my events calendar for details!
12th Feb: Drusillas Park – Creepy Crawlies - get up close and personal with a range of species including snakes, chinchillas, cockroaches, rats and lizards. Plus the Education Department will be on hand to inform the public about these wonderful creatures; The Fat Controller will be making an appearance on 15th Feb
Wilderness Wood – Explore and have fun in this magical wild woodland. Everything outdoor, from hunting woodland monsters to surviving the elements, for children aged 3-15. For the half term week, they have a series of activities such as wood craft and camping skills (learn how to build a campfire), explore the woodland on fun adventures, learn woodland bushcraft skills, and even make a garden for the elves and fairies to enjoy and a wand to take home – all details on event calendar!
And of course, the Great Brighton Pizza Competition! This is running until 9th March – a fun thing to do with your primary-school age kids! If its cold outside and you want a cosy afternoon in doors, why not encourage your child to get creative and design a new pizza! The winning entry will be selected on Saturday 7th April at the Live Food Show at the Dome in Brighton.
Arts and crafts:
Our wonderful LIBRARIES have all put on FREE craft making activities for children on various dates throughout the February half term week, so you and your children can make some gifts for free. For example, crafty week at Rottingdean Library: a variety of crafts available for children aged 6+ during half- term week. Activities held throughout the day on Monday 13, Thursday 16 and Saturday 18 February – http://www.childfriendlybrighton.co.uk/crafty-week-at-rottingdean-library-3 Just drop in – come along and have some fun!
Search my events calendar for full details of all the arts & crafts activities at our city libraries this half term!
And finally, if you are looking for an itinerary for a day out in Brighton (particularly for when the weather is not that great), then have a read of a feature I wrote for Brighton Visitor magazine. I’m sure you will find it really useful for other ideas of what to do during the half term week or any other day for that matter!