Well, February Half Term has crept upon us and if you are still feeling the expense of Christmas we have pulled together some activities across the area that are either free or low cost. The weather can often be unpredictable in February Half Term, but this year it is looking good. I have included a mixture of indoor and outdoor activities just in case…
Danby Lodge YO21 2NB
Constellation Rubbing Trail
Come and try our new permanent Dark Sky themed rubbing trail.
Explore the grounds and find the constellation rubbing plaques, use your brass rubbing crayon and discover the 10 different constellations we have hidden for you to find.
This is a drop-in event, no booking is required. Adult £3. Child £3
14th Feb 2024 10:30 am – 2:30 pm – Family Friendly Astro-crafting!
Learn all about the dark skies above us, whilst creating projects to take home. Book your place: Dark Skies crafts
Adult £5. Child £5
Beeforth Hive, South Cliff Gardens
All sessions run 1pm – 3pm and are FREE / drop in. For more info call Gemma on 01723 232464
Beeforth’s Hive, Esplanade, Scarborough. YO11 2BA
For more info call Gemma on 01723 232464
Rotunda Museum: Fossil Handling with the Rotunda Geology Group
Tuesday 13 February 10.30am – 12noon and 1.30 – 3pm
Find out about dinosaur footprints and ancient fossils in hands-on sessions with our expert geologists.
More details on the website HERE
Scarborough Art Gallery: Sharing The Love
Wednesday 14 February 2024 10.15am – 1pm and 2 – 4pm
Create your own Love Hearts to send a message with friend. Use printing stamps to make a heartfelt message.
More details on the website HERE
Rotunda Museum: My Little Dino Book
Thursday 15 February 2024 10.15am – 1pm and 2 – 4pm
Use ink stamps to fingerprint create a ‘designer dino’ in your own little handmade book. Imagine what it eats, where it lives and how many times it might go to the loo!
More details on the website HERE
All events are free for children with an accompanying adult’s £3 Annual Pass. Drop-in, no need to book. The events are recommended for ages five to 11.
Peasholm Park, Scarborough
Open for everyone to enjoy all year round, 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Entrance to the Park, which is never closed, is FREE.
Victoria Park Ave, Scarborough YO12 7QZ
01723 500954
Scarborough Library
Saturday 10th February 2024 11am – 2pm
Scarborough Library, Vernon Road, Scarborough. YO11 2NN
01609 536602
Betton Farm
Betton Farm is a Visitors Centre, Tea Room, Farm shop, Farm Yard and playground.
There are plenty of things to do and see even in wet weather.
The farm animals are always a favourite with the children especially in spring time with our newly born lambs and piglets. With chickens, goats, guinea pigs and rabbits children can get close to their favourite farm animals.
For the under 5’s there’s a wide range of small ride on bikes and cars to play on.
Racecourse Road, Scarborough. YO13 9HT Phone 01723 863143
Pannett Park, Whitby
Pannett Park, a haven of peace and tranquillity and located close to the centre of Whitby in North Yorkshire, is well worth a visit, whichever season of the year. Excellent for family and nature walks.
There’s also a unique Jurassic garden which is complete with a life-size replica of one of the sea creatures of the time. Add in a tree, maths and turtle trails to follow as well as both open and enclosed picnic areas and the whole park offers enormous family appeal.
Our younger visitors can enjoy creating leaf rubbings whist on the tree trail. Paper and crayons are available from the staff at the Museum desk.
Whitby Museum
Exhibit some spectacular fossils found in the local alum workings and ‘curiosities’, brought from foreign lands by the captains of Whitby’s sailing ships as well as loads of other interesting artifacts.
For the adventurous try our trail which covers both Whitby Museum and Pannett Park. The trail takes you on a voyage round the Museum and also on a tour of Pannett Park. There are simple questions to complete. There is also a separate leaflet about the Jurassic garden in the Park which complements our collection of Jurassic fossils. Ask the museum assistant for either of these 2 free leaflets.
Pannett Park, Whitby, YO21 1RE
Adults £7 for Annual Pass (subsequent visits FREE), Children FREE
Dalby Forest – School Holidays
Entry costs £9 per car
Loads to do including the new Gruffalo’s 25th birthday trail… All children to be accompanied by an adult. Well-behaved dogs are welcome.
Dalby Forest Visitor Centre, Low Dalby, near Thornton le Dale YO18 7LT. 01751 460295
Filey Library
Robert’s Storytime – Friday 10.30am
Lego Challenge – Saturday 10am – 12.30pm
Arts & Crafts for Children – Saturday, 11am – 12pm
Station Avenue, Filey. 01609 536608
Whitby Library
Monday 12th February 2024 10am – 12pm
Family Fun with Crafts
Come along and have fun with Adult Learning – who are offering fun family learning activities for you to enjoy with your children. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Whitby Library, Windsor Terrace, Whitby YO21 1ET
01609 534350
More Than Books – Eastfield Library
Wednesday 14th February 2024, from 1pm
FREE workshop – Sound Design
Explore the elements of sound design.
No booking or experience necessary
More than Books, Eastfield Library, High St, Scarborough YO11 3LL
01609 536606
The Sneaky Fox
FREE Adventure Golf throughout the Half Term holidays at The Sneaky Fox, Scaling Dam on the Guisborough to Whitby Road. Open daily from 9am-5pm. There is also a lovely playground and cafe with lots more to come.
The Sneaky Fox at The Jack & Jill
Saltburn-by-the-Sea TS13 4TP
Sewerby Hall
Sewerby have FREE entry to their grounds and gardens, including the play area, throughout half term.
The zoo is open, if you want to go in admission is £4/adult, £3/child. Half term Zoo activity – Meet the Hoof Stock, 16th February 2024, 11am & 1.30pm. Come along and meet our Donkeys, Llamas or Goats. Young children are to be accompanied by a responsible adult. Meet at the education hub located in the centre of the zoo. No need to book, just turn up.
01262 673769. Sewerby, Bridlington YO15 1ED
Download the free Love Exploring App.
Love Exploring App is a free fun way to encourage families to be active together and inspire people of all ages to explore their local parks and discover some of the area’s cultural treasures. There are plenty of adventure trails to discover, including Peasholm Park in Scarborough and parts of Whitby.
Yorkshire Beaches
Take a walk on the Yorkshire Beaches, there are lots of lovely beaches nearby. Buy some bacon and a crabbing kit for hours of fun on Whitby Harbour. Take a bucket and look for fossils. Great places to search include Whitby, Robin Hoods Bay, North Bay Scarborough and Cayton Bay, Read a short guide here
For more ideas for February Half Term see our full What’s on Guide here or visit our Days Out page – Filey, Scarborough, Whitby. Walks here and Rainy days here.
If you go somewhere you really enjoy, please do send me some photos and a couple of sentences to share with others – sj@mumbler.co.uk
Hope you have a great February Half Term.