Amazing Family Adventures This February Half-Term for Under £10 – Discover Free Activities and £1 Attractions!

FEBRUARY half term is just around the corner, and if you’re wanting to get out and enjoy some family quality time – we’ve got the list for you.

Especially if you’re looking for days out that won’t hurt the bank account, as these festivals, castles and railway days out are all under a tenner.

The National Motor Museum will be hosting a “Hands on History” event for familiesCredit: National Motor Museum

We’ve rounded up the biggest and best February half term events for families across the UK.

And with entry from just £1 – or even totally free – you’ll be smiling just as much as the kids.

Yorkshire Games Festival, Bradford

Taking place from the 11 – 22 February 2026, the Games Festival will take place at the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford.

This family-friendly festival is full of free activities and fully hands-on. It’s packed with real gameplay, workshops and group activities – as well as talks from big names in gaming.

Activities include an interactive gaming show, an interactive videogame-making workshop, and a big screen where attendees can join a round of Nintendo’s Mario Party Jamboree.

The Yorkshire Games Festival takes place in the National Science and Media Museum, BradfordCredit: Visit Bradford

Plus, there’s dark and cosy corners away from the noise for those who wish to play in a peaceful setting.

Make sure to book your free museum admission ticket in advance before dropping into sessions or reserving your slot for events online.

Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings, Shropshire

Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings are running a free craft activities program this February half term.

Kids can get stuck into using linen and rag rug techniques to make dolls, friendship bracelets, badges and more.

The will take place in the Stables and Smithy rooms, and are suitable for ages five to eleven.

You can drop in for the arts and between 10am – 3pm on Monday 16, Tuesday 17 and Friday 20 February.

If you also want to view the mill during your visit, tickets cost £8 per adult and £4.50 per child, with under fives going free.

English Heritage even have a free printable Adventurer’s Checklist online that you can bring along, which children can colour in as they go.

Imagine Children’s Festival, London Southbank Centre

The Imagine children’s festival is returning to the Southbank Centre in February 2026Credit: Southbank Centre

London’s Southbank Centre are hosting a huge this February half term.

Between the 11 – 21 February, the Imagine Festival will host nearly 40 – many of which are free to take part in.

Free activities include dance and shows, live music dance-alongs, and a free family trail called “Architecture Explorers”.

There’s also a Hip Hop Half Term free dance event on 20 February, and a Toasty Tots event on 13 February.

Plus there’s paid events for under £10, like access to the indoor Replay for £7.50.

Most free events do not require pre-booking, but to book a ticketed event or see all of the events on offer, head to the Imagine Festival website .

Animal Adventures and Paddington Bear at Cardiff Castle, Wales

You could meet Paddington at Cardiff Castle and hold a snake on the same dayCredit: Cardiff Castle Cardiff Castle are welcoming various animal species in to meet children in hands-on encountersCredit: Cardiff Castle

On the 16 and 17 of February, Castle are running an Animal Adventures event to kick off half term.

This educational event allows kids of all ages to get up close to including snakes and insects, whilst learning facts all about the species.

There’s also a special statue at the castle up until September 2026, which is one of 23 unique sculptures that have popped up across the UK.

Admission tickets to Animal Adventures cost just £7.50. Slots are available between 10:15 and 16:30 and must be booked online on the Cardiff Castle website .

Horsey Half Term at Windsor Castle, Berkshire

Windsor Castle will be celebrating the Chinese year of the Fire Horse with children’s activitiesCredit: Windsor Castle

If you receive , you can enjoy £1 entry to Windsor Castle this February half term – and take part in a creative celebration of all things equine.

Between the 14 – 22 February, are hosting horse-themed arts and crafts events to celebrate the Chinese Year of the Horse.

Windsor Castle is already a top attraction for horse lovers, being home to Royal Mews that house the ‘s horses when riding at Windsor, as well as many ornate carriages.

To celebrate the year of the fire horse, arts and crafts will be available in the castle’s Learning Centre. You can also pick up a free children’s trail sheet to fill in during your visit.

There’s even a giant colourful Dream Horse on display, made of recycled materials from racecourses.

The £1 entry tickets are available for those who receive Universal Credit and other named benefits, which you can check online .

Moomin Trail and castle crafts at Bodiam Castle, East Sussex

Fans of Moominvalley can enjoy a magical trail through Bodiam Castle this February .

Start by grabbing a Moomin trail sheet, then wander through a path littered with characters, games and activities.

The trail takes place inside the itself, so no need to worry about dressing for the outdoors.

The itself costs just £2 to take part in, however you must also have admission tickets to the castle.

There’s also arts and crafts activities on offer this , such as decorating your own wooden knight’s shield or painting a ceramic dragon flowerpot.

If taking part in the , the items available to decorate cost between £2 – £5.

The Moomin trail is open until 8 March, whilst arts and are available between 14 – 22 February.

Admission to Bodiam Castle is discounted for families. A family ticket for one adult and three children costs just £18 (£4.50pp). Under fives go free.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar trail at Osterley Gardens, Middlesex

The Very Hungry Caterpillar trail ends with (spoiler alert) a beautiful, blooming butterflyCredit: Bakehouse

Fans young and old of Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar will enjoy this themed trail through the stately gardens of Osterley in .

The story of the endlessly hungry creature is bought to life through activities, plus a trail accessible via paper sheet or QR code.

The trail itself is free to take part in, although you must have admission tickets to . It is recommended for ages three to six.

Plus to keep with the insect theme, there’s also a Zoolab Animal Encounter event , where you can meet with millipedes, spiders and more.

Admission to the gardens costs £10 for adults and £5 for children, with under fives going free.

Seven Stories, Newcastle

Families can attend an Elmer exhibition at Seven Stories NewcastleCredit: Seven Stories Newcastle

Seven Stories is an attraction and National Centre for Children’s , which is free to enter and full of exciting exhibitions and galleries.

Throughout February, families will be able to visit the free Elmer and Friends exhibition, which centres around the colourful .

There is also a on Mog, the Forgetful Cat which celebrates the 100th anniversary of Judith Kerr.

During the , the centre will also be running daily story-time sessions every hour from 10:30am.

The sessions cost an additional £3.50 per child with adults sitting in for free, however the 3:30pm sessions are always free.

The story times are best suited to children under eight, and should be booked in advance on the Seven Stories website .

London Museum Docklands: Viking exhibition

The London Museum Docklands has pottery and biscuit decorating to celebrate VikingsCredit: London museum Docklands

There’s a completely free exhibition running from 14 – 20 February at the London Museum Docklands.

Kids can decorate a Viking shield biscuit, sit in on storytelling sessions, and create digital designs on a tablet – plus there’s a sensory play area for , too.

There’s also arts and crafts available such as making Viking brooches and moulding your own pot.

Plus the rest of the main galleries and exhibitions are free and open to all, and include immersive streets and a unique mud-larking zone.

Whilst all of the activities are free, some require booking in advance online .

Harewood House Family Takeover, West Yorkshire

Harewood House will be packed with new activities during the Family TakeoverCredit: Harewood House

From 16 – 22 February 2026, Harewood House in is undergoing the House Family Takeover.

This event will see the house filled with colourful, interactive play zones and historical characters to immerse you in Harewood’s .

Other taking place include Welly Walks and relaxed arts and crafts sessions for SEND children.

The Family Takeover events are included in the cost of your day ticket, which should be purchased online in advance.

A family ticket for two adults and two children starts at £33, costing just £8.25pp to enter. However prices can vary depending on the date you choose to visit.

Leeds Storytelling Festival

Running from 14 February – 8 March 2026, the Storytelling Festival will take over the city for three weeks of theatre, readings, workshops and family trails.

One of the events taking place during the festival is the Read and Rave at Leeds Central Library, a free event recommended for families with children under five.

Other fun options include Story Explorers face painting and crafts, and a family-friendly Ask an Astronaut Q&A with NASA’s Meganne Christian.

Most of the events at the festival are free, however you should check online if the events you want to attend need to be pre-booked.

Horniman Museum: Octonauts Trail and Underwater Adventures, London

The new Underwater Adventures experience at the Horniman Museum includes a submarine experienceCredit: Horniman Museum

Starting on February 13 and running all the way through until November, you can take part in a brand new exhibition at the .

Voyage to the Deep – Underwater Adventures is a new which includes climbing aboard a submarine and crawling through shipwrecks.

There’s plenty of interactive and hands-on elements to this underwater adventure, plus there’s themed activities and fun facts along the way, too.

Adult tickets cost £9.80 and children’s cost £7. A family ticket for four costs £27, or if you’re receiving Universal Credit you can enter for just £2. Book in advance online .

Colne Valley Railway, Essex

The Colne Valley Railway are offering kids tickets for just £1 on certain days in the February half termCredit: Colne Valley Railway Museum

For a cheap half term activity that train-lovers will enjoy, head to Colney Valley Railway in .

On the 15, 18 and 21 February 2026, the railway are offering the Kids for a Quid scheme , where families can enjoy free parking and unlimited train rides on a heritage steam train – with kids tickets for just £1.

The steam and railway is a family and dog-friendly attraction close to Sible Hedingham in Essex.

Hop aboard a restored railway coach or wagon and enjoy views of the countryside. The round trip takes about 15 minutes, with trains running every 30 minutes.

All children are given an activity sheet upon arrival, plus there’s also a large on site, as well as a cafe with cosy seating and hot food.

A family ticket for two adults and three children usually costs £33.00, working out at £6.60 each.

But with the Kids for a Quid offer you’ll get it even cheaper, with the same family visit costing just £27, or £5.40 each.

To get the offer, head to the Railway’s website to pre-book and enter the code ‘KIDQUID26’.

National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, Hampshire

The National Motor Museum in Beaulieu is running a “Hands-on History” event this February half term.

From the 14 – 22nd of February, can follow an immersive, card-collecting trail through the museum, stopping to jump into plenty of fun tasks.

Activities along the way include getting hands-on with motoring mechanics in Jack Tucker’s Garage, as well as hopping aboard a replica 1912 London bus and quizzing the driver on all things .

There’s also plenty more to see here, like a limited-time collaboration with and Pixar’s Cars until April 12.

Although adult tickets cost £27 and kids cost £16.65 (0 – three go free), there is a trick to make visiting the cheaper.

If you add on Gift Aid to your ticket when booking online (an extra 25%), you’ll receive a free annual pass to the .

This means that after paying for your initial entry, you can return as many times as you want throughout the year for free – which can easily work out at under £10 per visit if you make the most of your pass!

ODEON and Vue discounted cinema tickets, nationwide

‘ Mighty Mornings deal offers cinema tickets for just £2.49 for children aged four to eleven, plus the same reduced rate applies to the adults accompanying them.

Mighty Mornings takes place every day during the school holidays from 10am, and offers a range of films to pick from that all ages will enjoy.

Alternatively, ODEON offer ODEON Kids screenings with tickets from just £1 .

ODEON Kids screenings run every day during the school holidays, however availability depends on your chosen cinema location and can be checked online .

to look forward to in the 2026 February half term include Sony Pictures’ GOAT and Looney Tunes: The Day the Earth Blew Up.