Half Term Fun for the Family

Whether it's been a long term or you can't quite believe it's half term already, you'll be due a break. The run from Christmas can be quite a slow one, and with the cold weather and dark days, it can feel quite draining. The same goes for the kids; it's been a long slog at school and they're ready for a holiday. That can can often mean the parents don't end up getting much of a break, so we've collected a few ideas of how to keep the kids (and adults!) entertained this half term.

MK Model Train Show @ Stantonbury Leisure Centre from 10am-4.30pm Saturday 14th Feb.

The Milton Keynes Railway Society are holding their annual exhibition, featuring more than 40 layouts and 35 trade stands. Tickets cost £5 for adults and £3 for children. Discounts available if you travel by train and show a valid train ticket, and there's a free bus service operating from Milton Keynes Central and Bletchley train stations.

Skateboarding Tournament @ The Buszy Skatepark from 11am-4pm Sunday 15th Feb.

Sponsored by Xscape, this is a tournament for boarders, by boarders. There will be a variety of events and activities running so all the family can get involved. There will be skateboarding lessons available for both kids and adults on the hour every hour, equipment is included but there will be limited places so you're advised to arrive early if you want to take part in a lesson. There will also be a professional skateboarding competition, live DJ, Xscape retail stalls showcasing their products and offering advice, competitions, street food stall, graffiti artists and much more. 

Comic Making Workshop @ MK Central Library from 2-4pm Monday 16th Feb.

Digital artist Jade Sarson will be teaching aspiring artists to write, design colour and publish their own comics. The workshop is open to anyone over the age of 12 who has an interest in comic making. This is a free event, but spaces are limited so you need to book a place if you want to take part by visiting the enquiry desk at the library or calling 01908 254075. 

Half Term fun @ Milton Keynes Museum from 11am-4.30pm, Monday 16th-Friday 20th Feb.

Milton Keynes museum hosts 5 days of fun specially geared at young visitors, with a host of special attractions as well as the usual demonstrations, displays, and fun things to do. Storytellers Historia are running 2 family tree sessions each day for children over 5, on Monday, Thursday and Friday. 'Mighty Oaks' and 'Little Acorns' sessions at midday and 2pm each day are interactive sessions, aiming to encourage youngsters to find their own place in history. There will also be science demonstrations, magic lantern shows, Victorian music, domestic science and more. It's a great day out for all the family, and for a family with up to 4 children the ticket costs just £22.50.

Alice In Wonderland Craft Session @ Kingston library from 2-4pm, Thursday 19th Feb.

It's the 150th anniversary of Alice in Wonderland, so what better way to celebrate it than to get involved in making some Alice in Wonderland themed crafts. Come along and make some puppets and masks. Children from 4 years old can get involved, and tickets cost just £2 and are available in advance from Kingston Library or by calling 01908 282720.







Fossil Hunting for kids @ Stonepit Field, Milton Keynes from 10am-12pm, Thursday 19th Feb.
Join the park rangers for a half term event dedicated to hunting for fossils and rocks. You can learn about what you might find, and how old it is. Tickets cost £3 and must be booked in advance. (click here)




Circus @ Frosts Garden Centre, Woburn Sands, Saturday 14th-Friday 20th Feb.
Shows will be at 10.30am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm and 4.30pm each day.
The award winning John Lawson's circus, voted 'best small circus' makes its return to Frosts Garden Centre for February half term. An entirely human cast with new acts and routines. The show lasts an hour, children must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets cost £6.99 per person and can be bought on the website.




Dinosaur Week @ Intu Milton Keynes, all day from Saturday 14th-Sunday 22nd Feb.
This half term, intu Milton Keynes will be taken over by Dinosaurs for 'Dino Takeover Week'. There will be a life-sized replica of a Brachiosaurus (almost 6 metres tall) a Velociraptor, a family of Triceratops, Iguanodon and a Europasaurus. If those names mean little to you, then head on over this half term to learn a bit more about dinosaurs! As well as the display, there will be free actives for children to get involved with, including dry mineral panning, a dinosaur hunt and colouring fun.



Half term dance course with New Adventures Dance Company from 10am-4pm, Wednesday 18th-Friday 20th Feb.

Re:Bourne is the charitable arm of new dance company, New Adventures. They will be offering a three-day course for children aged 9-13 years, covering contemporary dance content from Edward Scissorhands. It will end in a performance for friends and family. Let by experienced dancer Lee Smikle, who has appeared in a variety of performances, including Nutcracker, Edward Scissorhands and Swan Lake. Tickets cost £95 for the 3 days. Call 01908 547651 to book a place.