FEBRUARY IDEAS FOR HALF TERM

February half term is a welcome break to throw off any lingering January blues! Use the holiday to wrap up warm and re-energise by heading out of the house – there are still plenty of ways to entertain the kids when they’re off school. You don’t always need to dig deep into those pockets for a fun filled family day out – check out these great places to visit in the weeks to come, and beyond, to ensure all your family fun is covered.

THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR IS COMING TO THE LEXICON

This February, The Lexicon will host a fabulous interactive trail based on Eric Carle’s bestselling children’s book, The Hungry Caterpillar. Following the same journey of the caterpillar from egg to butterfly, visitors will wind their way through an assortment of larger-than-life fruit sculptures, a cosy chrysalis and a beautiful butterfly, all based on artwork from the famous book. The interactive mini adventure will help to teach children about the close relationship between plants and insects as they search for items such as apples and pears to complete the trail. Running from 11th -19th February, in addition to The Hungry Caterpillar trail, they’ll be prizes to win, additional entertainment and other surprises, so check out the website for details. W: www.thelexiconbracknell.com

EXPERIENCE THE SIGHTS, SOUNDS AND SMELLS OF A LUSH, TROPICAL RAINFOREST – RIGHT ON YOUR DOORSTEP!

The Living Rainforest is a great little find designed to be just like a real rainforest, it’s warm and humid but by no means uncomfortable. There are great plants with spectacular leaves and animals like tortoises, turtles, fish, Caiman, Goeldi monkeys and even a Sloth! Lizards free range as do most of the birds. Over the February half term enjoy their free* (*with Entry) daily guided tours which are part of their celebration of Charles Darwin’s contribution to science. Their tour guides will happily point out all the things that are easy to overlook. Take your time, stroll around, and imagine you are in a real jungle. To guarantee entry and save time on arrival, they strongly recommend pre-booking. W: www.livingrainforest.org

FEBRUARY HALF TERMFEBRUARY HALF TERM HAVE FUN WITH SCIENCE, SNAKES AND SLIME THIS HALF TERM WITH BEEHIVE HOLIDAY CLUBS!

The Beehive Holiday Clubs return to Crown The Beehive February Wood & Nine Mile Ride Primary Schools for Half13-17 February 2023 Term Holiday Clubs a fun-filled February half-term! New for 2023, their Sublime Science sessions are not to be missed - hands-on science experiments to amaze and entertain! Your child will make sherbet, slime, a tornado and snow! They can also create a rocket balloon, a soda & Mentos fountain and more! Berkshire Reptile Encounters return for children to get up close to snakes and lizards and learn all about these fascinating creatures. Other activities include, arts & crafts, team sports, games and baking! Days are 8am6pm with morning sessions 8am-1pm (£20), afternoons 1-6pm (£20), and all day 8am-6pm (£36) and they now offer a 10% sibling discount. Please note, an additional £5 will be added on 15/02/23 for the Sublime Science session. Book now at either Crown Wood Primary School or Nine Mile Ride Primary School for the 13th -17th February. W: www.beehiveclub.co.uk

IT’S AMAZING WHAT YOU CAN LEARN AT THE LOOK OUT DISCOVERY CENTRE!

Have you ever wondered whether you can capture a shadow? Or been curious about what your insides look like? Explore your curiosities and more this February half term at The Look Out Discovery Centre, a hands-on science exhibition where you and your family can spend a marvellous day out. Whether you want to learn how to build a giant marble run, launch a hot air balloon, or play the laser harp, there’s something for everyone in the science exhibition! In the stunning location of Swinley Forest you can enhance your visit with a ramble in the woods, followed by a luxury hot chocolate and delicious hot food from Woodlarks Café. Tickets are available to prebook online. T: 01344 354400 W: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/look-out-discovery-centre

KEEP YOUR LITTLE ONES ENTERTAINED WITH SQUIRE’S CREATE & GROW ACTIVITIES

Squire’s Garden Centres will be hosting February Half Term fun with a ‘Create & Grow’ ‘Paint a Bird Flowerpot’ activity (booking essential for ‘Paint a Bird’) as well as ‘Bird Treasure Hunt’ (no need to book). Young visitors can get artistic, using their painting skills to create a unique bird-shaped ceramic flowerpot (plant not included), to take home and put on their windowsill! Sessions may be booked online and in-store. The Bird Treasure Hunt is free and there is no need to book, simply turn up on the day. Children will follow a paper trail of birds around the centre to help find the magic word and receive a free sticker. Squire’s ‘Create & Grow’ activities are on from 9.30am – 1pm, Monday, 13th – Friday, 17th February at ALL centres EXCLUDING Badshot Lea and Chertsey. W: www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk

‘GREEN STORIES’ TO DISCOVER AT THE MUSEUM OF ENGLISH RURAL LIFE 2023

Events and activities at The Museum of English Rural Life this half term are inspired by Museum Partnership Reading’s ‘Our Green Stories’ campaign. Gather the family and go along and explore the theme of ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’ through The MERL collections in their bookable Object Exploration sessions, activities as part of their ‘Museums, My Way’ event, and in the ‘Sunflower Amulets’ drop-in workshop. Admission to the museum is free and you can explore the galleries and garden with a selection of free trails or try the Winter Family Activity Pack. W: merl.reading.ac.uk/half-term

KEEP BUSY AS A BEE AT READING MUSEUM!

All week, Reading Museum will have a Busy Bee Trail, and Natural World Activity Cart Crafts. Don’t miss their nature-themed week with lots of creative activities kicking off with Super Seeds on Monday 13th, where you can make your own seed growing kit; Nature Printing on Tuesday 14th using different materials to make imaginative nature pictures; and their popular Victorian Schoolroom Experience on Wednesday 15th – where you will experience a Victorian school lesson, with a real Victorian school master! On Thursday 16th you can put a Bee in a colourful Bonnet, and on Friday 17th have a go at Kazoo-Bees and imitate a bee by making a bee kazoo. For prices and to book your slot for these activities see their website. W: www.readingmuseum.org.uk If you’re looking for a fun-filled treat for little ones this half term, head to the Corn Exchange Newbury on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th February, where families with youngsters aged 3+ can enjoy all three of Nick Sharratt’s Shark in the Park stories performed in one fin-tastic live stage show! When Timothy Pope receives a brand-new telescope for his birthday, boy is he excited to test it out at the park! But wait… is that really a shark he can see? Join Timothy and his Elvis loving Dad on their adventures, meeting lots of other fun characters along the way. Contact them directly for performance times and to book tickets. Box Office T: 01635 522733 W: www.cornexchangenew.com

PLAN A GREAT DAY OUT FOR THE SEASON AHEAD – AT ASCOT’S SPRING FAMILY RACEDAY!

Ascot’s first family raceday of 2023 offers a thrilling combination of top-class racing and free countryside themed activities for racegoers of all ages. The final fixture of Ascot’s Jumps season takes place on Sunday 2nd April, and the card features something for everybody with a valuable Juvenile Hurdle as well as a Veterans’ Chase for the popular older horses. There will be plenty of action on and off the track and children can explore the racecourse in a safe environment with free fun attractions, including face painting, pony rides, ferret racing, balloon modellers, and so much more. Tickets from £25 per person, and under 18s go free with a full paying adult. Book now online. W: ascot.com