Half Term special

History comes alive at Eltham Palace and Gardens

Take the sprogs on a family day out to Eltham Palace and Gardens this February half-term and you’ll come face-to-face with highly and lowly characters from the palace’s infamous past. Josh Rhodes, Assistant Events Manager, says: “It’s a Victorian half term at Eltham Palace this February, with families able to get stuck in with activities and meet characters from the past whilst learning stories of the era. Join in the pretend assault course, help create a story or partake in an adult’s versus kids Victorian quiz.” Look out for Victorian-dressed performers telling stories from their era. Your kids will also be able to write their own endings to these stories for the performers to act out.

Eltham Palace and Gardens, Court Yard, London SE9 5QE. February 11 - 19, 10am - 4pm. £17.60/£10.60 children. www.english-heritage.org. uk/visit/whats-on/eltham-palace-feb-half-term/

On your marks, get set, GO!

Eltham Junior Park Run is a great way for little ones to blow off some excess energy on a Sunday morning. Each week, the 2k run for 4-14-year-olds is held in Eltham Park South at 9am. The event is free to attend and runners don’t need prior experience to take part. Get competitive racing your friends or take things completely at your own pace. Those aged 15 and above can join the weekly 5k Park Run at 9am on Saturday morning instead.

Eltham Park South, Glenesk Road, Eltham, London, SE9 1AN. February 18 at 9am. Admission: FREE but register before your first visit. www.parkrun.org. uk/eltham-juniors/

Jet off into space with a teddy bear

Forget travelling to Spain or France, Ted the teddy bear is planning to venture across the solar system to holiday on an entirely different planet! Can you help him plan his adventure? ‘Holidays in Space’ is a chance to visit the Royal Observatory, where the day begins with watching Ted’s Space Adventure, a 20-minute interactive show in the planetarium. Next, you’ll take part in a 30-minute workshop learning all about space and which planets would make an ideal holiday destination for a bear like Ted. Suitable for ages 3 - 6.

Royal Observatory, Blackheath Avenue, Greenwich, London SE10 8XJ. February 16 & 17, 10:30am - 12pm. Admission: £5. www.rmg.co.uk/

School’s… Out. For. Rock camp

Got a little rocker in your care this half term? Sign them up for Felix’s School of Rock at Shooters Hill Sixth Form College. The four-day course aimed at 9-16 year olds is a chance for them to meet other young musicians with a penchant for rock ‘n’ roll, come up with their own band name and perform with professional musicians. The course culminates in a concert at the college on February 16.

Shooters Hill Sixth Form College, Red Lion Lane, London SE18 4LD. February 1316, 12pm - 4pm. Admission: £175 (bursaries available). www.fsor.uk/

Learn about Pride at the National Maritime Museum

Royal Museums Greenwich (RMG) is flying the rainbow Pride flag for LGBTQ+ History Month, running a week-long programme of family events this February half-term, under the banner ‘Sailing Out’. Events include the chance to make your own rainbow-coloured Humboldt squid (February 15) or rainbow fish decoration (February 16); discover the sailor and autobiographer Mary Lacey (February 17) and make your own flag in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community (February 19).

National Maritime Museum, Romney Road, London SE10 9NF. February 12 - 19, 11am - 1pm & 2pm - 4pm.

Admission: FREE. www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/groundfloor/february-half-term-sailing-out

Hoist the riggings! It’s sea shanty time

Music collective Mambo Jambo comes to the Old Royal Naval College to give little ones aged 3 – 7 their first taste of sea shanties. Prepare to set sail across the ocean, navigating pirates along the way in this interactive session. With a pit stop to the Caribbean, they’ll encounter carnival too – with the chance to play percussion and learn some dance moves.

Old Royal Naval College, King William Walk, London SE10 9NN. February 16 at 11am, 1:30pm and 3pm. February 17, 11am & 1:30pm. Admission: FREE. www.ornc.org/whats-on/sea-shanties/