Half-Term Fun February 2013
Our quick guide to keeping your kids entertained
Half-term can be the worst for parents, grand parents as well as uncles and aunts across Swindon if they can't think of anything to stop the kids wrecking the house with boredom. So if you're in that category, we sympathise - and here's a few ideas.
The Three Little Pigs + More!
Roves Farm
Starts 09 February ends 17 February
Open daily for their 2013 season from 09 February, join Roves Farm this half term for their 'Three Little Pigs' themed week.
Bringing the classic story to life as only Roves Farm could, jump onto one of their
FREE tractor rides & 'Huff! and Puff!' your way around the farm.
Wrap up warm, head out on the tractor rides and see if you can spot the Big Bad Wolf!
Plus there's the chance to watch live birthng of their pygmy goats!
The Manor Farm Estate
Lechlade
From their friendly farmyard animals to mountain biking, swimming, nature trails & much more...
Lydiard House
Trixie's Trail
Saturday 09 to Sunday 17 February, 11am - 4pm Follow in the paw prints of Lady Mary's dog, Trixie, to learn about the pets and animals that the St John family had at Lydiard Park in the past.
This fun quiz trail for children is through the State Rooms of Lydiard House and is included in the cost of admission. Lydiard House is open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 4pm.
Kite Making Workshop
Tuesday 12 February, 10 to 11am, 12 to 1pm, 2 to 3pm Come along and make a kite. These sessions are suitable for children aged 7+.
£5 per child - children must be accompanied by an adult. Booking is required, please call us on 01793 770401
Lovely Lanterns Thursday 14 February, 12 to 3pm
This Valentine's Day, make someone you love a painted glass tea light holder.
Drop in between 12 to 3pm, no booking required. Cost is £3 per child - children must be accompanied by an adult.
Cotswold Country Park
There are also a selection of excellent chainsaw sculptures dotted around the park ranging from their mascot, Wayward The Beaver, to the spectacular flying dragonfly.
Take to the Water!
Waterskiing or Wakeboarding
Given the colder weather, the cable is only open at
weekends and Wednesdays. But with a wet suit you might not notice the difference!
Get Them On Track
Fiver Friday
If you think you've got the next Lewis Hamilton or Jenson Button on your hands, then let your little speed-demons put their racing skills to the test at Swindon Karting.
Best of all is their Fiver Fridays, where from 4pm-6pm (for under-16s) kids can enjoy a 7 minute session for just £5 - bargain!
STFC v Hartlepool
Saturday 09 February
Take the kids to go and see Swindon Town who face Hartlepool on Saturday 09 February at the County Ground.
Who knows? Paolo Di Canio might even say hello!
Kick off is at 3pm
County Ground Stadium Tours
Throughout half-term
Why not take them on a tour all the way round the County Ground, where you'll get to see everything from the Boardroom to the changing rooms - it might even be your last chance to see Paolo!
Dates:
11,12 & 15 February - 11am
15 February - 2pm
Prices:
Adults £8, Concessions (U16s & O60s) £4
Take the kids racing!
Greyhound racing
Abbey Stadium
Children under 16 only £1 entry fee (adults £5). Restaurant and bar facilities available. Plus we've teamed up with the Swindon Greyhounds to offer every Wednesday, Friday & Saturday -
FREE ENTRY for up to 4 people with mySwindonWeb
All you need to do is sign-up to mySwindonWeb today!
Ice, Ice baby!
Ice skating + Swindon Wildcats
Or why not go and see the Swindon Wildcats ice hockey team at the Link Centre.
Fixtures (Home games)
Wednesday 13 February
- Wildcats vs Slough Jets
Face-off: 7.45pm
KIDS GO FREE!
Arts Centre
Old Town
My Big Little Sister
Thursday 14 February
Tom says he can't understand his little sister Ruby. She always wants to be someone else: a pop star, a model, a princess...
Ruby says she just wants to be a grown-up, with no one telling her what to do, how to dress and where to go...
Mum says you should be careful what you wish for!
A delightful new play taking a light-hearted look at the pressure of consumerism on young minds and learning what happiness really means.
For more information please visit the Arts Centre website.
Steam Museum
Saturday 16 February, 10am - 4pm Featuring Lode Star and Caerphilly Castle.
Take a step back in time and meet the engine drivers, firemen and railway workers who worked on the locomotives and in Swindon Works.
The former GWR workers will show you how the locos worked and bring stories of the steam age to life.
Normal admission applies.
For more events and details please visit the STEAM website.
> STEAM Museum - website
Time Travellers Activity Pack
Swindon Museum and Art Gallery
Pictures to colour, models to make, quizzes to complete, Latin exams to take.
Become an artist and potter, play Sea Monster Snap and Victorian Happy Families.
Suitable for all ages, but particularly 5 - 11 year olds. Price still only £1.75.
Childrens Computer Club
Museum of Computing
The club runs on Saturday mornings from 10:00 to 12:00 and is aimed at 8 to 16 year olds.
The cost is £3 per child for a 2 hour session which includes admission to the museum.
Swindon & Cricklade Railway
Wednesday 13 February
The railway is open on Wednesday during half-term week for normal train rides, so why not bring the kids along and enjoy some good old-fashioned fun on the railway.
London town here we come!
Why not take the little one's on a coach trip?
Barnes Coaches are making special trips during half-term week to places like the
British & Imperial museums and London Eye, HMS Victory and the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth, Legoland and much more!
Pick-up and drop-off points are at plenty of locations all over Swindon.
Check out their website for more details.
Jolly Roger
Little ones always like an indoor game, and if it's a rainy day then the
interactive and imaginative Jolly Roger indoor soft play area is the ideal place to keep them occupied for a couple of hours.
Take in the Tropics!
They've got hundreds of butterflies flying about plus loads more to see and do including a display a mini beats and an outdoor animal paddock with ducks, geese, rabbits and goats. And don't forget to take a look at their Otter home which is nearing completion.
Meerkats Manor - in Swindon!
If there's one sight guaranteed to put a smile on anyone's face it has to be meerkats. And at Studley Grange there are quite a few of them!
The whole gang venture out from their cosy cabin and into their purpose-built enclosure throughout the day and are well worth checking out alongside other animals - including otters - in the animal enclosure.
Children's Play Areas
Time to let young Billy and little Lizzie climb all over each other for an hour while you enjoy a well earned break.
Kidz About in West Swindon offers safe and secure family fun for 0-12 years old.
At the Zoo!
Take your cheeky monkeys somewhere they can really run wild! Open all year round with fun activities to do and lots of animals to see.
WIN A FAMILY PASS
Cotswold Wildlife Park is the venue for a whole host of half-term events, and we're giving you and your family a chance to enjoy a visit to see their wide range of animals for FREE!
Just follow the link below and answer the simple question for your chance to win a family pass for four (2 adults, 2 children).
Bowl 'em Over! Let them rip at the bowling alley for a couple of hours. That'll tire them out.
At the Movies!
So make sure you check out our full listings of all the cinema times.
Cup cakes, painted pots and more!
Try these at Studley Grange Craft Village on Jnct 16.
Or just let the kids
dip their toes!
Listen for the giggles as kids enjoy a Gurra Fish Spa treatment. Or maybe you can just make them watch as you sit back and relax yourself.
Available for 8-15 year olds with an accompanying adult.
Chuck them in the Pool
If the sun is shining how about - pitch 'n putt in Swindon
You don't need to be Tiger Woods to enjoy a fun game of golf in Swindon.
There are 2 great pitch and putt courses to try - one at Coate Water, the other in Highworth. Both offer a simple course (the Coate Water one over 18 holes) where beginners of all ages can have a go without fear of embarrassing themselves.
And for all the other fun for all the family.
And...for those still desperate!
Swindon isn't Disney World, but did you think we only had a few ideas for getting the kids out of your hair? Just click below for loads more... And we haven't forgotten you mature students (although we all act like kids at heart, don't we?!) - why not have a break from your studies and see what's on in the town. > Pubs and clubs > Club nights and DJ's > Live music |
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