37 family things to do with the kids in the Bristol area this February half-term

The children breaking up for half-term and still unsure of how to keep them entertained?

Fear not, we have rounded up the best events in the region, many of them free.

Here are 37 family-friendly activities in the Bristol area, ranging from dance classes to a children’s toothbrushing workshop:

ARTY Bristol at 61 Lake Road

Arty Bristol is running three two-hour creative workshops suitable from ages seven and up on Monday February 12 (doodle art with pens, watercolour pencils, paint or felt tip pens to create a framed piece of art to take home from 1.30pm to 3.30pm) and two sessions on Tuesday February 13 (print workshop from 10.30am to 12.30pm and Tote bag or drawstring bag printing workshop from 1.30pm to 3.30pm where you will have the opportunity to use stencils and fabric ink to create your own unique and original bag to take home). Each session costs £25 per child and covers the costs of the equipment and materials used. They can be booked by calling Marie on 07931337361.

Dance Camp at Aspire School of Dance, Gordano School, Portishead

Aspire School of Dance is holding a dance camp focusing on ballet and modern dance from February 12-16 for ages 4 to 10. Children are welcome to sign up for one day, a combination of days or the whole week with those attending all week putting on a mini show on the Friday. Places cost £15 per child per day or £50 for the week and can be booked here.

Woodland Tales With Granddad at the Wardrobe Theatre

From February 14-20, Pickled Image will be back at the Wardrobe Theatre with a magical puppetry show with Granddad for ages 3 to 8 and their families with an important environmental message, directed by Emma Williams and written by Pickled Image and Hattie Naylor. Tickets cost £10 per person, £8 for groups of 20+ and free for children ages 2 and under and can be booked here.

GLOW in Grove Park, Weston-super-Mare

GLOW will be returning with over 25 spectacular light installations to the festival’s main site at Grove Park, Weston-super-Mare from February 13-17 from 5.30pm to 10pm each night. GLOW extends into the town centre with free installations that will showcase Weston at its brightest and most colourful with epic immersive, sensory and playful experiences at Weston’s Grand Pier, Princess Royal Square and the Italian Gardens. Tickets for GLOW to Grove Park are available on a Pay What You Decide basis with a suggested price of £6 (minimum £2) for adults and free for under 16s and can be booked here. Under-16s need to be accompanied by an adult. 

Wicked at Bristol Hippodrome

The musical Wicked continues at Bristol Hippodrome and will be running during midterm. Based on the acclaimed novel by Gregory Maguire, Wicked imagines a beguiling backstory to the lives of L. Frank Baum’s beloved characters, and reveals the magic that shaped the destinies of two unlikely friends on their remarkable journey to becoming Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West. Tickets start from £28.80 with booking fees and can be booked here.

Shepton Snowdrop Festival at Yeo Valley Organic Garden

Yeo Valley Organic Garden will be opening its garden gate early on February 16-17from 10am to 5pm to show visitors their swathes of common snowdrops and other spring delights, carpeting the 6.5 acre garden. Tickets cost £8.08 per adult with booking fees, £2.73 per child up to the age of 11 and free for ages 2 and under and can be booked here.

The Farmer and The Clown at Bristol Old Vic

From February 14-17, The Farmer and The Clown will be coming to Bristol Old Vic. The show follows an old hard-working farmer who lives alone. One day, a baby clown accidentally bounces off a passing circus train and is separated from his family and friends. A little reluctantly at first, the farmer takes the clown in and, as time passes, they discover that by being with each other, they find something new in themselves. Tickets cost £10 per child and £12 per adult and can be booked here. On February 14, there will also be a free funny family day themed on The Farmer and The Clown filled with crafts, trails, dress up, workshops and music.

Children’s Toothbrushing Workshop at Pill

Renton-Harper Periodontics will be holding a workshop that aims to teach children the importance of good oral hygiene playfully and interactively on February 16 from 11am to 12pm. Led by experienced dental professionals, children will learn proper brushing techniques, the benefits of regular dental check-ups, and how to maintain a healthy smile. Tickets cost £11.55 with booking fees and can be bought here. 

Inflatable Funday at Emersons Green Village Hall

Emersons Green Village Hall will hold an Inflatable Funday from 12pm to 1pm on February 12 for ages 12 and under with a unique under-3s soft play area and disco music, inflatables and much more for the older ones. Tickets cost £6.15 with booking fees for ages 3 to 12, £1.54 per adult, £4.10 per child under the age of 3 and free for children under the age of one and can be booked here.

The Amazing Bubble Man at The Redgrave Theatre

The Amazing Bubble Man will be coming to The Redgrave Theatre on February 12 and explores the breathtaking dynamics of bubbles, combining comedy and artistry with audience participation and enough spellbinding bubble tricks to keep everyone mesmerised. From square bubbles to rocket bubbles, tornado bubbles to flying saucer bubbles, the Amazing Bubble Man conjures shrieks of laughter and gasps of amazement from all ages. Tickets cost £17 per adult and £15 per child and can be booked here.

The Big Dinosaur Show at The Wardrobe Theatre

The Big Dinosaur Show is coming to The Wardrobe Theatre on February 12. Join poet Simon Mole and musician Gecko for a family show for ages 4 to 11 full of poems, raps and songs about all your favourite prehistoric protagonists. Tickets cost £10 per person and can be bought here.

This is Your Musical at The Bristol Improv Theatre

Prepare to be amazed as you witness the creation of a brand new musical theatre show, courtesy of The Bristol Improv Theatre’s flagship musical theatre company, This Is Your Musical on February 16 at 8pm. Take your seats as this team of talented actors and musicians presents a magnificent evening of theatre, musical numbers and show tunes, made up on the spot and inspired by your stories. Standard tickets cost £13 and concession tickets cost £10 and can be booked here.

Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book at Redgrave Theatre

Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book is coming to Redgrave Theatre from February 16-18. Delve into a range of books with Charlie Cook, brought to life with puppetry and enchanting songs, and perhaps you will be able to help his sister discover the wonderful world inside a book. Tickets cost £17.50 per adult with booking fees and £15.50 per child and can be booked here.

StickMan Half-Term Special at Kingfishers' Forest School

Aimed at ages 1 to 7 with discounted sibling tickets available, the Stick Man-themed event includes making your own stick man, a Stick Man puppet show, a special stickman exploration tray, a hunt for stickman down the woodland walkway and a sticky snack cooked on the fire, as well as, free flow activities including mud kitchen, digging bed, skittles, play shop, cars and ramps, swing, seesaw and climbing equipment. The event has two sessions: one from 9.15am to 10.30am and one from 11 am to 12.15 pm. Tickets cost £9 and can be booked here.

Zoo Detectives at Bristol Zoo Project

Zoo Detectives at Bristol Zoo Project from February 10-18 is included with the general admission ticket. A mystery animal has travelled through the zoo, but a trail was left behind by the culprit. Who will the mystery animal be? Children dressed up as zoo detectives will receive 20% off admission. If booking online, use code DETECTIVE20 to receive the discount.

Arnos Vale Cemetery Half-Term Events

Tickets are still available for Arnos Vale Stomping Story Sessions - a story walking session with activities - on February 15 for 'Guess How Much I Love You' and 'The Brave Little Gruffalo' on February 16. Tickets cost £5 per child who must be accompanied by an adult (no ticket required for the adult). On February 12, there will also be history tours with fascinating tales and gruesome stories for teens and tweens who love history. Tickets cost £8 per child and can be bought here. On February 13, learn how to build a good fire and what materials are suitable, and finish off with a 's'more at the Fire Lighting Workshop. Tickets cost £8 per child who must be accompanied by an adult (no ticket required for the adult) and can be booked here. On February 15, learn about some of the fantastic trees that live in the cemetery and join in with some ace crafts to celebrate them from bark rubbings to leaf crowns and many other fun activities at the Lovely Leaves Craft Workshop. Tickets cost £5 per child who must be accompanied by an adult (no ticket required for the adult) and can be booked here.

Signs of Spring at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm

As part of Signs of Spring at Noah’s Ark Farm included with the general admission ticket, there will be a British Sign Language inclusive trail, a spring-themed corner, new arrivals at the farm barn and plenty of activities including a light-hearted game of Whack-A-Poo and crafting activities at the Butterfly Dome.

Plants crossing continents at Brunel’s SS Great Britain

Included with general admission tickets at the SS Great Britain, discover the fascinating link between the iconic ship and its role in Victorian plant migration across continents and unleash your inner botanist on board at the drop-in flower crafting sessions and make your very own Victorian-inspired paper flower or beautiful pressed flower bookmark.  

Shipwrecked at Bristol Aquarium

Shipwrecked at Bristol Aquarium is included with general admission and focuses on the wild and wonderful world of island creatures from all around the world. Why do some species end up huge and others very small? Why is it that some birds lose the ability to fly? How do animals get to islands in the first place? Find out the answers to these questions and more as you find the captain’s scattered notes. How would you fare if you were shipwrecked on an island?

Miracle on the Severn at Aerospace Bristol

Join Aerospace Bristol this February half-term and discover the incredible story of the Miracle on the Severn included with general admission. Find out why the pilot of a Bristol Britannia was forced to attempt a daring emergency landing on the Severn Estuary and how, seventy years ago this February, his bravery and skill saved the lives of everyone on board. You'll also explore the history of the Bristol Britannia - known as the 'Whispering Giant' - through a newly enhanced exhibition that examines the role the Britannia played in the 1950s golden era of flight, plus design your own passenger airliner and discover even more with daily Britannia spotlight talks. The Britannia cockpit will be open for the first time during the Britannia cockpit talks. The British Model Flying Association will be doing drone demonstrations on February 12 and 13.

The Wave, Easter Compton

Enjoy some surfing or swimming at The Wave inland surfing lake, just north of Bristol city centre this February, which now has saunas to warm you up after your cold water experience. There are also surf sessions and coaching sessions for all levels from beginners to advanced pro surfers, as well as swimming sessions. Winter wetsuits, wetsuit boots and surfboards are included in coaching session costs.

Ships at M-Shed

On February 13, there will be ship-themed activities at M-Shed including arts and crafts, an opportunity to experience some of the activities sailors got up to at sea, trails and much more.

Lunar New Year Event at Page Park, Staple Hill

From 11.30am to 1.30pm, the Chinese Lion Dance Troupe will be visiting Page Park and there will be free family crafts, chocolate mochi making and other performances as part of the Lunar New Year Celebration.

Clay, Collage and Creativity at John Wesley’s New Room, The Horsefair, Broadmead 

On February 13-14, John Wesley's New Room will be holding clay and collage family workshops for £5 per child and free for the accompanying adult. Tickets can be booked here.

Jungle Trail at IKEA

From February 10-18, IKEA will be running a Jungle Trail around the showrooms as well as arts and crafts sessions that can be booked for free here.

Disney Dance Party with Elsa at Kingswood Community Association & Social Club

Elsa is visiting Kingswood Community Association & Social Club on the 13th of February from 2.30pm to 3.45pm. The event, aimed at ages 2 to 6, includes special performances, ribbon dance lessons, games, bubbles and the chance to have photos at the end. Tickets cost £8.83 with booking fees and can be bought here.

Valentine's Party with Elsa at North Common Village Hall

On February 14 from 11am to 1pm, Elsa will be visiting the Valentine's Day disco at North Common Village Hall. Reasonably priced food and drinks will be available to buy at the disco. Tickets cost £5 per child, and £1 per adult and are free for babies in arms and non-walkers and can be purchased at the door/pay on the day but the organisers need to be messaged ahead of the day. More information here.

Fireworks at Sea at The Grand Pier, Weston-Super-Mare

Tickets range from £12.95 for standard which includes entry from 6pm and unlimited rides including Go karts to Ruby (VIP) tickets for two for £89.95 and includes priority entry at 5.30pm, unlimited rides including Go Karts, three-course meal in Tiffany’s Restaurant with views out to sea and private balcony viewing area and a bottle of house white, red or rosé to share. Tickets can be bought here.

The Gruffalo Party Trail and Hidden Westonbirt Winter Family Trail at Westonbirt Arboretum

To celebrate The Graffalo’s 25th birthday, from February 10, Westonbirt Arboretum will be running a new interactive family trail featuring all sorts of party-themed activities and games, along with fun facts to teach you about life in the forest for the Gruffalo and other creatures. Activity packs with a kraft bag to colour in, party headband to wear, party trail activity leaflet, stickers, pencil and crayon and keepsake sew-on Gruffalo Party patch will be for sale at the Westonbirt shop for £4. At the Hidden Westonbirt Winter Family Trail, visitors can find rubbings and gather fallen natural winter ‘treasures,’ all the while discovering more about the animals and plants that make the arboretum home during winter.

Victorian Crafts and Games at George Müller Museum, Ashley Down

On Tuesday February 13 at the George Müller Museum, there will be a Victorian paper crafts free event with tea, coffee, squash and biscuits where visitors will have the opportunity to make Victorian paper crafts including Valentine’s Day fans and paper dolls. On Wednesday February 14, visitors can learn Victorian marble games for free, and there will also be tea, coffee, squash and biscuits.

Bristol Light Festival

The award-winning festival is running until February 11 and features 12 installations by local, national and internationally renowned light artists including the return of the much-loved ‘Swing Song’ installation (light-activated musical swings) by Tired Industries & Bristol Light Festival and artworks including Evanescent by Atelier Sisu, Emergence by This is Loop, Wildlight by BBC Studios & Bristol Light Festival, plus a world-premier, Ascendance by Studio McGuire, among others.

OUTERverse at Wake the Tiger

Ten new rooms, installations and new areas complete with two slides have been added to the world’s first Amazement Park, Wake The Tiger, as part of their new OUTERverse expansion. Access to the rooms is included with general admission tickets.

February half-term fun at Wookey Hole

The Wookey Hole caves are usually warmer than outside in February. Explore the caves at your own pace with a knowledgeable guide on hand to answer your questions about this fascinating and awe-inspiring underground adventure land. Find out about the Witch of Wookey Hole who once roamed the caves, challenge your friends to adventure golf, experience a brand new show in the 4D cinema or let the kids run off steam in the huge soft play indoors at the Mill. Kids ages 3 to 15 also eat free at The Mill between the 10th and 18th of February for half-term. Tickets cost £22.95 for adult day tickets, £21.95 for seniors and £17.95 for children.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2023 at Bristol Museum and Art Gallery

Running until April 21, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery’s 59th Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition features soundscapes, videos, expert insights and stunning photography that captures animal behaviour, spectacular species, and the breathtaking diversity of the natural world.

Winter Wildlife Week at Longleat

As well as the famous drive-through safari and animal and adventure attractions, visitors to Longleat will be able to enjoy interactive storytelling performances from Junk Jodie, a mini skating rink for under-12s, a bird of prey flying display and various arts and crafts activities this February half term.

Slapstick Festival

Running from February 14-18, the Slapstick Festival, the annual celebration of silent and classic screen comedy returns to Bristol with stars including Hugh Bonneville, Samira Ahmed, Sir Michael Palin, Marcus Brigstocke, Tim Vine and Lucy Porter to name just a few. The events will take part across Watershed, The Bristol Beacon and Bristol Old Vic. More details here.

Mudfest at WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre

From February 10-18, get ‘stuck in’ the mud fun at WWT Slimbridge with muddy puddle jumping, mud kitchens, mud nest craft, mud painting and sculpting and mud-slinging, connect with nature and discover the magical powers of mud for wildlife and play."