February Half Term Bristol 2022: fun things to do with kids near me during the school holidays

We have rounded up some of the best things to do with your kids this half-term, spoiler alert, some of them are free of charge.

The Wave

Various time slots available from February 17

Child Beginner lessons - £25

Washingpool Farm, Easter Compton, Bristol, BS35 5RE

The location offers free parking by the sign-in centre then it’s a walk to the surf centre filled with great energy and lots of fun!

The inland surfing experience offers the ultimate day out, they offer excellent quality surf lessons.

They have some great food to enjoy from an ice cream truck to a pizza van outdoors…or you can go inside to their cafe and keep warm with their extensive menu.

If you don’t fancy a dip in the lake then you can always take a picnic to the observation area and mind surf for an afternoon.

More information can be found here.

Life in the Universe (2D & 3D) at We The Curious

14 Feb 2022 - 31 Mar 2022

Weekends and Bristol School Holidays - 11.30am & 3pm.

Regular daily shows, 3D: £3.50 per seat (members £1.75), in addition to standard admission. 2D: £2.50 per seat.

One Millennium Square, Anchor road, Harbourside, Bristol, BS1 5DB

Millennium Square car park is a safe and secure 24hr car park adjacent to We The Curious.

Each showing lasts 30 minutes, giving you and your kids a chance to fly to distant worlds, learn how astronomers search for planets.

You will also debate whether humans are ready to meet aliens. How the show ends depends on what you decide!

Find out more here.

Bristol Aquarium

Opening times: Monday - Friday 10am - 4pm, Saturday - Sunday 10am - 5pm

Prices from: Adult £14.50, Child 3 to 12 years £9.75, Seniors and Students £13, Family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children) £46.50

Bristol Aquarium, Anchor Road, Bristol, BS1 5TT

The aquarium does not have a car park and recommends you look up car parks available through the city before you set off for the day.

The carparks to the aquarium are nearest are: Millennium Square car park, Prince St (NCP) (approx 5 minute walk), Wapping Wharf on Wapping Road (approx 10 minute walk) , The Mall Galleries, Broadmead (approx 20 minute walk), City Council Car parks

The aquarium is the ultimate day out for most with daily talks available about conservation and the huge range of sea creatures, it’s a fun and educational day for all.

After you have had your fill of sea knowledge you can take a break in the cafe with a range of hot drinks and food.

More info here.

Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery

Opening times: Tuesday - Sunday 10am - 5pm

Free entry but donations welcome!

Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Queens Rd, Bristol, BS8 1RL

You can park in any of the city car parks but the closest two are West End (BS8 1EH) and Trenchard Street (BS1 5AN), both about a five minute walk away.

This half-term the museum has an array of exhibitions, and clubs on. From the Netsuke: Miniature masterpieces from Japan to Grayson’s Art Club, there is something for everyone.

Find out more here and book your 30 minute timeslot.

Historical walk in Old City

Thursday February 17, 10.30am

Free but donations are welcome.

Princes Wharf, Wapping Rd, Bristol BS1 4RN

The route is as follows; M Shed – King Street – Wine Street – Welsh Back – Queen Square – M Shed

This historical walk has a whole host of dates but will take place on Thursday in the half term week.

It’s a walking tour at a gentle pace and suitable for participants of all levels of fitness. Booking tickets in advance is advised.

You can find out more and book your tickets here.

Felix Road Adventure Playground

Opening times: Monday to Thursday 12 to 5.30pm

Free Entry

Easton Community Centre, Kilburn Street, Bristol, BS5 6AW

This space has an array of fun swings, slides and structures for your kids to climb this half-term. The area is incredibly spacious will lots of grass to run wild on, and

More information here.

Flying Saucers

Opening times: Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 5pm, Sunday 11am - 4:30pm

Studio Fee from £4 per painter (£5 for adults) plus cost of ceramic items (from £7).

Flying Saucers, 9 Byron Place, Bristol, BS8 1JT

There is no parking available but there are city council car parks around the area.

This painting pottery cafe is the perfect place to let your kids creativity fly, it may be a messier activity but it promises to keep them occupied and be tonnes of fun for the whole family.

More information here.

GLOW in Grove Park

17 Feb 2022 - 19 Feb 202 - 6pm - 9pm

Free Entry but tickets need to be booked in advance.

Upper Church Road, WESTON-SUPER-MARE, BS23 2AE

Discover wondrous light installations, interactive activities and stunning spectacles in a magical, sensory experience for all the family. The event will see the natural landscape go on the journey from Winter to Spring.

Culture Weston bar will also be serving up a range of locally sourced beverages, snacks and hot drinks, including mulled cider.

More information can be found here.

Wild Animal Adventures at Wild Place Project

19 Feb 2022 - 27 Feb 202, 10am - 4pm

Adult: £14.00, Child (2-14): £11.00.

Advanced booked is essential.

Wild Place Project, Blackhorse Hill, Bristol, BS10 7TP

Parking is free of charge but they advise arriving early during peak periods to avoid disappointment.

Spot animals from around the world on your doorstep. See giraffes, zebras, gelada ‘baboons’, cheetahs, meerkats, and ring-tailed lemurs among many more.

While you’re there check out the award-winning Bear Wood with wolverines, lynxes and many more!

The park has a huge amount of options for food from their Courtyard Cafe, to their Benoue Kiosk.

Throughout half-term they also open their Base Camp Pizzeria which is usually only open on weekends.

Find out more and book tickets here.

Conservation Heroes at Bristol Zoo Gardens

19 Feb 2022 - 27 Feb 2022, 10.00am - 5.00pm

FREE with normal Zoo admission ticket.

Peak Ticket Prices: Adult: £17.00 Child (2 - 14 years inclusive): £12.00 Child (under 2): FREE (advance booking still essential) Carer: FREE (advance booking still essential)Off-Peak Ticket Prices: Adult: £12.75, Child (2 - 14 years inclusive): £9.00

Bristol Zoo Gardens, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 3HA

The Zoo has two car parks but cannot guarantee you a space. There is an additional for £5 charge for visitors and £3.00 for members.

There is also limited on-street parking nearby and within walking distance of the Zoo, which is free on weekends and Bank holidays

‘Conservation Heroes’ is the first in a series of events celebrating people and communities championing conservation.

The event will show the audience how Bristol Zoo Gardens are working hard to ensure the success of our conservation projects at the Zoo and around the globe.

This event gives you and your family the chance to get up close to 300 incredible animal species from gorillas and lemurs, to red pandas and penguins, and check out our daily animal talks and feeds.

The zoo also has a cafe in it’s centre as well as coffee stands throughout the point.

More information on booking tickets can be found here.

February half term trains at Avon Valley Railway

19 Feb 2022 - 27 Feb 2022Trains depart at 10:45, 12:00, 13:15, 14:30 and 15:45

Train fares for adults for £9.00. Children £6.00. Under 5’s travel free.

There is free parking available at the station.

Banish the winter blues with a ride on an old steam train.

The journey lasts about an hour. Trains go bothways from here, first to Oldland Common at the northern end of the line, back to Bitton, then south to Avon Riverside.

There’s not food and drink available, however, Bitton station offers a wide range of drinks and snacks.

Find out more and book your tickets here.