Herts &amp; Beds

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-action">ACTION!</h2>



Calling all gamers and action addicts. This is not a drill. A brand shiny new adventure destination &#8211; <a href="https://laserquesthemelhempstead.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Laser Quest, Hemel Hempstead</a> &#8211; is due to open just in time for Half Term on 16 Feb. What&#8217;s more there&#8217;s currently 20% off all bookings to celebrate the opening. What are you waiting for? 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/laser-quest-hemel.jpg" alt="Laser quest hemel hempstead" class="wp-image-82571" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/laser-quest-hemel.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/laser-quest-hemel-800x533.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



The aptly named <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MuddyMonstersCycling" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Muddy Monsters</a> is a youth off-road bike race, that takes place in St Albans for the Herts &amp; Beds series for U8s &#8211; U14s on 24 Feb. There&#8217;s no prior experience required (it&#8217;s for novices, not serious competitors), just an interest in cyclo-cross and mountain biking. Rock up on the day with two wheels and a helmet. Each child gets 3 races and for £5. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/mountain-biking-child-canva.jpg" alt="Child on mountain bike" class="wp-image-82572" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/mountain-biking-child-canva.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/mountain-biking-child-canva-800x533.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-animal-magic">ANIMAL MAGIC</h2>



Discover some <a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/events/tring-animal-super-powers.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animal super powers</a> at the Natural History Museum in Tring, including how they fend for themselves, forage and hunt for food and survive in the wild. There&#8217;ll be a chance to get hands on with the museum&#8217;s specimens and take part in some craft activities. £2 per child, 13, 15, 20 and 22 February.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/Owl-canva.jpg" alt="Owl" class="wp-image-82578" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/Owl-canva.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/Owl-canva-800x533.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



There&#8217;s a packed Half Term programme at <a href="https://birdsofpreycentre.co.uk/product-category/feb/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Herrings Green Activity Farm</a> (17 &#8211; 25 February) including bird of prey handling, flying displays, critter encounters and tractor rides. There are also special owl encounters and junior keeper days (21, 23 and 25 Feb) for those who are keen learn more about looking after the farm&#8217;s residents. £6.95 &#8211; £34. 



Hands up who wants to meet some cute spring lambs. Me, me (oh yeah, and the kids)! Willows Activity Farm&#8217;s <a href="https://www.willowsactivityfarm.com/events/february-frolics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">February Frolics</a> is on all Half Term (17 &#8211; 25 Feb). Tuck the shepherd will oversee the new babies arriving on the farm, with live lambing, bottle feeding demos, plus woolly crafts, Bo Peep&#8217;s Lost Sheep Fun Hunt and all the usual Peter Rabbit-themed fun. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/willows-farm-lambs.jpg" alt="Sheep and lamb willows farm" class="wp-image-82583" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/willows-farm-lambs.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/willows-farm-lambs-800x533.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



There&#8217;s more lambing action at <a href="https://www.meadopenfarm.co.uk/special-events/february-half-term-day-out/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mead Farm</a> (17 &#8211; 25 Feb), where you can meet the newborns in the undercover lambing barn, plus indoor and outdoor play &#8211; think bouncy pillows, rock climbing and high ropes &#8211; and daily animal activities. 



And it&#8217;s Supervet eat your heart out at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo this Half Term with <a href="https://www.whipsnadezoo.org/plan-your-visit/events/vets-action-whipsnade-zoo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vets in Action</a> &#8211; there&#8217;ll be a specially created zoo vet centre where junior vets can don their lab coats and learn from the experts how to treat, diagnose and treat poorly animals, using soft toys. Ages 7+ can also learn about what forensic vets do in their role to solve wildlife crime. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/zsl-whipsnade-vets-in-action.jpg" alt="ZSL whipsnade vets in action" class="wp-image-82586" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/zsl-whipsnade-vets-in-action.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/zsl-whipsnade-vets-in-action-800x533.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-on-stage">ON STAGE </h2>



There&#8217;s <a href="https://www.grovetheatre.co.uk/dinosaur-adventure-live-trouble-on-volcano-island-i4455" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trouble on Volcano Island</a> &#8211; an immersive adventure about an expedition to save the island&#8217;s prehistoric residents before the volcano blows -on 17 Feb at Grove Theatre Dunstable. You can also catch it at <a href="https://www.thespotlightvenue.com/whats-on/dinosaur-adventure-live-trouble-on-volcano-island/59" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Spotlight Hoddesdon</a> on 18 Feb. 



Thigs are about to get curioser and curioser&#8230; Fall down the rabbit hole with Alice and friends for <a href="https://southmillarts.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873648534" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alice in Wonderland the family musical</a> at South Mill Arts on 19 Feb. 



In Luton, the annual <a href="https://www.culturetrust.com/FebFest24" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Full House Feb Fest</a> will be full swing for half term (19 – 23 Feb), with creative workshops, performances and shows, plus a free ‘imagination station’ for free drop-in craft activities. Highlights we&#8217;re marking in the diary are a <a href="https://www.culturetrust.com/whats-on/feb-fest-philharmonia-cellos-present-tales-winnie-pooh" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Winnie the Pooh inspired live performance</a> by a cello octet, and interactive play-along game show, <a href="https://www.culturetrust.com/whats-on/feb-fest-wifi-wars" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wi-fi Wars</a> and chaotic art-themed comedy, <a href="https://www.culturetrust.com/whats-on/feb-fest-splat" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Splat!</a>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Splat-feb-fest.jpg" alt="Splat! Feb fest luton" class="wp-image-82343" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Splat-feb-fest.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Splat-feb-fest-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Splat-feb-fest-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Splat! Feb Fest</figcaption></figure>



Half panto, half slapstick comedy, the <a href="https://wyllyottstheatre.co.uk/whats-on/cartoon-circus-live/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cartoon Circus Live</a> comes to Wyllyotts Theatre on 21 Feb. This funny family show will feature comical clowns, cartoons, a human slinky, a dancing bear, puppets, prizes and, erm a performing piranha!



Who said science was boring? The kids certainly won&#8217;t think so after seeing <a href="https://southmillarts.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873650545" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Exciting Science</a> at South Mill Arts on 21 February. Fun AND educational (shh&#8230; don&#8217;t tell!), the show will feature an explosion of volcanic eruptions, vacuum powered missile launchers and whizz banging smoke blasters. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/Exciting-science.jpg" alt="Exciting Science" class="wp-image-82593" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/Exciting-science.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/Exciting-science-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/Exciting-science-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/Exciting-science-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Disney fans won&#8217;t want to miss a chance to catch one of the all-time classics on stage this Half Term. Performed by Big Time Academy &#8211; a local youth theatre group for ages 5-13 &#8211; comes a magical performance of <a href="https://www.radlettcentre.co.uk/What-s-On/Children/Big-Time-Beauty" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Beauty and the Beast</a> at the Radlett Centre, from 21 &#8211; 25 Feb. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-get-creative">GET CREATIVE</h2>



This year&#8217;s <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/whats-on/wrest-park-half-term-history-makers-17-feb-25-feb-24" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Half Term History Makers</a> at Wrest Park (17 &#8211; 25 February) is themed around the Victorian author, Lewis Carroll. There&#8217;ll be immersive storytelling from characters in fancy dress, and the chance to create your own characters, stories and mythical creatures inspired by Alice in Wonderland and the Wrest Park surroundings. 



Bookworms, listen up! There&#8217;s a <a href="https://www.books-on-the-hill.co.uk/events/young-readers-book-club-4-hrjg6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Young Readers&#8217; Book Club</a> at Books on the Hill, St Albans on 21 Feb. Participants will be split into groups of 5 &#8211; 8 and 9- 11 year olds and asked to read a book on science fiction, before discussing their verdicts on the day, writing their own reviews and deciding which will be the book of the month!



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/All-in-one-season-alice-calcasola-gardening-workshop.jpg" alt="Alice calcasola love is in nature workshop standalone farm" class="wp-image-82598" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/All-in-one-season-alice-calcasola-gardening-workshop.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/All-in-one-season-alice-calcasola-gardening-workshop-800x533.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Get green-fingered at Standalone Farm in Letchworth from 19 &#8211; 21 Feb with floral designer, Alice van der List, from All in One Season, who&#8217;ll be running a <a href="https://standalonefarm.com/whats-on/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Love is in Nature workshop</a>. Alice will bring along a selection of bulbs, twigs, moss and foliage to help kids and their grown-ups create gorgeous spring mini gardens or table centrepieces. £9 for the workshop only or £14.50 to include access to the farm. 



At Stevenage Museum there are <a href="https://www.stevenage.gov.uk/news-and-events/events/half-term-at-stevenage-museum" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">three days of workshops</a> inspired by Bill Mitchell’s artwork on the underpass to the Town Centre Gardens: Wonderful wire sculptures (21 Feb), Clay day (22 Feb) and Space rockets (23 Feb). £4 per child. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/Virtual-reality-canva.jpg" alt="Boy in virtual reality headset" class="wp-image-82602" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/Virtual-reality-canva.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/Virtual-reality-canva-800x533.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Full House Theatre co in Ampthill run a creative programme of free activities for 11 &#8211; 17 year olds called <a href="https://fullhouse.org.uk/current-show/amped/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Get Amped</a> (see what they did there?!). On 22 Feb there&#8217;s an ultimate virtual reality gaming experience, giving kids the chance to play, explore and create within a digital universe. Out of this world! 



There are also a number of workshops to get stuck into at <a href="https://southernmaltings.co.uk/whats-on-in-ware/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Southern Maltings</a> in Ware, for Half Term week, including Bug cupcake decorating (21 Feb), animal collages (22 Feb) and curious creature drawing (22 Feb). 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/Palaver-party-hat-factory-arts.jpg" alt="Palaver party hat factory arts" class="wp-image-82605" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/Palaver-party-hat-factory-arts.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/Palaver-party-hat-factory-arts-800x533.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Express yourself at Hat Factory Arts Centre&#8217;s <a href="https://www.culturetrust.com/whats-on/palaver-party" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Palaver Party</a> on 25 Feb &#8211; a fabulous rainbow family disco with a line-up of cabaret and drag performances &#8211; celebrating difference, self-expression and creativity. There&#8217;ll be music, games, costume making, sing-a-longs and a LOT of glitter. Aimed at ages 3 &#8211; 8 but for all ages (£5 + £1 booking fee). 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-film-fun">FILM FUN</h2>



Dodge the crowds at the big screens (and the hefty price tags) and head to one of these local screenings instead this Half Term. You can catch <a href="https://southmillarts.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873655583b" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wonka</a> &#8211; the prequel to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for just £8 at South Mill Arts on 20 Feb, while Ware Town Council are putting on not one but two FREE screenings on 22 Feb &#8211; <a href="https://waretowncouncil.gov.uk/events/half-term-childrens-film-screenings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elemental at 2pm and Dungeons &amp; Dragons at 6.30pm</a> &#8211; at Fletcher&#8217;s Lea cinema. Be sure to reserve your ticket. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/Elemental-film-.jpg" alt="Elemental movie" class="wp-image-82606" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/Elemental-film-.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/Elemental-film--800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/Elemental-film--400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/Elemental-film--500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Finally, <a href="https://www.marstonvale.org/Event/spider-man-barbie-party-fri23rd-feb-2024" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Barbie and Spidey</a> fans step this way, for the chance to meet your fave big screen characters at The Forest Centre, Millenium County Park in the Forest of Marston Vale on 23 Feb. Enjoy a tasty afternoon tea before a meet and greet with the characters. £15 per child.

Hooray for Half Term! 25+ ideas to keep the kids (and you) happy

You may also like