February Half-Term 2024: 10 Fun Things To Do With The Kids in Newcastle
Our guide to keeping little ones entertained in Newcastle this February half term
The February half-term holidays iare upon us, and typically for this time of the year the weather isn’t making outdoor happenings look very appealing.
Fear not though, because we’ve gathered together some suggestions for really great things to do with the kids that keep everyone firmly indoors. From art to theatre, science to cinema, circus to cookery, there’s a whole host of amazing activities happening in Newcastle to keep the little ones busy for the week.
February Half-Term Fun @ Life Science
There’s always plenty going on to entertain and inform your kids at Life Science Centre, but as usual they’ve pulled out all the stops for half term. There’s a live rocket show, some new features in the under-7s Play Zone (involving local landmarks and bridges!), a new show all about colour which is truly mind-boggling (and they can make their own colour catcher lantern) and all the usual zones to amaze and fascinate them.
17th - 25th February, child tickets £9.09, adult tickets £12.27
We’re Going On A Bear Hunt @ Theatre Royal
Kids have loved We’re Going On A Bear Hunt ever since it was published 35 years ago, and this theatre adaptation of the Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury classic has been packing them in since the late noughties. The kids will love this vivid and noisy spectacle as the family splash through mud and water and have a big adventure. Check the website for details of BSL and relaxed performances.
23rd - 25th February, from £16.50
Art Camp & Art Club @ Laing Art Gallery
Laing Art Gallery can always be relied upon to host a variety of activities and clubs to encourage kids to enjoy – and create – art and this half-term there are two such happenings. Art Camp (aimed at kids aged 7-10) and Art Club (for 11-16 year olds) each invite kids to explore the Laing's galleries, discuss the artworks they've seen and create their very own work in the gallery's studio - both perfect for keeping artists-in-the-making entertained during the half term holidays.
Art Camp, 20th - 22nd February, £75 / Art Club, 20th - 23rd February, £100
Pop-Up Hospital Family Fun Day & Family Silent Disco Party @ Newcastle Cathedral
Newcastle Cathedral is hosting a pair of fantastic events this half-term holiday. In 20th February, it's the free Pop-Up Hospital Family Fun Day where kids and their families can meet the staff of Great North Children's Hospital, find out their work and the equipment they use and even explore a working ambulance - plus the chance to meet the hospital's mascot Fudge the Giraffe. A few days later on 24th February, the team behind Awesome Silent Discos are staging a Family Silent Disco Party from 1-3pm. Aimed at kids and their accompanying adults, you can enjoy nineties and noughties hits, all-time classics and party tunes in a remarkable environment.
Pop-Up Hospital Family Fun Day , 20th February, free
Family Silent Disco Party, 24th February, from £9
Circus Spectacular & Rude Science @ Tyne Theatre & Opera House
There’s a couple of wonderful kid-friendly happenings at the Tyne Theatre during half-term. On February 17th see them gasp in wonder at Circus Spectacular, a variety show-style performance with circus acts, comics and performers bringing all the fun of the ring to the stage in a show that promises a splashy finale. Then on 2nd February, it’s the turn of science to wow the children with Rude Science - a show that combines explosions, technology, stunts and mad experiments and promises to be naughty, funny and revolting but still educational too!
Circus Spectacular, 17th February, Kids £16.50, Adults £18.50
Rude Science, 22nd February, Kids £14.50, Adults £16.50
Kids' Shows @ Purple Peacock
The team at Purple Peacock regularly host shows for kids and families, but they've got all out this half term with not one, not two but six shows happening through the holidays. There's something to suit everyone too, from a Princess Sing Along and a Barbie Party to the Mario-themed Super Racer Show and a Superhero School show - plus two runs of the kid-friendly edition of The Greatest Show. Each show features additional entertainment including a popcorn machine, a sweet cart and a photo booth with props and kids' tickets include a buffet while adult tickets include a two-course meal.
18th - 23rd February, £35 (adults), £20 (kids)
Little Monks Cookery Club & Smart Cookies Cookery Club @ Blackfriars
Blackfriars' Cookery School has a series of events to keep the kids busy this half term. Their Little Monks classes are aimed at 7-10 year olds who'll get to enjoy some delicious yet nutritious nibbles before making (and eating!) their very own lunch. For older kids (aged between 11 and 17), there's the Smart Cookies Cookery Club which is perfect for budding chefs who want to hone their skills in the kitchen and get beyond the basics. Who knows - maybe your kids will even save some food to bring home for you to enjoy!
Little Monks Cookery Club, 20th - 21st February, £75
Smart Cookies Cookery Club, 22nd - 23rd February, £75
Zog & The Flying Doctors @ Northern Stage
The much-loved book from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler comes to life once again in this musical adventure. Zog and his pals run an air ambulance and are called out to help a sunburned mermaid, a unicorn with an extra horn and a flu-ridden lion. Aimed at children aged 3+, but certain to be fun for all the family, there’s a BSL on February 23rd.
21st - 25th February, from £14.50
Kids Sunday Brunch Club @ Tyneside Cinema
Every Sunday in the bar / café of Tyneside Cinema there’s a Kids Sunday Brunch Club. You can take the kids along to see a family-friendly movie for free in the screening area at the back of the café and enjoy some of the café’s excellent drinks, snacks and brunches. Keep an eye on their social media for details of each week’s film.
25th February (and every Sunday), free
Children's Pizza Class & Parent's Brunch & Children's Bakery Classes & Adult's Sparkling Cream Tea @ Fenwick
There's even more foodie fun to be had at Fenwick this half-term holiday with something for the grown-ups too! Kids can get crafty in the kitchen with a pizza making class while the parents enjoy a leisurely brunch (with a mimosa on arrival, no less) or sign up to a bakery class and make their very own cupcakes as the grown-ups relax with a cream tea and glass of sparkling wine.
Children's Pizza Class & Parent's Brunch, 19th - 21st February, £18 (adults), £15 (kids)
Children's Bakery Classes & Adult's Sparkling Cream Tea, 21st - 23rd February, £15 (adults), £15 (kids)
A rainy half-term needn't be a problem when the wonderful city of Newcastle has so much to offer kids of all ages. Whether they want to see things explode, see a children's classic story brought to life on stage or learn to make pizza, there's something for everyone!
