Unbelievably half term is on its way and we wanted to find ways to entertain the kids, as we always do. This time however, we set ourselves a challenge to find as much FREE stuff as we can. If it’s not free, then we have ensured the kids can do it for under a fiver.
Half Term is the week of the 16th February.
Also, we have a fantastic page listing and linking all the school term dates for every council in South Wales for 2022/24. It’s really easy to follow and a useful one to bookmark. You can find it here……
Enjoy the list and come back soon as the guide expands over the next few days. Just click on the areas below to get to the place that interests you.
BARRY
Y MIS BACH BINGO
Y Mis Bach is an interactive spotter trail designed to help children learn all about nature in winter and have lots of fun outside even during the chillier month of February.
There’s no extra cost (normal admission applies), simply pick-up your bingo sheet from our Welcome Centre when you arrive and learn all about what lovely little things happen in the gardens during winter.
The Y MIS BACH at Dyffryn House & Gardens runs from the 14th to the 22nd February between 10am and 4pm. The event is FREE but normal admission charges will apply. Who knows, the kids could end up doing your garden when you get home. For more details, go here – TRAIL
CARDIFF
CARDIFF CASTLE
This is more of a reminder than anything else. If you are a Cardiff residents (or work in Cardiff) you get to have unlimited free days out at Cardiff Castle. The Castle Key, as they call it, gives you free entry to the castle grounds, Norman Keep, the Firing Line exhibition, the wartime tunnels and the Interpretation Centre as many times as you like.
Apply at the Castle Ticket Office, make sure to take proof that you live or work in Cardiff (a council tax bill or a letter from the boss is fine). The key used to be free but does have an admin charge, worth every penny though. Trust us, the kids love a castle and they will have a brilliant time this half term. For details, go here. CASTLE
- Enjoy free entry to Cardiff Castle for 3 years.
- A number of other special discounts.
- One off admin charge of £6.75 per adult card issued.
- No charge for Keys issued to children (under 16s).
CARDIFF BAY BARRAGE
Sometimes it’s the things which are there everyday and we kind of take for granted that turn out to be the most fun for the kids. A day out at the barrage is one of those. It’s exciting, a brilliant way of getting some exercise (for all of us kids) and most of all, it’s cheap as chips.
Just seeing the pictures reminds us that maybe it’s something we’ve not seen in action for a while, or maybe even never. The kids can watch as the barrage’s lock system allows boats and yachts to go in and out of Cardiff Bay. Then walk along to the fantastic pirate playground or if you feel really energetic walk all the way round to Mermaid Quay. Parking at the Penarth end costs 50 pence an hour, but it is free to walk along the barrage and to play at the playground. Take some sandwiches and a drink and you’ve got a great day out for next to nothing.
LUNAR NEW YEAR FESTIVITIES AT THE RED DRAGON CENTRE
This February half term, The Red Dragon Centre are celebrating Lunar New Year with a fantastic programme of free family activities to welcome in the Year of the Horse.
Celebrations begin on Tuesday 17th February, the official start of Lunar New Year, with a fun-filled afternoon from 12-4pm. Join in a free drop-in origami & calligraphy workshop, plus a Peking opera act to welcome the Year of the Horse with performances at 12.30pm, 2pm and 3.30pm, delivered by Papergang Theatre.
The celebrations continue on Wednesday 18th February with Explore Learning, who will be hosting fun, hands-on activities including Lucky Red Envelope Maths between 12-4pm.
The Lunar New Year programme concludes with our much-loved annual signature celebration on Sunday 22nd February from 12-5pm, delivered in partnership with Cardiff Confucius Institute. Enjoy a lively afternoon of workshops, performances, paper-cutting, lantern making, Chinese knot crafting, and the chance to meet the Chinese White Lion, appearing at 12.30pm, 2pm and 3.30pm.
All activities are completely free, and with great attractions, restaurants and cafes on site, it’s the perfect place to spend a memorable day out this half term!
CWMBRAN
LEGO CLUB – CWMBRAN LIBRARY
They bring the bricks, you bring the ideas! Free event for children aged 7-11.
It’s at Cwmbran Library running every two week. Just turn up and have fun. Details HERE.
NEWPORT
NEWPORT LIVE
Over 400 swim participants, plus 50 children attending Football for All and with opportunities for children to try racquet sports, and basketball camps.
We counted just short of 30 activities across the city this half term – Here’s just a few of them.
- FREE SWIM
- MOMENTWN FAMILY BIKEABILITY
- CRAFTY CINEMA CLUB
- YOUTH TENNIS CAMP
- THE DINOSAUR THAT POOPED A ROCK SHOW
- BUG HOTEL WORKSHOP
- GIRLS TAKEOVER
You can get full details on all the activities HERE.
DISCOVER THE PARKLAND AT TREDEGAR
The parkland at Tredegar House is the perfect place for you to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. Sweeping lawns, a serpentine lake and woodland are all waiting for you to explore and enjoy everything from a picnic, a run or a spot of hide and seek with the family.
Things to see in the parkland
Oak avenue
Once there were seven oak avenues, splaying out from the mansion like the spokes of a wheel. The last remaining one stretches out from the 17th-century gates and over the crest of a hill towards Ruperra Castle – once a summer home of the Morgan family.
Wildlife
Bring your bird books and binoculars; our parkland is teeming with wildlife. The lake is a favourite spot for grebes, swans, moorhens and a whole community of ducks.
Keep an eye out for swans, coots and herons as well as a whole host of slippery underwater creatures in the lake. Swan watching is a popular pastime with locals who track the progress of the cygnets every year.
The parkland is ever changing as the seasons come and go throughout the year. Follow the lakeside path and immerse yourself in nature with our seasonal sensory trail.
Sequoia redwoods
Towering over the parkland, the redwoods are a regal reminder of a bygone majestic age. Don’t forget to touch the bark; its spongy feel is a favourite with little ones and adults alike.
The parkland is ever changing as the seasons come and go throughout the year. Follow the lakeside path and immerse yourself in nature with our seasonal sensory trail.
Booking isn’t needed apart from the Veg Printing Workshop. For details of what’s going on at Tredegar, which is worth a visit anytime, go here. TREDEGAR
FOURTEEN LOCKS CANAL CENTRE
The Fourteen Locks Canal Centre on the Crumlin Arm of the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal is a fantastic place to visit.
The Fourteen Locks Canal Centre and Cafe is a popular family attraction that is positioned on top of the Cefn lock flight, an engineering wonder of the industrial revolution that is located in the picturesque area of Newport. As a result of the support of the Heritage Lottery Funding two pairs of locks have been restored.
Find out more on the Fourteen Locks Canal Centre page HERE.
The Canal Centre craft shop offers unique hand made gifts, created by local and talented artisans. They also hire out gallery display boards for artists to sell their work.
The cafe offers a delicious range of mouthwatering food. Produce is sourced locally and prepared fresh to order. Meals are perfectly accompanied by speciality coffees and fair-trade teas. The friendly staff can cater for any dietary requirement including gluten free, vegan and vegetarian.
The family and dog friendly centre holds events throughout the year including activity trails, forest school, fayres, family fun days, music festivals, BBQ’s, history talks and walks. The canal towpath is part of national cycle route 47 and the beautiful Sirhowy valley walk.
PONTYPOOL
PONTYPOOL PARK
It may be the half term but there’s never a better time to get out and enjoy what the countryside has to off and the park here is fantastic.
Pontypool Park is locally known as the People’s Park, covering some 64 hectares with several historical features – including Italian Gardens, Ice Houses and Shell Grotto – which have been restored with a Heritage Lottery Fund grant and funding from Torfaen County Borough Council. There is also a link from the Park, through adjacent farm land to the Folly Tower, via a public footpath.
Facilities include a children’s play area, rugby pitch (home to Pontypool RFC), tennis courts, pitch and putt, bowls and a dry ski slope. There are footpath links into the Brecon Beacons National Park on the most northern boundary.
There are a few things to bear in mind when you visit………
- Feel free to have a picnic, play games or even hug a tree!
- Dogs should be kept under control and responsible owners are welcome, but please clear up after your dog and dispose of the waste in the bins provided.
- Use the litter bins – it helps to keep the Park looking good.
- No cycling allowed.
- No horses allowed.
- No motorised vehicles allowed.
- No fishing unless you have purchased the appropriate licence.
The park is just to the East of Pontypool Town Centre. To find out more, go here. PARK
BIG PIT NATIONAL COAL MUSEUM
UNDERGROUND TOUR – JOB-A-KNOCK TICKETS
In the mining industry, a ‘Job-A-Knock’ is a priority task, carried out at a set time.
A £8 Job-A-Knock ticket gives you a timed slot for our unique Underground Tour.
Tickets for the Underground Tour can either be purchased in advance with a £8 Job-A-Knock timed slot ticket OR, by purchasing a ticket for £5 on the day of your visit upon arrival at the Museum.*
The tickets available to purchase on the day, do not guarantee a time slot and your wait might be a little longer, especially during busy periods.
On the day tickets are available daily for those who arrive without advance Job-A-Knock tickets and are subject to availability.
Job-A-Knock tickets must be booked in advance and cannot be purchased on the day of your visit.
Entry to the Museum remains free. Parking £5.
Find out more HERE.
PORT TALBOT
MARGAM COUNTRY PARK
Margam country Park is incredible and while a lot of what you can do will cost money, the best thing of all, a walk in the park, will cost you no more than the cost of travelling and parking. They have four walks ranging from 1.5 to 3.5 miles. The 800 acres of the Park provides a perfect backdrop for a walk in the countryside, whether half term stroll with the kids, or an adventure hike along the Coed Morgannwg Way to Afan Forest Park Country Park, our sister country park in the Afan Valley.
If you prefer to follow a self guided trail we have four way marked routes for you to follow. ‘Walk packs’ giving full details of the routes and what to look out for along them are available to purchase from entrance cabin and Gift Shop.
Each walk is colour coded, they all begin just up the track from the Castle Visitor Centre. Entrance to the park is free and car parking is £6, but will all of you packed in that’s really good value. Below is a list of everything they offer with appropriate links to find out more.
- Established Country Park, Winner of Green Flag Award and voted the Nations Favourite Park in the ‘National Peoples Choice’ Awards
- 800 acres of rolling Parkland with Deer Herd
- Stunning gothic style castle, 17th Century Orangery and monastic ruins
- Landscaped gardens with Arboretum
- Dogs welcome on leads in Orangery Gardens and under close control in park
- Rare breeds farm trail
- Castle and garden tours available
- Visitor Centre Courtyard with Gift Shop and Charlottes Pantry Café. Please check on arrival for opening times for the Cafe and shop.
- Children’s Adventure Playground and Fairy Tale Village
- Narrow Gauge Railway (runs seasonally)
- Margam Discovery Centre offers high quality environmental education to all age groups, both residentially and for day visits.
- Ivy Cottage unique luxury holiday Cottage.
- Park Map
- Electric Trampers and Wheelchairs available
- Monday 20th – MASKS DAY, 11am to 3pm and it is FREE
- Tuesday 21st – MINDFULNESS ART & SOFT PLAY YOGA (Various Session Times)
- Wednesday 22nd – WILDLIFE & ANIMALS POTTERY CRAFTS 11am to 3pm
- Thursday 23rd – GOLDILOCKS & THE MAGIC PORRIDGE POT. Three sessions 11am, 1pm and 2.30pm
- Friday 24th – ST DAVID’S DAY CRAFTS between 11am and 3pm this is also FREE
- Saturday 25th – CRAFTY FUN DAY with a whole range of activities from 11am
You can check their event calendar right HERE.
SWANSEA
WATERFRONT MUSEUM
As well as the museum being a fantastic place to visit anytime, on Sunday 14th February they have a visit from the PAINT ALONG LADY.
Join Claire for an easy-to-follow Paint Along; no experience necessary.
This is fun art, not fine art, and everyone is welcome, so bring the whole family! (age 5+)
10.30am – Valentine Lovebirds – BOOK HERE
2.30pm – Valentine Lovebugs – BOOK HERE
MOVIES
A lot of our cinema offer deals over the holiday periods and certainly at weekends kids get to see recent films for just a couple of pounds. For example…..
- ODEON – Grown ups pay kids prices with their Family Saver of 4 ticket at ODEON. Whether you are 2 Adults 2 Children, or 1 Adult 3 Children, simply select the family ticket option when you book online.
- CINEWORLD – Offer family tickets deals and reductions on food & drinks.
- VUE – Have a range of deals and run Mini-Morning screenings too
TO DO AT HOME
If you want to stay home during the holiday and want to keep the kids off the tablets, phones or TV then here’s a few (old-school) ideas which we guarantee will entertain them and make more memories than watching them stare at a screen all day long.
GET BAKING
With the Bake Off series at an an end and the kids version bringing in great audiences, there really isn’t a better time to get into the kitchen with the children. Baking is a great way to keep them happy and entertained on a rainy half term. As far as killing time goes, it’s brilliant for that too.
Involve them in the whole process. Choosing the recipe. Shopping for ingredients. Preparing the kitchen and then the actual baking itself. It’s a fantastic way to kill time too. Choose recipes that include lots of time for decorating, as kids find this to be the most fun part. Don’t be afraid of getting messy, kids love to help but might be a bit messy in the process.
ROCKY ROAD
INGREDIENTS
- 100g butter, roughly chopped
- 300g dark chocolate, broken into squares
- 3 tbsp golden syrup
- 140g rich tea biscuits, roughly crushed
- 12 pink marshmallows, quartered using scissors
- 2 x 55g of Maltesers (my favourite), Milky Way or Crunchie
METHOD
- Gently melt the butter, chocolate and syrup in a large pan over a low heat, stirring frequently until smooth, then cool for about 15mins.
- Stir the crushed biscuits and sweets into the pan until well mixed, pour into a 17cm/6 ½ inch square tin lined with non-stick baking paper and spread the mixture to roughly level it.
- Chill until hard and then take out of tin and remove paper. Cut into squares. Store in an air-tight container.
CUP CAKES
INGREDIENTS
- 125g plain flour
- 250g Carnation Condensed Milk
- 1 egg
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 85g buttery spread
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- For the icing
- 200g icing sugar
- 55g buttery spread
- Few drops vanilla extract
- 1-2 tbsp Carnation Condensed Milk
- Sugar sprinkles or cake decorations
METHOD
- Preheat oven to 180°C, (160°C for fan ovens), Gas Mark 4.
- Beat flour, condensed milk, egg, vanilla, buttery spread and baking powder until pale and fluffy.
- Spoon mixture into 12 muffin cases. Bake for 15-18 minutes until springy and golden. Allow to cool.
- Beat icing sugar, buttery spread and vanilla with enough condensed milk to make a smooth creamy icing. Spread onto cakes and top with sprinkles and decorations.
LIGHTER COOKIES
INGREDIENTS
- 80g rolled oats (not quick-cooking)
- 160g wholemeal flour
- 1/4 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 135g light-brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons agave nectar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 115g milk chocolate, chopped
METHOD
- Preheat the oven to 175°C. Combine the oats, flour, baking soda and salt in a food processor and pulse until the oats are finely ground. Set aside.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter, sugar and agave nectar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla and mix until smooth and glossy. Reduce mixer speed to the lowest setting and gradually add the flour mixture until just incorporated; stir in the chocolate.
- Drop level tablespoons of the dough onto silicone mat lined baking sheets, 2 inches apart (12 cookies per sheet). Transfer the sheets to the refrigerator and chill the cookies until solid, about 30 minutes. Bake until lightly golden around edges, about 12 to 14 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through. Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let cool on the sheets for 1 minute; transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Be aware, these cookies like to spread. If you are bothered by them touching, bake on 3 trays.
OPEN UP THE OLD-SCHOOL BOARD GAMES
There really isn’t anything better than watching the kids learn a new, or get re-aquainted with an old favourite board game. I don’t know what it is but the effect is far better than watching some character drive aimlessly around a track on some console game. Now don’t get us wrong, we play the kart games as much as the next person, but once the board game is out, the real fun begins.
READ TOGETHER
The simplest of things can often be the best. I used to love settling down with a good book, having the kids squash up on the sofa and read away with my terrible voices and corny impressions. You know what? They hung on my every word and they will with you.
Encourage your children to read along if they’re old enough. Make a hot chocolate and snuggle together on the sofa and get stuck into a classic.
BUILD A DEN
It’s amazing what you can do with a few bed sheets, towels, cushions, chairs and a great imagination. This is the perfect way for the kids to get creative. Then when you’ve got it all put together you can get inside, eat what you’ve baked. Play one of the board games. Read your book to together. Or if they really insist, grab the tablet and watch a bit of TV.
