Your guide to Half Term family fun

If you're wondering how you're going to keep the kids entertained during the school half term holiday we've got plenty of great ideas...

15 February

Half Term Fun, World of Country Life, Exmouth
World of Country Life will be open from 10am on Saturday 15 February with a fun-packed line-up for half term week. www.worldofcountrylife.co.uk

Family Fun, Knighthayes Court, Tiverton
Fancy a gander at golf? A dabble in croquet? Join the Knightshayes team over the half term holiday - it's all about the great outdoors, open 11am-5pm. For details of what's on offer visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/knightshayes

15 - 23 February

VIP Half Term, Pennywell, Buckfastleigh
Become a Pennywell VIP - one full price day admission gives a VIP wristband valid for the rest of half term so you can visit as much as you like. Funky Fowl is a new area of the farm featuring an unusual collection of fowls from all over Europe. There will also be entertainment from Dan the Hat and Nutty Noah. More details: www.pennywellfarm.co.uk

Let off steam at the Indoor Play Station, Pecorama
Visit Pecorama this half term and let the kids 'Let of Steam' in the fantastic new indoor play area! Open daily 11am-4.30pm (15-23 February). The Play Station is open throughout the winter on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 11am-4.30pm until 7 of April when Pecorama fully opens for the 2014 season and will be open daily. More details: www.pecorama.info

Scarecrows, RHS Rosemoor, Great Torrington
A week full of exciting Scarecrow making family workshops and a display of full size scarecrows. To find out more go visit www.rhs.org.uk/rosemoor or call 0845 265 8072

16 February

Moshi TV – The Children's Verdict, Exeter Phoenix
A unique chance for children to see and comment on how an exciting brand new TV series is created. The creators of Moshi TV will show drawings and plans for their new series, and a specially selected panel of children will be able to give their verdict on what works and what doesn't. In the firing line will be Jocelyn Stevenson, Executive Creative Producer at Mind Candy, the fast-growing, award-winning company behind Moshi Monsters, 3pm-5pm, £7/£5. Suitable for children aged 7-plus. For details call 01392 667080 visit www.animatedexeter.co.uk

Bird Box Day, Lydford Gorge
In celebration of National Bird Box Week make a bird box with the help from the National Trust ranger team, from 1pm. For more details call 01822 820320

Wild Tribe, Fingle Bridge Meadows, Drewsteignton
Join the Wild Tribe at Fingle Bridge Meadows. Includes bush craft activities for families with children of all ages from 5-12. 11am-3pm, £4 per child, £2 per adult. For more information call 01647 433356.

Wild Tribe, Northcott Theatre, Exeter
Featuring Splosh – an enchanting production for very young children using dance, music and puppetry to help children and families explore communicative play at bath time; and Earworms which will enable children to discover and experience music in a family-friendly atmosphere, featuring a wide range of musicians and music. Plus there will be some special drama and dance workshops, a treasure hunt and arts and craft activities. Entry is free. ww.exeternorthcott.co.uk

17 February

Mike the Knight Day, Exeter Cathedral
Drop in and do it right! Make characters from this favourite Cbeebies programme and bring them to life in this lively workshop. With archery and balloon sword-making on the Cathedral Green, weather permitting. 10am–noon and 2pm-4pm, £10. For more details call 01392 667080 or visit www.animatedexeter.co.uk

Scrapimation, Exeter Phoenix
Scrap meets animation! Make some weird and wonderful creatures come to life using yogurt pots, video tape, anything else you can find. Think Blue Peter meets Button Moon! 10am-1pm. Cost: £12. For children aged 7-11 years. For more details call 01392 667080 or visit www.animatedexeter.co.uk

18 February

Tadpole Tuesday, Decoy Country Park, Newton Abbot
Help the Ranger collect some frogs spawn and then have fun learning about the froggy life cycle. If you don’t get eaten by a Heron first! 2pm-3.30pm, this event is suitable for families. Call to book a place on 01626 215773 or email Greenspaces@teignbridge.gov.uk

Official Opening of Atlantis, Crealy Great Adventure Park, Exeter
Children will be amazed when they see Captain Barnacles the brave polar bear and Kwazii the daredevil kitten, who will be appearing at the official opening of the brand new attraction Atlantis, the underwater themed indoor Pre-School Play Barn on Tuesday 18 February. The adventure heroes will be making personal appearances at various intervals throughout the day. www.crealy.co.uk

Bird Box Day, Lydford Gorge
In celebration of National Bird Box Week make a bird box with the help from the National Trust ranger team. From 1pm. For more details call 01822 820320.

Red Squirrel Day, Escot, Ottery St Mary
Celebrate this very important day in the Escot calendar! Meet the stars of the show – the Red Squirrels. There will be games and storytelling as well as all that Escot offers to visitors. Cost: Free for all children when accompanied by an adult. Normal entry fee applies to adults unless they are Escot members. www.escot-devon.co.uk

19 February

Family Orienteering Challenge, Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve
See if your family can set the fastest time in completing the orienteering course at the nature reserve. This event is for families,11am-3pm, £4 per adult, children go free. No ned to book, just go to the Visitor Centre on the day. Details: 01626 863980 or email Greenspaces@teignbridge.gov.uk

Half Term Children’s Workshops , RAMM, Exeter
Animated Tudors - Trade Off. Activities for unaccompanied children aged 8-plus. Three workshops exploring Tudor life with animation, join in for one day or go to all three. Explore a variety of animation techniques and special effects to tell a story of Elizabethan life and trade in Exeter. £20 per child. For details and tickets call 01392 265858 or visit www.rammuseum.org.uk

Bird Box Making, Escot, near Ottery St Mary
Go along to Escot and make a garden bird box to take home with you to encourage birds into your garden. £5 per bird box. Park entrance fee applies to non-members. www.escot-devon.co.uk

Free family drop-in Animation Workshop, Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Honiton
This activity coordinates with the current exhibition Degrees of Animation celebrating the most exciting new talent to graduate from animation degree courses across the South West. 11am-4pm. Suggested donation £2 per child. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. For more details call 01404 45006 visit www.thelmahulbert.com

Give a Bird a Home, Axe Estuary Wetlands
This half-term try learning a new skill and provide a home for birds to nest in your garden. Join the countryside team at the Axe Estuary Wetlands classroom between 10am and 1pm, and build a nest box from one of our easy-to-use kits. This activity is suitable for all ages, but children must be accompanied by an adult. From £7.50 per box made. All equipment will be provided. Places are limited, so book in advance by calling 01395 517557 or email Countryside@eastdevon.gov.uk

19-23 February

Robin Cousins' ICE, Westpoint, Exeter
Olympic champion and head judge on ITV’s Dancing on Ice, Robin Cousins has hand-picked the greatest ice skaters from around the globe to bring his incredible new production to life. Tickets start at £22.50 for adults, £12 for children. There are 10 performance over the five days. Call the box office on 08444 99 99 55 or visit www.ticketzone.co.uk/ice for more details, performance times and to buy tickets.

20 February

Half Term Children’s Workshops, RAMM, Exeter
Animated Tudors - Trade Off. Activities for unaccompanied children aged 8-plus. Three workshops exploring Tudor life with animation, join in for one day or go to all three. Explore a variety of animation techniques and special effects to tell a story of Elizabethan life and trade in Exeter. £20 per child. For details and tickets call 01392 265858 or visit www.rammuseum.org.uk

Junior Rangers -Strandline Treasures, Dawlish Warren Nature Reserve
Go for a beachcombing walk along the beach to see what treasures the tide has washed up. This event is for members only. If you would like to become a member of Teignbridge Green Spaces call 01626 863980 for further information.

Little Red Riding Hood, The Bike Shed Theatre, Exeter
Soap Soup re-invents the classic tale of Little Red Riding Hood for a new generation. Meet Ethel and Sam as they get ready for bed, with a not-so-sweet bedtime story. Join Red as she crosses eiderdown meadows to Grandma’s house. Little Red Riding Hood combines the magical appeal of puppetry and cutting edge, original music. www.animatedexeter.co.uk

21 February

Snow Baby, The Bike Shed Theatre, Exeter
Soap Soup Theatre presents Snow Baby, a love story. This is a story of castles in the air, of weathering the storm, and dreams coming true in the most unexpected ways. For details call 01392 667080 or visit www.animatedexeter.co.uk

22 February

Comic Strip and Animation Workshop , Exeter Pheonix
Experiment with collage and scrap materials to invent a story. By making simple movable characters and working in groups generate a comic strip to take home and an animation fit for a giant! 10am-2.30pm for children aged 8 and over and 2pm-4.30p for children aged 5 and over. For more details call 01392 667080 or go to www.animatedexeter.co.uk

26 - 28 February

Alice Through The Looking Glass, The New Theatre, Exeter
Lewis Carroll’s classic sequel to Alice in Wonderland gets an imaginative treatment in this stage adaptation. The tale is brought to life with the help of puppets and costumes inspired by the original Tenniel illustrations. An enchanting, whimsical show for children and adults alike. Ticket Price: £8 adult, £6 child. Also 27-28 February at 7.30pm and 1 March at 11am, 2pm and 7pm. For full details visit www.cygnettheatre.co.uk

HALF TERM SPORT

17, 19 & 21 February

Half term tennis - Points Play, Exeter Tennis Centre, University of Exeter
All the fun of a match, but in a friendly and sociable environment. Points play gives players the chance to test their skills against their friends in a series of friendly matches held on Exeter Tennis Centre's indoor courts. Suitable for children aged 11-16, 1pm-5pm. £12 per session. For further information or to book a space contact Exeter Tennis Centre via xtc@exeter.ac.uk or call 01392 724452.

19-21 February

Half term cricket fun, Sir Christopher Ondaatje Devon Cricket Centre, University of Exeter
Hit a six this half-term at our dedicated full-day cricket camps in the Sir Christopher Ondaatje Devon Cricket Centre. The sessions offer a mix of games and expert coaching so that players of all abilities can get the most out of their game, even if you've never tried cricket before. These sessions are a brilliant way to keep the kids active this half-term in a safe environment where they can meet new friends and learn something new. Suitable for 7-11 year olds, £25 per day. For further information or to book a space email exetersport@exeter.ac.uk or call 01392 724452.

17-21 February

Half term football courses with Exeter City Football in the Community

The week kicks off in Exeter with a two-day event at St Luke’s Science and Sports College on 17 and 18 February, a Goalkeepers’ and Strikers course on 19 February, Match Mania on 20 February and finishing with a Futsal course on Friday 21 February. The same day also sees a Futsal event at Seale-Hayne in Newton Abbot.
There are also courses running across the region: in Dawlish, Sidmouth, Exmouth, Feniton, Crediton, Tiverton and Okehampton, plus Barnstaple, Bideford, South Molton and Ilfracombe in North Devon. Two-day courses cost £27 (£15 per single day).
A special disability session for 8-18 year olds will be running on 19th February at St James High School in Exeter, which is open to children and young people with any form of disability, learning or physical, with the emphasis on fun and participation and is run by FITC’s FA-qualified coaches who have attended specialist disability sport training courses.
For more information, telephone 01392 255611 or book online at www.ecfconline.com