What’s on for February half-term 2024 in the Cambridge area – including Twilight at the Museums, IWM Duxford and more
February half-term 2024 is upon us and in case you’re in need of inspiration for how to entertain the kids, we have rounded up some of the best things happening in Cambridgeshire for families during the break.
Enjoy!
IWM Duxford
There are plenty of family events at IWM Duxford, including hands-on crafts, interactive storytelling and a chance to take part in exciting missions.
Family Mission: D-Day edition: It’s 1944 and one of the most important days of the Second World War is looming. You and your family are needed as paratrooper recruits.
As a team, use your jump bag to discover more across the museum. Use the specialised replica Second World War equipment within each bag, including Cricket Clickers, K-Ration Kits, and Binoculars.
Learn about the biggest invasion in history as you explore IWM Duxford. This interactive storytelling experience is based on personal stories from those who served on D-Day.
Recommended for families with children aged 7-plus.
I Spy in the Sky: You will take part in daring missions and explore how light and reflection make a camera work. Discover how the Photographic Reconnaissance unit spied on their enemies from the air deep inside enemy lines. Finally use your new skills to design a pinhole viewer.
https://www.iwm.org.uk/events/family-activities-iwm-duxford
Twilight at the Museums
Grab your torch and get ready to discover Cambridgeshire’s museums under the cover of darkness.
From 19-25 February there are plenty of after-hours adventures to try out including daring escapades with ancient gods, explore the world of nocturnal creatures, try your hand at dream-weaving, enjoy an evening family concert, or explore prehistoric creatures on a night-time safari. Highlights include:
Twilight at the Botanic Garden’s Seedheart puppet show: Audiences will meet Grey, who is trapped inside a jar. Grey tries to remember how they got there and how they could be free. Watch as the story unfolds (literally) from a single suitcase and follow a journey to a better future with magical pop-ups, puppetry and shadows.
Twilight at Kettle’s Yard: Family Concert – Once Upon A Tune with Britten Sinfonia: The museum is staging a free family concert on 23 February at 5.30pm and again at 6.30pm in the house at Kettle’s Yard with members of Britten Sinfonia. Plus, there will be live illustration and storytelling from author and illustrator James Mayhew.
Twilight at Classical Archaeology: The Great Olympus Heist: For one night only on 22 February explore the cast gallery with the lights down low and try to pull off a heist at Mount Olympus. Prometheus wants to steal fire from the gods, but he can’t do it alone. Will you dare to steal from the gods in their own home? Sneak into Zeus’ palace, complete challenges and make your daring escape. Along the way you might meet some of the famous faces that live on Olympus but be careful! Not all of them want to help you…
https://www.museums.cam.ac.uk/theme/twilight
Holiday Bushcraft at Wandlebury
Sessions are run by experienced qualified teachers from Wild Thyme & Embers, who will inspire children and share their knowledge and skills of surviving in the wild. The sessions focus on practical bushcraft and survival skills and follow a forest school approach encouraging self-confidence and sense of achievement.
All basic bushcraft techniques suitable for this age range will be taught, including: shelter building, knots and rope work, use of cutting tools and whittling, plant and tree recognition and uses, seasonal woodcrafts, fire lighting techniques, wilderness cooking skills, natural art and crafts, woodland games.
For children aged 5 to 12. Monday, 19 February-Friday, 23 February, 8.30am to 4pm, Wandlebury Country Park.
https://www.cambridgeppf.org/Event/holiday-bushcraft-for-5-12-year-olds-feb24
Milton Country Park Mini Beasts Experience
Wild Science bring their minibeasts to the Grounds Roastery for this free event. With no or millions of legs, learn about these fascinating creatures and their place in the environment.
Thursday, 22 February, 11am to 2pm at Milton Country Park, Cambridge Road, Milton. https://www.miltoncountrypark.org/event-details/grounds-cafe-minibeast-experience
Festival of Stories: Free Wild Play at Cherry Hinton Hall Park
The session for children aged 2 to 5 will include story time, scavenger hunts, outdoor arts and crafts and wild play. Older and younger siblings are welcome. Only book one ticket per family per session.
Friday, 23 February, 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 3pm.
Contact Lucy at lucy.woodbridge@groundwork.org.uk
https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/adults/cambridgeshire-skills-adult-learning.
Comedy Club 4 Kids
Since 2005, the Comedy Club 4 Kids has been getting the best stand-ups and sketch acts from the international circuit to do their thing for an audience of children (aged 6+) and their families, but without the rude bits! A decade later, the company has expanded from one London residency to being countrywide.
Wednesday, 21 February: Katie Pritchard, Josh Seigal and Ben Van Der Velde
Thursday, 22 February: Helen Duff, Jonny Awsum and Bec Hill
£14 adult, £11 child
https://www.junction.co.uk/events/comedy-club-4-kids/
Protest at Cambridge Arts Theatre
In this show, three girls prepare to stand up for what they believe in despite the injustices stacked against them in this new play exploring what it takes to make a difference, the power of friendship, and the importance of believing in your own voice.
Tuesday, 20 February-Thursday, 22 February, £15-£25
https://www.cambridgeartstheatre.com/whats-on/protest
Kettle’s Yard: Print Your Trash Workshop
Join artist Rachel McGivern to create your own ‘collograph’ prints using everyday objects you can find at home. Be inspired and discover the amazing and varied printing techniques and artworks used by artists in the house at Kettle’s Yard.
Thursday, 22 February, 10am–1pm, 15 (£5 Open House community card holders)
https://www.kettlesyard.cam.ac.uk/whats-on/holiday-workshop-print-your-trash/
National Trust
Anglesey Abbey: Take part in the Snowdrop Scramble trail where children can learn some fun facts about snowdrops while taking in their beauty along the way to the woodland play area. Collect the hidden letters along the path and unscramble them to find out the magic word at the end of the trail. You can pick up a winter spotter sheet in the visitor centre and see how many wintery things you can find around the gardens.
Wicken Fen: Build your own birdbox to take home. All materials and tools are provided.
Tuesday, 20 February, £10
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/
Meet the author sessions at Waterstones in Sidney Street, Cambridge
Bex Hogan: Readers aged 7 to 10 are bound to love the first book in this new fantasy middle grade series: Bronte Tepmestra and the Lightening Steeds by the Cambridgeshire author. This interactive and fun session will include a reading from the book and a chance to create your own firecat character. The event lasts 40 minutes and includes a Q&A with the author. Tuesday, 20 February at 2pm, £3.
An Evening with Olivie Blake: Is your teen obsessed with Dark Academia? Waterstones Cambridge is hosting internationally bestselling author and TikTok sensation Olivie Blake. The heart shattering conclusion to the bestselling Atlas series is here! The Dark Academia phenomenon reaches a nerve-shredding climax in The Atlas Complex as betrayal and intrigue abound for the society’s remaining recruits. Olivie Blake will be in conversation with Stephen Haskins. Dark Academia dress is encouraged. Tuesday, 20 February at 6pm, £8.
https://www.waterstones.com/events/search/shop/cambridge-sidney-str
Clay Farm Centre - Drop-in Sporty Fun
A drop-in session with sports and games in the hall for children aged 6-12. Afterwards there will be a free holiday lunch available to all - you don’t have to take part in the session to join for lunch!
Thursday 22 February, 10.30am-12pm
Free skateboarding sessions with Get Moving Cambridge
Learn to skate with Shredder Skate School, which is offering free one-hour group skateboard lessons for all ages and abilities at Trumpington Skate Park on Clay Farm (CB2 9FD). Take part in an introduction to skateboarding which will teach you the skills needed to begin your skateboarding journey. These include how to push, turn, stop, ride ramps and perform some basic tricks. Full skateboarding and protective gear provided on the day. For ages 6-16.
One-hour sessions are available on Monday 19 February between 11am-2pm. Session 1: Girls only; Session 2: Beginners; Session 3: Advanced/ Returning Skaters
Sessions must be pre-booked by emailing shredderskateschool@gmail.com. Please state you are booking for the Trumpington session.
