Half-term: Seven ideas in the Harrogate district to keep the kids entertained

February half-term is just around the corner, meaning many parents will be racking their brains for ideas to keep their children entertained for a week. Luckily, there are many options around the Harrogate district to help – keeping both your children and your bank balance happy.

Whether you fancy some fresh air, culture or just harmless fun, we’ve pulled together seven ideas for all the family.

Birchfield Farm: Spring on The Farm

A rural and inexpensive option, Birchfield Farm in Summerbridge will be open 7 days a week for the duration of the school holidays.

Spring on The Farm invites visitors to see pregnant sheep settling in the barns before birth. Some people may even be lucky enough to witness a baby lamb being born. Visitors are also able to bottle feed the lambs from 11am-2pm on a first come, first served basis.

Children can also enjoy seeing piglets, goats, ponies, donkeys and even pet the guinea pigs.

If that isn’t enough, children can also burn off steam on the bouncy castle, play in the mini construction play area and in the outdoor play area. Go-Karts, pedal tractors, swings and a giant outdoor sandpit can also be enjoyed.

The farm also has a café serving hot and cold food & drinks.

All activities are included in the entrance prices – with adults & children’s prices set at £5.95 and under 2s going free.

No booking is required. No dogs are permitted, except for guide dogs or service dogs.

For more information, click here.

Harrogate Indoor Funfair

If your child requires a little (or a lot) more tiring out over half-term, Harrogate Indoor Funfair could be a great option for you. The Funfair will run from 11-19 February, with a quieter session being held on 12 February from 10am-1pm.

With rides, traditional funfair snacks and inflatables, Harrogate Indoor Funfair offers all the joy of a regular funfair in an indoor, climate-controlled space. A nice way to shelter from the inevitable half-term rain.

Harrogate Indoor Funfair will take place at Yorkshire Event Centre, at the Yorkshire Showground. There is free parking at Yorkshire Events Centre and priority parking for Blue Badge holders.

The number 7 and X70 buses stop at Sainsbury’s on Wetherby Road, just one mile from the Funfair entrance.

Prices range from: £12.99 online and £14.99 on the door. Babies in arms go free.

Keep an eye on their website for the upcoming ride list.

Read More:

Half-Term Kids Yoga Workshop

If your child has ever asked what you get up to whilst they’re at school, this half-term activity may give them an idea.

Harrogate Yoga and Pilates studio, Ebru Evrim, is hosting a one and a half hour kids yoga workshop this half-term.

The workshop will be brought to life with specially designed music linked to the theme and stories behind the session and lead the children to ultimate relaxation.

The workshop is set to improve concentration and focus, as well as aiding the children to deal with their emotions and self-regulation of moods.

Who knows, your child may even go to bed without any protest that night.

The workshop host, Jenny White, holds a DBS, is fully insured and is also paediatric first aid trained.

Children can expect a day of yoga, arts, dance, mindfulness and, most importantly, lots of fun.

The session is suitable for ages 6-11 years and will cost £12.

Find more information here.

 Ebru Evrim is hosting a kids yoga session.

The Little Gym Holiday Camps: School’s Out, Fun’s In

For those children that may require a little more bounce in their half-term break, The Little Gym Holiday Camps may be a good solution.

Running from Monday 13-Sunday 19 February, The Little Gym in Harrogate is offering gymnastics camps that run from 8.30am-5pm – including a Breakfast Club to help those parents working over the holiday. The camps vary from as little as 3 hours to 7.5 hours a day and children will learn new skills that they can practise and perfect throughout the session.

The sessions vary each week to stimulate children both physically and mentally, all under the care of qualified and dedicated instructors.

The camps, classes and session suitability ranges from 3-8 & 5-12 years.

Half-day prices begin at £35.

Click here for more information.

Ripon Ghost Walk: Children’s Half-Term Special

The Ripon Ghost Walk half-term special is a spookily inexpensive option to feed your child’s fear-factor!

The half-term special Ghost Walk promises the discovery of ancient burial sites, bone finds and maybe even the presence of deceased Ripon residents.

The half-term Ghost Walk begins much earlier than usual at 16.15pm in the Market Square, meaning it will be dark enough for the ghosts to come out, but early enough to ensure your children are still in bed on time.

Prices start from £4 for under 16s and £6 for adults.

Find more information on their website.

Beyond Imagination Emporium Princess Academy: Valentine’s Special

Calling all Prince and Princesses! Beyond Imagination Emporium in Harrogate is re-opening their Princess Academy this February half-term with a Valentine’s special.

The one-hour Princess Academy sessions take place on select dates during school holidays.

There are two Princess Academy sessions taking place on Saturday 11 February. At 11am, children will be joined by Frozen’s Anna and Kristoff, while the 2pm session will be hosted by Beauty and The Beast’s Prince Adam & Belle.

Children spend time learning royal dances, princess etiquette, arts and crafts and fairy-tale play. The session includes sweet treats for the children, as well as refreshments for the parents.

Children can also make a Valentine’s Day card to give to someone special to them.

The sessions cost £13.95 and are ideal for ages 3 – 9 years.

Find more information here.

Children can meet their favourite Prince and Princesses.

Fountains Abbey: Mindful Family Crafts

If you’re looking to join your children in their half-term fun, Fountains Abbey in Ripon is hosting a Mindful Family Crafts event.

The crafting will take place in Swanley Grange, located in the grounds of the Abbey. The event will be running from 11 – 19 February (excluding 12 February), starting at 11am.

Children and parents can get their creative juices flowing using sustainable and natural materials.

The event is suitable for all ages and abilities. Those that may prefer to craft quietly can attend the “crafting quiet hour” from 2pm – 3pm.

The event itself is free, but regular admissions prices apply. Admission for one adult and three children starts from £27.

Click here for more information.

Indoor and outdoor half-term family fun across the district

Half-term is almost upon us and the February break can often be one of the trickier holidays to navigate when it comes to keeping the kids entertained.

The weather isn’t always the kindest and it is still too early to bribe them with Easter eggs – even if they did arrive in shops on Boxing Day.

Fortunately there are lots of activities being planned in the Harrogate district, so parents can escape relatively unscathed.

We have put together a list of activities to do with the kids this half-term.

Harrogate Indoor Funfair – February 21-27

Always a popular one with families in the area, the indoor funfair is back at the Yorkshire Event Centre at Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Showground.

With rides and inflatables for all ages, the event offers all the fun of the fair under one roof – perfect if you need to escape the unpredictable February weather.

Read more:

Morning sessions run from 10am until 1pm and afternoon sessions from 2pm until 5pm. For the first time, there will also be two 6pm-9pm sessions on the Friday and Saturday evenings.

Tickets on the door will be limited. Book online to avoid disappointment.

Online tickets are £10.99 for unlimited rides per session and can be purchased here.

Fountains Abbey, Ripon – February 19 – February 27

For those little explorers who love being outdoors, a number of activities are taking place at Fountains Abbey.

Children can pull on their wellies and spend a full day exploring, running and playing.

Families will be able to plant their own snowdrop to take home from 11am-1pm on February 19, 21, and 23 and the weekend of 26 and 27.

They can also grab a ‘spring-go’ activity sheet to take with them on their adventures, spotting signs of spring – as they go!

For a full list of half-term events click here.

Birchfield Farm, Summerbridge

This year the popular attraction, set in the stunning Nidderdale countryside, is opening earlier than usual.

Visit the farm this spring and say hello to all the expectant ewes in the barns ready to give birth. If you are lucky, you may even see a lamb being born.

The farmers will be on hand to answer any questions and tell you more about the animals.

For little animal lovers, as well as sheep, there are also piglets, goats, ponies, guinea pigs and donkeys.

After working up an appetite, enjoy a homemade ice cream at the farm’s café – it’s never too cold!

No booking is required and the farm is open from 10am-4pm

Admission is £5 for adults and children – under twos are free.

Stockeld Park, near Wetherby – February 19-27

The ever-popular family attraction is holding a ‘Talking Animals Week’ over half-term.

Visitors can channel their inner Doctor Dolittle to work out the answers to the Enchanted Forest quiz, by listening to the animals.
Ice-skating and the giant maze will be open too, along with the five adventure playgrounds.
There is also a brand new panto featuring Farmer Foster and his animals,
Book tickets here.

Our Planet Your World, across the Harrogate district – February 21-February 26

Two life-size kangaroo impersonators will arrive in Harrogate.

A robotic polar bear and an 18-metre whale are among the attractions travelling round the district as part of an environment-themed week of free events.

Visit Harrogate, Harrogate Borough Council’s tourism body, has organised the week of events named ‘Our Planet, Your World’, to offer activities for families with an over-arching message of protecting the environment.

The events are as follows:

Monday, February 21

Boroughbridge Library, storytelling sessions

10am-1pm

Tuesday, February 22

Masham Town Hall, sea-theme crafting activity

11am-4pm

Wednesday, February 23

Ripon Market Square, animatronic polar bear, interactive art sculpture, face painting, craft activities for children and live music.

11am-4pm

Thursday, February 24

Harrogate’s Valley Gardens

11am-4pm

Friday, February 25

Pateley Bridge play area, environmentally-themed crafting activity for children

11am-4pm

Saturday, February 26

Knaresborough Castle Grounds, Boat About, crafting activity for children, face painting

11am-4pm

Organisers have said some activities are weather dependent so are asking visitors to follow the Visit Harrogate social media channels.