February half-term holidays is upon us and if you’re anything like me, you’re scrambling last minute for things to do and places to go, so you can have a memorable school holidays (and most importantly, prevent the kids from going stir crazy from staying indoors). Here’s some fund things to do and recommended places to go this half-term in North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, East Yorkshire and West Yorkshire.
North Yorkshire
YorkÂ
York is one of my favourite places for a day out in the centre. I recently went to review the kids menu at Star Inn the City which is located next to the Yorkshire Museum and then we spent the afternoon at York Maze which was a fun way to end the day.
We’ve also been know to do the York Park Run with the kids although it was a bit too chilly at York Racecourse when we last went before Christmas.
Kirsty Holden from The Money Saving Mum recommends York Railway Museum.
The National Railway Museum is free to enter and is open 10am-6pm.
Also in York this Half-term is Jorvik Viking Festival from  20 – 27 February 2019. It’s a family friendly festival and the largest event of its kind in Europe. There are historic encampments, talks, tours, combat displays and much more, all during half term week.
Blogger Hodge Podge who recommends the Jorvik Viking Festival said: “Thanks to my love of the TV series, The Last Kingdom, and my son learning all about Vikings at school, we’ve been reading a lot about life as a Viking.
“One way for us to learn more about Viking life is for us to visit York for the day and take in some of the JORVIK Viking Festival. The JORVIK Viking Festival happens every February, around half term and it’s a full on festival of all things Viking.”
Wensleydale, Yorkshire DalesÂ
Wensleydale is set in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales in North Yorkshire. If you’re a cheese fan, it is worth a visit to Wensleydale Creamery and there is a family-friendly experience too.
Blogger Raising Badgers also recommends Wensleydale. She said: “We stayed in a lovely cottage in a little village called Askrigg, in Wensleydale, not far from the slightly bigger town of Hawes. Askrigg has three pubs, a church, a village shop and café and a children’s playground and loads of fields and paths and farm animals – perfect for a bit of exploration.”
Whitby
Once you’ve had some time in the countryside, you might fancy visiting the equally stunning Yorkshire Coast. Whitby is a great place to camp and follow the history of Captain Cook at the memorial museum.
Scarborough
Or maybe you fancy a splash at Alpamare indoor and outdoor waterpark based in Scarborough near to Peasholme Park.
Ripon
There’s also plenty to do at Fountain’s Abbey and Study Royal this half-term which is located in Ripon, North Yorkshire
South Yorkshire
Sheffield
This February half-term there is a Magna Mayhem inflatable adventure on Sheffield’s Science Adventure Centre Magna. I have fond memories of a scientific school trip to Magna.
From Monday 18th to Friday 22nd February 2019, kids can bounce, boing, jump, slide, bop and boogie on the inflatable adventure zone, for a full 75 mins of high adrenaline fun. Magna’s purpose built indoor world of adventure is a safe environment for children of all ages to let off steam and be active during the school holidays.
Standard sessions at 12 and 2pm are open to all ages 0-15, but are aimed mainly at under 11s. You know better than anyone else your own child’s enjoyment levels and limitations. There is no age limit for any of the inflatable equipment, it is at the discretion of the supervising adult to deem suitability for your child/children. With the exception of the Ocean Playzone which is limited to under three year olds only.
For more details, click here.
Sheffield blogger Naomi from Trips with a Tot has shared her picks for this half-term:
Children’s School Holiday Crafts at Sheffield Manor Lodge. Starts February 18th-February 21st. Candle making, snowflake sun catcher and winter bauble crafts. Plus sandpit, labyrinth maze, ruins and outside games. Crafts 11am-3pm. £4 per crafter. Don’t forget to explore the grounds and find the slide, too.
Medieval Mayhem at Bolsover Castle, Monday 18th-Friday 22nd. Step back in time and have Medieval fun this February half-term. Listen to the stories about adventurous times past, learn some honourable fighting techniques in the sword school and make sure to take part in the other (somewhat smelly!) cheeky medieval mayhem activities.
BarnsleyÂ
Monday 18th & Tuesday 19th: Free Crafting the Cosmos free drop in activity 11am-2pm at Cooper Gallery, Barnsley
East Yorkshire
Hull
Over to East Yorkshire and Hull-based blogger Hollie Hutchinson from money-saving blog  Thrifty Mum  recommend LEGO Brick History Exhibition at Hull History Centre…
The Hull History Centre is hosting a free exhibition which tells the story of some of the biggest moments in history…made completely out of LEGO! But its only on until 9th March 2019 so you’ll have to big quick to catch it.
If you want to catch the LEGO Brick History exhibition at the Hull History Centre, opening times are:
Monday-Friday 9:30am-5:30pm
Saturday 9am-4:30pm
Sunday (Closed)
West Yorkshire
Bradford
Attachment Mummy recommends Haworth (Bradford), the village where the Bronte sisters once lived. This literary mecca is a top destination for grown-up tourists from around the world, but just how can you get children interested in its history? Is Haworth and the Bronte Parsonage Museum suitable for young children?
And what of the practicalities? Park down at the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway station (£3 all day) and walk across the wooden bridge and up the hill to the bottom of Main Street. You will pass through pretty Central Park, which has an excellent playground and lots of space to play and picnic. (If the railway is running, a journey to Oakworth, setting of The Railway Children, is highly recommended too.)
Overton
National Coal Mining Museum of England has a plethora of activities this half-term.
Half Term @ Pit is for everyone,  learn about the history of coalmining and get hands-on with our activities with a mining twist!
Science Shows:-
From Sunday 17th to Sunday 24th February
Performances at 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm
Join NCMME for a half term full of fun with our FREE explosive Science Show. This entertaining 30 minute show introduces you to some famous inventors and explains how the safety-flame lamp was invented and why it was so important to miners. Explosions guaranteed!
No need to book just drop in and enjoy. Suitable for all the family.
Craft Activities in the Family Learning Zone:-Â From Monday 18th to Friday 22nd February – 12.30 to 4pm.
Come and find out how miners kept healthy and safe. Making pit nurses and flame safety lamps.
Wakefield
Hop on the Free City Bus from Wakefield Westgate and Wakefield Kirkgate to find you’re way to Wakefield Museum at Wakefield One (located near Wakefield Westgate train station) which is free to enter and a nice way to spend a couple of hours.
Also on the free city bus route (as well as having it’s own car park) is The Hepworth Wakefield which has a range of free craft activities on throughout the holidays as well as the normal free outdoor play area, craft packs and a new exhibition by Magdalene Odundo.
Wakefield Festival of Food and Drink aka the Rhubarb festival takes place at the end of February half-term from 22nd-24th with tons to do for the whole family.
Ossett
Rachel Morgan on Facebook is off to Ossett in the suburbs of Wakefield. She said: “boomchikaboom are also doing a greatest showman/slime event at Ossett Town Hall on Thursday 21st.”Â
LeedsÂ
Over in Leeds, the new home of Channel 4, there’s lots on at the city’s museums. To find out what to do at Abbey House Museum, Leeds Art Gallery, Leeds City Museum, Leeds Industrial Museum, Thwaite Watermill, Lotherton, Leeds Discovery Centre and Kirkstall Abbey – go to our dedicated blog post here.
Ice Cube looks like a fun event on at Millennium Square in Leeds – with an Ice Slide, Ice Rink and lots of activities for the whole family – a cool winter themed activity.
Also here’s a nice competition by Yorkshire-based business Ribbon of Hearts – something to do at home!
