Happening in Town

If you don’t want to travel too far, then here in Harpenden you can celebrate the Lunar New Year at Harpenden Library with a special Page One Storytime on Thursday 19th February (booking required).  If you want some hands-on activities then you can choose from Building a Junk Model Town at Harpenden Library on Friday 20th February (book ahead), Games & Glue for primary-aged children at High Street Methodist Church on 19th February (just drop in), or pottery painting with Glaze Time at The Old Cock Inn, also on Thursday 19th February (drop-in, or book to guarantee a place).  For under 5s (older siblings also allowed) there's a drop-in Stay & Play session on Friday 20th February at High Street Methodist Church. 

Free Activities

All week (16th - 20th February), in The Motor House at Hatfield Park, they will be showing two family films at 11am and 2pm (different titles each day - follow the link for the full list). It's free to attend, but places are on a first-come first-served basis. 

17th February is Shrove Tuesday, which means the annual St Albans Pancake race in aid of Home-Start Herts will be taking place in the city centre. Pop along and watch the spectacle, and cheer on the teams racing to be crowned the faster racing "flipper".

Also, on Tuesday 17th February, The Wildlife Trust invites families to enjoy a series of fun, hands-on, nature-inspired activities in Luton Central Library.  Entry is free, but you do need to book ahead and different sessions are aimed at different ages.

Sticking with the nature theme, running 17th - 19th February The Natural History Museum at Tring will have a hands-on activity allowing visitors to have an up-close look at and handle the specimens of some Cold-blooded Animals.  Entry to the museum is free and this activity is included with admission. 

St Albans South Signal Box will be opening specially for half-term on Wednesday 18th February (afternoon only).

Other Nearby Events

St Albans Family Centre Service are running a  Family Fun - Little Herts session at Hilldyke Community Centre in Wheathampstead on Thursday 19th February.  This is a drop-in session, but you must register with the Family Centre Service via their website to use their services.

Just up the road in Luton, Culture Trust UK and Full House Theatre are back with their annual Feb Fest collaboration bringing lots of fun theatre shows, drama, dance, puppetry workshops, creative activities and more to three venues – Stockwood Discovery Centre, The Hat Factory Arts Centre and Wardown House, Museum & Gallery.  Most activities require booking in advance.

In the other direction, there's lots going on at both St Albans Museum and Gallery and Verulamium Museum this half term.  At St Albans Museum, the University of Hertfordshire Planetarium will be visiting and three shows will be taking place. Celestial Explorer - Earth, Sun and Moon on 17th & 18th February is suitable for everyone, but at only 20 minutes long will particularly suit younger children. Celestial Explorer - A Tour of the Solar System on 17th February, and Celestial Explorer - Our Sky and Beyond on 18th February are both 40 minutes long, and will suit older children. Keeping with the space theme, on 19th February there is a Sun, moon and stars clay modelling workshop. Or on 20th February there's a Dragons and Dragon Eggs Modelling Workshop. All the planetarium shows and clay workshops should be booked in advance and charges apply, however entry to the museum itself is free.

At Verulamium Museum you can enjoy Romans v Celts Wargames on 15th February or get hands-on with some Archaeology for Families on 16th and 20th February. You can drop-in to these events and they are included in the admission charge to the Museum.

At Burston Garden Centre in St Albans, on the Monday of half-term, join in a Chinese New Year Creative Workshop, exploring traditional symbols and creating a unique artwork.  Places must be booked.

And Woodside Animal Farm in Slip end are holding Pirate & Princess Week, which promises lots of fun including Treasure Hunt, dress up photo ops, hunt for the Pirates and Princesses and more.

If you want to keep the kids active and give them a chance to burn off some energy, then the Pioneer Club is open daily 16th - 20th February for Half Term Scoot, Skate & Roll for ages 5+ - book ahead. Or, a bit further away but worth a mention for being a bit different is the Silent Disco at Dunstable Down happening daily, 16th - 20th February. Book in to enjoy some peace and quiet while the children burn off some energy dancing to the music on their headsets!

Lambs

If you are looking for a full day out and want to add some cuteness to your week at the same time, check out what’s on offer at Willows Activity Farm, Aldenham Country Park, Mead Open Farm and Church Farm, which all feature newborn lambs!

And there's more...

This is just a selection of the 70+ events we have listed on our What’s On page for February half-term so do take a look there too when planning your week.

And don't forget about our dedicated Holiday Clubs & Classes section for even more fun for all ages, happening all week!