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How are we halfway through the academic term and hurtling towards the end of February?

If the half term break has tip-toed through the cat flap and flicked you firmly on the back of the head this morning, then fear not... we've compiled a list of fun things to see and do in and around Hemel Hempstead this February half term and we're confident (and hopeful) we've included something for all ages and budgets.

Enjoy! 

PS: The countdown for Easter starts now, right? ;-)

The Superworm trail - Wendover Woods

Everyday: 8am - 5pm 

"Watch him wiggle, see him squirm, hip hip hooray, for Superworm!" 

Bring the Julia Donaldson favourite to life and get your little woodland wanderers excited about World Book Day this half term up at Wendover Woods by taking part in the Superworm trail!

Aimed at 3-9 year-olds, the trail is 2km long and follows the success of those created previously at Wendover, including: The Gruffalo, Stick Man, The Highway Rat and Zog. The trail features illustrated interactive boards, tasks and activities based around; "toads and beetles, bees and bugs, brother snails and sister slugs".

Activity packs are available to buy (£3.50) from the onsite cafe and include: a trail leaflet, a forest superhero mask, 7 creature fact cards, stickers, pencils & crayons and an activity sheet to complete at home - all of which come in a kraft bag to colour in.

Parking charges are: Up to 2 hours: £2.70. Up to 4 hours: £5. Over 4 hours: £10. No need to book in advance.

 
Wow said the Owl! It's the Big Hoot Hemel Art Trail. 

10th February - 19th April 

Some vibrant characters of the feathered variety landed in town this week. The colourful creatures are 5ft plus and quite hard to miss as you go about your day-to-day business, but have you spotted all 12 of them?

Why not take your eagle-eyed little ones out and about to see if they can spot the stunning owls that have been carefully situated in and around Hemel Hempstead as part of the Big Hoot Hemel - a free trail organised by Hemel Hempstead Bid and Dacorum Borough Council to be enjoyed by all. 

Each owl has its own name (the clues are in the artwork) and have been handprinted by professional artists from the Wild in Art initiative.

There are 12 to find and the trail can be accessed using the Loyal Free App or downloaded from the Enjoy Dacorum and Hemel Hempstead Bid websites. You can also collect a trail map from the customer services desk in Marlowes Shopping Centre.

Enjoy. And remember... Owls come out at knight (oops I mean night) down near Gadebridge Park. That's our one and only hint, promise ;-)

Marley's Eco Adventures

Marlowes Shopping Centre, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1DA

Wednesday 16th - Saturday 19th February (11am - 4pm)

The Marlowes' favourite family fun club is returning this February half term! 

It's free to go along and meet some of Marley’s friends who will be hosting super fun eco-conscious shows & craft activities. Just pop by and join in the fun!

Each day they will host a different aspect of our wonderful world:

Its a Bug's Life (Wed), Eco Explorers (Thurs), Buzzing Around (Fri) and Wonderful World of Water (Sat).

The day's activities, crafts and show times will run on each of these days as follows:

• 11am - 11.30am craft and 11.30am - 12.00pm show.

• 12pm - 12.30pm craft and 12.30 - 1pm show.

• 1pm - 1.30pm lunch break (event closes during this time).

• 1.30pm - 2pm show and 2.00 - 2.30pm - crafts.

• 2.30pm - 3pm show and 3pm - 3.30pm crafts.

• 3.30 - 4pm show. 

The Pottery Project

6B Northbridge Road, Berkhamsted, HP4 1EH

Monday 14th - Friday 18th February

Encourage your budding artists to perfect their brush strokes and create masterpieces they can take home and treasure forever at The Pottery Project in Berkhamsted.                                   

Open ALL week during half term from 10.30am - 5.30pm.

It can get very busy, so to avoid disappointment they strongly recommend you book in advance. Sessions are limited to 2 hours. If you are unable to book, their popular paint-at-home kits are also available.

To book simply complete their booking enquiry form or give them a call: 01442 865544 during their opening hours.

Planet Ice - Half term disco

Jarman square, Jarman Way, Hemel Hempstead HP2 4JS

Friday 11th & Friday 18th February

Get your skates on and strike a pose at the half term discos held at Planet Ice on Friday 11th and Friday 18th February.

All tickets will need to be booked in advance.

For more details and to book, visit their main website.

Whipsnade Zoo - Zoo Keepers in Action 

Whipsnade, Dunstable, LU6 2LF

Saturday 12th  - Sunday 27th February

Children and their grown-ups can explore some of the coolest jobs in the world, as Whipsnade Zoo reveal the secrets of life as a zookeeper, zoo vet, zoo gardener and member of the zoo’s transport team. 
 
Make your way around the Whipsnade in Action trail, or stop to enjoy one of the talks and activities. Play “Whose Poo?” to see if you have what it takes to be a zoo vet, take the animal quiz to see if you are zookeeper material or test your memory to see if you could remember a script like a zoo presenter!  
 
Discover what it takes for zookeepers to care for four-tonne, endangered Asian elephants, as well as miniscule extinct-in-the-wild, La Palma Pupfish. See if a love of learning and the ability to stay calm under pressure would make you the perfect zoo vet. Find out what type of branches the Zoo’s gardeners prune for giraffes and rhinoceroses to munch on, or how a team of sheep and goats help them care for the plants!  

Book tickets in advance here. 

Willows Activity Farm

Coursers Rd, St Albans AL4 0PF

7 days a week: 10am - 5.30pm

Willows Activity Farm has a whole lot going on during the school hols and this half term and lambing season is no exception!

Visit the Lambing Marquee to see their newest born lambs – you may even be lucky enough to see a live lambing! Tuck, the Shepherd will be on hand to help out and there’ll be bottle feeding demonstrations throughout the day too.

Visitors can also meet Bo Peep in her very own show with a fun hunt to find Bo Peep’s lost sheep and a fleecy headband to make and take home.

Not forgetting the Peter Rabbit Adventure Playground, shows and character meet and greets, funfair rides, shows, adventure play, tractor ride and farmyard animals – for one all-inclusive price.

Tickets need to be booked online in advance here.

Mead Open Farm

Stanbridge Rd, Leighton Buzzard LU7 9JH

7 days a week: 10am - 6pm

Lambing season is here and Mead have already welcomed their newest fleecy arrivals to the nursery. With so many expected this lambing season - which runs until the 25th Feb - you might get lucky and see one being born during your visit.

In addition to lambing there are: rabbits, chickens, donkeys, ponies, pigs, geese, goats and a whole lot more. Plus a host of fun activities, rides including: bouncing pillows, go carts, mini tractors, digger sandpit, topsy Turvey towers, adventure playground and of course Shaggy's indoor playbarn (softplay). There'll also be "Sheepish shows" throughout the day; every half hour from 11am - 4.30pm.

Tickets can be booked online in advance here.

Woodside Animal Farm 

Woodside Road, Slip End, Beds, LU1 4DG

7 days a week: 10am - dusk

We love Woodside Animal Farm! There are so many different animals and my boys love how close you can get to and easily feed each one. The giant lizards and royal pythons are also a hit!

When you're not feeding the animals, there's a range of activities to enjoy including: the jumping pillows, carousel, teacup & saucer ride and crazy golf - some of which may not open until April, so please check. Tractor rides take place throughout the year and they have a indoor play area and farm shop selling fresh produce daily. 

Tickets need to be booked in advance here.