Yorkshire


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https://jorvikvikingfestival.co.uk
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<p>The Vikings are back for the world-renowned Jorvik Viking Festival where youngsters can learn all about the bloodthirsty, seafaring Scandis through living history encampments, traditional craft workshops, Norse feasts and dramatic fight performances with have-a-go sword combat and archery demos. No wonder it’s popular so book early. Your little and not so little warriors will absolutely love it &#8211; and go on admit it, so will you. From 16<sup>th</sup>to 22<sup>nd</sup>&nbsp;February</p>



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https://www.swintonestate.com/luminescence/
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<p>Immerse yourself in an enchanting woodland and lakeside landscape with Luminescence – A Winter Light Trail set amidst the heritage gardens of Swinton Park hotel that will transport you into the magic of the natural world through colourful illuminations and installations.</p>



<p>Warming drinks and fireside snacks – think yummy toasted marshmallows – are available along the mile long path with the whole experience guaranteed to leave you all aglow. Pre-schoolers go free. Until February 28th</p>



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https://www.darkskiesnationalparks.org.uk/north-york-moors-events
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<p>North Yorkshire is one of the few places in the UK where the skies are officially truly dark so what better place to go for a spot of star gazing.</p>



<p>Now in its tenth year, The Dark Skies Festival has become an unmissable fixture in the calendar, with events across the&nbsp;North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales celebrating the jewels of the night sky. Nocturnal activities from night runs, ghost walks, canoeing and night navigation, astrophotography workshops, stargazing safaris, children&#8217;s daytime trails and art workshops will leave your kids well and truly starstruck. Just don’t forget your big coat. From 13<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;February until 1<sup>st</sup>&nbsp;March.</p>



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<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="30Dmg4uHdE"><a href="https://edencamp.co.uk/whats-on/february-half-term-fun/">February Half Term on the Homefront!</a></blockquote><iframe class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);" title="&#8220;February Half Term on the Homefront!&#8221; &#8212; Eden Camp Modern History Museum" src="https://edencamp.co.uk/whats-on/february-half-term-fun/embed/#?secret=djbn3r0pgg#?secret=30Dmg4uHdE" data-secret="30Dmg4uHdE" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>
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<p>Step back in time at Eden Camp Modern History Museum in Malton as it brings the spirit of World War Two to life in its brand new Half Term On The Home Front.</p>



<p>The whole family can enjoy immersive Home Front exhibits, explore the original 22 huts from when the site was a prisoner of war camp, get their hands dirty at the Dig for Victory gardening workshops and learn all about how tanks and artillery shaped modern warfare during the daily talks. Perfect for military enthusiasts and a million times more interesting than a boring school&nbsp;&nbsp;history lesson.</p>



<p>Tickets from £20 available at edencamp.digiticketsco.uk. Running from 16<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;-22<sup>nd</sup>&nbsp;February.</p>



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<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="xxib1r0tDZ"><a href="https://harewood.org/events/february-half-term-family-takeover/">House Family Takeover for Feb Half Term</a></blockquote><iframe class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);" title="&#8220;House Family Takeover for Feb Half Term&#8221; &#8212; Harewood House" src="https://harewood.org/events/february-half-term-family-takeover/embed/#?secret=JyIIhqWHPJ#?secret=xxib1r0tDZ" data-secret="xxib1r0tDZ" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>
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<p>Get set for the Harewood House Family Takeover this half term. For the whole week, the historic, country house near Leeds is being transformed into an interactive play space with fun activities no matter what the Yorkshire weather throws at us.</p>



<p>Kids aged three upwards can burn off energy in Harewood’s 140 acre park, scaling the Adventure Playground, getting lost in the magical willow maze or climbing up into the Silvascape treehouse all for free.</p>



<p>Inside the house, the whole family can follow a bunch of friendly characters from Harewood’s past and present discovering stories through imagination and role-play. Think Horrible Histories live without the gore.</p>



<p>Entry is free with a valid day ticket and for Harewood Members. Book online for best prices.</p>



<p>Saturday 14<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;to Sunday 22<sup>nd</sup>&nbsp;February&nbsp;</p>



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https://www.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk
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<p>Got bored teens and tweens? Then get your geek on and bank yourself some serious Mum brownie points by taking them to Yorkshire Games Festival at Bradford’s National Media and Science Museum.</p>



<p>Here they can indulge in their love of gaming culture in this extravaganza celebrating design and production with fun-packed activities for all ages from free gameplay, workshops, masterclasses and talks from developers. The Let’s Play family weekend is packed with playalong shows and even the chance to try out new games from Northern development studios.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



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https://www.leedsinspired.co.uk/collection/leeds-storytelling-festival
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<p>Do your pre-schoolers love books? Then join CBeebies stars for a live BBC CBeebies Bedtime Story. But it’s not time for bed, oh no. It’s time to paarrrrrttty at the CBeebies Read and Rave. Yes, you absolutely read that right.</p>



<p>As part of Leeds Storytelling Festival parents are invited to grab their under fives and their glowsticks to celebrate the power of storytelling by reading and raving under the discoballs, lasers and strobes in Leeds Central Library.</p>



<p>Storytelling has certainly come a long way since Jackanory. This is a free one-off event on Monday 16<sup>th</sup>February but you’ll still need tickets from ticketsource.co.uk.</p>



<p>Other events in the three-week festival include award winning theatre, readings by acclaimed children’s authors and comic-book workshops.&nbsp;</p>



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https://www.whistlestopvalley.co.uk/events-1
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<p>If your little princess is obsessed with Frozen &#8211; and/or trains &#8211; then Fairytale February at Whistlestop Valley at Clayton West, near Huddersfield will be a dream come true.</p>



<p>She certainly won’t be bored once she’s hopped aboard one of the steam trains as it trundles through the woodlands &#8211; and the longest tunnel on any 15 inch railway in Britain (fun fact). Then she gets to meet and greet a “real-life” princess at Shelley station. I can hear the screams already.&nbsp;</p>



<p>If that’s not enough excitement, there’s also scavenger hunts, pedal cars and even crazy golf which should keep any siblings fully occupied.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Kids go for just a fiver with a full-paying adult. From 14<sup>th</sup>-22<sup>nd</sup>&nbsp;February.</p>



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https://www.carriageworkstheatre.co.uk/whats-on/the-dinosaur-that-pooped-a-rock-show-yhdl
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<p>If your youngster loves poo and dinosaurs – and let’s face it, what kid doesn’t? &#8211; then they will be in scatological seventh heaven with this brand new kids musical, aptly titled The Dinosaur That Pooped A Rock.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Yep, don’t expect Shakespeare but adapted from the best-selling books by Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter of McFly fame – they also wrote the songs for the show- the whole family can expect a rocking good laugh and lots of poo gags.</p>



<p>At The Carriageworks Theatre in Leeds on Sunday 15<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;February&nbsp;</p>



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<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="MLP3BjXD0t"><a href="https://experiencewakefield.co.uk/event/rhubarb-festival/">Rhubarb Festival</a></blockquote><iframe class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);" title="&#8220;Rhubarb Festival&#8221; &#8212; Experience Wakefield" src="https://experiencewakefield.co.uk/event/rhubarb-festival/embed/#?secret=8OrHDKn4sh#?secret=MLP3BjXD0t" data-secret="MLP3BjXD0t" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>
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<p>Wakefield will be painting the town pink for its annual Rhubarb festival celebrating what is probably Yorkshire’s most famous vegetable (no, it’s not a fruit, honest).&nbsp;</p>



<p>The food and drink market will be back selling lots of yummy goodies and obviously lots of things with a rhubarb twist while chefs demonstrate the umpteen yummy ways to cook the pink stuff.</p>



<p>There will be live music and street entertainment including face painting and get the kids to look out for favourite mascots, Ruby Rhubarb and the Rhubarb Fairy, who will be livening up the city centre.</p>



<p>10am- 5pm Friday 20<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;February to Sunday 22<sup>nd</sup>&nbsp;February. Entry is free.</p>



<p>Words: Vicki Grimshaw</p>


No more ‘I’m bored’: nail Feb half term with the kids

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