Creative Ideas for February Half Term

February half term is coming fast. With the unpredictable weather it’s always a daunting week to fill with affordable kids entertainment so here’s some tips for creative days out around Bristol, including good picnic and toilet spots!

As a venue who recently held a 90’s crisp buffet night we can’t help but love Zion Space in Bedminster who have some proper family half term activities including a free board games day, Lego competitions and a Cinderella party. See Facebook for the ever excellent Felix Road Adventure Playground’s timetable of events for the week. Scrapstore have some Kaleidoscope Magic and Wearable Art workshops, booking essential.

If you cycle then Spike Island is a good option for a day trip out to see their two current exhibitions, free entry Wednesday to Sunday 12 – 5pm. A ride on the Severn Beach train line is a great adventure for smaller kids and a dry place to eat a packed lunch. We recommend a stop off at Clifton Down and a walk to the RWA which has free and paid for exhibitions and activities, a great free kids play room and some comfortable public toilets which are nice but not as nice as the award winning loos at… The Watershed, check these out, have a coffee in their cafe, or see some classic slapstick on the 17th Feb, then head to the Arnolfini for a kids art trail of the current exhibition by Elias Sime. The Mshed is then just a short walk over the bridge, catch their ship themed kids activities day on the 13th or take a trip on a steam train (weekends only) then find a good spot for a packed or cafe lunch. While you’re near the docks, if it’s not chucking it down, build in a trip on a Bristol Ferry, thermos recommended!

Feeding kids while out and about can get pretty costly, here’s a useful list put together by Total Bristol of places where kids can eat cheaply or for free.

If all the kids really want to do is pester you to buy them some new trainers, look in the Lego Store and go to Claire’s Accessories then there are some ways to sneak some culture in while you’re near Broadmead. Centrespace Gallery has an excellent Screen Print exhibition and Sparks Bristol have permanent creative exhibitions with an environmental theme along with independent local makers selling their wares, also there’s a bus the kids can ‘drive’!

Bristol Light Festival finishes on the 11th Feb, wrap up warm and head out for a trail of the installations. If you’re up for a drive then check the weather report and head to Weston Super Mare for their own Glow Light Festival which has free and paid for activities from the 13th to the 17th February.

If you want a sit down show and have some money to spend then The Redgrave Theatre will be cleaning up after The Amazing Bubbleman, The Wardrobe Theatre has a Great Big Dinosaur Show and the cardboard wonderland that is Boxville comes to the The Tobacco Factory.

We hope we’ve provided some inspiration for your half term. If, after all that, you want to pat yourself on the back for making arty, non-screen based family memories then book a babysitter, grab a partner and go to The People’s Republic of Stokes Croft for a Valentines Day Paint Party!

Big love from Artspace Lifespace