Top 10 Tips for Half Term in Cardiff

For some parents, it might feel like their children have only just gone back to school and now half term is looming!

As a parent myself, I know just how difficult it can be to entertain the children in the holidays without breaking the bank, so please find a few ideas to keep your little cherubs entertained this February Half Term, in turn keeping parents happy too!

We’ve some impressive National Parks within the hour, a trip to the top of PenyFan anyone…less than 40 minutes from school!

A more sedate website for inspiring you to get outside this half term is the Woodland Trust, filled with downloadable resources for all age ranges, children can make letters out of twigs, go bird spotting with a child-friendly guide and even partake in some conker maths!

Many of our local cinema’s offer reduced price tickets throughout the school holidays…no ball gowns required!  My cinema of choice tends to be Cineworld where tickets cost as little as £3.20 or £2.95 with an account – for adults and children.

Grown-ups go free has been a hugely popular offer promoted via Kelloggs for some time now. Offering free admission for grown-ups to many of the UK’s leading theme parks, it does involve a full day trip, however, does enable access to some of our favourite parks, including the newly added Bear Grylls Adventure.

Half term holidays are a great time to reconnect as a family over a special meal, pop the phone in the pocket and explore some new flavours. Many of the larger brands on the Cardiff restaurant scene offer free children’s meals when an adult meal is purchased…just double-check the half term dates on the restaurant website, as some restaurant deals expire early on Sunday 24th. Yo Sushi and Las Iguanas. Bon appetit!

Cardiff International Pool is undoubtedly one of the best in the UK and we’re so lucky it’s almost on our doorstep! Open throughout Half Term, with the thrill of the slides, or a more relaxed float through lazy river. Typically open from 10am – 5pm throughout February Half Term. For those looking to brush up their surf skills…the Cardiff White Water centre next door has an indoor surf machine..booking in advance highly recommended.

St Fagan’s has always been a favourite in our house. Offering a multitude of activities each and every half term and school holiday, this February they have been inspired by the Victorian era…with authentic sweet shop!

Smitten by the idea of getting a four-legged addition to the family, or just looking for some extra interest caring for the family pet, Pets at Home run a series of great mini-workshops to teach young people about how to look after animals properly. Better still the workshops are free!

Cefn Mably Farm has proved to be fantastic entertainment for my children and many of our Prep and Nursery School Children. Toddlers to teens can enjoy feeding and petting the animals, playing on the go-karts and diggers, then while children run off their energy in the soft play area, parents can enjoy a well-earned cuppa and cake. There is also a farm shop for supper supplies!

This February Half Term the Wales Millenium Centre is transforming their foyer into an art gallery…they have space…but they don’t have the artwork, which is where you come in! Free sessions are running throughout half term, they provide the paper and paint, plus even do the cleaning up! Free of charge.

9 days of entertaining a child non-stop can be exhausting at the best of times, so why not consider a Holiday Club. Westbourne Prep runs a vibrant holiday club for children age 4 years – 11 years in our primary setting in Penarth. Although based in Penarth, we run an action-packed roster with cinema trips, craft activities, park and beach visits to name just a few.

Wishing you all a very Happy Half Term and we look forward to welcoming you back to school on the 4th March.

Mrs Joanne Chinnock