Jorvik Viking Festival, all over York, Feb 20-26

Recognised as the largest Viking Festival in Europe, the annual Jorvik Viking Festival is a city-wide celebration of York’s Viking heritage taking place every February half-term.

The festival’s programme of family-friendly events, lectures, guided walks and battle re-enactments attracts over 40,000 visitors each year from across the globe, with many returning year after year to take part and enjoy the atmosphere.

  • For full programme details visit www.jorvikvikingfestival.co.uk 

FREE Ice Rink at Feethams, Darlington, on all week

Come to the podium at Feethams Darlington this half-term for free ice skating. There will be music, food sampling from the restaurants, exclusive offers and discounts and much much more.

Pop along, don your skates (free skate hire) and head onto the rink! Skate aids will also be supplied for the kids too.

  • Opening times are as below and: Monday – Saturday 12pm – 8pm Sundays 12pm – 5pm,  0113-235 5245.

The Northern Echo: Washington Children’s Strike Commemorations, Beamish Open Air Museum on February 18-26

It’s the year 1917 and sadly there are hungry children around the North-East and across the country. Agricultural workers are signing up for war, there is naval warfare and a poor harvest, all of which are contributing to food shortages and high prices in Britain, leaving children hungry and dramatically losing weight.

Join us this February half-term as the children boycott their school lessons and march to The Town to try to make a difference. Based on a real story in its centenary year, we’ll have lots of hands on activities for you to join in with and the chance to join the important march – if you’re successful in your striking, you may even be given some tasty soup to warm you up!

Call in at Miss Smith’s house in Ravensworth Terrace where biscuits are being made from left over ingredients, to send to the soldiers on the front line. Head next door to the Dentist’s house where parcels are being prepared to post to the front line.

Enjoy seeing displays from the Washington History and Wessington U3A groups.

  • For more call 0191-370 4000 or visit beamish.org.uk

Apples and Arsenic, half-term historic family fun, The Workhouse Museum, Ripon, on Monday-Friday, 11-3pm

Explore the smells and tastes of history in our fabulous family friendly activities this half-term.

Try your hand at baking, making concoctions, creating crafts, enjoying Punch and Judy shows, following fun trails and lots more… then take a closer look at our Victorian Workhouse and kitchen garden, one of the best preserved in England!

Bake bread following a traditional recipe, concoct your own smelling salts, a popular cure for fainting in Victorian times, explore hidden corners of the Victorian Workhouse whilst following the consumption apple trail, create apple themed crafts then have a giggle and sit down whilst enjoying the museum’s popular Victorian themed Punch and Judy show - fun for all ages.

  • All activities are included in the price of admission, The Workhouse Museum. Adult £6.50 / Child (6-15yrs) £5/ Child (5 & under. 01765-690799.
     

The Northern Echo: Creepy Crawlies Fused Glass Workshop, Crushed Chilli Gallery, on Monday-Friday, 10.30, 12.30 and 2.30pm

Come make some creepy crawlies. £15 a monster, refreshments, sweets and badge. Please email or telephone to reserve a space. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

  • Please telephone 0191-3750644 or email to reserve a space janet@crushedchilli.co.uk

Half-term fun at National Railway Museum, York, on February 18-26

From steam rides behind Flying Scotsman to storytelling, we’ve got lots of hands-on fun for the whole family this February half-term. Join in with Flying Scotsman model making, take a ride on the Miniature Railway and find out all about speedy locomotives in our exciting Need for Speed science show.

The Northern Echo: Brick History Life Science Centre, Newcastle on all week

The Life Centre will be home to a host of intricate historical models, all of which have been made from scratch using LEGO® bricks.

This new exhibition will span the whole of human history – picking out the key highlights – to show how mankind has progressed over the years, from the pre-historic era to modern day.

Visitors can marvel at over 50 LEGO models depicting the most pivotal moments in history, from the Big Bang, to the sinking of the Titanic, the Moon landing, and modern events such as President Obama’s inauguration. 0191 243 8210.
 

TimeCraft: Reconstructing the Roman Fort, Segedunum Roman Fort, Wallsend, on Monday/Tuesday 10:00am, 11:30am, 1:00pm, 2:30pm.

Grab your time machine and travel back to Ancient Rome. After a mini-tour of the Fort, you will take on the role of a digital archaeologist and architect by designing and building your own version of Segedunum in Minecraft. Please note, within each workshop, participants will be working together in pairs using a PC version of Minecraft. We will endeavour to pair siblings and friends together. While no prior knowledge of Minecraft or Roman history is needed, if your child has no experience of Minecraft we recommend having a play before the event. PCs and Minecraft will be provided as part of the workshop.

  • £6 per person.

Jays Animal Encounters, The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle on Thursday/Friday, February 23/24, 10:00am, 11:00am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm​

Jay will return to The Bowes Museum with a selection of wonderful creatures including tarantulas, snakes and scorpions. 

During this bookable workshop children will be able to handle the animals and learn interesting facts about these marvellous creatures before creating some artwork to take home.

  • Booking required on 01833-690606. Children must be accompanied by an adult, for whom there is no charge for the event. £6 per child. 

Sleeping Beauty, Majestic Theatre, Darlington On Feb 23-26

Tom Rolfe Productions proudly presents a brand new panto full of family fun. Starring Coronation Street's Steven Arnold as King 'Ashley', hilarious duo Double Trouble as Muddles and Oddjob, top panto dame Mervyn Francis as Nurse Nellie and Hollyoaks star Andy Mcguire as Prince.

  • Tickets £10, available on 01325-482848