HALF term is only two weeks away, and one venue is planning plenty of fun activities for children.

Skating@Life is an outdoor rink with real ice and part of NewcastleGateshead’s flourishing Winter Festival. It runs until February 24.

At the Life Science Centre, Newcastle, there are temporary exhibitions including mechanical and hands-on automata in a witty combination of science and art.

Look out for printing workshops throughout the week and the reopening of Curiosity exhibition.

In the Science Theatre there are all sorts of fun experiments to try for yourself.

Learn about new uses for old toys (and things that were never intended to be toys) and find out what happens when you take things one step further.

The Planetarium has a rolling programme and new to view is the the Sun Show.

Other shows include We are Aliens and Naughty Monsters Explore the Planets.

Special sessions have been designed for pre-school children and take place on February 5.

Youngsters are invited to come and explore the Science Centre, the cost is £5.50 per adult with accompanying children under four, free.

  • Life Science Centre, Times Square, Newcastle, NE1 4EP 0191-243-8210 life.org.uk Open: Mon – Sat 10am – 6pm; Sun 11am – 6pm Prices: Skating Session and Science Centre combined: Family ticket £28.95, Adult £11.50, Child 2-17 £8.95, Child u-2 £4.95, Concessions £9.95 Science Centre only: Family ticket £24.10 Adult £8.25 Child 2-17 £6.45 Child u-2 Free, Concessions £7.25 Skating session only: Family ticket £22.50 Adult £7.95 Child 2-17 £5.95 Child u-2 £4.95 Concessions £6.95