The Exeter Daily's guide to half term family fun

Mary Youlden
Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted Thursday, February 14, 2013 - 11:55am

Well, the first half of the Spring Term has simply flown by, so here we are at the school half term break. Families will certainly not have the chance to get bored, as there is a host of fun activities for all ages and interests, from creative crafts to magical storytelling. Check out The Exeter Daily's guide to what's on during the school half-term break.

18-22 February

Children’s tennis camps

Exeter Tennis Centre, University of Exeter

Four days of fun and exciting tennis coaching for four to 16 year olds. Sessions will be held on indoor courts and run by fully qualified tennis instructors. For more information or to book visit www.exeter.ac.uk/sport/tenniscentre or call 01392 723699.

16-24 February

Explorers Week at Crealy

Crealy Adventure Park, Exeter

Discover the world of Crealy and become interactive with explorer packs in Crealy’s new online world http://www.crealy.co.uk/ 

Meet and greet Dora the Explorer on Tuesday 19 February when she appears at intervals throughout the day.

16-24 February

Killerton’s Dragons, Myths and Tales

Killerton House, Broadclyst

Listen to mythical stories in Killerton's library, discover the myth of Dolbury the resident dragon and have a go at creating your own story. Take the myth busting play trail in the woods and little legs can follow the fairy tale trail to the rustic bridge and become friends Tom the bear.  Part of the 2013 Exetreme imagination Festival.

Storytelling sessions will be held in the library daily, noon-12.30pm and 1.30-2pm, during half term. Normal admission charges apply. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/killerton

16-28 February

February Lambing Special

Pennywell Farm, Buckfastleigh

Enjoy bottle feeding the new arrivals or just enjoy watching them skipping around in the winter sunshine. Open 10am-5pm daily. For further information visit www.pennywellfarm.co.uk

16-24 February

Extreme Imagination: A festival of writing for and by young people

Various venues

A wide variety of events for young people of all ages and their families, at venues across Exeter and beyond. Click here for a complete guide to what’s on or download a PDF version of the programme here

16 February-3 March

Re-Writing Futures Exhibition

CCANW, Haldon Forest Park, Exeter

CCANW gallery space will also be transformed into a teen-friendly environment featuring the work of Devon secondary school students and the RE-writing Futures project.  Everyone is welcome to hang out and play games, write extra-short stories and record recollections on the leaves of the special ‘Memories of Childhood Tree’.  Open 10am-4pm until the end of February, 10am-5pm on 1-3 March (closed Mondays), suitable for all ages. Admission is free. For more information visit http://www.ccanw.co.uk/

18-23 February

Animated Exeter Festival 2013

Various venues

This half term sees the return of Animated Exeter, the leading animation festival in the South West. Screening the best local, national and international animation for adults and children, this annual festival offers a host of workshops, exhibitions, events and talks aimed at informing and entertaining a wide-ranging audience. For a full programme of events visit www.animatedexeter.co.uk/

18 February

The Wimpy Kid Show

Northcott Theatre

Host Alastair Watson brings the books to life with fun activities including a Greg Heffley Draw-Along and The Wimp Wars! Quiz. Part of the Extreme Imagination festival. 2.30pm, tickets £5, suitable for children aged eight and over. www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

18-22 February

Half term football fun

Various venues

Exeter City’s Football in the Community charity is again running it's popular football roadshows this half term. Events include a two day course on the astroturf at St St Luke's Science and Sports College, a special goalkeepers and strikers day at Middlemoor, a Star Tots event, Futsal event and a junior disability holiday camp. For more information call 01392 255611 or email scott.walker@exetercityfc.co.uk or to book online, go to http://www.exetercityfitctrust.org.uk/

18-22 February

Outdoor activities

Haven Banks Outdoor Education Centre, Exeter

The centre is running a variety of outdoor activities for 8 to 16-year-olds throughout half-term. One day and week-long courses are available. Call 01392 434668 or visit http://www.haven-banks.co.uk/

19 February

Animation premiere: Exetreme Imagination

Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Queen Street, Exeter

Watch the premiere of bite-sized films scripted, acted and directed by young people and their families working with MED Theatre. Filmed in the atmospheric setting of St Nicholas Priory, they were inspired by RAMM’s Elizabethan collections. Try on Tudor costume and throw Shakespearian insults at each other. Free drop-in, 11am-4pm.  http://www.rammuseum.org.uk/

19 & 22 February

TeamXtreme Workshops

CCANW Education Dome, Haldon Forest Park, Exeter

These workshops will combine craft, making stories and raps to explore personal writing and memory.  Workshops are suitable for children aged 11-18 and run from 1pm-4pm. Places are limited and tickets cost £2.50. For more information visit http://www.ccanw.co.uk/

19 February

Donkey dudes

The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth

If you've got a budding donkey groom in the family, why not bring them along for a special one-on-one introduction session with one of the events team donkeys. A 15 minute session will introduce you to the basics of donkey care and you will leave with a certificate. 11am-3pm, £5 for a 15 minute session. For more information visit www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk

19 & 20 February

Family Bird Box Making

Escot Estate, Ottery St Mary

Families can learn about native birds and get creative making their own bird boxes with the guidance of Escot's Nature Rangers. Call 01404 822188 to book a place or ask at the kiosk. £5 per box, 10.30am-4pm, normal garden entry applies.  http://www.escot-devon.co.uk/

20 February

Flickbook Animation

Courtyard, RAMM, Queen Street, Exeter

Did you know that you can make simple animations and pop up pictures just with paper? Have a go in this special activity for Animated Exeter. Sessions run 10.30am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-3.30pm. Tickets £2. http://www.rammuseum.org.uk/

20 February

Frankenstein!

Exeter Phoenix

Miracle Theatre’s adaptation of Mary Shelley’s gothic novel is set in the distant future. Complete with original foot-tapping songs, dazzling dance routines and Technicolor wizardry, Miracle transforms this dark classic into thoughtful but eye-wateringly funny family entertainment. Suitable for all ages but recommended for children aged 7+. Performances at 2.30pm and 7.30pm, tickets £10 (£6). Box office: 01392 667080. http://www.exeterphoenix.org.uk/

20 February

Spring creation station

The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth

Come and have your face painted or plant your own mini spring garden at the Donkey Sanctuary’s creation station in Box 16. £3 for one activity or £5 for both. 10am-4pm, nNo booking required. For further information call 01395 573156. http://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/

20, 21 & 22 February

Tudor RAMMblings

RAMM and St Nicholas Priory, Exeter

Who would have thought that there is a Tudor city still hidden in modern Exeter? This tour, designed for families, will start at RAMM and take approximately 45 minutes, finishing at St Nicholas Priory. Meet at the Garden entrance of RAMM at 10.30am or 2.30pm. For more information visit http://www.rammuseum.org.uk/

20, 21 & 22 February

Tudor Games

St Nicholas Priory, The Mint, off Fore Street, Exeter

Never played shovegroat? Then this is your chance. Drop in to St Nicholas Priory with the children this half term and learn some great medieval and Tudor board games. 10.30am-3.30pm. www.exeter.gov.uk

21 February

Family Activity: Flower Power

Courtyard, RAMM, Queen Street, Exeter

There are plenty of patterns everywhere in RAMM particularly in the special exhibition, Petal Power. Come and make your own patterns in this family activity from 10.30am-12.30pm or 1.30pm-3.30pm. Tickets £2 available by calling 01392 265858 during opening hours. www.rammuseum.org.uk

21 February

Red Squirrel Day 2013

Escot Estate, Ottery St Mary

A great day out, with lots of activities the whole family can enjoy including face painting, storytelling, games and the great nut hunt.  Open 10am-5pm, free entry for children. http://www.escot-devon.co.uk/

21 February

Make your own nest boxes

The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth

Make a nest box for birds in your garden or donate it to the Sanctuary to use in our wild woodlands. 11am-3pm,  £7 per kit, no booking required. http://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/

21-24 February

Madagascar Live!

Westpoint, Clyst St Mary, Exeter

Join Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the hip Hippo and of course, those hilarious, plotting penguins as they escape from their home at New York's Central Park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected journey to the mad world of King Julien's Madagascar. This celebration of friendship is brought to life by imaginative sets and costumes, action-packed adventure and spectacular new songs that will inspire you to Move It Move It in the aisles. For performance times and tickets visit http://www.ticketzone.co.uk/ or call Ticketzone on 08444 99 99 55.

 

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