Seven great ways to keep your children entertained this half-term
Check out these fantastic ideas - and enjoy an action-packed break
by Anne SouthbyKeeping the kids entertained this half term is child’s play if you check out these great ideas.
From “flying with the Red Arrows” to “time travelling” at Beamish Museum, we have got some of the best days in the North East covered.
Check out these seven of the best:
1. Discovery Museum
A new Red Arrows flight simulator has landed at Newcastle’s Discovery Museum. Visitors can experience the thrill of the cockpit with the RAF’s Red Arrows as they jet over their Cyprus training base through glorious countryside. It’s a state-of-the-art capsule that delivers an immersive ride with high-definition visuals, surround sound and dynamic moves to eight people at a time. Rides cost £3.50 each and there’s a minimum height requirement of 1.07m.
It’s free to get in to Discovery Museum, which is a massive space showcasing the best of Newcastle’s heritage over three floors and extensive galleries crammed with inventions, world-firsts, model ships, and interactive activities for curious kids – and adults! Telling the story of Newcastle and its people from Roman times through to the present day Discovery Museum champions the spirit of the north east area. With events on all year.
GET IN TOUCH: visit discoverymuseum.org.uk for the full programme.
2. Ultimate Bounce Zone and Jumbo Jungle
The kids will be jumping for joy after a visit to Ultimate Bounce Zone and Jumbo Jungle. There is something for all ages from babies to 12-years-old.
Your little ones can check out the ultimate trampoline experience.
And the jungle offers over 11000 sq ft of non stop fun and games to keep both adults and children happy for hours,
There are over 40 car parking spaces exclusively for customers, with secure fencing to ensure safety. Inside is a large uncluttered seating area, so your children will have room to play. With seating for over 150 there is plenty of room for parents and children to sit in comfort.
For babies there are high chairs, bouncer chairs, feeding stations and also a separate nappy changing area. Here at jumbo jungle toddlers have their very own play frame just for them with many features including slides and tunnels and everything they need for that all important jungle adventure.
Children over four can enjoy the main jungle frame which is a whopping four stories with a giant twisty slide, rope swings, high tower bridge. This play structure will guarantee children a great time with hours of fun.
GET IN TOUCH: Unit 40 No 1 Industrial Estate, Medomsley Road, Consett, Durham, DH8 6TW, tel 01207 500007
https://ultimatebouncezone.co.uk/https://www.jumbojungle.co.uk/
3. Better Newcastle Leisure Centres (Eldon Leisure)
Junior fun and family days out couldn’t get much better and you’ll be spoilt for choice with Better Newcastle Leisure Centres.
There are lots for little ones with soft play areas and parent and toddler sessions, challenges for all abilities on the Vertigo adventure climbing walls and extreme trampolining park plus activities for all ages in the tenpin bowling centre and swimming pools, including Aqua Splash inflatables and flume slides.
Save on your visit with a family ticket for Vertigo and extreme trampolining or regular bouncers can cut the cost with a one-month junior extreme jump pass (terms and conditions apply).
FIND OUT MORE: better.org.uk/Newcastle
4. Seven Stories
Seven Stories, The National Centre for Children’s Books in Newcastle, believe that no one is too small to make a difference and are inviting families to discover more about what they can do to help shape the world around them in a series of fun, interactive events this February.
GET IN TOUCH www.sevenstories.org.uk/whats-on
5. Beamish Museum
Beamish, The Living Museum of the North will be celebrating its Golden Jubilee during February Half Term (February 15-23). Join in with birthday parties, games and activities across the museum.
Try your hand at embroidery at 1820s Pockerley and take part in party-themed craft activities in The 1900s Town. Make your own party decorations in The 1900s Pit Village, play party games at The 1940s Farm and the party will be in full swing in the 1950s welfare hall, with prizes for the best dancers.
Beamish Unlimited Pass holders and Friends of Beamish members can enjoy February Half Term at Beamish Museum for free!
GET IN TOUCH: Visit www.beamish.org.uk for more information.
6. Mr Twisters Jump Centre
The Jump Centre – The North East’s first indoor trampoline and soft play facility is based inside Mister Twisters at Unit 15E Follingsby Park, Gateshead, Wardley, NE10 8YG. The jump centre offers toddler time and open jump sessions with wall-to-wall interconnected trampolines. There’s also a balance beam and a foam pit; cargo net, basketball and mini golf.
Mr Twisters offers a fun day out, and birthday parties for kids of all ages.
GET IN TOUCH: Make it your number one choice for the kids and call on 0191 415 5550.
Keep up to date by checking www.facebook.com/mistertwisters
7. The Worriers & Alphabetti Theatre
Take a trip to the theatre! From the creative team who brought you Walter, comes a brand new fantastical family friendly show – Rocket Girl. Written by Steve Byron and directed by Ali Pritchard, it follows nine-year-old Georgina on her adventure to design and build the very first rocket, years before the famous George Stephenson. But Georgina dreams not of railroads but to get to the moon and dig for Cinder toffee left by the toffee-dragons as she has been told by Nana Nora to make her fortune for her family and village. The production is from the creative team that won Best Children’s Show Award 2017- British Theatre Guide North East.
DETAILS: Rocket Girl, Alphabetti Theatre, Newcastle, Tuesday (February 18) to Saturday (February 22) at 1pm.
Tickets: £8 full price /£6 concession /£28 half term special family ticket (for five people). Age recommendation: 6+
Running time: Approx. 60 mins