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Spring half term is on its way, and for many parents out there that means keeping the kids entertained for a whole week! While there are lots of events happening during the school break, and tonnes of things to do in and around Nottinghamshire, it can easily become an expensive week.
To help, we have put together some of the best free family events and things to do, so you can have fun without having to worry about the purse strings. Don't forget to check out our general February Half-Term Events page, along with our other pages: 10 Things To Do For Under £10, Family Days Out, and Things To Do On Rainy Days for more ideas!
1. Stonebridge City Farm
A slice of nature in the city, Stonebridge is a charity-run farm just a short walk from Nottingham city centre. Meet ponies, pigs, goats and bunnies, explore the beautiful gardens, and learn about growing your own vegetables, fruits and flowers. Entry to the farm is free, but if you'd like to take part in Stonebridge's Half Term events (including bath bomb making and Bhangra dancing) there is a small charge per child.
Read more here | Open every day 10am – 4.15pm | Free admission
2. Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre & National Nature Reserve
Visit one of the world’s most illustrious forests, once home to legendary outlaw Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men. Visit Hood’s hideout, the 800 year old Major Oak, learn about the flora and fauna of the forest by following nature trails, or seek out the Robin Hood-themed play area which is built among the trees and includes a look-out post, swings and a rope bridge.
Read more here | Open every day 10am – 4pm | Free admission | All-day parking £4
3. Rufford Abbey Country Park
Get lost on a wild adventure in one of Nottinghamshire’s fantastic country parks and gardens. Explore the ruins of Rufford Abbey, take a stroll around the lake, or go crazy on the adventure playground. While you’re there, you may want to take part in Rufford’s Enchanted Fairy Trail, for just £2 per sheet.
Read more here | Open everyday 9am – 5pm | Free admission | All-day parking £4
4. Brick by Brick - Lego Exhibition
See a range of stunning, thought-provoking and sometimes humorous sculptures built by 18 international visual artists all in the medium of Lego! Afterwards, we recommend taking a short walk to Creswell Crags where you can explore the grounds for free or have a picnic by the lake.
Read more here | Open Mon - Sat 10am – 5pm Sun / 10am - 4pm | Free admission | Free parking
5. Everyday Life in Roman Margidunum
History comes alive at Lakeside Arts this half-term with a free day of Roman themed activities. Dress up and try Roman hairstyles, have a go at some Roman board games, and handle some exciting archaeological artefacts! Afterwards take a wander around the peaceful lake and have a go on the Lakeside children’s playground.
Read more here | Nottingham Lakeside Arts | Friday 21 February 2020 | 11am - 4pm | Free Entry | Limited parking but excellently located for hopping on the NET Tram!
6. Family Fun Weekend
Visit the awe-inspiring Wollaton Hall (a feat of Elizabethan architecture and featured as Wayne Manor in 2011’s Batman: The Dark Knight Rises) for their free Family Fun Weekend. As part of the Nottingham Festival of Science and Curiosity, handle specimens from the Natural History Museum, explore an inflatable planetarium, make your own rocket and lots more!
For older children and adults, there’s even an intriguing Plant Blindness Workshop or enjoy the immersive sound installation in the Camellia House which uses naturally occurring ‘biodata’ from plants to create a musical score.
Read more here | Wollaton Hall & Park | Saturday 15 - Sunday 16 Feb | 11am – 4pm | Free entry | All-day parking £5
7. Saturday Art Club
Get inspired by the exhibitions at New Art Exchange and then put your creativity to good use. These drop-in workshops happen throughout the year and are a great chance for the whole family to get messy with arts and crafts. (Ages 0 – 10 welcome)
Read more here | New Art Exchange | Saturday 22 Feb | 10.30 – 12.30 | Free entry | Free parking at Forest Park & Ride
8. Free Half-term Fun
Visit Nottingham’s most terrifyingly fun gaol and courtroom this half-term for a variety of free activities for little ‘uns. Delve into the magical world of fairy tales with free storytelling sessions, put Rapunzel’s captor on trial, or make your own 19th century wanted poster to take home.
Read more here | National Justice Museum | Monday 17 - Monday 24 February | 9am – 5.30pm | Events are free but standard admission applies to explore museum and exhibitions
9. Sonic Moves
Along with free family activities each weekend at Nottingham Contemporary, this half-term join their Sonic Moves sessions. Drawing and music collide as sounds become patterns. Get creative and draw to the beat of musical tunes.
Read more here | Nottingham Contemporary | Saturday 15 – Sunday 23 February 2020 | 11am - 3pm (closed Mon) | Free entry
10. Family Macramé Workshop
Join artist Rachel Carter for a free workshop teaching the attractive knotting technique of macramé. Rachel Carter is an artist working throughout Nottinghamshire to create a touring exhibition which explores knotting, ancestry, and Carter’s family history connected to the Mayflower voyage of 1640. (For 7+ years up)
Read more here | Mansfield Central Library | Saturday 22 Feb | 10am – 12pm | Free – drop in
Related
Make a macrame keyring. Join artist Rachel Carter in this two-hour practical workshop and have a go at a knotting technique that she will be using for her Mayflower commissions in this anniversary year.
Wollaton Hall have teamed up with the Nottingham Festival of Science and Curiosity to hold a range of free exciting science activities for their jam packed Family Fun Weekend.
Kickstart your Saturday with these free dropin creative workshops which make space for creative learning and lots of fun. Artist led activities, that change each session. A perfect chance to get creative as a family.
Get creative this half term with Nottingham Contemporary's family activities. Show off your moves. Sounds become patterns, as you go large and draw to the beat.
Take part in everyday activities from the Roman period including dressing up, Roman hairstyles and Board Games. Then visit the Museum to find out more about the site of Margidunum including the opportunity to handle archaeological artefacts and develop your own archaeological drawings.
Rufford Abbey have asked the fairies and pixies if they would allow some of their special visitors to come over and play and they have said….YES!
Stonebridge City Farm offers a rural escape in the heart of Nottingham City, providing a free-entry experience that welcomes visitors every day.
Home of Robin Hood and once part of a royal hunting forest, Sherwood Forest Country Park covers 450 acres and incorporates some truly ancient areas of native woodland.
This February half term join National Justice Museum for free activities including storytelling sessions, fairy tale trials and poster making workshops
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