It’s almost time for February Half Term. School holidays are the perfect excuse to spend some quality time with the family, make some magical memories and have some fun. Hang up those school uniforms for the week as it's time for little ones to let their hair down. However, the February half-term has been known to be a little chilly and so parents often have to be a little more creative than a trip to the park. To give parents and guardians a little help, we’ve rounded up some of the best events across Greater Manchester this February half term. 

This year, the February half term runs across one of two weeks for most schools in the Greater Manchester area. For Manchester, Thameside, Rochdale, Bolton and Stockport schools, the February half term runs from Friday 17th February to Sunday 25th February 2023. Oldham and Trafford's schools are off the week before from Friday 10th February to Sunday 18th February 2023. Please check with your school to confirm its holiday dates before you get planning. 

See what’s on across the city region to entertain your little ones here: 
 

The Lion King 
 

Fancy a trip to the theatre this February half term? The Lion King is still showing at the Palace Theatre for a truly stunning show. Your family will feel like they’ve been transported to the African Savanna as the story of The Lion King is brought to life on stage. With mesmerising sets, incredible costumes and all of your favourite hits, this performance is truly magical for kids and adults. Masks, puppets and over 40 actors, singers and dancers will tell the story of Simba’s epic adventures as he reaches his destiny to become king. The Lion King at the Palace Theatre is for ages 6 and over and all ages must have a ticket. Tickets start at £20 and the show is running until 11 March 2023. Learn more. 
 

Dreamland Imaginarium: An Interactive World for Kids 
 

Running until 12 March 2023, Dreamland Imaginarium is a magical interactive world in Manchester created for families with young children. Lights, colour and fun are taking over Regent Retail Park in Salford, prepare to be transported to another world this half term. Explore four colourful worlds filled with magical inflatable creatures, interactive games and space to run, bounce, crawl and play. This multisensory imaginative dreamland is designed to help children experience different textures, sights, sounds and scents while inspiring their minds. Kids can explore and interact with displays and there are also SEN-friendly sessions available. All ages are welcome but this is recommended for children aged 2 – 10 who must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets cost £10 per adult and £16 per child. Learn more. 
 

Cardboard Carnival  
 

On Saturday 11 February, Chorlton’s The Edge Theatre and Arts Centre is hosting its Cardboard Carnival. What can be achieved with a cardboard box? How about an entire animal kingdom? Join the “Carnival of the Animals” for a fun visual production showcasing the magic of puppetry. Capturing the imaginations of little ones, the Cardboard Carnival has been deemed as the most creative thing critics have seen and will have your kids making their own cardboard creations all half term. Tickets cost £6. Learn more. 
 

Half Term at the Science and Industry Museum 
 

This February Half Term, get ready to make some noise at Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum. Let little ones explore the sound of music as they play, create and experiment with free drop-in activities. Inspired by the current special exhibition Turn It Up: The Power of Music, February Half Term at the Science Industry Museum sounds sweeter than ever. Expert weird and wonderful instruments and to change the way you think about music and sound. 

The Noisy Show is a brand-new interactive show giving little ones a chance to make a racket with the expert Explainers and find out more about what sound is and how we experience it. 

There are also daily Sound Sessions to hear from people that work with music or noise. In this series of inspiring talks, our team will be joined by different professionals ready to share what they do and how it works.  

Kids can also get hands-on and craft their own instruments or noise-makers, or settle down in a cosy Acoustic Corner to experiment with materials that change how sound travels. Plus, there’s an interactive gallery for the whole family to learn and play together. 

Learn more about what’s on at the Science and Industry Museum. 
 

Tatton Park Scarecrow Festival 
 

Tatton Park’s annual Scarecrow Festival is back for February half-term. Running from Saturday 11 February to Sunday 26 February, this is a chance to get little ones outdoors as spring begins to appear. Search for dozens of scarecrows in the 50-acre gardens and across the farm. As this is a very royal year, the theme this year is Kings and Queens so keep your eyes out for famous faces and colourful characters all made out of straw. Plus, don’t miss your chance to hear all of the best stories from Aunty Mary about her weekends at the Farm. Normal garden and farm opening times and entry prices apply. Learn more. 
 

Pancake Weekend at The Farm 
 

Tatton Park will also host a pancake weekend this February Half Term for some flipping great fun. Head to the Farm on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 Feb for some pan-tastic fun. Learn more about where the humble pancake ingredients come from, meet the chickens who have laid your eggs and collect fresh milk from the shippon. Then end the day by joining in with a pancake flipping competition! Standard farm entry applies. Learn more. 
 

Dinosaur Adventure Live 
 

This February half term, don’t miss your chance to meet dinosaurs right here in Greater Manchester. Albert Halls in Bolton will be hosting Dinosaur Adventure Live. Expect to hear the earth-shattering roar of the T-Rex and see lifelike dinosaurs as you join the adventurers on a Jurassic journey like no other. On Sunday 12 February, get ready to go back in time with performances at 2 pm and 4:30 pm. Tickets cost £14.50. Learn more. 
 

Tango’s Big Adventure 
 

On Friday 17 February and Saturday 18 February, join Tango the penguin on her adventure through Central Park Zoo. Waterside in Sale is putting on an exceptional performance of Tango’s Big Adventure using puppetry and comedy to bring to life the story of Tango, a baby penguin raised by two male chinstrap penguins. Get ready to meet lots of animal friends along the way for an inspiring play based on a true story and much-loved book “And Tango Makes Three.” Tickets cost £7.50. Learn more. 
 

Stoller Story Sounds: Snowbear's Story 
 

For a musical story, little ones will love, head to Stroller Hall on Sunday 19 February at 1 pm. Hear the story of Snowbear and join in with an interactive workshop where story, drawing and music are woven into one. A string quartet will be attending to help bring the story to life! It’s sure to be a magical afternoon for pre-schoolers and their grown-ups. Tickets cost £5 per child and accompanying adults go free. Learn more. 
 

International Mother Language Day 2023 at North City Library 
 

North City Library is hosting a fun-packed afternoon on Tuesday 21 February to celebrate the wonderful mix of languages spoken across Greater Manchester. To celebrate International Mother Language Day, the library is bringing together communities to celebrate culture, and inclusivity and share some beautiful language. Families can learn international dances, sing karaoke tunes from across the world, join multilingual story time and join in with arts and crafts that celebrate diversity and heritage. There will be food, games, puzzles and chances to play at this incredible world party. Vamos! Bring the whole family to learn, enjoy and celebrate a whole host of cultures. No booking is required and the event is free to attend from 1 pm to 4 pm. 
 

Pirates & Mermaids Cruise 
 

Pirates and Mermaids are taking over Salford Quays! The Irwell Pirates are searching for Bill Bones who has stolen the Mermaids' treasure and they need your help to get it back. On this hour-long cruise departing from Salford Quays, Manchester River Cruises are letting the kids take over. Expect story time, fancy dress, bags of treasure, a mermaid sign-along, pirate games and much more. The cruise is aimed at 2 to 10 year olds but all ages are welcome. Adults are encouraged to join in and will even have a complementary rum punch to help them on their way. Tickets cost £10 per child and £12 per adult. The cruise runs from Tuesday 21 February to Sunday 26 February at various times between 10 am and 5 pm. Learn more. 
 

Children's Cookery Class 
 

Teach your kids a new skill this February Half Term at Altrincham’s Vegetarian Society Cookery School. The Children’s Cookery Adventure will show kids how to serve up some delicious treats that are sure to get their taste buds tingling. Expert tutors will show kids between 6 and 14 how to make tasty treats, following recipes as well as experimenting with flavours. Recipes may include sweet potato falafel with pink houmus, hoi sun jackfruit fried rice and rainbow cookies. There will also be a mini foraging walk in the grounds so wellies are a must! The children’s cookery class costs £45 and runs on Wednesday 22 February. Learn more. 
 

Marty and the Party 
 

If you’re looking for a cheeky and adorable show to entertain your little ones, HOME’s Marty and the Party is the answer. Marty is heading to the best party there has ever been but everyone has their dance moves ready, apart from Marty! Join Marty as they discover what makes their heart dance and meet new friends along the way, each with their own groove. Aimed at 2 to 6-year-olds, this is a party that little ones and grown-ups will love. Tickets cost £12.50 or £10.50 for concessions. The show runs from Thursday 23 February to Saturday 25 February. Learn more. 
 

Peppa Pig & Friends at Bury Transport Museum 
 

From Thursday 23 February to Friday 24 February join Peppa Pig & Friends at The East Lancashire Railway. Peppa and her friends are bringing all of the half-term fun to Bury in a family-friendly event little ones won’t want to miss. Meet Peppa, George, Daddy Pig and Mummy Pig at the Bury Transport Museum with no additional cost for admission. Peppa needs help completing her activity trail and there will be a family fun fair, face painters, a petting zoo and plenty of craft activities for little ones to enjoy. What could be better? Tickets cost £16 for adults and £15 for 2 – 17-year-olds. Learn more. 
 

Half Term offers at Corn Exchange

Don’t forget to visit Corn Exchange this Half Term, home to a mouth-watering mix of restaurants and activities in the heart of the city centre. If you can’t decide which delicious place to choose for a family meal, these reviews from little food critics might help. You can find out more about amazing half term offers here.

To learn about more family-friendly events in Greater Manchester this half term, visit our What’s On Page. 

For more ideas and inspiration, visit our blog.