FAMILIES looking for a low-cost day out this half term can enjoy dozens of activities in Leicester that won’t break the bank.
The city council’s online guide to half-term fun lists events organised by Leicester’s libraries, museums and children’s centres, as well as free activities taking place elsewhere in the city.
During their week off school, children and young people will be able to try their hand at stand-up comedy, take a ride on a steam locomotive, make their own zine, or even hang out with a friendly dinosaur.
On Saturday (14 February), there will be free activities for toddlers to 10 year-olds at venues across Leicester’s cultural quarter. Families can drop in to venues including Curve, Phoenix and the LCB Depot between 12 noon and 4pm for free activities with a performing arts theme. Find out more here.
Leicester’s newest attraction, the Jewry Wall Museum, is inviting visitors to make their own Roman-inspired mosaic coaster. Sessions take place at 11am and 2pm each day throughout half-term week, with a £4 charge per person. Places should be booked in advance, with the sessions suitable for children aged 3 and over.
Crafts with a Valentine’s theme are on offer at both Rushey Mead and Central libraries on Saturday (14 Feb). Families can pop in to Rushey Mead Library from 10am to 12 noon, or between 1pm-3pm at the Central Library, to have fun with paper, glue and glitter.
Also on Saturday (14 Feb), young cyclists aged 16+ can join a Comedy Festival-inspired bike ride. A 12.5-mile guided bike ride with Ride Leicester will explore sites in the city associated with Adrian Mole-creator Sue Townsend. Places on the free tour must be booked in advance at letsride.co.uk.
There’s a chance for youngsters to make a junk robot at St Barnabas Library on Monday (16 Feb). Inspired by the ‘Wild Robot’ books, the free sessions are aimed at those aged 7+. Places are limited so must be booked in advance. The ‘Wild Robot’ sessions will be repeated at New Parks Library on Tuesday and at the Central Library on Wednesday.
The Haymarket Shopping Centre is running a dinosaur-themed family day on Monday (16 Feb). There will be stilt-walking from Ella the Cave Dweller, appearances by Deena the Dino and dinosaur-themed crafts from 11am until 3pm. Half-term at the Haymarket will also include activities for older children, with DJ-ing, breakdancing, podcasting and photography, from 10am-2pm on 16-19 February.
A banana-smuggling orangutan will be the star of the show at a tree-themed event at the Brite Centre on Monday and Tuesday (16-17 Feb). The Doorstep Museum runs from 11am-4pm, with all activities and performances free of charge.
Tuesday (17 Feb) sees the return of Abbey Pumping Station’s popular Railway Day. Visitors can enjoy a ride on the narrow-gauge railway, tour the museum and explore the grounds between 11.30am and 4pm. Train rides cost 50p per person, with no charge for the under 3s.
On Wednesday (18 Feb), it’s the Guildhall’s annual ‘snowball’ fight – part of the museum’s Frosty Fun Day. Whatever the weather, there’ll be wintry-themed arts and crafts between 11am-3pm. Tickets are £4 when bought in advance.
Free Zine-making workshops will be running at selected Leicester libraries all week, starting on Tuesday (17 Feb) at the Pork Pie Library. Sessions will also take place at Belgrave Library (18 Feb), Braunstone Library (19 Feb), New Parks Library (20 Feb), and at Highfields and Hamilton libraries (21 Feb).
There’s bracelet-making at Fosse Library on Wednesday (18 Feb), Pokemon crafts at Beaumont Leys Library on Thursday (19 Feb) and the chance to make origami paper cranes at Beaumont Leys Library (16 Feb), Knighton Library (17 Feb) and Central Library (21 Feb).
And all week, children and young people can get involved in the UK Kids’ Comedy Festival by telling their favourite jokes at libraries across the city.
Those aged under 18 are invited to grab the mic at the Joke Spots at Braunstone Library on Saturday (14 Feb), Hamilton Library on Sunday (15 Feb), Beaumont Leys Library on Wednesday (18 Feb), New Parks Library on Thursday (19 Feb), Pork Pie Library on Friday (20 Feb), Central Library on Saturday (21 Feb) and Belgrave Library on Sunday (22 Feb).
Full details of all the half-term activities taking place at Leicester’s libraries can be found here
Details of free and low-cost activities taking place in Leicester this half term can be found at families.leicester.gov.uk/half-term-fun
Picture caption: Abbey Pumping Station hosts a half-term Railway Day on Tuesday 17 February