Bournemouth One’s guide to half-term family fun

Half-term is here, and if you’re looking for some ideas on what to do with the kids, keep reading!

The Cool Coast Ice Rink at the BIC is open until 22 February, offering a fun indoor winter activity for families and skaters of all ages and abilities. More details and booking information are available at www.coolcoasticerink.co.uk.

The Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre is bringing plenty of excitement to half‑term with a family‑friendly programme of live entertainment. Cirque Enchantment delivers a magical mix of circus and storytelling, while Super Slam Wrestling returns with high‑energy action and discounted tickets for under‑12s and over‑65s. Local company Swish will also present an amateur production of We Will Rock You, with matinee and evening shows throughout the week – an ideal introduction to live theatre for young audiences.

Creative Kids Centre are bringing colour and creativity to half‑term with their hands‑on arts sessions, giving children the chance to get messy, imaginative and inspired at the free event in Springbourne Library on 17 February.

At the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum in Bournemouth, families can celebrate Chinese New Year with trails in the historic house and garden, as well as Craft Activities on Tuesday 17, Wednesday 18 and Thursday 18 February. Trails take place between Saturday 14 and Sunday 22 February.

Highcliffe Castle is celebrating half‑term with its uplifting ‘The Things We Love’ indoor trail, running Sunday 15-Sunday 22 February. Families can explore beautiful rooms, enjoy themed activities, and take part in creative crafts on selected days – all set within the stunning backdrop of this historic clifftop castle.

Poole Museum is launching two brand new free exhibitions from Saturday 14 February; Lucian Freud’s Etchings: A Creative Collaboration, a major touring exhibition from the V&A, and the Power of Poole which brings together newly acquired treasures and rarely seen gems to tell the story of Poole Power Station. Alongside these exhibitions, visitors can enjoy a lively programme of events and activities for all ages, including pirate workshops, hippo-themed creations, a playful storytelling session, and a wellbeing series for adults in partnership with Slomo. Find out more and book tickets at: What’s On | Poole Museum

Upton Country Park is also offering a brilliant programme of free, nature‑themed activities throughout half‑term. The week begins on Monday 16 February with a Winter Wildlife Adventure Day at Upton House, featuring pond‑dipping, guided bird walks, crafts and more, while writer‑in‑residence Sebastian Lewis hosts a series of free kids’ creative nature writing workshops across the week and an adult session with a spoken‑word open mic on Friday 20 February. All bookable sessions are available at: https://uptoncountrypark.com/events/.

Families can also enjoy the return of Mad4Animals in the Walled Garden on Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 February, a fun-packed show of exotic animals, tickets at https://tinyurl.com/2339b2dy. The Bird and Recreation Initiative (BARI) is running bookable guided birdwatching sessions, including Beginner Bird Watching on 19 February.

All BARI event listings are available at https://www.eventbrite.com/o/bird-and-recreation-initiative-39457330343

The BCP Family Information Directory lists a wide range of activities, many of which are free. Use the search filters to find events by age, location, and cost and explore the directory.

Durlston Country Park has a packed schedule of family activities to enjoy this February half-term, with something for everyone.

For those who dream of a life on the Seven Seas, the Pirates of Purbeck trail drops anchor at Durlston Country Park between Weds 11^th and Weds 25^th Feb. Collect your booklet from the Castle reception, follow the map and find the treasure to win a prize – but beware the Portland Mer-Chicken!

See Durlston.co.uk or planetpurbeck.org/events.

For those youngsters who love to get creative, head to Durlston’s Learning Centre this half term for a Wild Wednesday! Drop in between 11am – 3pm on Weds 18^th Feb to have a go at painting, crafts and activities. No booking required, and free to attend, although donations (via cash or card) are much appreciated – make sure to dress for mess!

Finally, on Thurs 19^th Feb, celebrate 25 years of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and learn about Durlston’s roarsome prehistoric past through games and activities at the Dinosaur Discovery session in the Learning Centre 10:30am until 11:30am, £3.50 per child, booking required.

The Treehouse at Hurn offers a large soft play area which will keep the kids entertained for hours, whilst the adults can enjoy a tea or coffee and a chat. Playtime! will be held on Thursday 19 th February from 11am-1pm at The Treehouse, Merritown Lane, Christchurch, BH23 6DT. Find out more and book your tickets at diverseabilities.org.uk/daevents/playtime-feb.

A travelling exhibition inside a train is heading to Dorset for a limited visit on the Swanage Railway during half term. More than sixty five thousand people have already visited the Railway Two Hundred exhibition, which explores how railways shaped Britain through hands on displays and stories. The exhibition will stop at Corfe Castle station for three days in February, with entry included for Swanage Railway passengers. Organisers say it is designed to inspire families and younger visitors to learn more about railway history and careers.

The exhibition, called Inspiration and co-curated with the National Railway Museum, uses rare artefacts, interactive engineering challenges and behind the scenes stories to explain how railways changed travel, work and everyday life across the country. It’s on from Monday February 16 to Wednesday February 18, giving local residents and visitors a limited opportunity to explore the exhibition in Dorset.

Families can also enjoy a visit to Queen’s Park, where the newly refurbished playground offers plenty of space for children of all ages to climb, explore and play. After some time outdoors, the on‑site café provides a welcoming spot to recharge, and a short wander leads to the park’s picturesque pond – perfect for feeding ducks or spotting local wildlife.

Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf has a 25% discount throughout February when booking in person for BCP residents.

BCP leisure centres are offering a busy half-term programme, featuring bounce sessions, climbing, swimming, soft play and a wide range of family-friendly sports and fitness opportunities.

Poole Dolphin Leisure Centre is now home to Shipwreck, a brand‑new wet‑and‑wild pool inflatable available to book for public sessions every day throughout the school break. Over at Ashdown Leisure Centre, families can enjoy the New Bounce Party – a mega mix of indoor inflatables that’s perfect for high‑energy play or hosting a party.

2 Riversmeet Leisure Centre is running its popular Sports Stars Holiday Club, giving young people plenty of space to play and burn off energy. More information can be found at www.bcpleisure.co.uk.

Families can also take the plunge at Stokewood Leisure Centre, where Rumble Run, a brand‑new giant pool inflatable is launching on Tuesday 17 February 2026. Rumble Run invites children and adults to take on swinging demolition balls, test their balance on an inflatable bridge and race down an exhilarating slide. Families can book through the BH Live Active app or at www.bhliveactive.org.uk, where party packages and pay-as-you-go places are also available.

The council’s free Bikeability courses have limited spaces available across Level 1 & 2 and Level 3 this half-term. Held at Kings Park Cycle Centre and Slades Park, these fun, confidence-building sessions help children and young people boost their cycling skills in a safe, supportive setting. To find out more or book a place, simply email bikeability@bcpcouncil.gov.uk.

Find additional inspiration for fun days out and getting some fresh air across the area exploring some of our most beautiful routes, with a fantastic mix of coastal paths, woodland wanders and interactive discovery trails featured on the Explore BCP website.