Half-term fun family events across the North West

School's out as half-term is already upon us!

If you want to take your little explorers out in the great outdoors over the February break in the north-west of England, there is everything from a Mudfest to the Barnyard Baby Bash, where children can welcome newborn lambs into the world.

Other highlights include the Super Duper Family Festival in Manchester city centre, a celebration of magic and circus, and an ice festival.

So, if you are looking for fun activities to keep the kids entertained - here's a list of just some of the events you can check out.

Quarry Bank Mill in Styal, Wilmslow, has got a family trail inspired by the new Disney and Pixar film, Hoppers.

The trails take you into the heart of the natural world, "hopping" between different animal kingdoms.

You get to meet some of the characters from the animated comedy adventure in which animal lover Mabel (voiced by Piper Curda) uses new technology to "hop" her consciousness into a life-like robotic beaver and communicate directly with animals.

The trail is packed with fun, nature-inspired challenges for families to complete using their "Hoppers" passport - from pretending to move like woodland insects to testing their bird imitating skills in the great outdoors.

The "Hoppers" trail is included with standard National Trust admission (free for members).

Storyhouse in Chester has a week packed with activities, shows and films for families with children aged three and above.

They include free craft events on both weekends of the half-term between, 12:00 GMT and 16:00.

There will also be four relaxed performances of The Very Hungry Caterpillar featuring a menagerie of more than 75 magical puppets over the weekend of 21 and 22 February.

It also has a comedy club for kids in its Garret Theatre for children aged six and over.

The Grosvenor Museum is organising a Children's Ghost Tour with guide Ann Coward on Tuesday.

If you're interested, you can meet at the flag pole in front of Chester Town Hall at 17:20 GMT, with the walk starting at 17:30 and ending at about 19:00. You are advised to book in advance, with adult tickets costing £12 (two free child tickets are included).

The Lion Salt Works in Northwich is staging free self-led craft events between 10:30 GMT and 15:30 on Wednesday and Thursday.

Manchester city centre is being transformed into a giant playground, with a series of free play zones for the return of the Super Duper Family Festival from Wednesday until Saturday.

Eight of Manchester's public spaces, squares and venues will become play areas with a carnival, schoolyard games, dancing, an ultimate sports day including an introduction to skateboarding, and a story den where children can join the stars of CBeebies for live CBeebies Bedtime Stories and much more. Everything is happening between 10:00 GMT and 17:00.

For more details on the Super Duper Family Festival across the city centre see Visit Manchester.

If you want to savour the great outdoors, there are seasonal nature trails at Dunham Massey near Altrincham until 22 February.

Stroll through the Winter Garden and enjoy blooms in every seasonal shade, from delicate flowers to the golden daffodil meadow.

Be sure to keep an eye out for fallow deer beneath the ancient trees, and let little explorers loose on the Log Pile in the North Park, where enormous fallen trees await.

Standard National Trust admission prices apply.

Meanwhile,Platt Fields Park in Rusholme offers playgrounds, nature trails, and open spaces for a great family picnic.

Cockfields Farm Park in Ashton-under-Lyne is staging a Barnyard Baby Bash over the half-term as the farmers welcome dozens of adorable new lambs.

You can meet the newborns or maybe even witness the magic of a lamb being born as part of the 'Learn to be a Farmer' sessions.

There are also scaly surprises with reptile encounters, featuring friendly snakes and lizards ready for handling.

Tractor tours are among the other activities included with the £12.95 admission for adults.

Families are invited to enjoy a jam-packed fun day at Rochdale Town Hall on Tuesday when they can take part in a range of creative workshops and hands-on activities including learning circus skills in the Great Hall.

Interactive theatre group Plunge Bloom will bring their Vegetable Nannies and a pop-up allotment along to stage a workshop while families will also get the chance to explore the historic town hall in a fun and engaging way.

This year's fun day will include a quiet hour from 10:00 GMT, offering a calmer environment for families who prefer a more relaxed experience. This must be booked in advance.

The popular town hall tape measure trail will be running throughout the week, too, until 22 February.

WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre in Burscough is staging a mudfest for visitors so kids can embrace the mess and discover just how brilliant mud can be!

From cooking up a muddy masterpiece in the mud kitchen to racing through muddy obstacle courses, there will be a lot to do.

You can also find out about the beaks of wetland birds and use them to search for worms in the mud pit... and take part in a Muddy Bake Off, creating cakes out of sand and mud.

The activities take place from 14 to 22 February.

Kids can also create the biggest splash in the Martin Mere daily North West Puddle Jumping competition. It will take place daily at 14:30 GMT. Booking is recommended in advance as capacity is limited.

General admission prices apply.

The free Fylde Ice Festival returns - this time in Lytham - between 10:00 and 16:00 on Saturday 14 February.

Visitors can have a go on the ice carving wall in Clifton Square, and see a number of pre-carved ice sculptures around town on the ice trail, with themes linked to Lytham.

There is also a live carving demonstration with ice experts from Glacial Art Sculptures.

A Princess To Your Door is a K-Pop inspired party at Shireburn Arms, Whalley Road, Hurst Green, Clitheroe, on Tuesday between 14:30 and 16:00.

The ticketed event is described by organisers as a 90-minute "poptastic" experience featuring the glitz and glamour of a real K-Pop concert.

It features live performances and little ones will be taught dance routines plus K-Pop magic.

Meanwhile, Blackpool stages the February Festival from 19-22 February with all things show-stopping performances, enchanting entertainment and dazzling street shows

The festival of circus and magic promises fun for all the family.

There are several half-term activities designed specifically for families as part of Liverpool's Must-See Month which celebrates the city's culture.

This includes free access for kids at Treasure: History Unearthed, an award-winning exhibition at the Museum of Liverpool featuring the largest collection of archaeological treasure ever shown in the region ,with everything from Bronze Age gold and Viking silver to hoards of coins.

Children can also go on a free Liver Bird safari walking tour with Arts Groupie on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

The Western Approaches in Liverpool is staging a week of family friendly activities and a spy trail throughout half-term.

From a World War Two food demonstration to a 1940s dance class as well as a vintage beauty class, the war museum has workshops running from Monday until Friday.

The Atkinson in Southport is holding a day celebrating the richness and vibrancy of Ukrainian culture between 11:00 and 16:30 on 21 February.

The free drop-in event will begin with a performance from a local Ukrainian choir followed by a coffee morning at 11:30.

There will be opportunities to get hands‑on with craft workshops, suitable for all ages, inspired by traditional Ukrainian art.

A community exhibition will run alongside the activities, offering a chance to learn more about Ukrainian heritage, creativity and resilience through stories, artworks and personal contributions.

Members of the Ukrainian community will also be dressed in traditional garments woven with colour and symbolism.

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