Isle of Man: What's on for kids this half term

As the half term break from school approaches, parents may well be wondering how to fill the time during the week-long break across the Isle of Man.

Despite the unpredictable weather there are a range of activities, events and workshops taking place from 16 to 22 February.

From science clubs to performing arts and craft sessions, events for young children to teenagers are taking place in all corners of the island.

Take a look at this breakdown of what to expect to keep kids entertained this half term.

The charity Isle Play is holding a Playing Out session at Rushen Primary School in Port Erin on Monday.

This is free for anyone to attend, with adult supervision, and is a free play zone, where children have access to ropes, sheets, go-karts, scooters, nets, pipes, old tyres, pots and pans, bows and arrows and more.

From Tuesday to Friday, there are a series of Feed the Animals sessions at Bertie's Farm in Jurby.

Children as young a three can help bottle feed the lambs, feed the calves, pigs, piglets, and sheep.

On Shrove Tuesday, there are a number of pancake themed events, including Maughold's annual Pancake Races 2026.

With the ethos of "meet, compete, eat", the event starts at 14:30 GMT on the village green.

For those that do not want to be pinned down with a strict schedule, there are a number of events that have a "just turn up" policy throughout the week.

The Mars exhibition is open throughout the break for free at Cathedral Isle of Man in Peel.

The installation by Luke Jerram follows previous events with the Moon last year, and Earth the year before.

The soft play centre Dragons Castle within the Villa Marina, is also holding two daily sessions on Monday, Thursday, and Friday for children to pop in and play.

This is suitable for any children under 4ft (1.2m) or ages seven and under.

Also within the Villa Marina from Monday to Wednesday is Putt & Play Mini Golf.

The pop-up is being held in the Promenade Suite and requires booking in advance.

The Kensington Arts Centre is holding a series of workshops each day, starting with a drama project on Monday, with dancing, mixed media, and photography on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and finishing with poetry and art on Friday.

Each of the workshops in Douglas are bookable and suit a variety of ages.

For younger children under five, Manx National Heritage is hosting a sensory experience with music and art, at the House of Manannan in Peel.

The Art for Beginners exhibition is in collaboration with Mannin Music's Mini Musicians and Artreach Studios.

There are also a series of films screening at the Manx Museum for the Little Screen Club, including Gabby's Dollhouse: The Movie on Monday, and Dog Man on Wednesday.

Away from the arts, there is a Science Holiday Club on Thursday and Friday in Union Mills.

This is for children between the ages of four and nine and includes a day of science activities at Memorial Hall.

On Saturday, there is The Princess Show at Peel Centenary Centre, bringing fairy tales to the stage.

There are also ongoing weekly clubs taking place, such as the Northern Lego Club at Andreas Church on Saturdays.

And the Manx Gymnastics Centre is open each weekday morning from 09:30 to 11:30 GMT for the "baby gym" open session.

There are a number of arts and craft activities and workshops taking place that require booking.

There are two workshops called Woolly Books and Welly Boots on Monday and Wednesday, held at the Children's Centre, Wallberry Farm in Douglas.

This is suitable for children ages eight to 12 and involves craft activities where they create their own tactile journal covers.

On Monday and Tuesday, there are other crafty workshops by the Artreach Studios in Peel.

Here children can explore Celtic myths and legends by using mixed media, including painting, collage and clay.

And for children as young as two and above, on Monday and Friday there are Crafty Kittens workshops at the Crafty Cat in Ballasalla.

This includes using collage, sponge painting, leaf crowns and graffiti art.

There is also a chance to celebrate the Chinese New Year with a drop-in craft workshop at the Manx Family Centre, formerly the Family Library, welcoming the Year of the Horse

Families and children can join the morning and afternoon sessions to get creative with horse-themed crafts.

Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.