Where to find half-term family fun

8 hours ago

News image — Many libraries are hosting free, family-friendly events such as storytelling, craft sessions

PA Close up of a young child playing - showing their hands and arms only. They are holding a two sections of a wooden train set, with two other sections running on wooden rails. To the far right part of a book can be seen with a front cover depicting a cartoon blue and brown owl on a dark yellow background. Other books are in the background, slightly out of focus. In the foreground are lined up about a dozen large and brightly coloured crayons. — Many libraries are hosting free, family-friendly events such as storytelling, craft sessions

Keeping children entertained during half-term holidays can be a challenge for parents, especially if the weather is not good.

Many local attractions have laid on activities designed to "spark imaginations, stimulate curiosities, and help burn off excess energy", often for no additional entry fee.

Libraries are a good resource too, with many offering a number of free sessions and events for youngsters.

Here's a taster of some of the things on offer in Cumbria.

Many libraries around the county are hosting free, family-friendly events during half- term such as storytelling, craft sessions and games.

Cumberland Council highlighted a "teddy bear sleepover" running in Carlisle, Whitehaven and Workington Libraries.

There is also the Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme during the week for children who receive school meals.

Westmorland and Furness Council has laid on activities at its Eden, South Lakes and Barrow hubs, including story trails, creative play sessions and special crafting activities to celebrate Chinese New Year.

Also in Barrow, youngsters aged between seven and 11 can explore the wonders of space in "Cosmic Creatopia" billed as an out-of-this-world experience in a mobile planetarium at Furness Academy.

Hugh Mothersole Wray Castle which is a large, grey stone gothic-looking castle with turrets. There are brown picnic benches in front of the arched entrance. Trees are on either side of the building. — The grounds of Wray Castle are hosting storytelling and outdoor play

All schoolchildren aged up to 16 years old in the Cumberland Council area will be able to go for a swim for 10p in a choice of five indoor pools between 14 and 22 February.

Aimed at encouraging youngsters to be active, the discounted scheme is available at allocated times at Copeland Pool in Whitehaven, Carlisle's Sands Centre, Wigton Baths and Cockermouth and Workington leisure centres.

And Westmorland and Furness Council has a similar scheme at Dalton Leisure Centre.

When it comes to the National Trust, many of the attractions have family events which are free once any admission charge has been paid.

A spokesperson said: "There are plenty of activities at the places in our care to spark imaginations, stimulate curiosities and help burn off excess energy this February half-term."

Sizergh estate, near Kendal, has laid on an activity highlighting the "magical world of soil", where youngsters can "delve down into the muddy earth and find the whole world bursting with life".

Wray Castle on the west shore of Windermere is celebrating the forthcoming release of Disney and Pixar's "Hoppers" with storytelling and outdoor play plus a "Hop into the wild" family trail aimed at children aged six to 11.

Activities at the Wordsworth Trust's learning centre in Grasmere are taking inspiration from Regency era poems and diary extracts, with painting, crafting and dressing up for children of all ages.

And there are also craft sessions at Tullie Museum in Carlisle.

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