From spotting snowdrops and roller skating to craft sessions and costume swaps – there are plenty of activities to keep children entertained during February half-term. Look at our list here; many of the suggestions are free or low cost.
Stratford Park The largest public park in the Stroud district, Stroud District Council’s 56-acre park is home to the Museum in the Park, Active Lifestyles Stroud leisure centre and Stroud’s Saturday morning parkrun. You’ll also find an arboretum, woodland, bandstand, lake, large lawned areas, sensory garden, a Victorian orangery, a stream with Victorian footbridge, small skate park, two play areas and more. Self-guided walks include a including a downloadable Go Outside scavenger hunt and marked Health & Wellbeing and dog trails. There’s plenty of free-of-charge parking and public toilets (including one disabled toilet accessible with a RADAR key). Find out more: Stratford Park
Go on a snowdrop spotting walk It’s snowdrop season, and there are a number of spectacular displays around the district including Painswick Rococo Garden which has one of the country’s largest plantings of snowdrops: https://www.rococogarden.org.uk/ and the National Trust’s Newark Park has a beautiful blanket of snowdrops in the estate: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/gloucestershire-cotswolds/newark-park There’s also a nationally important collection in the Museum in the Park’s walled garden and a snowdrop display in the foyer.
Museum in the Park:
Loving Landscapes Family drop in activity. Tuesday 18 Feb 11am – 1pm, suitable for ages 5 and over. Try painting with brushes made from foraged natural materials and use scrap paper to create a landscape. Think about looking after our natural environments by playing the recycling game and use some cool science to create your own earthy inspired artwork. There are natural garden games and a paper garden for you to add to. Vote for your favourite wild animal then explore the museum with a landscape themed trail. Free.
Growing Places Exhibition. Find the gingerbread house in the Museum courtyard then head to the exhibition to find out about the Growing Places local arts project. The project has explored food, farming and the community through a broad range of workshops around Stroud, constructions, walks, composting and a series of artists resident in a Ginger Bread House. Work will be on display by those artists and by many members of the community groups who’ve been spending time in nature on the farms and in the woodlands around Stroud. Until Sunday 23 February. Free.
Green Pledge Project Exhibition 15- 21 February. The Green Pledge Project aims to encourage environmental action by exploring climate change and involving people in green heritage activities. It comes under the Heritage Fund’s Dynamic Collections programme, which will see the county’s unique environmental archives held in Gloucestershire Archives opened-up and used for events and activities involving the public. Free. Display public opening times:
- 15 & 16 February 11am – 4.30pm
- 18 February 1pm – 4.30pm
- 19, 20 & 21 February 11am – 4pm with drop in family activities to enjoy
- 23 February 11am – 4.30pm
Woodcarving in the courtyard Drop in and meet artist Natasha Houseago, who will be working on her new sculpture in the Museum Courtyard (weather permitting!). She’s creating a ‘Pledgehog’ for the Gloucestershire Archives Green Pledge Project and you can make a pledge to help nature and wildlife while you watch her work. You can also ask Natasha why she was so inspired by the humble hedgehog! Tuesday 18 February, 10.30am – 3.30pm.
Become a Museum Explorer. Free trails for all ages. Do you know about the museum’s free Explorer Trails? Choose from a variety of fun trails for families to enjoy together, exploring different themes and artefacts in the fascinating museum collections. From Amazing Animals to the Musical Museum and more, these trails are always available from Museum Reception. Why not come and try them out this half term? Fri 14 – Sat 22 Feb, 11.00 am – 4pm.
Alongside the 4,000 objects and artefacts on display, the museum has a shop stocked with a wide range of items made by local artists and makers, and a small café serving drinks, snacks and ice creams. For more information at the Museum in the Park visit: Museum in the Park
Discover hidden gems on your doorstep Navigate winding streets, marvel at breath-taking scenery and immerse yourself in the culture and history all around you with the Discover Stroud Trails free-of-charge smartphone app. Choose a walk then discover attractions, interesting information and local stories while you explore. It’s suitable for locals and visitors to the area and new trails are added regularly, so do check for updates. Follow a family-friendly treasure hunt with new features on our free fun app
Get active in Stroud & Dursley There are lots of activities taking place at Active Lifestyles Stroud & Dursley (formerly Stratford Park Leisure Centre and the Pulse).
Active Lifestyles Stroud:
- Wicked Dance Workshop Thursday 20 Feb, 2.30pm – 4.30pm. Suitable for 4-9 year olds, £9.50 per child.
- Bouncy castle and soft play Monday 17 February, 10am – 11am and 11.15am – 12.15pm. Suitable for 8 years and under. £4 per child.
- Family roller skating Wednesday 19 February 1.30pm – 2.45pm and 3pm – 4.15pm. Suitable for all, £5.30 per person. Bring your own skates or hire a pair from the centre.
- Swimming inflatable fun swim sessions Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday of half term. Various times. Advance booking required.
- Lets Play Fun Days, Monday 17 February – Friday 21 February. A full day of games, activities and swimming for children aged 5-12 years. £27.50 per day. More information from Let’s Play at Active Lifestyles Stroud
More details available at STR250107-Stroud-Stroud-Half-Term-Leaflet.pdf
Active Lifestyles Dursley
- Moana 2 dance workshop, Monday 17 Feb, 3pm-5pm, suitable for 4-9 year olds, £9.50 per child.
- Stage 2 intensive swimming lessons, a week long course from Monday 17 Feb – Friday 21 February. 8am-8.30am or 8.30am-9am. £38.
- 11-14 years gym sessions Monday 17 Feb – Monday 24 Feb, 11am – 12 noon and 3.30pm – 4.30pm
- Activity Days. A jam packed day of sports challenges, activities, crafts and an inflatable fun session in the pool for children aged 5-11 years, Tuesday 18 Feb and Thursday 20 Feb, 9am – 3pm, £25.
- Swimming Exterminator, splatt and stepping stones, slippery slide and aqua glide. Monday 17 – Saturday 22 Feb, various times, book in advance.
More details available from STR250103-Stroud-Dursley-Half-Term-Leaflet.pdf
Anyone for tennis? Stratford Park is home to six tennis courts available to hire by the hour, or households or groups of up to six people can play for an annual membership of just £45. There are public courts in Nailsworth, Cam and Charfield too, all bookable through the LTA: https://www.lta.org.uk/play
Dursley Town Council Annual pancake race Tuesday 4 March, 12 noon, Parsonage Street, Dursley. Bring a frying pan and a pancake and have fun. Fancy dress encouraged! Trophy and race medals for the winner and best fancy dress. Free to enter. Find out more: Pancake Race | Dursley Town Council
Explore wildlife along the canal There’s so much to see and do along the district’s two canals which offer miles of mostly flat and accessible towpath and abundant wildlife. You’ll find cafes and artwork along the way. Why not walk from Stroud to Stonehouse (or vice versa) and return by train for an extra adventure? See the Cotswold Canals Trust website for more information including lots of walking and cycling trails: https://cotswoldcanals.org/canals/
Fly a kite on Selsley Common The open expanses of the spectacular Selsley Common are perfect for walking, running & kite flying. The common provides far-reaching views and on a clear day you can even see across the border into Wales. Please remember to keep dogs on leads. Stroud District Council manages Selsley Common; the National Trust owns Minchinhampton and Rodborough Commons.
Take a walk in Woodchester Park Follow a woodland play trail with wobble beams and balance bridges at Woodchester Park. The chain of five lakes are home to large carp and there are herons on the island heronry. Entry is free for the grounds but there is a charge for parking (free for National Trust members). Call into the National Trust Tinkley Gate café for a treat while you’re there. Woodchester Mansion is currently closed & reopens on Friday 4 April. Find out more at: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/gloucestershire-cotswolds/woodchester-park
Craft activities at Kids Stuff Brimscombe Mill is home to Kids Stuff, The Long Table, The Home Remedy (formerly the Furniture Bank) and The Bike Drop so there’s plenty going on. Kids Stuff will be running daily pay-as-you-can themed craft sessions from 10am-12.30pm throughout half term. Why not stay for a jacket potato after the session?
- Tuesday 18th – rocking chickens
- Wednesday 19th – superheroes
- Thursday 20th – squishy stress ball faces
- Friday – junk modelling dragons
- Saturday – paper bag kites
More details from: Stroud District Kids Stuff or (4) Facebook
Also, at Brimscombe Mill:
- Tuesday 18th Feb – Chloe’s mobile farm, 10am – 12.30pm (pay as you choose)
- Wednesday 19th – Adventure team party, 11am – 12pm (booking required)
- Thursday 20th – Kids disco 6pm – 7pm
- Friday 21st – Pokémon Swap, 3pm – 5pm.
More details from What’s on — Brimscombe Mill
Wotton Wonder Wanderland Wonder around Wotton-under-Edge after dusk to see the streets lit up with a display of decorated windows to the theme of A Few of my Favourite Things. From cosy corners filled with books to vibrant gardens and treasured keepsakes, every window tells a unique story. Thursday 20 – Sunday 23 February, 6pm-9pm. More info on the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WottonWindowWanderland/
Wotton is an ideal base for daytime wandering as the Cotswold Way runs right through the centre of the town. Walk to Wotton Hill which has spectacular views across the River Severn, or to the Tyndale Monument in nearby North Nibley. Find seven circular walks that start in Wotton here: www.wotton-under-edge.com/visit-wotton/walks/ or follow the Visit Glos accessible route here https://www.visitstroud.uk/ideas/my-perfect-day-wotton-town-janet-and-jeff
Climb the Tyndale Monument The striking 111-foot Tyndale Monument in North Nibley was built to commemorate local hero William Tyndale, the martyred 16th century Bible translator. The monument is open every day with spectacular views of the Berkeley Vale and the River Severn to the Black Mountains. You can have the monument illuminated to commemorate a special occasion too. It’s free with a suggested online donation: https://tyndalemonument.uk/
Borrow a book Find your next favourite author at your local library. Your library card gives you access to a range of free audiobooks and eBooks too. To find out more visit: https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/libraries/library-services-for-children-young-people/
LEGO Inventors: race car world cup at Stroud Library Lab Build a LEGO car using special LEGO kits then head to the track to programme your code and see how fast you can go! Wednesday 19 Feb, 12 noon – 1.30pm at Stroud Library. £5 per person. Book here: LEGO Inventors: Race Car World Cup | Gloucestershire Libraries
Find a World Book Day costume Swap an old costume for a new one at any Gloucestershire Library from 17 Feb – 6 March ready for dressing up as your favourite literary character on World Book Day on 6 March. If you don’t have one to swap, you’re welcome browse the collection and take one home.
Discover the Dursley Sculpture and Play Trail Take the 1km circular trail around Twinberrow Woods near Dursley and spot the sculptures that have been created by local community groups along the way. https://www.dursleytowncouncil.gov.uk/dursley-sculpture-and-play-trail
Go Outside trails Go Outside maps are fun, child-friendly, interactive maps that help you discover more about the place you live. Each trail is filled with puzzles and fun facts. Choose to start in Stratford Park, Berkeley, Chalford, Dursley, Stonehouse, Ebley or Wotton-under-Edge: Go Outside UK
Newark Park Join the half term Hopping Hare Trail and learn more about the species who make their homes around and at Newark Park by picking up free trail leaflet and exploring the garden to find the 8 activity stations. Why not have a go at running like a hare, learning where they like to live and even what their poo looks like? Or follow the animal spotters trail around the house and see if you can spot all the animals that live there. Please note there is no access via Wotton-under-Edge due to roadworks, 6th January – 4th July 2025. Follow diversions provided which can be found on the Gloucestershire council website, search B4058 Rushmire Hill. From the M5, use junction 13 exit. More details from Newark Park | Gloucestershire | National Trust
Go to the cinema: Wotton Electric Picture House will be showing Mufasa: The Lion King and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 while the Vue Cinema in Stroud has Dog Man, Captain America: a Brave New World, Paddington in Peru, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Moana 2. See the websites for full details www.wottoncinema.com and www.myvue.com/cinema/stroud/whats-on
Find out what’s on at your local community hub There are community hubs around the district, most of which will have activities for local children during half term. Find out where you closest hub is here: https://maphub.net/CommunityHubsStroud/community-hubs-stroud-district-2
Join a parkrun Join one of the parkrun events held in the district – you can walk, run, take the children or the dog. There are 5k Saturday morning parkruns in Stroud, Stonehouse, Berkeley, and Wotton, and 2k children’s events in Stonehouse and Wotton on Sundays which are all free to enter: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/
Gloucestershire Play Rangers Free, outdoor, active play including den building, fires, arts and crafts, sports and playful games for 7–14-year-olds. Under 7’s are welcome and should be accompanied by an adult. Be prepared to get wet, hot, cold, smelly, and dirty, so wear appropriate clothing! Activities are all `open access’ which means there is no registration and children can leave the site at any time. The Play Rangers will be at Synwell playing field in Wotton-under-Edge on Monday 17 Feb and Stratford Park in Stroud on Friday 21 Feb, 10am-4pm. See https://playgloucestershire.org.uk/play-timetables/ for more information.
Mudfest at WWT Slimbridge Learn about the benefits of mud with a series of self-led activities suitable for all ages. You can splash in muddy puddles, join a mudslinging contest, learn how to build a nest from mud and mix up a mud pie in the mud kitchen. 15 – 23 February. For more info: Mudfest 2025 at WWT Slimbridge – WWT
Visit the Sub Rooms:
- Roald Dahl & the Imagination Seekers. All around the world Roald Dahl’s words are disappearing, not only from books but children’s minds too! Now only a secret organisation known as the Ancient Guild of Tale Tenders can save the stories and they need your help…Especially made for ages 6 and up, the show develops creative and literacy skills through performance, games and creative play, while exploring Roald Dahl’s extraordinary stories, including The BFG and The Twits along the way., Wed 19 Feb, 2pm.
- Matilda the Musical (film), Thursday 20 Feb, 11am.
More details from: What’s On | The Sub Rooms | Stroud | The Sub Rooms
Stroud Brewery:
- Children’s cookery lesson: learn how to make an Indian curry and sides. Suitable for ages 8-12, Tuesday 18 Feb, 10.15-12.45. Suggested cost £25/pay as you can. Booking required.
- Lego Club, a free family-friendly event, Wednesday 19 Feb, 4.30pm-6.30pm
- Circus performance & workshop, Friday 21 Feb, 2.30-4pm. Booking required.
More details from: www.stroudbrewery.com
Lambing at Cattle Country Lambing season will be well underway, and the farm’s ewes will take up residence in the Animal Barn, where visitors are invited to meet the newest woolly arrivals and if they’re lucky, witness a birth! There’s also soft play, a sand barn, animal petting and plenty of outdoor fun for all ages. More details from https://www.cattlecountry.co.uk/
Find hidden treasure Geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunt that uses a free app on your smartphone to help you find a hidden box of treasure. Each box is different but expect to find a log book for you to leave a message in and small items – take one and leave one for others to find after you. There are hundreds of treasure boxes hidden in the Stroud district and it’s a great excuse to get outdoors and discover somewhere new. Find more information at www.geocaching.com/play
Take the bus Take a scenic bus route through the district and discover somewhere new – local buses drop off in villages, towns and commons. Visit Stroud has lots of inspiration, along with descriptions of some of the highlights: https://www.visitstroud.uk/
Travel by train Leave the car at home and make the journey an adventure if you’re heading to a nearby town or city. In Gloucester there’s the Gloucester Folk Trail – a celebration of traditional folk music, dance and arts taking place across Gloucester. 14-16 Feb Gloucester Folk Trail – Gloucester BID – Business Improvement District and Gloucester Bright Nights –incredible light installations and events from 13-19 February. Free. Bright Nights | Incredible Free Light-Based Events in Gloucester
Cllr Catherine Braun, Leader of Stroud District Council said:
“There’s plenty to see and do in the Stroud district during the school holidays. Our February half term guide to entertaining children on a budget shows there are lots of great local activities to enjoy for all ages and whatever the weather.
“Ensuring everyone can enjoy accessible and high-quality leisure services is one of our Council Plan priorities, and we are pleased to promote the many fantastic organisations running holiday activities and beautiful locations to visit across our district.”
All the information is correct at time of publication; please confirm details with each organisation before you travel.
If you are struggling with the cost of living there is information and sources of support here: Money
