Tag: Kids Activities

Fun and Free Things to Do This Half Term

Half term is a wonderful time to slow down and enjoy some quality moments together as a family. Whether you’re looking for creative activities, mini adventures, or relaxing ways to spend your day, there are plenty of fun and free ideas to make

Get Creative at Home

Unleash your family’s artistic side with simple and engaging craft activities. These ideas use items you likely already have at home, making them both fun and sustainable.

  • Recycled Material Craft: Turn cereal boxes, milk cartons, and jars into something magical. Create robots, birdhouses, or even a mini city using household recyclables.
  • Create a Gratitude Jar: Take a jar and decorate it together, then write down things you’re grateful for throughout the week to reflect on later.
  • Make Friendship Bracelets: Gather some threads or wool and learn to weave colourful designs.
  • Design Your Own Comic Book: Encourage budding artists to create their own superheroes and storylines.
  • Put on a Puppet Show: Build puppets using socks or paper bags and design a stage for an entertaining show!

Learn Something New

Half-term is a great opportunity to awaken curiosity and learn surprising new skills as a family.

  • Learn the Constellations: Bundle up in the evening, lie back, and identify the stars. Use free apps or printable star maps for guidance.
  • Pick Up a New Language: Learn a few key phrases in a new language together (think “hello,” “thank you,” or “I’m hungry”). It’s an inspiring way to broaden their horizons.
  • Master a Magic Trick: Learn and perform simple magic tricks that will amaze and delight everyone.
  • Learn Rope Knots: Practise knots that can even come in handy for camping trips.
  • Spelling Challenge: Choose 10 harder words kids often encounter, and practise spelling them together in a fun quiz format.

Enjoy Adventures Close to Home

Being outdoors or exploring nearby spaces can lead to unexpected discoveries and plenty of laughter.

  • Visit the Library: Libraries aren’t just for books—they’re often packed with fun activities for families. Borrow books, puzzles, or even jigsaws.
  • Birdwatching: Bring out the binoculars (or make pretend ones with toilet rolls!) and spot birds in your garden, park, or nearby woods.
  • Pooh Sticks Game: Head to a bridge over a stream and race sticks; Winnie-the-Pooh style. A timeless classic.
  • Climb a Tree: Encourage your little adventurers to experience nature up close by climbing a sturdy tree.
  • Fly a Homemade Kite: Put together a kite from scratch and see how it soars in a breezy park.

Relax and Recharge

Switch things up with some calming and cosy family time indoors.

  • DIY Spa Day: Create face masks, soak feet in warm water, and even do some mini hand massages. Perfect for a calming day.
  • Indoor Camp: Use bedsheets, blankets, and pillows to build a cosy indoor campsite—torch-lit storytelling is a must!
  • Movie Night: Choose a theme, make some popcorn, and snuggle up for a family film night.
  • Make Playdough: Create your own DIY playdough with flour, salt, and a pinch of creativity.

Go Big on Experiments and Nostalgia

Make this half-term unforgettable with family activities full of wonder and imagination.

  • DIY Science Experiments: Recreate rainbows, erupt ‘volcanoes’ with baking soda and vinegar, or grow a simple plant from seeds. Science can be so much fun!
  • Make a Time Capsule: Fill it with letters, photos, and little mementoes, then bury it in the garden or store it safely for future discovery.
  • Bake Something Together: From cookies to cupcakes, baking brings the family together—and you get a treat at the end!
  • Themed Afternoon Tea: Choose a fun theme (pirates, princesses, or space explorers!) and create an afternoon tea that fits the theme.

Take in Nature’s Wonders

Sometimes, the simplest activities leave the most lasting impressions.

  • Watch the Sunrise or Sunset: Find a good spot, bring some hot chocolate, and marvel at the beauty of the natural world.
  • Learn How to Skim Pebbles: Head to a lake or beach and see who can master the skill of skipping stones.
  • Make and Hang Bird Feeders: Use pinecones, peanut butter, and seeds to create bird feeders, and watch local birds flock to visit.
  • Build a Home Gym Routine: Create a fun family fitness challenge indoors or outdoors—jumping jacks, star jumps, and planks are great places to start.

These simple ideas help turn half-term into a week filled with memory-making moments—without costing you a penny. Whether it’s a creative morning of crafts, learning a new skill, or reconnecting with nature, every activity is an opportunity to bond and share joy.

Looking for more fun ideas? Share your family-friendly tips below or tag us in your half-term adventures—we love seeing what our community is up to together! ❤️

Further Reading: Unforgettable February Half Term Fun, How to Create the Perfect Valentine’s Day on a Budget

For Daily Thrifty Inspiration, Follow Me @thrityhomeandgarden

Unforgettable February Half Term Fun

February half term is here and the winter break is the perfect opportunity for families to reconnect, explore and make lasting memories. Whether you’re looking to stay cosy indoors or venture out into the chilly countryside, there’s no shortage of fun activities to try. Here’s a selection of indoor and outdoor ideas guaranteed to keep both kids and parents entertained this February half term.

Indoor Activities

When the rain clouds roll in or the wind picks up, there’s still plenty to do indoors. These activities will ignite creativity and keep little minds busy.

1. Create a Treasure Hunt

Set up a treasure hunt around the house with simple clues and little “prizes”. It’s a wonderful mix of problem-solving and adventure that kids absolutely love!

2. DIY Wind Chimes

Recycle items from around the house or use sticks and treasures from your winter walk to create whimsical wind chimes. Hang them by a window and listen to them sing in the breeze.

3. Baking Perfection

Put on your aprons and enjoy baking together as a family. From cupcakes to cookies, there’s nothing quite like the smell of something delicious straight out of the oven.

4. Get Moving Indoors

Create your own family-friendly exercise routine or practise some yoga together. Make it even more exciting by filming your routine to share with friends or challenge them to follow along.

5. Painted Pebbles

Transform ordinary stones into little works of art. Use paints to create characters, patterns or miniature masterpieces—it’s a simple but hugely satisfying activity.

6. Weather Watch

Set up your own weather station! Make a simple rain gauge to measure how much rain falls over the week, and record daily weather observations with your kids. It’s a great way to inspire budding meteorologists!

Outdoor Adventures

Wrap up warm and head into the great outdoors! These fresh-air adventures will help your family connect with nature and enjoy the beauty of February’s crisp winter days.

1. Woodland Walks and Snowdrops

Take a stroll through your local woods and keep an eye out for winter wonders like snowdrops. Bring a camera to capture the seasonal scenes and start your own seasonal photography project to watch how your favourite spots transform over time.

2. Build a Stone Tower

Challenge each other to build the tallest balanced tower of stones. It’s trickier than it looks, but so rewarding when you manage an impressive creation without it toppling over!

3. Magic Wand Crafts

Collect sticks, leaves, and other natural treasures from your walk and turn them into “magic wands” at home. Add a touch of glitter for extra sparkle!

4. Birdwatching

Spend some time spotting and counting birds in your garden or during your walks. Keep a notebook handy to jot down how many different types you see.

5. Fly a Kite

Catch the winter breezes with a kite! Whether you make your own or bring along one you already have, it’s a timeless activity that’s always a hit with children.

6. Night-Time Explorer Walks

Brave the evening chill with a night-time walk (with an adult, of course!). Bring torches to see what nocturnal creatures you can find and enjoy the magical stillness of winter nights.

7. Pooh Sticks Bridge Racing

Head to a nearby stream or river and play stick races, also known as “Pooh Sticks.” Each family member drops a stick from one side of the bridge and watches them race to the other side – simple yet endlessly entertaining.

8. Climb a Hill

Head for the hillside and enjoy the rewarding views at the top. Don’t forget to pack a thermos of hot chocolate as a treat when you reach the summit!

9. Help Wildlife with a Hedgehog House

Give back to nature by crafting a hedgehog house for these spiky friends. It’s a brilliant winter project that helps local wildlife stay safe and cosy.

10. Feed the Ducks

Grab some duck-friendly food (like seeds or sweetcorn) and head to a local pond. Feeding the ducks is always a favourite activity for little ones—and adults, too!

Make the Most of Your Half Term

With so many exciting activities to choose from, February half term can be a time of discovery, creativity, and connecting with nature. Remember, it’s all about spending quality time together as a family. Have a magical half term!

Further Reading: How to Create the Perfect Valentine’s Day on a Budget, Foraging in January: A Winter’s Treasure Hunt

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