With February half term on the horizon, here is a run down of some top outings in Devon with kids this February. (Also, thank goodness we made it through January. Which was, by the way, the longest January in the history of Januarys right?!)
- Brand new Gruffalo Trail at Haldon Forest
There is a brand new Gruffalo ‘Party’ trail at Haldon this February. You can follow the trail for free, finding the activity boards along the way, and there are opportunities to do rubbings too.
You can follow the trail for free or purchase a pack for £4. The activity pack includes:
- a party headband
- an activity leaflet
- stickers
- pencils and crayons
- and a woven Gruffalo sew-on patch.
- ‘Mars’ at Exeter Cathedral
Artist Luke Jerram will display an out-of-this-world sculpture at Exeter Cathedral in February. You may have seen his previous installations; Moon and Gaia. His Mars: War and Peace is a seven-metre replica of the Red Planet, created using high-resolution NASA imagery of the Martian surface. A cool way to spend some time in Exeter and combine with a trip to the Museum, Cinema, library or lunch. Tickets are £6, with under 18s free.
- Disney’s Aladdin at Theatre Royal, Plymouth
So excited to see this show! Disney’s Aladdin the Musical is on at Theatre Royal Plymouth until 11th February. More details here.
- River Dart Country Park
River Dart Country Park is open on weekends and throughout half term with day tickets at just £3 for this time of year. Online booking is essential. Free parking and cafe open. We did this last February with friends and had such a great day. Lots of outdoor park land and play equipment for the kids to enjoy.
- RHS Rosemoor
RHS Rosemoor is open daily 10 – 5 and has a range of family-fun activities planned for February Half Term. Including magic shows, a garden trail and family planting sessions, there is something for everyone.
- Strawberry Fields Lifton – Big Machine Week
This half term, Strawberry Fields are hosting a ‘Big Machine Week’. Explore their farm machinery from vintage tractors to combine harvesters, meet the farmers, enjoy lots of photo opportunities and have fun on a tractor trailer ride. Free entry, extra charge for the tractor trailer ride.
- Illuminations at Babbacombe Model Village
On Tuesday 13th and Thursday 15th February this half term, the Model Village will be open until 7.30pm for their illuminations.
You can enjoy a daylight visit first and then go around again after dusk for a completely different atmosphere with the illuminations. There are refreshments available until 6pm. Allow 2.5 – 3 hours for your visit. Lights will be more effective when fully dark, so might be worth trying to be there until as close to the finishing time as possible.
- Dino Egg Trail at Dartmoor Zoo
Help Roary the Dinosaur to find the lost eggs around the zoo (running all of half term). There are also pre-bookable dinosaur workshops running on 12th and 13th February. For more about Dartmoor Zoo click here.
- Drizzle’s Green Guardian Trail at The Donkey Sanctuary
Celebrating Spring and the bugs and critters that make their home at the Donkey Sanctuary, the new trail is interactive and family friendly. £5 per trail, including a prize upon completion. Donkeys to meet, scenic walks, natural play areas, displays and a great cafe; it is will worth a visit.
- Lambing at the Big Sheep
There is loads of fun on offer for all ages and all weathers at the Big Sheep. With lambing season, you can witness lambs being born, feed and connect with baby goats, sheep, piglets, chicks, calves, donkeys, alpacas, and more. Enjoy hilarious live shows, thrilling rides, and let the little ones explore Ewetopia Soft Play. There is loads to do here and it is a great full day out.
- Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at Seaton Tramway
The world renowned exhibition will be on display at Seaton Tramway 9th Feb – 21st April.
View the 100 winning photographs out of 49,957 entries into the competition by photographers of all ages and experience levels from 95 countries.
The exhibition features soundscapes, videos, expert insights and stunning photography that captures animal behaviour, spectacular species, and the breathtaking diversity of the natural world.
- Blast from the past at the RAMM
On 16th February time travellers will be wandering the halls of the museum for you to meet and ask questions about the past. From Roman soldiers and ancient Egyptians to Victorian collectors. There are further family-friendly events running through the half term week, including craft sessions and story telling. Find out more here.
- Bing and Flop Trail at Paignton Zoo
Running until 3rd March, the new Bing and Flop Trail at Paignton Zoo invites families to learn about the animals around the zoo and help the zookeepers complete their checklists. Story time sessions and meet and greets with Bing and Flop are also running Wednesdays to Sundays until 16th February. Included in zoo entry.
- Origins of Art, Kents Cavern
This half term Kents Cavern has a special event for families celebrating the origins of art in the Stone Age.
Free activities included in your ticket:
- Cave Art – At the end of your cave tour, create a piece of Stone Age art in the cave.
- Learn how Stone Age people made paint with ochre, and how they drilled holes in shells and teeth to make jewellery.
- Create your own art in clay, maybe a tooth for a necklace or a piece of pottery.
- Excavate the sandboxes to find hidden gemstones which you can take home with you.
- Wildwood Escot
Wildwood Escot is a great outdoorsy day out with kids; outdoor adventure play, a maze, a Saxon village, indoor play, gardens, woodlands and animals to meet! Open 10 – 4.
- Pennywell Farm
A full day of family fun is always guaranteed at Pennywell Farm, with different activities every 30 minutes, tractor and trailer rides, piggy cuddles, entertainment, bouncy castles, animal feeding, pony grooming, outdoor play areas and endless animals to meet.
- Crealy Theme Park
Crealy is always a hit with the kids, and this half term there is all the usual family fun on offer, with rides, indoor play, shows and sooty land. There is also a special ‘Superstars of Wrestling’ show this half term from 10th – 18th February, with show times through the day.
Hope these ideas for days out in Devon help with your wild tribe. Happy February!
Emma and the Wild Ones x
