February family fun this half-term holiday at Museums Worcestershire

Discover fantastic fossils, rocket to outer space, and see what you can build this February half-term holiday at Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum, The Commandery, and Worcestershire County Museum at Hartlebury Castle. There are activities aplenty from Saturday 18 to Sunday 26 February.

Fascinating fossils are taking centre stage at Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum. Children can step into the shoes of palaeontologist and fossil-collector Mary Anning to follow a trail around the museum, before getting hands-on with amazing ammonite and dinosaur bones craft activities. Activity bags are available from the museum shop over the half-term holiday for £3.50.

 

On Monday and Friday, meet Mary Anning herself! Learn about her remarkable life and the fossils she unearthed – including ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs – in an interactive family morning. Bring along questions and handle fossils too. Monday 20 February is for children aged 4 to 7 years, while Friday 24 February is for ages 8 to 11 years. The family mornings run from 10.30am – 12noon and are £4.50 per child; booking is available online at museumsworcestershire.org.uk.

 

Unwind at the brilliant café Little Al’s on the Balcony – enjoy homemade food and delicious warm drinks. Entry to Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum is free.

 

Hard hats and high vis are at the ready for Crafty Construction at The Commandery. Assemble giant bricks in the real-world construction area, see what you can create with Lego, and budding engineers can test their skills by getting stuck into the challenge of building a bridge.

 

Crafty Construction takes place Tuesday 21 to Thursday 23 February, 10.30am – 12noon, and every session ends with a story, drink and a biscuit. £5 per child; event booking is available online at museumsworcestershire.org.uk and admission to The Commandery can be paid for on arrival, so you can also explore the whole building and spacious gardens. From the medieval great hall to the nature play garden, families can have a great day out in the heart of Worcester - and refuel at popular café Commandery Coffee.

Looking for February fun that’s out of this world? Space Week is coming to Worcestershire County Museum at Hartlebury Castle. From Tuesday 21 to Friday 24 February, children can decorate wooden rockets and embrace their inner astronaut as they take off around the museum, castle and gardens to complete the family trail.

 

Save energy for the adventure playground in the beautiful grounds and pop into Hayley’s Kitchen 10am – 5pm for hot and cold food, cakes, and refreshments, or head to the orchard picnic area where families can play outdoor games.

 

“There’s plenty to enjoy at the museums in the holiday! Families can enjoy a whole day of fun and activities that won’t break the bank,” says Rachel Robinson, Museums Manager.

 

Please see the website for full details: www.museumsworcestershire.org.uk.