13 things you can get up to with the family this half-term in Liverpool

Don’t stress! If you’re starting to panic about what to do with the kids in February half-term – stop right now.

As always, there’s loads of fun and stuff to do and, if anything, the problem will be how to fit it all in. 

So here are some ideas, from us to you.

There’s no place like home

And there’s no place like the theatre, especially when it’s panto time. St Helens’ Theatre Royal is off to the Emerald City this half-term, so from now until February 20 you can find out if Dorothy manages to get back to Kansas, and Tinman, Lion and Scarecrow get the heart, the courage, and the brain that they’re desperately seeking too. 

It is panto, so there’ll be fun, laughter, dance, and lots of song, as they skip along that yellow brick road.

More info here.

Acting up

Youth Connect at Liverpool Lighthouse in Anfield is running a free half-term music and drama programme from Monday-Friday, February 21-25, for children and young people aged 8-16. The 8-11s programme will run from 9.30am to 12.30pm each day; 11-13s, 12pm-2.30pm, and the 14-16s programme from 3pm-5.30pm. 

You need to book in advance and sign up for the full week, and there’ll be a hot meal provided every day, with cooking workshops for the whole family during the week. To book or get more info, email info@liverpoollighthouse.com or call 0151 476 2432. 

Go wild at Knowsley

It’s the one they love time after time and there’s always new things to see on the ever-exciting five-mile safari trek with breath-taking sights of African lions, white rhino, European bison, rare deer – and more. There’s the new Tiger trail too, where you can come nose-to-nose with Amur tigers; you can watch the bird of prey display, and no, we can’t forget those cheeky baboons or cute meerkats. 

You can have fun on the amusements, enjoy a feast at the new outdoor food court, and remember to download the Knowsley Safari app with loads of fascinating facts, to make sure you’ll have a great day out.

More info here.

Family fun at The Epstein

There are two great family shows at the Hanover Street Theatre this February. First on stage on Sunday, February 20, is The Monkey With No Bum! In this fun but thoughtful musical based on Asa Murphy’s children’s story, Charlie hates his bum. When he receives a special birthday surprise, he thinks his bum problems are over – but he soon learns that having a bigger, better bum may not be as important as he thinks.

Then, on Sunday, February 27, you can shout Hurrah! for the Pirate King, and hurrah for a swashbuckling adventure when the Pirate King sets sail on a magical musical journey to find a treasure beyond gold and jewels.

More info here.

Imagine That!

Imagine That! Science and Discovery Centre’s got tons of activities to entertain the kids during the school break.

The three-hour guided journey starts in the Imagination Village – a huge space where children can dress up and play at being anything from vets and chefs to construction workers and shopkeepers – before moving into the Artbeatz zone where kids can splatter a real car with paint, make their own spin art and become a giant pin art sculpture. Then it’s onto the Bright Sparks science area with the popular snow room, where little ones can make their own pot of ‘snow’ amid a flurry of flakes.

The tour finishes in the Slime Factory where kids can make their own slime and bath bombs, and play in massive tubs of squishy slime.  It could get messy – which is why they’ll love it!

More info here.

Make a splash

MAKE a splash at WWT Centre Martin Mere where children – and adults – are being urged to grab their wellies and get outside to join in the Puddle Jumping Championships. 

Families and friends can compete against each other to see who can produce the biggest splash (and who’s got the most style and enthusiasm). Daily winners will be announced throughout the half term and ‘super-splashers’ will receive a prize. The Puddle Jumping Championships are being held every day between 2-3pm from Saturday, February 12 – Sunday, February 20; and on Monday and Tuesday, February 21-22, at the back of the Mere Side Cafe.

More info here.

Tee up for Golf on the Green

Watch as we take you inside On the Green, brand new to @Liverpool_ONE. ⛳🍻 pic.twitter.com/I2kFTsXHUy

— The Guide Liverpool 🌇 (@TheGuideLpool) February 13, 2022

On the Green is a brand-new experience at Liverpool ONE, where you can ‘play’ more than 150 famous golf courses around the world. And while there’s plenty for the adults to do in this fully immersive golf experience, the kids have options too!

There are virtual games like Magic Pond, Bullseye, Hit It! and Capture the Flag to choose from.

Don’t forget that, at Liverpool ONE, there’s also Escape Live with its Horrible Histories room, the latest films at Odeon IMAX, and some larger than-life-sculptures to see at The Bluecoat in School Lane.

More info here.

Magical time

Otterspool is being turned into Potterspool for half-term with loads of spell-binding fun, so get your wands at the ready for its celebration of everyone’s favourite boy wizard! From Saturday, February 19 to Sunday, February 27, families can enjoy a show filled with Magic, Illusions and Fantastic Flying Animals, enter the Wonderful Wand Emporium and experience the magic of choosing their first wand… and take part in the Potterspool Parade and the hunt for the all-important Snitch (weather-permitting)

You can buy Buttered Beer and chocolate frogs, and capture the day with great photo opportunities in the flying car, the famous train platform, and more.

More info here.

Tudor Times

There’s family fun in the garden and play areas of Speke Hall every day this half-term from Saturday, February 19. 

You can spot birds and planes on the Bund, get lost in the maze, or enjoy hours of fun in the play areas and Childe of Hale Trail (and don’t forget to refuel with a steaming hot chocolate at Home Farm). Entry is free for National Trust members and under 5s, with admission charges for non-members, and the House is closed until March 9.

More info here.

Half-term space activities with Derby Mouse

Join Liverpool Cathedral’s education team for Space-themed craft activities during the February half-term holiday.

The sessions will be held at various times from Monday, February 21 to Wednesday, February 23. Each family-friendly session is free and lasts up to 45 minutes, and all sessions need to be pre-booked with each person attending required to have a ticket.

Liverpool Cathedral is free to enter, so you will also be able to explore this iconic building (and go on, treat yourself to lunch, or coffee and cake, in The Welsford Bistro).

More info here.

Grab a bargain bite to eat at Gordon Ramsay’s new Bread Street Kitchen

A look around Bread Street Kitchen & Bar, Gordon Ramsey's new @Liverpool_ONE restaurant 😍🍽

More info here
👉https://t.co/FAt7NPLiIy@GordonRamsayGRR pic.twitter.com/bkXsSk99h9

— The Guide Liverpool 🌇 (@TheGuideLpool) February 14, 2022

Bread Street Kitchen & Bar’s one of the latest restaurants to open in Liverpool ONE and it’s a first in the city for Gordon Ramsay who promises a warm and lively atmosphere that you, and the kids, will love, whether you’re after a weekday treat, you want to celebrate the weekend, or it’s simply the school holidays! 

It won’t break the bank either. Kids eat for free from the Ramsay Kids menu – all you need to do is order from the a la carte menu when you dine, and for every adult main, they’ll offer a 2-course kids menu for free, and it’s got all their favourites from meatballs and pasta, to bangers and mash, and sticky toffee pudding.

More info here.

Webtastic fun in Walton

There’ll be plenty of superhero-action when No9 Bar and Kitchen in Walton gets ready for its half-term Spider-Man Special on Wednesday, February 23, at 11.30am.

You can join them for food, cakes, activities and more with the marvel-lous man himself.

DM them to book and for more details.

More info here.

Have a wheely special treat 

Credit: Land Rover

Okay, so at £129 for up to two drivers, this is on the expensive side but if you’ve got a young person with an appetite for adventure the Land Rover Off-Roader Experience will have them off-the-scale excited. 

Geared to give 11-17-year-olds an introduction to what it’s like to be behind the wheel, it’s a safe, instructor-led experience that educates and offers all-terrain thrills. Budding drivers can tackle obstacles including grass tracks, steep inclines and wading, in an unforgettable 60-minute experience. 

More info here.