Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
February Half Term in Berkshire
February half term is a welcome break to recover from any lingering January blues and lack of get-up-and-go on dark, gloomy mornings! Use the holiday to wrap up warm and re-energise by heading out of the house and visiting the array of special events that are going on all around you. You don’t always need to dig deep into those pockets for a fun filled family day out - there are lots of options to suit every budget, it's just a case of finding the right one for your family! Here’s our round up of the best places to visit in the weeks to come to ensure all your family fun is covered.
GO, GO, GO, JO! The iconic bestselling musical is back!
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat gets ready to wow audiences once more and will be playing at Theatre Royal Windsor from 20th February – 2nd March. Bill Kenwright’s ‘Amazing’, ‘Superb’, ‘Wonderful’ and ‘Brilliant’ production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sparkling family musical continues on its record breaking tour having sold to date an estimated 15 million tickets. Re-telling the Biblical story of Joseph, his eleven brothers and the coat of many colours, this magical musical is full of unforgettable songs including 'Those Canaan Days', 'Any Dream Will Do' and 'Close Every Door To Me'. It’s a show not to be missed! W: www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk
Reading Museum helps keep little fingers active this holiday!
They have a great range of activities this February half term at Reading Museum. On Monday, families of children with sensory difficulties can also book for their free Early Birds and Late Owls drop-in sessions. The Reading Guild of Artists will be taking over the Art Gallery from Monday - your chance to simply drop in and get creative! Their half term activities will start with a bang on Tuesday with Hama beading & their Victorian Schoolroom. Become a Museum Superhero, join their Young Archaeologists Club or try out their new Escape Room Trail - there’s something for all the family to try! T: 0118 937 3400 W: www.readingmuseum.org.uk
Get crafty and creative at the Windsor & Royal Borough Museum
Make plans to join the team at Windsor & Royal Borough Museum on Tuesday and Thursday this half term. Get inspired by their craft and design exhibition and make your own artwork or sun catcher to take home. The word craft means strength and skill so they hope you will take on the challenge and be motivated to create your own contemporary pieces! A local artist will be on hand during the Tuesday sessions to explain more about her work and how she is developing her craft. No need to book, just drop in. See their listings for more information or follow them on Facebook. F: www.facebook.com/WindsorRoyalBoroughMuseum
Lift everyone's spirits with a day out on the farm!
Time to rally the troops and run wild at Bucklebury Farm Park this half term! As well as their massive range of fun farm activities, they have nature trails and woodland to explore plus get stuck in to some den building, deer expeditions, face painting and animal tracking, there’s also the Big Bug Hotel build to try! Whatever the weather, there are lots of opportunities to burn off energy too - from the exhilarating drop slides in their indoor play area through to an exciting outdoor adventure playground to keep all ages challenged and entertained! W: www.buckleburyfarmpark.co.uk
Creative camps and more, thanks to Busy Buttons and partners!
February half term at Busy Buttons Creative Camps has your 3-14 year olds learning, engaging, exploring, designing and making 3D Art, during their holidays. In addition, children can participate in swimming taking advantage of the various additional sports facilities, given their new partnership venues, St. George’s School, Windsor Castle and Windsor Leisure Centre making for a great educational & fun holiday camp (non-franchised) in the heart of Windsor. DBS checked staff ensures your child learns in a safe environment and offers peace of mind for parents. Take advantage of discounts for siblings & RBWM Advantage Card. Venues are St George’s School, Windsor Leisure Centre and Busy Buttons Design Centre. Book now to reserve your place for first-rate half term entertainment. T: 07952 418212 W: www.busybuttons.org
South Hill Park puts on plenty of fun in the weeks ahead
Get your diaries at the ready as South Hill Park’s fun filled events get set to entertain you! Starting with The Giant Jam Sandwich on 
Saturday 16th February at 12noon, this classic storybook comes to life with comedy and music, perfect for 3-7 year olds. Kids craving creativity? There’s a selection of workshops including Art Factory, for 4-11yrs on 21st February, Parent & Child Play with Clay 5-8yrs on 18th February and Play with Clay, 8-12 years on 22nd February. And get ready for their
highly anticipated Easter production of Disney’s High School Musical from 17th-22nd April. Booking for High School Musical - Easter School 2019 (7-17yrs) is open now! With no auditions required, you can be part of the action! T: 01344 484123 W: www.southhillpark.org.uk
Turn grouchy little demons into scampering red-cheeked angels!
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This half term, gather the kids and bundle them up in wellies and waterproofs and get them outside in nature. Coax them away from their screens and see the angst disappear with the first dash down a footpath and swish of a stick-sword! A child who has run around in the fresh air at the National Trust’s Basildon Park or around the estate at Greys Court, or explored the woodland at Cliveden or The Vyne is so much nicer to be around! And a stunning wintery view will lift the spirits of hard-pressed parents too! Finish up with a hot chocolate and cookie in a cosy café and you’ve created a low-cost day to remember forever. W: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/berkshire
Free green-fingered fun for little ones at Nicholsons!
The Nicholsons Shopping Centre, at the heart of Maidenhead, not only boasts over 50 brilliant shops, it is also a great place to take the family for free entertainment! On Tuesday 19th February - as part of the Centre’s Terrific Tuesdays programme of free half term and holiday fun, green fingered children will be able to ‘Pose with a Posy’. The young horticulturalists can decorate a special metal plant pot before adding a potted plant and then have their photo taken with their posy and artwork. All photos will be put on the Centre’s Facebook page and the photo receiving the most likes will win a £50 Shopping Voucher! So head to town and encourage the next generation of gardeners this half term! T: 01628 783746 W: www.nicholsonsshoppingcentre.co.uk
Spark their curiosity with good times at The Look Out!
Are you looking for somewhere that guarantees fun and excitement this half term? The Look Out Discovery Centre has over 90 exhibits all designed to get children playing and learning about the world around them. There are five zones with exhibits that all encourage children to touch, play and learn. With so much under one roof, it would be hard to find something that doesn’t interest or engage your children, helping to get them fired up about the world around them! As well as the hands-on science exhibition, there is a large play area with sections for ages ranging from 3 to 11, including an all inclusive area. W: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/thelookoutdiscoverycentre
Grab your hat and scarf and explore the great outdoors at the National Trust’s Cliveden
From Saturday 16th to Sunday 24th February, take the children along for Cliveden’s fun half-term trail. Cliveden estate is home to many wild and wonderful trees ready for little ones to learn about. They’ll take on the role of a nature detective and explore Cliveden’s gardens and woodlands, finishing up with a tree-themed craft to take home. Trails cost £2 per child plus usual admission prices to the estate (admission is free for National Trust members). The trail is recommended for ages 4-11 and dog-friendly. T: 01628 605069 W: www.nationaltrust.co.uk/Cliveden
The Living Rainforest hums with life this half term
The Living Rainforest is just like a real rainforest, it’s warm, humid and buzzing with life! There are spectacular plants and animals to see like tortoises, turtles, Goeldi Monkeys, Philippine water monitors and even a sloth. Butterflies and lizards free range as do most of the birds so keep your eyes peeled and this half term why not join them to welcome Rio, the new Green (and orange) Iguana in the Small Islands glasshouse. Throughout the school holidays there will also be tour guides who really know their ‘stuff’, pointing out all the things that are easy to overlook. W: www.livingrainforest.org
Countryside secrets revealed at the Museum of Rural Life
Visit the Museum of English Rural Life in Reading this half term and discover things you never knew about the life and work in the countryside! Find out how hard it is to be a sheep farmer at lambing time, take the seasonal recipe test and discover why cows used to live in the middle of towns! Follow their gallery trails, try on costumes inspired by historic farming photographs, and get out into the garden to play on the tractor and wagon. You can also see how the Mewes Knitters have decorated the Shepherds Hut and make brass rubbings on their new trail. W: merl.reading.ac.uk/visit-us