Exciting things to do this February Half-Term in NewcastleGateshead

February half-term is the perfect time to get out and explore all the fantastic family-friendly activities happening across NewcastleGateshead. Whether your little ones love science, history, crafts, cooking, or dancing, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Dive into hands-on experiments at Life Science Centre, explore mining heritage at Beamish Museum, or get creative at Underwater Worlds at BALTIC Plus, don’t miss the Metrognomes’ very mad birthday party at Metrocentre or let young foodies cook up a storm at Blackfriars’ Little Monks Cookery School. With so much going on, this half-term is shaping up to be an unforgettable week of family fun. Keep reading to discover all the best things to do.

Head to Life Science Centre for a packed programme of hands-on fun for all ages this half term. Enjoy the live science show, Find the Flake, and explore how your senses and brain can be fooled, and discover ways to spot fakes in the real world.

From Saturday 14th - Sunday 22nd February only, you can visit The Rocket Show and discover the science behind rockets, from black powder to reusable boosters.

The Wow Zone and Space Zone invite curious minds to explore everything from a 6-metre-tall Big Machine to a replica of the International Space Station, Make sure to also visit Eurpoe's largesr tornado tower in Lightbox. Little ones can enjoy Play Zone, designed especially for under-7s, while the whole family can experience dazzling mirrored infinity rooms, sparkles, and surprises.

Leave the world behind in Life's amazing planetarium. Explore the constellation Orion and discover a world of stargazing without pesky light pollution or clouds spoiling the view in the Constellation Close up Planetarium Show. With so much to see and do, Life is the perfect half-term destination for curious explorers.

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Step back in time at Beamish Museum as from 14th February to 1st March you can enjoy a whole host of February Half Term fun, as the museum looks at Canny Creations: Wonderful Inventions from the North East. Get up close to art objects from the museum’s collection and learn about the people who captured the spirit of the North East. With Beamish’s immersive open-air setting bringing history to life, it’s the perfect way to combine learning, creativity, and family fun this half-term.

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The Metrognomes are back for another spellbinding adventure this February half-term at Metrocentre’s Exhibition Square (near Primark)! From Thursday 19th February - Tuesday 24th February families can join Herbert, Sherbet, Maggot, and Rusty as they throw the ultimate birthday party for all their friends at Metrocentre. You can expect fun, entertainment, chaos and so much more. With free, family-friendly shows and plenty of fun, it’s the perfect way to add a little magic to half-term at Metrocentre.

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From Wednesday 25th February - Friday 27th March 2025, BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art invites families to dive into an ocean of creativity this February half term and beyond. From building underwater worlds and dancing at the Cereal Disco to learning about marine life with a real biologist and creating electricity from potatoes. Whether you're exploring our calming Sensory Room or getting hands-on with the help of exhibiting artists, make a splash for the school holidays, inspired by the fantastic exhibition For All At Last Return.

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Enjoy the ultimate tribute to The K Pop phenomenon at The Glasshouse on Sunday 15th February. Blending electrifying choreography with outstanding live vocals, this immersive stage show brings the spectacle, precision and passion of K-pop to life in a thrilling theatrical experience. Perfect for devoted fans or K-pop newbies, this show is a hit with all ages. KPOP Fantasy is a vibrant, feel-good production that celebrates the fantasy, energy, and global impact of K-pop.

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Looking for a fun and hands-on half-term activity for your little foodie? Little Monks Cookery School at Blackfriars Restaurant is the perfect way for 7 to 10-year-olds to build confidence in the kitchen while having a great time! Taking place on Tuesday 17th and Wednesday 18th February, these popular sessions allow kids to cook at their own pace, exploring delicious and nutritious nibbles, super snacks, and family favourites. After a morning of learning new skills, they’ll whip up their own lunch - think pizza, pasta, burgers, and healthy options, topped off with a sweet treat!

Anything they don’t finish, they can take home to share. Sessions run from 9.30am-3.30pm at Blackfriars Cookery School, priced at £90 per child, including refreshments, a communal lunch, and recipes to take home. Parents can book a table in the restaurant for lunch while their little chefs get stuck in. Places sell out fast, so book now for a fun-filled foodie experience.

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Little ones can enjoy a fun arts and craft session at Discovery Museum with Lunar New Year: Crafts on Tuesday 17th February. Everyone is welcome to this crafting session, simply pop along between 11am and 2pm, it's a free session with no booking required. Welcome the Year of the Horse with a day of family making activities, crafts and tasty treats and help to decorate the museum and celebrate the traditions of the festival. Lunar New Year is a key celebration for Chinese and British Chinese communities, including here in Newcastle. Join Discovery Museum and add to the incredible celebrations.

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From Saturday 14th February to Monday 9th March, Gibside National Trust is getting set for the release of Disney and Pixar's 'Hoppers' hitting cinemas on 6th March. Bring the family along for the brilliant 'Hop into the Wild' trail, packed with storytelling, outdoor play, and all the fresh air you can handle. Perfect for little ones aged 6-11, this adventure's all about exploring the great outdoors with some help from the 'Hoppers' gang.

Grab your discovery passport at the start, follow the colourful character cutouts through the grounds, and get ready to explore animal kingdoms like never before. Best of all? The kids can properly unleash their wild side with plenty of running, jumping, and discovering nature along the way. It's the perfect way to make the most of half term with your favourite little adventurers.

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Visit The Common Room on Wednesday 18th February for a fun, family-friendly day featuring films, crafts and ducks! There will be screenings of two much-loved children’s films, The Scarecrow’s Wedding and Tiddler, alongside hands-on craft activities that children and adults can enjoy together before the screenings. This is a relaxed and welcoming day designed for families. From 10am to 3pm, keep an eye out for our mini plastic ducks, hidden around the building. Find a duck and receive 10% off your first order at the 5 Quarter Café Bar - the perfect little mid-day treat.

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All aboard! This half-term on Sunday 15th, Thursday 19th and Sunday 22nd February, take a nostalgic journey at Stephenson Steam Railway, with a four-mile return trip along the historic route once taken by coal trains from the collieries to the River Tyne. Step back in time as you travel in a vintage 1950s passenger carriage and soak up the sights and sounds of a bygone era. Each journey lasts approximately 35-40 minutes. Before or after your train ride, visit the museum and delve into North Tyneside's rich railway history and be sure to meet Killingworth Billy, the world’s third-oldest steam locomotive!

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Don’t miss out on a trunk-tastic February at Seven Stories, The National Centre for Children’s Books! During half term families can enjoy a fantastic Elmer & Friends-themed programme, packed with fun activities inspired by the beloved patchwork elephant, making Seven Stories a must-visit this half-term.

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Get crafty at Laing Art Gallery this half-term. From Tuesday 17th to Thursday 19th February ‘Make and Muse’ takes place in the Laing’s unique gallery setting. Parents and kids will learn about art surrounded by the stunning collections, then enjoy a dynamic craft activity in the exhibition space. Each two-hour session begins with a friendly and engaging tour led by one of the Laing’s experts, who will introduce you to an artwork, artist, or theme from the current exhibitions. After chatting about the work, settle into the ambience of the gallery with a hands-on craft activity inspired by the art around you! Pre-booking is essential and an adult must accompany a child during this event.

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Step into a world of wonder at Raby Castle with their brand-new Dragon Quest, weaved amongst the winding paths of our Christmas tree plantation. From 14th February - 29th March, this family-friendly adventure invites little explorers to follow the woodland route, completing their trail sheet as they go! The Plotters’ Forest is the perfect spot for interactive play and outdoor fun. Bang out rhythms on outdoor musical instruments, match pairs on the giant memory game, strike your best Plotters’ Portrait pose, or spin the signposts into playful chaos. Spend the day exploring sky-high turrets, treetop tunnels, and the stargazing deck before sliding back down to earth. Whisper secrets through the Talking Tubes or spy through the Mischief Mirrors.

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Looking for something exciting to do with the kids this half term? Get yourselves down to BattleKart Gateshead, it's nothing like your usual go-karting. Tear up the track whilst dodging virtual obstacles that pop up right in front of you, launching power-ups at each other (perfectly acceptable family competition, we reckon!), and racing through different worlds that change before your very eyes. It's like stepping inside a video game, except you're actually behind the wheel.

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Join the fun at Live Theatre from Monday 16th February to Friday 20th February, with fun interactive storytelling for children with big imaginations! This half term, children and their families can leap into the world of Melva Mapletree, created by Mortal Fools. Whether you love scribbling stories, animation, acting things out, video games, dreaming up big ideas or wrapping up cosy in a blanket and listening to a story, the friendly creative team have something for every young creative mind. Linked to the National Year of Reading 2026, and kicking off the Live Tales 10th Birthday celebrations, these relaxed, playful sessions are perfect for families wanting a magical, creative storytelling experience together in half term.

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The Land of Oak and Iron is a brilliant heritage centre which hosts a year-round programme packed with everything from live music and craft workshops to fascinating heritage talks, there's genuinely something for people of all ages to enjoy here. It’s dog-friendly too, so your furry friend can come along for a lovely wholesome day out with the whole family! The site sits along a wooded valley with the River Derwent winding through it and is home to ancient woodlands, nature reserves, country parks, and wildlife such as red kites and kingfishers. All this gorgeous green space is just less than six miles from the centre of Newcastle too.

After a long walk, make sure to stop by the heritage centre café for a hot coffee and a sweet treat. In the café you’ll find delicious food from local producers and suppliers. Browse the shop for unique gifts made by local artists. If you’re with the little ones, be sure to have a trip to the little park situated right next to the heritage centre. There’s so much to explore at The Land of Oak and Iron, it makes for the perfect day out during half-term.

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Enjoy a car-free adventure this February half term and discover some of the North East’s beautiful National Trust properties by train and bus. Arriva’s X14 bus service will take you straight to the entrance of Cragside. Hop on Go North East’s X45 for a trip to Gibside, with a scenic 15-minute walk from Rowlands Gill.

For history buffs, Go North East’s AD122 bus stops at Hadrian’s Wall. Seaton Delaval Hall is served by several bus routes, with Arriva’s X7 stopping right outside. For coastal charm, head to Souter Lighthouse and The Leas on Stagecoach’s services. Lastly, Washington Old Hall is just a short walk from buses connecting to Newcastle, Gateshead, and County Durham.

Plan your visit and start your half-term adventure here: National Trust North East.

Looking for more family friendly things to do? Then visit our family friendly events category.