These are activities from 2014. Read my 2015 blog post on 2015 February half term activities!

Navigate the laser maze at the Spy Xperience. Image: Sports-Xtra

With half term just around the corner, it’s time to take a look at what’s on around Peterborough and Stamford for kids. From nature walks to solving crimes, there’s bound to be something here to keep the kids amused.

Jewellery making workshop

Deeping Antiques Centre
Wednesday 19 February

If you’ve got crafty kids, check out the jewellery making workshop run by Riverside Beads. Kids can make a bracelet and necklace (boys option available), a key ring/charm made from shrink plastic (if you don’t know what shrink plastic is, check out this Pinterest board!) and then decopatch an item of their choice. The workshop costs £10 and is suitable for girls and boys over 6 years. It is on Wednesday 19 February, 10am – 12.30, with snacks and drinks provided. Please book on 01778 344550.

Face painting fun. Image: ©iStock.com/bryanmhaines

Storytelling, face painting and crafts

Various Peterborough libraries
15 – 22 February

Explore the good ol’ traditional stories, like Cinderella, Snow White, Puss in Boots and Three Little Pigs at the Peterborough libraries. There’ll be storytelling, crafts, face painting and a chance to meet some of the characters. See the Peterborough libraries website for dates and venues. All sessions are suitable for 6 years and over cost £3 per child. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information and to book, call 01733 864 280.

Dance, futsal, secret missions and crime-solving fun

Bushfield and Werrington Leisure Centres and Jack Hunt School
17 – 21 February

Have a new ‘Xperience’ this half term. Go on a secret mission and crack the secret code in the Spy Xperience. Solve a crime by following the clues in the Detective Xperience. Learn some cool new dance moves, and put on a performance in the Dance Xperience. And finally, learn some new ball skills in the Futsal Xperience. All Xperiences cost £18 per child and run from 9.30 – 4pm. These activities are suitable for 5 – 11 years. Bring a packed lunch and drinks. See www.sports-xtra.com for dates and venues. For further information email sara.strid-coughlan@sports-xtra.com or call Sara on 0770 3030711.

Crafts in the café

Ferry Meadows
Monday 17 and Friday 21 February

Enjoy a walk around Ferry Meadows, and when you’re finished, have a drink and piece of cake in the café while the kids keep busy with a craft. On Monday they can make an animal mask and on Friday; a flapping owl. There’s no need to book for this free event, just drop in. Available from 10am – 2pm.

Toboggan fun at Tallington Lakes

Winter Olympics activity days

Tallington Lakes
Monday 17 and Friday 21 February

Get into the spirit of the Winter Olympics at Tallington Lakes at one of these activity days. Kids can try skiing, tobogganing, climbing and abseiling and there will be races and competitions with medals up for grabs. There are two days: Monday 17 and Friday 21 February; both 10am – 4pm. The day costs £35 per child and is suitable for 6 – 16 years (lunch not included). Booking is required on 01778 381154 or email sales@tallingtonlakesproshop.com.

Mr Peabody & Sherman

Showcase Cinema, Peterborough
Various dates and times

This animated film is getting good reviews from the critics, so should be worth seeing. Mr Peabody is a genius inventor, but is also a dog and he teaches his son, Sherman (who is not a dog), all about history by going back in time in his time machine (the WABAC). It sounds like a pretty nutty adventure with enough jokes to keep adults amused as well. See the Showcase Cinema website for times and booking.

Walk on the wild side

Rutland Water
Sunday 16 February

Take a gentle stroll around the nature reserve at Rutland Water. Led by one of the rangers, this walk is suitable for all ages, and is buggy-friendly. Come and find out what wonderful creatures live in and around Rutland Water, followed by colouring fun afterwards. The walk is on Sunday 16 February starting at 10am from the Anglian Water birdwatching centre in Egleton, and is about 1.5 miles. Sorry, no dogs allowed. Booking is not necessary for this free event, but the organisers ask that people phone so they have an idea of the numbers coming; tel: 01572 770651.

Learn how to dive. Image: ©iStock.com/bmcent1

Diving course

Peterborough Regional Pool
Monday 17 – Friday 21 February

If you’ve got a budding Tom Daley at home, enrol them in this 5-day diving course at the Regional Pool. It’s suitable for kids 8 years and over – there’s no need for any previous diving experience, but kids must be able to swim 50m comfortably. Kids will be coached to use the 1m, 5m and 10m boards, depending on development. The course costs £25 and runs for an hour each day (9am – 10am) starting on Monday 17 February. For more information, or to book, call 01733 864760.

Roald Dahl day

Stamford Arts Centre
Monday 17 February

Enjoy the magic of the Roald Dahl stories at Stamford Arts Centre. Drop in between 11am and 3pm for storytelling, crafts and film screenings. Tickets cost £5 for kids (adults free). For more information, or to book see Stamford Arts Centre website, or call 01780 763203.

And finally, here’s something we won’t be missing:

Story time with Peppa Pig and George

Queensgate Shopping Centre
Friday 21 February

Peppa and George will be entertaining the kids in central square at Queensgate Shopping Centre on Friday 21 February, reading stories at 2pm, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm and 6pm. Snort snort!