Moms and Dads, aunts and uncles, grandparents and friends of the family, are you ready for the February half term holidays? To help you plan the exciting no-school week we’ve put together a list of family-friendly Astronomy and Space events and activities that will take place across the UK in the following weeks. Pick your favourite!
Hattersley Library, Hyde, Greater Manchester (map)
On Friday February 21 Wonderdome Planetarium will be set up in Hattersley library. Visit the library between 10.30 AM and 5 PM for a half-hour family space session inside our inflatable dome. The event is free, but please call the library to book a place.
WonderDome at Hattersley Library in August 2019
Science and Industry Museum, Manchester (map)
Visit the Science and Industry Museum any day during the half term to see the temporary exhibition The Sun and learn all about our nearest star. The event is recommended for children 5+.
Royal Observatory, Greenwich (map)
A trip to this historic observatory is an unforgettable event any day of the year. The littlest space explorers will especially enjoy visiting the Observatory on February 20 and 21. On both days at 10 AM visitors age 4-7 and their families are invited to take part in the special event Holiday to Space that will consist of a planetarium show and a mini-workshop.
The Design Museum, London (map)
Is it easy to grow food on Mars? What would a martian garden look like? The green-fingered kids are invited to the Design Museum on February 17-21, between 1 and 4 PM, to take part in February half term: Martian garden activity and design their own martian garden out of paper and cardboard. Please note: this is a free, drop in activity, no booking needed.
To help the children understand what planet Mars is like and what challenges we are likely to face there, we would highly recommend visiting the Museum’s Moving to Mars exhibition (every day until Feb 23) and learn more about this amazing planet. Here is the exhibition review by Wonderdome presenter Curtis!
The Royal Institution, London (map)
Lecture alert! In his exciting talk “Build a Universe: brick by brick” the particle physicist Ben Still will use Lego blocks to demonstrate how the elementary particles of the Early Universe turned into stars and galaxies we observe today. The talk will take place at the Royal Institution on February 18th at 6 PM. Don’t be late!
Barbican’s Family Film Club, London (map)
If you haven’t yet been to see the 2018 animation “Shaun the Sheep: Farmageddon”, here is your chance! Barbican’s Family Film Club will be screening “Farmageddon” on February 15th at 11 AM. Aliens, flying saucers and everyone’s favourite woolly friend – sounds like a great way to spend Saturday morning!
Great North Museum, Hancock, Newcastle upon Tyne (map)
If you are visiting Newcastle this half term, check out The Great North Museum. The Great North Museum is a natural history/ history museum with…a planetarium! The museum has a great range of exhibitions and is therefore just perfect for family visits. The planetarium offers a variety of shows, which makes the museum especially attractive destination for children and grown-ups alike.
On Tuesday February 18th visitors with autism, learning disabilities and sensory/ communication difficulties can enjoy a quiet hour in the museum and see a planetarium show before the doors will open to the general public. The Early opening and planetarium show will begin at 9 AM.
Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum, Birmingham (map)
There will be exciting science shows, space themed activities and astro-crafts in Birmingham this half term. Visit Thinktank between February 17 and 21 to take part in the February half term: Destination Space events. The youngest explorers will enjoy the Under 5s Story Stay and Play: Adventures to the Moon activity on February 19th.
Eureka!, Halifax (map)
Lots of holiday fun in Eureka! this half term! The future astronauts over the age of 5 will have a chance to begin their zero-gravity training on a human-sized space ball gyroscope. Fancy a spin?
HAVE AN OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD HALF TERM!