February half term is probably the trickiest school holiday to keep kids busy. The days are still short and the weather is far from warm. So if you’re looking for some inspiration to keep your little ones entertained for the Peak District February half term, you’ve come to the right place.
February half term dates are staggered around the UK across two weeks from Monday 12th through to Friday 23rd. Some schools will also have an inset day tagged on either end. This too goes for local state schools. For Staffordshire and South Yorkshire schools, half term is 12th to 16th February. For Derbyshire and East Cheshire schools, February half term is 19th to 23rd February.
If you are looking for ideas for general days out, rather than specific events, please check out our guide to Family Days Out in the Peak District, which provides lots of inspiration. Some attractions around Matlock are still closed for the winter months (including Gulliver’s Kingdom and Peak Rail). However, all the caverns are open, Heights of Abraham re-opens from the winter, and Matlock Farm Park stays open pretty much year round.
Also, not much beats a long family walk in the Peak District armed with hot chocolate in your flask during winter. Do check out our safe winter walking tips.
As always, we’ll be keeping this page updated as much as possible with news from these Peak District February half term events. But also keep an eye on the Peak District Kids Facebook Group and also our Instagram. Feel free to email us if you know of an event not listed here.
Paid advertising may affect placement on this page
1. Northern Ballet’s Tortoise & the Hare at Buxton Opera House
Tuesday 20th February (2pm, 4pm, and an autism-friendly performance at 6pm)
Click here to book tickets
Tickets are priced at £11 for adults and £9 for children (£2 off)
The race is on in Northern Ballet’s Tortoise & the Hare. When a cheeky Hare won’t stop boasting about how fast he can run, thoughtful Tortoise decides it is time to join him in a race. No one thinks Tortoise can win, but when Hare gets distracted by games and treats, Tortoise might just surprise us all.
The perfect introduction to live ballet and music, your little ones will be cheering along as a playful cast of characters re-tell this classic tale.
2. Abseiling, caving and mining
Running throughout February half term
Click here to book
Peaks and Paddles are running abseiling sessions and underground caving / mine sessions over February half term, both during the day and a few in the evening by torchlight.
There’s a 15% discount at checkout for booking 4 or more people booking abseiling day sessions and Devonshire Mine underground sessions (ENTER CODE ‘kids15%’).
This is available to children aged 5+. Click here for our full review.
3. PlayLAND at LEVEL Centre, Rowsley
Open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
11 January to 12 April 2023, and open over February half term
Tickets are FREE, but please book in advance
Click here to book
PlayLAND is the new exhibition by Derby-based PlayLAB artist John Whall. A fun interactive installation, PlayLAND brings the world of outdoor play inside LEVEL Centre building, inviting you to play, sense and immerse yourself in a playful relaxing world. Step inside, to take a giant step outside, and into the world of PlayLAND!
And the best bit… it’s FREE!
4. Lego build sessions at Brick Corner, Buxton
Click here for session times and to book
If your kids are Lego fans, then a visit to the family-run Brick Corner café in Buxton is an absolute must. Here there are boxes galore of Lego for your kids to play with and let their imaginations go wild, whilst parents sit back with a coffee and slice of cake in peace (although by all means, there are no age limits if parents want to get involved!)
And over the February half term, there are Lego robotic and coding sessions to get involved in. These are 90 mins (approx.) sessions where kids follow a guided Lego build, and then code their build to move!
This is one of our top things to do in Buxton with kids.
5. Celebrate the Lunar New Year at Heights of Abraham
10th to 18th February (10am to 4:30pm)
Entry to the event is included in the ticket price.
Heights of Abraham is also open as usual over the second February half term week
Click here for more information and to book tickets online
The Heights of Abraham has been closed for the winter months, and reopens on Saturday 10th February 2024, just in time for February half term.
Celebrate the Lunar New Year with a spectacular event at the Heights of Abraham. A Chinese Dancing Lion performance will kick the celebrations off on the 10th of February, whilst all through the week the Rutland Cavern and Garden Pergola will be decorated with vibrant lantern displays and Chinese dragons. Cable car riders will be offered a fortune cookie that holds a secret message of good luck and prosperity for the year ahead.
If you’re February half term falls in the second week, don’t worry, Heights of Abraham will be open as usual and is perhaps one of the best days out in the Peak District with kids, well just outside the National Park. A cable car takes you up to Heights of Abraham for some stunning views, and your ticket also gives you entry to two caverns where you venture deep under ground and learn about the history of lead mining in the area. You can also hunt for fossils and there are two adventure playgrounds. You can easily spend a full day here with kids on a dry day.
6. Go Ape in Buxton
Visit the Go Ape website for more information.
February Half Term just got adventurous! Whether you’re looking for things to do with family or friends, Go Ape Buxton have adventure covered. Join them in Buxton Country Park, Poole’s Cavern for 2-3 hours of action-packed fun. Climb up rope ladders, tackle tricky crossings, leap off Tarzan Swings and experience high-speed ziplines in the great outdoors. Come rain or shine, whatever the weather.
Please note that as this is one of the bigger and more challenging Go Ape courses, there is a minimum age restriction of 10 years and a minimum height restriction of 1.4 metres. One adult (18+) can supervise up to two children aged between 10-15 while on the course with them. 16 and 17-year-olds can supervise themselves (but not younger children).
The parking for Go Ape is shared with Poole’s Cavern, so you can combine your visit to the cavern, and/or venture up to Solomon’s Temple.
7. Pirate Takeover at Alton Towers
Open every day over February half term (10am – 4pm)
Areas open: Mutiny Bay, Towers Street and CBeebies Land
Click here for more information
Ahoy swashbucklers! Discover buried treasure this February Half Term when you set sail to Pirate Takeover at Alton Towers Resort or be prepared to walk the plank!
Live out your own pirate story, whether you’re visiting us for swashbuckling days out or staying over for an unforgettable short break, as the infamous pirates of Mutiny Bay take over the Resort from the 10th – 25th of February.
Budding buccaneers can join in the fun on an exciting pirate adventure with galleons of fun for the whole family to enjoy including the UK’s only CBeebies Land where families can make fantabulous memories and meet some of their favourite CBeebies friends!
READ: Pirate Takeover at Alton Towers Resort REVIEW
8. Free crafting with Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust
Click here for more information
Thursday 22nd February (10.30am-12.30pm and 2.00pm-4.00pm)
Crescent Crafts – Free, drop-in family activities
Ensana Buxton Crescent Assembly Rooms, SK17 6BH
Head to Buxton Crescent’s beautiful Georgian ballroom to enjoy FREE family craft activities inspired by stories from Buxton’s history and the seasons. Alongside make and take craft activities, children can also:
- dress up in fancy clothes inspired by Georgian balls – we have adult’s clothes too…
- build with Lego
- take a pretend tea party – complete with knitted current buns
- play with miniature worlds in our doll house
- investigate the room with sensory explorer tools
Saturday 17th February to Sunday 25th February (10am to 4pm)
Buxton Visitor Information Centre – The Pump Room opposite the Crescent
Get busy at the craft table. Use your imagination and enjoy creating with a pick n mix of craft materials. Why not enjoy a hot chocolate in the Pump Room whilst you are there?
Primary school aged children can discover facts about Buxton’s history by having a go at this half term’s Pump Room Puzzler activity sheet.
9. Chinese New Year Extravaganza at Buxton Opera House
Sunday 18th February at 7.30pm
Click here to book tickets
Tickets are priced at £27 or book the family rate for £87 (Max. 2 adults)
Come and celebrate the Year of the Dragon as Jinlong Culture & Performing Arts returns with a spectacular line-up of exciting programmes! After 2 years of dormancy, the show brings back their 18-metre dragon that illuminates the stage to bring joy and blessings for the 2024 Lunar New Year – The Year of the Dragon. Also featured are their ever-popular cheerful lions, Britain’s best Kung Fu display, circus acts and dance. A family-friendly show full of colour, amazement, and fun, it’s the perfect entertainment for all to enjoy on this auspicious occasion!
May contain haze, smoke, and flashing lights.
10. Mark Thompson’s Spectacular Science Show
Pavilion Arts Centre, Buxton
Friday 23rd February at 6pm
Click here to book tickets
Tickets are priced at £19.50 for adults and £15 for children
You think science is boring, think again; this is science like you have never seen it before. Designed for children and adults alike, Mark’s Spectacular Science Show explores the strange and magical properties of matter with exploding elephant’s toothpaste, vortex-generating dustbins and even howling jelly babies! Awarded Best Kid’s Show at Edinburgh Fringe by The Derek Awards, this interactive show promises to entertain and educate in the most spectacular way!
11. Family Day Rock Climbing
Family sessions running throughout February half term
Click here for more information and to book
Spend quality time with your family, discover stunning locations in the Peak District, and create memories to last a lifetime with a family session run by Peak Lines who offer private 1/2 a day and full day climbing experiences in the Peak District.
The sessions are friendly, encouraging, and aimed to get you working together as a family. You will have a go at climbing and abseiling, learn how to hold each other’s ropes and even learn some of the techniques essential to climbing independently. The session will be tailored to you and your family based on experience, age, and fitness level. Top-of-the-range safety equipment is provided.
The cost for 1/2 a day is £150 and for the full day it is £220 and includes all of the equipment and up to 6 people.
12. TrYumphant February Half-Term Holiday Camp
Monday 19th-Friday 23rd February 8:30am-4pm with optional extra time until 6pm
Baslow Sports Field
From £29.75/day
Click here for more information
Join the TrYumphants for their ever-varied mixture of creativity and craftiness, movement and messiness, sports and silliness!
This is open to all kids, whether you live locally or are visiting on holiday. There are five days available and you can book in for all four days or just one; whatever suits you and your family.
Use code PDK10 to get 10% off Or get 50% off with code FSM if you qualify for free school meals based on benefits.
Contact Becky on info@tryumphinlife.com or 07855943236 if you have any questions.
13. Ilam Park Half Term Sensory Trail
Saturday 3rd – Sunday 25th February (10am 3pm)
Trail sheet suggested donation £2
Click here for more information
Discover Ilam Park through your senses, looking for sights and sounds and sensory experiences that connect you to nature.
Pick up a trail sheet at the Welcome Hut and look for the sensory markers dotted around wintery Ilam Park. What can you hear? What can you smell? Have fun using your senses to explore nature in a different way. Suitable for all the family.
During the Peak District February half term there will be extra activities to help you connect with nature. Spin the wheel and pick your colour to become a nature detective, using our Wheel of Colour. Use our bird spotter board to find some of our feathered visitors and try your hand at meditation at our Meditation Station. The perfect place to take a moment after a busy day of adventure.
Also check out the Ilam Park pram-friendly walk.
14. Half Term Longshaw Deer Trail
Saturday 10th – Sunday 25th February (10am – 3.30pm)
Trail sheets £2
Click here for more
Discover what it’s like to be one of Longshaw’s wild deer with a fun family sensory trail.
Discover what it’s like to be one of Longshaw’s wild deer. What do you sound like when you cross the grass or craggy rocks? Can you spot your deer friends hiding in the woods? What does a deer do if they need to scratch their back? How fast can you run through the trees and what is it like to have their sense of smell?
Explore the land where Longshaw’s wild deer roam and experience the world from a deer-fferent point of view.
15. Visit a show cavern
Over the Peak District February half term, it’s pretty much guaranteed that it will rain at least one day. And what’s the top thing to do in the Peak District on a rainy day (if you don’t fancy donning the waterproofs for a family walk, that is)? Well it’s a visit to one of the show caverns, as the weather on the surface doesn’t matter when you’re underground. And thankfully ALL the show caverns are open this February half term.
Where are the show caverns?
- Heights of Abraham (Matlock Bath)
- Peak Cavern – aka Devil’s Arse! (Castleton)
- Speedwell Cavern (Castleton)
- Blue John Cavern (Castleton)
- Treak Cliff Cavern (Castleton)
- Poole’s Cavern (Buxton)
16. Chatsworth farmyard and playground opens for February half term
Saturday 10th February to Sunday 25th February (10:30am to 4:30pm)
Click here for more information
Chatsworth farmyard and playground reopens for the Peak District February half term. In the farmyard you’ll meet friendly animals, from pigs and horses to mischievous goats and guinea pigs, as well as a number of rare breeds including Suffolk Punch horses, Shire horses, Albion cattle, Gloucestershire Old Spot pigs, Bagot goats and Cream Legbar chickens.
PLease note that Chatsworth Estate are working on an exciting new redevelopment of the playground which will open in late spring. This means that part of the playground, including the zip wire and climbing frame, will not be accessible over half term.
There will be animal handling and feeding, craft activities, and tractor rides into Stand Wood.
Please note that the house and garden remain closed for conservation until the 16th March.
Combine your visit to Chatsworth farmyard and adventure playground with our Peak District Kids walk to Chatsworth Hunting Tower and Aqueduct in Stand Wood. We’ve also got a pram friendly version of this walk. Click here to read our full guide to visiting Chatsworth with kids.
17. Go for a family walk
A family walk in the Peak District is really number one reason to visit the National Park, and you should at least fit in one of our family walks into your February half term.
With hundreds of public footpaths criss-crossing the National Park and gentle rolling hills that aren’t too taxing on little legs, it’s the perfect free activity.
On this website we have over 80 family walks, including pram friendly walks and toddler walks, to more challenging walks such as Stanage Edge or Win Hill. Or you may even want to take on our Kinder Scout walk from Edale.
18. Half Term Family Folklore Walk from Edale
Please note that this walk event organised by Peak District National Trust, not Peak District Kids.
Tuesday 13th February (10am to 1.30pm)
Adult – £7.50, Child £5.00
Family (1 Adult & 2 Children) – £12.50
Click here for more information
Discover tales of local folklore and ancient history with the Family Folklore Walk from Edale, a guided 8km circular walk of the Vale of Edale.
Explore the beauty of the High Peak in the Peak District with an experienced guide who can tell you all about the landscape and history that surrounds you. Experience the exceptional views and learn about strange folklore, local legends and mythical beasts of the past. With incredibly knowledgeable walk leaders guiding your way across the terrain, this is a great family activity to get you outside in nature.
Ideal for families with children over the age of 10 years old.
19. Walk the Ethels: Lantern Pike
Please note that this walk event organised by Peak District National Trust, not Peak District Kids.
Friday 16th February (11am – 2pm)
Adult – £7.50, Child £5.00
Family (1 Adult & 2 Children) – £12.50
Click here for more information
A moderate circular guided walk summiting Lantern Pike starting from the Sett Valley Trail car park in Hayfield. Suitable for adventurous families!
Join us on a circular walk up the picturesque Lantern Pike from the Sett Valley Car Park in Hayfield. The walk will follow the Sett Valley Trail before joining the Pennine Bridleway and ascending Lantern Pike trig point. We will then circle back via the hamlet of Little Hayfield and back to the car park. The walk is approximately 5 miles and includes a moderately steep ascent.
Our walk leaders are incredibly knowledgeable, so please ask as many questions about the area as you like! Accompanied children are especially welcome but the walk is not suitable for pushchairs or prams.
20. February half term at Thornbridge
Read our guide to Thornbridge Gardens
Visit Thornbridge for an unforgettable experience with your kids! Come and enjoy a day filled with making memories, discovering tradition, learning, and fun! Immerse yourself in the spirit of Chinese New Year and discover its rich symbolism and significance.
21. Get out on the bikes
February half term is a good time to dust off the bikes stored away over the winter months, and head out on one of our Peak District cycle routes.
There are lots of old railway tracks that have been transformed into traffic free routes for walkers, cyclists, horse riders and wheelchair users through some of the Peak District’s most spectacular limestone dales. As these are traffic free and relatively flat, they’re a great place to go for a family bike ride.
Plus, there are also some lovely routes around the reservoirs (including Ladybower cycle route and Carsington cycle route), although kids will need bikes with gears for these ones.
Below are our top tried and tested Peak District family bike routes. Though remember, you don’t have to do the whole route, you can always cut it short for tired legs.
You may also like to read:
Things to do on a rainy day in the Peak District
Short and easy family walks in the Peak District
Things to do in Matlock and Matlock Bath