24 fun things to do in York for February half term 2015
Hang about, it’s half term again! Here are the highlights of the holiday activities. You can see everything in our special section of the city’s best What’s On guide.
Viking fun
The Jorvik Viking Festival
They’re big, they’re gruff and they’re ’airy and we be afraid of ’em… Yes those Nordic warriors are back for the 31st Jorvik Viking Festival.
What’s on this year? Contests to find the best beard and strongest Viking, hands-on activities for kids including the ever-popular Poo Day, music and lectures and an epic “ice and fire” finale where a cast of warriors, giants and gods bring the Norse legends to life.
That should keep us busy. All the Viking activities are here.
Family fun
National Railway Museum, Leeman Road, York
Sat Feb 14-Sun Feb 22 @ 10am-5pm
Free entry, with a small charge for some activities
Fresh from his triumph on the big screen, the world’s most loveable bear takes up residence at the NRM – well, he is named after a railway station… Games, science, dressing up and meet the duffel-coated one himself.
Have you felt the bubbles melt?
York Chocolate Story, King’s Square, York
Sat Feb 14-Sun Feb 22 @ 9.30am-6pm
£8.50-£10.50
Eighty years ago, Rowntree’s created Aero. Thank you, Rowntree’s.
To celebrate, York’s Chocolate Story is paying week-long homage to the bubbly bar. Demonstrations, hands on activities and fun facts for all the family are promised.
Connecting communities
A day of fun-filled activities, with art, workshops, interactive games and the chance to meet Edgar the Elephant.
Castle Howard: Children’s trail
Can you spot the hearts and flowers hidden round the Castle Howard grounds? Fine them all and you can collect a treat.
Story fun
Meet Jeremy Strong
One of the biggest names in children’s writing, Jeremy Strong hits town as part of the Viking Festival to talk about his mad characters and hilarious stories.
Meet Jacqueline Wilson
One of Britain’s best-selling authors comes to York to launch her new book, The Butterfly Club. Dame Jacqueline Wilson loves our city, as she explained in our interview here.
Acomb Explore events
Acomb Explore is putting on a number of events for children and families this half term. Look out for activities focused on books including The Scarecrow’s Wedding Day, and The Gruffalo.
Inkwell To The Rescue
Creative writing fun for 7-11 year olds at the main York library. The theme is superheroes, so pack your cape…
Stories Alive
Beningbrough Hall, Beningbrough, York
Tues Feb 17 & Sat Feb 21 @ 11.30am-3.30pm
£3.15-£6.30
Let professional storyteller Eden bring history to life with his tale especially composed for Beningbrough – who are the people in the portraits?
Olaf The Viking
Olaf the Viking tells tales of the victory in 1066 at Fulford, but also of their defeat at Stamford Bridge. With regular short stories throughout each day.
History fun
Don a sash (or policeman’s helmet), march with placards, and become a suffragette in this interactive event at the Castle Museum.
Yorkshire Museum: Buried Treasure
Yorkshire Museum, Museum Gardens
Sat Feb 14-Sun Feb 22 @ 10am-5pm
Admission free with a York Card, 50p per trail
Follow the clues around the museum to find the pieces of eight. If you are successful, claim your own chocolate treasure.
Yorkshire Museum: Viking Longboats
Yorkshire Museum, Museum Gardens
Sat Feb 14-Sun Feb 22 @10am-5pm
Entry free with a York Card
A simple one this – dress as a Viking pirate and make your own mini longboat.
Yorkshire Museum: Metal Detecting
Yorkshire Museum, Eye of York
Weds Feb 18-Thu Feb 19 @ 11am-4pm
Free entry with a York Card
The museum has some rather nifty hand-held metal detectors. Can you use them to track down buried treasure?
Litte Diggers Viking fun
The Little Diggers events are aimed at children between 2 and 5 years. These hour-long sessions allow them to dress like valiant Viking heroes, enjoy Norse songs and games and listen to some epic stories.
York Dungeon: Grave Robbers
An unruly pair of grave robbers take up residence at the dungeon to add some extra scares for half term. Look out – the duo will be eyeing up everyone as a potential sale.
Treasurer’s House: Fascinating Frank Tours
Treasurer’s House, Minster Yard, York
Sat Feb 14-Thu Feb 19, and Sat Feb 21-Thu Feb 26 @ 11am-3pm
£3.60-£7.20
Learn more about Frank Green, the eccentric character who left Treasruer’s House and his contents to the National Trust. Frank is also said to be one of the many ghosts in residence – he threatened to haunt the house if anyone dare move the furniture!
Arty fun
Head to the Learning Labs and use the craft materials to create a dragon. Then take it home, and train it.
Castle Museum: Create At The Castle
Family arts and crafts, all with a suffragette them. See also, Votes For Women!, above.
York Minster: Make a Viking horn
Craft activities inspired by the Horn of Ulf – a 1,000 year old elephant horn gifted to the Minster by a Viking nobleman. Drop in any time between 10am and 3pm.
Artrageous
Beningbrough Hall, Beningbrough
Sun Feb 15, Wed Feb 18 & Fri Feb 20 @ 1pm-3pm
£3.15-£6.50
Get out the glue and make something original as Beninbrough’s popular family art workshops return to the Hayloft.
Watch it!
A fun animated children’s film from the classic Asterix and Obelix story books – fast becoming a classic for kids.
How To Train Your Dragon
This is a cracking modern animation, as Hiccup the Viking befriends his arch enemy – a young dragon.