Warm up in the sunshine

Whatever the weather outside, the sun will be shining inside Winchester Cathedral this February half-term. A giant art installation - a seven-metre sculpture of the Sun - will be suspended inside the ancient space from 30 January until 1 March. There's also a brand new Sun, Moon, Stars and More! Interactive Family Trail, which is aimed at children aged between 5 and 11. The trail will explore ways the sun, moon and stars decorate the cathedral and includes a series of stellar challenges.

Here comes the Sun at Winchester Cathedral. Open every day in half-term.

See magic tricks on a vintage steam train

Heritage steam railway The Watercress Line is getting a magical makeover for February half-term. Running from 14 to 22 February, Magic of Locomotion will see visitors get to enjoy both the magic of train travel and actual magic tricks! There will be magic shows to marvel at in the Old Goods Shed at Alresford station, as well as up-close tricks from magicians on board the trains. Not forgetting activity and colouring sheets to keep littles busy too.

Magic of Locomotion at The Watercress Line, Alresford. Saturday 14 February - Sunday 22 February.

Watch pancake races outside Winchester Cathedral

Pancake Day falls on the Tuesday of February half-term this year, and there are plenty of ways to celebrate it in Winchester. First up, watch The Shrove Tuesday Pancake Races, organised by Winchester Rotary in partnership with Winchester Cathedral. The event, in the Cathedral Outer Close, will see teams compete for the title of fastest team, best fancy dress and best team name. Afterwards, head to one of the many places in town which serves up great pancakes, like Josie's which serves up kids-pleasing stacks of the fluffy kind.

Catch a performance at the theatre

When it comes to indoor activities for half-term not much beats a trip to the theatre. A stage adaptation of classic story The Tiger Who Came To Tea is on at Theatre Royal Winchester during half-term, while The Nutshell has puppets and original songs in Tales from the Lighthouse, and a relaxed participatory theatre session with The Last Baguette theatre company called Playtime! The Enchanted Forest for very little ones.

Explore Winchester's new soft play

Just in time for February half-term, Thrive & Wild is the newest soft play on the Winchester scene. Featuring three soft play spaces for different ages, all in pleasingly colourful shades, the centre also has a café serving up actually really good coffee. It's run by Flat Whites, with a new brunch and lunch menu (as well as cake, obviously.)

Thrive & Wild, Kings Worthy, nr Winchester. Open now.

Take a climb for an amazing view

Entertaining older children and teenagers? Why not book onto an adrenaline-filled climb, which will reward you with amazing views of Winchester city and its surrounding countryside. Bonus if the kids learn a little bit of history while they're at it! A Winchester Cathedral Tower Tour might just be the perfect experience this February half-term. Tours are running on 14, 18 and 21 February. Alternatively, head to the Hospital of St Cross, to try a tower tour on 22 February.

Plant a tree together

Plant a tree this year and support life for years to come. These tree planting sessions for families take place on the picturesque Hinton Ampner estate and will introduce kids, parents and grandparents to the hands-on, earthy delight of planting saplings that will hopefully grow into glorious native woodland. Each tree will provide homes, shelter and food for hundreds of species of wildlife, from barbastelle bats to purple emperor butterflies. The session is free but must be booked in advance.

Family Tree Planting at Hinton Ampner. Tuesday 17 and Friday 20 February.

Visit an art exhibition

Inspire a future artist by taking a visit to one of the amazing art exhibitions on in Winchester during February half-term 2026. Step inside Van Gogh's paintings at immersive experience Van Gogh Alive, which is taking over the planetarium dome at Winchester Science Centre.

Over at The Winchester Gallery you can explore Folding Space, an exhibition about Japanese and UK artists' books, for free during half-term.

Yinka Shonibare CBE RA: Patterns of Power opens at The Arc's Gallery during February half-term. Take in the colourful, playful and complex artworks and see what work of art your little one creates next time the paints come out!

Learn new creative crafts

Join BellaCrafts for their February Half Term Holiday Club, Monday to Friday from 14 to 24 February. They will be offering a variety of projects to suit all ages and interests including salt dough, miniature gardens, mobiles, garlands, bookmarks, painting and more!

BellaCrafts, Winchester. Friday 13 February - Monday 23 February.

Meet animals at the zoo

Half-term is the perfect time to explore Marwell Zoo. Get up close to the zoo's hundreds of animals, find out how conservationists are making a difference for future generations, and explore the adventure play areas and cafés on this 140-acre site.

Marwell Zoo, near Winchester. Open every day in half-term.

Go stargazing after dark

Head to Winchester Science Centre this half-term for a family-friendly, guided stargazing session. Begin your Night Sky Live adventure in the Planetarium. Learn the skills you’ll need to identify what’s above us before following the stargazing host outside into the South Downs National Park. It’s the perfect spot to observe the stars, constellations and planets. This event is part of the South Downs Dark Skies Festival 2026, which is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the South Downs becoming an International Dark Sky Reserve.

Night Sky Live: Family at Winchester Science Centre. Tuesday 17 February.

Step back in time at Historic Winchester attractions

It’s a Norman invasion at City Museum this February half-term. Learn about the weapons used at the Battle of Hastings on the Bayeaux Tapestry trail and add your own entry to our Doomesday Book. Practice your sword and shield techniques and decide whether you’re on the side of the Normans or the Anglo Saxons. Elsewhere in Winchester, The Great Hall and Westgate Museum will also be open for little history fans to explore.