Experience family fun activities across Hampshire Cultural Trust’s museums, arts centres and galleries!
Half term is upon us here in Hampshire (Saturday 19 to Sunday 27 February 2022) and it’s shaping up to be quite the fun-filled week. Events are taking place all over the county within Hampshire Cultural Trust’s (HCT) museums, arts centres and galleries so whether you are visiting for pottery in Aldershot, a LEGO® art exhibition and games in Basingstoke or crafts in Andover, February half term with HCT will not disappoint.
Play Days: Games at the Museum at Milestones Museum – Basingstoke RG22 6PG
Saturday 19 to Sunday 27 February, during museum opening hours
Enjoy fun and games through the years at Milestones this February half term! Start your visit with traditional fairground features like hoopla and hook the duck, then wander along the Milestones Pier and see how arcade games have transformed through time, from penny machines to Pac-Man.
Head to the Baverstock Arms, Milestones' working pub, for skittles, quoits, dominos and more, then learn how board games gained a boost in popularity in WWII and try out family favourites yourself. On Milestones' cobbled streets there'll be classic street games to try (without the worry of modern traffic!), and if the weather is fine, you can head outside for even more games and surprises.
Included in standard admission, additional charge may apply for some activities.
Model Mayhem at Aldershot Military Museum – Aldershot GU11 2LG
Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 February, 10.30am - 2.30pm
This February half term, Aldershot Military Museum welcomes the British Model Soldier Society, Warlord Games and 2nd Queens Royal Regiment of Foot Napoleonic era reenactors for two days of military inspired fun!
£3 per person (excluding museum admission price). Suitable for ages 3+, children must be accompanied.
Half term fun at West End Centre – Aldershot GU11 3JD
Messy – Thursday 24 February, 11.00am
Zoo Co present this magical and visual story, complete with original music, puppets, tap dancing and even a trip to the moon as you explore the stories of ‘The Mess!’.
£7 per person or £25 family ticket. All performances are accessible relaxed performances, performed by a deaf and hearing cast with Sign Supported English. Suitable for ages 4+, children must be accompanied.
Bollywood Dance: Ages 2 - 5 – Thursday 24 February, 10.30am – 11.15am
Get the little tots grooving in this Bollywood-inspired dancercise workshop - a fun, safe and cultural-expressive-dance-fitness.
£5 ticket price includes 1 child and 1 parent or guardian. Suitable for ages 2-5, children must be accompanied.
Pottery 3+ (and parents) – Friday 25 February, 10.30am - 12.30pm
Calling all children (preschool ages) and parents/guardians who love tactile and manipulation materials. Come and experience this wonderful natural resource and learn pottery. You will be using two types of clay to make sculptural creations to then be fired. Each week will have a theme and visual images to inspire the creativity!
£12 per person. This course is designed for children who can sit either on a parent/guardian lap or alone and can listen to short instructions. Although the clay is a natural material, it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to monitor the child’s use. For ages 3+.
Pottery 8+ – Friday 25 February, 13.30am - 15.30pm
Make new friends and get creative with clay! There’s nothing more satisfying than getting clay between your fingers – you'll make something to take home to show friends and family whilst having a fantastic time! It's a fun, relaxing and friendly environment and is a great way to discover new talents and abilities!
£12 per person. For ages 8+.
Brick by Brick at the Willis Museum and Sainsbury Gallery – Basingstoke RG21 7QD
Brick by Brick Saturday – 5 February to Saturday 30 April, during museum opening hours
An exhibition of work by visual artists from around the world who use LEGO® bricks as their medium or inspiration.
Free admission, donations welcome.
Brick by Brick Workshops – Saturday 19 to Sunday 27 February, 11am-12pm, 1 - 2pm and 2.30 - 3.30pm
Brick by Brick workshops ran by tutor, Fiona Sandover.
£3 per child. 4+. Pre-booking required. Please note this activity takes place upstairs which may cause some access issues. Please contact us for more information.
Roman crafts at Andover Museum and Museum of the Iron Age – Andover SP10 1DP
Roman-themed February half term – Saturday 19 to Sunday 27 February
Enjoy trails, quizzes, storytelling and craft activities all based around fascinating Roman history.
Suitable for ages 3+, children must be accompanied. Times and prices vary, please see website for full details.
Make a Roman Mosaic Tile – Wednesday 23 February, 11.00am - 3.00pm
Create your own mosaic tile to take home.
Admission free, suggested donation £3 for craft activity. Suitable for ages 3+, children must be accompanied.
Make a Mini Roman Pot – Friday 25 February, 11.00am - 3.00pm
Make a Roman-inspired mini pot out of air-dry clay to take home.
Admission free, suggested donation £3 for craft activity. Suitable for ages 3+, children must be accompanied.
Ravilious at The Gallery, Jewry Street, Winchester
Extraordinary Everyday: The Art & Design of Eric Ravilious– Friday 18 February to Sunday 15 May, during gallery opening hours
An exhibition of works by war artist Eric Ravilious (1903 – 1942), including some rarely seen ceramics.
There will be a charge for this exhibition.
Let’s Start Printmaking – Saturday 19 February, 10.30am and Monday 21 February, 2.30pm
Discover the wonder of printmaking and make your very own Ravilious inspired relief print with polystyrene blocks.
£18 per person. Suitable for ages 5 – 10 years, children must be accompanied.
Exploring Printmaking – Saturday 19 February, 2.30pm and Monday 21 February, 10.30am
Learn all about lino cutting and leave with your very own Ravilious style lino prints.
£18 per person. Suitable for ages 11 – 15 years.
Half term knights at the Westgate – Winchester SO23 9AP
Knights at the Westgate – Monday 21 to Sunday 27 February, during museum opening hours.
Learn about armour and defences in Winchester’s last remaining gate whilst exploring the Westgate’s vast history!
Included in museum admission. Suitable for ages 5+, children must be accompanied.
Activity Trail – Monday 21 to Sunday 27 February, during museum opening hours
Find all the hidden knights in the activity trail to earn a knight badge.
Free activity trail on first visit to Westgate Museum. Suggested donation £1 on return visit. Suitable for all ages, children must be accompanied.
Anglo-Saxon half term at Winchester City Museum – Winchester SO23 9ES
King Alfred’s Winchester – Saturday 19 to Sunday 27 February, during museum opening hours
Explore Winchester in King Alfred's time. Learn all about Wessex, become an Anglo-Saxon with the museum costumes and discover the tale of King Alfred.
Included in museum admission. Suitable for all ages, children must be accompanied.
King Alfred Activity Trail – Saturday 19 to Sunday 27 February, during museum opening hours
Mini King Alfred's are hiding around the museum! Find them all to reveal the hidden word and claim your prize.
Free activity trail on first visit to City Museum. Suggested donation £1 on return visit. Suitable for all ages, children must be accompanied.
Anglo-Saxon Shield Craft Sessions – Tuesday 15 and Thursday 17 February, 1.00pm – 5.00pm
Make your own Anglo-Saxon shield to take home.
Included in museum admission. Suggested donation £2. Suitable for ages 5+, children must be accompanied.
Half term entertainment at Ashcroft Arts Centre – Fareham PO16 7DX
Create and Play Club: Upcycled Crafts – Thursday 24 February, 9.30am – 1.00pm
Learn the importance of recycling and use recycled materials to create unique crafted creations.
£18 per person. Suitable for ages 6 – 11.
Create and Play Club: Dance Morning – Friday 25 February, 9.30am – 1.00pm
Learn some funky moves in this energetic dance morning. Play games and explore street dance!
£18 per person. Suitable for ages 6 – 11.
Messy – Saturday 26 February, 2.00pm
Zoo Co present this magical and visual story, complete with original music, puppets, tap dancing and even a trip to the moon as you explore the stories of ‘The Mess!’
£7 per person or £25 family ticket. All performances are accessible relaxed performances, performed by a deaf and hearing cast with Sign Supported English. Suitable for ages 4+, children must be accompanied.
Half term challenges and crafts at Westbury Manor Museum – Fareham PO16 0JJ
Mug Painting – Sunday 20, Monday 21 and Wednesday 24 February, 10.00am - 1.00pm
Drop in and get arty, adding your own unique design to a mug!
Admission free, suggested donation £2. Suitable for ages 4+, children must be accompanied.
Challenge Trail – Saturday 19 to Sunday 27 February, 10.00am - 4.00pm
Can you beat the Westbury Manor Museum Challenge Trail? Follow the trail around the galleries and complete the tricky tasks along the way!
Suitable for ages 5+, children must be accompanied. Free admission, donations welcome.
Half term entertainment at Forest Arts Centre – New Milton BH25 6DS
SOLD OUT: Creative Camps: Mulan – Thursday 24 February, 9.30am
This Chinese New Year get creative with Mulan-inspired crafts to celebrate the year of the tiger.
£8 or £10 with film ticket. Suitable for ages 5-13 and their families, max two parents per child. Under 6s must be accompanied. Children under the age of 12 must have an adult accompany them for the film.
Film: Mulan (2020) – Thursday 24 February, 11.00am
A young maiden disguises herself as a male warrior in order to save her father from the military and becomes one of China's greatest heroines in the process.
£3 per person. Rating: 12A, children must be accompanied.
Messy – Sunday 27 February, 2.30pm
Zoo Co present this magical and visual story, complete with original music, puppets, tap dancing and even a trip to the moon as you explore the stories of ‘The Mess!’.
£7 per person or £25 family ticket. All performances are accessible relaxed performances, performed by a deaf and hearing cast with Sign Supported English. Suitable for ages 4+, children must be accompanied.
Enchanted half term at the Red House Museum – Christchurch BH23 1BU
The Enchanted Doodle Room – Saturday 29 January to Sunday 6 March, during museum opening hours
The museum will be turning the main gallery into the Doodle Room, free to all to have fun using the resources provided. Help transform the gallery into an evolving artwork of doodles, dreams and imagination.
Admission free, suggested donation £3. Suitable for all ages, children must be accompanied.
Treehouse Theatre Interactive Storytelling – Every Wednesday in February, 11.00am - 12.00pm
Enjoy interactive storytelling of traditional fairy tales with Treehouse Theatre as part of the museum’s Enchanted Woodland-themed month.
£4 per child, accompanying adults go free. Suitable for ages 3 – 7, children must be accompanied.
Enchanted Fairy and Elves Trail – Saturday 29 January to Sunday 6 March, standard opening times
Wander around the museum and gardens and see if you can spot all the homes of the magical woodland friends.
£1 per activity sheet. Suitable for all ages, children must be accompanied.
Under Fives Creative Play Session – Every Friday in February, 10.00am - 11.00am, 11.00am - 12.00pm
The Doodle Room will become an under 5s play zone on Friday mornings, with fun, hands-on activities.
£4 per child, accompanying adults go free. Suitable for ages 1 - 5, children must be accompanied.
Museum Makes: Make your own Enchanted Woodland Door – Tuesday 22 February, 10.00am, 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3.00pm
Bring some magic to your garden and decorate your own pixie or fairy door to take home.
£4 per child, accompanying adults go free. Suitable for ages 5+, children must be accompanied.
