HALF-TERM holidays are here – when the weather is gloomy it can be a difficult time of year to keep the kids amused but we have some ideas for places to go in Croydon and a little further afield...
£2 Films, Fairfield Halls
Enjoy a family flick (PG or U) for just two quid at Fairfield Halls. Tuesday's screening is The Book of Life, Wednesday is The Penguins of Madagascar, Thursday is Annie with Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx, Friday is Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, and Saturday is Paddington.
Where: Fairfield Halls, Croydon
When: Tuesday, February 17 – Saturday, February 21
Times: 2.30pm, except The Book of Life which starts at 3.30pm
Price: £2
Phone: 020 8688 9291
Web: www.fairfieldcinema.co.uk
Dora the Explorer at Centrale, Croydon
Come along and say. 'Hola' to Dora the Explorer when the kids' character visits Centrale. She will be hosting meet and greet sessions outside House of Fraser on the Lower Mall. It's free but you will need a ticket which you can book online. Some will be available in the centre on the day.
Where: Centrale, North End, CR0 1TY, Crawley
When: Wednesday, February 18
Times: 11am, noon, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm
Price: Free but you need to book online
Phone: 020 8681 5841
Web: www.centrale.co.uk/events/dora-the-explorer
Superhero half term at Whitgift
If you are a member of Whitgift Weenies you can join in with their superhero fun this half term. Learn superhero moves with Bop and Boogie, take part in a superhero fancy dress competition, have fun with arts and crafts and facepainting and enjoy learning with Explore. You have to have registered as a Whitgift Weenies member at least 24 hours before booking a place on the event. Whitgift Weenies is for children aged three to 10 and it is free to become a member – visit www.whitgiftweenies.co.uk
Where: Whitgift
When: Tuesday, February 17 – Wednesday, February 18
Times: 9.30 – 11am, 11.30am – 1pm, 2 – 3.30pm, 4 – 5.30pm
Price: Free, for Whitgift Weenies members only
Phone: 020 8688 8522
Web: www.thewhitgiftcroydon.co.uk/weenies/events.php
My Pet Pals Activity Club, Pets at Home, Croydon
Pets at Home experts teach children how to care for reptiles and fish responsibly but in a fun and interactive way.
Learn about different species and get information and advice before taking on the responsibility, such as what they eat, how to feed them and how each animal has their own unique needs.
Store manager Teresa Abbott says: "Fish and reptiles make extremely rewarding pets, especially for older children. The free workshops are a chance for the pet lovers of Croydon to engage with our colleagues who will be able to offer tips and advice on pet care, while making the workshops fun and interactive.
"To make sure the children get the chance to be as hands-on as possible, they'll also be given the chance to meet the stars of the workshops."
After completing the workshop, each child will receive a certificate and sticker, along with a pet promise card.
Where: Pets at Home, Waddon Goods Yard, Purley Way, CR0 4NX
When: Monday, February 16 – Sunday, February 22
Times: 2pm daily for 45 minutes
Price: free
Phone: 0845 600 9519
Web: www.petsathome.com
Spitfire Kids, Polesden Lacey, Great Bookham
Discover what it was like to be an evacuee during the Second World War with this interactive trail. Uncover time capsules left by evacuees containing objects with special meaning. You may find silk knickers made from a recycled parachute or a banana. Maggie Greville, who owned the house until her death in 1942, bought a spitfire for the RAF – help recreate Mrs Greville's spitfire in papier-mâché.
Where: Polesden Lacey, Great Bookham, RH5 6BD
When: Saturday, February 14 – Sunday, February 22
Times: 11am – 3.30pm
Price: £2 per trail plus normal admission of £3.90 – £13.75
Phone: 01372 452048
Web: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/polesdenlacey
Build a birdbox, Denbies Hillside
Make your own bird box with the National Trust's countryside team and encourage birds into your garden.
Where: Landbarn Farm, Denbies Hillside, Ranmore Common Road, near Dorking, RH5 6SR
When: Friday, February 20
Times: 10am – 1pm
Price: £15 per person, booking essential
Phone: 01372 220644
Web: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/denbies-hillside
Half Term Fun, Bocketts Farm Park, Leatherhead
Early spring lambing begins with more than 70 new born lambs due. Meet the shepherd and learn all about the sheep. Birds of prey demonstrations are held twice daily from Monday, February 16 to Friday, February 20. Visit the Pony Parlour and meet and groom the Shetland ponies. Plus there is heated indoor play and lots of outdoor play, as well as daily animal handling, goat milking, tractor rides, pony rides and pig racing.
Where: Bocketts Farm Park, Young Street, Fetcham, Leatherhead, KT22 9BS
When: Saturday, February 14, to Sunday, February 22
Times: 10am – 5pm
Price: Included in admission £8 – £9.80, plus pony rides 32, tractor rides £1.25
Phone: 01372 363764
Web: www.bockettsfarm.co.uk
Woolly Week at Godstone Farm
See the new lambs and if you are lucky you might even see one being born. There will be talks in the main barn, facepainting and you can learn how to spin wool on the spinning wheel, make felt and take home a little crafted sheep made from your felted wool. Don't forget to say hello to Shelley the sheep.
Where:Godstone Farm, Tilburstow Hill Road, Godstone, RH9 8LX
When: Saturday, February 14 to Sunday, February 22
Times: 10am – 5pm
Price: included in admission price £3 – £7, extra for facepainting and tractor ride
Phone: 01883 742546
Web: www.godstonefarm.co.uk
Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking
The annual Lego Exhibition takes place from Monday, February 16 to Friday, February 20. There is a daily Lego build at 11.30am and 1.30pm. Admission is free but you can make a £1.50 donation to the Rainbow Trust. Plus, join the Lego Building Workshop on Wednesday, February 18 at 11am and 2pm, £7.25 per child.
Take your furry friend to the Teddy Bear's Valentine's Disco on Monday, February 16 at 11am and 2pm. £7.25 per child.
Henfold Birds of Prey fly in on Tuesday, February 17 and Thursday, February 19 from 10am – 2pm. Admission free. And it's pancake day so flip, run and race between 11.30am and 12.30pm and raise money for the Rainbow Trust.
Enjoy traditional capers with Punch & Judy on Friday, February 20 at 10.30am, noon and 2pm. Free admission.
Reservations recommended.
Where: Denbies Wine Estate, London Road, Dorking, RH5 6AA
Phone: 01306 876616
Web: www.denbies.co.uk
Hobbledown, Epsom, Surrey
Explore the mystical land of Hobbledown adventure farm park. Join Huck and the gang for character led activities including story time and face painting. Enjoy the interactive puppet show, The Wonder of Winter, which takes place daily inside Topperpot's Teepee Theatre. New this year is the designated animal petting zone, The Granary, where you can meet giant snails, mice, rats, guinea pigs and rabbits. The High Ropes course will be open daily from 10.30m to 4.30pm and the Underground Tunnels will also be open. Animal feeding and talks place at various times, get arty in the Creation Station and burn off energy in the indoor play barn.
Where: Hobbledown, Horton Lane, Epsom, KT19 8PT
Open: School holiday opening: Saturday, February 14 to Sunday February 22, Sundays and Monday – Thursday 9am – 7pm, Friday and Saturdays 9am – 8pm
Price: Included in admission price during half term £3.50 – £8.95, extra charge for facepainting
Phone: 0843 289 4979
Web: www.hobbledown.com
