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Chronicle Live
Chronicle Live
National
Nicole Goodwin

Things to do in County Durham with the kids this half term

Keeping the kids entertained during the school holidays can be a challenge.

But there's plenty of fun activities in County Durham for the whole family to enjoy.

And there's even more good news as some of these activities can be enjoyed for free.

Go here for more County Durham news and updates from County Durham Live

Here are some great ways to get out and about in County Durham and keep the whole family entertained this half term.

Join the fire and ice trail through Durham city centre

Pick up a map in Durham city centre and embark on a tour of science-themed ice sculptures.

View the sculptures and flaming beacons and watch live demonstrations.

Enjoy interactive displays and stay for the exciting finale, which will begin at 6pm.

The free event requires no booking and will take place on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th February, from 10am to 6.15pm.

Maps can be collected from Town Hall, Gala Theatre, event stewards or the event page on Facebook.

Hamsterley Forest in County Durham (Newcastle Chronicle)

Take a tour of Hamsterley Forest with Superworm and friends

From February 19, Hamsterley Forest will be home to Superworm and friends, who will be placed around the forest for children to discover.

Families are invited to join Superworm on a new self-led trail which features brightly illustrated panels and a trail pack full of fun activities.

Discover the small but mighty creatures in the much-loved story and learn about the minibeasts of the forest.

Trail packs include a Kraft bag to colour in, a forest superhero mask, seven creature facts cards, an activity sheet to complete at home, stickers, a pencil and crayon and a trail leaflet.

The trail is open from 9am - 4pm weekdays and 9am - 5pm on weekends.

Visit Beamish Museum's latest attraction - 1950s Front Street terrace

Beamish Museum's 1950s terrace will open just in time for February half term, with a week of celebrations to commemorate the much-anticipated occasion.

The latest addition to the living museum, Front Street terrace, features a café, fish and chip shop, hairdresser's, and a recreation of the 1950s home of North East artist Norman Cornish.

Visitors will be able to enjoy an ice cream sundae while listening to the jukebox at John’s Café, a recreation of the popular café from Wingate, County Durham.

And they will be able to get a 1950s hairdo and pose for photos under the dryers at Elizabeth’s, which is in a recreation of an end-terrace shop from Bow Street in Middlesbrough.

Fish and chips will be served at Middleton's, which recreates a fish and chip shop from Middleton St George, near Darlington.

Visitors can also try their hand at sketching in No. 2 Front Street, a recreation of Norman Cornish's Spennymoor home and discover more about the Spennymoor Settlement.

The museum will commence with a week of opening celebrations from 19th to 27th February - just in time for February half term.

Families can also enjoy ice skating at the museum’s pop-up rink after it extended its dates from February 19-27.

All visitors will need to pre-book an entry time slot to visit the museum – time slots from February 19 to March 27 are available to book online now.

Front Street, Beamish's new 1950's attraction (Beamish Museum)

See a theatre show at a local library

A modern take on children’s classic Cinderella will be touring County Durham libraries throughout February half term following a successful run in local schools.

Produced in association with North East theatre company Blowin' A Hooley, Cinderella's SnapTok, picks up 20 years after Cinderella got her 'happy ever after' and Prince Charming is nowhere to be seen.

The show will entertain families at Bishop Auckland Town Hall at 11.00am on Saturday 19 February before embarking on a tour of County Durham libraries, visiting:

  • Seaham Library at 10.30am on Tuesday 22 February

  • Peterlee Library at 2.30pm on Tuesday 22 February

  • Chester-le-Street Library at 10.30am on Wednesday 23 February

  • Stanley Library at 2.30pm on Wednesday 23 February

  • Newton Aycliffe Library at 2.30pm on Thursday 24 February

The show's run will culminate with four performances, at 11.00am and 2.00pm on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 February, at Gala Durham.

Final chance to see the wetland sculptures at Hardwick Park

Don’t miss the final chance to see the wetland sculptures at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield.

The trail will end on February 23 after almost two months at the park.

Grab a trail booklet at the gift shop which will guide you through the new park route and provide the opportunity to learn fun facts about the sculptures, answer questions about them and take part in sensory activities.

This trail is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund through Discover Brightwater.

Visit Potter's World - home to County Durham's only registered zoo

Potter's World in Lanchester is described as the North East's hidden gem and a place for the whole family to enjoy a day out.

The centre comprises of three interactive and educational spaces to explore - Potters Tropical Village, Potters Owl Adventures and Potters Play Tunnel.

Potters Tropical Village is the only registered Zoo in County Durham and showcases exotic free flying birds, reptiles, invertebrates, amphibians, insects and fish.

While Potters Owl Adventures is home to beautiful owls and birds of prey.

Potters Play Tunnel is an outdoor educational space that allows children to explore and wonder at the world around them.

Hunt for sea glass on Seaham's shores

Seaham's beaches have been popular with treasure hunters for many years.

It is known as the best place to collect sea glass in the world and visitors to the beach will often be found digging for these real hidden gems, which can be found in a variety of sizes and colours.

Red and blue are among the rarest colours of sea glass worldwide. However, the North Sea regularly washes up gems of that colour on Seaham's shores.

So why not grab a bucket and spade and dig around for hidden treasure?

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