Half Term!! Already, it only seems like five minutes ago that the Christmas Holidays finished and the kids outdoor clothing sparking and new were packed off to school. Well afraid not and depending where you are in the country dates do differ slightly but here are a few ideas to keep them occupied, and parents most of them are free.

I make no apology that these are based in and around Greater Manchester and Cheshire, but similar events are taking place across the country, check out your local websites for details. So what have we found to keep them occupied?

1. Why not take a trip to Manchester Museum, take in their new exhibition Coral: Something Rich and Strange. Then take the opportunity to create sea creatures and mythical monsters, see what your imagination can bring forth.

2. Bolton Museum are letting the dinosaurs take control with opportunities to make dinosaur skeleton pictures on Tuesday and hatching dinosaur eggs on Thursday. Watch out for Velociraptors delaying traffic later in the week. You can also see the ‘fun fish feeds’ taking place at 1.30 pm – 3pm each day Tuesday to Thursday.

3. Libraries across Tameside are hosting events entitled Spacetastic, a series of cosmic crafts will be shown and there is a treasure hunt too to help the smaller children reach for the stars, (aimed at children 4+ and their families). For those aged 6-8 they are also running creative writing workshops which are also space-themed.

4. The Rochdale Pioneers Museum are celebrating the 150th anniversary of The Co-operative Wholesale Society with a tea party at Jumbo Farm in Middleton. Various activities for all ages are taking place, including making a Play-Doh cake, decorating a Fairtrade cookie and making a Faritrade badge. There is even a chance to dress up in a banana suit and find out more about this year’s Fairtrade campaign ‘make bananas fair’

5. Over at the Museum of Science and Industry if you are brave enough you can walk through a Victorian sewer and experience the sights, sounds and smells too.

6. The Imperial War Museum North is running a special week of events featuring the popular Spy Dogs books, with a chance to meet the author and star of the books too. Other events include being shown how to create a secret identity and a chance to take part in the Super Spy Lazer Maze Challenge.

7. Depending on the weather why not pay a visit to Wythenshaw Park and Farm, a working farm within the borders of Manchester. Experience the country in the city.

8. The Royal Exchange Theatre are offering free craft workshops. These are free but you will need to book a ticket. Check out their website for further details.

9. Fancy a trip a little further afield then why not take a trip out to Chester Cathedral. They are offering various activities including painting stained glass windows, decorating gingerbread monks, and making concertina books and sketching key features of the cathedral itself. Contact the Education Officer for further details.

So there you are no need to be stuck inside this half-term, get the kids outdoor clothing on and take a trip, and have fun, whatever the weather.