Spring Half Term in St Albans - 15 to 19 Feb 2010

What's on, days out, events and activities for all ages

There's lots to do in and around St Albans for families with children of all ages. Please check details, availability and prices with the venue before you go and remember that pre-booking is often required. For more ideas, visit our children's, days out, museums and attractions and sport and fitness sections. Have fun!

When

Where

What

All week

Willows Farm Village

February Frolics: See new born lambs every day with a full programme of indoor and outdoor activities and play. NEW for 2010 - help Bo Peep find her Lost Sheep with a prize for every child! More .

All week

Local parks

Play in the Parks: A free open access play and physical activity scheme for children aged 5 to 12 including drama games, arts and crafts as well as a variety of physical activity and sport workshops. Find out more.

All week

Roller City, Campus West

• Half-Term Skates: 11am-12.30pm for 12 and unders (plus parents), 2-4pm for all ages. Booking recommended.
• Introduction to Skating: Mon, Tue, Thu and Fri from 9.30-10.30am. £22 including skate hire. Book on 01707 357117.

Sat 13 Feb onwards

Bekonscot Model Village

The fabulous 80-year-old model village and railway reopens for the year. It's a great place to visit for all ages and the annual pass is excellent value. Open 10am-5pm from 13 Feb to 1 Nov. More.

Sat 13 Feb

Maltings Arts Theatre

Growing, Growing, Gone!: Can two actors and a watering can cover this tall tale of Jack and the Beanstalk? Krazy Kat present an imaginative and unpredictable storytelling extravaganza with magic tricks, original music, silly puppets and a rather cross giant! At 3pm, ages 4-8. £5.

Mon 15 Feb

Verulamium Museum

The Roman Invasion: Why did they come? What made Queen Boudicca so angry that she tried to drive the Romans out of Britain? Come along and find out and create a Celtic shield and a 'Wanted' poster for Queen Boudicca. For ages 6-13, 10.30am-12.30pm. £5. Booking required 01727 751810.

Mon 15 & Tue 16 Feb

Alban Arena

Room on the Broom: Stage adaptation of the much loved children's book. Mon 15 Feb 1.30pm & 3.30pm, Tues 16 Feb, 10.30am & 1.30pm. Tickets £10.

Mon 15 & Thu 18 Feb

Natural History Museum at Tring

Snapping Sharks: Unleash your paper cutting and folding skills to produce your very own snapping shark. Drop-in sessions, 10.15am–12.15pm and 2-3pm. £1 per child. Ages 5+.

Tue 16 Feb

Town Hall

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Race: the annual St Albans pancake race starts at 12pm in Market Place outside the Town Hall. To register your team, contact the Tourist and Information Centre on 01727 864511 or email: tic@stalbans.gov.uk by 15 Feb. More.

Tue 16 Feb

Verulamium Museum

Roman Houses: Make a model of a Roman town house complete with a patterned floor and beautiful wall paintings. For ages 8-13. 10.30am-12.30pm. £5. Booking required 01727 751810.

Tue 16 Feb

Radlett Centre

Katy and the Nurgla: Katy's holiday turns into an unexpected adventure when she meets the Nurgla, a mysterious sea monster with an eventful past. Told with puppetry, music, comedy and even a little magic! Ages 4-9 years. At 2pm. Tickets £6.

Tue 16 Feb

Trestle Arts Base

Explore!: a backstage pass to Trestle Arts Base. Visit the dressing rooms and try on a costume, check out all the different theatre sets and props, take a Trestle drama workshop and have a go at operating the theatre’s light and sound controls. From 10am to 4pm. Free.

Tue 16 Feb

Mill Green Museum

Clay day: Another chance to make something unique out of clay with ceramic artist Caroline Lewis. At 10am and 2pm, each session is two hours. Booking essential. Age 8+ £10.

Tue 16 & Thu 18 Feb

Campus West

Where The Wild Things Are (PG): Film adaptation of the children's story about a young boy who wears his wolf suit, behaves badly and is sent to bed without any supper where he escapes to a forest. Tue 16 at 2.30pm, Thu 18 at 8pm.

Tue 16 & Fri 19 Feb

Natural History Museum at Tring

Lizard Wall Art: Make a brightly coloured paper lizard to take home and decorate your wall. Drop-in sessions, 10.15am–12.15pm and 2-3pm. £1 per child. Ages 5+.

Wed 17 Feb

Verulamium Museum

Roman Verulamium: Find out about the buildings, the jobs people had and the entertainment available then make a game based on this fascinating information. For ages 8-13. 10.30am-12.30pm. £5. Booking required 01727 751810.

Wed 17 Feb

Alban Arena

Where The Wild Things Are (PG): Film adaptation of the children's story about a young boy who wears his wolf suit, behaves badly and is sent to bed without any supper where he escapes to a forest. At 1.30pm & 7.30pm. Tickets £6 / £4.

Wed 17 Feb

Radlett Centre

Burglar Bill: Learn that crime doesn't pay with Burglar Bill, Betty, Tom the cat, WPC Good and other colourful characters in this story with live action, puppets, music and comedy. For ages 3-8. At 2pm. Tickets £6.

Wed 17 Feb

Maltings Arts Theatre

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (U): When Sid’s attempt to adopt three dinosaur eggs gets him abducted by their real mother to an underground lost world, his friends attempt to rescue him. At 2pm. TIckets £2.50.

Wed 17 Feb

Natural History Museum at Tring

Fishy Dishes: Trawl for ideas in the Museum’s fantastic fish gallery before making your paper plate fishy friend. Drop-in sessions, 10.15am–12.15pm and 2-3pm. £1 per child. All ages.

Wed 17 Feb

Mill Green Museum

Fantastic writing: Illuminate a scroll with some beautiful lettering. Use pens, inks and paints. Sessions at 10am, 11.30am and 2pm. £4 per child.

Wed 17 & Fri 19 Feb

Stockwood Discovery Centre

Bugs 'n' beasties: come face to face with (and handle) a variety of scaly, slithery and many-legged beastly things then create an insect to take away. £1.50 per child. Drop-in from 10.30am-3.30pm.

Thu 18 Feb

Verulamium Museum

The Eruption of Vesuvius: Find out all about this tragic episode in Romans history. You can also make a model volcano. For ages 8-13. 10.30am-12.30pm. £5. Booking required 01727 751810.

Thu 18 Feb

Mill Green Museum

A bit of what you fancy: A workshop using mixed media and loads of fun. Sessions at 10am, 11.30am and 2pm. £4 per child.

Fri 19 Feb

Verulamium Museum

Gods and Goddesses: Listen to tales of strange and wonderful Roman gods and then make a mosaic of your favourite. For ages 8-13. 10.30am-12.30pm. £5. Booking required 01727 751810.

Fri 19 Feb

Mill Green Museum

• Lego Technic challenge: Lego Technic in the study area. For children mad about Lego. At 10am and 11.30am. Booking essential as places are very limited. Age 7+.

• The story of the Giant Turnip in the Mill: A traditional Russian tale told with puppets. Suitable for small children. At 10am and 11.15am. Free.