50 great things to do this half term

Whatever the weather, make the most of this month's school break with Tamsin Kelly's guide to what's on offer for all the family

Fresh and fun

1. Invade a coastal castle, Northumberland
The one-mile walk from the sleepy fishing village of Craster to Dunstanburgh Castle is perfect even for young children. The reward is some stunning cliff-top views and dramatic castle ruins for them to explore.

10am-4pm, closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays; adults £3.50, children £1.80 (01665 576231, www.visitnorthumberland.com).

	Getting out more: tree-hugging at Haldon Forest Park

2. Go wild in the woods, Devon
Learn how to track animals, build shelters and watch wildlife with the rangers at Haldon Forest Park, near Exeter, Devon.

Feb 18-22, 10am-12.30pm; children 8-12, £10 per session or five sessions for £45 (01392 834233, www.forestry.gov.uk/haldonforestpark).

3. Walk with wolves, Berkshire
Follow in a wild animal's pawsteps with a children's wolf walk at the UK Wolf Conservation Trust, Beenham, near Reading.

Feb 20, 1-3pm; children £12 (minimum age six), booking essential (0118 971 3330, www.ukwolf.org).

4. See lambing, Hertfordshire
Willows Farm Village near St Albans has cleverly timed the arrival of its new lambs for the holiday. You can also see other baby animals, take a ride on Tristan the Runaway Tractor and let off steam in the wonderfully named indoor playground, Woolly Jumpers.

10am-5.30pm; adults £10.95, children £9.95, under-twos free (0870 1299718, www.willowsfarmvillage.com).

5. Be like Ray Mears, Northamptonshire
Learn how to survive in the wild in Fineshade Woods. Wear old clothes, and tough boots, and bring a packed lunch (so not just berries and roots).

Feb 24, 11am-3pm; adults £8, children £4 (over-sixes only). Booking essential (01780 444920, www.forestry.gov.uk/toplodge).

6. Admire snowdrops, Gwynedd
Feel full of the joys of spring (almost) with a stroll through the carpets of snowdrops in the grounds of Penrhyn Castle near Bangor.

Today and tomorrow, 10am-3pm; adults and children £1 (01248 363202, www.nationaltrust.org.uk).

7. Watch the birds, Shropshire
Beautiful Attingham Park has a family trail with activity sheets to celebrate National Nest Box Week.

Feb 9-17, 9am-4pm; normal admission prices - adults £3.80, children £2 - plus an event cost of £2, to include a prize (01743 708162, www.nationaltrust.org.uk).

8. Dance in the streets, London, Liverpool, Manchester
The spectacular Chinese New Year Festival parade starts in The Strand. There will also be dazzling lion and dragon dances in Trafalgar Square and fireworks in Leicester Square, plus food stalls and dance displays in Chinatown. Tomorrow from 11am Parades will also take place from Liverpool's Nelson Street, 11am, and Manchester's Chinatown, from 12.30pm (www.visitbritain.co.uk).

9. Hunt treasure, Suffolk
Ring Quest, a family challenge event for Lord of the Rings fans (and all who fancy some purposeful running), is at West Stow Country Park and Anglo-Saxon Village. Families follow clues to collect runes and solve the final puzzle.