Celebrate February half term in Stoke-on-Trent

This February half-term we once again have a stacked lineup of activities for all of the family to enjoy, here's a quick breakdown of everything we've got going on

Have a Spellbinding time at Gladstone

Have you ever dreamed of going to Hogwarts? Well, dust off those capes and wands and join us at Gladstone Pottery Museum on Wednesday 22 February for our spectacular Witches and Wizards.

You will get to meet our witches and cast your very own spells plus you can take part in potion making workshop and creare your very own potion and magical wand!

This event with regular museum entry fee. Find out more on our website.

Join the Gladstone Ceramic Makers Market 

Rounding off our half-term activities at Gladstone, we will also have a special Ceramic Makers Market on Saturday 25 February.

You will get the opportunity to browse a number of stalls selling national and locally made pottery.

Confirmed vendors include Henry 'Pot Punk' Moore and Jacob Chan, who you may recognise from previous series' of the hit television series The Great Pottery Throwdown.

Entry to the Makers Market will be free, with the museum also open to the general public between Wednesday 22 February and Sunday 26 February.

Find out more about the Makers Market.

Clay Pigs Coming to our Museums

We are delighted offer clay pig making for families at the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery on Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 February.

There will be two slots on both days between 10:30 am and 12 noon plus 1pm and 3pm, with a cost of £3 per child taking part.

Clay pig making will then be coming to Gladstone Pottery Museum on Friday 24 February, to celebrate the The Pig Walk, which takes place through Longton town centre on 26 March.

Sessions at Gladstone will take place between 11am – 12.30pm and 1.30-3pm. Please note this is a drop-in activity, with no need to book in advance. Clay pig making will cost £3 per child taking part, and can be paid for at the Museum's reception.

Create Your Own Miniature Bottle Oven 

Take inspiration from Gladstone's 'Flushed With Pride' and 'Tile' galleries, you can create your very own miniature bottle oven on Thursday 23 and Friday 24 February at the Musuem.

You have the opportunity to include fasincating facts about the Potteries, and how they helped to shape aspects of modern public health such as sanitation.

This activity is free with museum admission and sessions will run between 11am and 12:30pm plus 1:30pm to 3pm.

Family fun across Stoke-on-Trent libraries

Stoke-on-Trent libraries have a stacked lineup for February half-term, including an unmissable contemporary dance performance from Frontline Dance!

This show is designed for children with disabilities and their families but everyone can join in. Places for this event need to be booked in advance at your local library.

We will also have Lego Club, Singing Bears, Bouncing Bears, Story and Craft Sessions plus Digital Champion Volunteer one-to-ones and digital assistance drop-ins for the grown-ups.

Find out all of the dates and times on our Facebook Page.

Make a splash at Fenton Manor

We have plenty to keep the kids busy at our Leisure Centres across the city, including swimming sessions available at Fenton Manor Sports Complex.

To book onto any of these sessions please call the centre on 01782 233222 or log onto the Active Stoke app.

Take on the inflatable aqua run at New Horizons

At New Horizons we have the inflatable aqua run, floats & toy sessions in the pool plus tonnes of sports hall activities.

To book onto any of these sessions please call New Horizons on 01782 235037 or use the ActiveStoke app.

Enjoy a dip in the pool at Dimensions

We have a stacked lineup of swimming pool sessions on offer at Dimensions this half term, including leisure sessions, aquatots and aquafit.

To book onto any of the sessions above please call the centre on 01782 233500 or log onto the Active Stoke app today.

Intensive Swimming Lessons 

Both Fenton Manor and New Horizons will also be running a series of intensive swimming lessons throughout February half term.

This five-day course will run from Monday 20 February until Friday 24 February, with sessions available for beginners up to advanced swimmers.

The course course covers fundamental techniques and skills that will help to develop confidence and competence in the water.

To book sessions at Fenton Manor please call 01782 233222 or email fenton.manor@stoke.gov.uk or for New Horizons please call 01782 235037 or email new.horizons@stoke.gov.uk.

Plenty of fun-packed activities at Hanley Park

Hanley Park is hosting a number of fun-filled activities for the entire family across the half term week, 6-20 February 2023 sees RSPB Big Schools’ Birdwatch 2023 which brought local school visits to Hanley Park lead by our Park Liaison Officer to take part in the big count.

This half term we thought we would carry on the bird fun at our February half term activities.  

Magic Monday 20 February, we will be making owl masks and owl bunting, then on Wild Wednesday we will be making bird feeders. Rounding off the week on Fantastic Friday, art in the park you will have the chance to make your own Maria Prymachenko-inspired work of art!

After you have completed our activities why not see what birds you can spot throughout the park, if you are really lucky you may see our Tiny Tree Creepers around our wildlife garden.

More information can be found on the RSPB website

All activities are free and run from 11am until 1pm 

Apply for a £20 food voucher for February half term

Does your child live in the city and either:

• Attends private nursery on a funded 2 year old place; or eligible for Early Years Pupil Premium
• Has an EHCP & attends school outside the city or is educated at home.

You may be eligible for a £20 food voucher for February half term. Go to https://www.stoke.gov.uk/foodvouchers or call 01782 234234.

Please do not fill in this form if your child is at school in the city. Schools will issue a voucher for eligible children.