February Half Term: Free, Active Ideas for Happy Kids

February half term has a habit of creeping up on us! If you’re already wondering how to keep children busy, active and happy without defaulting to screens, you’re not alone.

At Total Children’s Therapy (TCT), we’re passionate about supporting children’s physical, emotional and social development in everyday life. School holidays are a brilliant opportunity to keep little bodies moving, build confidence and enjoy quality family time – all without spending a fortune.

Below are some free, flexible ideas to help you make the most of half term, whatever the weather.

Get Moving Outdoors

1. Go on a Mini Nature Challenge

A walk becomes far more exciting with a mission. Create a simple checklist of things to spot – something rough, something round, something colourful – and head to a park, woodland or even your garden. This encourages observation, curiosity and lots of walking along the way.

2. Build a Den or Hideaway

Using sticks outdoors or blankets and cushions indoors, den-building is fantastic for creativity, problem-solving and teamwork. Crawling, lifting and balancing all help develop strength and coordination too.

3. Explore Water Worlds

If you live near the coast, rock pooling is a wonderful way to discover sea creatures. Inland? A pond-dipping session with supervision can be just as exciting. Children learn best when they’re hands-on and curious.

4. Picnic and Play

Wrap up warm, pack some snacks and head to your local green space. Add a ball, frisbee or kite to keep everyone moving. Even short bursts of active play can make a big difference to children’s physical health.

Creative and Active Indoor Fun

5. Make Your Own Sensory Play

Homemade playdough or a sensory tray filled with rice, pasta or lentils offers brilliant opportunities for fine motor skill development, calming play and imaginative exploration.

6. Put on a Show

Encourage children to create characters using socks, paper or toys and put together a short performance. This builds confidence, communication skills and imagination – and it’s lovely for the rest of the family to watch.

7. Cook or Bake Together

Simple baking tasks help children practise following instructions, hand strength and coordination. Decorating biscuits or cupcakes is also a great chance to be creative (and enjoy a tasty reward!).

8. Create an Indoor Obstacle Course

Rainy day? Use cushions, chairs and tunnels to design a safe obstacle course. Crawling, jumping and balancing are all fantastic for developing motor skills and burning off energy.

Learning Through Play

9. Visit Your Local Library

Libraries are a calm, welcoming space and often run free half-term activities. Choosing books together can also spark a lifelong love of reading.

10. Try Simple Science Experiments

Everyday kitchen items can be used for fun experiments that teach cause and effect. Watching reactions happen in real time is both exciting and educational.

11. Junk Modelling Creations

Save boxes, tubes and containers and let children design anything they like – vehicles, animals, buildings or inventions. This supports creativity, planning and problem-solving.

12. Dress-Up and Imaginative Play

Pick a theme and let children dress up, make props and invent stories. Role play helps children understand the world around them and express their ideas and emotions.

Social and Community Activities

13. Family Walks or Parkruns

Many areas offer free, family-friendly walking routes or weekend Parkruns. These are a great way to stay active together and feel part of your local community.

14. Explore Local History

Museums, galleries and heritage sites often offer free entry and hands-on exhibits. Learning through exploration makes new information far more meaningful for children.

15. Playdates and Toy Swaps

Meeting up with friends supports social skills and emotional wellbeing. A simple toy swap can also refresh play without buying anything new.

Calm and Connection

16. Family Stretch or Yoga Time

Gentle stretching or child-friendly yoga can help children relax, improve body awareness and manage big feelings.

17. Star-Gazing Evening

On a clear night, wrap up warm and look at the sky together. Spotting stars and talking about space encourages curiosity and calm reflection.

18. Share the Best Bit of the Day

At the end of the day, encourage children to talk about or draw something they enjoyed. This helps build positive thinking and emotional awareness.

Happy Half Term!

Keeping children active doesn’t need to be complicated. Short bursts of movement, playful exploration and shared experiences all support healthy development.

Wishing you a happy, active and fun-filled half term!