Things to do at half term

Quentin Blake and John Yeoman: 50 Years of Children's Books at Lady Lever Art Gallery, 19 October 2018–3 March 2019, free entry - Visit now

Bookworms rejoice! The first exhibition to celebrate illustrator Quentin Blake’s decades-long partnership with author and childhood friend John Yeoman promises literary larks and crazy characters for all.

Rocket Returns at Science and Industry Museum, Castlefield, 25 September 2018–28 April 2019, free entry - Visit now

Make tracks for Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum. A one-in-a-lifetime chance to see Stephenson’s Rocket return to the site of the world’s oldest surviving passenger railway for the first time in over 180 years.

Patternarium at Eureka at Eureka!, 5 December 2018–1 June 2019, from £5.25 - Book now

Trip the light fantastic and bring to life in vivid colour the hidden patterns that surround us. This new digital and mechanical experience is by Halifax artists IOU.

The Blanket by David Murphy at The Piece Hall, 25 January–7 April 2019, free entry - Visit now

The Piece Hall in Halifax prepares to unveil The Blanket – a new large-scale outdoor artwork by British sculptor David Murphy – which will occupy the centre of the former textile hall’s sweeping Georgian courtyard.

A World Inside a Book: Gruffalo, Dragons and Other Creatures at Z-arts, Manchester, 12 February–26 October 2019, from £6 - Book now

War Games at The Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds, Leeds, 13–24 February 2019, free entry - Visit now

Report to the Royal Armouries for training in fighting battles old and new.

The Human Aquarium at St John's Centre, Leeds, 15–28 February 2019, free entry - Visit now

A Land Aquarium installation containing mer-folk and interactive activities to make us think twice. Created by Leeds-based Artists and Activists.

February half term events at Science and Industry Museum, Castlefield, 18–24 February 2019, free entry - Find Out More

Make tracks to see Stephenson’s Rocket, take part in Science Showdowns, have a hair-raising time at the Electricity exhibition and let loose at the Victorian Fairground.

FOUR GO WILD IN WELLIES at Waterside Arts, Manchester, 24 February 2019, from £5 - Book now

Half Term Open Days at Greater Manchester Police Museum, Manchester, 19–21 February 2019, free entry - Find Out More

Best behaviour only at special open days to explore this gem of a Museum and meet guests from the forces on Tuesday 19 and Thursday 21 February.

Yorkshire Sculpture Park, West Bretton, Wakefield, Yorkshire, WF4 4LG - Visit now

Explore Yorkshire Sculpture Park’s award-winning 500 acres in all weather with additional family drawing and sculpture building events this February half-term.

The Selfish Giant at The Met, Bury, Manchester, 19 February 2019, from £11 - Find Out More

Children climb through a chink in the giant’s wall, changing the course of their lives forever.

Morgan and West’s Utterly Spiffing Spectacular Magic Show for Kids (and Childish Grown-ups!) at The Met, Bury, Manchester, 20 February 2019, from £9 - Find Out More

Time travelling magicians Morgan and West present a jaw dropping, heart stopping, brain busting, opinion adjusting, death defying, mind frying, spirit lifting, paradigm shifting, outlook changing, furniture rearranging magic extravaganza.

Nocturnal - After Hours at Manchester Museum, Manchester, 21 February 2019, free entry - Find Out More

Find out everything you need to know about nocturnal animals in half term family fun after dark.

Trouble at t'Mill at Quarry Bank, Cheshire, 18–22 February 2019, from £Quarry Bank admission prices apply (free for National Trust members) - Find Out More

Head back to the nineteenth century for adventuring of the highest order at Quarry Bank. New trail by author Philip Ardagh reveals the working lives of the kids at the Mill.

Families February Half Term at The Whitworth, Manchester, 16–24 February 2019, free entry - Visit now

Express your creative streak at The Whitworth this half term.