Family fun across West Yorkshire museums and galleries

February half term is nearly here.  We are extremely lucky in West Yorkshire to have a fantastic range of museum and gallery sites run by Local Authorities.  There are castles, art galleries, museums,  a watermill, an abbey and more! Many have free entry and those that charge are extremely good value for money. You can see penguins, half a pig, a caiman under the floor, a ferocious tiger.  There are indoor and outdoor sites, spend an hour or a whole day.  You can take part in organised workshops, play in family friendly interactive areas, get crafty, learn something new and see amazing treasures.

Bradford Museums and Galleries


Cartwright Hall Art Gallery

Cliffe Castle Museum

Bradford Industrial Museum

Bolling Hall


Find out what's on at Bradford Museums and Galleries: http://www.bradfordmuseums.org/whats-on


Example event:


Mask Making Workshop With Artist Becky Truman

Cartwright Hall Art Gallery

18 February, 1pm – 3pm


Celebrate 250 years of Circus with aerial artist, costume designer and sculptor, Becky Truman.
Places are very limited. Cost £10 per person. Suitable for 5 years plus. All children to be accompanied by an adult. Please book on 01274 431212 or e: cartwright.hall@bradford.gov.uk


Calderdale Museums


Bankfield Museum

Heptonstall Museum

Shibden Hall

Smith Art Gallery


Find out what's on at Calderdale Museums: https://museums.calderdale.gov.uk/whatson


Example event:


Sparks! Half Term Fun – Potion making

Bankfield Museum

21 February, 11am – 12pm; 1pm – 2pm; 2pm-3pm


Find out about the healthcare of the Victorians and create your own special potion. £3.50 per child book: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/calderdale


Kirklees Museums and Galleries


Tolson Museum

Oakwell Hall and Country Park

Huddersfield Art Gallery

Bagshaw Museum

Batley Art Gallery


Find out what's on at Kirklees Museums and Galleries: https://communitydirectory.kirklees.gov.uk/communityDirectory/whatsOn.aspx


Example event: 


Half term activities – bird theme

Bagshaw Museum

20 February, 11am – 1pm, 2pm – 4pm


Be inspired by the objects on display and get creative with our bird themed children’s activities and crafts. Don’t forget to stop and say hello to Snowy the Snowy Owl.
£2 per session. All ages welcome. No booking required.


Leeds Museums and Galleries


Abbey House Museum

Leeds Industrial Museum

Kirkstall Abbey

Leeds Art gallery

Leeds City Museum

Lotherton

Temple Newsam

Thwaite Mills Watermill


Find Leeds Museums and Galleries Visitor Information here:  https://www.leeds.gov.uk/museumsandgalleries/home  


Example event:


Explore Wildlife World at Lotherton

The first areas of Lotherton’s new wildlife park opened on 21 November. Meet playful Humboldt penguins as they splash about in their pool. See our flamingos in their new habitat and say hello to newly arrived tapirs and capybaras. Enjoy a great value family day out, with a country house, fashion galleries, bird garden, café, woodland walks, adventure playground, and much more!  [There is an entry charge to Lotherton and bird themed half term events:  http://www.leedsinspired.co.uk/events/love-birds-lotherton-0]


Wakefield Museums and Castles


Castleford Museum

Pontefract Castle

Pontefract Museum

Wakefield Museum


Find out what's on at Wakefield Museums and Castles: www.experiencewakefield.co.uk/februaryhalfterm


Example event:


Iron Age warriors
22 February, 10am - 3pm
Castleford Museum


Meet an Iron Age warrior and scare your enemies with celtic style face paint.  All ages welcome, free, no need to book


With such a variety of venues and activities everyone will find something fun to do over the February half term.


To find out more about these venues and keep up to date with news follow us on Twitter


@WFMuseums
@BankfieldMuseum
@BradfordMuseums
@KirkleesMuseums
@LeedsMuseums