Hello February! If you’re looking for family-friendly things to do this month in and around Cardiff then here are 35 ideas for you. Half term is coming up from Monday 15^th-Friday 19^th February, so there’s plenty of suggestions of things to keep your little ones occupied. Around half the activities listed here are free (my favourite price) – so you can keep your children entertained without it costing a fortune too.

Please note all events are subject to change so do check with the organisers beforehand. I’ll update this guide as I hear or more events, so do bookmark and keep popping back.

Top row from left: Gangsta Granny at the New Theatre; Toddler Day at Techniquest, Build a World at WMC; Middle row from left, Treasures at National Museum Cardiff, National Dance Company Wales Family Interactive Matinee at Sherman Cymru, Dinky Dragons at the Cardiff Story; Bottom row from left, Snoopy and Charlie Brown Movie at Chapter Arts Centre, The Cat In The Hat at the New Theatre, Medieval Games at St Fagans National History Museum

This guide has once again been produced in association with the lovely people who run the restaurants at House of Fraser Cardiff, House of Fraser Cwmbran, the café at Wilkinsons in Swansea and Festival Park Shopping Centre in Ebbw Vale

During the half term week (Monday 15^th-Friday 19^th February) they will be running their brilliant school holiday offer where you can buy a child’s meal for just £1 with every adult meal purchased. See in store for full-details.

All the restaurants are family-friendly – and House of Fraser in Cardiff has a brilliant kids’ corner, packed full of toys to entertain your little ones, including building bricks, easels, abacuses and even a slide.

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Crafts, museums, science

FREE Clore Explorers

National Museum Cardiff

Saturdays and Sundays, 2pm

Free workshops give families the chance to find out more about objects from the museum and take part in a crafty activity.

FREE Toddler Time

National Museum Cardiff

Every Friday during term-time, 1.30pm-4pm

The museum welcomes pre-schoolers every Friday afternoon, with special boxes of toys, games and books hidden in different galleries to help parents and children explore the museum through play.

Treasures: Adventures in Archaeology

National Museum Cardiff

Tuesday 26th January until Sunday 30^th October 2016

Adults £7, concessions £5, 16s and under free – book online beforehand

An Egyptian mummy, Roman treasures, a crystal skull from the film India Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, plus human skulls from Viking-age burials on Anglesey are among key exhibits in this celebration of archaeological discoveries.

FREE Harry Potter night

Cardiff Central Library

Thursday 4^th February, 4.30pm-6.30pm

Discover the word of Harry Potter through activities, storytelling sessions and coding. Free but must be pre-booked on centrallibrary@cardiff.gov.uk

Toddler Day – Fairy Tale Frolics

Techniquest, Cardiff Bay

Friday 5th February

Fairy tale frolics is the theme this month as the famous hands-on science centre opens its doors to the pre-schoolers of Cardiff and beyond. As well as over 100 exhibits, you can expect drawing, colouring and crafts with a fairy tale theme, as well as story time and a disco. Under 4s are free, with accompanying adults paying £5 entry.

If you’re visiting Techniquest at the weekends or in the half term week, then check out their family shows, which include Starman and his Dog, Search For Life, Star Tours and Destination Space.

FREE Make Space

Glanfa Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre

Saturday 6^th February, 11am

Shoot to the stars and explore outer space, with a chance to create astronauts, rockets, spaceshios and aliens.

FREE Lego Club

Cardiff Central Library

Saturday 6^th February, 10.30am-11.30am

Free but must be pre-booked on centrallibrary@cardiff.gov.uk

FREE Dinky Dragons family day

The Cardiff Story, The Hayes, Cardiff

Friday 12^th February, 10am-3pm

The Cardiff Story is a fascinating hands-on exhibition exploring the history of Cardiff. If you’ve never been before, we really recommend it. You can read our review here. If you have pre-schoolers, then the monthly Dinky Dragons free family fun days are great fun. Held on the second Friday of each month, between 10am and 3pm, there will be toys to play with, detective trails, crafts, messy play and rhyme time and story time at 11am and 1pm.

FREE Year of the Monkey

Glanfa Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre

Saturday 13^th February, 11am

Help create a giant art work throughout the day, inspired by the beautiful and colourful culture of China to help welcome in the year of the monkey.

FREE Build a World

Glanfa Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre

Monday 15^th-Saturday 20^th February, 11am-4pm, free

A chance to get creative as Wales Millennium Centre’s foyer is transformed into a world of wonder. Craft materials and cardboard will be provided, or bring your own, to help create a beautiful scene that will develop throughout the week.

History Mysteries

Winding House Museum, Caerphilly

Monday 15^th-Friday 19^th February, 11am-12pm

Fantastic crafts with a historical twist. The museum is free to visit, but the craft sessions are an additional £2.50 per child.

Tropical Encounters

Cardiff Castle

Tuesday 16^th February

Must be pre-booked, £3 per person in addition to normal admission or valid Castle Key

A chance to see and hold live exotic animals such as snakes, lizards, a skunk and meerkats.

Warrior School

Wednesday 17^th and Thursday 18^th February

Must be pre-booked

A chance for children to learn to sword fight under the expert tuition of The Warwick Warriors. Sessions are available for ages 5-9 (£7.50 for 1 adult & 1 child, additional adult: £2.50; additional child: £5.00) and 10 and over (£10.00 1 adult & 1 child); additional adult: £2.50; additional child: £7.50). Not suitable for under 5s. There will also be a public archery display at 2.15pm, weather permitting.

FREE Family Art Workshops: Silent Explosions

National Museum Cardiff

Tuesday 16^th-Friday 19^th February, 11am, 1pm, 3pm, book at the information desk on arrival

The work of Welsh artist Ivor Davies will provide inspiration for families to create their own works to take home.

FREE Treasures and Adventures Family Workshops

National Museum Cardiff

Tuesday 16^th-Friday 19^th February, 11am-1pm, 2pm-4pm, drop in

An opportunity for families to make a piece of art inspired by the Treasures exhibition currently on show at the museum and to find out more about archaeological treasures and adventure. (See above for details on entry for the Treasures exhibition itself.)

FREE St David’s Day Bunting

Glanfa Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre

Saturday 27^th February, 11am

Celebrate Wales’s national day by making some bunting inspired by the words of St David –Gwnewch y pethau bychain or do the little things.

OUTDOOR EVENTS

FREE Imbolc – Light a Celtic Candle

St Fagans National History Museum

Saturday 6^th February, 11am-1pm, 2pm-4pm

Imbolc is one of the four great Celtic festivals that mark the turning of the year. Families are invited to join in around the fire and light a candle to symbolise the return of warmth to the soil and herald the arrival of spring.

Spring Into Action – Half Term Activities

Newport Wetlands

Monday 15^th-Friday 19^th February, 10.30am-12pm & 2pm-3.30pm

RSPB members £3, non-members £5

Children can help wildlife get ready for spring by creating habitats and feeders for birds, bees and butterflies, along with all the other amazing creatures you want to encourage into your garden.

Half Term Activity Tours

Cosmeston Lakes Medieval Village

Monday 15^th-Friday 19^th February, 10am-11.30am

£5 per child, pre-paid booking essential, ages 7-11

Activity tours will be held at the Medieval Village every day during half term. Step back in time and meet a villager, learn about their life, make bread and learn how to hold weapons.

Half Term Fun

Tredegar House, Newport

Saturday 13^th-Sunday 21^st February, 11am-4pm

Events are free but usual entry prices apply

Free half term activities include bird spotting in the gardens, as well as getting messy with crafts and making bird feeders. For £4 per child, you can also make a bird box to take home.

FREE Medieval Games

St Fagans National History Museum

Monday 15^th-Wednesday 17^th February, 11am-1pm, 2pm-4pm

Leave the digital age behind and try out some Medieval games in this free session.

FREE Through the Keyhole

Monday 15^th-Friday 19^th February, 11am-1pm, 2pm-4pm

A chance for families to see one of the museums historic buildings brought to life through a living history demonstration

Half Term Fun

Caerphilly Castle

Monday 15^th-Friday 19^th February

Usual entrance fees apply

Weapons, herbal remedies, falconry, dancing, archery, fashion and music are among medieval activities on offer at Caerphilly Castle as part of the 2016 Year of Adventure.

Nest Box Day and Vale Owls Show

Cosmeston Lakes

Sunday 21^st February, 10am-1pm, £5

Celebrate national next box week with this bird box making session. Vale Owls will also be on site to talk about their rescued owls, Ashlin, Mr No, Sky Zeus, Hollie and Gismo.

Sessions are also being held at Porthkerry Country Park on Saturday February 13th from 1pm-3pm and at the Heritage Coast Centre on Thursday February 18th from 1pm-3pm.

THEATRE AND PERFORMANCE

FREE The Golden Harp

Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama Foyer, Cardiff

Monday 15^th February, 1.15pm

A new short children’s opera based on an old Irish myth The Wizard Dagda plays his magical harp every morning, but there is a problem – it is made of solid gold and the greedy Queen Cara wabts it. If she succeeds, it will be knight in the kingdom forever.

The Cat in the Hat

New Theatre, Cardiff

Friday 19^th-Sunday 21^st February

£8.50-£12.50, suitable for ages 3+

The classic Dr Seuss book is brought to the stage in a lively and engaging show for pre-schoolers and their families. From the moment the cat with his tall, red and white striped hat appears around the door, a rainy afternoon becomes an amazing adventure of tricks and crazy ideas.

Gangsta Granny

New Theatre, Cardiff

Wednesday 24^th-Sunday 28^th February

£11.50-£21

David Walliams’ much-loved book is given the stage treatment. Ben is staying with his Granny on a Friday night – and is expecting it to be boring, filled with cabbage soup, cabbage pie and cabbage soup. However, Granny has a secret and Ben is about to embark on the adventure of a life time with his very own Gangsta Granny.

Count Duckula Live: The Jewels of Duckula

St David’s Hall, Cardiff

Wednesday 17^th February, 2pm, suitable for ages 2-8

Duckula is unable to pay the bills and the bailiffs are looming to take his ancestral home. However, he stumbles across an old map of the castle that shows the location of the lost Jewels of Duckula, and heads on a treasure hunt to solve the clues along with Nanny, Igor and some audience help.

National Dance Company Wales – Family Interactive Matinee

Sherman Cymru

Friday 19^th February, 1.30pm, £8

A fun, engaging and creative way to introduce your family to dance. Youngsters can dance on stage with the company’s dancers, ask questions and learn extracts of the show, before watching a performance of Tuplet, which uses wit and rhythm to create a fun and uplifting experience.

CINEMA

I’m focussing here on cheaper holiday and weekend screenings, rather than the big films.

Snoopy and Charlie Brown: The Peanuts Movie (U)

Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff

Saturday 13th-Sunday 21st February

Cartoon dog Snoopy embarks upon his greatest mission as he and his team take to the skies to pursue their archnemesis, while his best pal Charlie Brown begins his own epic quest back home.

The Good Dinosaur (PG)

Riverfront Theatre, Newport

Monday 15^th-Saturday 20^th February, 10am, 12pm and 2pm

£2.50 per ticket

An epic journey into the world of dinosaurs where an Apatosaurus named Arlo makes an unlikely human friend.

Underground Cinema

Cardiff Castle, from £5 per person

Friday 19^th February, 11am Cinderella (2015 – U); 2pm The Goonies (12), 4.30pm Labyrinth (U)

Saturday 19^th February, 11am Labyrinth (U), Cinderella (2015 – U)

Sunday 20^th February, 11am The Goonies (12), 2pm The Lttle Mermaid (U – TBC), 4pm The Goonies (12)

Special cinema screenings in the 15^th century Undercroft.

Odeon Kids

Odeon Cinema, Red Dragon Centre Cardiff Bay

The 10am weekend and half term showings are £2.50 per person. Films to be announced; films are usually a few months old rather than new releases.

Movies for Juniors

Cineworld, Cardiff

The 10am weekend and half term showings are just £1.75 per person. Films to be announced; films are usually a few months old rather than new releases.

Do feel free to add any more family friendly events you know of in the comments section below, on the Cardiff Mummy Says Facebook page or by tweeting me on @cardiffmummy