30 family-friendly things to do in and around Cardiff between now and the end of February

Techniquest

We’re so lucky in Cardiff to have so many fabulous places to go with families. However, it’s hard to keep track of what is going on where and I often find myself finding out about things too late. So, with that in mind, I’ve put together a list of 30 events happening between now and the end of February, from theatre and live music to plant-picking and bird-watching in the great outdoors. If I’ve missed anything, let me know!

Please remember that all events are subject to change and cancellation, and although I have tried to be as accurate as I can, mistakes can happen, so do check with the venue just in case. A lot of the events also need pre-booking. Enjoy!

Theatre and performance

Cinderella

New Theatre, Cardiff

Until 18^th January

029 2087 8889

There’s still a few days left to catch the New Theatre’s annual pantomime, starring Lee Mead, Linda Lusardi and former Welsh rugby player, Gareth Thomas.

http://www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk/what’s-on/pantomime-cinderella/

The African Children’s Choir

St David’s Hall, Cardiff

Wednesday 14th January, 7:30 PM

029 2087 8444

An evening of well-loved children’s songs, hand clapping, traditional spiritual songs and contemporary tunes, this world-renowned choir features children aged 6-12, many of whom have lost both parents through war, famine or disease.

http://www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk/English/The-African-Childrens-Choir-14/01/15/

Patagonia

Memo Arts Centre, Barry

Friday 16 January, 10am

This Welsh-language Christmas production is set onboard the epic voyage of the Mimosa ship carrying the first Welsh settlers in Patagonia. It offers an insight of their journey and their struggle to settle under extreme circumstances in a far away country.

http://www.memoartscentre.co.uk/events/patagonia/

Plu – Holl Anifeiliad Y Goedwig, Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff

Sunday 25^th January, 2pm

029 2030 4400

Plu debut songs from Holl Anifeiliaid y Goedwig, their new album of original Welsh songs for children in this Welsh language performance.

http://www.chapter.org/plu-holl-anifeiliad-y-goedwig

Mother Goose, Tythe Barn, St Donats Art Centre, Llantwit Major

Friday 30^th January-Sunday 1^st February, 7pm

01446 799 100

Stage Door 1 Youth Theatre present this classic pantomime that tells the story of how Mother Goose is about to be thrown off her land as she can’t pay her bills. When she meets Priscilla the Goose, who lays golden eggs, her money worries are over, but can the Demon King tempt her to swap the goose for youth and beauty?

http://www.stdonats.com/theatre/mother-goose

Junior Conservatoire Foyer Concert

Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff

Saturday 7 February 3.45pm

029 2039 1391

A free recital by the college’s talented Junior musicians (aged 8-18) in the beautiful surroundings of the foyer. Admission free.

http://www.rwcmd.ac.uk/whats_on/events/junior_foyer_concert.aspx

The First Time Machine, Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff

Monday 9^th and Tuesday 10^th February, 6pm and 8.30pm

029 2030 4400

Before Dr Who, before Back to The Future, there was The First Time Machine. Created by the grandsons of Spanish author Enrique Gaspar this how is a journey fuelled by the shared stories of their childhood, the wealth of possessions that make up their grandfather’s  legacy and the universal desire to get to know your ancestors. Suitable for families of all ages.

http://www.chapter.org/first-time-machine#sthash.Pu7XwVdR.dpuf

Sing-a-long Frozen

St David’s Hall, Cardiff

Monday 16^th February, 11am, 3pm & 6pm

Just in case you haven’t seen Disney’s Frozen enough times, here’s your chance to dress up, learn some actions and heckles and sing-a-long to the on-screen lyrics with hundreds of other Frozen fans. This sold out in October, so book early!

http://www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk/English/Sing-a-Long-a-Frozen-16/02/15/

Family Interactive Matinee

National Dance Company Wales, The Dance House, Wales Millennium Centre

Tuesday 17^th February, 2.30pm

A chance for children aged 7+ to dance on stage with NDCW’s dancers, ask questions, learn excerpts from the company’s current repertoire, and watch And Then I Stop, performed by the NDCWales Associates, a group of aspiring young dancers, who train with the company at weekends.

https://www.wmc.org.uk/Productions/2015-2016/DanceHouse/familyinteractivematinee/?view=Standard

If Only Rosa Could Do Magic

Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff

Friday 20^th and Saturday 21^st February, 11am and 3pm

029 2030 4400

Theatr Iolo present this tale of Rosa, a young girl who has as many toys and as much candy as she could wish for, yet with no friends to play with, and her parents always away, she is still sad so creates her own dream world filled with dragons and frogs and parents who have time to be with her. Suitable for ages 5-9. Clown workshops are also available after the show; numbers limited and pre-booking essential.

http://www.chapter.org/if-only-rosa-could-do-magic

The Wind In The Willows

Richard Burton Theatre, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff

Saturday 28 February 2.30pm & 7.30pm

029 2039 1391

Immersion Theatre and Cambridge Touring Theatre present an adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s classic tale as Ratty, Mole, Badger and Toad try to save Toad Hall.

Suitable for children aged 5+, the performance is 1hr 45mins with an interval.

http://www.rwcmd.ac.uk/whats_on/events/the_wind_in_the_willows.aspx

Film

I don’t have room to include all the films showing in Cineworld Cardiff, Showcase Nantgarw, Odeon Cardiff Bay and Vue Cardiff – but Chapter offer family-friendly showings every weekend and I think it’s great to support independent cinemas.

Tinkerbell (U)

Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff

Saturday 24^th and Sunday 25^th January, 11am and 3pm

029 2030 4400

One night in Pixie Hollow, the sky is illuminated by a mysterious green light streaking across the heavens, Tink and friends encounter a strange, toothy, green-eyed beast that has been left by a comet in their latest magical adventure.

http://www.chapter.org/tinkerbell-and-legend-netherbeast-u

Annie (PG)

Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff

Saturday 31^st January, 11am and 3pm

029 2030 4400

This remake of the classic musical film follows tough young foster kid Annie as hard-nosed tycoon and New York mayoral candidate Will Stacks makes a thinly-veiled campaign move and takes her in.

http://www.chapter.org/annie-pg

Museums

New Year, New You: Healthy Change 2015

The Cardiff Story

Saturday 24^th January, 10am-3pm

029 2078 8334

Foodie fun for children, beauty treatments for adults and activities to promote healthy eating, this free event wants to encourage families to make healthy lifestyle changes for the year ahead.

http://cardiffmuseum.com/content.asp?nav=174,261&parent_directory_id=2

Dinky Dragons

The Cardiff Story

Friday 13^th February

The second Friday of each month sees The Cardiff Story transformed into a baby, toddler and pre-school zone with play, rhymes, stories, detective trails, craft, messy play and music for children aged 0-5. Includes rhyme time and story time sessions at 11am and 1pm.

http://cardiffmuseum.com/content.asp?nav=174,261&parent_directory_id=2

St Dwynwen’s Day card making workshop

St Fagans National History Museum, Cardiff

Saturday 24^th January, 11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm

A free workshop suitable for families giving you the chance to make a card to celebrate the day of the Welsh patron saint of lovers ahead of St Dwynwen’s Day on 25^th January.

http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/stfagans/whatson/?id=7042

Fireside Stories: National Storytelling

St Fagans National History Museum

Saturday 31^st January and Sunday 1^st February, 1pm – 4pm

Abernodwydd Farmhouse is the setting for tales from the storyteller, as part of National Storytelling Week. These drop-in sessions are suitable for families of all ages.

http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/stfagans/whatson/?id=4582

Carnival Arts Workshops

The Cardiff Story

Saturday 31^st January, 7^th, 14^th, 21^st and 28^th February, 10am-4pm

Drop in to this free workshop for your chance to make a dragon headdress for the annual Cardiff St David’s day parade on Sunday March 1^st. No experience necessary and allow at least an hour.

http://cardiffmuseum.com/content.asp?nav=174,261&parent_directory_id=2

Toddler Day: Lots of Love

Techniquest, Cardiff Bay

Friday 6^th February, 9.30am-4.30pm

029 2047 5475

Techniquest’s monthly toddler days give pre-schoolers the run of the place. As well as the usual exhibits, there’s also storytime sessions and arts and crafts sessions. February’s theme is Lots of Love, just in time for Valentine’s Day.

http://www.techniquest.org/what-s-on/icalrepeat.detail/2015/02/06/17223/toddler-day-lots-of-love/

Toddler Time

National Museum Cardiff

Every Friday during term time, 1pm-4pm

029 2039 7951

There’s a special (and free!) welcome to toddlers and pre-schoolers at the National Museum Cardiff on Fridays, with special boxes of toys, games and books hidden in different galleries and themed craft and story session taking place in the Clore Centre.

https://www.museumwales.ac.uk/cardiff/whatson/?id=7449

Clore Explorers

National Museum Cardiff

Saturdays and Sundays during term time, 2pm

029 2039 7951

The Clore Centre plays host to free craft activities suitable for all ages, plus an opportunity to learn and discover more about objects in the museum. Sessions are free but spaces are limited, so check in at the reception desk in advance.

https://www.museumwales.ac.uk/cardiff/whatson/?id=6830

The great outdoors

Daffodil picking

Hendrewennol, Bonvilston, Vale of Glamorgan

Friday 27^th and Saturday 28^th February and March 1^st

01446 781 670

Get ready for St David’s Day by picking your own daffodils at Hendrewennol farm. Wellies and waterproofs are recommended. The café and shop will both be open too.

http://www.hendrewennol.com/default.asp?contentID=5

Big Garden Bird Watch

Hendrewen Barn, St Fagans National History Museum, Cardiff

Saturday 24^th and Sunday 25^th January, 11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm

Families are welcome to take part in the RSPB’s annual Big Garden Bird Watch survey at St Fagans. All you need to do at this drop-in event is count the number of woodland birds you spot in an hour. You’ll also get the chance to make a bird feeder to attract birds to your own garden.

http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/stfagans/whatson/?id=7077

Big Garden Birdwatch

Newport Wetlands

Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th January

01633 636363

Bird identification, guided walks, reserve bird watch, making feeders, bird ringing and counting, among other activities.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/events/details.aspx?id=tcm:9-387556

Baby and Toddler Tuesdays

Greenmeadow Community Farm, Cwmbran

Tuesday 3^rd February, 10am-5pm

01633 647662

As well as all the animals and other attractions, these special days for little ones include pre-school and baby classes and other hands-on activities throughout the day.

http://www.greenmeadowcommunityfarm.org.uk/

Plant Hunting Week

Dyffryn Gardens, St Nicholas, Vale of Glamorgan

Saturday 14^th-Sunday 21^st February, 10am-3pm

029 2059 3328

The half-term week will see youngsters taking part in plant-hunting activities, including Dyffryn Gardens’ regular Make It Monday and 50 Things Wednesday taking on a plant-hunting theme. Normal entrance fees apply but the activities are free.

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dyffryn-gardens/things-to-see-and-do/events/

Entertainment

Family Fun Weekend

Hollywood Bowl, Red Dragon Centre, Cardiff Bay

12noon-4pm

As well as the fun of regular bowling, families can enjoy a host of extra activities, such as meeting Hollywood Bowl’s mascots Bumper and Squeak, a treasure hunt, face painting, and glow in the dark bowling. Booking online in advance recommended.

http://www.thereddragoncentre.co.uk/events/family-fun-weekend-2/

Pyjama Parties with Party Fizzz

Christchurch Scout Hall, Lake Road North, Cardiff

February 10^th, 11^th and 12^th

Wear your PJs and bring your teddy for a themed party session (parachute games, dancing, bubbles, instruments, pom pons etc) with a cup of cocoa and midnight feast afterwards! Suitable for under 4s. Advance booking essential.

http://www.musicwithmummyliz.co.uk/

I hope you find something that takes your fancy. Let me know if there is anything I have missed. Do come and like my Cardiff Mummy Says Facebook page, if you have not done so already. I’m also on Twitter – @cardiffmummy