Top 10 February Half Term Activities in Dorchester
1. The Wow Bubble Show For Kids!
Everybody loves bubbles, but Richard Welsh really loves bubbles – and he wants to show you why! This is a fun-filled and laughter-packed performance created especially for children aged 3 to 8. Mixing bubbles, music, and comedy, Richard delights audiences of all ages with his magical bubble tricks and hilarious audience interaction.
Be amazed by giant bubbles, smoking bubble volcanoes, and incredible bubble sculptures such as the famous bubble caterpillar and bubble dog. Get ready for interactive bubble games, giggles galore, and maybe even the chance to stand inside a giant bubble yourself!
An unforgettable show for all the family, guaranteed to make everyone say WOW!
Tuesday 17th February 11:00am – 11:50am
2. The Great Big Escape!
The Great Big Escape are open daily in February half term rom 12pm until late, ready to send you into overgrown labs, galactic chaos, and high-pressure adventures.
Family Friendly | 3-6 Team Members | Medium Hard
In a galaxy far, far away, your group of intergalactic smugglers has successfully snuck aboard The Battleship, Nebula. Your mission today is to get your hands on the classified information about planet Atera and its inhabitants.
Once you’ve got a firm grip on those documents you need to get out! Find the emergency rocket and get it back up and running before the authorities notice you and take back what belongs to them.
What are you waiting for? Your space mission is about to begin
3. Explore Dorset Museum & Art Gallery
Dorset Museum & art Gallery is a brilliant place to visit. From superb stories to terrific trails, there’s so much for families to enjoy and the best part is – kids under 16 go FREE!
- Have fun and learn about our collections in a hands-on and memorable way with our interactive gallery displays.
- Explore the arts and crafts station in the Atrium has colouring sheets and activities to inspire creativity and encourage expression.
- Grab a gallery trail guid, designed to help families explore the collections together.
During the school holidays we have themed arts and crafts activities, trails and special events.
4. Kingston Maurward Animal Park and Gardens
Kingston Maurward Animal Park and Gardens is free to visit. It has 35 acres of beautiful formal gardens with year-round interest plus a fun animal, cafe, and play barn.
The animal park has recently welcomed a brand new herd of alpacas so Half Term is a great time to for a visit to meet the new animals.
Alpacas are gentle, curious animals known for their calm nature and super-soft fleece. Native to South America, they love open space, grazing together, and quietly watching the world go by.
5. Shire Hall Museum
An interactive ‘living’ museum, Shire Hall Museum uses real-life stories and iPad guides to let visitors walk in the footsteps of those whose lives were changed or even ended by their experiences in there.
Use the interactive multi-media guides to find out what happened to them. Discover the depths of the cold, dark cells, and stand in the dock of the historic courtroom, where famous novelist and poet Thomas Hardy was a magistrate. Dress up in wigs, gowns and hats to play the part and uncover the remarkable stories of those who passed through the building.
Shire Hall’s impressive courtroom is best known as the setting for the trial of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, who were sentenced to transportation to Australia in 1824.
6. Do the Car Boot Sale Challenge!
Dorchester Car Boot sale takes place in the town centre at Fairfield Car Park every Sunday. It is a great place to visit during half term with the family. Why not do the Car Boot Sale Challenge as a family or you could run a pitch as a family, children love playing shops and selling things on a stall.
The Car Boot Sale Challenge
Everyone in the family has a small amount of money each (£1, £2 or £5) and the challenge is to see who can get the best stuff at the car boot sale with their budget. Family votes at the end to see who has won. This game is good for children to understand budgets and money. Plus it is a fun cheap activity for the family.
7. Roman Town House
The Roman Town House in Dorchester is the only example of a fully exposed Roman Town House in the country. Plus, it is free to visit! Pedestrian access is well signed from the top of the town down the path past the Thomas Hardy statue to the entrance at Northernhay. The Town House is five minutes’ walk from the town centre.
8. Ratty's Trail
Fresh air and bit of a walk is always great for the family. Ratty’s Trail is lovely short walk that you can do from the town centre. It follows a lovely 1 hour circular route along the River Frome where there are plenty of opportunities for the kids to spot animals along the way – including ducklings, swans and brown trout. If you are lucky you might see Ratty, as the River Frome is one of the most important rivers in the UK for water voles. Download the route.
9. Visit the Cinema
Dorchester has two great cinemas that both show the latest releases and put on some great kids films during the school holidays.
Dorchester Odeon is located in Brewery Square
Dorchester Plaza is located on Trinity Street
10. Soft Play
Soft play is always a big hit with little kids and we have two great soft plays in Dorchester for children.
- 100 Giggles in Poundbury is for ages 5 and under
- Nikki’s Little Play Cafe in Brewery Square is for ages 6 and under
We also have a soft play for dogs at MUTT in Brewery Sqaure! If you have a furry friend in your family then this is a great activity. It is very entertaining seeing your dog enjoying the soft play and they really enjoy themselves too.