Get out and about for some family fun

8:19am Tuesday 12th February 2008

It's never easy keeping younger members of the family amused during school holidays, but this half-term there are plenty of things going on that will not only entertain but, as many of them are educational, they might just teach them something too.

Pounce on the opportunity to see National Geographic's latest giant-screen film, Lions 3D: Roar of the Kalahari, in amazing photo-realistic three-dimension, bringing you face-to-face with nature's most fierce predators at the IMAX.

Opening at the National Media Museum just in time for the half-term holidays, Lions 3D provides families with a perfect day out, giving children the chance to be both enthralled and educated by seeing the big cats on the big screen.

From Bollywood princesses to Chinese dragons, Eureka! The Museum for Children is getting ready to rock this February half-term for the Eureka! Dance Party, a week-long celebration of dance around the world.

Dancing mouse Angelina Ballerina will cut the ribbon to start the party at the museum in Halfax today, when she takes centre stage to give visitors a chance to meet her, take a photo or even take part in one of her special dance workshops.

If ballet's not your thing, there'll be plenty more to enjoy as the Dance Party continues every day throughout half-term with a full programme of activities for children and families.

Have a go on the ZigZag dance mats or become a DJ in SoundSpace, an interactive gallery dedicated to the story of sound and music.

For those aspiring Bollywood princesses and heroes out there, there'll be Bhangra dance classes with the professionals from Salma's Bollywood Academy every afternoon from Thursday until Saturday.

The museum will celebrate Chinese New Year with Chinese ribbon dancing on Tuesday and authentic lion dancing on Wednesday. All events are free on admission to Eureka.

Throughout most school holidays Harewood House provides craft activities for families linked to their current exhibitions and events.

In the past year, the craft sessions have produced birdfeeders; badges, tea-light lanterns and all manner of items glued, glittered and designed, taking inspiration from Harewood and its surroundings.

The arty activities, which take place in the Education Rooms in the Courtyard from 11am to 3pm until next Sunday, will be linked to the newly-replanted Himalayan Gardens at Harewood.

Families can enjoy free arts and crafts activities at the National Coal Mining Museum for England in Overton, near Wakefield this half-term.

The free workshops will relate to the museum's brand new special exhibition Changing Landscapes, which focuses on the changes that have taken place in coal mining communities since the pit closure programme.

Every week day during the half-term holiday, the museum will also host their famous living history performances, which tell stories of life at a pit and provide a good chance for visitors to ask questions.

The drop-in art and craft workshops will be run from Monday until Friday in the museum's Learning Curve from 1pm to 4pm.

The West Yorkshire Geology Trust will be on site today and tomorrow with their collection of rocks and fossils, offering a chance get hands-on with the past. Enjoy the fresh air by following the nature trail, or having fun in the adventure playground. Families have the chance to accompany an ex-miner on an underground tour, where you don a hard hat and lamp and travel 140 metres down one of Britain's oldest working mines.

At the Royal Armouries in Leeds this week you can experience the excitement of reliving some of the most important moments in our history.

Costumed demonstrations, authentic re-enactments, entertaining films and interactive technology all give you a true sense of how it felt to be involved. If younger members of the family are plucky enough, they can take part in archery, enrol in Knight Skool and meet the Tudors.

The museum is holding activity days each day over half-term, allowing youngsters to get hands-on and learn about history the fun way - by having a go.

The car park at Leeds United's Elland Road football ground will be full of more than 150 rides and attractions guaranteed to make your pulses race at the Great Leeds Valent-ine's Fair, from 5pm today until Sunday. With free parking, the fair is open daily from 1pm to 10.30pm, except when there are football fixtures (today the fair opens at 5pm, and on Tuesday it will open from 1pm until 4pm). All children's rides cost £1.

Information

• Eureka! The Museum For Children, Discovery Road, Halifax. Entry costs £7.25 for adults and children aged three-plus and £2.25 for toddlers ages one and two. A saver ticket, which admits five people, costs £31. Telephone (01422) 330069 for more information.

• Harewood House, Harewood near Leeds. The Harewood ticket includes entrance into the house, grounds, gardens, bird garden and Harewood courtyard. Tickets cost £11 for adults, £7 for children, £10 for senior citizens and £40 for a family ticket which admits up to two adults and three children. Telephone (0113) 2181010.

• Entry is free to the Royal Armouries Museum, Armouries Drive, Leeds. The museum is open daily between 10am and 5pm. For information call 0870 0344344.

• Lions 3D: Roar of the Kalahari, IMAX Cinema, National Media Museum, Bradford. Tickets cost adults £6.95 and £4.95 children. Contact the box office on 0870 7010200.

• Admission is free to the National Coal Mining Musuem, Overton near Wakefield. Telephone (01924) 848806 for information.

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