SCHOOLS will soon be out for the February half-term.

With so many places to visit, and activities to do on our doorsteps, families are bound to be spoilt for choice.

Entertaining young ones can be expensive, but there are plenty of things you can do which won’t leave you out of pocket too.

Colouring books; baking and making things at home can be just as fun. They can help stimulate imagination and, most importantly, keep young minds busy - especially on rainy days!

There are parks for savouring picnics, depending on the weather, playgrounds and swimming pools for channelling that energy and exercising.

Nature walks in the local woods and bike rides are also fun ways to entertain young ones during the school holidays.

But if you fancy venturing further afield, why not try out some of the activities and events going on around Yorkshire?

Here are just a few to give you some inspiration....

The National Science and Media Museum in Bradford is partnering up with Aardman and Studiocanal for its Early Man half term event.

Early Man is the new feature film from Academy award-winning director, Nick Park and Aardman, creators of Wallace & Gromit and Shaun the Sheep. Set around the dawn of time, Early Man tells the tale of a courageous caveman hero Dug (Eddie Redmayne) and his best friend Hognob.

There will be screenings, activities and displays along with original movie props and behind-the-scenes tips and tricks.

For more information call 0871 902 5756 or visit picturehouses.co.uk

Stump Cross Caverns is both a fascinating and educational destination. Located in Greenhow Hill, Pateley Bridge within the Yorkshire Dales, they were formed millions of years ago as the limestone eroded through weak acid rain created when carbon monoxide from the atmosphere mixed with the precipitation to form carbonic acid.

Visitors can learn more about the history of the caverns through a film presentation in the lecture theatre during this intriguing day out.

The caverns are open from 10am until 6pm (last admission is 4.45pm) from February 13 to December 1.

Viewings during December to February are weekends only and also during the school holidays at Christmas and February half-term.

For more information visit stumpcrosscaverns.co.uk or call 01756 752780 or email: enquiries@stumpcrosscaverns.co.uk.

Space fans can look forward to seeing the spacecraft which brought British astronaut, Tim Peake, back down to earth.

The National Railway Museum in Leeman Road, York, is hosting this exciting event, which includes a VR experience of Tim’s journey accompanied by a narrative voiced by Tim himself, until March 8. For more information call 08448 153139 or visit nrm.org.uk.

The annual Jorvik Viking Festival celebrating the city’s Norse heritage, gets underway from February 12 to 18.

This week-long event is themed around the commemoration of a seminal moment in British history, the arrival and conquest of England by the Great Viking Army in AD 866 and includes a packed programme of events exploring the impact of the Viking invasion on Anglo-Saxon England. For more information visit jorvikvikingfestival.co.uk

Roll up, roll up, the circus is coming to town! Eureka! The National Children’s Museum in Discovery Road, Halifax, promises half-term fun for all the family with its circus inspired activities and events.

Nestled between the picture postcard villages of Grassington and Kettlewell lies Kilnsey Park Estate.

This beautiful location offers a range of activities for families to get involved with including fun fishing, cycling and walking along nature trails inhabited by red squirrels and other interesting wildlife.

The park is also home to rainbow trout; angora goats and alpacas and there is an adventure playground. Visit kilnseypark.co.uk

A trip to the Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Bessacarr, Old Cantley, Doncaster, brings you up close to animals you would normally meet on Safari.

Camels, giraffes, leopards, lions, meerkats and polar bears are just some of the animals visitors can see during their visit to this popular attraction. For more information visit yorkshirewildlifepark.com