Half term fun in Reading

9th February 2023

Families can look forward to a host of free and low-cost events and creative activities across Reading during the February half-term. 

Reading Museum is hosting a range of trails, family activities, and crafts celebrating natural world that surrounds us, and how we can all care for the planet to build a more sustainable future:

• Did you know you can identify a bumblebee by its bum? See how many bees you can find in the museum galleries and find out lots more brilliant bee facts on the Busy Bee Trail. 13-18 February, 10am – 4pm, £1 drop-in.  
• Create a seed growing starter set, make your own special seed labels and seed packets ready to plant seeds in your garden at ‘Super Seeds!’, Monday 13 February. Ages 5+, families, one-hour sessions starting at 10 am, 11.15 am, 1 pm and 2.15 pm. £4. Book in advance at: https://www.readingmuseum.org.uk/holiday-fun-reading-museum or pay on the day. 
• Get messy and use your imagination to make a printed picture using paint and recycled materials. Inspired by nature and objects from the museum collections. Tuesday 14 February, families, half-hour sessions, 10am – 12pm & 1pm – 3pm. £1, pay on the day, drop in. 
• Don’t miss the special Monday opening at 10am on 13 February. Find full details of the half-term fun with Reading Museum at: https://www.readingmuseum.org.uk/holiday-fun-reading-museum. 

The Museum of English Rural Life has a whole host of family-friendly events and activities inspired by ‘Our Green Stories‘, a project exploring environmental issues through our collections. You can enjoy bookable and drop-in workshops, free trails, activities and crafts all on a theme of theme fast fashion and ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’.
https://whatsonreading.com/venues/museum-english-rural-life/whats-on/february-half-term-merl

The crafting fun continues with Reading Libraries:

• Visit Southcote on 14 February, for the Valentine’s Half Term craft, for children aged 4-10. Come along and make and decorate a snail with a heart shaped shell to give to someone who is important to you. 2 – 3pm, £1 per child, booking not required, children must be accompanied by an adult.  
• At Caversham Library, come and make a bird of paradise or a bird of prey to celebrate Bird-Day on Thursday 16 February. All primary school children and their adults welcome. Booking not required, just drop-in. 2 - 3:30pm, £1 charge per participating child.  
• Enjoy a ‘Moomin’ themed storytelling session with local Finnish resident, Leena Vinkka at Reading Central Library. Come along and hear the adventures of Moominpappa, Moominmamma, Moomintroll, and all of their friends. Free to drop-in. Saturday 11 February, 11am. 
• The Toy Library is now open at Reading Central Library on Thursday from 10am to 12pm. It offers a fantastic selection of toys and games, catering for all ages, from babies to teens. Choose from a wide selection of small, medium or large toys at a minimal cost. You can also hire larger indoor and outdoor games for children’s parties. https://www.reading.gov.uk/leisure/libraries/toy-library-2/  

Visit Reading's theatres for more half-term fun:

• South Street will be bursting with fun as ‘The Bubble Show’ brings a unique blend of magic, storytelling, and bubble art to Reading on Wednesday 15 February. Join The Highland Joker, one of the top bubble artists in the world, for an interactive, fun, international award-winning bubble extravaganza. Suitable for ages 3-12, tickets £12, book at: https://whatsonreading.com/venues/south-street/whats-on/bubble-show. 
• Enjoy a take on a family favourite at The Hexagon on 10 and 11 February as RARE Youth Theatre presents ‘Bugsy Malone’. Gangster warfare in New York - Dandy Dan's hoodlums terrorise the district, his rival is Fat Sam Stacetto, who runs the Grand Slam Speakeasy. Can you see yourself caught up in this gangster’s paradise? Tickets £20.50, £18.50 for u16’s, book at: https://whatsonreading.com/venues/hexagon/whats-on/rare-productions-presents-bugsy-malone

For more ideas this half-term, check out the What’s on Reading website at https://whatsonreading.com – the one-stop-shop for listings and bookings for the town's arts, culture and heritage events.