Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
February Half Term and March in Dorset 2025
February Half Term 2025 is fast approaching and if you are struggling for things to do, then let us take the hassle of organising your family activities. Venues across Dorset are putting on lots of fun things for families to do this February and beyond.
Camouflage in Combat at The Tank Museum: 15 to 23 February 2025.jpg)
Enjoy a family-friendly day out at The Tank Museum, Dorset’s largest indoor attraction. Alongside interactive exhibitions, over February Half Term there will be hands-on activities exploring the use of camouflage on tanks. Mini-tank fans can let off steam in the soft-play and enjoy trails, dressing up and more. With free parking, an onsite restaurant and a fully wheelchair accessible site, there’s plenty to keep the whole family engaged and entertained.
All regular tickets include an Annual Pass, book online to save 15%!
Find out more at tankmuseum.org
Monkey World is going halves for half term!
Kid’s tickets to Monkey World are half-price from the 15th to the 23rd of February 2025! Take your little monkeys to meet theirs!
Monkey World is home to over 250 monkeys and apes rescued from across the globe. Many have been neglected, kept in unnatural conditions or experienced unbelievable cruelty. Just last year, Monkey World welcomed Chocolat, a disabled chimpanzee from Kenya, and two rejected infant orang-utans to join the specialist nursery! At Monkey World, they can all enjoy the company of their own kind in a safe, natural environment, and every visitor to the park helps fund the vital rescue and rehabilitation work. As well as seeing the stars of TV’s Monkey Life, visitors can enjoy large play areas, cafes and picnic areas, and free half hour Q&A’s with their keepers. Visit www.monkeyworld.org for more information.
Corfe Castle
This February half term at Corfe Castle explore the ruins with their new family quest – The Conqueror's castle and bring an adventurous teddy (or borrow a Corfe Castle veteran) to zoom along their popular teddy zip wire. For the first time ever, and as part of the castle's conservation works the Keep has been opened allowing visitors to climb up to what once was the royal penthouse with our new Kings’ View experience.
The Kings’ View is bookable on the day, open to children 5+ and is an additional £5 to help with conservation works in the castle. The experience is once in a lifetime and will only be open until November this year.
(February half term: Saturday 15 February - Sunday 23 February, 10 am - 4.30pm, usual entry applies, free entry to National Trust members, £5 per person for the Kings' View which goes directly to the conservation of the castle - Kings' View age 5+)
Find out more at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dorset/corfe-castle
Become a Nature Detective at Studland Bay
Do you fancy yourself an amateur detective? Do you love nature? Go and borrow one of the Nature Detective bags at Studland Bay free of charge this half term.
The bags contain, binoculars, magnifying glasses, bug pots and activity sheets to help you on your nature detecting journey. In addition, a small number of sensory bags are available to help those with additional needs.
(February half term | Saturday 15 February - Sunday 23 February | 10 am - 3 pm | Bags available from Knoll Beach office)
Splashdown
Splashdown is an all-action water park with 13* thrilling rides and attractions. You must be 1m tall and confident in the water to take on the bigger slides but younger visitors can enjoy a 1m deep learner pool and interactive water play area, especially for under 8s. There’s sure to be something for everyone. *Some rides are seasonal, but all slides are open from May to October half-term (weather permitting). Looking for a new party venue then Splashdown has you covered. Located at Tower Park, just outside Poole a great place to visit for families for a fun day out.
Find out more and book at www.splashdownwaterparks.co.uk
Lemur Landings
Lemur Landings, a multi-award-winning children's entertainment centre in Dorset, is the ultimate destination for play. With a massive, multi-level play frame featuring tunnels, biff bags, bridges, and thrilling slides, it's a safe, fun, and stimulating environment for kids. The role-play village sparks imagination, while the dedicated play areas cater to younger children. Kids can explore the interactive climbing zone and even create a bear at the Ted Shed. Perfect place to host birthday parties. Kids can have fun whilst you get a nice cuppa at the Treetops Café. Pre-booking is essential— sorry no walk-up admissions. Free parking.
Visit lemurlandings.co.uk for details.
Primary Times Offer – Grab Tickets for 2024 Prices
Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park Dorset’s award winning attraction. Did you know they are still run by the Palmer family after 26 years? Their welcoming team are amazing & they thrive on your feedback.
Designed for children 8 years & under, their mission is to help families come together for quality time, focused on your little VIP’s! They offer great value, a full day out packed with learning through play, hands-on animal experiences, fun & adventure. They believe in nurturing children’s confidence, developing new skills & the opportunity to make new friends.
Open daily from 9.30 am, bring a friend!
Message from Glenmoor and Winton Academy
“Glenmoor and Winton Academies are two outstanding single-sex secondary academies in Bournemouth that share the same school site and teaching staff. Students benefit from a single-sex education that fosters confidence in a thriving and encouraging learning environment, paired with the personal development and growth that comes from co-education. Our dedicated teaching staff deliver a broad and enriching education, including a Grammar Stream, placing our academies as two of the highest-achieving non-selective schools in the country. We have excellent facilities on our vast site, including 25 acres of playing fields and an all-weather 3G pitch. Book a tour to see why we are so #GWProud.”
Talbot Heath Nursery - Curiosity in Early Years Education: Building a Lifelong Love of Learning
“At Talbot Heath Nursery, we provide a warm, welcoming environment where children can feel at home while embarking on their first steps in education. Central to our philosophy is fostering a lifelong love of learning, rooted in curiosity, creativity, and discovery. Our approach is child-led, ensuring that every child’s unique interests and abilities are nurtured. By encouraging children to explore topics that excite and inspire them, we create an engaging and dynamic learning journey. Our stimulating environment is carefully designed to promote all seven areas of the Early Years curriculum, offering multi-sensory experiences that cater to a variety of learning styles.
We place a strong emphasis on communication and language development, recognizing their importance in building confidence and self-expression. Activities such as storytelling, oracy, and nursery rhymes are integral to our curriculum, helping children articulate their thoughts and develop essential language skills.
Kindness is at the heart of everything we do. Through our “kindness curriculum,” we encourage children to embody our core values of curious minds, generous hearts, and adventurous spirits. This foundation supports their emotional growth, instilling empathy and an appreciation for others.
Curiosity is a driving force behind our teaching, as we empower children to ask questions, seek answers, and explore the world around them. Our specialist EYFS teacher plays a key role in guiding children on this journey of discovery, encouraging them to embrace challenges and celebrate achievements.
Outdoor learning is a cornerstone of our program, with weekly Forest School sessions set in our stunning woodland landscape. These experiences connect children with nature, inspire creativity, and build resilience as they learn through play, exploration, and teamwork.
We are committed to fostering independence and confidence in every child. By creating a safe yet stimulating environment, we help children assess risks, solve problems, and make informed decisions, equipping them with essential life skills. At Talbot Heath Nursery, our goal is to inspire a lifelong love of learning in every child, empowering them to grow into curious, confident, and compassionate individuals ready to embrace the adventures ahead.
Talbot Heath nurtures girls from ages 2 -18, discover more at one of their Open Events. www.talbotheath.org/openday”
Message from Swish
"At Swish we believe that every child has the opportunity to reach their potential using the performing arts to develop life-long skills and talents. For over 30 years, we’ve been delivering carefully structured classes, captivating shows and locally tailored opportunities. Using only dedicated professionals, we are passionate about guiding children and young people along an exciting journey where they can fulfil their dreams. We want every child at Swish not only to discover their brilliance but also to shine as brightly as a star in their own right.
If you think this is something your little one would enjoy just go online to watch our comprehensive class videos and to apply for a 2-week trial at: www.swish.school
Listen up - if your little monsters want to see big monsters in action then get down to Bournemouth’s Pavilion Theatre this February Half Term when Shrek the Musical hits the stage!”
Bournemouth and Poole College
Bournemouth and Poole College are welcoming applications for their FdA Early Years Services course that starts in September!
The 3-year, part-time degree programme is equivalent to the first 2 years of a full BA Hons degree and examines different theoretical approaches to child development, the importance of the role of play, the social impact of families and communities on children and young people and the role practitioners have in supporting children, young people and their families.
Find out more at www.thecollege.co.uk
Message from Avonbourne Boys’ and Girls’ Academies
“At Avonbourne Academies, we are proud to be part of the United Learning multi-academy trust and the Bournemouth and Poole Cluster. Our co-located Boys’ and Girls’ Academies offer single-sex education from Years 7-9, with mixed classes from Year 10 onwards. This approach has been highly successful, utilizing resources and expertise for the benefit of all students. We believe in every child’s potential and provide a supportive environment with excellent facilities, high-quality teaching, and a wide range of extracurricular activities. Our core values of respect, equality, ambition, community, hard work, and determination guide us in ensuring the best for every student.”