What's On in the North East for Kids & Teens - February 2023

This post contains adverts & affiliate links.  Please always check with venues direct for the most up to date information.  I am SO happy that February is here! It's so nice to have things to look forward to this month including lambs being born, snowdrops flowering, Valentines Day, Pancake Day and Half Term.  New Website Features  I'm really excited to share some new FREE features which have been added to my website recently. To access them, click the share button / heart in the bottom corner of this post.  NEW FEATURES INCLUDE:  A Search Box - Quickly and easily search for posts using this button  Save Posts - Click the heart to save a post to come back to at any time. To find your saved posts, simply click the heart again and select 'my bookmarks' and you can quickly find them all in one place Share Post - Easily share posts with friends and family at the click of a button  To access all of these features, you do need to 'sign up' to my website which is quick and easy to do the first time you click the button. You should stay signed in once you have signed up. There will also be a prompt to sign up to my new monthly newsletter which will focus on key ideas for this to do in the upcoming school holidays. I really hope you sign up and make the most of these features.  Lambing at Spilmans  I don't know about you but the arrival of lambs fills me with so much hope. Spring is finally on it's way! This February, Spilmans Farm is hosting a special 'Lambing Live' event. Designed to encourage little farmers to learn all about this special event, there are a range of activities included:  Lambs born every day - visitors can watch and take it all in. I have been lucky to see this once and I can't explain how emotional it is! It's something we will never forget  Hourly educational talks by the farm's sheep farmer and shepherd across the day where you will learn lots of lambing facts  Visit the other farm animals including the farm's friendly Alpacas and Rare Breed Sheep  You can touch the animals but it is at your own risk and please use the handwashing facilities on site and supervise children. Pregnant women should read guidance before visiting Visit newly born lambs in the lambing shed  Create your own wool crafts to take home and remember the day Photo opportunities around the site Food and drinks will be available to purchase on the day This event takes place daily from 11 - 20 February. Tickets are £6.50 per person and under 2s are free (but still require a ticket. Find out more and book here.  Kynren February Ticket Deal  Kynren is the most incredible experience and we are so lucky to have it here in the North East. If you've always vowed to buy tickets, or perhaps like us you would love to see the show again (it is slightly different each year), now is the time to buy tickets with a huge 25% early bird discount available on tickets purchased in February.  Kynren is a 90 minute unforgettable performance which showcases Britain's history with stunning special effects, costumes, thrilling stunts, incredible horsemanship and more. I'd recommend for all ages and it's an excellent night out to enjoy with grandparents too (we have visited with our parents and kids a few times and it's a lovely 'shared' experience / memory).  The show runs on Saturday evenings in Bishop Auckland from 29 July - 9 September 2023.  Take advantage of this special early bird offer and book your tickets here (discount is automatically applied at check out): 11arches.com FREE Ancient Egyptians Under 7s Play Area at Dorman Museum  February is the last chance to enjoy the FREE drop-in Ancient Egypt themed play area for under 7s at the Dorman Museum. Highlights include:  Discover hidden treasures  Dress up area  Puzzles and games  Interactive marketplace with measuring & weighing activities  Activities to inspire creativity  Open daily from 10am-4pm (closed Mondays). Use postcode TS5 6LA. Parking nearby or public transport to Middlesbrough available. Find out more here.  FREE Ancient Egyptians : secrets of the afterlife exhibition at Dorman Museum  February is the last chance to visit this FREE special exhibition in collaboration with the British Museum.  View 12 exciting objects on loan from the British Museum which give an insight into Ancient Egyptians and their belief that we live forever  Explore the process of mumification  Learn about mummy masks and canopic jars which were used to store various body parts  Interactive puzzles and memory games  Discover inscribing curses  Learn about casting spells against enemies and the original book of spells, the Book of the Dead  See the link above for more info.  Unexpected Twist at Newcastle Theatre Royal   Book Now for Next Month……   1 - 4 March 2023     Tickets are a bargain from just £10     Recommended for families with children aged 8+     Michael Rosen (of 'We're Going On A Bear Hunt' fame) has created a modern re-telling of the classic Oliver Twist     Matinee and evening showings available     Original music by rising R&B star Yaya Bey and BAC Beatbox Academy’s Conrad Murray Shona and her class are studying Oliver Twist at school. She's the new girl and finding it hard to stay out of trouble (much like Oliver himself). She is given a phone by a stranger and suspects there is something rather unusual about the new boys she has met........ Find out more and book here.   FREE Family Fun Days at The Common Room Newcastle  Join the Common Room on 23/24/25 February for some FREE family fun / STEM workshops based around the Bicentenary of Robert Stephenson & Co. These workshops are suitable for ages 5+ and you will need to reserve a free ticket in advance. Under 12s need to be supervised by an adult. FREE Activities include:  Make a train whistle  Assemble a LEGO train  Discover the challenge of driving a train using Scaletrix Visit the Robert Stephenson Exhibition  Find out more and reserve your free tickets here.  The Common Room is located next to Newcastle Central Station so super easy to get to by public transport and if you'd like to make a day of it, it's easy to combine with a trip to Life or Discovery Museum (who are also running a transport themed week). The building is accessible.  FREE Youth Theatre Group - Sign Up Now  Know a young person aged 7-19 years who would be interested in joining a Youth Theatre Group? Mortal Fools is now accepting new members. It's completely free to attend and if you sign up before February Half Term, you'll be able to participate in their new spring/summer project and interactive performance in July. Find out more and sign up here.  11 & 12 February - Book these events  11 February -  Little Manfred at Queen's Hall Hexham (recommended ages 7-12) 11 February -  Saturday Art Club for ages 8+ at Washington Arts Centre  11 February -  Tiny Fragments of Beautiful Light at Alphabetti Theatre (ages 14+) 11 & 12 February -  Six at Stockton Globe (ages 10+) 11 & 12 February -  Lambing Live at Spilman Farm  11 & 12 February -  £2 Daily Storytime at Seven Stories  11 & 12 February -  Julia Donaldson Spoon Puppet Workshop at Seven Stories  11 & 12 February -  The Mixed Up Tales of Julia Donaldson Experience at Seven Stories 11 & 12 February -  LAST CHANCE - free child with every paying adult at Adventure Valley  11 & 12 February -  Half Price Bowling at Dunes Advenuture Island 10am-12noon with code BOWL50 12 February - Harry Styles Tribute at Whitley Bay Playhouse  11 & 12 February - Drop in with no booking required  Daily until 24 Feb -  Chinese Zodiac Trail at Sunderland Winter Gardens  11 February - FREE Japanese Daruma Doll Workshop at Oriental Museum Durham   11 February -   FREE Undiscovered Island Sensory Play at Theatre Hullabaloo 11 & 12 February -  FREE Ancient Egyptians Exhibition + Interactive Play Area at Dorman Museum 11 & 12 February - Welly Dogs & Friends Trail at Saltholme 11 & 12 February -  FREE The Lost Spells at The Sill   11 & 12 February -  Horrible Histories Pirates Exhibiton at National Museum of the Royal Navy  Hartlepool (no need to book but save 20% if you do) 11 & 12 February - Snowdrop Festival at Howick Hall  11 & 12 February -   Signs of Spring Event at Durham Botanic Garden 11 & 12 February -  FREE Create a Photo Memento at National Glass Centre   11 & 12 February - -  FREE Darlington lights 12 February - Alternative Night Market with Luna Events at Roker Hotel  Are you looking for ideas for half term? Check out my bumper guide to half term events here.  18 & 19 February - Book these events  18 February -  Queen Extravaganza at Stockton Globe  18 February -  The Bodyguard at Sunderland Empire (ages 10+) 18 February -  Saturday Art Club for ages 8+ at Washington Arts Centre  18 February -  Quirky Quilts at Shipley Art Gallery  18 February -  Tiny Fragments of Beautiful Light at Alphabetti Theatre (ages 14+) 18 February -  Wallington Wildlife Safari (ages 12+) 18 February -  Kids Wildlife Photography at Wallington (ages 7-11)  18 February - The Wicked Lady at Tyne Theatre (ages 15+) 18 & 19 February -  Lambing Live at Spilman Farm  18 & 19 February -  £2 Daily Storytime at Seven Stories  18 & 19 February -  Julia Donaldson Spoon Puppet Workshop at Seven Stories  18 & 19 February -  The Bear Hunt Trail in Plotters' Forest  (booking recommended) 18 & 19 February - Bird Box Making at Salthome 19 February -  Dark Skies and Creatures of the Night at Walltown Country Park (ages 11+) 19 February -  Comedy Club Workshop (ages 8+) at Seven Stories  19 February -  Family Stand Up Comedy Show (for ages 6+) at Seven Stories 19 February - Little Birders at Saltholme (ages 5+) 19 February - Heritage Train Rides at Stephenson Railway  19 February - Circus Spectacular at Tyne Theatre 19 February - Children's Art Workshop at WWT Washington  Are you looking for ideas for pancake day? Make sure you check out our guide to the best pancakes in the North East.  18 & 19 February - Drop in with no booking required  Daily until 24 Feb -  Chinese Zodiac Trail at Sunderland Winter Gardens  (no need to book) 18 February - FREE Make a Terracotta Warrior at Oriental Museum Durham (no need to book) 18 February - Uhtred of Bebbanberg Tour at Bamburgh Castle (no need to book) 18 February -   FREE Undiscovered Island Sensory Play at Theatre Hullabaloo 18 February - Toy Takeover at Ushaw 18 & 19 February -  FREE Ancient Egyptians Exhibition + Interactive Play Area at Dorman Museum   18 & 19 February - FREE The Lost Spells at The Sill 18 & 19 February - FREE Transport Trail at Discovery Museum   18 & 19 February -  Horrible Histories Pirates Exhibiton at National Museum of the Royal Navy  Hartlepool (no need to book but save 20% if you do) 18 & 19 February - Welly Dogs and Friends Trail at Saltholme  18 & 19 February - Harry Otters Valentines Trail at Saltholme  18 & 19 February - Meet Historical Kings & Sword Fighting at Warkworth Castle   18 & 19 February - Spring Into Action Challenges at Gibside   18 & 19 February - Flight of the Swallow Trail at Ormesby Hall  18 & 19 February - Make a Bird Feeder at Ormesby Hall  18 & 19 February - Snowdrop Planting at Wallington   18 & 19 February - Crimes of the Centuries at Beamish 18 & 19 February -   Signs of Spring Event at Durham Botanic Garden   18 & 19 February -  FREE Create a Photo Memento at National Glass Centre   18 & 19 February - Children's Book Trail at Preston Park 18 & 19 February - Northumberlandia Landscape Trail  18 & 19 February - Make a Bug Mask at Woodhorn Museum   18 & 19 February - Hauxley Spring Trail  18 & 19 February - Mudfest at WWT Washington  18 & 19 February - Galaxy Space Trail at Ushaw  Are you looking for ideas for half term? Check out my bumper guide to half term events here.  25 & 26 February - Book these events  25 February -  Philosophical Plumbing for All Ages at Alnwick Garden  25 February -  Animal Magic and Crazy Body Swaps at Alnwick Garden  25 February -  Demon Dentist at Newcastle Theatre Royal  25 February - How Long is a Piece of String at Theatre Hullabaloo (ages 3-7) 25 & 26 February -  £2 Daily Storytime at Seven Stories  25 & 26 February -  The Bear Hunt Trail in Plotters' Forest  (booking recommended) 26 February -  The Little Prince at Queen's Hall Hexham (ages 5+) 25 & 26 February - Drop in with no booking required  25 February - FREE Create Your Own Soap Sculpture at Oriental Museum Durham  25 February -   FREE Undiscovered Island Sensory Play at Theatre Hullabaloo 25 February - Family Fun Day at Bowes Museum  25 February - FREE Fire & Ice Durham  25 February - FREE Young Makers Market at Washington Arts Centre (just drop in) 25 & 26 February -  FREE Ancient Egyptians Exhibition + Interactive Play Area at Dorman Museum FREE The Lost Spells at The Sill   25 & 26 February -  FREE Transport Trail at Discovery Museum   25 & 26 February -   Make a Bug Mask at Woodhorn Museum   25 & 26 February -  Children's Book Trail at Preston Park  25 & 26 February -  Horrible Histories Pirates Exhibiton at National Museum of the Royal Navy  Hartlepool (no need to book but save 20% if you do) 25 & 26 February -  Meet Historical Kings & Sword Fighting at Warkworth Castle   25 & 26 February -  Spring Into Action Challenges at Gibside   25 & 26 February -   Flight of the Swallow Trail at Ormesby Hall  25 & 26 February -  Snowdrop Planting at Wallington   25 & 26 February -   Signs of Spring Event at Durham Botanic Garden   25 & 26 February - Crimes of the Centuries at Beamish   25 & 26 Febryary -  Welly Dogs and Friends Trail at Saltholme  25 & 26 February -  Harry Otters Valentines Trail at Saltholme  25 & 26 February -  FREE Create a Photo Memento at National Glass Centre   25 & 26 February - Northumberlandia Landscape Trail  25 & 26 February -   Hauxley Spring Trail  25 & 26 February -  Mudfest at WWT Washington  25 & 26 February - Galaxy Space Trail at Ushaw  25 & 26 February - Toy Takeover at Ushaw 26 February -  Uhtred of Bebbanberg Tour at Bamburgh Castle  26 February - Pond Dipping at WWT Washington  pin me