Half Term for families in West Sussex

End the February half term school holidays with a dazzling series of free laser light shows at Chichester Canal Basin. Taking place on the last weekend of half-term on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 February, this family friendly event is the perfect way to enjoy an evening out.

This year's event has an extra performance each night. Visitors can enjoy three different themed shows each evening, all perfectly choreographed to music. Shows run at 6pm, 7pm and 8pm, with each display lasting approximately 20 minutes.

There is plenty to keep the whole family entertained beyond the lights. Enjoy a range of food and drink options around the Canal Basin, meet illuminated entertainers, and take a spin on the children’s carousel ride. Whether you’re looking for a magical family outing in Chichester or a fun, free friendly activity this half term event in Chichester promises unforgettable memories.

Parking: Pay and Display car parking (where you can also pay online using MiPermit app) is available through out the city, with 3 hours free parking available nearby the at Chichester Gate car park.

Come and try your hand at screen printing this February half term at Gnarly Tree's workshop in East Dean. In these fun and hands-on sessions, children will choose their garment, pick a design, select their ink colour, and print a completely unique item to take home. It's a brilliant way for kids to get creative and learn a new skill in a relaxed studio environment.Each session lasts around one hour, and are at various times from 14th Feb to 18th Feb 2026. Places are limited, so early booking is recommended.

In the heart of Chichester, Jam Café is running a series of February half term craft clubs for children. Perfect for family friendly indoor fun, kids can get creative with activities like mixing slime, crafting adorable Love Bugs, and making their very own Dragon’s Egg Bath Bombs. These hands-on sessions are ideal for keeping little ones entertained during the half term school holidays and make a fun, budget friendly activity in West Sussex if the weather keeps you indoors.

Pallant House Gallery in Chichester are running two Theatre Box Workshops (one for ages 7+ and one for ages 11+). Inspired by classic stories such as Peter Pan and Cinderella, enter the magical world of pantomime and build your very own theatre in a box! With expert guidance from their artist educator, you'll paint, craft and collage your very own set design, with props, curtains and even lighting. When your theatre is complete, learn how to create mini-characters to bring your theatre to life. From pumpkins, fairies, pirates and crocodiles to characters from your own imagination, the choice is yours!

Goodwood Art Foundation are running their Family Art Club: Carving Memories. It is a hands-on workshop perfect for children who love making and exploring art during the school holidays. Taking place this February half term, the session is inspired by Brazilian artist Solange Pessoa and her beautifully carved soapstone sculptures. Young artists will discover the organic shapes and textures found in her work before heading to the Learning Hub to become sculptors themselves, carving and shaping their own designs into a bar of soap. This engaging workshop is indoors and an ideal rainy day option for families looking for creative things to do during half term. 

Step into ancient history this February half term school holidays with family friendly activities at Fishbourne Roman Palace near Chichester, West Sussex. Taking place from Monday 16 to Friday 20 February, this hands-on experience is perfect for families looking for fun and educational days out during the school holidays.

Discover how to Live like a Roman at Britain’s largest Roman home, known for its impressive mosaic floors and recreated Roman gardens. Each day of half term offers a different themed activity, from creating Roman-style mosaics and tasting Roman-inspired food, to pottery making, wildlife crafts and ancient jewellery design.

Running daily from 10am to 4pm and suitable for all ages, this is a great family friendly option and an ideal rainy day activity for kids during the school holidays.

Don’t miss: Fishbourne Roman Palace is home to some of the finest Roman mosaics in Britain, many still in their original position.

Get ready for a fun-packed February half term at Aldingbourne Country Centre with Rainforest Rumble, perfect for pre-schoolers and primary school age children. Running from Saturday 14 to Sunday 22 February, 10am to 4pm, each day features a different themed activity, from little explorers and budding musicians to nature adventurers.

No booking is required – just bring your little monkeys along for a week of exciting, family friendly half term activities. This is a brilliant rainy day activity for kids or an outdoor adventure for families looking for budget friendly school holiday fun in West Sussex.

This February half term, Mulberry Marine Experiences in West Sussex offers hands-on, family friendly Children's Marine Ecology Club for children aged 6-12. Led by SSI Marine Ecology Instructor Anya, with over 20 years of UK experience, the Club introduces young ocean lovers to coastal ecosystems, shoreline inhabitants, and key marine concepts through games, activities and exploration. Each two-hour session is beach-based, dry, and designed for all abilities, with adults free to accompany their children. Sessions run in small groups during school holidays, with indoor alternatives if the weather isn’t suitable. 

Pull on your wellies and embrace the mud this February half term school holidays at Arundel Wetland Centre's Mudfest 2026. Running daily from 14th to 21th February 2026, this family friendly event offers hands-on fun from 10am to 4pm and is perfect for children who love getting messy outdoors.

Enjoy budget friendly half term fun with activities including the mud kitchen, clay wetland creature making, puddle splashing, seed bomb crafting and a lively mudslinging contest. It’s an ideal outdoor adventure during the school holidays and a great way to burn off energy.

Regular admission applies, with free entry for WWT members. No booking is required, and families can save 10 percent by booking tickets online in advance.

Don’t miss: Mudfest is all about nature-based play, giving children the freedom to explore wetlands through creative, muddy fun.

The month of February is all about looking up at the night sky. This February half-term sees the South Downs Dark Skies Festival celebrate the area's 10th anniversary of receiving their Dark Sky designation.

Along with this, you can do a bit of Stargazing at West Dean. On 21st February 2026, embark on a captivating guided journey through the night sky with renowned local astronomer Dr. John Mason MBE. Discover the wonders above as he points out brilliant stars, both familiar and obscure constellations, and shares the ancient myths and legends behind them. Learn about the Moon, visible planets, satellites, shooting stars, and much more. Set within the South Downs National Park, an International Dark Sky Reserve, West Dean offers the ideal setting to deepen your understanding of the celestial world.

Don't Miss: In early February, you will be able to spot the “parade of planets'. Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Uranus, and Neptune will all be visible in the evening sky. 

From Tuesday 17 to Thursday 19 February, you will be able to step back in time to a Very Victorian half term and experience what life was really like for children in rural Victorian England. From strict school lessons to household chores and traditional games, families can enjoy a full programme of hands-on Victorian activities across three immersive days. Expect to work hard—after all, Victorian children were to be seen and not heard!

Don't Miss: Visit the old school house from Chichester, known as the Bluecoat School, opened in 1712 and continued in operation until closure in 1950, which is now located within the grounds Weald and Downland Living Museum.

From Saturday 14 February to Sunday 8 March 2026, families can enjoy a fun, outdoor adventure at Petworth, as the National Trust celebrates the release of Disney and Pixar’s Hoppers, in cinemas from 6 March. Designed for children aged 6 to 11, the Hop into the Wild family trail combines storytelling, outdoor play and exploration, guiding families through nature with the help of the colourful Hoppers characters. Pick up a discovery passport, explore animal kingdoms and unleash your wild side in the great outdoors, making this a brilliant family friendly half term activity in West Sussex.