If you’re looking for ways to keep the kids entertained this half term without breaking the bank, there is plenty for all the family to see and do at St George’s Quarter.
For fun that won’t cost the earth, visit World Museum or Walker Art Gallery. Part of the National Museums Liverpool family, both venues are open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am – 5pm*, admission is free.
Anybody interested in astronomy, astrophysics or cosmology should head to World Museum on Tuesday 14 and Wednesday 15 February for a free, live interactive event with Richard Negus from The Cosmos Corner. Using Universe Sandbox software to fly through space, Richard will guide you through galaxies and our solar system and discover our incredible world.
While at World Museum, watch a space show in the full dome planetarium, meet hermit crabs and Nemo fish in the aquarium and check out full size dinosaur skeletons in the dinosaurs gallery on the fourth floor.
Over at Walker Art Gallery, join last year’s Sporting Heritage’s illustrator Jessica Hartshorn for an exciting free Craft and Create session on Thursday 16 February. Drawing inspiration from the Art of the Terraces exhibition to mark The Art of Sporting Heritage Month, Jess will show you how to draw everything from footballs and clothes to characters and creating movement and atmosphere in your drawings. Meet Jessica 11.30am, 1pm and 2pm for children aged 5 and over with an additional session for older artists aged 12+ at 3pm. The exhibition itself, which will no doubt be popular with mums and dads who were brought up in the 1970s, 80s and 90s, is pay what you think.
Big Art for Little Artists is a dedicated children’s gallery at Walker Art Gallery, designed for children aged 0-5 to enjoy with their parents/grandparents and all carers. This colourful, interactive gallery hosts costumes, toys, books, games, paintings, sculptures, and objects for children to explore. The space has a variety of areas for different interests, allowing young visitors to learn through creative play and discovery. For craft lovers, there are also rotating themes each week with materials provided, so children can get inspired and create something different each time they visit. There will be free time slots throughout the day.
At neighbouring Central Library, join traditional Irish storyteller Pat the Hat, on Friday 17 February. Pat is a Seanchai (traditional Irish storyteller) and his tales will make you laugh, cry, scare you and cheer you. He has stories about animals and birds, kings and warriors, saints and sinners, witches and magicians, pickpockets and ghosts, fairies and mermaids and mythical, mystical characters that inspire and captivate the imagination. Stories in English with a little Gaeilge thrown in! Suitable for all ages, but especially for children. There are two sessions, one at 1.30pm and another at 3pm. No need to book – just turn up for one of the free sessions on the day.
Bookworms can also dive into Eric Carle’s bright and colourful world as his beloved stories are transformed from page to stage in The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show, coming to the Liverpool Playhouse from Tuesday 14 through to Saturday 18 February. Featuring your favourite titles: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, 10 Little Rubber Ducks, The Very Lonely Firefly and of course, the star of the show, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Created by Jonathan Rockefeller, the critically acclaimed show is a vibrant celebration of Eric Carle’s adored classics and the perfect introduction to live theatre. Tickets cost £15.
Catch The History Whisperer at St George’s Hall before it finishes on 17 March. The digital immersive experience transports visitors to a time when this extraordinary building was the meeting point of both opulence and destitution. Suitable for children over the age of six. Tickets are £4 for under 16s and £6 for adults.
Whether you’re looking for a bite to eat, a half-term treat or an afternoon out, St Johns has you covered and it’s only £5 to park all day. Keep boredom at bay by taking the kids to VR Liverpool, the city’s premier 9D virtual theme park, where you can take a ride on the fastest rollercoaster, go deep-sea diving or travel back in time. If you fancy a bite to eat, the food court has all the family favourites including McDonalds and KFC and if your little ones have room for more, there are plenty of sweet treats on offer including American Candy Empire, Cake Box, Dunkin’ Donuts or Millie’s Cookies. If you’re looking to treat your little one to the latest toys, remember to take a trip to The Entertainer.
If you’re coming from outside of Liverpool, have family coming to stay or simply want to make a night of it, at Holiday Inn Liverpool City Centre, Kids 17 and under stay free when sharing their parents’ room. Up to two kids aged 12 and under can eat free per adult ordering from the main menu too. There is a selection of comfortable bedroom styles, including family and interconnecting rooms; plus, the all you can eat full buffet breakfast, easily sets you up for the day. To maximise your time in Liverpool, guest luggage can be stored free of charge, so you can grab your bags later and hit the road or the platform when you are ready.
* 10am – 4pm until Saturday 11 February