Half-term Events in Dorset

So, it’s the February half term and you may be wondering how you’re going to keep the kids entertained!

Well don’t worry, whether you are local resident or are staying in Dorset on a break, there’s lots to do throughout the half term holidays. If you're looking for things to do in Dorset we have found lots of Dorset events to keep you entertained. Our Resort family has children of different ages, here are some of the things we plan to enjoy during the school holidays; perhaps you will too. If you are looking for lots of half-term events to put in your diary, see below.

Half-term Events

13 Dec 2025 to 22 Feb 2026

Cool Coast Ice Rink Bouremouth 2025

Bournemouth, Dorset

Cool Coast Ice Rink is the largest indoor ice skating rink on the South Coast. Located in Bournemouth International Centre from November to February, it’s the perfect winter activity with friends and family. Enjoyed by so many every year, it’s even a great way to stay fit and active over the wintery months. At Cool Coast you can enjoy a fun filled ice skating session regardless of the weather ...

31 Jan 2026 to 10 Mar 2026

People Watching

Dorchester, Dorset

Over a hundred years of British portraiture with The Ingram Collection and Dorset Museum & Art Gallery Exploring the concept of image and portraiture in British art, ‘People Watching’ will feature approximately 50 works of sculpture, paintings, drawings, and photography from 1915 to the present day. These internationally significant works of art from The Ingram Collection of Modern British ...

13 February 2026

Love to Boogie Family Fun Disco

Lemur Landings, Poole, Dorset

Join us for our next family fun disco & get ready for music, dancing & soft play included in our standard admission price ​with our friends Balloon MadnessFriday 13th February 2026 : Disco 5 - 7pm Arrive from start of session time 3.30pm Session Finishes 7.30pm

14 February 2026

Dino Day

Weymouth, Dorset

Attention, Dino Fans! Get ready for a ROAR-some adventure! On February 14th, real-life dinosaurs are coming to town with their rangers. 10:00 AM – Watch out! These dinosaurs might get loose and roam the streets upon their arrival outside the White Hart on New Bond Street. Their handlers aren’t very good at taming them, so keep an eye out for the T-Rex, Raptor, and Allosaurus, and help the ...

14 February 2026

Everybody Chase the Dinosaur

Weymouth, Dorset

Roarsome fun! Weymouth's Dinosaur week is an exciting celebration of family fun themed around prehistoric life! Last year, We Are Weymouth hosted the second ‘Chase the Dinosaur’ event, as part of 'Dino Week' raising funds for the Will Mackaness Trust and kicking off the February half term in true Jurassic style. Event Details: Register through the ticket tailor link Date: Saturday, ...

14 Feb 2026 to 21 Feb 2026

Half-Term Activities at Bridport Museum

Bridport, Dorset

Join us this February half term for family-friendly activities. 14 to 21 February, 10am to 4pm Free arts and crafts activity! Saturday – 14th Make your own Valentine’s Card 10am – 1pm. Wednesday 18th & Saturday 21st – Make your own Jigsaw Puzzle (10am – 1pm). or why not try your hand at making rope! Family-friendly drop-in activities, no extra cost and no booking is ...

14 Feb 2026 to 22 Feb 2026

Adventure Quest

Tank Museum, Wareham, Dorset

This February Half Term, enjoy hands-on activities, dressing up, themed colouring and more! Experience the biggest day out in history with interactive exhibitions, 300 tanks, kids’ activities, and more at Dorset’s largest indoor attraction. Follow the Adventure Quest trail, tackle exciting challenges as you explore the Museum, and claim your prize at the end! Plus, put your problem-solving ...

14 Feb 2026 to 22 Feb 2026

Shaftesbury Snowdrop Festival

Shaftesbury, Dorset

Shaftesbury’s snowdrop season is one of the biggest events of its type in the country and the town’s free snowdrop walks, including wheelchair and pushchair accessible routes, can be enjoyed by all, including dogs.

14 Feb 2026 to 22 Feb 2026

The Colpixie Trail

Symondsbury Estate, Bridport, Dorset

Once upon a half term, when the days begged for adventure and little feet were itching to explore, something rather unusual stirred on Symondsbury Estate… Long ago (or perhaps not so long ago), folklore whispered of mischievous sprites called Colpexies who lived in and around Dorset. With stony fingers and far too much time on their hands, they scratched pictures into sandy banks and ...

14 Feb 2026 to 22 Feb 2026

Woods & Words Family Trail

Poole, Dorset

Join us at Upton Country Park this half term! Collect your free trail sheet from the Welcome Centre, open daily 10am – 4pm. Find the poems as you explore the Country Park and find your inspiration at each poem location. Collect your inspirations and have a go at creating a poem or short story to add to our Poet-Tree at the end of the trail. Suitable for all ages. No writing experience ...

14 Feb 2026 to 22 Feb 2026

World War II Week at Nothe Fort

Nothe Fort, Weymouth, Dorset

Explore Weymouth’s role in World War II this February Half Term! Saturday 14 – Sunday 22 February 10am – 4pm Join us at the Fort as we travel back to the World War II era! Come along and collect your job stamps as you experience what life was like during WWII. Complete the wartime activities and collect job stamps as you find out all about WWII at the Fort! Activities include: • Soldier ...

15 February 2026

Snowdrop Sunday

Beaminster, Dorset

Snowdrop Sundays - Harbinger of Spring! Visit Mapperton Gardens on our Snowdrop Sundays to enjoy the carpets of stunning white snowdrops in the Arboretum, the Avenue and around the gardens. With lighter days ahead, these glorious flowers lift our spirits with hope and the Spring to follow.

15 Feb 2026 to 22 Feb 2026

Laser Tag Siege

Laserguys Activities, Blandford, Dorset

Get ready for an epic laser tag showdown! We'll start with some of our most popular missions to get everyone warmed up and battle-ready. Then, it's time for the grand finale—The Siege. One team will take their position inside the fortress, holding out for as long as possible, while the opposing team launches a full-scale assault to breach the gates and take control. Strategy, teamwork, and ...

18 Feb 2026 to 19 Feb 2026

Mayhem of Mad4Animals

Poole, Dorset

Mayhem of Mad4Animals is coming to Upton Country Park! This is a high energy show under a bold circus top. You meet snakes, lizards, bugs and mammals in rapid fire sections. After the show you get thirty minutes of structured handling for confident, close-up interaction time. The team cannot wait to unleash the snakes, introduce the geckos and show off the tenrec who thinks he runs the ...

19 February 2026

Dino Tales - Jurassic Rescue

Weymouth Pavilion, Weymouth, Dorset

Thursday 19 February, 2:30pm - Theatre All tickets £21.50, £82 Family of Four (2 adults & 2 children) Calling all dinosaur rangers - Jurassic Rescue needs your help! There's a baby Ankylosaurus that needs rescuing before The Doc gets his evil hands on it… Along the adventure you’ll meet Freya the dancing Raptor, Dylan the cheeky Dilophosaurus, Angie the Ankylosaurus, Scar the fearsome ...

Fossil Hunting – Will you be the next person to find a Sea Rex? Who knows you may just discover the next big thing! Do be aware of the tide times, stay away from unstable cliffs and always follow the fossiling code of conduct. Lyme Regis beach, Charmouth and Kimmeridge are all great spots and perfect for exploring over the half-term holiday. 

Bike Rides – get the kids active with a shorter ride for little legs or something a bit more adventurous for older children: take a look at some great cycling routes here. 

Head for Heights – at 191 metres (627 ft), where is the highest point on the south coast of Great Britain? Yes you guessed right, it’s Golden Cap, and on a good day it is visible for tens of miles along the coastline. Why not challenge your family to see who can get to the top first? Remember to take care and not to get too close to the cliff edge, keeping any dogs on a lead.

Sculptures – the family will enjoy seeking out the creations carved out of stone at the Tout Quarry Sculpture Park and Nature Reserve on the isle of Portland, it’s also a great place to take some lovely family photos – picture perfect!

Shopping – OK I get it, kids don’t always like shopping, but we mums do and Bridport’s Saturday and Wednesday markets have lots of unique stalls: you’ll find vintage clothing, Dorset art, ceramics, bric-a-brac, wooden walking sticks and, of course, a few kids’ toys. There’s also one of the best independent toy shops in Dorset, on East Street. You should also head to Bridport’s vintage quarter where you will find many interesting shops to explore.

Woods – we all love a trip to the woods, especiallly in the October half-term when the leaves start to change colour and crunch underfoot. We particularly love Thorncombe Woods, near Dorchester, Moors Valley Country Park, which is located on the Dorset/Hampshire border, and the fabulous New Forest too.  If the kids’ legs get tired start a treasure hunt; we hide chocolate coins as we go along for the kids to spot and enjoy whilst taking in the fresh air.

On the Water – It might not be the summer holidays but the February half term will hopefully bring some good weather, pop on a dry suit on and find your sense of adventure, try kayaking, windsurfing, or paddle boarding. Or perhaps the simple things work for you; like a stroll along the shoreline, an ice-cream (they're still nice in February), or skimming stones. Fresh air is good for the soul, and it doesn’t always mean you have to dip into your pocket! You will also find that many of Dorset's beaches have saunas, so you can certainly warm up and cool down with a sea swim!

Cheeeeeese – not the edible kind (although we do love Dorset cheeses), but photo opportunities. In Dorset you are spoilt for choice with a host of perfect locations to capture the sunrise, sunset or just your children roaming free in the vast open spaces we are blessed with here. Let the children have a go too; they might find a healthy new hobby this half term, or perhaps even become the next David Bailey!

Some of the best spots we like for photos: Kimmeridge, Man O’ War Bay, Corfe Castle, Durdle Door, Golden Cap, The Cobb - Lyme Regis, Portland Bill, Gold Hill - Shaftesbury, Thorncombe Woods and any of Dorset’s beaches!

Attractions – animal adventures, aquariums, interactive museums, steam trains, gorgeous gardens, and kids’ play, we really are spoilt for choice. Local attractions offer you a great day out, and some will have special half-term events on. Take a look at the list above and see what will work for your family, whether it be monkey madness, rides and slides, history highlights or something else, these businesses will welcome your family and keep everyone entertained during the half-term in Dorset. 

Food - Fish and chips, are hard to beat so head to the coast and enjoy them by the seaside.

We hope whatever you and your family plan to do, you have a great week. Below are a list of Dorset attractions and activity providers who would love you to join them over the school holidays.

Attractions and Activities

Abbotsbury Subtropical GardensAbbotsburyAthelhampton House & GardensDorchesterBeaulieuNew ForestBuckler's HardNew ForestChesil Equestrian CentrePortlandCompton AcresPooleCorfe CastleCorfe CastleDorset Heavy Horse Farm ParkWimborneFarmer Palmer'sPooleHighcliffe CastleChristchurchKeep Military MuseumDorchesterLemur LandingsPooleLiberty's Owl Raptor & Reptile CentreNew ForestLongdown Activity FarmNew ForestLulworth Castle & ParkLulworthMapperton House and GardensBeaminsterMonkey World - Ape Rescue CentreWarehamNew Forest Wildlife ParkNew ForestNothe FortWeymouthOceanariumBournemouthPirate Adventure GolfWeymouthPortland AlpacasPortlandPurbeck Sports CentreWarehamPurbeck BreezerPoolePortland Bill Lighthouse & Visitor CentrePortlandRockReefBournemouthShire Hall Historic Courthouse MuseumDorchesterSplashdown WaterparkPooleSwanage RailwaySwanageTank MuseumWarehamWeymouth Sea Life Adventure ParkWeymouthDorset Museum & Art GalleryDorchesterPortland MuseumPortlandAbbotsbury SwanneryAbbotsburyBrewery SquareDorchesterCastletown D-Day CentrePortlandKingston Maurward House, Gardens & Animal ParkDorchesterSherborne CastleSherborneWimborne Model TownWimborneBadger WatchDorchesterLyme Bay Rib CharterWest BayMoonfleet Adventure Sail TrainingPortlandSandworldWeymouthSticks & BonesWeymouthSymondsbury EstateBridportWeymouth PavilionWeymouth