A day out in the town centre  

‘Lets Glow’ is back again this year! See Basingstoke town centre in new light this February half-term with a free eye catching light trail brought to you by Love Basingstoke Presents and Festival Place. Between Monday 12 February and Sunday 18 February head to the unit next to Swarovski on the upper level of Festival Place between 9.30am and 9pm for some interactive light fun. You can also enjoy the street projections at the Top of the Town from 5pm to 9pm from Monday 12 February to Saturday 17 February. There’s more to love on Thursday 15 February to Saturday 17 February with amazing light shows outside the Willis Museum and installations in War Memorial Park taking place between 5pm and 9pm.

During the February half term, The Haymarket is running two shows which are perfect for kids. One of these is the family friendly Comedy Club 4 Kids, performed in the style of a comedy club but without any of the rude bits!  There is also the chance to experience comedy and chaos with There’s a Monster in your Show, based on author and musician Tom Fletcher's interactive adventures. For those aged 12 and over there is the nationwide tour of 'Stranger Sings!' at The Anvil. This parody musical, based on the smash hit Netflix series, is sure to entertain fans and novices alike.

In Festival Place, the Basingstoke Discovery Centre has many activities on offer throughout the week, such as family chess coaching, which are free for all to attend. Why not try out groups such as Craft and Chatter or Read Aloud, relaxing storytelling sessions for all ages, every Thursday. Nearby, Basingstoke Sports Centre , in Festival Place also has swimming and soft play sessions running throughout the week of half term. For ages 10 and above, try out an exciting escape room experience at  Escape Hunt Basingstoke in Festival Place. A brilliant way to spend a few hours, undertaking an unforgettable and challenging puzzle to break free. There are six alternative rooms, catering to different abilities and player numbers. Some of these rooms include ‘Breaking the Law’ and ‘Banking on Trouble’! 

Pop along to the Willis Museum at the Top of the Town and experience a free educational visit to discover the history of Basingstoke. There is a café to sit and relax with a tasty snack and a hot drink. Running on 15 and 16 February is a crafty activity available for those aged five and over to make a mosaic coaster with a roman design for £5 and with pre-booking required.

The Malls will have a free Valentine’s Day make and take workshop on Wednesday 14 February, where your little one can create their own special card to take home for their loved ones and see the Queen of Hearts walking around on stilts! The popular and delicious donut and crepes wooden hut will be returning over the half term. There will also be a teacup ride and jungle gym, both for a fee, and a mouth-watering candy floss wooden cart to enjoy.

The handmade cosmetic store Lush has a gorgeous Valentine’s Day workshop running from 12 to 17 February at specific times during the day. For £10 per person, shoppers can celebrate all things love by making a love letter, their own bath bombs, play games and receive a surprise goodie bag.

Beyond the town centre 

You can easily spend a whole day (or two!) at Basingstoke Leisure Park enjoying a variety of experiences. Children and adults will love the lagoon pool at the Basingstoke Aquadrome with its rapids, slides, adult pool and baby beach! For thrill seekers, why not experience the adrenaline rush of an incredible indoor skydiving experience at iFLY, where you can undertake freefall conditions with the help of an instructor. From age three to 103 and no experience is necessary, just head along for a day out you will never forget. Alternatively wrap up warm for ice skating at Planet Ice or book a bowling lane at Hollywood Bowl Basingstoke and play on the many arcades afterwards. Whilst the venues mentioned have food options, you will also find McDonalds, KFC and The Spruce Goose in the park. Within walking distance, enjoy history and heritage with an array of games throughout time at ‘Play Days: Games at the Museum’ which runs from 10 to 18 February at Milestones Museum. Take in the fun of the fair, play giant board games, arcades, enjoy the sweet shop and much, much more to explore and discover! Furthermore,  ten screens of film magic await you at the Odeon cinema, and be sure to check out their website for deals such as special Odeon Kids screenings, where grown ups pay children's ticket prices. 

Nearby cinema, The Vue, in Festival place regually have deals to explore such as Vue’s Mini Mornings, so the family can watch great films every Saturday and Sunday from 10am for only £2.49.

If you are seeking something active to fill a few hours then take a look at Flip Out Trampoline Park and Atmosphere Trampoline Park, great for kids and adults to burn of energy! Furthermore, Hampshire Boulder in Whitchurch has a fun climbing wall; sure to challenge and be a hit with visitors. In Whitchurch, at the historic Whitchurch Silk Mill, there are half-term activities taking place such as a Valentine's Day children's craft  session and their ‘Let love grow’ family planting activity great for creative minds in a beautiful location. They also have a Valentine’s Day activity to celebrate the art of weaving by making mini wall-hangings from wool, ribbons and beads. Some of the activities require tickets so please check online for information on events.

Oakridge Hall 4 All is hosting a ‘Stay and Play Choo Choo day’ on Tuesday 13 February. A one hour session in which TrainMaster UK and Pop Up and Play Ltd are working together for a really fun interactive role play session for children. At Basingstoke Golf Centre, kids will love the opportunity to try a new sport or to hone their golf skills, so why not try out the nine hole course, driving range or the Knights Realm Adventure Crazy Golf.

If you are looking for a way to tire your little one out, there is the fun and engaging Active Tots, an award winning play environment form birth to four years of age. Children can enjoy a brightly coloured soft play area and an outdoor garden during the spring and summer, all of which is inside a converted barn in gorgeous rural surroundings.

For an unforgettable experience PFT Academy is hosting Parkour holiday camps from 12 to 14 February for those aged six to 17. There will be an amazing selection of equipment to try out such as parkour blocks, an air track and gymnastic vaults.

Outdoor days out 

You can easily spend hours visiting The Vyne. Explore the house and the gardens, enjoy a bite to eat in the tea room, browse the shop and discover their scenic woodland trails. This half term you can take part in their special Valentine's trail and keep an eye out for the hearts lovingly placed around the beautiful grounds and take part in the free quiz. It is running all week of half term and no pre-booking is required.  For an adventure filled day out, Four Kingdoms has a lambing live event on for the half term week amongst all the other many attractions to explore such as laser tag, tractor rides, soft play and the dinosaur kingdom.

If the weather permits (or just wrap up warm!), check out a local park or open space for a walk. If you are looking for places where your dog can join in the fun this half term take a look at our Dog Friendly Basingstoke and Deane guide. For a breathtakingly scenic walk be sure to explore a section of the 24-mile Watership Down trail, made famous by author Richard Adam classic novel.

Free and discounted eat options

We know that half term can be expensive, so we have found some great free and discounted options in Basingstoke. Children eat free all day every day in Morrisons cafes nationwide and daily with every adult meal over £4.49. At the Spruce Goose Beefeater, two children under 16 get a free breakfast with every adult breakfast that is purchased. During the school holidays, Pausa Cafes at Dunelm is running an offer for every £4 spent by an adult in the cafe kids can enjoy one free mini main, two yummy snacks and a drink - across all menu items. The offer is running all day every day.  At Premier Inn, situated in Basingstoke town centre, you can enjoy their all-you-can-eat breakfast for just £9.99 and up to two kids under 16 eat for free. Travelodge Basingstoke is running a deal where an adult can purchase an all-you-can-eat breakfast for just £8.99 and up to two kids, under 15, can eat for free.

Have we left anything out?  Please let us know at hello@LoveBasingstoke.co.uk if you know of any other events in the borough and we’d be happy to help promote it on our channels. 

Please note the inclusion of any business within this listing should not be seen as an endorsement of their services. Whilst the information is considered to be true and correct at the date of publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the information.   

 February 2024