If you’re worried that a wet and windy half term will just lead to your children overdosing on computer games, help is at hand. There are all sorts of fun, stimulating, energetic and creative events going on at the museums, galleries and leisure centres in and around Guildford. Here’s a selection!

Leisure Centres

The Guildford Spectrum Leisure Pool has an open swimming session (all ages and abilities) every weekday from 09:30 to 18:30 so you can all go for a fantastic splash about! The Spectrum also offers ten pin bowling, ice skating and soft play – lots of activities for fun and fitness!

Butterflies

At Wisley, the annual butterfly exhibition is being held in the Glasshouse. It’s lovely and warm in there with fabulous tropical plants and some really exceptional butterflies – a very special excursion that your children will remember forever. In addition, there are kids' butterfly-themed activities taking place in the education room, including growing butterfly-friendly soapwort and making masks and bouncing butterflies. Please visit the website for full details and to make your booking.

Galleries and craft activities

Surrey has some wonderful museums and galleries too, many of which are holding half term activities. The Chertsey Museum is open and not flooded and is looking forward to welcoming half term visitors! They’re running some craft and archaeology activities for kids too - please check the website for more details.

The Watts Gallery in Compton is free to children all year round and has a family guide specially created to help you get the most from your visit. This half term the Gallery is offering a workshop called Drawing Big and Small, which will be held on Thursday 20 February. Please visit the website to book.

The Lightbox in Woking is has a different art activity every day of half term, except Monday when they’re closed. You can make a penguin, a 3D still life, a water landscape or a pop up card. Some activities are free, some are not but in my experience they’re always very well thought out and lots and lots of fun! The current Lightbox exhibitions are Animals in Art and Renoir in Britain – both are free and well worth popping into if you happen to be passing. Again, full details are available on the website.

The Cranleigh Arts Centre has all sorts going on over this February half term, from making a miniature world to wrestling! Their half term film is Turbo.

Cinema

Speaking of film, a cinema trip is another great activity for a rainy day. Check out the Odeon in Guildford and the Ambassadors in Woking for all their listings.

There are so many amazing activities for a rainy February half term - I can’t believe there’s only a week to do it all!