Memorable Outdoor Half Term Activities

Half term can often pose a problem; what on earth are you going to do to fill all that time?

Well, luckily for you, half term doesn’t have to mean you’re stuck in soft-play purgatory, entering into daily negotiations about screen time, or walking the same walks you always walk just to get out of the house. 

With a bit of planning, school holidays can stop being about keeping the kids busy in any way possible; instead, they can be transformed into lifelong memories, superb trips and shared experiences that will keep everyone outdoors, happy, and not talking about homework. 

From city-based adventure challenges to wild open spaces, these memorable activities place the focus on hands-on, outdoorsy experiences that will work for multiple ages, multiple energy levels and will even leave the adults feeling fulfilled. 

Let’s take a look at your next half-term activity, spent as a family in the great outdoors. 

1) Embrace Woodland Adventure & Forest Trails

The UK was once a forested paradise covered with trees as far as the eye could see, and although we have lost much of that forest, there is still plenty that remains to be enjoyed.

Woodlands are something we often overlook in favour of beaches, parks, or hills, but wooded areas in the UK are something of a national treasure and could be just the answer you’re looking for this half-term.

Managed woodland sites around the UK are becoming an absolute must-visit destination for anyone looking to get outside and move in natural space, particularly if you’ve got kids with you. Some of the most popular include: 

• Ashdown Forest, Sussex

• Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire

• New Forest, Hampshire

• Moors Valley Country Park, Dorset

• Jeskyns Community Woodland, Kent

Many Forestry England locations offer a staggering amount of activities; from walking nature trails, to mountain biking, climbing, abseiling, tree top adventures, discovery trails, horse riding, and swimming - you name it, they’ve got it.  

February half-term no longer needs to be spent inside. If you get your family equipped for the cold weather, you can go from “can we go home now?” to “do we have to leave?” in an instant.

Get your family down to the woods and hunt for the Gruffalo, learn a new skill, experience some adrenaline and learn together whilst you enjoy a mega family day out.

2) Turn a City Into an Outdoor Challenge

If you’re thinking of outdoorsy trips, then a city centre might not be the first thing that springs to mind, but don’t dismiss the idea just yet.

What if you could take the entire family on a city-wide adventure that would entertain every age category?

The iconic Race Across The World Experience transforms the inner streets of a city into fast paced adventure. Your whole family (little ones included) navigate on foot, manage a budget, follow clues, solve riddles and make real decisions as they move past iconic spots, historic structures and beautiful sights.

It’s part sightseeing, part problem solving, part teamwork under pressure, all amounting to one of the best half-term activities possible, something that you and your family will remember for a long time to come. 

This experience would work brilliantly as a centrepiece day on a city break, can work for all weather conditions, and most importantly, is fun for all ages; adults included. Just remember to pack your waterproof footwear, and you’re ready for whatever the day throws at you! 

3) A Coastal Day With Purpose

Heading to the beach in February might seem a bit wild, but hear us out; beach days don’t always need to be sunshine and sandcastles, although this is great in its own right. 

If we stop considering the beach as a place where we lie in the sun, and instead start to think of it as a place where we can enjoy the natural world to its fullest extent, we start to see what the attraction of a February half-term beach day is all about. 

Rock pooling at low tide is a superb way to get younger kids excited about the natural world and have simultaneous adventures as they clamber over rocks looking for sea life. Go crabbing with home-made crabbing kits, explore cliff faces and coastal caves, visit quiet sea-side towns, and beat the crowds everywhere you go. 

You can also top off days with cliff top walks and pubs or cafes to finish things off, which is sure to please all those involved.  

Spot seabirds, fly kites, hunt fossils and explore untouched beaches. If you’ve got slightly older kids and are looking for a more adventurous activity, try the likes of family coasteering, book a surf lesson, or go for a wild swim in rockpools. 

If you’re fully kitted out with full wetsuits for the water, warm, dry towel robes for when you get out, and maybe a flask of tea to warm your hands, there is no reason for the sea to be off limits in February.  

Make the most of our fantastic coastlines and get in touch with nature, get the whole family in for a coastal adventure, and swim in the brisk waters for an unforgettable half-term 2026 by the sea.

4) Explore Our National Parks & Dark-Sky Areas

If you’re looking to fill the whole week, get away from home and experience something totally new, then pack up the car and head to one of our stunning National Parks for one of the most rewarding things to do during half-term.

You don’t have to camp if you don’t want to; there are plenty of cabins, holiday parks and hotels that can accommodate you all, but getting out into true, preserved nature will have an astounding effect on you and your kids.   

Break the gridlock of screentime and replace it with mountain vistas, deep forests, endless pathways and exciting adventures surrounded by pure nature. Climb a mountain in the Lake District, explore the valleys of the Dales, or navigate your way around a lake nestled deep in a Scottish valley. 

These are just the daytime options. 

Perhaps one of the only benefits of February’s shorter, colder days, is the stargazing opportunities it brings. The sun will set before the kids’ bedtime, and thanks to the crisp, cold days, there is a good chance of a dark, cloudless sky; perfect conditions for galaxy hunting, shooting star spotting and satellite sightings. 

Let your kids experience the wonder of the night sky in a designated dark sky zone by night, whilst exploring a wild, rugged landscape by day, and you can keep them away from screens with absolute ease.

5) Create a Local "Micro-Expedition"

If you’re not feeling a lengthy car drive then staying close to home does not mean there has to be any less excitement and adventure involved in your February half term 2026.

It’s often the case that we have plenty of excitement on our doorsteps, but that is the very reason we never discover it. Do some research in your local area for activities and you may well be surprised at what you find. 

Hidden gems like canal boat rentals, horse riding expeditions, or adventure trails are numerous around the country and you never know what might be close by; all you have to do is look for the adventure. 

If you’re short on cash then creating your own micro-expedition can be as simple as packing a picnic, setting a challenge for the kids and heading out the door. Scavenger hunts, clues and trails of all kinds can be found online and are super easy to implement, and you can give the kids a challenge to focus on. 

One great idea is challenging the family to complete a long-distance walking trail in your local area, the UK is jam-packed with them; and don’t worry, this can be as challenging as you want.

Pick a trail and break it up into manageable sections, then walk from A to B and head home for a hot chocolate and some well-earned rest before tackling the next section the day after. You can repeat this process for an entire week if you want, and your kids will relish the challenge. Just be sure you’ve got all the right wet weather gear to keep the kids happy all day long.

Adventure does not always require a long drive, a change of location or even a big hullabaloo. Sometimes all you have to do is head out the door with a plan, and the adventure will find you.

Ready to kick start this half term?

Half-term holidays in 2026 don’t need to be awkward holidays where the wintery weather defines your experience. They also don’t have to be extravagant ski trips or mad adventures away. 

The UK is home to an incredible amount of beauty, unlimited ways to get back to nature, and incredible cities that contain adventures of their own. 

Don’t let your next half-term be a waste; with a bit of planning, some flexibility, and the right weather-ready gear, you and your family can get out there and enjoy some of the best things to do during half term in the UK. 

Half-term should be less about filling time and more about building moments that genuinely stick, letting your family create memories that will last a lifetime.