14/2/2010

Don't sit indoors fighting the half-term boredom blues this week, wrap up warm and get out and see what’s on offer where you live.

The Welsh Assembly Government is backing a huge range of activities all over Wales for kids and big kids alike.

Most of the events offer free entry, and all Cadw-owned attractions can be visited free by Welsh children and the over 60s with their pass.

Just two of the exciting events on offer include an exploration of the ghosts and ghouls on a paranormal tour of Margam Park, and a family fun day to celebrate the advent of the Chinese New year in style, at the National Museum Wales in Cardiff.

The year of the Tiger will be celebrated on 13 Feb, and those joining in the fun can enjoy trying their hand at Chinese calligraphy, paper crafts and face painting. Also on at the Cardiff museum this week will be “Fishy Fun� and a Fact Finders Museum Trail.

The National History Museum in St Fagan’s is offering “Shopping in Gwalia Stores,� taking a look at retail therapy 1920s style, as well as “Energy for the Future,� “Life in the Iron Age,� and the Ty Gwyrdd Teaser quiz.

The National Waterfront Museum in Swansea is presenting “Petrolefun,� a day-long programme of fun events to learn all about the oil industry, and “Make a Bug Box� for creepy-crawly lovers to make their very own magnifying observatory.

At the Wool Museum in Carmarthenshire, a Valentine’s Day themed craft day takes place on 13 February, and other activities are available to attend throughout the week. There is also a skills day on 20 February where anyone can have a go at learning a craft.

Other fun events being held include Roman Soldier Workshops at the National Roman Legion Museum in Caerleon, “Bag a Bag� at Big Pit: National Coal Museum in Blaenavon and a Model Railway Show at the National Slate Museum in Llanberis. Go to the National Museum Wales website for more details.

There is a long list of activities going on during the holidays at Margam Park, and again, they are all absolutely free. The ghost tours take place on 16 February, then there is a chance to make your own bird feeder the next day, and a family winter nature ramble on February 18.

In Wrexham, the County Borough Museum is offering a children's fossil trail, and at the Alyn Walters Country Park there’s events such as “Trees and Potatoes� and a workshop to help you make your own micro greenhouse. Walks and scrap-book making is on offer at Ty Mawr Country Park in Cefn Mawr.

The Pancake Olympics are also taking place in Erddig, the National Trust Estate in Wrexham, and everyone in Pembrokeshire can “Wake Up To Wildlife� at the Colby National Trust Woodland Garden.

The Castell Henllys Iron Age Fort, off A487 between Cardigan & Newport, Pembs, is offering a discovery of all things Celtic for children between the ages of six and 12.