Don’t let rain stop play this February – get out and about and enjoy everything that Sussex has to offer

14-22 February, 11am-4pm, The Bluebell Railway

Trains run every hour, on the hour. For a discount on adult tickets book eight days in advance. Children of all ages will absolutely love this, as will adults of all ages. As a special half term offer children travel for £1.

www.bluebell-railway.com

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16-21 February, Bojing, Spring Barn Farm, near Lewes

Join the Boj inspired upcycling event. They will be re-using bottles and other bits and bobs to make Boj-a-boom bird feeders – so our flappy-feathered friends don’t go hungry this winter.

The Spring Barn Farm team will be on hand to help with the tricky bits – and mums and dads can join in the fun too. Boj has also hidden lots of clues around the barn – find them and work out the hidden word for a little treat at the end! (For those who aren’t in the know, Boj is an Australian burrowing bilby cartoon character).

01273 488450; www.springbarnfarm.com

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17, 22 February, Mini Cooper driving experience, Goodwood

Goodwood’s new dedicated junior driving academy includes a Mini Cooper experience, enabling under 17 year olds to drive on the historic Goodwood motor track. Using a fleet of colourful manual and automatic MINI Coopers, the hour-long half term session enables young drivers to learn controlled, safe and secure driving skills. There’s no age limit, but drivers must be over 1.5m.

01243 755055; grrc.goodwood.com/driving-at-goodwood/junior-driving-academy-17s-2

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18 February, Curious about Chemistry half day workshop, The Observatory Science Centre, Herstmonceux

Come and have a go at some exciting chemistry experiments. 10.30am to 1pm for age 6-9 years and 2pm to 4.30pm for age 10-13 years. £10.75 per child – this is for the workshop only. Booking essential.

01323 832731; www.the-observatory.org

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18 February, Forest School Fun 10am to 4.30pm, Goodwood

A morning Gruffalo Trail including a Gruffalo hunt, storytelling around the camp fire and a Gruffalo making craft session in which the children can make and take home their own monster or mouse. The afternoon’s activities have a seasonal theme and celebrate the Chinese year of the sheep as well as pancake making on the campfire. Held in Seeley Copse, part of Goodwood Home Farm, the sessions are led by trained Forest School leaders, but children must be accompanied by an adult.

01243 755157; sarah.stewart@goodwood.com

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20-22 February, Modelworld, The Brighton Centre

The renowned exhibition returns to the Brighton Centre. In addition to the usual collection of boats, planes and trains of all shapes and sizes, there will also be Daleks, Lego models, a boating pool, dolls houses, circuses and fairground displays as well as a variety of trucks and tanks.

01273 290131; www.brightoncentre.co.uk

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21 February, Lambing 10.30am to 3.30pm, Goodwood

One of Southern England’s oldest and largest organic farms hosts a farm walk and open afternoon. The morning’s guided walk will enable visitors to experience the working farm in springtime and meet the farmer and animals. In the afternoon there will be craft sessions and a visit to the lambing yard to learn all about lambing.

01243 755157; sarah.stewart@goodwood.com

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17 and 20 February, Wildlife Rangers, Sussex Wildlife Trust

If you are interested in nature and helping wildlife, then Sussex Wildlife Trust’s outdoor exploration group for 12 to 16-year-olds is for you. Weekly Wildlife Ranger sessions run throughout the school holidays, so why not come along this half term to Stanmer Park, Brighton (Tuesday 17 February) or Tilgate Park, Crawley (Friday 20 February)?

Typical activities include opportunities to find out about wildlife, trees and plants, learn identification skills, and have a go at nature photography. Discover how to help manage important habitats to meet the needs of our local dormice, slow worms and butterflies. Cost is £10 per session. For more information visit www.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk and click ‘Get Involved’.

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All week, Stoneywish Nature Reserve, Ditchling

From here on you will find something for everyone in the family: gardens, exhibitions, free-range animals, and an all-ability path that takes you round the entire reserve.

Take your time to go round. The wildlife is shy but if you are patient you may see some of our special residents, herons, woodpeckers, little owls, foxes, and even deer. And of course don’t miss the giant carp you can feed and the friendly farm animals that will often come up to say hello.

01273 843498; www.stoneywish.com

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All week, Nymans Gardens, Handcross

Beautiful gardens with great places to explore – great for hide-and-seek! Good weather certainly helps, but even in the rain you can don wellie boots and macs and still have a lovely rainy day walk. Delicious National Trust restaurant, great gift shop, and of course plants for sale.

01444 405250; www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nymans

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All week, Tulley’s Farm, near Turners Hill

Navigate your way through the maize maze, meet the animals and have an adventure. And when you’re done round it off with a nice cup of tea in the restaurant. 01342 718472; www.tulleysfarm.com

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