Creative family adventures in Plymouth this February half term
Plymouth is buzzing with creative and cultural events for families this February half-term, from art and theatre to trails, workshops and story-centred festivals. Below is your guide to the best ideas for What’s on in Plymouth when it comes to creative, cultural, dance and family theatre activity between Saturday 14 and Sunday 22 February 2026.
Art, creativity and interactive experiences
The Box remains a must-visit for families. With free entry and inspiring galleries, The Box hosts gallery trails, storytelling sessions and hands-on fun throughout the holiday. Highlights include:
• Family Fun: Tell Me a Story — regular drop-in storytelling sessions perfect for younger children.
• Family Fun: Do What Makes You Happy creative drop-in sessions (17–20 February).
• Quiet and Calm Family Crafts — a themed creative session during the half term week.
Full family activities and details at
https://www.theboxplymouth.com/events/families
The Box’s Beryl Cook: Pride and Joy and Journeys with Mai exhibitions offer a creative exploration that’s hard to beat!
Stories, words and imagination
The Plymouth Literary Festival runs on 14 and 15 February, bringing stories and creativity to the heart of the city. A mix of readings, performances and family-friendly sessions invites children and adults alike to explore storytelling in lively, interactive settings.
Complementing this, Plymouth Laureate of Words: The Class of 2025-27 shares poetry and creative writing in a session on 14 February — ideal for creative families keen on language, performance and expression.
https://plymouthlitfest.co.uk/
Theatre, performance and movement
At Theatre Royal Plymouth, family-focused offerings continue throughout the season. For example:
• Tiny Tales, a playful theatre storytelling experience aimed at younger audiences that runs into the spring. Weekly on Thursdays, 10:30am – 11:15am
• The Little Prince performances, workshops and creative sessions — including a workshop for ages 8-11 on 20 February. https://theatreroyal.com/whats-on/little-prince/
For children who love to move, The Groovement Project offers inclusive and uplifting dance workshops. These sessions celebrate rhythm, creativity and community, helping kids find joy through expressive movement. As part of February half term, The Groovement Project Dance Company is hosting a full day February Half Term Dance Day on Friday 20 February 2026, welcoming young dancers aged 10 and over from across the South West. Running from 9am to 4pm, the day offers an exciting programme of workshops in commercial, hip hop, contemporary, choreography in LA style and breaking, led by GPDC’s award winning and internationally recognised teaching faculty. Each class will finish with a video shoot in the GPDC studios, alongside opportunities for individual feedback to help dancers develop confidence, technique and creativity. The day is open to all levels, from complete beginners to advanced dancers, with groups split by ability where needed to ensure everyone gets the most out of the experience. Priced at £25 for seven hours of dance, the event focuses on skill building, trying new styles, making friends and creating unforgettable half term memories. https://www.facebook.com/thegroovementproject/?locale=en_GB
During February half term, Soapbox Children's Theatre in Devonport is hosting two family friendly productions by Stiltskin Theatre Company, offering imaginative theatre experiences for a range of ages. For younger audiences, The Magic Box is a fully immersive production for babies, waddlers, toddlers and children up to 8, where toys come to life after the lights go out in the playroom. Featuring beautiful characters, puppets, lighting, sound and bubbles, the show runs for approximately 45 minutes followed by a chance to meet the characters, making it an ideal first theatre experience for little ones and their adults. Performances take place at 11am and 1.30pm on Saturday 14 February, and at 11am on Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 February, with tickets priced at £10 for children and £12 for adults, and free entry for children under 12 months. For older children and families, The Vikings is a lively storytelling adventure suitable for ages 5 and up, weaving together historical fact and myth as storytellers Turf and Clod explore Viking legends, gods and creatures alongside tales of the Vikings’ arrival in Devon and battles at Lydford. Packed with puppetry, larger than life characters and fantastical stories, the show runs for around one hour and is performed at 1.30pm on Sunday 15, Friday 20, Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 February. All performances take place in the Soapbox Children’s Theatre auditorium at Devonport Park, with free nearby parking and a welcoming theatre café serving cakes, drinks and snacks. https://stiltskin.org.uk/
Trails, playful experiences and workshops
Plymouth has lots of half-term trails and interactive adventures for families:
• Beryl Cook Sculpture Trail — a playful outdoor art trail celebrating one of Plymouth’s most distinctive artists.
• Write your own Fairytale Trail around the mystical Buckland Abbey — a great way to combine storytelling with exploration.
At Saltram National Trust, the Fairy House Trail runs through the gardens and grounds from mid-Feb to early March — perfect for imaginative walks with younger children.
Also happening during the week is a Carealot-themed treasure hunt at Crownhill Library, free and drop-in for families on 16, 18 and 20 February. https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/crownhill-library
Classic family attractions with a creative twist
Don’t forget the city’s regular favourites:
• National Marine Aquarium — explore ocean worlds with themed trails and marine storytelling.
• Royal William Yard — combines craft stalls, creative workshops and scenic space for picnics and walks. In particular join the Half Term children's craft event which is free to attend (but booking is required) https://royalwilliamyard.com/whats-on/childrens-craft-activities-arcade-brewhouse
• Dartmoor Zoological Society — animal encounters, wildlife learning and outdoor adventure.
For active indoor fun consider places like Clip ’n Climb or Super Tramp for physical creativity and problem solving, while YMCA Plympton’s 8.2.5 Holiday Club runs multi-activity sessions including arts and crafts throughout half term.
