Twenty nine ways to fill your half-term with fun in Sheffield city centre š
Half-term holidays sure roll around quicklyĀ š¤Æ
Luckily, thereās plenty of attractions, events and things to do in Sheffield city centre with the kids this February.
Weāve curated this 'boredom-busting guide' to keep you busy, organised by the categories below.
š Sheffield half-term events in the city centre
š³ Sheffield half-term attractions in the city centre
š¹ Free things to do in Sheffield city centre
š„ Sheffield half-term family dining in the city centre
š½ļø Kids Eat Free in the city centre
š Sheffield half-term events in the city centre
Family favourite Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is roaring into town just in time for half-termĀ š
The musical, starring Liam Fox from Emmerdale as Grandpa Potts, launches at The Lyceum in Tudor Square on TuesdayĀ 18 February.Ā
It follows the story of absent-minded inventor Caractacus Potts, who rescues a broken-down old racing car with his children.Ā They discover it has magical powers, and end up on a hilarious adventure.
Performances take place at a family-friendly 2pm and 7pm, while tickets can be booked here.
Discover the hidden gems of Sheffield with a self-guided treasure huntĀ šŗļø
This event is different, as it can be completed at any time to suit you and your family.Ā The tour is suitable for kids aged eight and up.
It will introduce them to some of Sheffieldās most iconic locations, and encourage all participants to look up to catch everyday details they might otherwise miss.
Find out more here.
The Light cinema on The Moor already caters for little viewers, with a play area and family screenings.
On Wednesday 19 February,Ā thereās also a free family-friendly crafting activity with My Arty Party.
Itās all to celebrate the launch of the hotly-anticipated film Dog Man, about a police dog and his human handler who are accidentally fused together.
In the craft activity, participants will make their own Dog Man. It runs from 11am until 3pm and there is no need to book, just turn up.
š¶ Please noteĀ Dog ManĀ is also showing at the ODEON Luxe cinema on Arundel Gate.Ā
Potion-making, science shows and free dance parties - food hall Cambridge Street Collective has a packed event programme this half term.
For budding chefs, thereās a junior chef holiday club at the Blend Culinary Foundation (BCF), where kids aged 8-11 can make brownie and cookie combos (so-called 'brookies') with milkshakes. It takes place from 8am-11am on Tuesday 18 February and tickets cost Ā£35. Parents must attend this session. There is also a teen chef holiday club for older children (age 11-16) taking place later the same day.
All proceeds from events at BCF are reinvested to help alleviate food poverty and insecurity.
In addition, Cambridge Street Collective areĀ also hosting a half-term t-shirt screen printing event at the hall on Saturday 22 February, which costs just Ā£2 per ticket.
Katie Canham, event co-ordinator at food hall owner Blend Family, said:
āWe have a fantastic lineup of events at Cambridge Street Collective this February half-term.Ā Our goal is to ensure that every child has something to look forward to during their break, with activities that everyone can enjoy.Ā We love seeing children come together, make new friends and have fun.
āThese events also provide parents with a valuable opportunity to take a break and among our offerings, the free mini disco has quickly become a favourite.ā
The food hall is also offering a ākids eat free dealā for under 12s during February half-term.Ā See all events available to book at the food hall, based on Cambridge Street, here.
Fire your imagination at Family Activity: Big Inspiration, a large-scale collaborative activity at the Millennium Gallery on Surrey Street.Ā This is a chance to draw your favourite objects, experiences and interests as huge as you can across the gallery floor.
Participants will draw inspiration from the Sheffield-born artist John Hoyland.Ā The event runs from 12-3pm on Wednesday 19 February.
Introduce your family to the music of one of the greatest composers of all time at a unique surround sound exhibition.
Bach in the Round is a free and innovative surround-sound experience for all to enjoy.
To make the amazing sensory experience, fragments of Benās performance of Bachās Sonata No.1 in G minor were recorded, layered, looped and reworked.
Visitors to Upper Chapel, on Norfolk Street, will hear it through eight loudspeakers.
The free experience, from arts charity Music in the Round, takes place from 10.30am until 12.30pm and from 3.30pm until 6pm on Saturday 22 February.Ā
Enjoy a family film with fantastic food at Kommune food hallās Kids Cinema.
On Sunday 16 February, the film will be The Super Mario Bros Movie, which starts at 1pm.Ā For the Ā£4 entry fee, you can also enjoy a milkshake or an espresso-based coffee.
And the Angel Street based centre has plenty of food traders to choose a lunch from tooĀ š
Half-term can be a great time to squeeze in some shopping.
Indie makers and creators will showcase their wares at Craft and Flea, inside Sheffield Cathedral, on Saturday 22 February.Ā This event supports small businesses and is a chance to pick up items you canāt find anywhere else. Tickets cost Ā£2.50 and under-12s get in free.
For kidsā clothes or uniform shopping, M&S on Fargate, H&M on The Moor and Primark also on The Moor can always be relied uponĀ ā
š³ Sheffield half-term attractions in the city centre
For a host of indoor activities - think laser tag, bowing and crazy golf - all under one roof, head to Tenpin Sheffield.
The large bowling alley centre on Angel Street has a half-term deal of two games of bowling and a burger for Ā£9.70 per childĀ š
Thereās plenty of arcade games to enjoy afterwards, and even karaoke for the truly brave.
The award-winning National Emergency Services Museum on West Bar Green has a special exhibition during half-term.
Knights to Blue Lights explores the fascinating history of policing, and allows visitors to get up close with armoured vehicles, as well as enjoying live performances.
Knights to Blue Lights runs from 10am until 4pm on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 February.
The museum is also packed with interesting artefacts and extraordinary vehicles over three floors.
Tickets cost from Ā£7.50 for a child and act as an annual pass for future free entry.
Combine gaming, history and creativity at the National Videogame Museum, also on Angel Street.
The museumās Castle Quest runs during half term (Saturday 15 February to Sunday 23 February) and includes classic games, such as Mickey Mouseās Castle of Illusion.Ā
Thereās also virtual archery, castle-themed crafting activities and the chance to learn about excavation work at the real life Sheffield Castle. Tickets cost Ā£11 for under-18s and under-fives go free.
Work as a team to solve clues and find a dragonās egg at the ultimate bonding experience - an escape room.
A Discovery of Dragons is one of the activities available at Crack the Code, on Carver Street.
An escape room is a themed puzzle game where players solve challenges to "escape" within a time limit. They are more suited to older children aged 12 and up, and will test the whole familyās abilities.Ā Tickets cost Ā£21 each and more rooms are available.
Make a splash at Ponds Forge International Swimming Pool, located next to all public transport links.
The recently revamped pool has a lazy river, dedicated toddler pool and wave pool to suit all age ranges. Junior swimming costs Ā£5.50 during peak times, and adult entry is Ā£9.Ā See the full swimming timetable here
Lego fans of all ages will be happy inside Builderās Brew, Sheffieldās own Lego cafe.
The cafe, on East Parade, has a dazzling array of sets to choose from, from Spiderman to Star Wars and Disney to Duplo.
It tends to book up fast around school holidays, so itās best to book in advance. One hourās building costs Ā£3.50 per person.
Just a few doors down is The Gamers Guide cafe, a relatively new opening in Sheffield city centre.
From simple games little ones will love, to elaborate adventures, there are tabletop games to suit all.
Kitti Szep, co-owner of The Gamers Guide, said: āWe have more than 100 games. Some are suitable for very young children, so they donāt require the ability to read and are lots of fun for all the family.Ā We are expecting a lot more families during half term.ā
The Gamers Guide was set up by Kitti and her husband Matt as a passion project.Ā It aims to provide a welcoming, inclusive and magical space.
Kitti added: āItās very fashionable at the moment to say that every business is inclusive,Ā but as a neurodiverse couple going out to things, we didnāt necessarily feel that.Ā We wanted to make a space that is welcoming and comfortable for us and everyone. Providing a welcome space is a big part of what we do.ā
Gaming at the cafe costs from Ā£3.50 for an hour.Ā Children under five play free and ages 5-16 go half price.
š¹ Free things to do in Sheffield city centre
Sheffield city centre has plenty of free family destinations which can be combined for a low budget day out.
Sheffield Central Childrenās Library is a perfect spot to spend a rainy morning, with age-appropriate books and activities galore.
It is open from 10am until 5pm on weekdays and also on Saturdays from 10am until 4pm.
On the same road, Surrey Street, sits the famous Sheffield Winter Garden. This stunning oasis of lush greenery ticks a lot of boxes for those with young children.
Itās inside, warm as only a greenhouse can be and has plenty of quirky things to spot among the plants, from enchanting fairy gardens to snake sculptures.
The garden also provides direct access to the Millennium Gallery, which has a range of free exhibitions featuring local and international artists.
For more culture, head back across the street to the Graves Art Gallery.Ā An eclectic mixture of collections is bound to spark discussions and introduce creative children to new artforms.
Soak up a different type of art on your own street art tour of Sheffield city centre.
There are several in close proximity, from Pete McKeeās ubiquitous The Snog on the side of Faganās pub, to Peachzzā stunning kingfisher mural, recently voted the second best in the world, overlooking Pound's Park.
Youāll also find works by well-known street artists Phlegm (Headford Street) and a colourful mural by Will Rea in Orchard Square.
Sheffield BID has also recently installed a vibrant new mural on George Street as the first step in revamping this area of the city centre.
Burn off their energy at one of three parks located in the city centre boundary.
Pound's Park off Rockingham Street is the place to be when it comes to climbing wooden structures, digging in sand and enjoying the seesaw with water features. Thereās also a coffee truck on hand for the grown ups.
Throw in some musical experimentation at the musical pocket park nearby on Charter Square.
There are ten musical instruments to try, including tubular bells, drums and xylophones, all aimed at encouraging the next generation of musicians.
Finally, the Devonshire Green skatepark is a big hit with skateboarding teenagers, and floodlit in the evenings for the truly dedicated.
š„ Sheffield half-term family dining in the city centre
When you are out and about, feast on a world of flavour thanks to Sheffieldās booming food scene.
Pancakes are always a good idea - especially when there are kids involved.
The Cabin on Fitzwilliam Street offers a dazzling array of toppings for fluffy American pancakes, French toast, waffles or bagels.
For smaller appetites, the classic strawberries and bananas for Ā£5.95 has an enduring appeal.
February is still pretty chilly, but itās nothing a craft hot chocolate canāt solve!
Sheffield success story The Chocolate Bar in new retail destination Leahās Yard is a cosy spot for some family time and customisable hot chocolate.
The crunchy outside, but melt-in-the-middle inside, cookies are also to die for.
For not one, but two great kidsā menus, head to Ego Mediterranean Restaurant and Bar on Surrey Street.
Under fives can enjoy two courses for Ā£9.95, while older children enjoy a wider range of more sophisticated options for Ā£12.95.Ā This is also a beautiful spot for a family meal, with views overlooking the greenery of the Winter Garden.
Pizza fans are in luck, as Sheffield has plenty of places to enjoy a slice of pie.
Proove in Orchard Square is an independent option known for its authentic Neapolitan pizza.
Thereās a top-value lunch deal on offer during the week, where for Ā£11.90, diners get a 10 inch pizza, a side and a drink. Gluten-free pizza bases are also available for an extra Ā£1.
Take a hard-to-impress teenager to one of Sheffieldās newest openings.
Mayās coffee & tea, on Broad Lane, specialises in handpicked coffee and food with an Asian twist.Ā Itās also named after an adorable corgi, and has meal deal offers such as loaded bagels from Ā£5.
š½ļøĀ Kids Eat Free in the city centre
If you're looking to save a Ā£ or two, here are a few suggestions for city centre businesses that are running Kids Eat Free promotions during the half-term period.Ā
Please check individual venues for any associated offer terms and conditions.Ā
š Cambridge Street Collective
š Forum Sheffield - from Tuesday 18 to Friday 21Ā February there's a free kidsĀ meal with every full price adult mealĀ between 12pm and 5pm.Ā
š Pizza Express, St Paul's Square - Valid from Monday 17Ā February to Sunday 2Ā March.Ā This exciting offer allows one free Piccolo meal per adult main purchased during the specified date period. Offer available all day, everyĀ day. T&C's apply.
šĀ Sheffield Plate - freeĀ kids meal when you purchase a main meal at any of their kitchens. Offer available all day, every day from Monday 17Ā to Sunday 23Ā February 2025. Free kids meal must be from the same kitchen as the paid for adult meal.Ā
We hope you have fun whatever you're up to this half-termĀ š
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