Summary: The animated story of two young Japanese sisters and their interactions with friendly wood spirits in postwar rural Japan has become a cultural icon for it’s beautiful images and fantastical story. Come and fall in love with the wonderful, kind, huge Totoro and the amazing twelve-legged Catbus – normal buses will forever be dull in comparison.
Children must be accompanied by an adult. No under 2s are permitted.
There will be lots of fun and games for youngsters at this year's WayWord Festival in Chester
Between February 13-19, Chester Town Hall and libraries across the region will be awash with activities and events as authors, illustrators, TV stars, scientists, coders and even a beatboxer come together to make up the festival’s most interactive line-up ever.
An original World War II Enigma machine has joined the line-up and on Monday, February 15 festival goers are being given the rare opportunity to interact with a piece of World War II history.
Education Officer at Bletchley Park Tom Briggs will bring along an actual 1940s German Enigma machine and workshop participants will be able to see at first hand how the seemingly unbreakable Enigma code was cracked by Alan Turing and his team.
Tickets are generally £5 with under 12s free with every full price ticket.
You can see the full list of events here or you can phone 0845 741 7868. Alternatively, visit Chester Visitor Information Centre next to the Town Hall.
Free drop-in craft activities at The Grosvenor Museum
Kimono Peg Dolls
Tuesday, February 16 at 2-4pm
Decorate your own Japanese style tea cup, try some Japanese tea, and taste some traditional Japanese red bean paste treats
Thursday, February 18 at 2-4pm
Make your own kimono peg doll to take home and learn about traditional Japanese dress
Friday, February 19 at 2-4pm
Make your own Samurai helmet with antlers or a decorated Japanese style hair comb
Participants will get the chance to enjoy the great facilities at Sir John Deane’s, under the guidance of fully qualified staff and assisted by the college’s own community sports leaders. With sports, activities and games planned – there’s something for everyone.
The club takes place during the day, with extra sessions available from 8am to 8.45am and 4pm to 6pm. Places may be booked for the full week, on a daily basis as required, or as a block of sessions. There is a discount available for weekly bookings.
For more details contact SJD Leisure Centre on 01606 810020 or visit www.sjd.ac.uk
If you enjoy spotting wildlife in your garden, join the zoo ranger team and discover how to upcycle and make brilliant birdfeeders for local birdlife.
Each session lasts around an hour and is suitable for ages four and above.
Session is £5 excluding zoo admission
Monday, February 15 - Friday, February 19 at 10.30am
Create a toad abode
If you have seen frogs or toads in your garden and would like to give them a handmade home, join the zoo ranger team and decorate your very own toad abode for your garden.
Monday, February 15 at 10.00-11.30am and 12.30-2pm
Den building for younger children (aged three-five)
They’ll start off with a story, then build a mini den for a forest animal and finally they can have a go at building a bigger den for yourselves! Perfect for younger children as the dens they’ll build are smaller, using smaller, lighter sticks.
Cost is £6.20.
Tuesday, February 16 at 10.00am-12.00pm and 1.00-3.00pm
Winter survivial (over six years)
Learn how to survive in the depths of winter in a fun way!
Test your knowledge on staying warm and safe outdoors and learn how to build a warm, dry shelter, how to light a fire and how to make a hot drink. You will also learn how to find North so you can find your way home.
Cost is £8.20.
Wednesday, February 17 at 10.00am-2.30pm
Make your own bird feeder (over three years)
Celebrate National Bird Week and do your part to help the birds this winter. Make a pine cone bird feeder and a long lasting, wooden bird feeder to hang up in your garden. Drop in the education classroom any time between 10am and 2.30pm however booking is essential.
Cost is £5.20
Thursday, February 18 at 10.00am-3.00pm
Family Stone Age day
Learn about how people of the past lived in an ever changing landscape, when the world of human beings was new and intertwined with our environment. Join the real life Stone Age man, Talan, in full dress and character to learn all about the lives, tools & technology of our stone age ancestors. Work with your children at making rope, create Stone Age drawings, learn how to build a fire the Stone Age way, make Stone Age pottery to take home with you and enjoy the taste of food from the Stone Age cooked on the fire. Please bring a packed lunch to supplement the food cooked on the fire.
An adult ticket is £5.20 and a child's ticket is £15.20.
Embark on a voyage of discovery in Merseyside
Families invited to get on board for a fun-filled day out
Your children can let their imagination run wild with a voyage of discovery in Merseyside this half term by sailing the seas, exploring outer space and taking a journey back in time.
A ferry cruise, an inspirational journey through space at Spaceport and a look inside a World War Two submarine are all on offer for one price at the three popular Merseytravel attractions this February when booked online in advance.
Families can enjoy a packed and memorable day out with a Mersey Ferry river trip, a visit to Spaceport and the U-Boat Story – with a ticket for the three attractions costing just £34 per family, up to two adults and three children, when purchased in advance via Mersey Ferries website.
Imaginative half-term fun at Lion Salt Works Museum
Imaginative half-term fun at Lion Salt Museum
The museum will be holding two days of 'Love Bugs and Stained Glass Hearts' activity sessions for children.
The drop-in sessions are free of charge (although a donation of £1.50 is suggested) and will be held on Tuesday, February 16 and Wednesday, February 17 from 10.30am - 12.30pm and 2.00-4.00pm.
To add your half term event to our guide, please email full details to cheshire.news@trinitymirror.com. Alternatively you can tweet us @ChesterChron or post to our Facebook page.
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