February Half-Term 2025 City Centre Guide

04 February 2025

Half-term is #HappeningInSunderland from 24 February to 2 March!

With the kids off school, it can be a chore to find plenty of things to keep them occupied...

We have pulled together this guide for you, jam-packed with city-centre activities and events which are fun for the whole family.

Bridges Sunderland Soft Play Area

Getting Here

Kids go Free!

22 February - 2 March

You and your family can have a bus-tastic escapade around Sunderland while travelling by bus. Here's to family adventures on the bus! *Terms and conditions apply.
Please visit northeast-ca.gov.uk/bus

The Bridges Shopping Centre

Soft Play

22 February - 2 March

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Snap a Selfie

Look out for our flower-heart bench in the shopping centre and snap a selfie! Tag us using @sunderlandexperience and #sunderlandexperience

Sunniside Food Market

Saturday, 22 February, 10 AM - 4 PM.

This pop-up community market supports new and emerging food and drinks businesses across the North East.

From brewers, bakers and cheesemongers to world-class street food vendors - our northeast food and drink traders are delighted to be bringing themselves to our doorstep.

Geek Retreat

Available every day - FREE to play board games, playpen and arcade games!

LEARN MORE

Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens

Canny Coal Trail

Ends 15 March

£1 per Trail

Did you know that coal was known as black gold and that the last mine in Sunderland closed in 1993? Follow the trail to discover amazing facts about coal mining in Sunderland and what made coal mining communities so wonderfully close and connected.

This activity supports the Coal Face: Sunderland exhibition. Pick up your trail at Museum Reception.

Coal Face Family Backpacks

Ends 15 March

Pick up a backpack full of sensory objects and activities to help you explore the Coal Face: Sunderland exhibition.

Backpacks can be collected from the Museum Team in the Special Exhibitions Gallery on Level 2.

Bright Lights Youth Arts Exhibition Fringe: What is the Future and My Place in the World?

Ends 22 March

See artworks created by young people aged 11 – 19 years from Wearside on display in the Winter Gardens.

This fringe exhibition supports the Bright Lights Youth Arts Exhibition at Arts Centre Washington.

The exhibition has been curated by young people aged 13 – 25 years from the Celebrate Different Collective, Sunderland Culture’s Young Arts Leaders.

Teen Eco Party

22 February, 11 AM

Cosy and welcoming party vibes in the Museum – by young people, for young people!

Explore the stories of the Museum on a guided tour created by Celebrate Different Collective; browse the Teenage Market and add a new trinket or treasure to your collection and work with artist Louise Underwood to take over the community gardens with upcycled textiles.

History Mondays: Canny Coal Crafts

24 February, 11 AM

Learn about the lives of coal miners and their families as we explore objects from the past, try some traditional proggy mat crafts and great a giant mining banner frieze.

Drop-in sessions from 11am – 12.30pm and 1.30pm – 3pm.

Half Term Hedgehogs

26 February, 10 AM

Hedgehogs are wonderful creatures that inhabit our gardens in the UK but what else can we learn about our nocturnal friend the hedgehog? Join us at Mowbray Park Community Garden for a fun filled morning of hedgehog facts and crafts. All abilities welcome.  Please ask at museum reception for directions to the garden.

Animation Workshop with Sheryl Jenkins

26 February, 1 PM

Learn stop motion animation skills, develop your drawing skills and ideas, and bring characters and stories to life with animator Sheryl Jenkins. For children and young people aged 11+. If the young person attending the workshop is under 16, please could a parent or guardian complete the form below.

Film Screening: The Breadwinner

26 February, 7 PM

In 2001, Afghanistan is under the control of the Taliban. When her father is captured, a determined young girl disguises herself as a boy in order to provide for her family. This animated film deals with challenging themes including conflict and loss.

With cosy vibes and unlimited hot chocolates! Bring your family or come with your friends. Not suitable for unaccompanied children under the age of 14.

Creative Coal Faces

28 February, 11 AM, 1 PM & 2:30 PM

Create your own amazing portraits of miners and their families inspired by the work of photographer Andy Martin. Try different materials including charcoal, pastels and chalks and get creative with coal! £2 per child BOOK HERE

The Beacon of Light

Holiday Club

24 February - 2 March

Children can participate in a range of activities during school holidays, including football, baking and multisport. Among the varying activities, catering to children of all abilities from aged 4-14, are the following:
• Football (2 day)
• Train Like a Pro Day
• Beauty sessions
• 1:1 Coaching
• Holiday Club (2 day)
• Baking and Craft
• Disability Football
• Disability Multi-sports
Book online HERE