February half term holiday with kids – Where to go

Where to go for February half term holiday with kids. I think February half term can be one of the hardest for parents. With winter weather and money stretched after Christmas it can be tricky. But there’s still time to get away and have some fun whatever your budget. February half term holidays can give us a chance to regroup and relax. For me a February half term holiday comes at a time when I love to get out of the routine a little. Summer feels so far away I think it’s really nice to use February half term dates to blow away the cobwebs a little and forget we’re in the depths of winter.

It’s one where I don’t mind going to cold locations though. Europe can feel magical (and quiet) at this time of year. The February school holiday gives a chance to give us a little boost to get through the rest of the school year. So whether you’re looking to spend February half term UK wide or seeking out half term holiday deals for February half term breaks, we’ve got you covered. We’ve got inspiration from our own February half term holidays as well as some great February holiday deals you can book today. Everything from UK February half term escapes to February sunny holiday destinations.

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👩‍💻 About the author – Nichola is a family travel expert and has written for The Guardian, The Telegraph, Lonely Planet Magazine and Wanderlust, amongst many others. She’s spent over a decade travelling the world with her children, finding the best places for you to explore too.

*AD / This post contains affiliate links & as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We may also have been compensated in this post either financially or with products / stays. To read more see our Disclosure Policy.

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February half term UK breaks

In the UK February half term can be a chance to have some fun. Cottage breaks at this time of year are perfect, as are getting to one of the big cities where there’s lots on offer. Some of our favourite February half term UK holidays are –

February half term London

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Don’t underestimate the fun of a February half term UK break in London. There’s much to be said for a city that will still have plenty going on whatever the weather. We love visiting London with kids. You can also pick up some fantastic London hotel deals at this time of year (see below). All of the great museums (National History Museum, Science Museum, The Museum of London) will be open, free to enter and won’t have the big crowds of summer. We’ve rounded up 50 of the best things to do in London with kids for every age.

Find the best London hotels for a family break

February half term holiday – UK seaside break

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February half-term is not a time to gamble on mild weather in the UK. It’s best to be prepared for rain and cold snaps. But because of this, you can get some really good deals on some of the traditional seaside hotels and accommodation that are out of season.

Hotels like Watergate Bay in Cornwall or Soar Mill Cove in Devon are ideal at this time of year (read about our winter trip to Watergate Bay with kids here). If it’s mild enough for coastline walks and trips to the sand that’s wonderful, but a warm indoor pool and heaps of board games if you need to hunker down inside work really well.

Check out our complete guide to the UK with kids for more ideas.

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February half term holidays UK self catering break

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February is also a great time for a self-catering break in the UK. Clydey Cottages in Pembrokeshire provide log burners and an unlimited supply of logs and kindling to keep you cosy.

With an indoor pool and soft play there’s enough here to keep you warm whatever the weather.

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February Half Term holidays: Head for the snow

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For many families looking to get away in February, it’s all about the snow. This can be a great time to get away without taking the children out of school.

It will always be expensive to ski at this peak time. But there are ways to reduce the cost such as booking as far in advance as you can.

Also, consider travelling by train rather than flying and if possible book a property with friends to share the cost of a whole chalet.

If you are planning a trip to the Alps remember to steer clear of the French school holidays. This is a time which will also make prices soar and availability difficult.

For somewhere different to ski, sledge or just enjoy the snow you can get great prices on flights to Scandinavia such as Norway and Sweden. They have some excellent resorts – we have enjoyed wonderful ski trip to Beitostolen in Norway and a ski trip to Klappen in Sweden to name just a couple of our favourites.

See our complete guide to skiing with kids here.

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No jet lag sunshine

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February half term can also a great time to grab some winter sun. And can be almost guaranteed with places like the Canary Islands or Morocco, which are also within fairly easy reach and have little jet lag.

Find our list of the best all-inclusive family holidays in Europe here.

Jet2 have some great winter breaks to the Algarve which would be wonderful in the sunshine. We took a winter trip to the Algarve with kids at this time of year and loved it. Somewhere like Martinhal Resort would be perfect with lots of activities still going on (read our review of Martinhal here). A winter trip to Madeira can also be lovely and TUI have some fantastic prices for a trip to Madeira. Jet2 also have some great deals to Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura, which would be ideal at this time of year.

With just a week’s holiday, to avoid jet lag and also get away for some half-term sun is a lovely mix in February. You can pick up some great deals on some fantastic resorts out of season.

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Longhaul February half term breaks

For longer haul you can get some great deals on the out-of-wedding season Maldives and it would be an ideal time of year to visit Cuba with kids.

It’s also a wonderful time to be in Asia.

Sri Lanka‘s beaches are fantastic in February and for Thailand it would be a quieter time to visit the islands. These beaches and resorts are a world away from the dark mornings, early evenings and chilly, dark days of February.

A much-needed shot of sun can make all the difference and serve as a lovely pick-me-up if you’ve got the energy and tolerance for the jet-lag.

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Extreme day trips

Don’t discount the value of some days out over the February half term. Recently, we have been embarking on a few extreme day trips too. Here you fly to somewhere in the morning, spend a day exploring and then fly home that evening. They are tiring but so much fun. Check out my day trip to Malaga and day trip to Dublin for more inspiration.

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Frequently asked questions

Is there a February bank holiday?

Unfortunately there isn’t a February bank holiday. All of our suggestions here are for using the week of February school half term and typically five days of leave.

When is February half term holidays in the UK?

February half-term in the UK typically falls in the middle of February, but the exact dates can vary depending on the local council area. Generally, it takes place during the second or third week of February and lasts for one week.

Schools in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland often have slightly different holiday schedules, so it is crucial to check specific dates with your local authority or individual school.

Official Sources to Confirm Dates

1. Government Websites – The UK Government School Term and Holiday Dates page allows you to find your local council and verify specific school holiday schedules.
2. Local Council Websites – Visit your local council’s website directly to confirm term dates, as councils set their calendars based on regional needs.
3. School Websites – Many schools post term dates and calendars on their official websites.

It’s always advisable to double-check dates in advance, especially if you are planning trips or activities around the half-term break. 

What are you planning for half term? Share your thoughts and ideas below.

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Also check out all our ideas for where to go for Easter school holidays with children and also ideas for May half term holidays with kids.