Things to do in Darlington for February half term 2026

If you're looking for things to do this half term, check out our list of ideas and activities for kids. There’s something for kids of all ages, so you can rest assured they won’t feel bored!

Things to do:

Looking for a sweet treat? Try Kaspa’s! Kaspa's is the UK's biggest dessert parlour and one of Darlington’s top spots for desserts. Grab freshly made waffles, crepes, cakes, shakes and more with the kids this half term.

Burn off some of those desserts with a good soft play session. Under the Sea, Darlington’s beloved nautical themed soft play, offer lots of interactive features and fun characters. Enjoy a bit of a rest and a sit down while the kids entertain themselves for a while.

Have a go at taking on the kids at ten-pin bowling over half term. At DC Bowl they have got it covered, whether you want to enjoy a more hands-off and relaxed approach; you can grab a drink and sit back and watch the kids play, or whether you want to get competitive and show them what you’re made of! Food and drinks are available, and lanes can be booked online.

Grab a coffee from one of Darlington’s many amazing little coffee shops! Echo 3 Coffee House & Roastery is a hidden gem, serving coffee that is freshly roasted in the shop as well as home baked cakes and scones. Check out their page on Facebook for updates on weekly cakes.

Go for a swim with the kids at the Dolphin Centre. With slides and a toddler pool, there’s something to keep them all entertained! Check out their half term timetable for more info on how to book.

Have a go at pottery painting with your little ones and grab a coffee while you’re there! Create & Paint are a family-run creative studio in the centre of Darlington and offer a range of crafty activities. They also have a wonderful café with a range of drinks and snacks. You can book a session on their website or turn up on the day; however, spaces may be limited.

It may not be quite summertime yet but if you fancy a stroll and a bit of fresh air, pop down to South Park where the kids can enjoy the play parks and feed the ducks. The café is always a welcome space for families (and dogs included) and a visit to the aviary is usually a nice way to round the day off.

For the train lovers of the family, head to Hopetown Darlington, the award-winning railway themed visitor attraction. There’s plenty of bookable activities to do for little ones over half term or take a more laid-back approach to your visit and let them explore the varying exhibitions. Or tire them out at Wagon Woods, Hopetown’s very own railway themed playground.

Have a little budding skater boy or girl or an adrenaline junky? 4Motion Darlington in Faverdale is one of the North East’s leading indoor action sports hubs for skateboarding, BMX, scooters and inline skating! Their indoor skatepark in Darlington features both street and park sections designed for all abilities. Check out their weekly timetable for the latest information.

Looking for a spot for lunch over in Cockerton? Try some wonderful gelato, cannoli, chocolates, pizza, pasta and paninis from the amazing Gelato Tutti. Bellissimo!

Check out what’s showing at Vue Cinema Darlington this half term, often a favourite for the ‘bigger kids’! Cinema with popcorn or pick ‘n’ mix always goes down a treat in the school holidays, especially if the weather is a bit dreary!

If you are looking for baby or toddler friendly experiences for those younger siblings and little ones, Theatre Hullaballoo is a welcoming space specifically designed for children to play and learn through their senses and interactive storytelling, and is open from Wed-Sat from 10am-2pm each week. The venue is fully accessible and has a great family friendly café. Check out what’s on for more details on shows and events.

Another great place for the younger ones and a bit of a hidden gem is the play centre, Imagizone. With lots of little roleplay areas such as construction, a supermarket and a tearoom, they can let their imaginations run wild! They also have snacks and drinks in their welcoming space for young families.

Head over to Darlington Libraries in either Darlington town centre or in Cockerton for a range of FREE and paid for activities to suit children of all ages.

Enjoy a little retail therapy with the kids with high street stores such as Primark, River Island, Next, New Look, Trespass, Waterstones, HMV and many more. There’s plenty of choice for little shoppers right on our doorstep.

Don’t forget to check out the growing list of restaurants participating in the ever-popular Darlington Restaurant Week this half term! Running from Friday 20 – Friday 27 February with some great deals on offer from pizza and Italian, Indian, Turkish, seafood, Mediterranean, tapas, Asian and more, there’s something for everyone. Options including two and three course meals for only £15-£20 is really good value and a nice way to treat the family!

Half term highlights:

Saturday 21

Hopetown Darlington - Chinese New Year Celebration Day
Start your February half term off with Chinese New Year! It's a day of culture, celebration and colour. 2026 is the year of the horse so expect everything from horse crafts to traditional Chinese lion dancers! Prices starting from FREE with the event running from 10am-5pm.

Find out more and book tickets from: https://www.hopetowndarlington.co.uk/whats-on/Chinese-New-Year-Celebration-Day

Theatre Hullabaloo - Square World
This wonderful show is about a group of friends, and an incident that impacts one of them to have a different view of their world. A Square World is a story of celebrating our differences, inclusivity and friendship! It's for children aged 3-6 years and tickets are £10pp.

Find out more and book tickets from: https://www.theatrehullabaloo.org.uk/shows/s26-a-square-world/

Sunday 22

Hopetown Darlington - Experiment!
Families can enjoy taking an extraordinarily vivid journey into passenger rail travel! Starting right here in Darlington in 1825 with Locomotion No. 1's first steam-powered passenger railway journey, take an exciting ride into the past to discover more about the history of the railways, and imagine where they will take us in the future. Prices from £5, showing on multiple dates and times, including Sundays.

Find out more and book tickets from: https://www.hopetowndarlington.co.uk/whats-on/Experiment

Monday 23

Hopetown Darlington - Into the Wild! - Bushcraft Experience
With spring on the horizon, children can get out into nature taking part in a bushcraft activities workshop with adventure company Outdoor Ambition. They can take part in shelter-making, fire-striking, archery and other survival skills in this hands-on workshop. Prices starting from £6, on between 10:15am-3:15pm.

Find out more and book tickets from: https://www.hopetowndarlington.co.uk/whats-on/Into-the-Wild-Bushcraft-Experience

Tuesday 24

Hopetown Darlington - Brilli-ANT!
An interactive climate adventure for curious young minds. Inspired by Aesop’s classic fable, The Ant and the Grasshopper, this playful reimagining asks: what happens after the story ends? Grab your interactive ant wand, enter the Carriageworks and journey deep into a sculpted anthill made entirely of recycled material. Prices starting from FREE, on between 10am-5pm.

Find out more and book tickets from: https://www.hopetowndarlington.co.uk/whats-on/BrilliANT

Wednesday 25

Darlington Library - Half Term in the Hive - Young Coders (5+)
Children can code their own animated stories with different scenes and creatures with Scratch Jnr. Price is £2.50 per child, on from 10-11am.

Find out more and book tickets from: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/half-term-in-the-hive-young-coders-5-tickets-1982071957581

Thursday 26

Darlington Library - Half Term in the Hive - Seasonal Scrap Books (7+)
Children can create their own scrap books to save all of their positive thoughts and memories. The supplies are included within the price, including the A5 scrap book. Price is £3.50 per child, on from 10-11:30am.

Find out more and book tickets from: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/half-term-in-the-hive-seasonal-scrap-books-7-tickets-1982072372823

Friday 27

Dolphin Centre - Crazy Creatures
Join Crazy Creatures where children can meet, hold and learn about amazing animal friends! Prices are £8 per child, on at 1-2:30pm and 2:30-4pm.

Find out more and book tickets from: https://www.darlington.gov.uk/town-centre/events/whats-on/Crazy-Creatures

Saturday 28

Hippodrome - K-Pop Live the Theatre Show
The Ultimate Tribute to the Global K-Pop Phenomenon. This isn’t just music. It’s an experience. Prices starting from £17 per person, shows from approximately 2-3:50pm and 6-7:50pm.

Find out more and book tickets from: https://www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk/whats-on/KPop-Live