Families can find lots of ways to beat the boredom during the February half-term, including events at Jodrell Bank, which has just been named the UK’s nominee for World Heritage site status. Here are six ideas from Visit Cheshire:

DEN BUILDING

Beeston Castle

Building a den in the woods at Beeston Castle, a medieval fort perched on a crag overlooking the Cheshire Plain, is one of the highlights of Nature Craft (February 19 to 23, 10.30am to 3.30pm).

Young children can also play detective in the Early Man Quest (February 17 to 25, 10am to 4pm).

The activity is inspired by Wallace and Gromit creator Nick Park’s movie.

They will follow in the footsteps of the film’s heroes, Dug and Hognob, on the trail of clues that will uncover centuries of history in just one day.

Early Man mini model-making kits will be awarded when the mission is complete.

There’s also the castle ruins to explore, including one of England’s deepest castle wells, and 40 acres of woodland in which to romp.

  • Call 01829 260464 or visit english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/beeston-castle-and-woodland-park

REACH FOR THE STARS

Jodrell Bank

Half term science shows aimed at family audiences (February 19 to 23, 10.30am, 11.30am and 3pm) will be held at Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre, in the shadow of the giant Lovell Telescope near Holmes Chapel.

Younger children can also discover how planets sound, smell, look and feel at Under Fives’ Journey through the Solar System (February 19 to 23, 11am and 2.30pm).

  • Call 01477 571766 or visit jodrellbank.net

PLAY WITH WORDS

Chester Storyhouse

Chester’s new arts centre, Storyhouse, will host the WayWord Festival this half-term with a bumper pack of activities, including rhyme-time for tiny tots, beat-boxing, stand-up poetry, musical storytelling and more.

  • Call 01244 409113 or visit storyhouse.com

PUDDLE JUMPING

Chester Zoo

Rain won’t stop play this half-term break at Chester Zoo, which has a waterproof wet weather trail until February 25 to follow, from the Asian Forest to the Plant Project.

Children can also have a splash about with Puddle Science (on rainy days, until February 25), with the assistance of the experts in white coats who will be on hand to help welly-wearing little ones rate the size, depth and ‘splashability’ of different puddles before jumping in.

Meanwhile rangers will be putting children’s skills and knowledge to the test at the daily Animal Game Show (until February 25, 3pm), in the Madagascar Play Basecamp.

  • Call 0870 720 1507 or visit chesterzoo.org

STUFF A SCARECROW

Tatton Park

Kids can hunt down the 30-plus scarecrows in the gardens at Tatton Park, near Knutsford during the Scarecrow Festival (from February 17 to 25).

Tatton is also home to more than 400 red and fallow deer and if your family are animal lovers you may enjoy the deer feed and trailer ride (February 20, 9.30am to 10.30am).

Meanwhile, Toys Through Time will show today’s children what kids played with in the past (February 23, 10.30am to 12pm and 1pm to 2.30pm).

  • Call 01625 374400 or visit tattonpark.org.uk

HUNT FOR MONSTERS

Norton Priory

Monster hunters (February 19 and 20, 11am to 4pm) are invited to track a yeti and make abominable snowmen.

That is the highlight among many other craft-based activities at Norton Priory Museum and Gardens near Runcorn.

It is the site of some of Europe’s most important monastic excavations, some fascinating artefacts from down the centuries, and the national collection of quince.

  • Call 01928 569895 or visit nortonpriory.org