13 – 15 February, Citywide

The Waterstones Children’s Book Festival is set to bring a burst of creativity and imagination to Lincoln, with events taking place across the city in venues including The Engine Shed, Lincoln Central Library, and the Waterstones Lincoln bookshop. Designed to celebrate the joys of reading, writing and illustration, the festival will offer a vibrant mix of author talks, storytelling, workshops, craft activities and character appearances designed with young aspiring authors and avid readers alike.

The festival launches on Friday with free school events featuring Neill Cameron, Phil Earle and Iqbal Hussain at The Engine Shed, while Fiona Lumbers shares the latest Luna Loves story at Lincoln Central Library. Over the weekend, you can enjoy an exciting line‑up of bestselling authors and illustrators, including Cressida Cowell, Liz Pichon, Hannah Gold, Robin Stevens, Sheena Dempsey, and many more. 

With additional activities running throughout the weekend at Waterstones Lincoln, the festival offers city‑wide access to inspiring stories and hands‑on creativity. It promises to be an unmissable celebration for children of all ages, more information and tickets are available through the Waterstones website.

14 – 22 February, 10am – 4pm

Step inside Lincoln Castle this February to delve straight into a living storybook, where nine days of immersive, family‑friendly discovery await. 

Young explorers are invited to become storytellers themselves with the Lincoln Castle Gazette, a beautifully designed Victorian‑style newspaper ready to be filled with sketches, notes and observations. Armed with clipboards, pencils and stickers, children can take the lead as reporters, editors and illustrators - following clues, collecting stories and crafting their very own front page inspired by their adventures through time.

Wander the iconic Medieval Wall Walk to explore centuries of Lincolnshire’s heritage through archaeology displays, and discover hidden corners where the past feels wonderfully close. With all activities included in a standard Castle Day ticket, it’s a full day of creativity, curiosity and shared adventure that will be remembered long after leaving the Castle walls.

14 – 22 February (and the following two weekends), 10am - 4.30pm

Spring arrives early at Rand Farm Park with the magical return of Lambing Live, one of the farm’s most uplifting and unforgettable annual experiences. You are invited to step into the heart of the Lambing Barn, where the soft bleats of newborns and the gentle buzz of anticipation set the scene for a day filled with wonder. From bottle‑feeding lambs to meeting expectant ewes and perhaps even witnessing a live birth, visitors of all ages can connect with the beauty of new beginnings during one of the most special times of the year. 

With many ewes expected to lamb over Half‑Term, each visit offers something new to discover. For those eager to deepen their understanding, the popular Meet the Farmers sessions give families a chance to hear firsthand what goes into caring for the animals and managing this busy, extraordinary season on the farm.

And the experience doesn’t end when you leave the gates. A 24/7 Lamb Cam, launching just before Half‑Term lets you tune in from home to catch the magic whenever you like. Alongside all your favourite Rand Farm Park activities, from Tractor Rides and Milking Demonstrations to soft play, the Air Cannon Arena and the Adventure Playground, Lambing Live creates a day full of connection, learning and pure countryside joy. 

16 – 20 February | 10am – 3.30pm

Lincoln Cathedral is set to transform into a vibrant gateway to the world as World Festivals Week brings global celebrations to life under its soaring arches. Explore a tapestry of colour, creativity and culture, made even better with free entry for children with a paying adult, making it a perfect half‑term adventure.

Inside this breathtaking historic setting, young visitors can dive into hands‑on craft activities inspired by festivals across the globe. From the lantern-lit excitement of Chinese New Year to the joyful spirit of Easter, the harvest traditions of Pongal and Makar Sankranti  and the sky‑high fun of the Kite Festival, every activity offers a chance to learn, make and celebrate together. 

16, 17 and 19 February from midday

Half term comes alive at STACK Lincoln, where a vibrant mix of family‑friendly events fills the week with colour, energy and big smiles. From the wonder of JJ’s Family Magic Show on 16 February, to the lively Paw Party on 17 February, and the upbeat K‑Pop Party on 19 February, there’s something to spark every young imagination. Each event runs from midday, making STACK a perfect daytime hub for fun, laughter and shared moments during the school break. Booking online is recommended, as these crowd‑pleasers fill up fast.

Between the magic, music and dancing, families can refuel with STACK’s tempting selection of street‑food vendors, serving everything from comforting favourites to fresh global flavours. It’s the ideal spot to grab a bite, recharge and settle in for the burst of half‑term excitement!

17 February, 10am – 4pm

Little explorers can dive into a prehistoric adventure at the Museum of Lincolnshire Life as the Dinosaur Roar event brings roaring fun to the Burton Road venue. Packed with hands‑on crafts, themed activities and plenty of dino themed excitement, it is a must visit for those looking to spark their imaginations this half term. For just £4 per child, with adults going free, children can stomp, create and discover to their heart’s content, making it the perfect affordable day out for anyone ready to unleash their inner palaeontologist in one of Lincoln’s most charming museums.

18 February, various times

Running as part of National Nest Box Week, get your creative on with the Love Birds event. This workshop gives you the opportunity to provide homes and food for local wildlife whilst immersing yourself amongst Lincoln's beautiful green spaces. Sessions take place at Boultham Park on 18 February from 10am to 11.30am, Hartsholme Country Park on 18 February from 1pm to 2.30pm, and Lincoln Arboretum on 19 February from 10am to 11.30am. Tickets cost £8 per child and booking is essential and places can be reserved by calling 01522 873735 or emailing hartsholmecp@lincoln.gov.uk.

Gutterball is the newest burst of fun on Lincoln’s High Street and a brilliant pick for a half term outing, inviting those of all ages to dive into colourful bowling lanes and lively arcade challenges. The venue boasts a great choice of refreshments that keep the energy high from the first game to the last, making it an ideal spot for kids, teens and grown ups to enjoy time together before the venue switches to over 18s only after 9pm.

Weekends and School Holidays: Monday 10.00 am - 4.45pm

Tuesday to Sunday 10am - 6pm

Fun Farm is bursting with half‑term excitement, offering the perfect place for little ones to run off steam whilst grown‑ups relax with a well‑earned coffee. This February, dive into the fun with the Valentine Love Bug Disco on 18 February from 6.30pm to 8.30pm a lively, love‑themed evening sure to spark plenty of smiles. The celebrations continue on 19 February with a special appearance from a Lincoln City player between 2pm and 3pm, giving young fans a chance to enjoy a magical meet‑and‑greet moment. Both events are bookable through the Fun Farm website.

18 February, 11am – 12pm

Animal lovers won’t want to miss Donkey Tales at Bransby Horses, an uplifting and insightful experience led by a passionate member of the Bransby team. Through engaging storytelling discover how donkeys form deep bonds, why their famously oversized ears are so important, alongside a plethora of fascinating facts. Set within the peaceful, scenic surroundings of one of the UK’s leading equine welfare charities, if you’re curious, compassionate or simply captivated by animals, this is a heart‑warming highlight not to be missed.

18 February, 10am – 12pm

Unleash your creativity in the great outdoors at Whisby Nature Park with Pics with Sticks, a wonderfully simple, soul‑soothing activity for all ages. Set against the calming backdrop of lakes, woodlands and whispering reeds, this hands‑on session invites you to slow down, look deeper and let the natural world ignite your imagination.

Inspired entirely by the environment around you, you’ll gather twigs, sticks and fallen treasures to create your own nature‑made artwork, whether that’s a miniature sculpture, a woodland collage or a playful creation shaped by the landscape itself. It’s a chance to reconnect with nature, craft something unique, and enjoy time together in one of Lincolnshire’s most peaceful wild spaces.

19 – 21 February, Citywide

Every two years, Lincoln becomes a city of pure imagination as Frequency Festival fills its streets with light, play and digital discovery. From 19 to 21 February 2026, illuminated trails, interactive installations and innovative media art will transform Lincoln into a vibrant playground of colour and creativity.

Adding to the excitement Lincoln's Cornhill Market will be hosting free Lumo workshops encouraging you to get involved and become part of the spectacle. On 17 and 18 February, from 11am to 3pm children and adults alike can craft and personalise their own glowing lanterns. These creations can then be collected during the festival nights and carried through the city, helping to light up Lincoln as part of a shared celebration of community and creativity. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

With the full programme, artists and venues now announced, keep up to date with the official Frequency Festival website and mailing list. Produced by Threshold in partnership with organisations across the city, Frequency remains one of Lincoln’s most uplifting celebrations of creativity and an unmissable highlight of the half‑term.

19 February, 10.30am - 3.30pm

Make Do and Mend at the International Bomber Command Centre is set to be a warm and inspiring half term experience, inviting you and your little ones to step into the spirit of wartime creativity and discover just how fun upcycling can be. This free, hands‑on event encourages children and grown‑ups to bring along old clothes, toys or forgotten odds and ends, and transform them into something new while learning simple, practical skills that families once relied on every day. It’s a gentle blend of history and imagination, offering a chance to get crafty together, spark conversations about the past and show young minds how “making do” can still brighten our lives and help the planet today.

Looking for a free activity to let your little angels run off steam this half term? Tucked just to the right of The Lawn complex in Lincoln’s Cathedral Quarter, the John Dawber Gardens offer a charming hidden‑away escape where families can explore a peaceful walled garden only moments from the Cathedral and Castle. First created in 1985 to celebrate Lincoln’s international twinning links and the botanical legacy of Sir Joseph Banks, the garden once held hundreds of plant varieties from Acacia to Eucalyptus, alongside medieval herbs and heritage Lincolnshire apple trees.

Today, thanks to the incredible work of the Dawber Gardens Community Trust, this tranquil space has been lovingly revived with restored benches, fresh planting, a rebuilt reflection pond, a new school garden and the striking Moon Gates that lead into a small Chinese Garden inspired by Lincoln’s twin town, Tangshan. It’s the perfect spot for little ones to explore, imagine and burn off some energy while grown‑ups unwind with a well‑earned coffee from Stokes Lawn Café only a stone's throw away.

Open everyday, 9am until 5pm

Looking for a delightful half term treat? Daisy Made is a short drive from Lincoln, offering a relaxed place to enjoy homemade ice cream, a welcoming children’s menu and a variety of easygoing activities. Unleash your competitive spirit and enjoy a round of crazy golf, visit the play area or meet friendly farm animals including rabbits, guinea pigs, goats and alpacas.