Ten things to do at half term

2 A Family Drop-In Workshop entitled Awesome Amulets takes place tomorrow from 11am, in the Museum & Art Gallery, Bath Road, Swindon. The Ancient Egyptians used amulets to protect them from dangers and evil so in this workshop there is an opportunity to create your own amulet out of clay! This workshop is offered on a first come first serve basis and if busy, you may have to wait a short while to take part. Some activities are unsuitable for small children and parental guidance is needed at all times. Tickets are £3 from 01793 466556.

3 A Behind the Scenes Tour begins at 10am, in the Chippenham Museum, 9-10 Market Place, Chippenham, tomorrow. This is a rare opportunity for all the family to view objects from the museum stores and find out about what happens behind the scenes to care for the museum's collection of over 33,000 objects. The tour is free entry. The museum is housed in a fine,18th century, grade II listed building. The museum and its artefacts tell the story of the historic market town from prehistoric times. The ground floor includes displays on Saxon Chippenham, Alfred the Great and Brunel’s railway. The first floor galleries showcase the town’s trade and industry and the effects of war on the town’s people. Families can also see a working model of a flour mill, historic street panoramas, costumes and enjoy a children’s activity table. For more details call 01249 705020

4 Birds Behaving Badly Week February Half Term event flutters into fun from 10am, tomorrow at the Birdland Park and Gardens, Rissington Road, Bourton-on-the-Water. From blood-sucking songbirds and puking penguins to stinking storks and spitting swallows, keepers at the Bourton-on-the-Water wildlife attraction will reveal revolting facts about some of the world’s baddest birds. There will be toxic talks and terrible trails highlighting the horrible aspects of natural history, and visitors will also be able to meet some real feathered fiends of their own, during special meet the creatures’ sessions. See www.birdland.co.uk for details or call 01451 820480.

5 Arrowing in on a fun day at the 3D Target Event are members and guests to Black Cat Archery, on Saturday from 9.30am, at Roves Lane, Sevenhampton, near Swindon. Enter or watch the exciting competition shoot for the day with three classifications. 1) Compound 2) Recurve. 3) Longbow, flat bow, war bow. Entry is £5 shoot fee and then £3 to enter the competition. £1 from every shoot fee will go to Black Cats chosen charity. Teams of four (Numbers dependent) will complete the 3D, woodland course. The highest score for each category wins the money pot for each classification. Names will then be engraved on to the new Black Cat shield for each class and displayed in the range. Black Cat Archery is also associated with re-enactment groups, College of Chivalry, Knights Training and Medieval Longbow group, U3A Archery and U3A air pistols. Also new is a more modern take on shooting with Air Rifle and Air pistol ranges. For more details visit https://www.blackcatarchery.ltd/ 01793 763939

6 Buildy-Uppy Dance Show is a participatory theatre experience for children and adults. On Saturday, performers Tom Roden and Anna Williams return for a magical hour of building, music and dancing, creating an enchanting, ever-changing playground, constructed and inhabited by its audience. Let your imagination run riot as hundreds of boxes are stacked, squashed and rebuilt. Help create enticing caves, wonky castles and fabulous creatures, as together we learn that the strongest thing we can build is friendship. The fun and dance begins at 4.30pm, in Swindon Dance, Regent Circus. Tickets are from £5 - £8 on 01793 601700.

7 Roves Farm is throwing open its gates for a special Scarecrows event that begins at 9am, on Saturday, in Roves Farm, Sevenhampton, Swindon. Jump on one of the Tractor Trailer rides and spot the scarecrows as you drive around. The Indoor Activity Barn is also open for youngsters, whatever the weather, with giant slides, ropes, ball ponds, pedal tractors and craft tables to create paper crafts to take home. Enjoy homemade light lunches, cakes, snacks and drinks at the Woolly Sheep Café. There is also a Toddler Time and Big Kids Play in the barn. Outside youngsters can meet the animals and learn about farming. There are sheep, pigs and cattle farmed at the Severnfields farm near Highworth and a whole section of cuddly farm pets. For more details visit https://rovesfarm.co.uk/ or call 01793 763939

8 For families with children over 10-years-old, The Close Up Show will conjure up a bit of magic for half term, from 7.30pm, on Saturday, in The Place, at the Wyvern Theatre, Theatre Square, Swindon. An intimate evening of close-up magic, trickery and sleight of hand. Close Up Magic is one of the most popular and impressive forms of the art and this event showcases some of the best exponents direct from the sell-out shows at The Magic Circle. Audiences get to experience the magic in an intimate setting, often taking part themselves. The format is informal with a limited audience so they can be as close to the magic as possible. Three magicians, of contrasting styles, perform a 25-minute set in turn, typically with cards, coins and borrowed objects. There is a short interval between each act to help the audience catch their breath, before the show resumes. Although all shows are of a universal nature and young enthusiasts are welcomed, 80 minutes of close-up is not usually recommended for those under 10. Tickets are £17.50 from 01793 524481 or visit www.swindontheatres.co.uk.

9 Old Sarum’s Castle Quest begins at 10am, on Saturday, when families are invited to join Merlin, Alex and his band of knights on an epic quest to save England from an evil medieval menace. Track down questions across the historic site – and answer them to claim your royal reward. Putting a modern twist on the tales of King Arthur, The Kid Who Would Be King follows the story of unlikely hero Alex, as he embarks on a legendary adventure. Alex thinks he's just an ordinary school kid, until he stumbles upon the mythical Sword in the Stone, Excalibur. Now, he must unite his friends and enemies into a band of knights and, together with the wizard Merlin, must do battle with an ancient demon, intent on reigning chaos and darkness over the earth. The quest takes place in Old Sarum, Castle Road, Salisbury. The quest is free entry after admission. For more details visit https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/old-sarum/

Wild West at Westonbirt begins again on Saturday from 10am - 4pm at the arboretum in Tetbury. Wild Westonbirt programme is aimed at young adults aged 14 – 18-years-old, who through a series of monthly visits to Westonbirt Arboretum, build confidence and self-esteem in the great outdoors, through activities such as fire-lighting, using saws and other tools, and exploring the arboretum through creative and sensory activities. All activities are designed to boost well-being and mental health. The arboretum is one of the most beautiful and important plant collections in the world. With 15,000 specimens, and 2,500 species of tree from all over the world, the arboretum plays a vital part in research and conservation, as well as being a beautiful place to visit and explore rare, and interesting plants from the furthest corners of the globe. Created by the wealthy Holford family, back in the heyday of Victorian plant hunting, today the arboretum is internationally renowned for its diversity and importance of its collection.To book a space, contact the community officer email: Karen.price@forestryengland.uk or call 0300 067 4854

On Sunday families with children over eight-years-old can take a journey across Europe, from the sinister Transylvanian mountains to the charming seaside town of Whitby. The stage show by Professor Abraham Van Helsing, MD, D.Ph., D.Litt., etc, etc, of Amsterdam is called Dracula: The Bloody Truth. It is the smash hit comedy, revealing the true story of the famous Count Dracula, through the eyes of his adversary Van Helsing. Enter the world of the supernatural with Van Helsing, who will educate you all on the perils of dealing with vampires. “I have put together a theatrical performance, along with three other actors I have hired, to warn you all of the dangers of vampires and how to deal with one, if the situation arises. Now what are you waiting for? It is imperative that you book your tickets right this instant! It’s a matter of life and death,’’ said Van Helsing. Dracula swoops in from 7.30pm, at the Wyvern Theatre, Theatre Square, Swindon. Tickets are from £21 - £26 on 01793 524481 or visit www.swindonthearre.co.uk. Suitable for those aged 8+