to 7 What’s on this February and March

Tate St Ives see page 9 and National Maritime Museum see page 17. Theatre shows see pages 12 to 15. FREE Half Term Fun at Bodmin Keep! Free admission and different family activities each day from 22 to 26 Feb. Find out how archaeologists search for clues to our ancient past, explore First and Second World War objects and weapons with collectors and re-enactors, learn about a career in the Army and try virtual reality parachuting and tank driving experiences with the Army outreach team. There will be prizes! Throughout half term: experience the Imperial War Museum’s unique sound installation ‘One Story, Many Voices’, which tells UK-wide stories from the Second World War and Holocaust. Cornwall’s story is by Mercedes Kemp of Wildworks, narrated by the Kernow King. Pre-booking is essential, visit www.bodminkeep.org for your FREE tickets. The Lost Gardens of Heligan, 19 to 27 Feb: this half term, discover what the Heligan team Love about Gardens - the garden secrets, favourite views, times and spaces, and the healing powers of The Lost Gardens. Take in stories and share your own. In the ‘Love Heligan’ tent help create a collaborative art piece inspired by your love of Heligan. Explore new paths and routes that are unfamiliar and get outside to discover the signs of Spring that are nearly in sight. Pendennis Castle, Falmouth Get fit for history this half term, 19 to 27 Feb, with the Outdoor Explorer Quest. Track down the fun-filled challenges around the site and get active in the fresh air. https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/whats-on/pendennis-febhalf-term-quest2/

The Box, Plymouth’s major new museum, gallery and archive. On the weekend of 19 & 20 Feb, and from 22 to 27 Feb: FREE ‘Creative Clay’ half term workshops from 10.30am to12.30pm & 1.30 to 3.30pm, create your landscape maps in clay inspired by the ‘Songlines: Tracking the Seven Sisters’ exhibition and its large, vibrant paintings of the Australian deserts. www.theboxplymouth.com.

Wheal Martyn, St Austell, 21 to 25 Feb: painting, making and creating activities inspired by china clay mining in Cornwall. Make a clay miner out of air-dry clay or paint a ceramic piece.

Book via engagementofficer@wheal-martyn.com please mention

BBP 01726 850362. British Science Week family event: 19 Mar 10.30am to 2.30pm or 1.30 to 3pm. Free with entry; STEM activities, experimenting and investigating some of the everyday science around us. Pre-book.

Lappa Valley Steam Railway, St Newlyn East (see cover) have a wonderful new lakeside café and multi-level soft play area with play zones for under-fives and for 5 to 12s. Take the charming little steam train to East Wheal Rose where children can let off steam at The Engine Shed. Lappa Valley is open Weds to Sun to 25 March and daily for half term: 16 to 27 Feb.

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Falmouth Art Gallery, Falmouth: 29 January to 26 March, ‘The Art of Animation’ Exhibition Free. From scribble to screen this exhibition goes behind the scenes of animation production bringing together work from behind such films as The Gruffalo, The Tiger Who Came to Tea, Mr Bean, The Snail and the Whale and Shaun the Sheep. See the inner workings of the production process, get involved with workshops and learn how to make your own animated film. 01326 313863 http://www.falmouthartgallery.com/Gallery/Home Falmouth Cultural Services: Baby Paint, Baby Jam and Little Fingers sessions are at the Dracaena Centre and Gyllyngdune Gardens in termtime. During the school holidays there are free family art workshops every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at Gyllyngdune Gardens https://open.falculture.org/ The Cornwall Garden Society’s Spring Flower Show 2 & 3 April from 10am to 5pm, a celebration of Cornwall’s early spring at The Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge. Under 16 years are free entry, Early Bird £13.50 or £15 on the Gate. 07743 164434 http://www.cornwallgardensociety.org.uk/spring-flower-show Mark’s Ark is a must for children’s parties, suitable for all ages, not forgetting the adults. A fantastic, unique experience, interactive, fact filled, hands-on encounter brining the animals to you. Teachers, Mark’s Ark provides an array of topics to compliment your classwork. A great opportunity for the children to have a safe encounter, reasonably priced and fully insured. For prices and availability contact Mark. 07761810900, Email: markwiles3@aol.com marks-ark.co.uk

There is always something new and exciting to discover at Newquay Zoo. Their herd of nyala antelopes has grown, with the birth of an adorable new female calf last month. Did you know armadillo means ‘little armoured one’ in Spanish? For more facts about these fantastic creatures, watch the new video now! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edNvjfh8HMY

The Gems of the Jungle section is like a south-east Asian jungle with beautiful songbirds flying around you and the Tropical House is home to fascinating creepy-crawlies, slithery snakes, beautiful birds and Roxy and Hadar the two-toed sleepy sloths. There are also an outdoor play area, Tarzan Trail and Secret and Oriental Gardens. Dinosaur Quiz Trail at Paradise Park, Hayle. Explore the grounds on a dinosaur expedition (until 31 March). Search for dinosaurs and their eggs and answer the quiz questions for your Paradise Park Professor of Palaeontology certificate. Enjoy seeing wonderful wildlife with over 1,200 birds including penguins, macaws, toucans, flamingos; Red Pandas and otters; and domestic animals in Pet’s Corner. Great play in the outdoor ‘Paradise Island’ plus the huge indoor JungleBarn Play Centre. Book in advance on https://paradisepark.org.uk/plan-your-visit/admission-prices/

Trebah Houseplant Extravaganza

We love plants in our homes. But why? Why did we start bringing plants indoors and why did the Victorians love giant, leafy aspidistra? Does your plant make you smile more? You can: Explore the history of houseplants at Trebah and why they could improve your mental health.

talk by indoor plant specialist Mary Jago. Have your Victorian photograph taken. Take part in the Aspidistra Sassy-Selfie trail and Horticultural Happenings! Book: trebah-garden.co.uk/events Enter the ‘I love my houseplant because…’ competition to win £150 worth of plants. Ask the Trebah plant experts why you’ve got droopy leaves. Walk through the life of a houseplant at a

Mounts Bay Academy Heamoor TR18 3FD Tuesday 6-7 pm (5-11 years) Tuesday 7-8 pm (11 years +) Eden Project, the glittering ice rink is open right through until 27 February 2022. (Additional cost applies skating), pre-book https:// www.edenproject.com/visit/book-tickets Penlee House Gallery & Museum, Penzance. FREE family activities - Arty Afternoons Saturdays 2.30 to 3.30pm; baby & parent sessions, Mondays fortnightly 10 to 11.30am; pre-schooler sessions, Tuesdays, fortnightly, 1 to 2.30pm. penleehouse.org.uk 01736 363625

Camel Creek Adventure Park, near Wadebridge, a great day out stuffed with fun and excitement, including the indoor play area at Creeky’s Playhouse, the Carousel and Wave Rider swings. Animal lovers will love The Stables, Reptile House, Meerkat Enclosure and Pony Express. Check the website to see which rides are open. Opening times: every Saturday and Sunday, and all February half-term. Book visits online at www.camelcreek.co.uk

Discovering42 - Reimagining Reality at Narisa Hall, Priory Park, Bodmin Reimagining Reality is an innovative exhibition that will turn your world upside down! Explore the weird and wonderful quirks of science with interactive artworks crafted from waste materials. Journey along surreal passageways leading to interactive exhibits. This exhibition is designed to be equally engaging for children and adults. Warning: magnets, loud noises and flashing lights. Entrance +18yrs £5, 5 to 17yrs £2.50, under 5s Free www.discovering42.co.uk FB: @discovering42 Insta: @discovering_42 Pop Up PK, Museum of Global Communications, PK Porthcurno. A fascinating child-friendly museum to explore. Tuesday 22 & Thursday 24 Feb: half-term fun inspired by the communication maps in the PK collection; design your own map and learn how to paint onto silk fabric using a variety of vibrant colours, pipettes and tubes. 1 to 3pm; FREE, just drop in to the Clore Learning Space at PK. Saturday 19 Feb: Squishy Circuits STEAM Explorers session, a morning of hands-on making activities for 7- to 12-year-olds. 10.30am to 12noon. Did you know electricity can travel through dough? Come along, find out how, design and build a squishy circuit – or invent a bug-eyed monster with light up eyes! Meet at the Clore Learning Space, at PK FREE to attend, no booking – just turn up. Dairyland Farm Park, near Newquay. 19 to 27 Feb: Teddy Bears picnic and all the following are included with entry: find the bears quiz - hunt for the bears around the park, fun bear craft activities, Bull Pen soft play centre, meet the animals in the hay barn, pat-a-pet, bug zone, flying fox zip wires, Cannon Bull, Pedal Town. Additional activities available to book on-site: Bear Hunt Tractor Ride £3, Pony Rides £3 (sorry no Bear Rides)! Build your own Bear: £12 includes bear of your choice, stuffing, heart, and birth certificate or £20 includes all the above plus bag and outfit of your choice. Small group activities: Meerkat Experience, Pony Express. Island Light Festival ’22: A Wider World Hosted by ARTiculate, this FREE two-week illuminated community festival brings light and warmth to the darkest time of year on the Isles of Scilly. 14 to 26 Feb, Week 1: School Project Week, Five Islands Academy. Week Two: community music and making workshops in various venues. 26 Feb Final processive event 6.30pm. 07966 862 630 www.articulatecollective.com and Facebook