Half-term is almost here, and we have brought together nine ideas to help everyone enjoy the break across the district, some of them free of charge.

1. Have mammoth fun at the Museum in the Park, Stratford Park, Stroud

There are lots of fun half term activities as part of the museum's Ice Age exhibition, which runs until 27 March. Or explore the 4,000 objects on display at the museum, and the walled garden. There's a café and small gift shop with pocket-money priced gifts.

2. Hidden Treasures: Outdoor Audio Adventure from Aurora Theatre (Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th February)

A magical new audio adventure for children and families. Recommended for children aged 5 to 10, this trail takes places in the beautiful Stratford Park grounds surrounding the Museum in the Park.

Have you ever wondered how something got to be somewhere it shouldn't? Who made that mark on a tree trunk? Are you good at spotting the unusual and intriguing? You might be just who we are looking for! Here at The Society for the Protection of Magical Creatures, we have been investigating reports of invisible creatures in Stratford Park and the objects they appear to have left behind. Our experts at The Society and the Museum can't understand what is happening. We are looking for treasure hunters to come on an Audio Adventure, unearth these items and report their findings to The Society. An audio walk meets geocaching, this experience is best completed with an adult and child. Do bring your charged smartphone and headphones if you have them, or you can borrow some of ours. Booking essential!

As this is the first event of this kind, the Museum is offering 50 free tickets to the first local families who book. To book your timed ticket head over to our Ticket Source page. We recommend you allow around one hour to enjoy the trail.

For more details and to book sessions at Stroud District Council's Museum in the Park see: www.museuminthepark.org.uk/  .Free parking in the Stratford Park car park.

3. Get active at The Pulse

Enjoy an action-packed activity day at Stroud District Council's leisure centre in Dursley. Tuesday 22, Wednesday 23, Thursday 24 February, 9am-3pm, suitable for ages 5-11. £20 per child, booking essential.

Dance workshop, Tuesday 22 Feb, £7.50 per child. 3-5 year olds 1.30-3pm; 6-9 year olds, 3.15-4.45pm. Booking essential.

Inflatable fun in the pool, Monday 21-Saturday 26 February, various times. Booking advised.

For all Pulse activities please see https://www.pulsedursley.co.uk/events/activity-days/ 

4. Go wild in Stratford Park

You'll find two play areas, large grassy lawns, a small skate park, a lake, woodland, and a table tennis table (bring your own bats) in the award-winning SDC-owned and managed Stratford Park.

If you feed the resident ducks, please don't bring bread which isn't healthy for either the birds or the water quality; try bird seed, oats, peas, lettuce or sweetcorn as healthy alternatives. There's a large free car park and you'll find the Museum in the Park and Stratford Park leisure centre there too. Free-of-charge

5. Go Outside and learn about your local area

Go Outside maps are fun, child-friendly, interactive maps that help you discover more about the place you live. There are seven to choose from, each filled with puzzles and facts. Choose to start in in Berkeley, Chalford, Dursley, Stonehouse, Ebley or Wotton-under-Edge: https://www.stroud.gov.uk/community-health-and-wellbeing/go-outside-walks  Free-of-charge

6. Join the Play Rangers

Children living near Lawnside in Nailsworth can join in with outdoor community-based activities provided by Gloucestershire Play Rangers on Wednesday 23 February, 10am-4pm. Suitable for ages 7-14. See https://playgloucestershire.org.uk/play-timetables  for more information. Free-of-charge

7. Follow a woodland play trail

The National Trust-owned Woodchester Park has lakes that are home to giant carp and an outdoor woodland play trail. It's free to walk around, but there's a charge for parking (free for NT members). https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/woodchester-park You'll have to wait until Friday 1 April to visit the Grade I Listed Woodchester Mansion however www.woodchestermansion.org.uk Free-of-charge

8. Follow a sculpture trail

The artwork at Dursley Sculpture and Play Trail in Twinberrow Woods has been created by local community groups. It's free, and open access to visit any time. www.dursleytowncouncil.gov.uk/dursley-sculpture-and-play-trail.html  Free-of-charge

9. Watch Tweedy's Lost Property

Tweedy the Gifford's Circus clown will be performing his one-man show at the Sub Rooms in Stroud. Monday 21 & Tuesday 22 February, 11.30am. https://thesubrooms.co.uk/whats-on/tweedys-lost-property-415  Prices from £11.50