Bring the whole family together and enjoy a well-deserved break on our Islands this February. Whether you are looking for cosy crafts, educational activities filled with culture or outdoor adventures, there's plenty to enjoy during half-term in Guernsey.
As well as suggestions for activities to try out on your visit, we've listed a number of unique events happening in February that are not to be missed, and some family-friendly restaurants to enjoy.
Family-Friendly Events this February
Some exciting events are happening this half-term, and the following events are perfect for all ages to enjoy.
Throughout February: The St Peter Port Sketch Club Exhibition
Come and see The St Peter Port Sketch Club Exhibition at George Crossan Gallery, in the Market Building, consisting of sketches of over 20 locations across St Peter Port from participants aged 7 to 70 years of age.
15th February: Mirror Ball does Motown
After a sold-out show in 2024, the Soul Funk Corporation return to St James for another night of Motown, Soul & Funk. Playing hits from Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, Four Tops, The Jackson 5 and many more.
Northern Soul DJ Andy Newman will be playing music on either side of the live band.
21st February: The Dudok Quartet - Amsterdam
The Dudok Quartet Amsterdam will be playing a crafted programme at St James, designed to engage their listeners in imaginative ways.
27th February: Lecture & Music Inspired by Victor Hugo
The Victor Hugo in Guernsey Society presents a Lecture & Recital at St James by Arnaud Bigaignon de Sullé.
Arnaud has attended many operas around the world and speaks regularly to public audiences about them. He was always filled with admiration for Victor Hugo.
During his lecture, Arnaud will talk about the many and close links between Victor Hugo and music, especially opera.
GADOC will also be performing songs from Les Misérables.
Outdoor Adventures
Our climate is milder than in the UK, so even in February there's still a chance to get out as a family and enjoy some fresh air - just be sure to wrap up warm before venturing out.
Outdoor Guernsey
Join the Outdoor Guernsey team and try your hand at every activity from coasteering, paddleboarding and high ropes to boogie boarding, beach games and archery. Suitable for children ages 7+ depending on the activity chosen.
Karting Guernsey
Karting Guernsey caters for all visitors, regardless of age and experience. There are junior karts for ages 8 to 14 years, and adult karts for ages 14 and up, as well as a brand new Kid Racer track for children aged 3 - 7 years to join in the fun. All gear and safety equipment is provided, and there is a racing shop on the premises. Booking is recommended to avoid disappointment.
Pirate Bay Adventure Golf
Perfect for a family day out, tackle this challenging course found at Golf19 at St Pierre Park, suitable for all ages, and find the treasure. Designed by City Golf, one of the UK’s most prominent adventure golf designers, it's great fun for children and adults alike.
Sausmarez Manor
Sausmarez Manor contains architecture, artefacts and art relating to members of the Sausmarez family (who are still there after over 800 years!). Also on site is a subtropical garden, a Coppersmith, a celebrated Sculpture Park and a relaxed 9-hole Pitch & Putt with free equipment hire.
You can learn more about the history of the manor on one of their Historic House Tours, or take a 'Guernsey Potato Peel Pie' Tour, named after the famous book set in Guernsey during the occupation.
For children, there is a miniature train that takes you through part of the Wooded Garden populated by Toy Animals for just under a 1/4 mile.
Saumarez Park
One of the largest and most popular parks for families on Guernsey, Saumarez Park has lots to enjoy. There is a large pirate-themed outdoor playground with sections for infants, children and teens. The café serves hot meals, light lunches, snacks and ice creams all day and has a bouncy castle outside for kids in their small garden area, as well as an indoor chalk room for children to express their creativity.
After walking around the paved paths of the park (great for scooters and bikes) or across the fields, you can venture to the pond and its pergola, or explore the rose gardens and try your hand at the small maze that comes to life with beautiful flowers in the summer. On-site, you can also visit the Victorian Walled Garden or stop off at The National Trust of Guernsey’s Folk and Costume Museum to learn more about Guernsey’s history.
There is also a circular nature trail leading from the park to Cobo Bay, perfect for a long family walk.
Tours of Guernsey
Discover more about St Peter Port and Castle Cornet or explore the German Underground Hospital or Batterie Mirus with Tours of Guernsey. Check out their website for up-to-date details on current tours, availability and pricing. Bespoke tours can be arranged and tailored to your specific requirements.
Try a Self-Guided Walking Tour
There are many guided walking tours of Guernsey, which are always informative and fun. However, using the Visit Guernsey App you can try self-guided tours, perfect for going out as a family. Each walk on the app shows a route, time and difficulty level, and as you explore the app shares interesting details and facts about the route. There are a range of walks to choose from, with varying intensity to suit your family's pace, whether you want to hike around the cliffs or take a more gentle stroll by the beach.
Explore Nature
Guernsey has lots of unique nature to explore, whether you're looking to head to a park to play, take a walk through the woods or visit protected nature reserves.
Parks and Walks
Some great places to experience nature and get some fresh air as a family include Delancey Park, Le Guet, Bluebell Woods, St Saviours Reservoir and the Table des Pions - known locally as The Fairy Ring.
RAMSAR Sites
There are also four designated Ramsar sites across our Islands. A Ramsar site is a wetland site designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, dedicated to protecting unique wetland habitats and the rare species that they support.
The sites include:
- L’Eree Headland and Lihou Island Shingle Bank, an important breeding ground during the Spring and Summer for birds, including the bright-beaked Oyster Catcher.
- Burhou Island and the west coast of Alderney is an important bird breeding ground with a large population of northern gannets nesting on the Les Etacs and Ortac.
- 'The Humps' just off Herm and Jethou, home to the Atlantic Grey Seal, the Basking Shark and the Puffin, amongst others.
- The Gouliot Headland on the west coast of Sark is home to a wealth of species that form the food chain of the sea, such as plankton, sponges, hydroids, sea anemones and sea squirts.
You can explore these sites on foot or by taking a nature tour with Guernsey Rib Voyages, Outdoor Guernsey and the Alderney Wildlife Trust.
To find out more about our Ramsar sites, or how to access them, you can read more here.
Indoor Activities
We have an array of indoor activities for you to take part in this half-term. Whether you're after something creative, something educational or something adventurous to let off steam, you'll find what you're looking for on our Islands.
Join in Library Activities at the Guille-Allès Library
Every half-term, the Guille-Alles Public Library in Guernsey organises events for children of all ages. Whether you need something to entertain the kids or want to spend some quality time together, all events are free to attend (although some events have limited space and may require you to book a free ticket).
Candle Making with Guernsey Candles
Inside the workshop of this local family business, you can witness the candle-making process and have a go at making a unique candle to take home with you. Their on-site shop is filled with great artistic pieces, homeware and gifts suitable for all ages.
Pottery Painting at Iris and Dora
Iris and Dora is one of the leading art and craft venues on Guernsey, offering pottery throwing lessons, craft sessions and pottery painting. All ages and abilities are welcome in the studio. They have intricate pottery to paint and plain pottery for you to create your own designs on, ideally suited to adults and older children. For younger kids, they have special mini figures and quick-dry paint, so they don’t have to wait for their creations to go in the kiln.
Explore Oaty and Joey’s Playbarn
Oaty & Joey’s Playbarn, located at Oatland's Village, is a great retreat on rainy days. Inside, you will find one of the largest play frames in Britain with a whole host of obstacles, including a giant 6.3m astra slide, climbing ropes, pipes, ball pits and more. You’ll also find Highway 66 Bowling Alley, party rooms, large trampolines, e-cars, pool and air hockey tables and against the clock basketball. If you’re feeling creative, you can make a bear or paint some pottery. They also provide refreshments and snacks in their cafe, so you can sit back and relax knowing the kids are safe and entertained.
Oatlands Village
Oatlands Village is one of the island’s leading visitor attractions. It brings together many local craft and gift shops, eateries and attractions for all the family. As well as Oaty and Joey’s, you will find Rebecca’s Chocolate for homemade chocolate, a variety of shops, a mini golf course, go-karts, trampolines and The Kiln Cafe and Restaurant. There is something for any age to enjoy, and adults can sit back and relax knowing the children are safe and happy.
Museums, Art and Culture
Take a walk through history with castles, fortifications and bunkers from across the centuries. There are many museums to explore on the Islands of Guernsey where you can learn about the Islands’ rich history.
Lots of historic spots can be explored for free, and others, such as Fort Grey and Castle Cornet, charge a small fee for those over age 7 to support their on-site museums and ongoing research.
Some of our most popular museums include: Castle Cornet, The Guernsey Museum and Art Gallery at Candie Gardens, Fort Grey, The National Trust of Guernsey’s Folk and Costume Museum, The Little Chapel, The German Occupation Museum, The Underground Hospital, La Vallette Underground Military Museum and The Guernsey Tapestry Gallery.
Films at the Mallard Cinema
The Mallard Cinema is Guernsey's independent cinema, located near the airport. With four screens and a great snack selection, there's always a range of films to choose between from indie cinema to blockbuster hits. They offer booster seats for smaller children and accessible seating for those with mobility needs.
Escape with AdventureRooms Guernsey
AdventureRooms Guernsey provide a fun, unique and engaging live escape challenge for teams of 4 to 7 people. The object of the game is to work together as a team to solve puzzles and escape within 60 minutes. After you've escaped, enjoy a meal at Buho, Guernsey's authentic Mexican restaurant. Please note that the escape room is only suitable for those aged 11 and over.
Climbing Adventures with Up Climbing Guernsey
Guernsey's indoor climbing centre, Up Climbing Guernsey, offers a range of sessions for both beginners and those looking to advance their skills.
Adventures at Beau Sejour Leisure Centre
Beau Sejour Leisure Centre is Guernsey’s only community leisure centre. Outside, there is Cambridge Park, a recreational park with wide open spaces for the public to enjoy. From the park you can access Beau Sejour’s outdoor playgrounds, suitable for all ages, and a state-of-the-art skate park. There are also tennis and netball courts available for booking.
Inside, there is a great selection of sports facilities, such as 5-a-side football, badminton, volleyball, basketball and squash courts. There is a 25m, 6-lane indoor pool and a separate 10m children's pool. For young children, there is a soft play area, so you can enjoy any of these amenities, or simply sit in the cafe, knowing that they are safe and having fun.
Restaurants
Guernsey has an array of restaurants that cater to children and adults, with a range of options to suit all ages, tastes and dietary requirements. Many also have safe indoor and outdoor playgrounds that can keep children entertained for hours.
Nineteen Bar and Grill
Nineteen Bar and Grill is located at The Golf Club, St Pierre Park, just outside of St Peter Port, and boasts beautiful parkland views. Their menu is expansive and caters for all and, with a driving range and mini golf for entertainment, it's a great place for the whole family to have fun.
Crabby Jacks
Crabby Jack’s is the go-to venue for families in Guernsey who are looking for a place where the kids can let off some steam and the adults can sit back and relax. Situated on Guernsey’s west coast, alongside Vazon Bay, their menu caters to all and there is a large fenced-off playground just outside, so you know the kids will have hours of fun.
The Longfrie Inn
The Longfrie Inn is located in St Pierre du Bois, with a restaurant and bar well known locally for its expansive menu of home cooked food and real ales. Relax in the gardens or the indoor dining space and let your children have fun in the soft play area inside.
Cafe des Amis or Terrazzo Del Giardino at Le Friquet Garden Centre
With both an indoor and outdoor play area in viewing distance of the cafe and the restaurant, this is the perfect spot to take the entire family. Take a walk around the Islands’ biggest Garden Centre before settling down for a relaxed bite to eat in Cafe des Amis or a stone baked pizza in Terrazzo Del Giardino, sitting comfortably while the kids are happily entertained.
The Garden Cafe at Earlswood Garden Centre
Relax in the peaceful surroundings of Earlswood Garden Cafe, part of a family owned Earlswood Garden Centre established over 30 years ago. Enjoy a coffee and cake, a snack or lunch whilst the kids enjoy their wooden climbing frame and playground.
The Pony Inn
The Pony Inn serves family favourite meals in a relaxed, informal setting, and has a small and safe indoor play area perfect for children.
The Kiln
Found in Oatlands Village, with beautiful gardens, good food and a playground, a mini golf course and Oaty and Joey’s just around the corner, The Kiln offers the perfect family day out. With a wide selection on the menu and freshly made cakes and pastries every day, this hidden gem gives you the opportunity to see a different side of the Island.
Afternoon Tea at the Old Government House Hotel
An Afternoon Tea at Guernsey's five-star hotel is a great way to spend an afternoon indoors when the weather gets cold. With its location in town, it’s easy to come here for a break from exploring St Peter Port. The team at the OGH are welcoming to children and have a selection of afternoon teas for the whole family to enjoy, including Oggie's Afternoon Tea which is ideal for under 12s.
Find a full list of restaurants, cafes, bars and bistros here.