It might only feel like two minutes since the Christmas holidays, but the first half term holiday of the year is upon us.

Schools across Kirklees break up for a week from February 16-21, but don't panic — there's plenty going on in and around Huddersfield to keep your little ones amused.

From arts and crafts to the great outdoors, drama workshops to space exploration, you're spoilt for choice.

Here's what's on around Huddersfield this half-term:

1. Pottery painting at The Mouse House

Crafty kids will love creating and decorating their own masterpieces at The Mouse House in Elland. The studio in Victoria Road, Elland, specialises in pottery painting decopatch, clay modelling and DIY Scrabble Art frames suitable for all ages. Items cost from £5 to £35, inclusive of the use of paint, glaze and firing, and during half-term the studio operates extended opening hours. Booking is reccomended — click here for opening times and contact details.

2. Space exploration at Eureka!

Eureka! The National Children's Museum, Halifax
Eureka! The National Children's Museum, Halifax

Youngsters can join the Eureka! crew to explore the wonders of the universe this half term with its Reach for the Stars exhibition. Visitors can dress as an astronaut and find out what life is like on board the International Space Station, learn about the planets and watch fun rocket science demonstrations, and even get a taste of zero gravity with a Gyroscope (height restrictions apply). During half term the museum is open 10am-5pm, with a 15 per cent admission discount after 2pm. Tickets cost £11.95 for adults and children over three, children aged one-two cost £4.25 and 0-11 month olds go free. The ticket includes a free annual pass, allowing unlimited visits for 12 months.

3. Arts and crafts at Kershaw Garden Centre

The garden centre in Halifax Road, Brighouse, has week of activities between 10am-noon during half term. Monday - Pebble Art; Tuesday - Birds; Wednesday - Finger Puppets; Thursday - Wind Chimes; Friday - Little Monsters. Sessions cost £1 (for materials) and on Thursday there is also Family Drop-in and Play sessions, 2pm-4pm.

4. Get messy with Mini Me Time

Messy play with Mini me Time
Messy play with Mini me Time

Head to Birstall Community Centre for messy playtime this half term. Run by Mini Me Time, two sessions are on offer on Monday February 16: 10.30am-noon for under-twos, and 1pm-2.30pm for over-twos and under-twos with older suiblings. The sessions include messy playtime (both children and adults are advised to wear old clothes), clean up and refreshments and a Movers and Groovers session. Admission costs £7 per child and £3 per sibling, and payment is due at the time of booking. To book, email nataliemackowski@minimetime.co.uk with each child's name, date of birth and which session you would like to attend.

5. Out-of-this-world antics with Pyjama Drama

We all know kids can be a little dramatic at times— why not let them channel their antics at a fun drama workshop? Aimed at 5-7 year olds, the Pyjama Drama half term workshop, Aliens in my Attic, will include games, songs and simple drama activities. The three-hour event will be held at Christ the King Hall, Stocks Bank Road, Mirfield, on Wednesday February 18 at 9.30am. The workshop costs £15.50 - click here to book.

6. Leafy adventures with the Woodland Playscheme

Woodland Playscheme
Woodland Playscheme

Wrap the kids up warm and send them into the great outdoors for a day of outdoor games, den building and campfire cooking. The Woodland Playscheme, held at Dewsbury Country Park, is funded by Kirklees Council and provides supervised fun in the woods for 8-12 year olds with forest school leaders Tom and Michaela. The free programme run Wednesday February 18 to Friday February 20, with 20 places per day available. Places cannot be booked — you just need to turn up at the meeting place, on Carr Lane, next to Dewsbury Moor Rugby Club, at 9.45am. Children will need a signed consent form — click here to download it.

7. Make a glass mini-me with Axl Creations

Fun for all the family is on offer at Axl Creations' studios in Slaithwaite, with a fused glass class on Friday February 20. Participants can learn about the art of fused glass and learn how to make their own memory tile or 'little glass me' at two workshops. The memory tile session will run 11am-12.30pm and costs £13; the 'little glass me' class will run 1pm-3pm and costs £22. Booking is advisable but not essential — visit Axl Creations for more information.

8. Pancake Day!

Tuesday February 17 is Pancake Day and the perfect opportunity for some half-term flipping fun. Teach your children how to make perfect pancake batter and see how many times you can flip a pancake without dropping it! There's also pancake races, and the best part — sitting down to tuck in to a stack of pancakes with sugar, lemon, golden syrup and other yummy toppings.

Mmmm pancakes!
Mmmm pancakes!