All across Gwent next week, there are programmes packed full of fun activities to keep children occupied during the half-term holidays. NICHOLAS THOMAS reports

THIS half term there are plenty of events and attractions around Gwent for the whole family to enjoy. Here’s a rundown of some of the fun activities on offer. You’ll be sure, come rain or shine, to find something to cater to your tastes.

Tredegar House, Newport

There’s a packed week of events at this National Trust property and grounds, located in the west of Newport close to m4 Junction 28.

Half-term attractions include the chance to spend a day in the life of the Tredegar House servants.

Explore the warren of rooms below stairs as you discover the responsibilities of the service staff of the 19th century.

Count out wages in the housekeeper’s room, grind the spices in the great kitchen, and pack up Lord and Lady Tredegar’s picnic in the still room.

This living history event runs from February 23 – March 3, 11am-4pm.

Normal admission prices apply. Standard ticket prices cost £10.10 for adults, £5.05 for children, and £25.25 for families.

Also at Tredegar House, for those people who are feeling crafty, there are bird box making workshops, as part of the National Trust’s 50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾ programme for young people.

Located in the home farm on the house grounds, the Tredegar House team will be on hand to help you make a home for some feathered friends.

This event runs from February 25 up to, and including March 1, 11am-4pm.

Entry costs £4. Normal admission prices to Tredegar House do not apply for this activity.

And there’s also a chance to explore some sections of the famous house which are usually closed off to the public.

If you’ve ever wondered what was hidden inside the rooms normally sealed off from visitors, now is your chance to find out. Uncover the secret side of Tredegar House with a behind the scenes tour.

These special tours run from February 24 up to, and including, February 27.

They will resume on March 3, running until March 6.

Each day, there will be several 45-minute tours.

Visitors can choose from tours which begin at 11.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm, or 2.30pm.

Normal admission prices for Tredegar House apply, but visitors wishing to take the behind the scenes tour must pay an additional £2.

There is a maximum of 12 people allowed on each tour. No pre-booking is necessary.

Cwmbran Centre

The town’s shopping centre is offering intrepid explorers the chance to join an adventure around the world.

Throughout half-term, the centre will be running free craft workshops inspired by the world that we live in. All workshops will take place in Monmouth Walk between 11am – 4pm daily and will be run by a team of professional workshop captains.

Don’t forget to pick up a passport from the workshop captains, so that your explorer can start their journey across the globe and get their passports stamped along the way.

On Monday, February 25, explorers will enjoy a theme of the United States of America.

The USA has a varsity sport culture like no other, so what better way to prepare the kids for school sports days and extracurricular sporting activities than to take a few tips from across the pond? Each little explorer ones will have the opportunity to make their own flags or pom-poms.

On Tuesday, February 26, the explorers will head to Brazil – a country known for its vibrant carnival culture and luscious rainforest. The Brazilian-inspired workshop is sure to be jam-packed with bright colours. Explorers on this part of the trip can make a head-dress or animal mask to take home.

On Wednesday, February 27, the adventure moves onto Spain. Children attending this day will be flamenco dancing their way out of this Spanish craft workshop with their very own fans or clackers.

And on Thursday, February 28, the theme will be Africa. Join the workshop captains for a safari-themed workshop, from which little ones can take home their own animal finger puppet.

Finally, on Friday, March 1, the explorers will head to Asia for the last stop of the tour. There, the workshop captains will help your kids create colourful chopstick dragons to take home.

Cwmbran Centre will also be offering free face painting each day. To find out more visit the centre’s website www.cwmbrancentre.com/around-the-world-craft-workshops.

Chepstow Museum

The town’s museum is running its popular drop-in craft afternoons during the half-term holidays on Thursday, February 28, 2pm-4pm, at the Drill Hall in Lower Church Street.

The theme for all the craft activities will be the natural world, inspired by the new special exhibition at the museum – Stuffed Pickled and Pinned – showcasing wonders of nature from the collections of museums across Wales.

Anne Rainsbury, curator or Monmouthshire Museums, said: “We supply some templates, ideas and materials. You bring your creativity to make something special of your own.

“We’ve got big tables so you can meet up with friends, or bring family, and have fun making things together.”

The sessions are suitable for children of all ages, but all children must be accompanied by an adult – up to three children per adult.

Come for the whole afternoon or just pop in for a short time.

Donations towards the cost of materials and refreshments are always welcome, and the museum suggests £2 for children aged 3 or older.

There are always things for young people to do at all of Monmouthshire Museums – at Abergavenny, Monmouth, and Chepstow.

And the new exhibition there has some special activities of its own. The museums are open daily 11am-4pm (except for Wednesdays at Abergavenny and Monmouth).

Caerphilly County Borough

Between February 25 and March 1, half-term sport camps will return across the county, catering for children aged 7-12.

The popular Sport Caerphilly football camp will run various sessions across three sites in Caerphilly: the Centre for Sporting Excellence (Ystrad Mynach), Risca Leisure Centre and Heolddu Leisure Centre.

Netball camps will also run throughout the week at Risca, Caerphilly and Pontllanfraith Leisure Centres.

Sport Caerphilly, through their disability in sport coordinator, are also running various activities through the week in Pontllanfraith and St Cenydd Lesiure Centres. Sessions combine outdoor activities with multisport elements, in an effort to offer something for everyone.

All activities cost £10.20 per session and can be booked by contacting your leisure centre of choice. For the disability in sport sessions, contact Paul Taylor on 01495 235497.

Leisure centres across Caerphilly County Borough have also arranged a full calendar of swimming activities.

Some of the highlights include the popular ‘Free Swim Friday’ sessions that allow anyone with a valid Smart card to swim for free during designated times.

As well as this, Cefn Fforest Leisure Centre is running a five-day intensive swimming course, allowing beginners to receive extra attention from specialised supervisors.

Another noteworthy activity is the increasingly popular ‘Mermaid and Shark’ sessions at Newbridge Leisure Centre that allow children to experience life as a sea creature through our specialist tail suits.

These sessions can be booked by contacting your centre of choice.

For more information on the half-term activities follow the Sport Caerphilly Facebook page.

Pontypool indoor market

Come to the market and meet some prehistoric pals, like Ronnie the t-rex and his dinosaur friends, on Thursday, February 28.

The animatronic dinosaurs from Dinos4Hire will be taking over the market from 12pm until 4pm.

This free event is a great way to get up close to a range of adult and baby dinosaurs.

A baby raptor and stegosaurus will be available between 12pm and 12.30pm, while Ronnie the t-rex will be at the market between 1pm and 1.30pm.

Chip the raptor will take over from 1.45pm, followed be a baby triceratops and brachiosaurus.

A large Utah raptor will close the afternoon, appearing between 3pm and 3.30pm.

For more information about events taking place at Pontypool Indoor Market follow their Facebook page