Sussex

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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-theatre-amp-music">THEATRE &amp; MUSIC</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/02/koala-2.jpg" alt="The Koala Who Could stage adaptation" class="wp-image-83126" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/02/koala-2.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/02/koala-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/02/koala-2-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/02/koala-2-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



I don&#8217;t know about you but Minerva Theatre&#8217;s <a href="https://www.cft.org.uk/events/the-koala-who-could" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Koala Who Could</a> (17-21 Feb) had me at the title. It&#8217;s a musical ode to embracing change, based on a prize-winning picture book about titular marsupial Kevin, who finds himself bound – very reluctantly –&nbsp;on an Aussie Outback adventure with his pals. 



At Brighton&#8217;s Corn Exchange, another beloved children&#8217;s book comes to theatrical life. <a href="https://brightondome.org/whats-on/LmX-were-going-on-a-bear-hunt/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">We’re Going on a Bear Hunt</a> (20-22 Feb) is a Little Angel Theatre production so you can expect first-rate puppetry plus music by stellar singer-songwriter Barb Jungr. Book for a 3pm performance if you&#8217;d like a chance to meet cast and puppets, too. 



It&#8217;s into the forest again at The Bright Foundation, where <a href="https://thebrightfoundation.org.uk/events/the-ballad-of-red-the-wilding-wolf/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Ballad of Red and the Wilding Wolf</a> (19-20 Feb) reopens its Barn Theatre. Music and puppetry combine to reimagine the tale every child knows so well, bringing a fresh take to bear on timeless themes. Don&#8217;t forget to check out the museum&#8217;s antique toys while you&#8217;re there. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/02/sleeping-beauty.jpg" alt="Let's All Dance Ballet Company's production of Sleeping Beauty" class="wp-image-83128" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/02/sleeping-beauty.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/02/sleeping-beauty-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/02/sleeping-beauty-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/02/sleeping-beauty-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Switching it up, the Royal Philharmonic&#8217;s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/the-hawth/whats-on/rpo-noisy-kids-1298604" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Noisy Kids: It Came From Outer Space</a> lands at The Hawth on 21 Feb. A bitesize acoustic extravaganza, it&#8217;s a great way for even the smallest audience members to discover that classical music really is for them. 



More music&#8217;s to be had at Ropetackle Arts Centre, where children&#8217;s TV presenter Dave Benson Phillips takes to the stage for <a href="https://ropetacklecentre.co.uk/events/dave-benson-phillips-sing-with-me-dbp-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sing With Me, DBP!</a> (21 Feb), a sing-along extravaganza with something for everyone. 



For something less participatory, <a href="https://www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/the-hawth/whats-on/sleeping-beauty" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sleeping Beauty</a> (21 Feb) floats to The Hawth thanks to the Let&#8217;s All Dance Ballet Company. It&#8217;s a family-friendly, abridged take on Tchaikovsky&#8217;s stunner, for maximum magic with minimal fidgeting. 



Finish strong with Komedia&#8217;s <a href="https://komediabrighton.ticketsolve.com/shows/873558931/events/128611959" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sundae Club</a> (22 Feb) in Brighton: a stonking three hours of entertainment for children aged 2-8 and their grownups, including a theatre show, crafts session, and live dance band. Plus, of course, ice cream sundaes, just in case anyone&#8217;s flagging (there&#8217;s actually a bar, too!). 



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-outdoors">OUTDOORS </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/02/mudfest.jpg" alt="Mudfest at Arundel Wetlands" class="wp-image-83136" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/02/mudfest.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/02/mudfest-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/02/mudfest-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/02/mudfest-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



February isn&#8217;t exactly famed for its balmy days but Arundel Wetlands is leaning in with its succinctly named <a href="https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/arundel/whats-on/events/mudfest-2026-february-half-term" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mudfest</a> (14-22 Feb). Gloriously hands-on activities include mixing seed bombs, clay sculpting, and an actual mudslinging contest. Wellies and waterproofs advised! 



You&#8217;ll want to keep those handy if you&#8217;re heading to Knepp, where two-hour <a href="https://knepp.co.uk/for-kids/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rewind Your Child</a> sessions are running on 20 Feb for 3-6 and 7-11-year-olds in the estate&#8217;s ancient woodland, covering bushcraft, wildlife spotting and home-building for assorted critters. (Of course, by that point in the holiday, your child may not need &#8216;rewilding&#8217;&#8230;) 



One activity we can all get on board with is Wilderness Woods&#8217; <a href="https://www.wildernesswood.org/whatson/mud-kitchen-disco-august22" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mud Kitchen Disco</a> (20 Feb). A welly-clad woodland boogie in broad daylight? We&#8217;re there! 



For more mellow meandering, fans of Winnie-the-Pooh should head directly to Nymans where a very significant birthday (he turns 100 this year) is being marked with an exhibition plus a story trail, <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/sussex/nymans/events/837fd781-97d9-48ee-b5c0-31ed1f5d837f" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Three Cheers for Pooh!</a> (14 Feb-15 Mar), spotlighting some of his best known tales with extracts and illustrations. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/02/fattuesday.jpg" alt="Fat Tuesday Umbrella Parade, Hastings" class="wp-image-83138" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/02/fattuesday.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/02/fattuesday-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/02/fattuesday-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/02/fattuesday-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Keep it bookish and make for Bodiam Castle, where games add high jinks to a <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/sussex/bodiam-castle/events/b4911c3c-8ee2-4739-a2c0-d5b20011ef87" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Moomin trail</a> (until 8 Mar). You&#8217;ll encounter some of Tove Jansson&#8217;s inimitable characters along the way, and you can extend the magic by getting hold of a copy of Moominland Midwinter to read together afterwards. 



Petworth House takes its inspiration from a different source for its <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/sussex/petworth/events/7e2b9c0e-3074-4cee-b297-7dffb5ad6d3e" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hop Into the Wild trail </a>(14 Feb-8 Mar). Celebrating the release of Disney and Pixar’s Hoppers, it fuses storytelling with outdoor play.&nbsp;



Ever thought about what your secret agent code name would be? I&#8217;m going to be borrowing from Borde Hill&#8217;s <a href="https://bordehill.co.uk/events/mission-spring/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mission Spring kids&#8217; trail</a> (14 Feb-22 Mar), starring one Agent Snowdrop. The quest? To help find Spring who&#8217;s missing, presumed locked away by Winter. Luckily, Agent Bumble at Bumblebee Bootcamp and Agent Nutmeg in Squirrel Surveillance are also on hand. Observational skills and creativity are rewarded with a special prize back at HQ. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://campioni.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="226" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/02/V2-Campioni-NL-banner.gif" alt="Campioni Soccer Academy ad" class="wp-image-83265" /></a></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-workshops-amp-activities">WORKSHOPS &amp; ACTIVITIES</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/02/golfcamp.jpg" alt="Half-term kids' camp at Cowdray Golf" class="wp-image-83130" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/02/golfcamp.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/02/golfcamp-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/02/golfcamp-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/02/golfcamp-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Lancing College&#8217;s ever-popular <a href="https://www.lancingcollege.co.uk/activity-camps/performance-camps-lancing-college/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Team Sports Camp</a> (16-20 Feb and 23 Feb) is back with an energising, supportive programme that imparts new skills, boosts fitness and fosters teamwork and self-belief. Children also get to lunch in the College&#8217;s dining hall, adding a sprinkling of Hogwarts-style enchantment. 



There&#8217;s always plenty to do at <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/10-reasons-to-visit-the-cowdray-estate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cowdray Estate</a>, and for half term, that includes Cowdray Golf&#8217;s <a href="https://www.cowdray.co.uk/events/cowdray-golf-half-term-junior-camp/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Junior Camp afternoon</a> (20 Feb), covering putting, chipping and pitching. It&#8217;s a drop-off, giving you three hours for a leisurely lunch and stroll or a mooch around the Farm Shop. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-arts-amp-crafts">ARTS &amp; CRAFTS </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/02/birch-painting-2.jpg" alt="Birch painting at Leonardslee Lakes &amp; Gardens" class="wp-image-83141" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/02/birch-painting-2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/02/birch-painting-2-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/02/birch-painting-2-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/02/birch-painting-2-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/02/birch-painting-2-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Lancing College&#8217;s <a href="https://www.lancingcollege.co.uk/activity-camps/performance-camps-lancing-college/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Art Camp</a> (16-20 Feb plus 23 Feb) returns with a blend of colour and texture-fuelled creative expression, deft skills like drawing and assembling, and the kind of innovative thinking that fires the imagination. 



For bite-size creativity, Sheffield Park&#8217;s <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/sussex/sheffield-park-and-garden/events/4a57d123-fd58-453d-83b1-d69de32021c9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wild Imagination Week</a> (14-22 Feb) features a different nature-inspired craft activity every day, from peacock feather designing to making origami swans and rock friends. They take around 15 mins. 



Meanwhile, over at Horsham Museum &amp; Art Gallery <a href="https://horshammuseum.org/events/event/book-now-february-half-term-crafts" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">family craft sessions</a> (17-20 Feb) take their cue from the Lunar New Year. And Towner is hosting <a href="https://townereastbourne.org.uk/whats-on/family-day" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Family Day: Motion</a> (20 Feb), with collaging, giant sculpture building, a cross-gallery scavenger hunt and more, all themed around the notion of motion, and led by artists Kyla Jardine and Laura J. Furner. 



On which note, gotta dash but see you on the other side! 



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