PUT your books away, forget about school for the week and get involved in some of the cracking activities that are taking place across the region.

ABBOT HALL ART GALLERY, KENDAL (01539-722464).

Tuesday, February 17: Carnival of the Animals. Go on a wonderful art safari in the gallery to see what animals you can spot and then create your own creatures to take home. Suitable for ages four to seven years.

Thursday, February 19: Animal Instincts. Discover what kind of animal you would like to be, real or imaginary, with some intriguing activities using clay and other materials. Suitable for ages eight+.

TULLIE HOUSE, CARLISLE (01228 534664).

Tuesday, February 17: 10.30am-3.30pm, Designing Fantasy Landscapes. A workshop inspired by Mariele Neudecker's work currently exhibited in the art gallery. Create a huge fantasy landscape with professional artist Nick Dodds which will later be put on display in the reception area for all to see. Suitable for young people aged nine+.

Thursday, February 19: 11am-12.30pm (age 5-8 years), 1.30pm-4pm (age 9+). Kite Making. Make simple kites using paper, bamboo and recycled materials with kite maker Sue Wardle. Older children will make traditional box kites and at the end of each workshop participants will fly their kites (weather permitting).

Saturday, February 21: 11am-12pm (age 5- 8 years), 1.30pm-3.30pm (age 9+). Chinese Crafts with Lip Lee. Younger children will learn about the Chinese Year of the Monkey and the tradition for making origami flowers at New Year plus a session making origami spring flowers and simple Chinese paper-cuts and opera masks. Older children will learn more tales of the Chinese New Year plus plenty of paper cutting to make a variety of things from origami flowers and paper-cuts to the Chinese character for spring.

YOUNG CUMBRIA (015395-36032).

YOUNG Cumbria is organising a series of activities for young people throughout the county during half term week.

Tuesday, February 17: Trip to Rampworx Skate Park, Liverpool, with pick-up points in Ulverston, Grange-over-Sands, Milnthorpe, Kendal and Windermere.

Wednesday, February 18: Activity day at Kendal Leisure Centre with swimming, volleyball, badminton, five-a-side football and team games.

Thursday, February 19: Young Bands Training Workshops at Castle Head Field Study Centre, Grange-over-Sands. Workshops will include guitar, drums, vocals, DJ mixing, song writing and stage set-up.

KENDAL MUSEUM (01539-721374).

Tuesday, 17 February: 11am-12.30pm. Animal Prints. Come and see the animals at the museum and print your very own animal pictures. Suitable for ages four to seven.

Friday, February 20: 10.30am-12.30pm. Picasso Printing Workshop. Be inspired by the museum's Picasso exhibition and the animal collection and make Picasso-style prints. Suitable for ages eight-12 years.

WORLD OF BEATRIX POTTER ATTRACTION, BOWNESS (015394-88444).

Youngsters are being invited to celebrate the 100th birthday of Benjamin Bunny with some fun half-term events.

Monday, February 16: noon & 3pm. The Official Peter Rabbit Puppet Show. Beatrix Potter's famous stories are brought to life in a show featuring mischievous Benjamin Bunny and Peter Rabbit.

Tuesday, February 17 & Wednesday, February 18: Meet Beatrix Potter. Beatrix Potter' will be making appearances throughout the day, chatting to children and revealing the secrets of her life and the characters she created.

FORUM 28, BARROW (01229-820000).

Monday, February 16: 2pm. The Ugly Duckling. Clydebuilt Puppet Theatre performs the classic fairytale with a combination of realistic puppets and magical storytelling. Suitable for children aged three to seven years.

EAST CUMBRIA COUNTRYSIDE PROJECT.

Tuesday, February 17: 11am-1pm. Birdbox Bonanza. Have a fun day creating and making wooden bird boxes. Meet at the Church Hall, Church Brough, near Brough. All materials provided although bring a hammer if you have one. For details call 01228-561601.

This event is also taking place at Rheged, near Penrith, on Thursday, February 19, from 1pm to 4pm. For details call 01768-860090.

Wednesday, February 18: 2pm-3.30pm. Winter Tree Identification. Develop your countryside skills by identifying native trees without their leaves in Kingmoor Nature Reserve. Meet at the Main Car Park, Kingmoor Road, Carlisle. For details call 01228-817368.

THE SANDS CENTRE, CARLISLE (01228-625222).

Sunday, February 15 Friday, February 20: Enjoy some fun-packed activities including sports, roller discos and arts and crafts. For children of all ages.

BREWERY ARTS CENTRE, KENDAL (01539-725133).

Monday, February 16: 1pm & 4pm. The Happy Gang's Magic Castle! Join the Happy Gang for an afternoon of fun and laughs in the fabulous Magic Castle with its host of hilarious characters such as the eccentric laird Jock McGrumpy who lives in the castle next door.

LEIGHTON MOSS NATURE RESERVE, SILVERDALE.

Monday, February 16 Friday, February, 20: 11am-12.30pm. Family Guided Walks. Have fun and learn all about the birds in the beautiful Leighton Moss RSPB Nature Reserve.

WETHERIGGS POTTERY, CLIFTON DYKES, PENRITH (01768-892733).

Visitors to Wetheriggs Pottery can experience a wide range of fun activities and expert demonstrations this half term (Monday-Friday). Show off your artistic flair and make and paint your own pot; watch craftsmen at work or take part in the pancake Treasure Trail. The museum is also open with a variety of historical exhibits including an old steam engine restored by Fred Dibnah.

BERNERS POOL, GRANGE-OVER-SANDS (015395-38150).

Sunday, February 15: 10am-4pm. Activity Day. A fun-filled activity day for 8-16 year olds including Alligator Island, snorkelling, raft racing and outdoor activities. Places are limited and pre-booking is essential. For 5-8 year olds there will be activity sessions running from 10am-noon and 2pm-4pm with lots of fun activities including crafts and games.

Wednesday, February 18 & Friday, February 20: 9am-10am. Youth Snorkelling Course, for 8-18 year olds.