HALF term - that time of the year when parents are rushed off their feet, thinking of ways to keep their children occupied.

You don't need to worry about that, as we have you covered.

We've compiled some of the best, most affordable, and enjoyable activities on offer near Cheshire.

Meet Tatton Park’s scarecrows celebrating lockdown heroes

This year’s Scarecrow Festival is dedicated to inspiring individuals and local heroes during the coronavirus pandemic.

At Tatton Park’s Gardens or Farm you can meet Marcus Rashford, teachers Ms Spendlow and Miss Williams, and Aldi’s Hand Sanitiser – all in scarecrow form.

Aldi hand sanitiser at Tatton Park

Aldi hand sanitiser at Tatton Park

More than 100 children from local primary schools have contributed their hero suggestions or drawings, with the three winning designs are being made into scarecrows for the festival.

The winners were Elodie Jeffries, aged eight, seven-year-old Josh Borradaile-Falp and 10-year-old Elliot.

The scarecrow outfits have all been donated by companies and local employers.

The festival runs throughout half term from Saturday, May 29 to Sunday, June 6.

Parkland Entry and tickets for the Gardens and Farm can be booked online at tattonpark.org.uk.

Need or want to stay at home? Complete a Treasure Hunt

Wonder Advertures have made video-led treasure hunts that you can do from home, or even as a holiday activity.

There is a theme for every thought with options of dinosaurs, wizards, space and superheroes.

The treasure hunts include video clips from the themed character giving riddles to solve to find the clue points. Within this, there are printables, puzzles, a song and certificates.

They can be found at: wonder-adventures.myshopify.com/collections/all.

Use ‘HALFTERM’ at checkout to buy one and get your second one free.

Fancy trying your hand at painting? Check out Cheshire Arts Hub

As well as adult sessions, the Arts Hub in Chester are running family open art as well as drawing and painting sessions with 12 places available for each class.

There are dates available on Tuesday, Wednesday Thursday and Saturday across next week.

To book you can do so by emailing info@cheshirearthub.com.

Dunham Massey park

Dunham Massey park

Take a trip to Dunham Massey

You can always rely on the 192.7 acres of land at Dunham Massey to keep your kids walking for hours, and they get to say hello to the deer that have made the park their own.

With the gardens and house, there is also a gift shop, two cafés and an ice cream parlour – something for everyone.

During half term, a timed entry within a 30-minute slot can be booked here.

Time for paper crafts

After a year away, Paper Town Crafts’ craft club returns to Lymm Village Hall on Tuesday, June 1 and Thursday, June 10 from 2-3pm.

You will have the chance to make two crafts, and there will be a drink and snack for the kids, and tea and coffee for the grown-ups.

Since all children must be accompanied by an adult, it is an ideal chance for some creative fun together.

Tickets can be found here.

Say hello to Peppa Pig and Paw Patrol’s Marshall

If your children are wanting to see some of their favourite faces and you are willing to travel a little further afield, Rascalz soft play centre in Wirral has you covered.

They have two or three daily sessions available, with Peppa visiting on Wednesday at 1pm, and Marshall on Thursday at 3.30pm.

To book tickets, you can do so here.

Nurture your nature lover

The Catalyst Science Discovery Centre in Widnes has reopened and they are offering drop-in sessions and hands-on activities to teach the next generation about the planet.

Bug hunting, the air, the oceans and more be will be looked at with a two-and-a-half morning and afternoon class available.

Ticket at £1.75 each can be bought here.

Head down to Walton Hall’s Jungle Parc

The family-friendly high ropes adventure features 60 high platforms connected by fun activities set in woodland.

Walton's 'Adventurer Course' has six different levels of difficulty, suitable for children aged three and over.

The courses include two 'rocket zips', Tarzan swings, wobbly logs standing and sitting zip lines, an 'aerial skateboard' and more obstacles.

Sessions are one and half hours after half an hour of preparation. The price for both adults and children is £15 and includes all equipment and training Go to jungleparc.co.uk/walton-hall-gardens-warrington.

Equally, if you do not fancy the Parc, there is also the children’s zoo which is free to enter.

A window into the past at Quarry Bank

If you are more into walks and history than activities, Quarry Bank in Styal is the place for you.

You can take a step back in time and find the cotton mill, built in 1874, and the apprentice house.

They have introduced a one-way route and only admit 25 people every 15 minutes, with the last entry at 4.15pm.

You can book a timed entry to the bank between 10.30am-4pm at nationaltrust.org.uk/events/edf79d73-21a8-46f4-812b-adf3198f6796/pages/details.

Go Wild at Wild Shore Delamere

The stunning lake of Wild Shore Delamere is open seven days a week from 10am.

Their range of activities include an aqua park, wakeboarding, aqua chimp, paddling and swimming.

Bookings can be made here:bookings.wildshoredelamere.co.uk/activities.