Your Complete Guide to the Tropical Butterfly House - Roar & Explore - Dinosaurs rule this February Half term holiday Event

Trying to figure out what to do with the kids during the February half-term break can feel like a proper challenge. You want something that gets them away from their screens, something that’s fun for them but won’t make the grown-ups want to tear their hair out. And if it’s got a bit of an educational twist, well, that’s a bonus. It looks like the Tropical Butterfly House has cooked up something pretty special that ticks all those boxes, swapping its usual fluttery residents for something with a bit more… bite. This February, dinosaurs are taking over.

What’s all the roaring about?

For the entire February Half term Holiday, the wildlife centre in Sheffield is hosting its ‘Roar & Explore Dinosaur event’. Imagine taking a stroll through the park and coming face-to-face with a towering T-Rex or a clever Velociraptor hiding amongst the trees. It’s a chance for the whole family to step back in time and walk with giants. The experience is designed to be a full-on adventure, where every corner turned could reveal another prehistoric beast. It’s not just about seeing static models, either. The idea is to create a journey, a proper exploration where kids can feel like real palaeontologists on a discovery mission. The ‘Roar & Explore Dinosaur event’ is all about making learning feel like an adventure.

This isn't just a couple of plastic dinosaurs plonked in a field. The team has created a special trail that winds through the centre, guiding explorers to find all the different species that have temporarily moved in. It’s a fantastic way to get everyone outdoors and burning off some energy, with the added excitement of a prehistoric treasure hunt. The dinosaur trail is part of the standard admission, so families can enjoy both the special event and all the usual fantastic animals that call the wildlife centre home. It’s a brilliant day out that combines the thrill of the Jurassic period with the wonders of the modern animal kingdom.

Time to explore the prehistoric past

The ‘Roar & Explore’ part of the event name is a big clue. It’s not just about looking; it’s about getting stuck in. Alongside the dinosaur trail, there will be a whole host of interactive activities designed to bring the world of dinosaurs to life. Young adventurers can get their hands dirty at a dino dig site, carefully brushing away sand to uncover hidden fossils and bones. It’s a brilliant, hands-on way to understand how scientists have learned so much about these incredible creatures that roamed the Earth millions of years ago.

There will also be ranger-led talks and encounters throughout the day. It’s one thing to see a model of a dinosaur, but it’s another to hear from an expert about how they lived, what they ate, and just how loud their roars really were. According to the event organisers, Niki and Martine, the aim was to create an experience that is as educational as it is exciting. The plan is for visitors to leave knowing a bit more than they did when they arrived, perhaps with a newfound love for palaeontology. This Dinosaur event is shaping up to be a really memorable experience, packed with fun facts and activities.

It’s not just about the dinosaurs

While the dinosaurs are the big stars of the February Half term Holiday, let’s not forget where this is all happening. The Tropical Butterfly House Wildlife Conservation Park is still home to all its amazing resident animals. After you’ve braved the dinosaur trail, you can step into the warmth of the butterfly house itself, a truly magical experience where hundreds of beautiful, colourful butterflies fly freely around you. It’s a moment of calm after the roaring excitement of the dinosaurs.

And there’s so much more to see. The park has a whole range of fascinating creatures, from the mischievous meerkats and playful lemurs in their walk-through enclosures to the slithery snakes and creepy crawlies in the reptile house. The daily animal encounters are still running, which means you can see the otters get their lunch or watch the birds of prey soar through the sky in a spectacular free-flying display. It’s basically two amazing days out rolled into one. You get the special, limited-time-only Dinosaur event, plus a full day exploring a brilliant wildlife park.

Planning your prehistoric adventure

The ‘Roar & Explore Dinosaur event’ runs throughout the school holidays, giving families plenty of opportunities to visit. Half-term events like this can get incredibly busy, so thinking about booking tickets online in advance is probably a smart move to make sure you get a spot. It’s worth checking the centre's website for the daily schedule of events so you can plan your day and not miss out on any of the special dinosaur talks or the regular animal encounters.

Here’s a little idea of what a day might look like:

• 10:00 AM: Arrive and start the ‘Roar & Explore’ dinosaur trail.

• 11:30 AM: Watch the spectacular bird of prey flight display.

• 12:30 PM: Grab a bite to eat at the café.

• 1:30 PM: Head to the Dino Dig for some hands-on fossil hunting.

• 2:30 PM: Meet the meerkats and lemurs.

• 3:30 PM: Warm up in the tropical butterfly house.

For anyone looking for more great ideas for family days out in the region, resources like Yorkshire.com are always packed with suggestions for making the most of the school holidays. But for a day that promises prehistoric thrills and encounters with amazing living animals, the Tropical Butterfly House seems like the place to be this February.