Wondering how to keep the kids occupied during the February half term? Why not get away: there's still plenty of choice from country cottages to flights to the sun.
Here are more than 30 possibilities. The headline price is the cost for a family of four with two children under 12. The component prices, where applicable, are detailed in the entries. Often the cheapest prices involve children sharing a room with their parents, which may be more comfortable for a short break than a week.
At home
Northumberland from £59
Stay at the three-star White Swan Hotel, close to Alnwick Castle, location for the Hogwarts House Cup Quidditch match in the Harry Potter film (you can visit but not go inside), for £59 in a shared room for one night. Adult breakfasts included.
Where to book: Superbreak (08705 992993, superbreak.com).
Leeds from £60
The four-star Hilton Leeds Garforth has an indoor swimming pool, gym, sauna and games room and is well-placed for a visit to the Royal Armouries museum. From £60. Based on a shared room with children's breakfast extra.
Where to book: Superbreak (08705 992993, superbreak.com).
London from £136
Three nights at the Swiss Cottage Hotel costs £68 per adult including breakfasts, with up to two children staying free (without breakfasts) when sharing. The family price if the children have a separate room is £204, including breakfast for all.
Where to book: The Hotel Directory (0870 2010123, thehoteldirectory.co.uk).
Devon from £180
A week in the two-bedroom Axevale Cottage at Stoneleigh Holiday Village, Sidmouth, with an indoor swimming pool, tennis court and crazy golf, costs £180 for four sharing.
Where to book: Hoseasons (0870 3332000, hoseasons.co.uk).
Stratford-upon-Avon from £196
Two nights' B&B at the four-star Stratford Moathouse and A-class tickets to see A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre (from February 8 to February 12) costs £98 per adult, children under 14 sharing free.
Where to book: RSC Short Breaks at Sunvil UK (020-8758 4799).
London from £297
One night at the four-star London Marriott, Regents Park, with four tickets to the Lion King costs from £297 for a family, based on the family sharing a room; breakfast for the children costs extra.
Where to book: Theatrebreak (08705 992993, theatrebreak.com).
Herefordshire from £310
A three-night self-catering break at Wye Lea Country Manor, a 17-acre private estate, with a heated indoor swimming pool and all-weather tennis courts, costs £310 for a cottage sleeping four.
Where to book: 01989 562880.
Ireland from £350
Four nights' self-catering at the four-star Devil's Glen Country Cottages at the foot of the Wicklow mountains costs from £175 per adult with up to three children travelling free including return ferry from Holyhead to Dublin or Dun Laoghaire.
Where to book: Cresta (0870 1610990).
Scotland from £960
Keep busy at the Fairburn Activity Centre in the Highlands, for £270 per adult and £210 per child under 18 for full board.
Where to book: Mackay's Agency (0131-225 3539).
Devon from £973
An extended family group could rent Carn Eve, a seven-bedroom house with stunning views from the cliff top above Whitesand Bay for £973 for the week beginning February 9. Other West Country cottages are available.
Where to book: Classic Cottages (01326 555555, classic.co.uk).
Europe
France/Brittany from £278
Seven nights' self-catering near Quimper at Le Manoir du Menec Cottages, complete with leisure centre and indoor pool, costs £139 per adult with up to two children travelling free. Return ferry crossings are included but supplements may apply.
Where to book: Book with Cresta (0870 1610915).
France/Futuroscope from £313
Try the new attractions at the Futuroscope theme park. A three-night package costs £313 for a family of four, including two days' entrance fees, return ferry crossings from Portsmouth to Le Havre and three nights' chalet accommodation.
Where to book: with Select Site Holidays (01873 859876).
France/Loire Valley from £362
A week in a gîte at Vallires les Grandes, by a forest and small fishing lake, costs £362 including ferry crossings for a family of four and car.
Where to book: Gîtes De France (0870 5360360).
France/Le Touquet from £382
Four-night breaks at the Village Pierre et Vacances Belle Dunne cost £382 for a family of four including return Eurotunnel crossing on February 9 and studio accommodation.
Where to book: Eurotunnel Motoring Holidays (0870 161 0977).
Denmark from £448
Sail on February 9 from Harwich to Esjberg for a seven-night stay in a cottage with a wood-burning stove at Jegum. The cost of £448 for a family includes return ferry crossings for passengers, with an inside cabin, and car.
Where to book: with DFDS Seaways (0191-293 6266).
Disneyland Paris from £554
Two nights at the Newport Bay Club Hotel at Disneyland Paris costs from £554 for two adults and two children (saving £258), including flights from Heathrow, transfers, theme park passes and continental breakfast.
Where to book: Disneyland Paris (08705 030303, disneylandparis.com).
Cyprus from £1,316
Seven nights' B&B at the Paphian Bay hotel, on a sandy beach and in lush gardens at Paphos, costs £349 per adult and £309 per child sharing a family room; for departures on February 11 or 13.
Where to book: Sunvil Holidays (020-8568 4499,sunvil.co.uk).
The Algarve from £1,338
A family that golfs together stays together. Junior golfing lessons are available at the five-star Le Meridien Penina Golf Resort where seven nights' B&B costs from £504 per adult and £165 for children sharing; including car hire.
Where to book: Longshot Golf Holidays (01730 268621, longshotgolf.co.uk).
Cyprus from £1,576
Four nights' B&B at the four-star Golden Bay Hotel, Larnaca, costs £409 per adult and £379 per child sharing, with Heathrow flights and taxi transfers.
Where to book: Sovereign (08705 768373, sovereign.com).
Spain from £1,669
Seven nights at the four- star Flamingo Oasis on the Costa Blanca costs £470 per adult and £259 for the first child for Manchester departures on February 9. Add £7 security charge per passenger.
Where to book: with Thomson Direct (0870 5502567).
Madeira from £1,910
Fly due south to the sub-tropical garden island that is on the same latitude as the Sahara. Stay at the four-star Dom Pedro Baia for £565 per adult, £390 per child, including seven nights' B&B, flights and transfers, departing February 10.
Where to book: Cadogan Holidays (02380 828313).
Spain from £2,002
A week's B&B at the Hotel Andalucia Palace Hotel, Puerto Banus, Marbella, costs £556 per adult and £445 for a child sharing, departing from Gatwick, Stansted or Luton on February 9 or 10.
Where to book: Bonaventure (020-87801311,bonaventure-holidays.com)
Long-haul
The Red Sea from £718
The Hurghada Holidays Resort has a children's club and a babysitting service as well as superb diving facilities. A week's half board costs £359 per adult, children under 12 free, including flights. Add £269 for each child over 12.
Where to book: Regaldive (0870 2201777, regaldive.co.uk).
Los Angeles from £990
Seven nights' room-only at the Holiday Inn Buena Park, close to Disneyland and the Knotts Berry Farm theme parks, cost £990 for a family of four, including American Airlines flights from Heathrow or Gatwick.
Where to book: America Direct (0870 8890848, premierholidaysdirect.co.uk).
Los Angeles from £1,165
Stay seven nights at the Carousel Inn & Suites, a few steps from the Disneyland Resort, for £1,165 for a family of four, including Virgin Atlantic flights and car rental .
Where to book: Funway Holidays (020-8466 0222, funwayholidays.co.uk).
Orlando from £1,396
Seven nights at the Homewood Studios on International Drive, close to the major theme parks, costs £399 per adult and £299 per child sharing, including US Airways flights departing from Gatwick on February 10 and car hire.
Where to book: Bon Voyage (0800 3160194).
Dubai from £1,536
Four nights' room-only at the Golden Sands apartments with Emirates flights costs £469 per adult and £299 for a child sharing.
Where to book: Somak Holidays (020-8423 3000).
Dubai from £1,921
Five nights' B&B at the four-star Oasis Beach, near the Wild Wadi Water Park, which has 20 rides including a gravity-defying water roller-coaster, costs from £565 per adult and £395.50 per child.
Where to book: Hayes and Jarvis (0870 8989890).
Antigua from £2,085
Choose from seven nights' room-only at the three-star Royal Antiguan for £695 per adult with a 50% discount for up to two children under 12, or seven nights' all-inclusive at the four-star Hawksbill Beach for £999 per adult and a 50% discount for the first child and 10% off for the second on February 8 departures.
Where to book: Kuoni (01306 747000,kuoni.co.uk).
Dubai from £2,332
Sail, windsurf or scuba dive from a private beach at the five-star Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina. Seven nights' B&B with Emirates flights departing on February 10 from £960 per adult, £206 per child sharing their parents' room.
Where to book: Arabian Odyssey (01242 224482, arabianodyssey.co.uk).
Penang, Malaysia, from £2,396
Life's a beach at the Casuarina resort. Flights with Malaysian Airlines and seven nights' room-only from £599pp.
Where to book: Bridge the World (0870 4441716,(A HREF="http://www.bridgetheworld.com" TARGET="_NEW">bridgetheworld.com).
St Lucia from £3,654
Up to two children under 12 stay free at The Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort, which has a fun club for children aged 4-12. A family of four pays £3,654 for seven nights from February 10.
Where to book: Caribtours (020-7751 0660, caribtours.co.uk).
· These holidays were available at the time of going to press, but they can sell out quickly.
