Weekend break near Portmeirion in Feb - what to do?

[EllenRose]

I've booked a weekend away with dh, ds (14), ds (10), dd (6) plus my brother, sister in law plus their 1 yo.

It is my birthday hence the time of year and whilst I am more than happy to open the wine in front of the fire, I am conscious that some of the things you would normally do in the area are more 'peak season' so want to check if there are any 'must do's or options if the weather is typically winter?

I've never been to the area before so any help will be very much appreciated

Captain Adorable lives in Portmeirion, my DCs love playing Where's That Location?

Thanks DilysPrice, I will be insisting they watch it now

I'm local to the area. Llanberis is nice & they have a fab soft play called The Den inside. Charge for kids, parents enter free, cafe, nice food, ample seating area. Betws Y Coed is also nice. I love going there to potter & have a coffee & people watch! There is also a soft play in caernarfon for the kids called Yr Hwylfan. Its an old church which I guess you'll see if you're coming in to Caernarfon off the A55 as its right on the roundabout by Morrisons.

I didn't know there was a soft play in Llanberis - is it on a par with the one in Caernarfon? Btw, the English name for the one in Caernarfon is the The Fun Centre - good for kids but rubbish for parents imo.

Ah, I got married in Portmeirion last year. I love it! If the weather is reasonable lots to walk round and see/explore. If the tide is out the beach is great to walk on and if its in you can walk in the woodlands. Great ice-cream shops too!!! The restaurant at the hotel is a bit pricey but good food.
Porthmadog has got a couple of nice gift shops and your usual tea rooms. I'd agree with previous posters and suggest Betws y coed. The swallow falls just up the road from there are quite dramatic, but price had gone up from 20p to £2 last time I went (shocking!).
Lots of castles within a few hours drive (check at the tourist info online/in Porthmadog). And lots of great walks around in Snowdonia.
If you're in to beer there is a micro brewery in Porthmadog called the Purple Moose brewery. I'm still dreaming of their "dark side of the moose" beer.......
Hope you have a great time!!

For younger kids the one in Llanberis is better as its all 1 room. The Caernarfon one is great for older ones but crap if you still like to keep an eye on them and you have a tiny tot as they're 2 different rooms.