The Smalls love October half term, I think since it’s the first break after going back to school in September and the fact that it normally involves Halloween it’s always a popular one!
This year though Halloween falls when they are back to school – extra challenges for the Mamas – but don’t fear – there’s still a lot going on, here’s a round-up of what not to miss!
Fairfax House in York
Fairfax House is in York and is a new attraction on me and one we plan to visit over half term. It’s a Georgian House which is which has trails designed especially for children led by Gregory, the Townhouse Mouse. Gregory invites his fellow mouselings to follow his tale (tail) and trail. Following mouse holes from room to room, families can search for Gregory, and complete the puzzles in the trail guide to claim their reward at the end.
Tickets for children are just £3 and adults £7.50.
On Thursday 26th and Friday 27th at 7.30pm Fairfax House is holding an After Dark event as part of Museums at Night, for a highly unusual and illuminating candlelit performance by the mansion’s ‘original Georgian inhabitants’.
Tickets are £7 for a child and £14 for an adult and performances lasts for 1 hour fifteen minutes and includes refreshments.
Stockeld Park have their Halloween Adventure
Which vary in price from £10 to £19 per person depending what you want to do and include all the usual fun. Their special Half Term events include; Disco on ice, Bats in the maze, Eerie Science week and witches in the forest!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AMalrbGJ8U&w=560&h=315]
RHS Harlow Carr – Creepy Creatures
Bookable Outdoor Holiday Club Woodland Workshops – run from 10am – 12pm and 1pm – 3pm – Wednesday 25 October
Spiders are on the loose in the woods at Harlow Carr join us at our Forest School camp, create a giant spider, make a creepy spider’s web that can hold your entire body, light a fire to keep the spiders at bay and toast a marshmallow before you go.
Workshops are chargeable and need to be pre-booked in advance on 020 3176 5830. Please meet at the entrance 15 minutes before your session to register.
Sessions suitable for children aged 5 – 10 years.
£5 per child Members.
Garden Detectives Trail – Daily
Creepy Creatures in Sunley room – 23 – 27 Oct – 10am – 4pm
Come and see some real life creepy creatures up close with our animal experts… you can even have a hold if you a brave enough.
Creepy crafts in the Jubilee Room, 23, 25, 27 Oct, 10.30am – 12.30pm then 1pm – 3pm
Come and take part in our creepy craft activity where we will be making creepy creature hand puppets.
Garden detective themed storytelling – Wolfson Room – 24 October (Storytelling at 11am, 1pm & 3pm)
Come and listen to the Garden detectives as they tell us all about Creepy creature and why they might not be so creepy after all…………….
Bird Ringing with the BTO and the Big Garden Birdwatch, Sunday 29 October, 10am – 3pm at the Bird Hide
Needlepoint sewing
One of my big girls loves to sew and she’s often at these classes! I think magical unicorn making might be on her agenda next week!
Brimham Rocks
The Druid of Brimham is up to his old tricks again, terrorising the local animals. Can you be the hero the animals have been looking for? Follow the trail collecting the clues hidden in the rocks and craft the item to help you break the spell. £2 per trail sheet.
Knaresborough Castle
Treacherous Trials
Be judge and jury in their courtroom crime and punishment interactive drama. Listen to the evidence in their crimes from the past. Discover the gruesome fate for the guilty!
Tudor Courtroom, museum building.
Saturday 21, Tuesday 24, Thursday 26 at 11.30am, 1pm and 3pm (30 minute approximately per session). Included in admission, just drop in. Limited space.
Wicked Weaponry
Create your own swords, shields and arrows.
Wednesday 25 at 11.30am – 1.30pm, Education Room, King’s Tower. £1.
Shocking Stories
Join us in the Castle for their spooky storytelling sessions.
King’s Tower.
Sunday 22 at 3pm
Wednesday 25 at 2pm and 3pm (30 minute approximately per session). Included in admission, just drop in.
Ghostly Gander
Discover the creepy characters of Knaresborough Castle on their evening tours with local historian Brian Forshaw.
Please bring a torch and wear suitable clothing.
Wednesday 25 6.30pm – 7.30pm £4.50 adults, £3 children. Booking recommended*
Meet at the King’s Tower.
Piglet Adventure Farm
This is somewhere we have yet to enjoy a visit to – but Piglets Adventure Farm looks great!
Every child also gets a FREE pumpkin and the chance to carve it right there and then – saving you a whole lot of mess at home! There’s a mysterious maze, Trick or Treat tales and two 30 minute magic shows everyday over half term. Tcikets start at £7.95 (online price) for Adults and £8.95 (online price) for children.
Harrogate Gymnastics Club Drop In
The Small Boy loves the Gymnastic Drop In sessions and has missed them since starting school.
Here are the days the pre-school sessions are on over half term;
Monday 12:30 – 1:20pm
Friday 9:30 – 10:20am
Friday 10:30 – 11:20am
These are the Open Gym session
Monday
1:30 – 2:30pm, aged 5-9
2:45-3:45pm, aged 10+
Friday
10:45 – 11:45am, aged 5 – 9 years
Halloween and Bonfire Round Up
Keep an eye out for my Halloween and Bonfire round up of what’s on where coming soon too!
Happy Half Term Mamas – I’m off to get the gin in!
