With Christmas a matter of weeks away, the impacts of the cost of living and winter energy bills on the horizon, the October half-term holiday will be met with dread by cash-strapped families.
It’s difficult to know what to do to keep the kids entertained during the break from school. With the holiday falling over the Halloween period and in the run-up to Bonfire Night, some pester power could also be at play.
But, there are plenty of free things to do with the kids in the northern Lincolnshire half-term, if you have a good look around. Many of the activities are Halloween themed too, to keep all your little monsters happy that they are involved in the festivities.
Grimsby Live has discovered a variety of events and activities to keep the children occupied until it is time to head back to the classroom. Here is a just a selection of what’s on offer.
Halloween dance trail
Are you ready for a fa-boo-lous half-term and Halloween? The Love Exploring App’s special Halloween dance trail will go live from Monday, October 21
Grab the kids and have fun searching for augmented reality characters including scary skeletons, mummies and zombies. It’s perfect for getting out and about in Cleethorpes, Grimsby and Immingham. To join in download the Love Exploring App.
Harry Potter crafts
A drop in library crafts workshop on the theme of Magical Creatures. Make a pygmy puff and create your very own magical creature!
Sessions are from 2pm to 4pm at Cleethorpes Library (Tuesday, October 22); Waltham Library (Wednesday, October 23); Immingham Library (Thursday, October 24) and Grimsby Central Library, (Friday, October 25).
Also, you can be in with a chance of winning your very own paperback copy of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by visiting any of the branches, where there will be visual clues dotted around, up until Sunday, October 26. There will be word searches and colour-ins for customers of all ages to take part in.
Talk PANTS
Pantosaurus visits Cleethorpes Library to share the Talk PANTS story and spread the message to help keep children safe. Facepainting, arts and crafts, a chance to dance along with Pantosaurus himself, on Saturday, October 19, 10am to noon.
Wicked Witching Hours
Call in at Freshney Place for The Wicked Witching Hours, on Saturday, October 26, 11am-3pm. Spooktacular fun will include a trail, Halloween crafts, a totally wicked photobooth and creepy face painting
Be sure to watch out for eerie and enchanting witches casting spells and stirring up mischief.
From autumn arts to best-dressed dogs
There’s a host of things going on at the 20-21 Visual Arts Centre in Scunthorpe. Pick your day for a whole lot of fun for the family. Events include:
- Tin dog making demonstration with Lucy Casson – meet acclaimed artist Lucy and watch her in action as she creates an imaginative, canine-themed scene from recycled tin, which will be added to the “A Dog’s Life” exhibition when completed, Tuesday, October 22, 12.30pm to 4pm.
- Creepy crafts – Using recycled materials create your own spooky scene, Wednesday, October 23, 10.30am to noon.
- Autumn arts – Get creative and make a sunflower collage using a selection of different seeds, Thursday, October 24, 10.30am to 12.30pm.
- Best-dressed dog competition – Calling all fashion-conscious dogs…enter the best-dressed dog competition, and you could win a free photoshoot with professional pet photographer, Beki Doig. Please book your dog’s turn on the catwalk, or should that be dogwalk, on Friday, October 25, 2pm to 3pm, by calling 01724 297070 or visit reception.
- Spooky family fun day – Release your inner ghoul at a Beetlejuice-themed event. Enjoy spine-tingling face painting, get up close with real-life creepy crawlies, and meet the infamous Beetlejuice himself; plus, jump into a cauldron of arts and crafts, Saturday, October 26, 10am to 4pm
- LEGO Crufts competition – Mark the end of the “A Dog’s Life” exhibition with another LEGO Crufts competition. With the assistance of Brick Box, make a LEGO dog and enter it into the competition with the chance to win some fabulous LEGO prizes, Saturday, October 26, 10am to 4pm.
Make like the Romans and more
Explore the amazing world of Roman Britain. The Totally Chaotic History Museum Trail from Kids in Museums and Walker Books celebrates the release of hit historian Greg Jenner’s new book, Totally Chaotic History: Roman Britain Gets Rowdy.
Discover intriguing objects, give yourself a Roman name and design your own Roman outfit. Complete the activity sheet to receive your Totally Chaotic History sticker!
Design your own mosaic and share your drawing on Twitter/X or Instagram with the hashtag TCHMuseumTrail and tag @kidsinmuseums for a chance to win a copy of the book and a Double Art Pass plus Kids donated by Art Fund, Saturday, October 19, 10am, North Lincolnshire Museum, Oswald Road, Scunthorpe. Also running are:
- Mini storytelling – Call in at Ironstone Cottage, get comfy and enjoy some stories read by one of the Learning Team, Wednesday, October 23, 1.30pm to 2pm.
- Artefact handling – Visit the pop-up handling station in the Archaeology Gallery. Get hands on with artefacts as a member of our learning team tells you more about how they were used years ago, Thursday, October 24, from 10am, drop in throughout the day.
- Learn about solar and renewable energy – Drop-in style workshop will give children the opportunity to learn all about solar and renewable energy. Activities include Scalextric; build a solar powered toy; solar history matching task and an online sustainability game, Thursday, October 24, 10.30am.
- Dudley Discovers make and take – Free, fun, themed activities that explore the collections. There will be different craft activities throughout the week with drop-in sessions 10.30am to 3.30pm, Monday to Saturday; 1.30pm to 3.30pm, Sunday, running daily from Saturday, October 19 to Sunday, October 27.
Culture for kids
Grimsby-based arts organisation The Culture House is hosting a number of activities for people of all ages during late October, as part of its ongoing Our Future Starts Here programme.
First up on Monday, October 21, is Voices of the Future, a new project hosted in partnership with Freestyle Academy CIC, designed to give a platform to the next generation of creatives. Those aged 11 to 18 are invited to book for Projekt Renewable, 11am to 4pm, and participate in creating a new digital soundscape about Grimsby’s future.
A feel-good community singing event, Sing Your Heart Out, will return to Grimsby Minster on Friday, October 25. The event features a fantastic musical line up including Eden Rae Lake, the Friendship at Home Choir and Skip of Fools – a local funk-based band performing popular hits.
The audience is invited to let loose and join in at this free event when the Minster will offer refreshments and a bar.
On Saturday, October 26, national touring company Brain Fools will present their outdoor show Lucky Pigeons in St James’ Square at 11.30am and 2pm. A free to access, skilled, circus-arts performance, Lucky Pigeons is a response to the company witnessing the dehumanisation of marginalised groups, such as homeless people and migrants.
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