Hooray! Its October half term! Time for lazy mornings, duvet days and hunkering down… but if your littlefolk like their half term holidays with a bit more oomph, then here’s our pick of fun things to do in the North West:
1.CHESTER ZOO: Halloween themed event back for second year
Family visitors to Chester Zoo during October half term will be asked to help save the animals from the spell of an evil sorcerer, as part of an interactive Halloween themed event.
Back for its second year after a hugely successful debut in 2016, The Enchantment of Chester Zoo is full of adventure, acrobatics, music and discovery.
Visitors will learn about some of their favourite animals along the way.
Charlotte Smith, Head of Discovery and Learning at Chester Zoo: “It’s a perfect half term treat with a sprinkle of Halloween sorcery. Seek out the moths, sloths, giraffes and orangutans and gather clues from the incredible characters you meet there. Then head to Owl HQ and share everything you’ve learned. Together we’ll save the zoo and stop everyone here from falling asleep!”
The Enchantment of Chester Zoo has been lovingly created by the zoo in partnership with multi award-winning outdoor arts producers Wild Rumpus. Producers of the acclaimed Just So Festival, Wild Rumpus are specialists in creating extraordinary worlds, telling incredible stories and bringing to life moments of wonder for all ages.
The Enchantment of Chester Zoo is most suitable for families with children aged 3 + but enjoyable for all.
Tickets are free with zoo admission and can be purchased at www.chesterzoo.org. Early booking online is recommended to get the best possible admission prices.
2.OUR KID: Spooky Square Pegs Pop Up
We’re suckers for a Square Pegs pop up and when we heard it was a collaboration with Our Kid, we were even more giddy! Join those fabulous arty peeps Square Pegs at Our Kid on Friday 27th October, when they’ll be designing and making batgirl and batman costumers and screen printing trick or treat mini totes! Check out @Square_pegs or @OurKidSocial Instagram for more info!
3.MANCHESTER SCIENCE FESTIVAL: You’re never too young for science 19th-29th October.
You’re never too young for science – that’s what we think anyway. There are plenty of events at this year’s Manchester Science Festival that will keep even the fidgetiest toddlers and pre-schoolers entertained. And even better, our picks are all free!
Meet Miro the robodog at the Robot Playground (Saturday 21 October and Sunday 22 October, 10am-5pm, Museum of Science and Industry) or try out your dance moves with robot Nao. Sing-along to science at the Ensonglopedia of Science (Monday 23 October, 2.30pm-4pm, Central Library) – packed with fascinating facts and rib-tickling refrains, this alphabetical science symphony is music to your ears, and will strike a chord with every audience.
Who knows what other scientific secrets are hidden in the library? Make a second visit for Science @ Central (Wednesday October 25, 10am-4pm) and read up on the fascinating history of science in the city and get hands-on with the collections – as well as some Lego robots.
Make something amazing with The Science Studio (Monday 23 October – Friday 28 October, 2pm-5pm, Manchester Craft and Design Centre) where a week of demonstrations and hands-on experiments will let you see a range of weird, wonderful and curious processes in action as artists create everything from jewellery to vessels sculptures and artworks. Adults and toddlers alike will find something brilliant to make.
Then get streetwise with science with Jon Chase, whose sci-fi raps have made him a star, at the Hip Hop Science Stop Weekender (Saturday 28 October and Sunday 29 October, 10am-5pm, Museum of Science and Industry). You’ll also get to interact with all sorts of multimedia exhibits, take part in a series of street science challenges and see how science can be explored using cheap products and waste materials that most people throw away.
Want to see more family events Check out their website for the full family programme – including dinosaurs, family raves and robots!
www.manchestersciencefestival.com
4.HALLOWEEN AT TATTON: Saturday 21 to Sunday 29 October 2017
There’s lots happening at Tatton Park this half term! Discover the Secret Hauntings at the Old Hall. Believed to be one of the most haunted buildings in the country, Tatton Park is welcoming guests into the ghostly Old Hall….if they dare! Discover paranormal activity and secret legends on a frightening trail in the medieval home of Tatton’s ancient ancestors. Follow the “I Spy” in the Mansion. Guests are encouraged to sharpen their sleuthing skills as they snoop around the mysterious Mansion and follow the trail to spot the secret treasures of the last Lord Egerton. Visit the farm for Creepy Conker Fun, visitors can collect a conker from the secret tree and guests can join in the creepy conker fun. Journey through the mystery maze, detecting the spooky surprises as you go
5. Spooktacular Halloween Weekend at The Ice Cream Farm
The Ice Cream Farm, based just outside Chester, has a toad-ly eerie-sistable line-up of events taking place this half term in celebration of the spookiest day of the year, Halloween.
On 28th and 29th October, The Ice Cream Farm will be fully embracing the age-old tradition with a range of activities taking place across the weekend. The Creepy Crawly Show will be heading to the award-winning family attraction on Saturday 28th October between 11am and 3pm, giving children the opportunity to get up close with the animals and learn all about them. Entry to The Creepy Crawly show is £2 per person or £6 for a family.
Also at The Ice Cream Farm over the weekend will be Jon, The Balloon Man turning and twisting balloons into animals, Chester based author, Darron Rodgers, will be leading a spooky story time and a team of face painters will be on hand to transform children into witches, zombies, vampires and ghosts.
Dress to impress in creative costumes as you will be entered into a prize draw where one lucky winner will win a £25 Play Pass to use at The Ice Cream Farm and 10 runners up will receive a £12 Play Pass.
The Ice Cream Farm wouldn’t be The Ice Cream Farm without ice cream, and just in time for the second largest celebrated festival in the UK after Christmas, the team have whipped up a batch of limited edition ‘Shocky Road’ ice cream. Think chocolate, marshmallows and raisins with a twist.
The Ice Cream Farm have lots of other surprises lined up across the weekend that you won’t want to miss out on… don’t worry, they’ll be treats not tricks!
For more information on the activities and events at The Ice Cream Farm visit www.theicecreamfarm.co.uk.
