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Halloween and October Half Term in Norfolk
Updated 27/09/2016
Make this Halloween a time of treats, not tricks. Keep the children safe with our fancy dress advice 
and conjure up some healthy Halloween food that is not only palate pleasing but will be visually appealing to the children...
Healthy Treats instead of sweets
The collective amount of sugar consumption is incredibly high during Halloween, with almost £300 million spent on sweets and chocolate alone.
So, as an alternative, you may wish to offer all young trick or treaters a healthier option - with a spooky edge of course!
Banana Ghosts and Mandarin Pumpkins
These Banana Ghosts and Mandarin Pumpkins will go down a treat and so are easy to create.
For the Banana Ghosts, blob a couple of mini chocolate chips as eyes and a coffee bean for the mouth.
Alternatively, and especially to avoid any chance of choking on the coffee bean, you may wish to use currents for the mouth.
For the pumpkins, peel the mandarins and use a thin piece of the herb Angelica as the stalk.
Alternatively, you may wish to use small slices of apple candy cables as the stalk
Scary Apple Teeth
These scary apple teeth are sure to get the children chattering! Slice a rosy-looking apple into quarters and de-pip.
Then gently cut a slice out of the apple quarter and fill with flaked almonds for teeth. Be sure to check for any nut allergies before serving these.
Pumpkin Peppers
These Pumpkin Peppers look super scary and are so easy to make. Buy a selection of yellow, red and if you can get them, orange peppers. Top the pepper, de-seed and carve a traditional Jack-O-Lantern face onto the side of the pepper. Fill with salad leaves and croutons.
Halloween party games 
Many parents aren’t keen on the idea of ‘Trick or Treating’ so host Halloween parties instead. For a spot of spooky inspiration take a look at the Primary Times TV website – where you’ll find instructions on how to make Halloween lanterns, Halloween bats, pumpkin paper lanterns, balloon ghosts, witches fingers and so much more!
Visit the Halloween pages on Primary Times TV for ideas. To find out how to create a special Halloween feast visit http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-make-halloween-feast
Fancy Dress Safety
Parents should exercise caution when buying costumes for their children. Celebrations around Halloween and Bonfire Night can put children in close proximity of naked flames or fire.
If the costume or face-mask has not been properly fire retarded in accordance to EN71-2, the consequences can be severe.
Parents are advised to check the labelling and CE markings, remain vigilant and, ideally, keep the children away from fire when wearing these costumes or masks. Find out more about costume safety and CE markings at www.tradingstandards.uk
Tricks and tips for carving a Pumpkin
By carving pumpkins children are able to challenge their creative skills and often feel elated when their sculpted masterpieces are perched on the doorstep for all to admire. These days there are loads of gorgeous stencils of owls, Halloween cats and various spooky scenes that can be etched onto the side of the pumpkin, adding a degree of inventiveness.
Pumpkins have a tendency to rot rather rapidly once they have been carved so the best time to carve any mini masterpiece will be no more than two days before Halloween.
Here are some tips to make the most of those pumpkin carvings…
What you will need:
A pumpkin!- A design template if using one
- A pen
- A candle
- A special pumpkin carving saw or a sharp, straight edged knife
- A spoon to scoop out the inside of the pumpkin
- A bowl to place the ‘fruit’
- Adult supervision
How to Carve a Pumpkin
- Begin by drawing a design onto the pumpkin. Be as creative as possible or use a stencil.
- Cut out a lid from the top of the pumpkin. Cut at a slight angle to make sure the lid doesn’t fall into the pumpkin. Scrape off the flesh from the lid.
- Scoop out the flesh and seeds using a large metal spoon and place in a bowl. Make sure the walls of the pumpkin are least 2 cm thick
- Next, with adult supervision, start carving the pumpkin using motions that direct the knife away from you. Use a slow, sawing motion to carve the design. Avoid any jerking motions by keeping a part of the blade in the pumpkin when sawing.
- To sculpt, it will be better to start working on the centre of your design first.
- To add shapes, you may wish to use other utensils such as an apple corer to make circles
- Remove all carved sections of the pumpkin
- Make a flat spot on the base of the pumpkin for the candle. Use a tea light candle.
- Finally, place your mini orange masterpiece on your doorstep for all passers-by to admire!
How to look after your pumpkin:
Pumpkins deteriorate quickly once cut, so always leave the lid off when the candle is in to prevent it shrinking and when it does start to shrivel dunk your gourd in a bucket of water for a few hours to rehydrate.
BeWILDerwood’s Glorious Glowing Lantern Parade
BeWILDerwood has an illuminated treat for everyone from Saturday 15 to Sunday 30 October. Spend the day exploring BeWILDerwood’s Halloween woodland decorations and listen to the special storytelling. Then wind your way through the woods to build and decorate a truly special lantern of your own, ready for the Glorious Glowing Lantern Parade that starts at dusk. Be delighted by lights and lazers and glowing pumpkins as the whole parade reaches an awesome crescendo in the deep marsh. The show is spine-tingling but it really isn’t all that scary. For more details visit www.bewilderwood.co.uk
Pleasurewood Thrills and Chills
Pleasurewood Chills is back this Halloween, promising spooky fun for all the family from 22 October to 30 October. There’s not just the 35 rides, shows and attractions to enjoy but plenty of free Halloween activities and attractions. Scream and shout with Woody Bear and help him on his travels in a fantastic new show ‘Woody’s Spooktacular’ which is suitable for all the family. Also some old favourites are back including pumpkin carving, trick or treat, mask making, the witch treasure hunt and Halloween Woody’s Spooky Parade. The end of the season wouldn’t be complete without Pleasurewood Hills’ famous firework spectacular on Saturday 29 October. Visit www.pleasurewoodhills.com
Take the Children for Hocus Pocus at Holkham Hall this Halloween
At Holkham, from 27 to 30 October, begin the ghoulish festivities early with a host of Halloween themed activities for the kids to enjoy. Everyone is invited to wear fancy dress for the occasion and join in the fancy dress parade after getting some frightening face painting.
In the ‘old kitchen’ of the hall the Kiddy Cook team will have scarily scrummy cupcakes for children to decorate with imaginative creepy crawlies.
Follow the fun and see the decorative gourds and pumpkins, and discover bewildering batty factoids and haunting quizzes. Afterwards, jump aboard the Halloween Express to the Walled Garden to get the heebie jeebies and listen to the spell-binding tales by Fairy Folk and Fable or Tilly the Talespinner. Also, get creative carving pumpkins and get up close to slithery snakes, lazy lizards and spiders. For further information on the event or for 10% online discount visit www.holkham.co.uk or call 01328 713103
Horse around this half-term!
A variety of fun-filled family activities await visitors to Redwings Horse Sanctuary’s Aylsham or Caldecott visitor centres this half term. The Sanctuary will be hosting two special “We Love Horses” weekends and invites visitors to share cuddles with some of their lovable rescued residents – including gorgeous Shire horse, Poppy, and real life Black Beauty, Maya.
Families will also be able to take part in fascinating walks and talks, enjoy horsey crafts and even have a go at pony grooming. Don’t forget, adorable Adoption Star donkey Esther will be celebrating her ninth birthday with a party at Redwings Caldecott on Sunday 30 October and everyone is invited. Both Redwings Aylsham, north of Norwich, and Redwings Caldecott, near Great Yarmouth, are open every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, and entry is free. For more information, head towww.redwings.org.uk/visiting
Family Activity Days at Hautbois Activity Centre
Visit the Hautbois Activity Centre on the River Bure in Coltishall for one of its exciting Family Activity Days, on the Tuesday and Thursday of the October half term. Thrilling outdoor activities such as archery, abseiling, climbing, raft-building and much more will be on offer.
Sessions are suitable for children aged 7 years+, accompanied by an adult and cost just £7.50pp per session or £13pp per multi session. To make a booking or for more information visitwww.hautbois.org.uk or call: 01603 737357
Free Spooky Fun at Bure Valley Railway
Throughout the half term holiday, from 22 to 30 October, the Bure Valley Railway will be holding its popular children’s event, The Spooky Express.
Trains will operate throughout each day from both Aylsham and Wroxham Stations and there will be a children’s competition to see how many spooky items can be spotted on the train journey and the Whistlestop Café will be adorned in Halloween regalia.
To make this a truly family friendly event, the Railway is giving free travel for every child when accompanied by a fare-paying adult (maximum of 2 children per adult, train only). For further information contact 01263 733858 or visit www.bvrw.co.uk
Follow the Firework Code
Having fireworks at home can be great fun, as long as they are used safely. Figures show more children rather than adults get hurt by fireworks. Over the past five years over 350 pre-school children, some only a year old, were treated in hospital for fireworks injuries.
If you’re putting on a home display, you should follow some simple steps to make sure that everyone has a good time without getting hurt.
The Firework Code
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Don't put fireworks in pockets and never throw them.
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Plan your firework display to make it safe and enjoyable.
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Keep fireworks in a closed box and use them one at a time.
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Read and follow the instructions on each firework using a torch if necessary.
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Light the firework at arm's length with a taper and stand well back.
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Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks.
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Never return to a firework once it has been lit.
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Direct any rocket fireworks well away from spectators.
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Never use paraffin or petrol on a bonfire.
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Make sure that the fire is out and surroundings are made safe before leaving.
Keep Your Family Safe -
Sparkler Safety
Did you know that sparklers get five times hotter than cooking oil? Sparklers are not toys and safety precautions should be taken to avoid accidents.
- Never give sparklers to very young children.
- Make sure everyone handling sparklers wears gloves.
- Hold sparklers at arm’s length while being lit.
- Don’t wave sparklers about close to other people.
- Never hold a baby in your arms while you are holding a sparkler.
- When the sparkler has finished put it in a bucket of cold water.
Bonfire Safety
- Children should be supervised near bonfires. One person should be responsible for the bonfire.
- Choose a site away from wooden fences, sheds and well away from where the children will be playing.
- Never pour petrol or meths onto a fire, it’s safer to use fire lighters to prevent flare-ups.
- Keep a bucket of water handy in case of an accident.
- Avoid loose clothing and tie back long hair.
- After the party pour water on the fire, rather than leaving it to burn out.
First Aid Hints for Burns
- If clothing is on fire, lie the person down wrapped in heavy material such as a coat or blanket (not made of nylon) and roll them over and over to put the flames out.
- DON’T use ANY kind of creams, butter, oil or lotions.
- For all burns on young children – seek medical attention.
- In all cases if the burn is severe – seek medical attention.
Where to buy your fireworks
Always buy fireworks from a reputable shop to make sure that they conform to British Standards. This means that they should have BS 7114 written on the box.
Think of your neighbours…
Let your neighbours know if you are planning a fireworks party as they may have pets which should be kept indoors. It would be kind to let elderly neighbours and families with young children know there may be some loud bangs.
Fireworks: the law
The law says you must not set off or throw fireworks (including sparklers) in the street or other public places. You must not set off fireworks between 11pm and 7am. The exceptions are:
- Bonfire Night, when the cut off is midnight
- New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, when the cut off is 1am
You can only buy fireworks (including sparklers) from registered sellers for private use on these dates:
- 15 October to 10 November
- 26 to 31 December
- 3 days before Diwali and Chinese New Year
- At other times you can only buy fireworks from licensed shops.
You can be fined up to £5,000 and/or imprisoned for up to 6 months for selling or using fireworks illegally. You could also get an on-the-spot fine of £90.
Find safer firework information at www.saferfireworks.com