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Halloween and October Half Term events in Norfolk

Summer might be over – but there’s loads to love about autumn…

Autumn brings with it an amazing array of colours and contrasts, so whatever your plans are, step outdoors and make the most of this awesome season…

Halloween Happenings

Deliberately avoiding the more ‘sinister’ aspects of Halloween and providing a fantastic alternative to trick or treating, many local attractions place a spotlight firmly on the lighter side of the occasion. Pumpkin carving opportunities, singing pumpkin shows, Halloween baking sessions, fancy dress discos – there’s plenty of spooky and non-spooky fun to be had! 

 

Blazing Bonfires and Fabulous Fireworks

Nothing conjures up a perfect autumnal scene more than a big, blazing bonfire and a black sky filled with bright colourful lights and fizzing sounds. Professionally organised themed firework displays accompanied by music are increasing in popularity as they offer a safe environment as well as a sense of occasion that occurs when large groups of people get together.

There are some big displays to look forward to, notably: the Bonfire Night in Hunstanton on Saturday 2 November; the Thetford Firework Spectacular on Sunday 3 November; the Big Boom in Norwich City Centre on Friday 8 November.

 

Sparkler Safety

Each year, over half of all firework injuries are suffered by children. Adult supervision is essential when children are using sparklers:

• Sparklers get five times hotter than cooking oil, so should never be given to a child under five.
• 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

For the Firework Code and other safety tips see www.saferfireworks.com or www.rospa.com/home-safety/advice/fireworks-safety/

 

Halloween and All Saints’ Celebrations 

• In Celtic times, New Year was celebrated on 1 November, to mark the end of summer harvest and the beginning of a cold winter.

• The night before New Year, on 31 October, the Celts would celebrate the festival of Samhain and would take time to remember those who passed away. Huge bonfires were created for people to offer sacrifices and many people dressed in costumes.

• After the Roman invasion in the UK, Pope Boniface IV established All Saints’ Day, to replace the traditional Celtic festival of Samhain.

• All Saints' Day is celebrated on 1 November, followed by All Souls’ Day on 2 November. Both days commemorate and honour the saints and loved ones who have passed away.

• In old English, All Saints’ Day was translated as All Hallows’ Day, hence the night before it being known as All Hallows’ Eve, now more commonly known as Halloween

• The Mexican celebration, the Day of the Dead, now coincides with Halloween, All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, from 31 October to 2 November.

 

Awesome Autumnal Art

October is the month to take part in the Big Draw Festival, especially as the 2019 theme is ‘Drawn to Life’! For children, drawing is a means of understanding the world, how it looks, and how it works. It nurtures creativity, developing their imagination and power of invention.

So find out what is happening at your local library, school, science centre or community hall and get to play with art! For a full, up-to date list of events in Norfolk see www.thebigdraw.org

 

 

 

It’s National Libraries Week: 7 to 12 October

Children are always welcome in Norfolk's libraries, and no-one is too young to join!

Youngsters can borrow books, find out information and use library computers - all for free. Norfolk’s libraries also offer free activities for children throughout the year, including Bounce and Rhyme for babies and toddlers, and Book Track and the Summer Reading Challenge for older children. Joining the library is free and you can even join online from home. Discover what is happening at your local library during Libraries Week, from 7 to 12 October - visit www.norfolk.gov.uk/libraries-local-history-and-archives/libraries

 

 

Autumnal Art:  Leaf Suncatcher 

Take a leaf out of nature’s book and liven up your windows with warm autumnal colours with these stunning suncatchers...

You will need:

• Coloured tissue paper (in a range of autumnal colours)
• Sticky Back Plastic
• Scissors
• Glue Stick
• Black Card
• White Chalk
• Double Sided Sellotape

 

What to do:

Collect a wide range of leaves of different shapes and sizes to use as templates for your suncatchers.

Draw around each leaf with chalk onto a piece of black card. Make two identical outlines from each leaf for each suncatcher. To make a thick border, cut inside and outside of the leaf shape.

Place one leaf outline onto the sticky back plastic. Cut the coloured tissue paper into small squares and layer these gently inside the leaf template and onto the sticky back plastic. Next, glue the second leaf outline onto the top of the first outline. Layer another bit of sticky back plastic onto the top of the whole leaf. Cut around the shape to finish. The suncatchers are now ready to adorn your windows. Stick them on with double sided Sellotape.

For this and lots more seasonal activities go to: www.thebestideasforkids.com/leaf-suncatcher

Fun and Easy Crafting with Recycled Materials includes 60 cool projects that transform paper rolls, egg cartons, jars and more! It is available for pre-order now on Amazon.

 

 

Autumnal Art: Leaf Rubbings 

Liven Up Leaves

Whilst out walking along a trail or footpath, be sure to keep an eye on the trees as their leaves turn from green to red to brown – the changes can be spectacular. Deciduous trees lose their leaves to conserve energy over the winter months and it helps them to cope with windy conditions. With all the leaves on the ground, look out for leaf skeletons as they can be really beautiful! Collect some leaves and transform them into a fabulous artistic autumnal creation! Here’s how:

 

You’ll need:

• A Saucepan
• Soda Crystals (Sodium Carbonate) from supermarkets
• Tweezers
• Paintbrush

 

Instructions:

• Collect some leaves whilst out walking. You’ll want large leaves that have not yet dried out but don’t pull them from the tree, there should be plenty on the ground!
• Pour 30g of soda crystals into the saucepan and dissolve in 500ml of water.
• With help from an adult, bring the mixture near to the boil then take it off the heat. Place the leaves you have selected into the pan and let them soak for 30 minutes.
• Remove each leaf from the pan with tweezers, then gently wash the leaves with cool water.
• Use a paintbrush to lift away the small bits of leaf cell remaining around the skeleton.
• If you’re careful, you’ll see the network of veins inside the leaf.
• You can colour it with paint, or maybe use the skeletons to decorate your own cards!

 

How to … at Halloween 

 

How to… make a Halloween mask

Make a beastly mask using a paper plate, elastic, a glue stick, pens and plenty of imagination. English Heritage have an amazing number of free templates, designed to help children create their own mask – just search the web for ‘English Heritage – Beast Mask Activity Pack’

 

 

 

 

How to… carve pumpkins

Perch your pumpkin on your doorstep with pride by following our carving tricks and tips... 

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.

 

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’

 

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!

 

 

Looking 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.

 

 

 

 

 

Painted Pumpkins

Forget carving your pumpkin this year! Leave the sticky, pulpy mess behind and add an extra twist to your doorstep display by painting your pumpkin instead. This is a great idea, especially for some of the smaller sized pumpkins that can be tricky to carve. Plus, for little hands, it’s less hazardous than carving.

The painting couldn’t be simpler - just wash the fruit and dry it thoroughly with a tea-towel. Then, using acrylic or spray paint, get creative with colour and design! To create a spider web effect, strategically place masking tape into the shape of a web to the side of the pumpkin.

Spray paint the fruit, and once dry, slowly peel off the tape to display an orange web. You may wish to add a plastic spider for an extra scary effect! To steer away from the spooky theme, you can paint a Minion, an Olaf or other favourite cartoon character onto the pumpkin. You’ll find a mass of inspiration on Pinterest.

 

How to....make Halloween food...

Pumpkin Peppers

These Pumpkin Peppers look super scary and are so easy to make. Buy a selection of yelow, 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.

 

 

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,  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.

 

 

 

Want to know what Halloween and October Half Term activities are taking place in Norfolk?  Read on...

 

Robin Hood Entertainment at Church Farm, Stow Bardolph

Robin Hood is the exciting theme for this year’s October half term at Church Farm, Stow Bardolph. Children are invited to join in with all the fun activities, from story time in Nottingham Castle to entertaining games and quizzes; from enjoyable craft activities to the amusing pig racing!

Youngsters can also learn how the Merry Men survived in the woods, how they lived and what they ate, with Church Farm’s very own Friar Tuck. The usual activities such as animal encounters and tractor rides will also be on offer. Whilst there, don’t forget to try the fantastic homemade cakes and lunches or browse the gift shop for Christmas ideas. Call 01366 382162 or see www.churchfarmstowbardolph.co.uk

 

Imagination and Movement Workshops at Norwich Theatre Royal

 

Looking for fun activities this half term? Join Norwich Theatre Royal for one of its Imagination workshops on Monday 21 October, at 10am and 11.30am, where there will be an emphasis on creativity, building confidence and having fun. Explore the themes of the bird’s journey and look at what home means in the Family Movement and Dance workshop on Thursday 24 October, from 10.30am to 12pm. Families will get to explore together in this playful and thoughtful creative workshop. For much more, visit www.ntr.org.uk/OctHalfTerm19

 

 

Fangtastic Family Fun at Pensthorpe Natural Park

 

Join Pensthorpe Natural Park, near Fakenham, between 19 October and 3 November 2019 for some fangtastic family fun at its special Half Term Trick or Tweet event. Discover the grim and gruesome side of nature and celebrate the magic of autumn outdoors on a self-guided scavenger hunt and creepy crawly trail. Craft-making sessions include creating lolly stick cobwebs and finding out why creatures like spiders and bats aren’t so scary after all. Plus, have a Halloween hoot in eco-play areas Hootz House and WildRootz. For more information about Pensthorpe visit www.pensthorpe.com or call 01328 851465.

 

Fairhaven Garden Presents Cirque de Bizarre

 

Don't miss Fairhaven Garden’s Cirque de Bizarre Halloween Party on Thursday 31 October from 6pm to 8pm, featuring mind-boggling acts in the woods from the Foolhardy Circus, plus live music from The Mahatmas. There will also be a children's entertainer, fabulous face painting and great food and drink. The dress code is diabolical circus! The evening finishes with a fireworks finale at 7.45pm – you’d be bats to miss it!

Tickets cost £9.50 per adult and £5.50 per child. Away from the spooky fun, half term activities include Hedgehog Day with Hodmedod Hedgehog Rescue on Saturday 19 October and Grow your own Oak Tree, every day from Saturday 19 to Sunday 27 October. Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden is at South Walsham, NR13 6DZ. Call 01603 270449 or visit www.fairhavengarden.co.uk

 

Hirsty’s Halloween Hoot

Visit Hirsty’s Halloween Hoot for a fun filled day out where youngsters can pick and carve pumpkins and solve the Halloween quiz in the spooky maze! Follow the Pumpkin Queen on a special procession and don’t forget about Hirsty’s Hunger Hut which will be teeming with tasty burgers and comforting hot chocolate. Try and win a Season Pass for 2020 by winning the best dressed Halloween costume or the best carved pumpkin. After all the themed fun there’s Crazy Croquet to play, inflatable bouncers and trampolines to jump on, pedal go carts to zoom around on and the hay bale mountain to clamber over! Read more at www.hirstysfamilyfunpark.co.uk

 

Puppet Making and Family Shows at Norwich Puppet Theatre

 

There’s something for everyone at Norwich Puppet Theatre this half term, with three family shows to choose from. Enjoy scientific explorations in Microbodyssey, a fantastical twist on a classic tale with Rumpelstiltskin and the Snail of Destiny, and beautiful traditional marionette puppetry in The Crow’s Tale.

Children can also get hands-on with puppet making workshops. A top pick is Day of the Dead family puppet making on Friday 25 October, where kids and grown-ups can make skull puppets inspired by the colourful Mexican festival. For a full list of the Theatre’s events, visit www.puppettheatre.co.uk

 

Halloween Horrors at Holkham

There have been some strange and spooky goings-on at Holkham Hall, and they think it might be witchcraft! Can you help gather the clues to uncover the wicked witch and her mysterious spell? At Holkham, from Thursday 24 to Sunday 27 October, there will be creepy-crawly conundrums to crack, bubbling potions to stir, spinetingling stories to sit through, and spells to scribe with quill and ink. Carve your own petrifying pumpkin and join in the costume parade. So, boys and ghouls grab your broomsticks and prepare to be bewitched this Halloween at Holkham. See www.holkham.co.uk

 

 

Autumn Adventure Festival at Whitlingham Adventure

Located on the edge of Norwich, a gateway to the Broads National Park, Whitlingham Adventure will be offering activities to children aged 8 years+, from adventure days and weeks and accredited courses to clubs. The adventurous array of activities include sailing, stand up paddleboarding, canoeing, kayaking, climbing, archery plus lots more. Craft hire will be available during the school holidays and at weekends, plus book your places on the Autumn Adventure Festival on Sunday 13 October now. Call 01603 632307 or visit www.whitlinghamadventure.org.uk

 

 

Witches and Wizards at Holt Hall

Discover the magic of Autumn through exploring the ancient woodland of Holt Hall. There will be enjoyable children's workshops taking place throughout the day that will include fun activities such campfire cooking, lantern making, woodland crafts and woodland trails to explore. Visit the Courtyard Café to enjoy delicious homemade treats. Fancy dress is optional. Visit www.holthall.org.uk to book your places or call 01263 713117 for more information

 

 

Just Treats – No Tricks – at Zaks HQ

During October half term all kids eat for free at Zaks HQ in Norwich. There’s plenty of choice to suit all appetites from delicious juicy burgers to the yummy mac ‘n’ cheese. Afterwards, why not finish off with a sweet treat! Will it be a warm chocolate brownie or maybe a cool banana split? Check out the junior menu and T&C’s at www.zaks.uk.com. To get a kids’ free meal, just present a voucher to your server when ordering an adult’s main meal. Find Zaks HQ at 119 The Street, Poringland, Norwich, NR14 7RP. Call 01508 486671 or see www.zaks.uk.com

 

 

It’s Herring Day at the Time and Tide

Celebrate Great Yarmouth’s wonderful heritage on Herring Day on Monday 21 October at the Time and Tide, Museum of Great Yarmouth Life. Watch Fisher Girls in action, sing-along to sea-shanties, meet Suffolk Wildlife Trust and costumed characters to find out about the local landscape. Create a friendly fisher folk, see gansey knitting demonstrations, and get your face painted too. As part of the Open October programme, tours and events throughout the day will be supported by a BSL interpreter. See more at www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk/time-tide

 

 

Roarrsome Autumn and Halloween Days

Spooky fun descends on Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure during October Half Term, from Saturday 19 to Sunday 27 October. Dippy and his fiendish friends have decorated the park and laid on games, activities and entertainment for everyone – with some special spooky surprises in store.

You can enjoy a brand new interactive spooky experience, Day of the Dead theming and crafts, Dippy’s Spooky Maze and face your phobias in the Secret Animal Garden. Plus, a new feature for 2019, will be a live 20-minute show starring pantomime legend and Britain’s Got Talent Star Ben Langley. Visit www.roarrdinosauradventure.co.uk

 

Free Spooky Fun for Children at Bure Valley Railway

During October half term, from Saturday 19 to Sunday 27 October, climb aboard the Spooky Express at the Bure Valley Railway. Join the Bure Valley Railway Bear for lots of Spooktacular fun, including a Halloween stamp trail, I-spy down the line and colouring activities. Trains will operate throughout each day from both Aylsham and Wroxham stations. 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). Visit www.bvrw.co.uk

 

 

The Spooky Pumpkin Festival returns to Wroxham Barns

The Spooky Pumpkin Festival returns to Junior Farm at Wroxham Barns from Saturday 19 to Sunday 27 October. Dress up in your scariest gory ghost and wicked witch costumes and join Wilma the Witch’s Potion School for spells, crafts and spoooooky fun to receive your Spell School Diploma. Then, pop a pumpkin in a barrow and carve your Jack-O’-Lantern to take home. Twice daily Halloween Shows and all the usual Junior Farm activities are included too. Book online for the best prices and guaranteed entry - www.wroxhambarns.co.uk

 

 

Spellbinding Wizard School at Strumpshaw Fen

Spend a magical day with the RSPB at Strumpshaw Fen this half term. Enrol at the spellbinding Wizard School which will be running every day of holiday. Spooky woodlands, magical marshes and mythical waterways make Strumpshaw Fen the ultimate place to undertake your training and perfect your magic abilities this Halloween.

Complete all the wizarding classes on the trail to graduate. Mix magic potions, craft your own wand and take part in practical training whilst you travel through this enchanted nature reserve - where magic reigns but danger lurks behind every tree! Wizard School is an event the whole family can enjoy. There is no need to book and fancy dress encouraged. See www.bitly/SpellbindingWizardSchool. Or call 01603 715191 or visit www.rspb.org/strumpshawfen for more information.

 

Children’s Halloween Fun Day at Peter Beales Roses

The Children’s Halloween Fun Day at Peter Beales Roses in Attleborough is a fun packed day full of crafts, themed activities, face painting, pumpkin carving, storytelling and there’s a spooky pumpkin trail to explore too. The fun spooky day will take place on Friday 25 October, from 10am to 3pm.

Entry is free, although a small charge will apply for pumpkin carving and face painting, plus there is no need to pre-book. If you wear fancy dress, you may win a prize for the best costume. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Call 01953 454707 or visit www.classicroses.co.uk

 

 

Have a Frightful Day Out at Vancouver Quarter in King’s Lynn

This October the Vancouver Quarter is being taken over by Ghosts, Ghouls and Villains. On Saturday 26 October at 10am the annual free Halloween trail will be back. This year’s celebrations are bigger and better than ever, there is something for everyone, with the ever-popular trail ending in spooky sweet treats, messy workshops, a scary photobooth and so much more.

Keep your eyes peeled, Maleficent and her gang will be sneaking around the centre - approach them at your own risk! Visit the www.vancouverquarter.com for more information.

 

 

Autumnal Fun at Blickling Estate

From Saturday 19 to Sunday 27 October, discover fun for all the family with a variety of activities across the Blickling estate. Enjoy everything from cycle hire in the park and green fingered fun in the walled garden to a contemporary art installation and trails in the house and garden. For more, see www.nationaltrust.org.uk/blickling-estate

 

 

 

All Weather Fun at Labyrinth

It's getting cooler but the kids will love letting off some steam in the Labyrinth play cafe and laser tag arena. As well as
birthday parties, open kids' sessions and family tag sessions, Labyrinth has a new toddler laser tag session at 10am on the last Saturday of the month.

Young children can play with their families in the brightly themed, sensory arena, play hide and seek and round off with a treasure hunt for the chest of chocolate coins. Book at www.labyrinthnorwich.co.uk

 

 

Fairyland Trust’s ‘The Real Halloween’ Returns

The Fairyland Trust’s popular autumn family event full of nature and magic, The Real Halloween, returns to Norfolk on 26 and 27 October at the enchanting woodland site of Bradmoor Woods, West Acre. Situated in an atmospheric native woodland, The Real Halloween offers a rich variety of things to do for children. Bookable magical workshops include Magic Wands, Witches Bats, Witches Owls, Wizard Training and Witch Training and a brand-new drop-in workshop; Moon Calendars where children can make their own moon Calendar based on the regular moon cycle of 28 days. The event ends each day with families gathering in the woods to hear the story of Real Halloween which is followed by the parade of animal lanterns.  For further details see www.fairylandtrust.org.