Tin hats at the ready as we find ourselves heading straight into the October half-term holidays. Again…
It’s usually this holiday and the February half term that creeps up on me. You, of course, may be wondering how I let this happen, given that we list local events and activities every day on the what’s on the guide of this website….well it does, I sometimes forget my own name because I’m remembering 20 million other parenting type informational nuggets!
So forget your name if you wish – just don’t forget these top 11 October half-term events and activities for this October half term! Some are FREE, some have a small charge. But all well worth it!
Tudor Barn kids Disco is action-packed full of dancing, games and competitions! The Chicks perform dance routines and get everyone to follow the moves and involved in the fun! There are loads of dressing up, lots of prizes to win and the children also get their hair sprayed with different colours and glitter. Games and competitions include Funky Statues, a Rock Star Competition, a Funky Fashion show and Freestyle Competitions! All of this happens to the latest chart tracks and is suitable for children aged 3 to 8 years old – 28th October.
Cutty Sark Gardens Halloween Last year the Halloween craft tent entertained over 400 children throughout the weekend, and 100 pumpkins were carved. This year there is lots to do for families. With magic shows, punch and Judy, and the craft tent welcomes back our resident face-painter, spooky craft workshops and sand arts. Plus the new Wax Hand attraction and of course pumpkin carving. 26th 27th and 28th October
Greenwich Theatre is celebrating half-term with two special events for families. On 23 October Nick Sharratt, illustrator for countless books by Julia Donaldson, Michael Rosen, Dame Jacqueline Wilson and more, will teach children how to draw Tracy Beaker and Timothy Pope, kings and cats and all kinds of crazy creatures as well as sharing some of his very best drawing tips. Bring pencils, paper and something to lean on. Then on 26 October, the Comedy Club 4 Kids is back with a line-up of top professional comedians telling show-stopping child-friendly jokes!
Charlton House Brew a spooky magic potion in our 400-year old house… We’ll be using plastic potion bottles for this one. If you’d like to bring your own plastic bottle to recycle, we’ll give you a treat to say thank you! If you’d like to use one of our new plastic bottles that’s fine too but prepare for a trick! Happy Halloween! Activities and materials are suitable for children aged 4+ but younger children are welcome to join in with the help of their families. Please note that children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. 24th October, drop in 10 am – 1 pm.
Autumn Forest School Have fun learning through play. Get into the Autumn spirit through art & craft alongside wood & nature skills all within the beautiful Oxleas Woodland setting. For 2 – 10-year-olds. From 10am-2pm, 23rd October
Little Angel Theatre presents Sleepyhead at Canada Water Theatre Dad’s usually got some tricks up his sleeve to help send Baby off to the Land of Nod. But tonight, Baby has other ideas… As soon as Dad’s out of the way, Baby gets his hands on the magic top hat and when his friend Rabbit shows up the fun and games really begin! Mix in some magic, a pinch of circus and a large dollop of silliness and you have the recipe for a little adventure with a lot of laughs! 22nd and 23rd October
Meccano Show Discover working models of cars, cranes, trains, funfair rides and more, all built from Meccano, the famous construction toy invented by Frank Hornby in 1901. Invent and build your own model in our Make It With Meccano workshop, then enter it into our Meccano Creative Challenge for the chance to win a prize. along with parts from our dealers and prizes in our raffle. 27th October
Selfish Giant at the Albany Oscar Wilde’s classic tale is re-imagined for the stage in this magical adventure for the whole family by Wrongsemble. In a very cold, grey town, not too far from here, hidden behind a crumbling wall and a thousand signs which say ‘KEEP OUT’, lives…The Selfish Giant.
So selfish he shut away the garden where the children used to play and cursed the town to never-ending winter. 25th and 26th October
Crazy Golf at the Horniman Museum. Buckets of fun with Hornimans 9-hole crazy golf course in the Horniman Gardens, until 28 October. Bring the kids and enjoy a plonk-tastic day of family fun! Grab a golf club and test your wits against a course featuring bonkers ball runs, loop-the-loops, heroic hills, balancing-beams, and some Horniman-themed specials. Look out for Gerald the Crazy Golf Walrus!
Skewbald Theatre presents Mimi and the Mountain Dragon at Under 1 Roof Children’s Theatre – This October half term, join Skewbald Theatre for a production adapted from a Michael Morpurgo’s short story. ‘Mimi and the Mountain Dragon’ A fun packed family adventure musical for children aged 3+ and everyone who loves stories. 22nd and 23rd October
Museum of London Docklands – Celebrate 250 years of the circus in this surprising and engaging science show. Join us on a 25-minute tumble through circus history and science exploring exciting acts from London’s history and the forces that make them work. Be prepared for tricks and daring acts of courage – and we’ll need your help as we make our spring-loaded cannon work. 22- 28th October
Details are subject to change so please make sure you check with venues before setting out. Thanks!
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