11 Ways to Entertain the Kids this October Half Term
It’s that time of the year, again... Somehow we dragged our sun kissed, relatively relaxed selves back to school and work (kicking and screaming if you’re anything like us), and now the days are getting colder and the nights are inevitably closing in.
A welcome break is surely deserved, don’t you think?
Well, praise the holiday gods, half term is finally upon us and what better way to treat ourselves than spending some quality time with the good old family before we forget what they look like?
No need to sit in front of the TV or iPads this half term when there are so many things to be doing, right here in this very city. No need to splash the cash on a trip to Transylvania, or whichever destination is popular at this time of year, because NE1 has got you covered. Here are some of our top picks to keep the kids entertained and perhaps a few that will tickle your fancy too.
An-ART-Omy?
Animal Inside Out @ Life Science Centre
Both innately fascinating and highly educational - gander down to the Life Science Centre to see animals like you’ve never seen them before. You can literally get under their skin in this exhibition which is here until January but also happens to fatefully coincide with Halloween. This is science at its goriest, thanks to Dr Gunther von Hagens. And if plastinated flesh and blood isn’t enough for you, the Life Science Centre is also hosting Weird Nature and Edge of Darkness exhibitions, as well as the Catacombs 4D Motion Ride and Slime Workshops which take place at regular intervals throughout each day. Oh, and you might be pleased to hear that children go free with a full paying adult during half term. Tempting, huh?
Please Dahhhhling
Dark Dahl: Mash Up @ Seven Stories
Face it, Roald Dahl is so totally in right now. With the recent release of Spielberg’s BFG to add to the wealth of successful adaptations, Seven Stories presents you with the ultimate opportunity to introduce the kids to one of the greatest children’s authors of the 20th century, without the glare of the big screen. Experience the truly dark side of Dahl and step into a world of snozzberries and trogglehumpers, amongst other positively vile sounding words, whilst dressed as a mash up of your favourite characters. This really makes for an epic PG-rated Halloween.
Vamos a la Market Street!
Day of the Dead: Family Celebration @ İVAMOS! Social
Día de los Muertos (translation: Day of the Dead) is a celebration dreamt up by our macabre pals over in Mexico. We can only imagine what kind of dreams those indigenous Mexicans were having when they came up with this splendidly colourful and somewhat trippy day, dedicated to commemorating those who have departed. Officially occurring on the 1st of November, Day of the Dead is taking over İVAMOS! Social a few days early this year. Say ‘Trick or Sweet’ as we don our sugar skull masks for this family-friendly alternative to Halloween. Look forward to live music, colourful costumes, face painting, performances, food stalls, crafts, workshops and more!
Go Batty for Bats
Creatures of the Night @ Great North Museum
‘Arghhh!’ you might be screaming after seeing the image above. We know, bats aren’t everyone’s favourite animal but in honour of Halloween, we urge you to cast aside your highly rational phobias and let the kids create some intensely terrifying bat finger puppets to take home. The lovely folks at Great North Museum are presenting a whole series of Creatures of the Night themed events this half term. Check out ‘Make a Hedgehog a Home’, ‘Mischievous Masks’, ‘Wildlife of the Witching Hour’ and ‘Busting the Myth of Mummies’ if you have the time (or indeed the perseverance).
Never Grrrow Up
Make Me A Monster @ The Baltic
As Halloween (not to mention the stag/hen dos that we’ve all frequently encountered) justly proves, you’re never really too old to dress up. We long to be aged 3 to 13 again so that we can make our own costumes at the Baltic this half term. It’s okay though, we’re sure the kids will enjoy it on our behalf and hopefully create a costume that is really worthy of hiding under the bed in.
Windy What?!
Windibops! You heard us. Science + farting, what’s not to love? Join Volta Flatulence (get it?), Caroline Trumpface and Daisy Parphead, the dancing scientists, to investigate flatulence and global warming in an interactive experience not to be missed. Not your average Dance City event but we’re sure it will be one to remember. Let’s just hope they don’t leave a nasty smell behind…
The First Rule of Film Club…
Children’s Film Club @ Tyneside Cinema
Wednesday… Thursday, Friday, Saturday, all the days! Join the Addams Family alongside other creepy classics at Tyneside Cinema this half term - including Ghostbusters, Hocus Pocus and The Witches. For £4, the kids will even get a lolly to keep ‘em quiet through the film, as well as entry into a special prize raffle. Pass us the popcorn!
Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road? To Get to the Stand Comedy Club, of course!
Fancy a laugh? Who doesn’t! Kids and comedy… what could go wrong, hey?! Prepare your senses for a concoction of comedy, circus and storytelling at The Stand, especially for the littl’uns to enjoy. Sit back and relax while the experts do their thing. Oh and no dad jokes please.
Let’s Do the Mash
Pop Music Experience Halloween Half Term Holiday Camp 2016
The Monster Mash! Fancy a couple of peaceful days just for yourself? Well look no further because it’s time to (lovingly) ship the kids off for a Halloween Pop Music Experience at Loft Music Studios. For a mere £30 per day, they will get the chance to sing, dance, have fun and make new friends, while in the hands of trained staff and professional musicians. All in the name of Halloween! This is alternative childcare that will allow you to actually get stuff done this half term, or just give you some hard-earned downtime.
Ben Stiller Ain’t Here
Spooky Night at the Museum @ Discovery Museum
Exactly what it says on the tin - a spooktacular Halloween party like no other! Throw on your scariest costume and head down to the Discovery Museum for a family friendly evening of simply terrorific activities. Decorate the gingerdead, feel inside the freaky boxes, listen to bewitching tales and get your face painted… plus much more.
Take the Kids, Not Me!
Zombie Takeover @ Laing Art Gallery
One for the film buffs but perhaps not the fainthearted. Learn how the professionals transform your average Joe (or Jane) into your not-so-average zombie. Think blood, flesh and lots of glue. Makeup will be provided so that the kids can have a go at creating their own ghastly cuts and gruesome wounds. Thankfully, all you need to do is turn up!
Boredom? Not on our watch! If you’re heading out and about with the kids this half term, then take the time to check out some of the most hip and happening family events in the toon. Visit our website www.getintonewcastle.co.uk/whats-on to find out more.
