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12 things for you and the kids this October half-term in Liverpool
3 years ago
It’s coming up to October half term time again – but don’t get stressed about stuff to do with the kids this month, there’s load of things going on, in and around the city.
And here’s just a few ideas to help you get planning…
River of Light is back, brighter than ever!
River of Light is back for Autumn 2021 and the 12 artworks which will transform Liverpool’s waterfront have been unveiled.
For 17 nights, from Friday 22 October until Sunday 7 November, the waterfront will be transformed into a FREE illuminated outdoor art gallery.
Twelve large scale light artworks will create a 2km trail in the fourth edition of River of Light.
The theme this year is ‘Rhythm of the Light’ with each of the artworks being inspired by the relationship between the city, music and light.
Meet Benny and Lucy at Knowsley Safari
You can meet Knowsley’s newest residents this half term, baby yaks Benny and Lucy.
The hardy herbivores originate from the Himalayas and have a history going back between one million and five million years – and they’re quite noisy so you might hear them before you see them!
There’s tons of other stuff, as always, going on too. You can come nose-to-nose with Amur tigers, Miron and Sinda, on the Tiger Trail; watch the bird of prey display, or buckle up for the five-mile Safari Drive and take in the breath-taking sights of African lions, white rhino, European bison, rare deer – and more.
Fabulous feasts at the new outdoor food court, amusements, those mischievous baboons, the meerkats and the Knowsley Safari app with loads of fascinating facts, all make sure you’ll have a great visit too.
Give Henry the Hedgehog a hand at Speke Hall
©National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra
This October half term, you can join Henry the Hedgehog and his wildlife friends on a fun trail through the autumnal gardens of Speke Hall, and help him search for the perfect place to hibernate.
It’s free to enjoy as part of your visit (although the usual entry fee applies) and all you need to do to join in the fun is pick a trail map at reception and get exploring.
Dress for the weather mind, because some paths can be a muddy if it’s been raining, so they’d recommend some wellies!
Join the circus at the Albert Dock
There’s lots on down the dock this Autumn and for half-term you and the kids find out what it takes to join the circus. The Anchor Courtyard will be turned into a circus school, with 160 sessions of free circus skills on offer for little ones from 25th-29th October.
Suitable for ages 6-14yrs, they can try their hand at juggling, take on the dizzying spinning plates and even have a swing at the trapeze.
Find out more info here.
Get quick on the draw with Derby Mouse at Liverpool Cathedral
Join Liverpool Cathedral’s resident rodent and its education team for free Autumn-themed arts and crafts activities during the October half term.
There’s a selection of 45-minute-long family-friendly sessions from Monday, October 25, to Wednesday, October 27. All sessions must be pre-booked and each person attending needs to have a ticket.
Enjoy some spooky goings-on at Southport Pleasureland
The team at Pleasureland is making the park spooktacularly special this October Half Term with ‘nine days of spooky thrills’ between October 23 and 31.
As well as all the usual rides and fun, you can expect to see pumpkins galore, bats, spiders, ghostly gardens and more!
You can even book for their spooky experience which includes a live theatre performance of the “Twitchy Witch”, have a family picture taken against a spooky background and even meet the witch herself and get a ghoulishly good gift.
You’ll also be able to pick your own pumpkin from Pleasureland’s pumpkin patch from now until the end of October. It’s open every day from 1-6pm – BUT note, from October 23 onwards it will only be accessible to park guests.
Explore Farmer Ted’s
Normally only open at weekends, Farmer Ted’s is open throughout the half term week, from Saturday, October 23, to Sunday, October 31, between 10am – 5pm.
There’s a Pumpkin Festival in the run up to Halloween, with a full programme of activities, and you’ll be able to do all the usual things like embark on the Shaun the Sheep Adventure, meet the animals and mini-beasts, and enjoy the indoor and outdoor play areas, and more.
Imagine That!
There’s all the usual fun for under 11s at Imagine That! Science and Discovery Centre in Liverpool.
You can book for a three-hour journey through all four zones of the Wavertree Technology Park centre, including the Bright Sparks science zone, packed with interactive exhibits where you can experiment with wind, electricity, magnets and light, and the Slime Factory, home to its amazing slime and bathbomb workshops.
There’s an Imagination Area, Construction Area, Art Area and, even, Fun Outdoors.
The panto’s on in St Helens – oh yes it is!
Jack’s back at The Theatre Royal, St Helens, with all the joys of panto between Thursday, October 21 and Sunday, October 31.
Jack and the Beanstalk tells the rags to riches story of a boy who sells the family’s cow for a handful of beans, getting him into a lot of trouble with his ma. But the story takes a magical twist when the beans sprout into a magnificent beanstalk that reaches up to a mystical land high in the sky.
There’s loads of laughs, songs galore and plenty of slapstick fun. It could get messy!
Say Happy Birthday to WWT Martin Mere
Autumn is a spectacular time visit the Martin Mere Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust centre, and especially in this its 75th birthday this year.
The Autumn colours are out, migratory birds like swans and geese are arriving and, as well as natural spectacles, there’s canoe safaris, pond dipping, and hand feeding birds – and that’s on top of the usual fun to be had in adventure playgrounds and wild play areas.
And, if you’re brave enough to explore the What Lurks Beneath Family Trail, you can pick up an activity trail card and discover what a grass snake feels like, take an upside-down bat photo selfie, decipher toad sounds and work out what owls have been eating.
Enjoy tricks and treats at Liverpool ONE
In Demand Radio’s hosting a Halloween Party between 12 noon and 5pm on South John Street in Liverpool ONE on Saturday, October 30.
There’s a fancy-dress competition, and you can join Katumba drummers and a host of spooky characters from witches to mummies in a magical Halloween parade.
Magic at the museums
As always there’s TONS going on at the city’s museums: World Museum Liverpool, Liverpool Museum, Merseyside Maritime Museum, Walker Art Gallery, Lady Lever Art Gallery – you get the picture – and it’s all for free!
There’s Big Art for Little Artists at the Walker.
At the Maritime Museum you can see if you can find ‘Matt’ in the Seized gallery and at the Museum of Liverpool you can go in search of the Liver Birds and see how many you can find on the Liver Bird Trail.
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