Family: 16 Things to Try Out This October Half Term

Yep, the kids are off school AGAIN next week and to keep you from going stir crazy, we’ve put together a handy guide of 16 fun things to try out this October half-term.

We know it’s an expensive game trying to keep the little ones occupied so there’s a few easy freebie ideas thrown into the mix too…..ready…… set……go have fun!

1 – Awesome Walls, Atol Street

If your kids are aged between 7 and 16 years then why not go along to one of their Kids Clubs? If you’ve a keen climber on your hands but don’t know what they need to be doing in order to progress, then let them build their confidence with fun sessions at Awesome Walls. Kids can enjoy two hours rock climbing with a fully qualified instructor and we hear they’re also hosting a wicked Halloween party too. A great way to kick off your October half term! Click here for more details and to book your place.

2 – Ultimate Indoor Paintballing, Vauxhall

Paintballing is a great, high-energy activity for older kids, and Ultimate Indoor Paintballing go all out to ensure the kids have a blast in a safe environment. Groups of any size are welcome and with safety the number one priority, the children are supervised at all times. The fun starts when they kids get kitted out in their battle uniforms and head for the arena with the head marshall. Check the website for junior sessions and prices here.

3 – Rampworx Skate Park, Netherton

Standing at 55,000 square feet, Rampworx is the largest skatepark in the UK, and thanks to the huge increase in users over the last few years it’s now been increased to 70,000 sf making it one of the biggest in Europe….yep right here on Merseyside. Rampworx is a great, safe environment for your scooter-mad little ones to burn off some steam, build their confidence and learn some new tricks along the way. Click here for session times, equipment hire and details of their Halloween All Nighter!

4 – Croxteth Riding Centre , Croxteth Country Park

If you’re children love animals why not encourage them to try horse riding? Croxteth Park Riding Centre offer lessons for children and adults too. Why not buddy up and go for an Autumnal hack around the stunning Croxteth Park, children’s prices start at £13 for a 45 minute trail ride. All novices are led and it is a good introduction to riding for children. Check out their website for more info and to book your place.

5 -Stanley Park Family Forest School, Stanley Park

Courgette in the City, Mersey Forests and Stanley Park present Family Forest School, with fun outdoor activities including mini beast hunts, den building, bulb planting, forest art, campfires with marshmallow toasting plus special Hallowe’en games for children aged 4 to 8 year olds. Tickets cost £3 per child and adults go free, buy your tickets at StanleyParkHalloween.eventbrite.co.uk

6 – Sing-a-long Frozen, Empire Theatre

Pic Credit: Family Go Live

One for the little princess in your life, Disney’s Frozen Sing-a-long is happening this October Half Term at The Empire Theatre. (And all the lyrics will be on the screen just in case you’re not already word perfect). Introduced by a live host who will guide you through this interactive screening by showing you how to use your free prop bag, warm up your singing voices and teach you some dance moves with the help of the Singalonga Princesses. So get your little ones dressed up as their favourite character and come and see Sing-a-Long-a Frozen where you, the audience, are the stars. Don’t get left out in the cold! Book your seats here.

7 – The Gruffalo’s Party, Stanley Park

This family favourite tale unfolds on 25^th October at the Isla Gladstone Conservatory at Stanley Park with a fun filled afternoon of Gruffalo inspired arts, games, yoga and storytelling for children aged 3 to 10 years old. Tickets are £4 per child and adults go free, buy your tickets here.

8- Animal Mummies Revealed, World Museum

The first exhibition in the UK exploring ancient Egyptian animal mummies opens at World Museum in Liverpool on Friday 14 October 2016. Animal Mummies Revealed looks at the practice of preparing animals as votive offerings to the gods. Millions of animals were religiously sacrificed and mummified in ancient Egyptian times, and more than 59 specimens will be on display in the exhibition for visitors to see first hand. Feed those little imaginations, and find out more here.

9 – Wizard of Oz at St Helen’s Theatre Royal

Regal Entertainments are excited to announce that actress Cheryl Fergison will join the cast of The Wizard of Oz at St Helens Theatre Royal from October 22-30th. The former Eastenders actress will swap the streets of Walford for the Yellow Brick Road as she plays the part of The Wicked Witch of the West alongside our very own Claire Simmo as Glinda the Good Witch. Get your half-term off to a hilarious start with this laugh-a-minute half term panto. Tickets and more info available here.

10 – Tam O’Shanter Urban Farm, Prenton

Wellies at the ready how about a day out at Tam O’Shanter historic cottage and free urban farm? Get hands on experience with a large variety of farm animals including pigs, sheep, goats, chickens and geese. It’s a great opportunity for children of all ages to meet and learn about farm animals up close! Make sure you meet the two newest arrivals, goats Tilly and Tina! More details available from the farm website here.

11 – The Black Pearl New Brighton

Sometimes just wrapping up and going for a walk on the beach is more than enough fun for some little ones, but how about throwing in a huge driftwood pirate ship to climb about on? Park up at Marine Point in New Brighton, grab a coffee or a cone of chips and walk along the beach (about ten) mins toward Seacombe Ferry terminal for amazing views of the Liverpool cityscape, and more importantly, The Black Pearl! Free and fun!

12 – National Wildflower Centre, Court Hey Park

Join the Great Outdoors Project team as they celebrate the magic of autumn and make the most of the great outdoors this October half-term. There will be seasonal family activities to celebrate harvest time including apple pressing, apple games, apple art,  apple crumble making, harvest pizza and apples!! With a visitor centre, changing facilities, parking and a great little play park, this is another great little free day out. More info available here.

13 – Liverpool Museums

There are absolutely loads of free events happening over October Half Term at Liverpool Museums and Galleries. From Mummies (see above) to space adventures and afro superhero’s! Our city is bursting with tonnes of drop-in craft, adventure and story telling session right across the whole museum network. Head to their website here to plan your October half term and save some pennies.

14 – Tate Liverpool, Albert Dock

Head over to Tate Liverpool and take part in Creative Studio a free creative workshop for children with autism and other social communication issues, their siblings, parents and carers. Led by artist Sarah Marsh, the workshop will focus on movement and participants will explore materials that you can push, pull, float, stack, drag and drip.  These drop-in sessions will run in the gallery’s specially designed family centre which will be closed to the general public. Check out the other half term drop-in session here.

15 – Bubbles World of Play, New Brighton

The HUMONGOUS 5 story play frame that makes up the under 12’s section in Bubbles World of Play is not like anything I’ve seen at a soft play centre before. Every section has an educational value to it, from world cities, to different languages and cultures, if the kids stand still long enough they actually learn something! We were delighted to discover hidden Egyptian doorways, flamenco dancers and one of the biggest and bumpiest slides in the North West. Lots happening over half term, including plenty of Halloween fun, and Mums & Dads don’t worry about getting too bored the coffee and the food offering is amazing. Give the Bubbles World of Play Facbook a LIKE for updates and some mega competitions.

16 – A day out at Blackpool Tower and it’s amazing attractions

Rain or shine Blackpool Tower has some incredible adventures to be hold inside, for kids and adults alike. Go and feed the sharks at the Sea life Centre, sing with Ed Sheeran or Taylor Swift at Madame Tussauds, watch the amazing acrobatics and clowns in one of the oldest and best Circus’s in the country, marvel at the beautiful Blackpool Tower Ballroom, explore the mystery and edgy entertainment at the Blackpool Tower Dungeon and of course head up to the clouds in the iconic Blackpool Tower Eye, and then of course it’s all about finishing the day with fish and chips at Harry Ramsdens.  Seven amazing attractions all part of the Blackpool Tower experience. Click here to get your BIG ticket sorted.

WATCH what happened when we experienced all of the attractions above for our day at Blackpool.

We hope we’ve given you some great ideas to have fun with your little ones this October half term, check out our Halloween Family guide here for tonnes of frighteningly good activities for all ages. 

Can you add to the list? Drop us a line info@theguideliverpool.com and we’ll shout about your event to families far and wide!