−−− BY LINZI DAVIES −−−
October half term is a time when children might turn into little monsters and run amok as Halloween approaches! For parents and carers of mini witches, wizards, ghosts and ghouls, keeping them busy with activities during the week off is top priority so that they do not become too ghastly. Luckily for you, we have gathered a ‘fangtilising’ selection of events happening in and around the city sure to put your little horrors under a spell!
Lotherton
Spooky Scarecrow Trail
26th October – 3rd November 10am-6pm
The ever-popular Spooky Scarecrow Trail is back and aims to scare! Spot the scarecrows as you tiptoe around the estate and look out for spooky spiders, ghoulish ghosts and wicked witches. Visit Skeletown to see the scary side of the Wild West, enjoy creepy crafts and say boo to the animals at Wildlife World.
Normal admission charges apply
Temple Newsam
Pumpkin Carving
30th October 1pm-3pm
Traditional pumpkin carving in the Walled Garden. You can either bring your own pumpkin along or collect the one you planted there earlier in the year.
Free activity
Spooky Spooktacular
31st October 5pm-8pm
Scare yourselves silly with a visit to the darkened haunted house and fiendish farm. A tour of the house comes complete with tales of spooky past residents, and you can also take part in crafts and collect some terrifying treats along the way.
Advance booking required via Eventbrite, tickets cost £25 family, £10 adult and £5 children
Leeds Industrial Museum
Halloween Half Term
29th – 31st October 12.30pm – 3pm
Discover the real stories behind Halloween with real 21st century witches from the Leodis Pagan Circle. Enjoy family craft sessions including jack-o’-lanterns and willow wand making, as well as the chance to make your own luxury oat milk bath bombs using herbs from the autumn garden.
Myrtle Tavern, Meanwood
Enchanted Forest Family Halloween Party
29th October 5-7pm
Myrtle Tavern have teamed up with Tots Pretend Leeds to put on this Spooktacular children’s event. The magically lit beer garden has been transformed into an enchanted forest complete with owls, witches, pumpkins and fairies to entertain little guests. On offer are crafts, a fairy lit tepee tent with storytelling, pretending, and a witch’s cauldron to make spells, an outdoor disco and glitter faces.
Suitable for children aged 2-7, tickets are £5 per child in advance only, available behind the bar.
Farmer Copleys – Pontefract
Pumpkin Festival 2019
Sat & Sun 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th October,
Sat 19th – Thurs 31st October 9.30am – 4.30pm
A fun filled day of activities for families to enjoy. Pick your own pumpkin from the thousands on the farm – there are different shapes, sizes and even colours, with prices starting from £2.50, then carve them on site with the help of the experts! Try different pumpkin treats including soup, sausages and pie. Listen to a story from the Not So Wicked Witch and look out for Pumpkin Princess as she searches for her favourite pumpkin, then have fun on a tractor barrel ride, get your face painted and watch Mr Zen’s magic show plus much more!
Tickets are priced at £4 peak days (19, 20, 21, 26, 27 & 28 Oct) and £2 off peak days and can be purchased from
www.farmercopleys.co.uk
Mother Shipton’s, Knaresborough
Halloween Event
26th October – 3rd November 10am – 4.30pm
As well as seeing Mother Shipton’s Cave and the Petrifying Well, the attraction will be transformed into a ghoulish event for all the family. Follow the haunted trail through the historic woodland to find monsters, ghosts and skeletons hiding around every corner.
Tickets can be purchased online from
www.mothershipton.digitickets.co.uk and are priced at £9 adult, £7 child, £27 family. (concessionary rates are available and children under 3 are free)