FAMILY FUN FOR LESS THAN A FIVER THIS HALF TERM
With the cost of living rising and many families struggling to meet the demands of every day life, it can be overwhelming for parents and carers during the school holidays. You don't have to spend a fortune on your little monsters during this half-term break because there's so many lovely places to visit and activities on offer for families that won't cost you the earth.
Here are just a few suggestions:
History Makers Puppet Trail
15th - 30th October
Museum & Art Gallery During Museum Opening Times £1 Trail / FREE to DM Family Friends
This October half Derby Museums will be putting the spotlight on some of the incredible women who have made history. Some of them grew up here in Derbyshire, while others came from afar to leave their mark. Explore the galleries and find them proudly standing amongst the collections in puppet form
https://www.derbymuseums.org/event/history-makers-puppet-trail
Halloween Fun at Calke Abbey
Calke Abbey, Ticknall, Derby, Derbyshire, DE73 7JF
15th - 30th October
The event is free; however, normal admission charges do apply.
Uncover the history of Halloween this October. Creep into the underground spooky tunnels, if you're feeling brave! You also won't want to miss the 17th-century book of 'Natural Magick' in the House and the pumpkin and gourd display on the auricula theatre.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/calke-abbey
Crafty Tuesdays: Spooky Toy Theatres
25 October
Pickford’s House 10am - 12pm
FREE – Give What You Think
Drop-in session, suitable for families.
Crafty Tuesdays is a weekly crafty holiday session where each week you can learn a new crafting skill. Make yourself at home in this spectacular Georgian townhouse, surrounded by unique objects and let your creativity flow. This time we will be delving into the tiny world of toy theatres and making theatres with a spooky twist.
Accessibility restrictions to upper floors.
https://www.derbymuseums.org/event/crafty-tuesdays-spooky-toy-theatres
Pickford’s Plot: Nature Creative
27 October
Pickford’s House 10am-12pm
FREE - Give What You Think
Drop in session
Join in with nature focused sessions in Pickford’s garden. Enjoy this tranquil space and let your imagination and curiosity run wild, exploring the plants and animals that make this their home.
https://www.derbymuseums.org/event/pickfords-plot-nature-creative-2
Family Friday: Black History Month
28 October
Museum & Art Gallery 10-11.30am
FREE – Give What You Think
Drop-in session
Family Friday is a themed creative holiday session where families can learn, play and make together. We will be delving into our varied collection which reflects the rich heritage and cultures of a range of black peoples. From objects we would recognize in our everyday lives, to powerful pieces that tell unique stories, we hope to understand these fascinating cultures more deeply.
https://www.derbymuseums.org/event/family-friday-black-history-month
Elvaston Castle Country Park
Perfect for walking, cycling, dog-walking, picnics, play-area, cafe and toliet facilities! Entry to the park is free at all points of entry on foot. Car parking charges apply unless you are a blue badge holder.
Shipley Country Park - Halloween (Un)Natural Trail
Slack Lane, Nr Heanor, Derbyshire, DE75 7GX
23rd - 30th October 10.30am - 3.30pm (turn up anytime/self led activity)
Length: 1 mile
£2.00 per child
Come along and follow the Halloween Trail and search for the spooky clues that will help you learn about weird nature and receive a sweet treat! Fancy dress welcome.
Take a walk in one of the beautiful parks in Derby and surrounding areas, at this time of year the trees are so beautiful! Create your own trail, find conkers and acorns or build a leaf pile! Autumn's nature brings along so many free fun activitivies for the kids to enjoy.
Find your nearest Derby park here! Derby Parks and Open Spaces for you to explore
Spooktacular Halloween Trails At Carsington Water
Carsington, Ashbourne, Derbyshire, DE6 1ST
Trail Map £3 + parking fees
Find the spooky scenes and answer the questions or complete an activity to get a prize! Taking place at Carsington Water near Wirksworth or Tittesworth near Leek, every day from 10am-3:30pm. Fancy dress is highly encouraged! No booking required, just come to site and you can buy your trail map for £3 each from the reception in the visitor centre.
Pumpkin Carving at the Crags
24th - 28th October
Everyday 10am - 12.30pm and 1pm - 3pm
Visit Creswell Crags for a Halloween to remember, and carve your own pumpkin to take home.
We'll provide all the tools and pumpkins, you just need to carve! Pumpkins cost £3 each, and the sessions are drop-in, so no need to book. We'll even have ideas and templates to help you, and we'll clean up the mess too!
https://www.creswell-crags.org.uk/events-listings/halloween22-pumpkin
Assemble: Derby’s Making Festival
22 October
Museum of Making 10am-4pm
Adults £4 / Under 16yrs FREE
Discover the creations of makers, engineers, tinkerers, crafters, hobbyists and more, and have a go yourself with all sorts of fun, hands-on activities for makers of all ages. Try weaving, coding, origami, jewellery-making, clay-modelling, woodworking, electronics, sewing, puppetry, building, printing, robotics and more…
A family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity and resourcefulness. Meet the makers and discover what you can make!
https://www.derbymuseums.org/event/assemble-2022
Halloween Spook-Quack-ular
Moira Furnace, Furnace Lace, DE12 6AT
30th October 11am - 4pm
Free to enter
This free to enter event sees the return of our ever popular trails, this time though, the grown-up ducks have left their fancy dressed ducklings in the lava pool for you to rescue (hook-a-duck) and headed off to explore the site. The only trouble is, they've been captured by our naughty giant spiders! Can you find all our fancy-dressed ducks and save them from the spiders? If so, we may have a treat for you.
We will also have the return of the pumpkin bowling. Try your best to knock down as many ghosts as you can with your pumpkins.
Do you dare take a ride on our forsaken barge? Beware, there are horrors lurking beneath the water.
We will also have our face painter within our haunted museum.
Come dressed for occasion in fancy dress and maybe you will get a treat!
https://www.moirafurnace.org/events
Halloween Week at Erewash Museum
Erewash Museum, High Street, Ilkeston DE7 5JA
24th - 28th October
From 11am to 3pm, there will be a trail where children can search the house for clues to find the black cat and in the hayloft, children will be able to make monster hand puppets for free.
On Tuesday October 25 the museum is hosting a spooky adventure called, ‘The Ghosts of Dalby House’ where participants can solve puzzles to help the friendly resident ghosts and earn a prize along the way – the event cost is £2.50 per participant and doesn’t require booking.
On Thursday October 26 visitors can bring in non-battery operated toys that are in good condition to swap with other visitors. This event was popular during the recent Games Week and is returning for half term.
Both the Georgian house and the gardens will be fully decorated for the holiday. The volunteer-led tea room will also be open throughout the week serving a variety of drinks and snacks. Admission is free for both the house and gardens.
Halloween Family Fun Trail
Sharpe's Pottery Museum, 23 West Street, Swadlincote DE11 9DG
22nd - 30th October
£2.00 per trail, Prize Included – Drop in!
Can you catch them all? Our museum has been visited by some familiar ghostly faces – pop down this October half term and have a go at our Family Fun Trail and see if you can find them all!
https://www.sharpespotterymuseum.org.uk/event/halloween-family-fun-trail/
October half-term Derby library events
24th - 28th Oct
Tickets: Free - booking essential directly with the libraires
BLAST OFF with a book
Explore everything amazing about outer space from the safety of your Library! Join Furthest from the Sea Music, Comedy & Arts CIC for an informal artist-led session involving imagination, creativity and play. A range of fun and engaging craft activities will be appropriate to children aged 4 to 11.
Alvaston Library, Mon 24 Oct, 2 to 3pm. Tel 01332 647920 to book
Who’s in the Book?!
Come and join a real life author-illustrator and use your imagination to create your very own book character as you explore the stories on the library shelves. For ages 4 to 11.
Mickleover Library, Fri 28 Oct, 2 to 3pm. Tel 01332 647884 to book
Riverside Library, Thu 27 Oct, 2 to 3pm. Tel 01332 641702 to book
This session is presented by Furthest from the Sea Music, Comedy & Arts CIC and led by Lisa Bentley, illustrator of The Rainy Day Zoo.
Anansi Spider
Come and join Anansi Theatre Company for a fun, engaging, interactive craft and story session based on the stories of the Anansi Spider! There’ll be crafts, books, games and lots and lots of fun!
Normanton Library, Thu 27 Oct, 2 to 3pm. Tel 01332 642640 to book
Free Content Creator Training with Derby Sound Community Radio Age 11+
27th October 11am - 1.30pm
1st November 6pm - 8.30pm
Amplify your passions and local flavour on Derby Sound Community Radio!
Get creative and inspired with radio pro Sophie Sparham sharing her top tips from presenting and producing radio shows, features and documentaries including on BBC Radio 4, Kerrang! and Derby Sound. Reserve your free spot via https://DerbySoundRadioContentCreator.eventbrite.co.uk
Kids 11yrs+ are welcome to take part with an adult and we have a half-term daytime session perfect for families on 27th October or an evening session on 1st November.
Our free workshop (pick the date that suits you) will show you how to:
* join our team of grassroots radio volunteers
* plan and create short one-off or regular talk-based radio features ready for broadcast
* record good quality audio using your smartphone or device
Plus follow-up support and feedback on your creations, team socials and other opportunities to get involved in your station, from broadcasting to roadshows.
Maybe you'd like to interview inspiring Derby folks, explore hot topics, review Derby's music & theatre scene, record original local poetry, mindfulness sessions or narrated walks around the city, showcase unsung heroes or unusual local happenings, highlight local artists and gigs, do a feature on sports, gardening, food or your fave hobby... whatever your idea, we'll help you to develop it.
No past experience needed - we'll support you to start from where you are, building up confidence and skills to get on the airwaves!
Please let us know what support you need from us to access or take part in a group workshop before the session so we can be good hosts and make sure we have what you need. Our friendly team are here to help.
So there you go, just a few ideas to get you started! Whilst we try our absolute hardest to ensure all of the information is correct and up to date, we highly recommend you call ahead of any planned visit to check opening times and prices etc. We don't want any disappointed families!
