Hocus pocus this half-term

Let us help you fill up the days this October half-term with frighteningly fun family activities...

Some of you are just about to kick off your half-term, and some of you are already halfway through it! Wherever you are on the school calendar, there’s one thing we are all looking forward to and that, of course, is Halloween!

From events to activities, Halloween is creeping up on us but there is still plenty of time this half-term to organise some fang-tastic fun for the whole family to enjoy.

We’ve picked a selection of the county’s events, from ghost tours and adventures to creepy historic locations and spooky-themed parties and workshops, as well as put together some activities for you to try at home this half term.

Be sure to tag us across social media @fortistherapy if you get out and about to enjoy anything we’ve suggested – or have a go at our activities!

Half-term activities

Family story time with Julia Donaldson | Always a favourite, sit back with the kids this half-term, watch and read along with Julia Donaldson’s classic, Room on the Broom. Full of witches, dragons and spells, this is the perfect story to settle down with this Halloween. Watch here.

Pop the Zombie’s Eye in its Socket | A child-friendly version of beer pong, decorate your ping-pongs to look like Zombie’s eyes and replace the alcohol with Halloween candy – hey presto, a fun and fantastic Halloween game. Set up a pyramid of cups at both ends of a table and bounce your Zombie Eyes into each socket to win some candy.

Skeleton Dance Off | Host your own dance competition this half-term and see who has the scariest moves with the help of YouTube. Dance along with Spooky Scary Skeletons right here.

Mummy Bandage Race |Take the classic sack race and mummify it! Wrap everyone’s legs together with toilet paper (or crepe paper) and try to get across the finish line without ripping your mummified legs to win! Great no matter your age, it’s a fun activity for all the family indoors or out.

Pumpkin Carving | And, of course, there’s no point fixing something that isn’t broken – pumpkin carving is still our favourite way to get into the spooky spirit over the October half-term. To make a game out of it, you could buy slightly smaller pumpkins, and pull suggestions of what to carve out of a hat. Give everyone 10 minutes to make it and award prizes for the best designs.

Half-term events

Make a Clay Bat or Pumpkin | October 26th at The Steel Rooms in Brigg at 10.30am and 1pm: A popular workshop for Halloween, make a bat or pumpkin at each workshop - one taking place in the morning, one in the afternoon. Suitable for ages 3+, £14pp.

Great Adventures | October 22nd to 25th at Hull Truck Theatre in the Godber Studio at 10.30am and 11.30am: Take on pirates. Explore the jungle. Journey across the desert. Save the day with these relaxed sessions designed for adventurers aged 3-6 and their grown-ups. Each session last around 45-minutes, £6 per child including accompanying adult. Book here.

Hall-o-ween Spooktacular | October 30th at Normanby Hall Country Park from 10am: The park’s popular family fright night returns this half-term! Go along and join the spooky activities if you dare. Taking place from 10am until 6pm - fiendish fancy dress is very welcome. Please note that park charges apply to non-members. Find out more here.

Museum Minis | October 26th at North Lincolnshire Museum at 10.30am and 1.30pm: Join in with a special Spooky Skeletons Museum Mini’s session. The popular Museum Minis sessions take place in Dudley’s Den, the museum’s dedicated under 5s area. Take part in fun, hands-on activities designed for you and your little ones to play and learn together. Sessions are free and suitable for the under 5s. No booking is required, just turn up.

Spooky Skeletons | October 27th at North Lincolnshire Museum at 5.30pm, 6pm and 6.30pm: A night when the museum is at its scariest… Dare you meet some of Lion Learners’ creepy creatures this half-term? Have a go at handling a slithery snake, meet a many-legged millipede, stroke a scaly lizard or get slimed by a humongous snail! Join children’s author Addy Farmer, witch for the evening, at her Funny Bones Workshop. Make a funny skull mask and a scary bony hand. Join the spooky staff members in the Museum Courtyard for even more fun activities too – and enjoy free sweets during your visit. Bookings only, tickets are £5pp, admitting one child and an accompanying adult.

A Bunch of Hocus Pocus | October 28th to 31st at Kinema in the Woods, Woodhall Spa: This Halloween weekend the 1993 class will be back on the big screen as Kinema shows the original Hocus Pocus movie on 28th, 29th and 31st. On Sunday, everyone’s favourite friendly ghost, Casper, is making a return too – perfect light-hearted Halloween fun for the family. Book here.