The leaves are turning orange and the nights are drawing in, and that means October half term is almost here. Keeping inquisitive minds engaged is always a challenge so if you’re stumped for activities to enjoy, head to Newcastle where you'll be spoiled for choice when it comes to keeping the whole family entertained. Check out the list below...
Time Is Running Out @ The Common Room
Explore how engineers and society respond to global warming with this national touring Institute of Civil Engineers show at The Common Room. The family-friendly exhibition features TV presenter and engineer Rob Bell chatting with children about a wide range of global issues alongside original hand-drawn illustrations, animations and activities including Giant Jenga and Balancing Bridges providing fun for all the family. Alongside the exhibition, The Common Room is also running other hands-on workshops for young people and families throughout the half-term holiday - drop-in between 10am and 4pm with no advance booking required. Visit their what’s on page to see more.
Monday 17th–Saturday 29th October 2022 (excluding Sundays)
You Choose! Interactive Musical Theatre Show @ Seven Stories
Using the brilliant picture book by Pippa Goodhart and Nick Sharratt as inspiration and through a series of games and challenges, each show will come up with a unique story - with different characters every time! This interactive musical show for all the family (suitable for those aged 2-7) brought to life by Nonsense Room Productions is one where you – the audience – choose what happens!
Saturday 22nd October and Sunday 30th October, 11.30am, 2pm and 4pm
Relaxed Early Opening @ Great North Museum: Hancock
Great North Museum: Hancock has special relaxed early opening for visitors with autism, learning disabilities or sensory and communication disorders, plus their carers and families on Tuesday 25th October this half term. Enjoy a quieter, more relaxed experience while exploring the galleries at your own pace and or trying their Roman helmet craft activity. You can also enjoy a free 15-minute planetarium show – sign up at the Welcome Desk on the day (limited capacity). The museum opens from 10am to the general public so anyone not requiring the relaxed session is encouraged to visit then.
Tuesday 25th October, 9-10am
Image: Caroline Mary and Caroline Liversidge in The Gingerbread Man, photo by Von Fox Promotions
The Gingerbread Man @ Northern Stage
This Halloween the Gingerbread Man …is ALIVE! One dark and stormy night, a baking experiment goes terribly wrong and creates a monster Gingerbread Man! Can he be stopped before he wreaks untold havoc? This unique show is aimed at all little ghouls under 7 and their families, for a spooky Halloween treat with live music, puppetry and ‘blood curdling’ baked goods!
From 25th – 30th October, 25th October (2pm) & 28th October (10am) will be British Sign Language interpreted
Half Term Pizza Making @ Fenwick
Join the Fuego team at Fenwick Newcastle over October half term, when children can enjoy creating delicious concoctions while parents relax with brunch! Each child will be able to decorate their hand-stretched pizzas with various toppings and either feast on their pizza in-store or take it home to share later. They can also enjoy a soft drink while letting their culinary skill flourish. Parents will receive a mimosa on arrival, followed by a leisurely brunch with hot beverages - so it's a win-win for parents and kids!
Tuesday 25th & Thursday 27th October at 10am
Autumn Collage Workshops for Children @ Hatton Gallery
The autumn season brings with it a new set of colours and shapes to inspire everyone. Be creative and take inspiration from the world outside and nature in the special two-hour long Autumn Collage art workshop. Think Halloween, blackberry picking, harvest festival, earlier dark nights and the weather changing ahead of winter. You can just drop into the gallery on the day: no advance booking is required and it’s free entry (donations are welcome).
Wednesday 26th October, 10:30am-12:30pm
Underwater @ Dance City
Underwater is a new devised piece of dance theatre for babies and toddlers aged 0-24 months from director Xenia Aidonopoulou and choreographer Georgia Tegou that's set ‘underwater’ in a multi-sensory, poetic landscape to an original music score reminiscent of a womb-like, bubbly, magical ocean. An encounter between a dancing ballerina and an octopus submerges the audience into their heart-warming journey of friendship. Dance, music, puppet manipulation and the imaginative use of light are used to create an experience full of sounds and sensations bound to mesmerise your little ones. The staging also allows for enough social distance between families.
Thursday 27th October at 11:30am and 2pm
Live Theatre’s Children’s Workshop @ Fenwick
Another memorable Halloween offering for families comes from Live Theatre’s Children and Young People’s Team who are hosting story-writing workshops led by an illustrator and one of the theatre's facilitators. Designed to help inspire creative minds and unleash imaginations, you'll watch your little one discover their voice as they build worlds, bring characters to life and write their own stories. The workshops are ideal for children aged between 6 and 12 years old, although siblings of any age would be welcome to participate.
Friday 28th October, with three workshops lasting one hour starting from 10am, 11.30am and 2pm
What We Want @ Newcastle Arts Centre
Artist Kübra Müjde hosts this one day workshop for anyone interested in art and expressing themselves. The theme is ANYTHING GOES! and the message is to discover yourself and let yourself go - creating whatever you want and bringing your imagination and dreams to life. It's aimed at children aged between 7-12 years old and all abilities are welcome, and all materials are provided too. It's a great way for your kids to meet fellow creative souls and express their artistic sides, and parents are welcome to explore Newcastle Arts Centre while their kids create.
Saturday 29th October 12noon – 1pm
And there’s more…
Eldon Soft Play and Bowling @ Eldon Square
Sometimes you just want to run around and play to your heart’s content and Eldon Soft and Bowling in Grey's Quarter at Eldon Square is bound to burn up all that excess energy! Relax with a coffee whilst the littlest ones enjoy the two-storey soft play area and if they’re up for a challenge older kids and adults alike can take advantage of the tenpin bowling alley, pool tables, table tennis and darts! Pizzas, paninis and plenty of other kid-friendly eats are also served to keep the kids' bellies full while they're having all that fun.
Cineworld @ The Gate
It’s always wise to keep your options open this time of year given the changeable weather, and a perennial favourite for the family is a trip to the cinema. The popcorn, the trailers, the immersion in exciting worlds - it can’t be beaten! Alongside their scheduled half term film releases, Cineworld at The Gate is screening some fantastic children’s classics including the 20th anniversary showing of Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets on Friday 28th October. They're also showing Coraline (21st October) and a 10th anniversary screening of ParaNorman (28th October) - which we think are some of the best films ever, both made by stop motion legends Laika Studios! So, if you haven’t seen these yet or want to appreciate them on the big screen again check them out.
Geek Retreat @ Grainger Street
Geeks assemble! If you love everything about geek culture and community then Geek Retreat is one of the most welcoming places to share your love. The venue specialises in all kinds of games - board games, trading cards and video games included. They also sell a range of game, superhero, sci-fi and anime-themed toys and serve up American candy, burgers and milkshakes with a smile. Regular gaming events and tutorials are also scheduled all year round in a vibrant atmosphere so you can trade, game and eat, anytime - it's a great place to make new friends for kids to make new friends and stay entertained during the half term.
With engaging, interactive and welcoming activities whatever your age or interests, there really is something for everyone to enjoy in Newcastle this half term holiday.
