Halloween Fun For All
Trick-or-treating isn’t all there is to Halloween — it’s also a great chance for some familiar family activities, with a few twists. Every child and family are different, but luckily venues around the region have a wide range of different Halloween events on offer. Whether you’re looking for a quieter Halloween for younger children, or some real frights for the older ones, there’s something for everyone.
Haunted Houses
Haunted houses are the classic scary venue, and South Manchester and Cheshire have them in abundance. Top of the list might be Tatton Park’s Old Hall, which featured on the TV show ‘Most Haunted’ in 2015 and is known as one of the UK’s most haunted properties, with reports of all sorts of ghosts and poltergeists. The Hall has family activities in both the hall and grounds this year running from 26th-31st October.
Another spooky space worthy of a visit is Beeston Castle, who are inviting in a range of creepy crawlies and larger ‘beasts’, from snakes to spiders — give your child the chance to overcome their fears or satisfy their curiosity, with no obligation to do so yourself!
Little Moreton Hall, on the other hand, are putting on a ‘historical Halloween’, perfect for children who enjoy their History lessons at school. Find out how the Tudors celebrated ‘Hallowtide’, including finding out about the ‘smells of the season’.
Halloween on the Farm
The creepy castles and macabre mansions don’t have the monopoly on Halloween, of course. Several local adventure farms are putting on Halloween extravaganzas, which often offer a gentler, more activity-based approach to the ‘scary season’. This includes Red House Farm near Altrincham.
Apple Jack Farm in Warrington is also playing host to Spooky World’s ‘Fun by Day’ event, running from early October to early November — this is an especially good choice for younger or quieter children. The farm will be delightfully and ghoulishly transformed, but costumes will be deliberately gentler and less scary. Many of the farm’s usual activities, including a skating rink and kids’ archery, will be running, as well as Halloween specials such as a spooky trailer ride. For 10-14 year olds looking for a more serious scare, the organisation are also offering a ‘Spooky-at-Night’ event, which includes various ‘fright’-themed events such as ‘The Haunting: House of Horrors’.
Halloween in the City
If, however, you’re heading into Manchester city centre during the Halloween period, there are several eerie events taking place, many making use of the city environment. CBBC and CBeebies will have a range of activities in Exchange Square from 26th-27th October. During the same weekend, you’ll also find a Trick or Treat trail, with different monsters to find and a treat at the end, and a Halloween carnival on New Cathedral Street, featuring ‘Grimm Rita’ and other sinister characters.
The variety of activities should give you the chance to pick the ones best suited to you and your children.
Legoland Discovery Centre are also once again holding their ‘Fun without Fear’ Halloween event for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. It involves limiting the capacity in the centre and turning off flashing lights and music, as well as plenty of other adaptations to make the event more accessible. Last year’s event was a success and the organisers are hoping for the same this year.
Halloween at Home
If an organised Halloween event isn’t to your fancy, don’t forget that the traditional Halloween activities at home can be just as memorable and enriching for children.
Get the whole family involved in the pumpkin carving competition; cobble together some spooky iced biscuits; or drape the house with ‘cobwebs’ and dangling spiders. Halloween is also a great time to sneak in some education in disguise — give your older children the responsibility of organising the Halloween party, including costs, or check out a range of Halloween-themed educational activities available on the internet, to reinforce your child’s learning. Have a Happy Halloween!
