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Halloween and October Half Term Events in Cornwall

Halloween and October Half Term Events in Cornwall 2022

Updated 13/10/2022

Summer might be over – but there’s loads to love about autumn…

Autumn brings with it an amazing array of colours and contrasts, so whatever your plans are, step outdoors and make the most of this awesome season…

 

Full online listings for families in Cornwall

Half Term and Halloween Activities for Families in Cornwall 2022

Bonfire Night and Fireworks in Cornwall 2022

Other activities for October and November 2022

 

 

 

 

Reminder on back-to-school bugs

With children likely to pick up coughs and colds now the new school year’s underway, our NHS is urging parents to be prepared.

Download the free NHS-approved Handi App – it’s available on Apple and Android devices. It has a symptom checker and advice on treating common childhood illnesses, including Group Strep A.

Make sure your first aid kits are stocked with stuff like plasters, paracetamol and a thermometer.

Your local pharmacy can also help with advice and medication for earaches, eye infections to tummy bugs.

Remember if you’re worried about your child, NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day.

 

Charity Halloween event in Lanreath

'Memphis and friends are a new charity raising money for the profoundly autistic to build a state of the art residential community, this will provide safety and quality of life.

We've been fundraising all year to put on this event for Halloween, at our local hall, who we've also helped to fundraise for their new roof and thousands in repairs.

There will be a pumpkin decorating competition at 2pm and a fancy dress competition at 9pm, £1 entry, all ages, 'love to shop' gift cards for prizes!

Our local amenities group are putting on a fantastic fireworks display too!'

 

 

Stop off at Heligan this October for a bug-tacular half term Halloween adventure!

This autumn the Home Farm barn welcomes back spiders, snakes and other creepy creatures for a really wild encounter. This frightfully fun family experience will be running throughout half term, as well as some spooky crafting fun in the reserve yard. From 27th-29th discover their Carved Pumpkin Trail with Giant pumpkins like you’ve never seen before, all creatively carved into characters sure to give you a Halloween thrill! Visitors can follow the family trail by day or at dusk, as giant spiders bring this Halloween garden tale to life. This spooky spectacle has been created in partnership with the folks at Sand in Your Eye, famous for their magical sand sculptures and pumpkin carvings. Alongside these seasonal family activities visitors are invited to toast a marshmallow over fire bowls and take in the autumn air while admiring the season’s colour leaves.

Find out more at www.heligan.com

 

"Discover the Tide Climbing Centre – where adventure knows no bounds for kids and their eager parents!

The Tide Climbing Centre facility is a vibrant haven for young climbers, making it the ultimate destination for thrilling kids' birthday parties, where youngsters can scale new heights alongside friends. Unlock the gateway to lifelong climbing passion with their Junior Memberships or join one of their Kids’ Clubs, presenting climbing challenges and engaging activities to keep the excitement going.
No matter the weather, they guarantee endless indoor fun, so parents can unwind in their café while their budding mountaineers conquer the walls. Explore the magic of family adventure at Tide Climbing Centre, where each climb is a cherished memory in the making."

Find out more at www.tideclimbing.com

 

Madagascar: A Musical Adventure Jr.
Book by Kevin Del Aguila
Music & Lyrics by George Noriega & Joel Someillan

A youth production by the British Theatre Academy & the Minack Theatre

Get a taste of the wild life with Alex the lion and his friends in this crazy adventure based on the DreamWorks animated motion picture.

Filled with adventure galore, Madagascar JR. leaves you with no choice but to 'Move It, Move It!'

Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). www.mtishows.com

See the show at The Minack Theatre on 27-28 October.  Tickets from £10 (under 16s half price)

Find out more at www.minack.com or call 01736 810181

 

 

The Party People Cornwall

 

With a 2hr party Timbo can be with you from start to finish applying his experience to ensure a stress free, unforgettable party, filled with laughter and excitement.

The birthday VIP can be an assistant becoming the real star of the show.

Entertainment includes a mini disco, party games, a fabulous magic show, balloon modelling, juggling and party dancing for gold medals.

 

There is no limit to the number of children you can invite and joint parties are always welcome.

 

More info is available on their recently revamped website thepartypeoplecornwall.com and you can follow Timbos adventures on his Facebook page

www.facebook.com/timbothemagicman

 

Please email info@thepartypeoplecornwall.com for availability and queries

 

 

 

Wondering what to do this October half term? Why not visit Newquay Zoo!

Go along for some spooky storytelling, creepy craft activities and enjoy some ghoulish treats from Café Lemur. Bring your little ones to visit in their most frighteningly fabulous fancy dress. Whether it’s a wicked witch, a wild werewolf, or a spooky skeleton, they can’t wait to see what your little monsters dress up as!

 

Halloween activities are paid for events and spaces are limited. Find out more and book tickets at newquayzoo.org.uk

 

 

Gary – Paradise Park have sent in two edits.  The top one is the one they definitely in but the one in blue is a bonus one if we can possibly fit it in.

 

Spooky filled adventure and wonderful wildlife at Paradise Park this Half Term

Special appearances by Mark’s Ark with creepy crawly wildlife encounters! See website for dates. Learn frightfully fascinating facts on the Pumpkin Trail and claim your spooky treat! Discover the extraordinary Dracula parrot! Special ‘Meet & Greets’ with some wonderful characters like Frank the Eagle Owl. New otter pups, playing and having tremendous fun and creating mayhem! Daily Penguin talk and feeding plus Lorikeet feeding experience. See the stunning free flying Scarlet Macaw flock (weather permitting)

 

Four super cute otter pups at Paradise Park

Staff are delighted to announce that Katarni and Pippin, the Asian Otters who arrived at the Park back in April, have four very cute otter pups! Mum and dad have been doing a great job with the swimming lessons, and the pups are much more active now and a joy to watch! This is the smallest of the otter species and considered ‘Vulnerable’ in the wild. They communicate in little squeals and are very playful, often rolling around with a pebble in their ‘hands’ or digging around a rock.

 

Paradise Park has free parking – contact the Infoline on 01736 751020 or visit www.paradisepark.org.uk

 

 

Half term at Bodmin Jail

 

Halloween means Bodmin Jail and this spooky season they have a monstrous selection of activities for you and your little ghouls. Why not join them for their mini monster friendly Trick or Treat Trail  on 22nd and 23rd October. Meet a host of Halloween favourites as you venture around the Jail and enjoy a few tricks and treats on the way. Throughout half-term Bodmin Jail will also play host to a Victorian lantern show as part of standard entry. The jail walls will be adorned with dancing projections of skeletons, jack o’lanterns and curious creatures, perfect for all the family.

 

Please use code PRIMARY10 for 10% off your standard entry tickets for Bodmin Jail. Find out more at www.bodminjail.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

Find out more and book at www.minack.com/whats-on/horrible-histories-terrible-tudors

 

Blazing Bonfires and Fabulous Fireworks 2022

Nothing conjures up a perfect autumnal scene more than a big, blazing bonfire and a black sky filled with bright colourful lights and fizzing sounds. Professionally organised themed firework displays accompanied by music are increasing in popularity as they offer a safe environment as well as a sense of occasion that occurs when large groups of people get together.

There are some big displays to look forward to in 2022:

• 26th October 2022 - Fireworks Spooktacular at Flambards
• 28th and 29th October 2022 - Lappa Valley
• 29th October 2022 - Watergate Bay
• 3rd November - Downderry and Seaton Village
• 4th November 2022 - Truro City Council's Bonfire and Fireworks Display
• 5th November 2022 - St Agnes
• 5th November 2022 - St Erme Community Centre
• 5th November 2022 - Looe Fireworks Display - Tencreek Holiday Park
• 5th November - Newquay Sports Centre
• 5th November 2022 - Heartlands Bonfire and Fireworks Spectacular
• 5th November 2022 - Bodmin

 

 

Sparkler Safety

Each year, over half of all firework injuries are suffered by children. Adult supervision is essential when children are using sparklers:

• Sparklers get five times hotter than cooking oil, so should never be given to a child under five.
• Make sure everyone handling sparklers wears gloves
• Hold sparklers at arm’s length while being lit
• Don’t wave sparklers about close to other people
• Never hold a baby in your arms while you are holding a sparkler
• When the sparkler has finished put it in a bucket of cold water

For the Firework Code and other safety tips see www.saferfireworks.com or www.rospa.com/home-safety/advice/fireworks-safety/

 

Autumnal Art:  Leaf Suncatcher 

Take a leaf out of nature’s book and liven up your windows with warm autumnal colours with these stunning suncatchers...

You will need:

• Coloured tissue paper (in a range of autumnal colours)
• Sticky Back Plastic
• Scissors
• Glue Stick
• Black Card
• White Chalk
• Double Sided Sellotape

 

What to do:

Collect a wide range of leaves of different shapes and sizes to use as templates for your suncatchers.

Draw around each leaf with chalk onto a piece of black card. Make two identical outlines from each leaf for each suncatcher. To make a thick border, cut inside and outside of the leaf shape.

Place one leaf outline onto the sticky back plastic. Cut the coloured tissue paper into small squares and layer these gently inside the leaf template and onto the sticky back plastic. Next, glue the second leaf outline onto the top of the first outline. Layer another bit of sticky back plastic onto the top of the whole leaf. Cut around the shape to finish. The suncatchers are now ready to adorn your windows. Stick them on with double sided Sellotape.

 

For this and lots more seasonal activities go to: www.thebestideasforkids.com/leaf-suncatcher

Fun and Easy Crafting with Recycled Materials includes 60 cool projects that transform paper rolls, egg cartons, jars and more! It is available for pre-order now on Amazon.

 

 

Autumnal Art: Leaf Rubbings 

Liven Up Leaves

Whilst out walking along a trail or footpath, be sure to keep an eye on the trees as their leaves turn from green to red to brown – the changes can be spectacular. Deciduous trees lose their leaves to conserve energy over the winter months and it helps them to cope with windy conditions. With all the leaves on the ground, look out for leaf skeletons as they can be really beautiful! Collect some leaves and transform them into a fabulous artistic autumnal creation! Here’s how:

 

You’ll need:

• A Saucepan
• Soda Crystals (Sodium Carbonate) from supermarkets
• Tweezers
• Paintbrush

 

Instructions:

• Collect some leaves whilst out walking. You’ll want large leaves that have not yet dried out but don’t pull them from the tree, there should be plenty on the ground!
• Pour 30g of soda crystals into the saucepan and dissolve in 500ml of water.
• With help from an adult, bring the mixture near to the boil then take it off the heat. Place the leaves you have selected into the pan and let them soak for 30 minutes.
• Remove each leaf from the pan with tweezers, then gently wash the leaves with cool water.
• Use a paintbrush to lift away the small bits of leaf cell remaining around the skeleton.
• If you’re careful, you’ll see the network of veins inside the leaf.
• You can colour it with paint, or maybe use the skeletons to decorate your own cards!

 

Other autumn activities for familiesHow to … at Halloween 

 

 

How to… make a Halloween mask

Make a beastly mask using a paper plate, elastic, a glue stick, pens and plenty of imagination. English Heritage have an amazing number of free templates, designed to help children create their own mask – just search the web for ‘English Heritage – Beast Mask Activity Pack’

 

 

 

 

 

How to… carve pumpkins

Perch your pumpkin on your doorstep with pride by following our carving tricks and tips... 

By carving pumpkins children are able to challenge their creative skills and often feel elated when their sculpted masterpieces are perched on the doorstep for all to admire.

These days there are loads of gorgeous stencils of owls, Halloween cats and various spooky scenes that can be etched onto the side of the pumpkin, adding a degree of inventiveness.

Pumpkins have a tendency to rot rather rapidly once they have been carved so the best time to carve any mini masterpiece will be no more than two days before Halloween.

 

You will need...

A pumpkin!

A design template if using one

A pen

A candle

A special pumpkin carving saw or a sharp, straight edged knife

A spoon to scoop out the inside of the pumpkin

A bowl to place the ‘fruit’

 

 

 

 

How to Carve a Pumpkin

• Begin by drawing a design onto the pumpkin. Be as creative as possible or use a stencil.
• Cut out a lid from the top of the pumpkin. Cut at a slight angle to make sure the lid doesn’t fall into the pumpkin. Scrape off the flesh from the lid.
• Scoop out the flesh and seeds using a large metal spoon and place in a bowl. Make sure the walls of the pumpkin are least 2 cm thick
• Next, with adult supervision, start carving the pumpkin using motions that direct the knife away from you. Use a slow, sawing motion to carve the design. Avoid any jerking motions by keeping a part of the blade in the pumpkin when sawing.
• To sculpt, it will be better to start working on the centre of your design first.
• To add shapes, you may wish to use other utensils such as an apple corer to make circles
• Remove all carved sections of the pumpkin
• Make a flat spot on the base of the pumpkin for the candle. Use a tea light candle.
• Finally, place your mini orange masterpiece on your doorstep for all passers-by to admire!

 

 

Looking after your pumpkin

Pumpkins deteriorate quickly once cut, so always leave the lid off when the candle is in to prevent it shrinking and when it does start to shrivel dunk your gourd in a bucket of water for a few hours to rehydrate.

 

Painted Pumpkins

Forget carving your pumpkin this year! Leave the sticky, pulpy mess behind and add an extra twist to your doorstep display by painting your pumpkin instead. This is a great idea, especially for some of the smaller sized pumpkins that can be tricky to carve. Plus, for little hands, it’s less hazardous than carving.

The painting couldn’t be simpler - just wash the fruit and dry it thoroughly with a tea-towel. Then, using acrylic or spray paint, get creative with colour and design! To create a spider web effect, strategically place masking tape into the shape of a web to the side of the pumpkin.

Spray paint the fruit, and once dry, slowly peel off the tape to display an orange web. You may wish to add a plastic spider for an extra scary effect! To steer away from the spooky theme, you can paint a Minion, an Olaf or other favourite cartoon character onto the pumpkin. You’ll find a mass of inspiration on Pinterest.

 

 

How to....make Halloween food...

Pumpkin Peppers

These Pumpkin Peppers look super scary and are so easy to make. Buy a selection of yellow, red and if you can get them, orange peppers.

Top the pepper, de-seed and carve a traditional Jack-O-Lantern face onto the side of the pepper. Fill with salad leaves and croutons.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Banana Ghosts and Mandarin Pumpkins

These Banana Ghosts and Mandarin Pumpkins will go down a treat and so are easy to create.

For the Banana Ghosts, blob a couple of mini chocolate chips as eyes and a coffee bean for the mouth.

Alternatively, and especially to avoid any chance of choking on the coffee bean, you may wish to use currents for the mouth.

For the pumpkins, peel the mandarins and use a thin piece of the herb Angelica as the stalk.

Alternatively,  use small slices of apple candy cables as the stalk

 

Scary Apple Teeth

These scary apple teeth are sure to get the children chattering! Slice a rosy-looking apple into quarters and de-pip.

Then gently cut a slice out of the apple quarter and fill with flaked almonds for teeth. Be sure to check for any nut allergies before serving these.

 

 

 

Want to know what Halloween and October Half Term activities are taking place in Cornwall?  Read on...

 

 

 

 

Frightful Fun and Feeding Times at Paradise Park 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Follow the Firework Code 

Having fireworks at home can be great fun, as long as they are used safely. Figures show more children rather than adults get hurt by fireworks. Over the past five years over 350 pre-school children, some only a year old, were treated in hospital for fireworks injuries.

If you’re putting on a home display, you should follow some simple steps to make sure that everyone has a good time without getting hurt.

 

The Firework Code

• Don't put fireworks in pockets and never throw them.

• Plan your firework display to make it safe and enjoyable.

• Keep fireworks in a closed box and use them one at a time.

• Read and follow the instructions on each firework using a torch if necessary.

• Light the firework at arm's length with a taper and stand well back.

• Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks.

• Never return to a firework once it has been lit.

• Direct any rocket fireworks well away from spectators.

• Never use paraffin or petrol on a bonfire.

• Make sure that the fire is out and surroundings are made safe before leaving.

 

Keep Your Family Safe -

Sparkler Safety

Did you know that sparklers get five times hotter than cooking oil? Sparklers are not toys and safety precautions should be taken to avoid accidents.

• Never give sparklers to very young children.
• Make sure everyone handling sparklers wears gloves.
• Hold sparklers at arm’s length while being lit.
• Don’t wave sparklers about close to other people.
• Never hold a baby in your arms while you are holding a sparkler.
• When the sparkler has finished put it in a bucket of cold water.

 

Bonfire Safety

• Children should be supervised near bonfires. One person should be responsible for the bonfire.
• Choose a site away from wooden fences, sheds and well away from where the children will be playing.
• Never pour petrol or meths onto a fire, it’s safer to use fire lighters to prevent flare-ups.
• Keep a bucket of water handy in case of an accident.
• Avoid loose clothing and tie back long hair.
• After the party pour water on the fire, rather than leaving it to burn out.

 

First Aid Hints for Burns

• If clothing is on fire, lie the person down wrapped in heavy material such as a coat or blanket (not made of nylon) and roll them over and over to put the flames out.
• DON’T use ANY kind of creams, butter, oil or lotions.
• For all burns on young children – seek medical attention.
• In all cases if the burn is severe – seek medical attention.

 

Where to buy your fireworks

Always buy fireworks from a reputable shop to make sure that they conform to British Standards. This means that they should have BS 7114 written on the box.

 

Think of your neighbours…

Let your neighbours know if you are planning a fireworks party as they may have pets which should be kept indoors. It would be kind to let elderly neighbours and families with young children know there may be some loud bangs.

 

Fireworks: the law

The law says you must not set off or throw fireworks (including sparklers) in the street or other public places. You must not set off fireworks between 11pm and 7am. The exceptions are:

• Bonfire Night, when the cut off is midnight
• New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, when the cut off is 1am

You can only buy fireworks (including sparklers) from registered sellers for private use on these dates:

• 15 October to 10 November
• 26 to 31 December
• 3 days before Diwali and Chinese New Year
• At other times you can only buy fireworks from licensed shops.

You can be fined up to £5,000 and/or imprisoned for up to 6 months for selling or using fireworks illegally. You could also get an on-the-spot fine of £90.

Find safer firework information at www.saferfireworks.com