Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
Halloween and Half Term in Devon
We know that for obvious reasons, this is going to be a very different half term and 
Halloween for us all. With that in mind, however, there is still lots going on locally for your family to enjoy in these otherwise strange times as well as ways to support local businesses.
Also, don't forget to keep an eye on our social media and our frequently updated online what's on guide for more updates.
Online What's On Guide, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
1) Crealy Spookfest
Spookfest is back for 2020 at Crealy for more spook-tacular fun! Drop by to witness the Witches of the Wilderness, get lost in the Scarecrow Scare Maze, see Buddy & Blossom’s Scare Bear Show, and new for 2020: Tik & Tok’s terrifying tricks. Free pumpkins will be available for every child. Glamping and camping offers are available if you are looking to have a longer half-term staycation.
Find out more at www.crealy.co.uk
2) The Great Big Brick Trail at Paignton Zoo
Wondering what to do this October half-term? Why not take a trip to Paignton Zoo? As well as being home to over 2,000 animals, Paignton Zoo has some additional, temporary residents – over 80 giant wild animal models made from over 1 million LEGO® bricks. The stars of the show are undoubtedly the Bengal tiger and the African elephant – but be sure to catch all the other amazing models including the hyenas, ostrich, red ruffed lemur and kangaroos. To add to the fun, register your details on the competition app (www.bigbricksafari.org.uk) before you visit to win some amazing prizes. If you spot all of the animal models, you will be in with the chance to win a fantastic prize bundle containing a Hogwarts™ Castle LEGO® set, a Saver Annual Pass to the zoo and some Great Big Brick Safari goodies.
Paignton Zoo has taken lots of steps to ensure the safety of their visitors including asking you to pre-book your visit (including Annual Pass holders), there are protective screens at all contact points, floor markings and signage to guide you around and there are lots of hand sanitizing stations.
Visit the website for more info and to book tickets
3) Halloween Happenings' at World of Country Life Exmouth
It's that time of year again and with their unique style of fun and humour the team and World of Country Life are all set for some spooky times this October half term. There will be a Halloween Fancy Dress competition on Tuesday 27th, Wednesday 28th & Thursday 29th October* so be sure to dress for the occasion you can bet the team will be in their usual spooky attire!
A super Halloween trail around the exhibition Hall will entertain all the family. Halloween wouldn't be the same without the ever-popular Pumpkin carving and that will take place on Friday 30th & Saturday 31st*
Lots of animals to come and visit before they are 'bedded down' for the Winter and, of course, the Deer Train Safari and Birds of Prey flying display are not to be missed.
Have fun this October half term at World of Country Life Exmouth!
For full details including dates and times of all the activities please visit www.worldofcountrylife.co.uk
4)Painted Pumpkin Trail at RHS Rosemoor
Have family fun outside this Autumn Half Term and discover the Painted Pumpkin Trail.
Along the way enjoy the fiery colours of yellows and golds, reds and russet browns as autumn is set ablaze at Rosemoor; scrunch in the fallen leaves; find a whole range of creepy crawlies getting ready for winter and don’t forget to have time out in the Brash and Copse Play Areas.
Find the painted pumpkins in the Garden, discover what is painted on each one and unscramble the highlighted letters to find the hidden word. At the end of the trail don’t miss our Pumpkin Display in the Fruit & Vegetable Garden.
Trails can be downloaded from the website or collected at the garden entrance on arrival but please bring pens or pencils with you or they can be purchased in the shop.
Timed entry and restricted capacities each day, please book online via their website.
5) New music wellbeing book for 3-7 year olds now available - a perfect half term read and get 10% off with a Primary Times exclusive offer
BIG EMOTIONS: Mindful Music for Little People by Laura Loft & Illustrated by Nia Gould, is a new music wellbeing book aimed at EYFS and KS1 (3-7yr olds).
It has been created to be a preventative tool for nurturing children’s emotional wellbeing. To help children regulate their emotions they first need to recognise them. Enjoy this musical book whilst listening to the FREE audio book and song ‘I Am Calm’. There is also an activity pack for schools now available.
Visit www.lauraloftmusic.com for more info and to order and enter the promo code PRIMARYTIMES to get a 10% discount.
6) RAMM Exeter reopens on 24th October
The Royal Albert Memorial Museum in Exeter (RAMM Exeter) reopens to the public on Saturday 24th October with Covid-safe procedures in place. There is now a one-way route through the museum and free timed tickets must be booked online for a 30 minute arrival slot. The shop and cafe will reopen and if you bring your own mobile devices and headphones, you will be able to access an increasing amount of digital information by using them during your visit.
Find out more and book at the website for more information.
7) Support Theatre Royal Plymouth with a live-streamed theatrical performance of 'The Snail and The Whale'
Tall Stories are proud to bring this live-streamed performance of the Julia Donaldson/Axel Scheffler classic straight to your home! This is a live and not pre-recorded performance so anything could happen. Ticket prices start at just £10 and proceeds go to Theatre Royal Plymouth and Tall Stories theatre company
Visit the Theatre Royal Plymouth website to find out more and book your ticket.
8) Book tickets for The Donkey Sanctuary Sidmouth this October half term
In order to safely manage visitor flow, The Donkey Sanctuary Sidmouth are asking all visitors who are planning to visit during October half term (24th October to 1st November) to pre-book their free visit in advance.
You can book a free ticket here for one of the staggered arrival times between 9:30am to 2:30pm, but you are free to stay until closing time. The restaurant, gift shop, play area a, toilet and outdoor walkways are open and Covid-19 restrictions and practices are in place at all times.
Find out more about available facilities and timings via their booking page at their Eventbrite booking page.
9) National Trust
Most National Trust locations are now open with restrictions, each property, carpark or garden will have their own arrangements, but here are some highlights.
- Killerton - 'Pumpkin Trail' running until 1st November
- Buckland Abbey - hosting the 'Bugland Abbey Autumn Trail' .
- Saltram - the 'Pumpkin and Ghouly Gourds trail' runs until 1st November
Download the National Trust app or visit the Devon National Trust site to find out more about what is happening in Devon and how to book
10) Pumpkin trail at Princesshay Exeter
From 29th to 31st October - spooky Halloween pumpkins will appear at Princesshay for families to hunt for for fun and a chance to win a £50 Princesshay Gift Card and meal at Nando's. Just pick up a form from Riverford who will be in Bedford Street and then return your completed forms back to them
Visit the Princesshay website for more info.
11) The Halloween Trail in Plymouth
From Saturday 24th October to Sunday 1st November, locate the 15 Halloween characters displayed in shop windows in Plymouth City Centre to be in with a chance of winning £100 to spend in Footloose and Fancy Dress.
Find out more details at the Visit Plymouth website
10) Pick Your Own Pumpkin with Jolly Pumpkin (EX5 4DU) in Silverton: 10-31st October (selected dates and times)
Pick Your Own Pumpkins this October at this great, socially-distanced, family event. Everyone is welcome and with over 25 varieties of pumpkin, gourd and squash there is something for everyone. Entry is FREE and you only pay for what you pick with prices starting from as little as £1. No booking required. Grab a wheelbarrow (supplied) and start picking! For more information, visit their website and follow Jollypumpkinuk on Facebook or Instagram.
11) Bear Town is open from Saturday 24th October!
Located between Exeter and Cullompton, Bear Town is ultimate indoor role play experience. Built for children, Bear Town is a truly immersive play experience that supports the Early Years Foundation Stage. Visitor numbers will be limited within each session in line with other Covid-19 restrictions
Visit the website to find out more and book tickets.
11) The Box Plymouth
Plymouth's new museum, art gallery and cultural centre is now open with tickets available for October and November. With lots of fascinating and interactive exhibits looking at local natural history, fishing industry, world explorers and so much more. See our preview article here.
Visit the website and book your ticket here.
Canonteign Falls