Venue: Across Dorset

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…

Halloween Happenings

Deliberately avoiding the more ‘sinister’ aspects of Halloween and providing a fantastic alternative to trick or treating, many local attractions place a spotlight firmly on the lighter side of the occasion. Pumpkin carving opportunities, singing pumpkin shows, Halloween baking sessions, fancy dress discos – there’s plenty of spooky and non-spooky fun to be had! 

 

Blazing Bonfires and Fabulous Fireworks

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, notably: the Lyme Regis Fireworks and Bonfire Night on Saturday 2 November; the Guy Fawkes Celebrations on Tuesday 5 November; the Free Firework display on Poole Quay on Tuesday 5 November.

 

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/

 

Halloween and All Saints’ Celebrations 

• In Celtic times, New Year was celebrated on 1 November, to mark the end of summer harvest and the beginning of a cold winter.

• The night before New Year, on 31 October, the Celts would celebrate the festival of Samhain and would take time to remember those who passed away. Huge bonfires were created for people to offer sacrifices and many people dressed in costumes.

• After the Roman invasion in the UK, Pope Boniface IV established All Saints’ Day, to replace the traditional Celtic festival of Samhain.

• All Saints' Day is celebrated on 1 November, followed by All Souls’ Day on 2 November. Both days commemorate and honour the saints and loved ones who have passed away.

• In old English, All Saints’ Day was translated as All Hallows’ Day, hence the night before it being known as All Hallows’ Eve, now more commonly known as Halloween

• The Mexican celebration, the Day of the Dead, now coincides with Halloween, All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, from 31 October to 2 November.

 

Awesome Autumnal Art

October is the month to take part in the Big Draw Festival, especially as the 2019 theme is ‘Drawn for Life’! For children, drawing is a means of understanding the world, how it looks, and how it works.

It nurtures creativity, developing their imagination and power of invention. So find out what is happening at your local library, school, science centre or community hall and get to play with art! For a full, up-to date list of events in Dorset see www.thebigdraw.org

 

 

 

It’s National Libraries Week: 7 to 12 October

Children are always welcome in Dorset's libraries, and no-one is too young to join!

Youngsters can borrow books, find out information and use library computers - all for free. Dorset’s libraries also offer free activities for children throughout the year, including Bounce and Rhyme for babies and toddlers, and Book Track and the Summer Reading Challenge for older children. Joining the library is free and you can even join online from home. Discover what is happening at your local library during Libraries Week, from 7 to 12 October - visit www.librarieswest.org.uk or www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/libraries

 

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!

 

How 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 Dorset?  Read on...

 

Happy Halloween at Wimborne Model Town 

Wimborne Model Town is offering a Happy Halloween half term with a seasonal discovery quiz around the miniature buildings. Join in with the fun on Saturday 26 October with Sally and the Limpet, an interactive song and dance 'Wimborne Green Festival' performance at 2.30pm. Booking is highly recommended for this popular event.

A few days later Mervyn Cole’s Halloween Fun and Magic Shows will take place on Tuesday 29 and Thursday 31 October at 12noon and 2pm. Later on in the day on Thursday 31 October, at 3pm, there will be some thrilling Halloween activities with crafts, games and a costume parade – so do dress accordingly.  For more information visit www.wimborne-modeltown.com or call 01202 881924.

 

Half Term Halloween at Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum

Kids’ wearing fancy dress will gain free entry to the Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum in Dorchester, from Saturday 26 October to Saturday 2 November.

Youngsters and the young at heart will be able to take part in a host of spooky activities, including slime making in the cells, gruesome touchy-feely guessing games and spooky storytelling, from Monday 28 October to Friday 1 November. Whilst on the Saturday and Sunday, visitors can follow the free witch’s potion trail around the museum. Plus, tasty autumnal treats will be served up in the café.

Up to two children in Halloween fancy dress go free when accompanied by a full paying adult. For more information visit www.shirehalldorset.org or call 01305 261849.

 

Get Creative at the Saturday Art School

Based at the Arts University Bournemouth, Saturday Art School offers creative courses for young people in school Years 5 to 13. Whether your child is eager to try new techniques or is passionate about a creative career path and wants to gain more experience, these courses offer an opportunity to study at a specialist university. Courses are priced at £170 per 8-week term, and reduced fees are on offer to parents/guardians who receive income related benefits.

Classes run on Saturdays, from 9.30am – 12.30pm. For further information call 01202 363030, email saturdayartschool@aub.ac.uk, or visit www.aub.ac.uk/courses/saturday-art-school

 

Spooky Surprises in Store at Lulworth Castle

A whole host of spooky fun is on the agenda at Lulworth Castle this October half term, with a range of themed activities that promise to keep you and your little ones entertained all day. Dare you enter the spooky basement, or meet Merlin, or join the creepy zombie apocalypse?

Plus, there will be plenty of themed crafts, spooky quizzes and trails, pitch ‘n putt, soft play, and outdoor bouncy castle for children aged 7 years+ (weather permitting) plus lots more. Lulworth Castle will be open daily from Sunday 27 to Wednesday 30 October, from 10.30am to 5pm, and parking is free. Book online via www.lulworth.com or buy tickets on the day.

 

Adventure Wonderland is the Home of Halloween

Adventure Wonderland's perfect for fang-tastic adventures this half-term. Don’t miss the new, spooktacular Halloween show, 'Hall-O-Scream Hits' in the Happydrome Theatre at noon and 3pm every day and visit the giant hedge maze which becomes a mysterious and enchanted forest of cobwebs, curses and creepy characters, for a family-friendly 'Into the Woods' spooky adventure (subject to weather conditions).

For the extra brave, all sorts of scary and ghoulish creatures appear for the pre-bookable Night-time Monster Bash, from 6.30pm to 10pm on Thursday 31 October and Friday 1 November.

The park will be open daily from Saturday 26 October to Sunday 3 November with all the family favourite rides and a brand new interactive fun reaction speed game, Jungle Zap Zone, in Wild Thing! Visitors can also meet the pint-sized ponies in the new Shetland World, and there’s a visit from everyone’s favourite, Shaun the Sheep on Wednesday 30 October. Remember to book online for a 10% discount. See www.adventurewonderland.co.uk

 

Magic and Mayhem in Monstersaurus!

From the creators of Aliens Love Underpants comes the monstrous-ly good new show Monstersaurus! at Lighthouse, Poole’s centre for the arts, from Friday 25 to Sunday 27 October.

With original music, lots of audience participation, bags of energy and a wealth of thrills, spills, magic and mayhem, it’s a delight for the whole family as the story unfolds of young inventor Monty who creates a whole world of wacky inventions and incredible monsters. The only trouble is, how is he going to get rid of them all? For tickets and information call 01202 280000 or see www.lighthousepoole.co.uk

 

Halloween is Spook-tacular at Monkey World!

At Monkey World this half-term, learn all about one of the creatures of the night, the Slow Loris! Visit the spook station to test your senses against a Loris, and take part in the fang-tastic trail, and join in with the creepy crafts.

On Thursday 31 October, children in full Halloween fancy dress will receive free entry to the park.

The best costume will receive a prize, in the free fancy dress competition. Visit www.monkeyworld.org for more details.

 

Halloween at Honeybrook

This October half-term, from Saturday 26 October to Sunday 3 November, visitors to Honeybrook Adventure Farm, near Wimborne, are in for a fantastic fun-filled spooky time!

Free activities, included in the price of the child admission, include any two crafts from the following: paint a pumpkin decoration, paint a unicorn decoration, paint a spooky bobble head, make a dinosaur photo frame, spooky slime making or decorate a donut. Pumpkin carving is also available.

Plus, enjoy the usual fun of the farm with animals to see and outdoor activities. Buy your early bird tickets to see Santa too! Visit www.honeybrookadventure.com

 

Come Face to Face with Sharks at the Oceanarium

Visit the Oceanarium this October half term and save up to 30% when you buy tickets in advance online. Come face to face with stunning sharks, beautiful stingrays and a curious giant turtle as you submerge yourself in the new ‘Shark Wreck Reef’ display.

Get up close and personal to thousands of other creatures including playful penguins, a mischievous otter family, colourful clownfish and mesmerizing jellyfish. Oceanarium is not just an aquarium - there’s also a kids’ play zone, a café and a gift shop. Situated next to Bournemouth Pier, it’s the perfect all-weather attraction and as the tickets are valid all day, you can catch the regular talks and feeds. Visit www.oceanarium.co.uk for more details.

 

Experience a Big Day Out in History at The Tank Museum

 

This October Half Term, from Saturday 26 October to Sunday 3 November, explore Dorset's large indoor attraction, The Tank Museum, and experience the biggest day out in history.

With over 300 vehicles in 10 powerful exhibitions, there’s tonnes to see and do. Don’t miss motorsport arena displays from Future Terrain, taking place on the weekdays at 1pm. Kids can also enjoy painting a tank, dressing up, following the trails and tours, and letting off steam in the soft play and outdoor play area. See www.tankmuseum.org

 

 

Fairy Doors, Witches and Spiders at the Blue Pool

Located between Wareham and Corfe Castle, the Blue Pool is an oasis of peace and beauty. Once a clay pit, the colour of Pool changes constantly as tiny particles of clay filter through the waters - sometimes green, sometimes turquoise - depending upon the diffraction of the light.

Steps lead down to the water’s edge and up to views of the Purbeck Hills. Inside the grounds you are surrounded by 20 acres of heath, woodland and gorse crossed by a network of sandy paths, where visitors can wander at will through leafy glades and secret nooks to explore the rich flora and fauna looking for Fairy Doors, Witches and Spiders. Visit www.bluepooltearooms.co.uk

 

Last Chance to Slide Outside this Year at Splashdown

 

It’s the last chance to slide outside this year at the South’s favourite waterpark – Splashdown, this October half term. Dare you enter the lair of the resident dragon or take a slide on the Screamer?

With 13 great slides to choose from, Ricky’s Reef and interactive Splashzone for little ones, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. It’s a great place for a birthday party or celebration too. Find out more at www.splashdownwaterparks.co.uk

 

 

Spooktacular Fun at Lemur Landings

Join Lemur Landings at one of its fang-tastic Halloween events this October as a series of special events await you and your little lemurs.

This year, Lewey’s Trick or Treat party will be held on Wednesday 30 October from 6pm-8pm and the two Phaser Fright Nights will be on the Monday 28 October and Friday 1 November.  Tickets are available to purchase online at www.lemurlandings.co.uk or over the phone at 01202 740500.

 

 

Halloween ‘Ascarium’ at Weymouth Sealife 

Explore an amazing underwater world and take a fascinating journey to the ocean depths at Weymouth Sea Life Adventure Park. Get up close to over 2,000 creatures in 15 different zones, including otters, seals, and turtles.

Then meet the world’s smallest penguins at Fairy Penguin Island. Native to Australia, the Fairy Penguins are the only colony you can see in the UK. With daily talks and feeds, and the Halloween ‘Ascarium’ events this October, there’s plenty for everyone to enjoy. For more, see www.sealifeweymouth.com

 

 

Floodlit Evening Walks in Abbotsbury 

From Saturday 19 October to Sunday 3 November, families will be able to see the beautiful Abbotsbury Gardens in a different light, when a large section of the gardens will be illuminated with a wonderful array of colour.

A standard garden admission ticket allows access during the day and covers the Floodlit Evening Walks event if visited on the same day. For some spooky fun, families can attend one of the Halloween Family Fun Nights on Thursday 31 October to Saturday 2 November from 5pm to 8.30pm, when a different charge applies. Book online and save 20% off standard admission charges. For more, see www.abbotsbury-tourism.co.uk

 

 

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