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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 events in Norfolk
(Updated 20/10/2022)
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…
Go to our full family event listings in Norfolk
Want to know what Halloween and October Half Term activities are taking place in Norfolk? Read on...
Half Term Activities at Norwich Theatre
This Half Term, Norwich Theatre will be holding activities for the whole family to get involved in, with art classes, movement and dance workshops, or crafts and costumes classes for all the family to enjoy. The activities run from 25 Oct – 29 Oct, and everyone is invited to participate!
The theme for this Half Term is Rethink, Recycle, and Reimagine. There will be a range of activities focusing on the theme of climate action, including a Family Choir (25 Oct), Reimagining Play for Babies and Toddlers (26 Oct), a costume workshop celebrating the wonderful women of the world (27 Oct) and workshops using recycled items and materials.
A highlight of the week is The Reimagination Station, which will be available daily, containing open-ended materials and supplies sourced from local charity, Scrapbox. These resources will be used in sessions and available for visitors to use at home or in Stage Two, with suggestions on creative uses for discarded products.
For more information and a full list of events and to book any sessions, head to norwichtheatre.org.
Upcoming activities from Slow Theatre
The Ghosthunter's Mark
Haunted Deepdale is back with a new outdoor spooky, enchanted theatrical show!A promenade performance for adults & children aged 8+ using storytelling, sound and the great outside to tell stories of myths and ghosts of Norfolk.
Go and enjoy a Halloween experience like no other.
Are you up for some late night ghost hunting?
Will you get lost in the spooky graveyard?
Tickets start at £9.50, reduced ticket for NHS/Keyworkers and family ticket for £42.
October 26th to 30th at 5.45pm & 7.15pm.
There is an adult only performance on Friday 28th October.
Haunted Deepdale Children's Theatre Party:
Especially for the children aged 11 & under they offer a chance for everyone to complete a treasure hunt, play the communal games and watch an improvised theatre show.
The show will have lots of elements for the audience to get involved in, decide the story, help create the characters and boo and hiss as often as you wish.
This party is aimed at children aged 11 & under, there will be themes of Halloween, sounds, chances of shouting out with loud noises. Dress up is optional.
Tickets £6 each, Under 5’s free, family ticket £20.This is outside with partial marque cover.
Ticket link for both shows is https://www.dalegatemarket.co.uk/events/1853184416/
Fang-tastic October half term at Pensthorpe Natural Park
Calling all monsters, ghouls and vampires!
Trick or Treat: Join Pensthorpe Natural Park this October half-term for a fang-tastic Halloween event for all the family!
Venture into the depths of the park and find all the magic bottles on their potions and poisons trail or head into WildRootz for the Hootz monster hunt, pumpkin carving and spooky crafts. Don’t forget a trip to the courtyard for devilishly tasty treats from the cafe and ghoulishly goodies from the shop.
Find out more at www.pensthorpe.com
The famous Glorious Glowing Lantern Parade is BACK at BeWILDerwood!
BeWILDerwood will shine like never before in a gloriously glowing woodland display between 15th – 31st October. Meet all your forest friends and craft your very own Lantern to help light up the woods as you explore parts of the forest open exclusively for this magnificent event! Don’t worry if you aren’t the bravest Boggle – it’s spooky, not scary! Tickets are £12.50 each (under 92cm, wheelchair users and carers are free!)
Please note, this is a wonderful walk through the woods and play structures will not be open during the evening. Separate Day Tickets available on the gate or prebooked online.
Find out more at www.norfolk.bewilderwood.co.uk
Fairyland Trust - The Real Halloween
At The Real Halloween young children enjoy the magic of Halloween without being scared witless! There’s magical making, nature and activity Workshops from Real Broomsticks to Witch Training, the enchanting lantern parade at dusk, and entertainment from music and shows to traditional games.
Set in ancient wood-pasture near West Acre in Norfolk, its sister to the famous Fairy Fair, and often sells out (ticket only). Plastic-free Fancy Dress, fires, stalls, Fairy King & Queen, storytelling and friendly Trolls. A better Halloween.Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th October: tickets £9.50 excl booking fee, under 3’s free, parking £1.
Full details are available at www.fairylandtrust.org
Half term events at Norwich Puppet Theatre
This half term Norwich Puppet Theatre are getting in the spooky spirit with their creative workshops. Children aged 6+ can make their own Ghosts and Ghouls or Halloween Familiars to take with them trick or treating. The Theatre also has a Spooky Families workshop so grown-ups can get in on the fun too.
As always, the Theatre’s programme is packed with fantastic shows as well, including Little Monster for ages 3+ which is all about facing your fears. Audiences can also enjoy bewitching shadow show The Magic Lamp for ages 5+, the perfect magical treat for a dark Autumn afternoon.
For full listings and to book, visit www.puppettheatre.co.uk
Kids Go Free this Half Term at Bure Valley Railway
During this October half term holiday, Saturday, 22nd to Sunday, 30th climb aboard the Bure Valley Railway where children travel FREE. Trains will operate throughout each day from both Aylsham and Wroxham Stations (visit www.bvrw.co.uk for train times).
To make this a truly family-friendly event, the Railway is giving free travel for every child when accompanied by a fare-paying adult (maximum of 2 children per adult). Adult Return is £16.00 Extra Children £8.00. Advanced booking is advisable to avoid disappointment.
Young Reds at Home Academy
Did you know you can take part in activities from Redwings Horse Sanctuary without leaving your home? That’s right, their ‘Young Reds At Home Academy’ is still live! Their free activity packs, created in lockdown, are still available for you to enjoy.
With Halloween coming up, they think ‘Cookie’s Spook-tacular activities’ is a great pack to get stuck into this half term.
Complete the wicked word puzzles, read all about horrible horsey parasites, colouring and more!
Follow this link to get started www.redwings.org.uk/news-and-views/cookies-spooktacular-activities.
Halloween at Pettitts Animal Adventure Park
Norfolk’s premier family park situated in the heart of the Norfolk Broads.
Pettitts has so much to offer for all the family. Fun rides, live shows and a variety of animals and reptiles, go bananas in their new Monkey Mayhem indoor soft play and don’t forget unlimited Jurassic golf, all this included in the admission price.
Go and join Pettitts Animal Adventure Park for Halloween this October half term. Enjoy Spooky fun in the theatre with ranger Jake. Then grab a wheel barrow, pick a pumpkin, carve it and take it home. Every paying child receives a free pumpkin.
Find out more at www.pettittsadventurepark.co.uk
October half-term at Norfolk Museums
Autumn is a great time to visit the Norfolk Museums with so much to see and do. There’s the maritime history and traditions of Herring Day at Time and Tide Museum and a new exhibition at Norwich Castle, The Singh Twins: Slaves of Fashion which is accompanied by exciting family activities. It’s also a last chance to experience the great outdoors at Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse before it closes its gates for the winter season. You can find out more about activities and events over half-term at all ten Norfolk Museums at www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk.
The Monster Club Show
The Monster Club is a unique blend of Live Music, Performance, Dance and Circus, bringing Halloween to life with 80 minutes of family fun. You’ll be digging their undead house band, be captivated by the Monster Club dancers and spellbound by their Spook-tacular Circus Stars. All brought together by their Ghost Host Friedrich Fright and his spirited blend of comedy and chaos! The Monster Club is at The Norfolk Showground this October Half-Term, Monday 24th until Thursday 27th (2.30/6.30pm). Perfect for little (and big) kids from 2-102.
Find out more at www.monsterclubshow.com
Wroxham Barns
Wroxham Barns is hosting its largest ever Pumpkin Festival, with over 10,000 homegrown Pumpkins to choose from. Your pay once play all day ticket includes access to the Field of Fun where you can grab a wheelbarrow head into the patch and choose the perfect Pumpkin, then carve it in the carving barn, where the team clear up the mess! If that wasn’t fun enough tickets include access to Wilma the witches potion and spell school, plus tickets include unlimited rides at the Fun Park, and meeting the animals of Junior farm! The perfect day out for all the family!
Find out more at www.wroxhambarns.co.uk
October half term at ROARR! Dinosaur Adventure
Join Dippy this October half term, for the reopening of the Weston-Smythe School of Dinosaurs and The Undead at ROARR! Dinosaur Adventure!
A magical spell has been cast this year with some exciting new activities. On arrival, you will be allocated to your school house and receive a timetable for the day. Complete all the lessons and earn yourself a reward. Don’t worry, the teachers bark is worse than their bite, well in most cases, and Dippy and Friends will be on hand to look after you!
Tickets are on sale now! Visit ROARR! Dinosaur Adventure to find out more: www.roarrdinosauradventure.co.uk
Tots2Teens activity bookings for October Half Term open
Broadland District Council has been holding Tots2Teens sessions for over 30 years. Activities run during the school holidays, for children aged five years and upwards who live in Broadland or go to school in Broadland.
Booking lines for October half term are now open. There’s so much on offer, including cookery, art, sport and so much more. What will you book?
Find out more, register and book at southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk/t2t , or call on 01603 430525
‘Walk of Thoughts’ memory walk
Local cancer charity Big C is holding a ‘Walk of Thoughts’ at Holkham Estate, celebrating autumn and remembering loved ones past and present.
This memory walk will be a chance to get together with family and friends this half term and create special memories, whilst helping to raise funds for people affected by cancer in Norfolk and surrounding counties.
Start your day with a walk around the estate, with varying levels to suit all ages and abilities. Choose between a 2¼, 4- or 6-mile route. For little legs, pick up the nature trail on arrival at the Big C tent and enjoy the 2¼ mile route around the lake, as you spot wildlife that call Holkham Estate home.
Once you have finished exploring the route, enjoy seasonal craft activities, face painting, stalls and refreshments.
Big C is here for anyone affected by cancer, and by purchasing a ticket* for this event you’ll be helping make a direct difference to the lives of local people.
*Adults £5, children go free, Holkham parking charges apply
Visit bit.ly/BigCsWalkOfThoughts to book tickets and find out more.
October Half Term at Holkham
This October, Holkham is celebrating the magic of autumn with a pumpkin carving, leaf crunching, storytelling, trail stomping, puppet crafting, birds of prey soaring autumn festival!
There will be activities aplenty in the park, Walled Garden, Holkham Stories Experience, and the Hall. Plus, the opportunity to pedal through the puddles with Cycle Hire and swing from the technicolour treetops on the Ropes Course. We won’t let you go hungry either, there’ll be pumpkin spice and all things nice at every turn.
So, don’t hibernate away this half term, start planning your day the wild way!
Find out more at www.holkham.co.uk/whats-on
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
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Don't put fireworks in pockets and never throw them.
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Plan your firework display to make it safe and enjoyable.
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Keep fireworks in a closed box and use them one at a time.
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Read and follow the instructions on each firework using a torch if necessary.
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Light the firework at arm's length with a taper and stand well back.
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Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks.
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Never return to a firework once it has been lit.
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Direct any rocket fireworks well away from spectators.
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Never use paraffin or petrol on a bonfire.
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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
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 Fireworks Display at Pleasure Beach Gardens in Great Yarmouth on Wednesday 24 October; Big Boom Fireworks in Norwich City Centre on Friday 2 November; Fawkes in the Walks at the Walks Park in King’s Lynn on Friday 2 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/
Awesome Autumnal Art
October is the month to take part in the Big Draw Festival, especially as the 2018 theme is ‘Play’! 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 Norfolk see www.thebigdraw.org
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.
How to....make Halloween food...
Pumpkin Peppers
These Pumpkin Peppers look super scary and are so easy to make. Buy a selection of yelow, 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.