AS half-term holiday approaches, Gwent school children and families will be on the look-out for things to do, see and experience.
From the spooky shenanigans of Hallowe’en themed events, to getting active, there are plenty of options to keen the kids busy, if you know where to look.
Cwmcarn Forest. Hallowe’en Festival – (October 23 – 30)
Join the team at one of Caerphilly’s award-winning attractions next week for a full week of spooky activities.
Each day will offer a fresh surprise to families from making ‘Spooky Tree Pots’ and ‘Creepy Leaf Wreathes’, to meeting hedgehogs, building robots and making candy buckets.
The festival will also draw to a close with a ‘Vampire Hunt Trail’ on Sunday, October 30, inviting children to follow the clues to defeat Count Dracula in his lair.
Different sessions take place each day and are individually priced. Booking is advised.
For more information contact 01495272001or visit Cwmcarn Forest’s website: http://your.caerphilly.gov.uk/cwmcarnforest/events/events.
Blaenavon World Heritage Centre and Library
The World Heritage Centre, based in Blaenavon, will host a variety of activities next week to quell that familiar half-term boredom.
On October 25 – 26, Cardiff's Techniquest Museum will bring their road show to the centre from 10am – 5pm, encouraging children to get excited about science with their creative exhibits.
With a Hallowe’en twist, these include ‘balancing broom sticks’, a ‘human electrical circuit’ and a ‘seat of nails’.
Between October 25 – 30, guests can also take part in a spooky treasure hunt around the World Heritage Centre, with entry priced at one pound per child.
Even the Heritage Cafe are getting on board, by offering a ‘ghostly Hallowe’en menu for half-term.
For more information, visit www.visitblaenavon.co.uk or call 01495742333.
Big Pit National Coal Museum, half-term activities
The Coity Tip was created during the working life of Big Pit and its predecessor the Coity Tip, which was primarily an ironstone mine, with rock and shale being discarded on the surface.
When the tipping stopped, nature began to reclaim the tip and surrounding area, which is now rich with plant and animal species.
Between October 24 – 28, visitors are encouraged to come along and “have a hoot” with staff by making crafty owls and animal species that you might find today on the site. Craft sessions take place between 12pm – 4pm and a small charge of £1 applies.
For more information, contact Big Pit on 03001112333.
Sports and Art Camp – Newport Live
Every year, ‘Newport Live’ host their popular half-term camp at Newport International Sports Village to encourage kids to get active and socialise.
Designed for children aged between 5-12 years, the camp includes swimming, cycling, tennis, fitness, football, table tennis and more.
The five-day camp is priced at £24 per day (8.30am – 5.30pm) and if you book all five days in advance, your receive a 10 per cent discount, bringing the total to £108.
Free swimming sessions, junior gym sessions and week-long swimming classes are also being held Newport Live over the break.
For more information, visit http://newportlive.co.uk or call 01633656757.
‘Fantastic Beasts’ at the National Roman Legion Museum (October 24-28)
Explore the monsters and beasts of Greek and Roman myths at this event at Caerleon’s Roman History Museum.
In this hands-on workshop, children can make a Medusa, colour a Chimera or play with Pegasus, on a journey through the wonderful and sometimes terrifying, monsters of legend.
The drop-in sessions take place every day during half-term between 11am-4pm and are priced at £2 per child.
For more information, visit www.caerleon.net/events.
‘Moby Dick the Musical’ – Borough Theatre Abergavenny (October 25 – 29)
Experience a fresh twist on a classic tale over the half-term break with this quirky production in Monmouthshire.
Performed by the acclaimed Abergavenny Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society this family-friendly show follows the fortunes of school production of Moby Dick.
When the pupils of St Godley’s discover their beloved school has run out of money an will have to close, they decide to stage a fundraising musical of Herman Melville’s tale. As the madcap pupils set sail on the Pequod to catch the great whale, all manner of chaos, mayhem and fun ensues.
Tickets are priced at £10 and concessions are available. For more information, visit boroughtheatreabergavenny.co.uk.
‘Wonderful World of Wizards’ - Bedwellty House & Park, Tredegar
(October 25) A taste of magic will be on offer for those venturing to Blaenau Gwent next week, as a Harry Potter themed fun day takes place.
The event, taking place between 11am- 3pm at Bedwellty House & Park, will invite visitors to have a go at making Hallowe’en and wizard themed crafts.
A magical performance from entertainer ‘Simon Sparkles’ will also take place, alongside a ‘wizarding creatures’ fun workshop.
The event is designed for children aged five plus, booking is required and tickets are priced at £8 per child.
For more information, contact 01495 353370.
Half-term Hallowe’en Fun at Tredegar House, Newport (October 22 – 30)
Newport’s treasured heritage site, Tredegar House, will also be hosting its own brand of half-term fun.
For one week only, the 17th century mansion will invite visitors to “bring out their ghoulish sides” with a range of creepy crafts, pumpkin carving and biscuit decorating between 11am – 4pm.
Standard admission charges of £3.60 per child, £7.20 per adult and £18 per family and additional prices apply; pumpkin carving (£3 per pumpkin) and biscuit decorating (50p per biscuit).
For more information, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tredegar-house.
Films and fun at the Riverfront Centre, Newport
Over the half term break, screenings of several family-friendly flicks will take place, offering families the chance to see big screen action at affordable prices.
Films including Spielberg’s latest — The BFG — Roald Dahl adaptation Fantastic Mr Fox and James and the Giant Peach — all priced at £2.50.
Other workshops, including ‘Fantastic Mr Fox Mask Making’, kids poetry workshops and circus arts workshops for children will also be taking place on select days.
For more information visit http://tickets.newportlive.co.uk or call 01633 656757.
Half-term fun with Torfaen Leisure Trust Torfaen Leisure Trust is inviting youngsters to keep active this half-term break by offering a packed roster of events at its venues.
Pontypool Active Living Centre, Cwmbran Stadium, Fairwater Leisure Centre and Bowden Active Living Centre will all be open, offering a dynamic range of activities.
From gymnastics and free-running sessions from Valleys Gymnastics Association, to swimming, ballet, martial arts and fun pool activities, there really is something for everyone.
For a full list of events, times and prices, visit www.torfaenleisuretrust.co.uk.
‘Spooky Knight at the Castle’ – Caerphilly Castle (October 28)
Spend an evening with the family at Caerphilly castle to see it as you’ve never seen it before.
With spooky lantern in tow, visitors can explore the castle at night to learn about those who lived there and “those who may have not left”, closing with a fireplace tale in the Great Hall.
The evening starts at 6.30pm and ends at around 9.30pm. Light refreshments are included in the price — with adult tickets priced at £15 and under 16s at £10.
The event is not suitable for under sevens, tickets must be pre-booked and warm clothing is advised.
For more information or to book, visit http://cadw.gov.wales/events or call 029 2088 3143
‘Inviting the Neighbours Around to Paint’, Maindee, Newport. (October 24 – 38)
Organised by Maindee-based artists and creative duo Mr and Mrs Smith the “Inviting the Neighbours Around to Paint event will explore the neighbourhood benefits of art.
As part of the event, neighbours will be invited to express themselves on a mobile wall on Chepstow Road between 10am-4pm which will accumulate more drawings and paintings as the week progresses.
For more information, contact search ‘Llyfrgell Maindee Library’ on Facebook or call 0163309443
Blackwood Miners' Institute – October half-term
For a taste of family-friendly theatre this half-term look no further than Blackwood’s premier venue, The Blackwood Miners’ Institute.
On Wednesday, October 26, the venue will host a performance of ‘The Owl and the Pussycat’s Treasury of Nonsense”.
The fun and fabulous family show is described as a “feast for the eyes, ears and imagination” introducing children to a fantastical world of storytelling.
The narrative follows the Owl and the Pussycat who attempt to create their own magical worlds, from turning everyday objects into new friends to nonsensical stories.
The show is designed for children aged three plus at takes place at 11am. Tickets priced a £3.50 and £4.50 per adult.
An autism friendly screening also takes place on the same day at 2pm.
For more information, visit the Blackwood Miners’ Institute website https://your.caerphilly.gov.uk/bmi or call the box office on 01495 227206
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