Spooktacular things to do during autumn half term
With autumn half-term just around the corner, there are tonnes of activities for Wirral’s youngsters to enjoy - from spooky Halloween treats to free sports sessions!
Local Invigor8 leisure centres, Family Hubs, libraries and the Floral Pavilion are stepping up with a wide range of exciting and inclusive programs for children of all ages and abilities to provide a break filled with fun, friends, and some frightening* festivities….
(*Note: the festivities will not actually be frightening).
Here’s a roundup of some of the top activities to get involved in:
1) Active Allsports Disability Autumn Programme
Children and young people with disabilities and additional needs can join in with the week-long series of free and low-cost activities specifically designed for them.
Running from Monday 28 October to Thursday 31 October, the programme will be open to children aged 5-19 and includes:
- Bowling
- Visits to Tam O'Shanter Farm
- Tennis sessions
- Halloween-themed soft play
For more information head to: Active Allsports - Active Wirral - Invigor8
2) Inclusive SEN Sessions
Every Wednesday, Bidston Sports and Activity Centre offers dedicated SEN sessions from 4pm to 6pm. These sessions provide a quiet, relaxed environment for children with special educational needs to enjoy Tag Active or Soft Play, with a maximum of 20 children allowed in each area.
The SEN sessions are priced at £6.50 per child for 2 hours. As spaces are limited, early booking is recommended by telephone 0151 606 2010 or by calling into the centre prior to the session.
3) Spooky Halloween Parties
Things are getting delightfully spooky at Bidston Sports and Activity Centre! From Monday 28 October to Friday 1 November, the centre’s Active Zone will host daily Halloween parties from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM.
These ghoulishly good fun sessions include:
- Soft Play or Active Tag session
- Fancy dress competition
- Prizes
- Party Games
- Kids' meal
The Halloween parties are priced at £10 per child (ages 0-7) for Soft Play and £12 per child (ages 8+) for Tag Active.
Booking is advised and can be completed by calling 0151 606 2010 or visiting Bidston Sports and Activity Centre page.
4) Freak-tacular activities at the Floral Pavilion
Join the Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee
Celebrate Halloween with creepy crafts, monster cupcakes, and a haunted disco at the Floral Pavilion’s Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee on Thursday 31 October.
There will be four scarily good 90-minute events starting from 9:30am with the last event being held at 3:30pm. Tickets: £13 for children from 12months, £5 for adults, and children under 12 months go for free (ticket required).
Book your tickets at: Jack-o-Lantern Jubilee - Floral Pavilion
Stage-ed West End Holiday School
Join Stage-ed at the Floral Pavilion for a week of singing, dancing, acting, laughing, meeting friends, and having fun. Stage-ed’s autumn half term holiday camp will take on the spooky season and have children performing the Addams Family, Beetlejuice, Harry Potter and more!
At the end of the week, you will have the opportunity to see your stars in action as they present a spectacular showcase performance.
The holiday school will run for one week from 28 October with sessions being held between 9am and 4pm.
Head over to Stage-Ed West End Half Term School to learn more and book your place.
5) Fang-tastic Family Hubs
Wirral’s Family Hubs are joining in the half-term excitement with a host of Halloween-themed activities for children of all ages.
Koala North West Hub
- SEND Sensory Halloween Party – Tuesday 29 October 10am-12pm for children aged 0-11 years. Call 0151 608 8288 to book
- Halloween Party – Thursday 31 October 11am-1pm. Call 0151 608 8288 to book
Equilibrium North West CIC
Please call 07731478096 to book.
- The Universe & Me Halloween Party – Tuesday 29 October 11am-12:30pm. £5 per child and £3 for siblings
- Fancy Dress Halloween Party and Disco – Thursday 31 October 4pm-6pm. £5 per child and £3 for siblings
- Haunted House – Adults £5, children £3, family ticket £12
o Friday 25 October 6pm-9pm
o Saturday 26 October 5:30pm-8:30pm
o Sunday 27 October 5:30-8:30pm
Brassey Gardens Family Hub
- Halloween Messy Play – Monday 28 October 1:30pm-2:30pm for 0-5 years. No need to book, just come along!
Rock Ferry Family Hub
- Halloween Messy Play – Thursday 31 October 10-11am 0-5 years. No need to book, just come along!
Seacombe Family Hub
Pease call the hub for more information and to book: 01516663506
- Baby Sensory Session – Monday 28 October 10am-11am
- Rainbow Group – Tuesday 29 October 10am-11am
- Autumn Event – Wednesday 30 October 10am-11am
Bromborough Family Hub
For more information and to book your spaces, please call the hub on 0151 666 3246
- Baby Play – Monday 28 October 10:30am-11:30am
- Rainbow Group – Monday 28 October 1:30pm-2:30pm
- Autumn Event – Tuesday 29 October 9:30am-10:30am (Christchurch Parish Centre)
- Autumn Stay and Play – Friday 1 November 10am-11am
St James Hub
The Halloween Disco promises fun for all ages with old school Halloween games and prizes for best costumes, as well a ghoulish buffet! The events are priced at £2 per child, call 0151 670 99974 to book.
- Under 7s – Tuesday 29 October 4:30pm-5:30pm
- Over 7s – Tuesday 29 October 6pm-7:30pm
6) Football Fun
Future football stars can join qualified and experienced Sport Development Coaches at some Invigor8 leisure centres for FREE football sessions. Being held at the Oval Leisure Centre, Guinea Gap Leisure Centre and Leasowe Leisure Centre, the sessions are suitable for ages 11 – 17 years old. No need to book – just turn up!
Free Friday Night Football
- Oval Leisure Centre – 5:00pm – 7:00pm (These sessions have been funded by Mid Wirral Crime Prevention Panel)
- Guinea Gap Leisure Centre – 6:00pm – 8:00pm
- Leasowe Leisure Centre – 5:00pm – 7:00pm
- Woodchurch Community Football Centre – 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Free Monday Night Football
- Woodchurch Community Football Centre - 7pm – 8pm (These sessions have been funded by Violence Reduction partnership working in partnership with Merseyside Police)
Oval Football Pitch Offer
Looking for a pitch for your next 5 a side game? The Oval Leisure Centre is offering a discount on all 3G pitches during school holiday weekends for just £15 pet pitch booking! The discounted bookings apply to juniors and adults and are available all weekend.
Head to the Active Wirral website to book a pitch for your next match!
7) Make a splash with watersports activities
From sailing to powerboating, young people (aged 8-16) can experience the thrill of the waves at Wirral Watersports Centre. It’s a great way to introduce young people to new activities, build confidence and learn a new skill!
The thrilling courses include:
- Multi activity courses (ages 8 – 16) - 5 half days starting on 28th October
- Youth Sailing courses (ages 8 – 16) – 4 & 5 half days starting from 28th October
- Powerboat course (ages 12+) - 2 days starting from 26th October
For more information on how to book, head to Wirral Watersports Centre
8) Swimming and Teen Invigor8 Membership
Wirral’s young adults can take advantage of a Teen Invigor8 membership for just £15 a month and enjoy unlimited access to gyms, swimming pools, golf courses, exercises classes and much more!
With the Teen Invigor8 Membership, young people can access multiple sites across the borough to keep active during the autumn half term and beyond.
Timetable to follow, for latest updates head to Swimming Timetables.
Interested? Call 0151 606 2010 or visit Invigor8 Memberships for more information.
9) Lip-trembling Library Events
Wirral Libraries have lined up a variety of engaging events for children age 4+ that will run between 29 October and 31 October. The events require booking in advance. Highlights include:
- Spooky Storytime and Craft Sessions - Children aged 4-8 can enjoy Halloween stories and creative crafting activities, with optional fancy dress.
- Road Safety Events - For those who prefer to learn about staying safe, several libraries are hosting road safety workshops. These sessions include themed stories and interactive colouring activities to help children understand essential road safety rules.
For more information, dates and to book your spaces at the events, head to Wirral Libraries Events.
10) Monty the Mersey Monster
Uncover the ancient mystery of the mythical sea creature called Monty the Mersey Monster!
This enchanting light display at New Brighton Marine Lake invites families to uncover the mystery of the mythical sea creature.
You can catch Monty the Mersey Monster on Friday 1 November and Saturday 2 November from 5:30pm-9pm.
Learn more about the legend by visiting Monty the Mersey Monster.
