Half Term Spooky Science and Autumnal Fun

We've moved to February! But fear not… we won’t be leaving you in the lurch this Halloween half term!  

Whether you’re looking for an action-packed day out for all the kids, an autumnal wildlife walk, or something cheap and easy to do on a cosy day at home… we’ve got you covered! 

The team at Norwich Science Festival has put together a list of spooktacular autumnal events and activities across Norwich and Norfolk for all the family to get involved and to keep your science brains bubbling this half term! Plus don't forget to bookmark 11–18 February for the next Norwich Science Festival!

Action-Packed Halloween Days Out!

This Half term, Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure an exciting Halloween themed week jam-packed with Rawr-some spooky fun! The return of Weston-Smythe School of Dinosaurs is set to be an extraordinary immersive story-telling adventure, plus there’ll be plenty of Halloween extras around the park such as creepy crafts and a spooky disco!

If you fancy something a little less Jurassic… why not check out The Ascarium at Sea Life Great Yarmouth this Halloween? The Ascarium will be running from the 15–31 October and the kids will get the chance to meet the mystical Sea Witch or Warlock as well as complete a spooky trail of challenges as they explore the fascinating creatures of the ocean!

Trick or Trail?

If you fancy escaping the city for some spooky wildlife fun this half term, we’ve got three trails that might just tickle your fancy!

At RSPB Strumpshaw Fen, their Creepy Creatures Halloween Trail is running from 22–30 October, where you can discover the woods as the kids explore the bugs and beasts and hunt for pumpkins! With activity sheets and creepy crafts, its set to be a wild day out!

Alternatively, at Pensthorpe, the Poisons and Potions Trail is set to be a magical day for all the family, with a spooky nature trail, Halloween themed wildlife sessions, pumpkin decorating, arts and crafts and much more!

Taverham Mill is also running a Seasonal Halloween Trail from the 24^th=30^thOctober, with no pre-booking required, you can grab your hats and wellies and make a spontaneous trip to go and explore the trail, stomp in puddles and immerse yourself in fascinating talks about the creepy crawlies and furry friends that live there!

Autumnal Adventures

If Halloween’s not really your thing, and wrapping up and venturing out to  explore the beauty of Autumnal Norfolk is a bit more up your alley… we’ve got you covered too!

This Half Term, Holkham Hall’s Magic of Autumn event features a whole host of exciting activities for the entire family to get involved. From adrenaline pumping rope courses and wildlife stories, to the Holkham stories and crafts in ed’s shed – there’s something for everyone to enjoy at Holkham Hall this autumn!

Alternatively, if you’re a bird lover then head to NWT Cley and Salthouse Marshes this October, one of the most popular birdwatching sites in the UK, for their Really Wild Half Term! Running from 23^rd-28^th October, you can explore the reserve and visit the hides before heading inside to take part in some amazing nature-themed crafts such as making your own bird feeder! This event is completely free and requires no pre-booking so is the perfect way to spend a day this half term!

Plus check out some Deep History Coastal Critters at Cromer! Pop along to Cromer Museum on 27 October from 11am to discover the animals of the Deep History Coast - giant deer, bison, hippos and mammoths. Join palaeontologist, Dr David Waterhouse, to find out more about the giants of Norfolk's past, including the largest and oldest mammoth ever found in the UK. Take part in Extraordinary Extinct™ crafty fun with Dodo and Dinosaur® and enjoy creating your own mammoth collage, plus colouring, puzzles and more!

Something a bit different!

If you’re looking for something a bit different to do with your family this half term, why not check out the Stories for Our Planet event taking place at Norwich Theatre on Wednesday 26^thOctober? Stories for Our Planet is a story-building session focusing on the climate crisis, aimed at immersing your little ones in this subject through crafts and drama

Home and Garden Autumnal Fun!

If you’re looking for fun and low-cost things to do at home, in the garden, or around your local neighbourhood this half term, we’ve found some great ideas for kitchen experiments,               halloween /autumnal crafts and wildlife hunts for all the family to try!

Check out the Woodland Trust or Project Learning Tree for a whole host of ideas for Halloween crafts and experiments using materials and ingredients you might already have at home!

Or head over to Visit North Norfolk for how to go on your own fungi foray! Why not grab your coats and wander round the garden or your local park or woods and have a look for some funky fungi this half term?

And if you fancy making something to help the wildlife in your garden this autumn, check out the RSPB’s ‘how to make a recycled bird feeder’ or visit their website for other crafts such as hedgehog homes and much more!

We hope these autumnal and halloween events and ideas help make for a fantastic and fun-filled half term!

And don’t forget! – Norwich Science Festival is back February 11–18 2023 and is set to be a mind-blowing week of incredible science and fun! We can’t wait to see you there – save the date!