The half term holidays can be an expensive time but here are free, family-friendly activities to keep your kids entertained during the school holidays
We say it every year but half term creeps up on us quickly. It seems as if it was just five minutes ago we were waving our kids off for the start of the academic year but alas here we are organising costumes and driving our kids around every Halloween party in town. With many families having to schedule time off work and pay additional childcare costs to cover the week, expensive activities on top are simply out of the budget which is why we have put together a list of the top free things to do in Northern Ireland over half term.
Visit your Local Library
Don’t sleep on your local library! Wile a way a cosy hour or two in the library reading books and sheltering from the rain. It’s a great activity for families with a range of ages as libraries are designed to appeal to everyone! Let the older kids scan the shelves while you spend some quality time reading to the younger ones. There will likely be activities, such as colouring available, and don’t forget that libraries are a great community hub so you might just find some more free events advertised for the rest of the week.
Tour Haunted Houses
Take your kids on a stroll round your local area to look at the Halloween decorations on offer. Some houses put on a spooktacular display so check social media to see if there are any dramatic decorations close by. If there isn’t much local to you, bundle the kids into the car with hot chocolates and drive round the more impressive houses for a DIY Halloween tour.
Free Museum
Every county in Northern Ireland has at least one free museum just waiting to be explored. Pack a picnic and set off on a day of discovery to find out what your local museum has to offer. Over half term many museums will also be running extra activities aimed at kids so make sure you check out what’s happening before you set off. The Ulster Museum in Belfast is offering nature, history, and art themed drop in sessions in its Discovery Centres between October 29 and November 3. The Irish Linen Centre & Lisburn Museum is also hosting daily workshops centred around seasonal art and crafts. The sessions are free but booking is required. If you head down to Newry and Mourne Museum on October 31 you’ll be able to avail of the Halloween Storytelling for Families sessions. Check the website for exact timings.
Design a Nature Scavenger Hunt
Anyone with young kids knows that getting outdoors is essential for everyone’s mental health. Put a spring into the kids’ steps by adding a scavenger hunt to your regular walk. Before you set off, make a list of everything you want them to collect or see. The objects can range from an acorn to a spiderweb, or even animal footprints. If you really want to extend the activity, bring some of the artefacts home with you, such as brightly coloured leaves and twigs to make a craft project.
Fireworks Display
Tis the season for fireworks and who are we to turn down a bit of free entertainment on Hallow’s Eve? This year there are displays taking place in Enniskillen, Craigavon, Ballymena, Belfast, Larne, Newtownabbey, Limavady, Ballycastle, Ballymoney and of course, Derry/Londonderry. The annual Derry Halloween celebrations will culminate in a spectacular carnival parade and fireworks display with all eyes on the River Foyle for a deathly display of pyrotechnics.
Read the latest issue of NI4kids for a full rundown of events taking place over Half Term
