10 things to do with the kids this half term
Fun things to do in October half term | Watery book recommendations | Latest NW arts news
The night before I was due to accompany my son’s class to World Museum Liverpool, I read this post on Threads: “Primary school trips are the most stressful thing a person can do outside of hand to hand combat and having a completely new haircut.” Less than 24 hours later, having just about managed to keep my allocated group of six children in sight, I watched a small child pull a man’s brains out through his nostril.
“It’s okay, it was just string,” reassured my son, who had turned pale when his classmate was asked to root around the dummy’s nose with a long, pokey hook. He’d recovered his composure in time to carry out his task of removing organs from the inside of the body, via a little trap door. Then the kids had yelled out each item’s name, and identified which canopic jar the Ancient Egyptians would have popped them into, ready for the after life.
It was fun to see history being brought to life in this way, helped by the museum’s energetic education staff member, and the contrast between the kids’ reactions to this and the cases of archaeological finds in the Ancient Egypt gallery was interesting to note. As well curated as that is, with bright signage, accessibly-written displays and genuinely fascinating facts, it didn’t grab the children’s attention to the extent that getting involved in the workshop did.
With that in mind, this week’s Stored Honey includes some ideas for how to spend the half term holidays - with a focus on interactive activities. My school holiday suggestions have been some of the best read editions, but when I have published them right at the end of term some of the events have already been booked up. So this time I’m going early - and if you’re not ready to think about how you’ll be keeping the kids busy in a couple of week’s time (or you don’t have school age children) then feel free to scroll on past the next section to the latest arts news.
But before we get to that - knowing a little more about who is reading Stored Honey is really valuable, as it allows me to cater the content better. Rather than ask you to fill in a long survey, I will from now on be including the occasional quick poll, like this one…
10 things to do with the kids this half term
Power Up, Science and Industry Museum, Manchester: Thousands of visitors have enjoyed this interactive gaming exhibition so far and thanks to its popularity, its run has been extended until March 2025. Play the very best video games from the past five decades - including Pong, Guitar Hero and Pacman - on more than 150 consoles.
Build a Lego city, Museum of Liverpool: Seven to 11-year-olds are invited to take part in a free 45-minute workshop where they can unleash their inner Lego master builder to build and think about how we can make a happier and healthier city to live in. 1-1.45pm, 2-2.45 and 3-3.45pm on Monday, October 28, Wednesday, October 30 and Saturday, November 2. Book a free ticket here.
Twilight Tales, Dove Cottage, Grasmere: Enjoy hot chocolate, gingerbread, Halloween crafts and dressing up in Georgian costumes, while learning about the Wordsworths and hearing some of their writing. At twilight, head over to Dove Cottage and listen to some spooky Cumbrian stories. October 23, 28, 29, 30.
River of Light, Liverpool Waterfront: Take a walk through this free, outdoor illuminated gallery featuring light and sound works from local, national and international artists. This year’s 12 large-scale installations are inspired by the theme of ‘Play’. Friday, October 25 to Tuesday, November 5.
Glow With the Flow, Showtown, Blackpool: Interactive touch screen sessions transform short films into multi-sensory adventures. Monday, October 21. Tickets are £2 per child, free for accompanying adults. Showtown also has a half term family ticket offer, starting at £27 for three people, from Friday, October 18 to Sunday, November 3.
Wizards & Fairies Cruise, Salford Quays: Help the fairies navigate the tricky waters and find the Wizards' elusive magic potion in this one-hour cruise, featuring fun, games and interactive surprises. Aimed at ages 2-10, although all ages welcome. £13 adult, £10 child. Monday, October 21 to Thursday, October 24, and Sunday, October 27.
Frankenstein’s Museum, Grosvenor Museum, Chester: Create your own creature inspired by Frankenstein’s monster using ‘body parts’ from the museum’s collections. Free, just drop in. Tuesday, October 29 and Wednesday, October 30 10.30am-12.30pm.
Wild Wonder, Manchester Art Gallery: Download the free app and take part in a fun walk around the gallery, answering questions such as How many species of frogs are in the world? and Why does a dog’s heartbeat increases when its owner says ‘I love you’? Runs until June 1, 2025.
Circus Workshop, The Beacon Whitehaven: Pick up some circus skills at this workshop for all ages. £7.50 child, £4. Tickets don’t include museum entry. Monday, October 28.
Footy Fairy Tales, Burnley: Created through a partnership between the National Football Museum and storyteller Sophia Hatfield, this family-friendly storytelling performance brings fairy tales to life through the excitement of football. Tickets £6. Monday, October 21.
Latest arts news
📚 The Royal Shakespeare Company’s smash hit production of Matilda The Musical will embark on its second major tour of the UK and Ireland in October 2025, stopping off at the Liverpool Empire from December 2, 2025 to January 4, 2026, and the Manchester Palace Theatre from March 26, 2026 to April 24, 2026. Booking opens at 10am on Thursday, October 24.
🏛️ Grundy Art Gallery’s £10m extension has been given planning permission from Blackpool City Council. The proposal includes a two-storey extension to the gallery with a link to the adjoining Central Library.
🎚️ WOMEX 24, the most international and culturally diverse music convention in the world, will take place across five Manchester venues from Thursday, October 24 to Saturday, October 26. More than 50 live acts are performing, representing a mix of musical genres and styles including folk, afrobeat, roots, jazz, reggae and electronica.
☘️ “Departures” is the theme of this year’s Liverpool Irish Festival, which runs from Thursday, October 17 to Sunday, October 27. The 10-day programme kicks off at the Liverpool Irish Centre with performances from Sue Rynhart and Sinéad Campbell, and includes live music, theatre, art and film. See the full list for more.
In case you missed it
On the bookshelf
If you were intrigued by the story of the selkies featured in the interview with Tmesis director Elinor Randle in last week’s Stored Honey, here are some recommendations for your to-read pile.
The Blue Salt Road by Joanne Harris
It’s a male selkie who finds himself trapped on land in this story by Joanne Harris (Chocolat, Broken Light). Without his memories and separated from his own people, he must find his way in his new life.
This is the novel that inspired Randle to create a physical theatre piece based on the selkie myth - although the performance tells its own story, and isn’t a dramatisation of Bristow’s. Donald, a young fisherman on the west coast of Scotland, witnesses something miraculous and makes a terrible mistake that changes lives.
Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield
I am currently listening to this book on Audible, where it’s read by Juliet Stevenson, and am enjoying its slow pace and meandering plot, much like the river it’s set along. It doesn’t feature a selkie - at least it hasn’t yet and I don’t think it will - but a girl who was rescued from the water and appears drowned until she suddenly starts breathing again. Audible currently has a deal where you get the first three months for 99p per month.
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Opening this week
Natural North is the theme of dot-art’s latest exhibition, exploring the far stretches of the region and all its natural beauty, devoid of the urban and man-made. Featured artists are Wirral-based landscape painter Richard Serridge, who uses repurposed materials; Lancashire-based oil painter Katherine Dereli; John Sharp, who has worked as an illustrator and graphic designer at the University of Manchester; and Wirral-based Zoe Roberts, who creates nature-inspired works in a range of media. See it at the dot-art gallery, 14 Queen Avenue, Liverpool, until Saturday, November 23.
Thank you for reading this week’s Stored Honey. If you liked this newsletter then please hit the ❤️ button as it helps it get shown to more non-subscribers.
I’m off to construct some scaffolding around my own to-read pile, which is teetering precariously now I’ve balanced Su Bristow’s Sealskin on its summit. I’m definitely in the camp that says reading books and buying books are two separate hobbies. In the meantime, you can get hold of me on Instagram, in the comments or by replying to this email.
Have a great week,
Laura
P.S. Don’t forget that to celebrate publishing the 100th edition of Stored Honey, annual memberships are 20% off until October 31. That’s £32 per year rather than £40, which works out as 62p per week. Paid members receive an additional monthly email, which I carefully curate with a selection of exhibitions, shows, events, books and more taking place that month - helping you plan your free time and making sure that you don’t miss out on the best of the region’s arts and culture. Click the button below if you want to know more.