Like autumn leaves, the weeks of this half term have tumbled away and landed in a pile marked ‘done’. In other words, it’s time for a short break. So what’s fun and family friendly in the Manchester and Trafford areas during autumn half term 2013?
Autumn leaves inspire creativity.
Creative and Crafty Half Term Activities in Manchester and Trafford 2013
Carving a squash or a pumpkin is satisfyingly crafty.
Autumn is such a beautiful time of year: fallen leaves drape our pavements in glamorous shades of brown, red and orange; huge amber pumpkins and shiny apples of emerald green and brightest ruby vie for our attention alongside golden squash and parsnips of palest ivory. It’s not hard to find inspiration for DIY half term craft projects. Den building, leaf paintings and pumpkin carvings offer good old-fashioned fun whilst the crafting of a Hallowe’en costume is a not-to-be-forgotten experience.
Draw the future this half-term.
It’s time for the Big Draw, the Campaign for Drawing‘s annual festival which aims to encourage more drawing. This year’s theme is Draw Tomorrow. The People’s History Museum is offering an artist-led session in which to draw ‘tomorrow’s Manchester’ – an inspiring proposition. This event takes place on Wednesday, 30th October from 1:30 – 3:00pm. Find more Big Draw events in Manchester and Trafford here.
Dick and Dom are coming to Urmston Bookshop.
CBBC’s Dick and Dom have been playing fast and loose with the Queen’s English and have come up with a whole book of crazy, imaginative words such as Musty Troutwarbler. They’ll be signing the books and entertaining throngs of their fans at Urmston Bookshop on 1st November. Booking is essential (as are ear plugs).
Quirky Half Term Activities in Manchester and Trafford 2013
If solar-powered cinema, guided tours and waterfront markets ignite your interest, visit the Quays Open Day at Salford Quays on Saturday, 26th October. You can combine it with a trip to the Lowry cinema and a big box of popcorn. Read more about the open day on the Creative Tourist website.
Still in Salford, the monthly Urban Market at Greengate Square is running on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th October, promising autumnal foodie, gourmet, creative, quirky and artistic treats. Read more about the Urban Market on their website.
Salford Museum and Art Gallery is free and fabulous all year round. Within the museum, Lark Hill Place offers and atmospheric recreation of a Victorian street, complete with shops, houses and the sounds of the day.
Manchester Science Festival
Manchester Science Festival is running until 3rd November 2013.
The increasingly vast Manchester Science Festival is running until 3rd November. There are too many events to list on this page, so please find a full programme of events here.
You might like to try your hand at starting a drip or intubating a patient at the University of Bolton on Monday 28th October (free, but places must be booked). Manchester Museum’s Science Spectacular on Saturday 2nd November promises the chance to take part in some great science challenges. You can go on a journey through the hidden body, take a closer look at the Moon and snuggle up to some unusual creepy crawlies. Pop-up scientists will deliver Manchester Minute Microlectures and roving science buskers will perform amazing science tricks on the go.
Mad Science and Alstom will be coming to Urmston Library on Monday, 28th October from 11:00am – 1:00pm for some spectacular, free-of-charge science suitable for the whole family.
Adults, if you love maths then MathsJam at Odder is a must. Meet other maths fans and enthuse about quadratics to infinity and beyond.
Hallowe’en Half Term Activities in Manchester and Trafford 2013
Hallowe’en is approaching.
We love Hallowe’en. It’s a festival that is rich with educational possibilities – from creating spooky tales to carving crazy pumpkins and making mildly magical potions.
Learning is magic at Better Tuition!
The Hallowe’en Ghost Train is running from Bury and is packed with ghouls and monsters to terrify and delight. At the time of writing the train was fully booked except for Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th, so speedy clicking is essential.
Dare you read our pick of half term Hallowe’en activities?
There are Ghosts in the Garden at Tatton Park in Knutsford until 3rd November. There will be spooky story telling in the eerie TowerGarden as well as ghost hunting for the brave.
Visit Z-arts in Hulme for Spooky Tales – a promenade theatre experience just right for 31st October. Join Edward and Martha Creep as they tell terrifying tales as only a true Creep can! Gasp, gawp and grin at this collection of putridly performed short stories.
Half Term Fireworks in Manchester and Trafford 2013
Bad news for cats: there’s barely a corner of Manchester or Trafford that doesn’t have an organised firework display this year. Check out this map of Mancunian bonfires from the Manchester Evening News.
Urmston’s annual community bonfire is held every year at AbbotsfieldPark, Flixton, with gates opening at 5:30pm. There will be entertainment from Pyroscope at 7:30pm and the firework spectacular will commence at 8:00pm. Tickets are available from The local leisure centres, Urmston Book Shop, Bernard Matthews Quality foods and Pat’s Florist.
If you can’t wait that long for some firework-focused fun, Levenshulme Festival is hosting a funfair and fireworks display on Sunday, 27th October at Cringle Fields. The funfair runs from 12:30pm till late, with the fireworks display scheduled to begin at 7:30pm.
Whatever you are doing, we wish you a great half term break. Better Tuition, Urmston’s independent tuition centre, is closed from Saturday, 26th October until Monday 4th November. Feel free to contact us in the meantime to arrange tuition or a free assessment
