Great ways to play in Half Term
After countless days in lockdown, play is a priority for children to make sense of the world and have fun with their friends and family! Here are some playtime ideas for the forthcoming half term and after school.
Basketball
During the summer my sons were inspired by the movie, Space Jam: A New Legacy and became very keen to play basketball! We went to the park with basketballs, eagerly vying for a slot on the basketball court. We even made our own basketball hoop and stand with an enormous cardboard box, corrugated cardboard, and gorilla tape before finally buying a proper basketball hoop and stand for the garden!
We finally found an open league locally and my eldest son has a great time meeting other children and playing basketball solidly for an hour each week. Luckily, he is tall for his age but I’ve been amazed by the way in which some of the smaller children can fly up the basketball court and bounce up to shoot up high to the hoop. Hopefully, you can find some local basketball sessions on the website below and snuggle up for the movie after a match.
Jump into Trampoline heaven!
As the weather gets colder and wetter, trampoline parks are a great way to keep fit and have fun while keeping warm. My son recently had a party at a trampoline park, and it was such a novelty to be jumping with his friends again! The cafes are usually well-stocked with goodies too! My son and his friends were astounded by the slushy bar!
Slide into Soft play!
My boys and I had a blast in a soft play centre this week. They sat on my lap to go down the big slides as the extra weight made us whizz down them even faster! Partyman has some fun filled play centres around the country.
Dive into the swimming pool!
Pre Covid, we attended weekly swimming lessons at our local pool followed by a fun splash session for the whole family. Now it’s time to take the plunge again and brush up on such an important life skill as well as have fun! There are some great indoor water parks around the UK too!
Theme Parks
We went to a family-run theme park this summer and had great fun flying around on the roller coasters, log flumes, and more gentle rides. Here is a list for some inspiration. Many theme parks will have Halloween specials running over half term too and Kidspass has some deals for entry.
https://www.kidspass.co.uk/news/2021/9/9/top-uk-theme-parks-and-their-halloween-events
Tricks and Treats of Halloween
Last year’s festivities were muted due to covid. Hopefully this year your little trick or treaters can dress up and have a monstrous ball! We had a great time today at a Halloween afternoon tea, including a scavenger hunt.
https://www.eastbrookcountryparktearoom.co.uk/
English Heritage is running some Halloween Events this year. Click on the link below for details of your nearest venue.
Pick up a Pumpkin
Pre covid we had a great time at Pumpkin patches which offer carving, crafts, games, and halloween treats. Once we painted pumpkins which meant they lasted longer and smelt less!
Walk on the Wild side
Wildlife Trusts around the country are hosting all kinds of Halloween events! They even suggest ways to host a more eco-friendly Halloween this year.
Play with your food!
Halloween is a great excuse for feasting and creating fun and spooky treats! Here is some inspiration!
Indulge in some “Witch” craft!
Fancy dress and crazy costumes
Let the kids have fun dressing up and perhaps making their own costumes for Halloween this year.
Have some old-fashioned Halloween fun!
Our local wildlife trust had a great Halloween party one year with lots of old-fashioned party games and Halloween activities. Here are some ideas here.
Get your ghoulish groove on!
Dancing at a disco is a great way to lift your spirits! Here is a spooky playlist for some inspiration! Who’re you gonna call? Ghostbusters!!!
Snuggle up for a spooky movie night and sleepover!
Enjoy some thrilling movies as you cuddle up together! Here is a huge list for inspiration.
