It’s October half term in Cardiff next week – not to mention Halloween on the Saturday. As always, there are so many brilliant events going on in and around Cardiff.

I’ve tried to include as many family-friendly events as I can, but if you know if anything else, do let me know.

All details are subject to change, so I recommend checking ahead before visiting anywhere.

Most of the events happening in South Wales over half-term seem to be Halloween-related, but I’ve tried to find as many non-Halloween events as I can too. There are also some great theatre shows, free events at local museums and outdoor workshops. Click on the event title to go to the website for further information.

This guide has been produced in association with the lovely people who run the restaurants at House of Fraser Cardiff, House of Fraser Cwmbran, the café at Wilkinsons in Swansea and Festival Park Shopping Centre in Ebbw Vale

They are once again running their brilliant school holiday offer where you can buy a child’s meal for just £1 with every adult meal purchased. See in store for full-details.

All the restaurants are family-friendly – and House of Fraser in Cardiff has a brilliant kids’ corner, packed full of toys to entertain your little ones, including building bricks, easels, abacuses and even a slide.

And in celebration of the 150th anniversary of Howells (which is what House of Fraser Cardiff used to be called and is more commonly known as to many of us!), they are selling scones with jam and cream for £1.50 all this month. Yum!

I’d love it if you could share this post with any friends you think may also appreciate it. We’re so lucky in South Wales to have so many amazing events going on this month. Please help spread the word – and have a great half term and Halloween!

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NON-HALLOWEEN EVENTS

Den building

Cosmeston Lakes, Sully

Tuesday 27th October, 10am-12midday

£5 per child; ages 7-11. Pre-booking essential

A chance to create a unique den to shelter from the elements, as well as learning to use a flint and steel while sat around the open fire for some well-earned treats.

Half-term nature-inspired events

Bryngarw House and Country Park, Bridgend

* Make your own fat cakes for birds – Monday 26th October, 11am

Making tasty treats for our feathered friends. £3 per child, book in advance.

* Autumn crafts – Tuesday 27th October, 11am-3pm

A range of children’s craft activities using the natural resources found around the park. £3 per child, drop in to the visitor centre

Half Term Welly Week

Dyffryn Gardens, Vale of Glamorgan

Saturday 24th October to Monday 2nd November

Usual admission prices apply

Children can hunt all over the gardens for hidden wellies, including the mysterious golden welly. There’s autumnal arts and crafts as well as a mega muddy walk through the arboretum to see the autumn colour.

Try Gamelan

St David’s Hall, Cardiff

Saturday 24th October, 1pm

£8/£5 concessions

A fun, hands-on session giving the whole family the opportunity to play the beautiful bronze Javanese percussion instruments. No previous musical experience necessary.

Ministry of Science – Stage Show

Riverfront Theatre, Newport

Thursday 29th October, 11am and 3pm

£12

An entertaining and energetic explosive science show, looking at the inventors and engineers who have shaped and inspired the modern world in which we live, from liquid nitrogen frozen flowers to hydrogen bottle rockets.

Les Misérables: Fersiwn Ysgolion

Wales Millennium Centre, Thursday 29th- Saturday 31st October

7.30pm, plus 2.30pm on Friday and Saturday

Age guidance: 8+; prices from £18.50

Over 120 teenagers from across Wales perform in this Welsh language schools’ version of the famous musical, staged by Wales Millennium Centre and Urdd Gobaith Cymru, in association with Ysgol Glanaethwy and supported by the University of Wales Trinity Saint David.

National Dance Company Wales: Family Interactive Matinee

The Dance House, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay

Tuesday 27th and Wednesday 28th October, 1pm

£8

Dance on stage with the professional dancers, ask questions and learn excerpts from the company’s show, as well as watch them perform Tuplet, a witty exploration of the concept of rhythm.

I Believe In Unicorns

Weston Studio, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay

Friday 30th October, 1pm and 3pm

Age guidance: 6+; tickets £7

A stage adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s treasured story, this show is set in a library full of books that hold more than stories within their pages.

Tetris

Chapter Arts Centre, Canton, Cardiff

Thursday 29th October, performance 3pm, workshop 4-5pm

Friday 30th October, performance 11am, workshop 12-1pm

Ages 6+; £7 for the show, £12 for show and workshop

A family dance adventure that features performances by Dutch company Arch 8 and hands-on creative workshops from Theatr Iolo, Arch 8 and Erik Kaiel. Inspired by the computer game, dancers will flip, slide, leapfrog and tumble over each other, culminating with the audience invited to take part.

Peppa Pig’s Surprise

New Theatre, Cardiff

Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th October, 10am, 1pm and 4pm

Prices from £9.50 per person

A new live stage show featuring Peppa, George and their friends, featuring life size puppets, fun, games and plenty of surprises perfect for pre-schoolers.

Mad Hatter’s Tea Party

Glanfa Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay

Monday 26th-Saturday 31st October, 11am-4pm; free

A large-scale art project where children can help prepare the Mad Hatter’s topsy-turvy table by adding their very own crafty picnic treat.

Fantastic Fossils

National Museum Cardiff

Tuesday 27th-Friday 30th October, 11am, 1pm, 3pm

Suitable for all ages; free

Sketch real fossils in your own ‘Victorian’ notebook and make a fossil plastercast to display at home in this family workshop.

Painting On Colour

National Museum Cardiff

Tuesday 27th-Friday 30th October, 11am-1pm, 2pm-4pm

Suitable for all ages; free

Learn how artists prepared their canvases with different colours through the centuries and how this affected the colours on top – and then have a go yourself.

Cheap kids’ cinema screenings

Odeon Cardiff Bay

Inside Out, Minions, Two by Two

£2.50 per person for early-morning kids’ club showings

Cineworld, Mary Ann Street, Cardiff

The House of Magic, Minions, Inside Out

£1.75 per person for early-morning Movies for Juniors showings

Halloween events

Halloween events

Tredegar House, Newport

Saturday 24th October-Sunday 1st November, 11am-4pm

Usual admission charges apply

Tricks and treats for the whole family include an eerie trail to follow, decorating a batty biscuit, carving a devilish pumpkin and creepy crafts.

Ultimate Halloween Party

Dyffryn Gardens, Vale of Glamorgan

Thursday 29th and Friday 30th October, 6pm-7.30pm

Age guidance: 5-11 year olds.

£5 per ticket (under 3s are free); booking essential

A spooky walk, disco dancing, creepy games, crafts and storytelling are among the spooky goings as part of Dyffryn’s Halloween party.

Various Halloween events

Cardiff Castle

* Halloween Trail – Saturday 24th-Sunday 1st November

Follow the cryptic clues around the castle in this spooky trail.

Tickets: Normal admission or a valid Castle Key plus £1 per trail including a prize

* Halloween Crafts – Monday 26th-Tuesday 27th October, timed slots

Mask-making and creepy craft sessions.

All tickets £5 for one child and one adult in addition to normal admission or a valid Castle Key. £2.50 per additional person.

* Creepy Crawlies – Wednesday 28th October, timed slots

A close encounter with spiders and scorpions, maggots, frogs and toads just might make your skin crawl!

All tickets £3 per person in addition to normal admission or a valid Castle Key.

* Halloween Storytelling – Thursday 29th – Friday 30th October, timed slots

Join Wizard Wizziwig and Ermintrude the Witch for some spooky tales in the Undercroft and take part in the costume parade.

Normal admission or a valid Castle Key. No additional charge

* Halloween Cinema

Saturday 31st October – 2pm, Monsters University (U); 4.15pm, The Nightmare Before Christmas (PG) (UPDATE: SOLD OUT); 8pm Young Frankenstein (PG)

Sunday 1st November – 2pm, Beauty and the Beast (U); 5pm, The Princess Bride (PG)

Call (029) 2087 8100 or visit the ticket office outside the castle.

* The Highwayman

Saturday 31st October – Sunday 1st November

A hunt for the masked man with combat displays at 12 noon and 3pm.

Normal admission or a valid Castle Key. No additional charge.

Halloween at Barry Island Pleasure Park

Saturday 31st October, 12 noon until 7pm

Children in fancy dress will get a free ride of their choice, while there will be free treats and other spooky goings on. Also open all half term, 12noon until 7pm.

Halloween events

Bryngarw House and Country Park, Bridgend

* Spooky Crafts – Thursday 29th and Saturday 31st October, 10am-3pm, bookable time slots. £3 per child.

* Halloween Pumpkin Carving Workshops – Friday 30th October, 11am-2.30pm, bookable time slots, £7.50 per child.

* Halloween Spooktacular – Saturday 31st October, 4pm-8pm, bookable sessions in advance

Spooky storytelling around the park. The tails will get spookier as the evening progresses. More suitable for older children.

Junior Ghost Tour

St Fagans Castle, Cardiff

Sunday 25th-Saturday 21st October, 5.30pm

Ages 7-11, £8.50 per ticket. Must be pre-booked and children must be accompanied by an adult.

A spooky wander by lantern light through shadowy St Fagans Castle, you’ll hear tales of its ghosts told to you by a mysterious time travelling resident from the Castle’s past.

Monstrous Make-Up

Riverfront Theatre, Newport

Tuesday 27th October, 10am-12pm

Ages 6+, £3.50 per child, places limited so pre-booking advisable

A chance to learn the tricks of the trade from a professional make-up artist and leave looking spookier than ever

Make Your Own Monsters

Riverfront Theatre, Newport

Wednesday 28th October, 10am-12pm

Ages 5-11, £3.50 per child, places limited so pre-booking advisable

Learn or improve sewing skills with sewing tutor Oh! Susannah! And take home a creepy monster.

Do The Monster Mash Dance Workshop

Riverfront Theatre, Newport

Thursday 29th October, 10am-12pm

£3.50, numbers limited so pre-booking advisable

A professional dance tutor will teach participants some awesome, gruesome and terrifyingly funky dance moves for them to perform.

Welsh Hearts Halloween Fun Run

Bute Park, Cardiff

Saturday October 31st, 10am-3pm

Pre-registration essential

A spooktacular four-mile walk in one of Cardiff’s most beautfiful parks for an important cause. There will be lots of spooky fun and games, face painting, apple bobbing, pumpkin competitions and fancy dress.

Halloween at Hendrewennol

Hendrewennol Fruit Garden, Bonvilston, Cowbridge

Saturday 24th-Saturday 31st October, from 9am daily

A range of activities including pumpkin carving, broomstick factory, toffee apple dipping, the creepy maze, and then from 6pm, the fright maze, as well as Spooky Village, a non-interactive Halloween experience for the younger or more sensitive visitor.

Spooky Science / Graham The Ghost

Techniquest, Cardiff Bay

Saturday 24th October to Sunday 1st November

Usual admission prices apply

In Spooky Science, see a pumpkin carve itself, and a coin scream, while Graham the Ghost is an interactive story for under 7s about a ghost who has lots his glow.

* PLUS Friday 6th November

Get Spooky, Toddler Day – perfect to introduce toddlers and pre-schoolers to the wonder of science.

Halloween Spooktacular

Pugh’s Garden Centre, Radyr

30th and 31st October 2015

£5 per child

UPDATE – SOLD OUT!

Pugh’s Little Green Fingers Halloween Spooktacular Workshop will see children lantern making, apple bobbing (on strings) and running a spooky ghost hunt around the garden centre, all in fancy dress.
Recommended for 2+ although younger ones welcome as long as they are supervised.

Halloween party

Café Junior, Fanny Street, Cardiff

Saturday 31st October, 4.30pm-6pm, £8.75 per child, adults free

A chance to dress up in Halloween costumes and to enjoy activities including Halloween arts and crafts, apple bobbing, mummy wrapping, spider catching and witch hunting, not to mention party food and dancing to spooky songs. Pre-booking essential.

Halloween Party

Ants Inya Pants, Rhymney River Bridge Road, Cardiff

Thursday 29th October, 4-6pm

£6.50 per child

Get dressed up for party fun from a professional entertainer, disco, games, competitions, food and of course soft play.

Pre-booking essential.

Halloween Party

Rascals Clubhouse, Rhymney River Bridge Road, Cardiff

Wednesday 28th October, 4-6pm

£6.50 per child

Get dressed up for party fun from a professional entertainer, disco, games, competitions, food and of course soft play.

Pre-booking essential.

Cook Stars Halloween Party

Old Church Rooms, Radyr

Saturday 31st October, 10am-1pm

£25 per child or bake with a buddy for £22.50 each

A chance to make your own spooky lunch, lanterns and cupcakes, as well as Halloween games and a dressing up competition. Price includes all ingredients. Pre-booking essential.
Contact us via email on tracy@cookstars.co.uk or enquires@cookstars.co.uk

Party Fizz Halloween Parties

Christ Church Scout Hall, Lake Road North, Cardiff

Friday 30th and Saturday 31st October

From £7.50 per child, discounts for siblings

Prebooking essential

Some of Liz’s famous Halloween parties have already sold out, but if you’re quick you may be able to get a space. There are parties for babies, toddlers and 3-6 year olds, although the age guidelines are flexible to accommodate siblings/friendship groups. Parties include 45-60 minutes of action/ movement songs and dances, party games, parachute games, bubbles, snow machine, storytelling and dancing with pom poms/ glo tambourines, hula hoops etc, followed by refreshments and play/chat time.

Discotots Halloween Parties

Thursday 30th October, Whitchurch, 10am -11:30am
Friday 30th October, Heath, 10am-11:30am
Friday 30th October, Penarth, 2:30pm-4pm

£7 per child (£2 extra per walking sibling)

Prebooking essential
Get dressed up for some spooky Discotots fun! There will be singing, musical games, bubbles, and Halloween treats for everyone.
Contact Becky on 07876177017 or email at info@discotots.com

Halloween Party

Zone Play, Penarth Road, Cardiff

Friday 30th October, 5.30pm-7.30pm

£7.50 per child

Alongside the usual soft play, the party will include party games, messy games, small free glitter tattoo, a hot dog and a drink. There’s a prize for the best fancy dress costume.

Pre-booking essential.

Jump, Parc Ty Glas, Llanishen Cardiff

Saturday 31st October

6.30pm-8.30pm

£5.50 per child, £1.50 per adult

A spooktacular disco with fancy dress competition, freaky face paints, and a treasure hunt.

Pre-booking essential from Jump reception.

Halloween party

Coconuts, Sully Moors Road, Barry

Saturday 31st October, 4pm-7pm

£8.50 per child including lunch box

Children can enjoy a fancy dress competition, apple bobbing on strings, Halloween-themed cupcake making, balloon modelling and a disco.

Pre-booking essential

Call 01446 740404 to book

Halloween party

Funtastic, Western Industrial Estate, Caerphilly
Saturday 31st October, 1-3.30pm or 4.6.30pm
£7 per child (including two hours of play with lunch bag on entry), £1 per adult

A spooky disco with games, party dances and a costume competition, plus visits from Monsters Inc Mike and Sully mascots.

Pre-booking essential.

Trail of Terror

Newport Wetlands

Satrurday 31st October, 10,30am-12pm and 2pm-3.30pm

£3 RSPB members / £5 non-members; booking essential

Find out about the darker side of wildlife at Newport Wetland in a terrifying trail which will include a walk around the reserve with some hands-on activities and finish off with some arts and crafts.

Halloween Party

Funky Little Chickens

Friday 30th October, 2-4pm

£10 per ticket

Suitable for 1-4 year olds, guests will be making spooky spiders and wonderful witches, dancing to the Monster Mash, and listening to Halloween stories. Entertainment from The Wonderful Wardrobe. Price includes spook snacks and a goodie bag. Their first Halloween party has already sold out, so book quickly to secure your place!

Call 029 2002 4007 or drop in to book

Pre-booking essential.

Halloween party in aid of Save The Children

Forest Lodge, Porthkerry Country Park, Barry

1.30pm-3.30pm

£5 per child plus booking fee with proceeds to Save The Children

Help raise money for Save The Children’s Child Refugee Crisis Appeal with this spooky afternoon of Halloween fun. Entertainment from Party Fizz, with games, singing, musical instruments, parachute fun and bubbles, as well as apple bobbinhg, doughnut dunking, a treasure hunt and a pumpkin competition. Price includes Halloween snacks and drink. Pre-booking essential.

Halloween Natural History Open Day

National Museum Cardiff

Friday 30 October, 10am-4pm

Suitable for ages; free entry

As well as meeting the natural history curators and visiting the stands in the main hall to see highlights of the 5 million specimens held in the museums stores, visitors can also follow a spooky Halloween quiz trail to discover some weird and wonderful objects from the natural world and win a prize.

Spooky Halloween Day

Caerphilly Castle

Saturday 31st October

11am-4pm

Usual entrance fees apply

A day of thrills and chills, plus Halloween-themed arts and crafts in the Great Hall. The first 200 children to take part will receive a prize.

Medieval Mystery and Medieval Monster Mayhem

Cosmeston Medieval Village, Sully

£5 per child, ages 5-11 (accompanied by an adult). Must be pre-booked

Discover where the Monsters of Mayhem are hiding as you investigate a crime, solve the mystery leading to a trial and see the culprit being put in the stocks.

Spooky Halloween Day

Blaenavon Ironworks

Saturday 31st October

A day of thrills and chills with a Halloween-themed trail, plus prizes for the first 100 children to take part.

Children’s craft workshops

Made By Hand Contemporary Craft Fair, City Hall, Cardiff

* Stitching Plushy Monsters, Saturday 31st October and Sunday 1st November, 11am-12.30pm

Ages 7-12, £16 (workshop price includes entrance to the event for one adult and one child)

Design your own soft and squidgy plush monster using a range of felt and fabrics. No sewing experience necessary.

* Stitching a Woof Woof! Pouch, Saturday 31st October, 1-2.30pm

Ages 7-12, £16 (workshop price includes entrance to the event for one adult and one child)

Make a great accessory to pop treasures into, with this cute animal-inspired pocket complete with popper fastening.

* Stitching and Making a Funky Wristband Saturday 31st October, 3-4.30pm; Sunday 1st November, 1pm-2.30pm

Ages 7-12, £16 (workshop price includes entrance to the event for one adult and one child)

Design and then create a unique bracelet or band, with sewing and craft accessories.

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