This half term has been a long one! We’re seven weeks in and still one more to go before the schools in Cardiff break up on Friday 27th October. My kids are certainly ready for the break. Me too! One of the plus points of the holiday being later than usual is that the kids will be off for Halloween. And there are so many spooky-themed events going on to entertain the children. There’s also plenty of non-Halloween events too if you are looking for something entirely unrelated.

Here’s everything I’ve found. Please remember all events are subject to change and cancellation so do check ahead to avoid disappointment. I’ve listed all the Halloween stuff first followed by everything else.

A number of the bigger Halloween events sell out fast – so do book in advance where possible.

Please let me know anything I have missed either in the comments below on the Cardiff Mummy Says Facebook page or by tweeting me on @cardiffmummy

It helps me massively if you share this blog post on social media.

Please do share with anyone else you think might be interested. Thanks x 

Halloween events

FREE Building the Wicker Man

St Fagans National Museum of History, Cardiff

Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd; Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th October, 12pm-4pm

The Wicker Man will be burned at St Fagans’ forthcoming Halloween Nights – but in the meantime you can help build him. Read how we got on doing this last year here. Halloween Nights take place on Sunday 29th-Tuesday 31st October – tickets must be bought in advance.

Halloween activities

Hendrewennol Farm, Bonvilston

Thursday 26th October-Wednesday 1st November

A range of spooky activities including pumpkin carving broomstick making web making plus a spooky trail for younger visitors and terror trail for older ones. All activities must be pre-booked. Limited availability. Some dates already sold out.

Graham The Ghost/Star Tours/Spooky Science

Techniquest, Cardiff Bay

Saturday 28^th October to Sunday 5^th November, various times

Adults £8 children 4-15 £6.50 age 3 or under free; family (up top 2+3) £28 (Gift Aid prices)

Planetarium shows £1.50 extra per person

Graham the Ghost has lost his glow in this Planetarium show for under 7s while in Star Tours over 7s can learn more about constellations, the planets, how stars are born and how they die. Live science show Spooky Science asks whether you have ever seen a pumpkin carve itself or a coin scream; can you sit on a bed of nails without screaming and can science be used to create potions and ghosts.

FREE Spooky Halloween Day

Blaenavon Ironworks

Saturday 28th-Sunday 29th October, 10am-4.30pm

A Halloween themed trail for a day of thrills and chills!

Read our review of Blaenavon Ironworks here.

Hotel Transylvania

Cardiff Speaker Hire, Dumballs Road, Cardiff

Saturday 28th October, 11am

Adults £6, children £5, family (2+2) £20

Carnevil from Lostlands Cinema present a spooky cinematic experience where you’ll not only watch Hotel Transylvania but get to marvel at the sights of an old fashioned carnival Freakshow and pumpkin carving. (There’s also a range of adult horror films showing over the weekend too.)

Chepstow Castle

Spooky Halloween Trail

Saturday 28 October, 11am to 4pm

Adults £6.50, Children £4.20, Family £19.30

Join in a Halloween-themed trail at Chepstow Castle for a day of thrills and chills.

There’s a prize for the first 150 children taking part.

Raglan Castle

Halloween Weekend

Saturday 28 to Sunday 29 October, 11am to 5pm

Adults £6.50, Children £4.20, Family £19.30

The witches are taking over at Raglan Castle. Have a go at the terrifying trail, fiendish face-painting and meet the ghastly characters occupying Raglan for Halloween.

Halloween Happenings

Cardiff Castle

Ghost tours

Tuesday 10th-Tuesday 31st October

From £11.50 per person; age 13+

Tales of ghostly encounters from times gone by to the present day. Must be pre-booked.

Ghostly Knights

Saturday 28th-Tuesday 31st October

Normal admission or valid Castle Key

Ghostly knights will appear around the castle grounds with spooky storytelling and fearsome combat displays.

Extra charges for Have-a-go archery catapult and craft tent.

Creepy Crawlies

Wednesday 1st November 10.15am, 11.30am, 12.45pm, 2.30pm

£3.50 per person in addition to normal admission or valid Castle Key; book in advance.

Halloween Trail

Saturday 28th-Tuesday 31st October

£1 per trail in addition to normal admission or valid Castle Key.

Use the clues to solve the trail.

Underground Cinema: Halloween

The Undercroft Cardiff Castle

Monday 30th October-Sunday 5th November

From £6 per person; must be booked in advance

Various films showing throughout the week including Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride Coraline The Nightmare Before Christmas Hocus Pocus Ghostbusters and more.

Little Monsters

Wyevale Garden Centre, Cardiff

Haunted Heather Planting Monday 30th October; £2.50 per child

Spooky Spiders Tuesday 31st October; £2.50 per child

Phantom Lanterns Thursday 2nd November; £2.50 per child

Pumpkin Carving Friday 3rd November; £2.50 per child

Halloween Disco Wednesday 1st and Saturday 4th November; £7.50 per child

Half term events

The Royal Mint Experience, Llantrisant

Adults £16 children 5-15 family (2+2 or 1+3) £38.50

Find out how all the coins in your pocket are made in the Royal Mint Experience tour. Plus enjoy these inclusive activities.

Monday 30^th October, 11am to 4pm – Creepy Crawly Roadshow

Tuesday 31 October, 11am to 4pm – Halloween Face painting and balloon modelling

Wednesday 1^st-Thursday 2^nd November – Victorian shadow portraits and zoetropes

Friday 3^rd November, 12pm-4pm – Dark Skies Planetarium: Adventure Amongst The Stars

Spooky Halloween Disco

Porthcawl Pavilion

Saturday 31st October, 2pm and 5pm

Adults £3 children £6

A spooky disco with dancing, party games and a competition for the best fancy dress costume.

In the footsteps of the Green Lady

Caerphilly Castle

Tuesday 31^st October, 10am-4pm

Adults £7.95, children £5.20, family £23.70

As part of Wales’s Year of Legends, follow in the footsteps of the Green Lady by taking part in a family trail around the castle. Will you discover what the Green Lady has been searching for? Inclusive in general admission.

October Half Term Fun

St Fagans National Museum of History

Saturday 28th October-Sunday 5th November 12pm-4pm

Family-friendly activities inspired by Halloween, autumn leaves and fireworks. Some activities may incur a small charge.

Halloween Nights

St Fagans National Museum of History

Sunday 29th-Tuesday 31st October, 6-9pm

£15 adults, £8 children, under 2 years free)

Age 4+; must be pre-booked

The museum’s familiar buildings will be showing their dark side as spirits are conjured up using special technical wizardry. You can make a lantern at the Creepy Craft workshops, plus write your own special spell inspired by ‘witch bottles’ from the darkest corners of the museum’s collections. Join in with traditional Halloween games, be inspired by a master pumpkin carver plus watch the Wicker Man burn.

Halloween fun

Mountain View Ranch, Caerphilly

Saturday 28th October-Sunday 5th November

£6 per person age 18 months+

Room on the Broom storytelling, roast a marshmallow at Creepy Creek, complete a spooky trail, toffee apples and spooky decorations. Plus over 100 acres of outdoor adventures to explore. For more of what to expect at Mountain View Ranch see our review here.

Bryngarw Spooktacular

Bryngarw Country Park, Bridgend

Saturday 28th October 5pm 6pm 7pm 8pm 9pm

£6.50

Not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs. Almost sold out!

Walk around the park at dark and listen to a spooky story from the park warden. Younger children are advised to attend the 5pm 6pm and 7pm sessions. The 9pm session is for children aged 16+.

Half term and Halloween events

Aberddulais Tin Works and Waterfalls, Neath Port Talbot

Saturday 28th October-Sunday 5th November

Adults £5.50 children £2.75 family £13.75 or free for National Trust members

Try the Halloween trail or get hands-on with ghoulish games and activities.

Halloween and autumn half term fun

Greenmeadow Community Farm Cwmbran

Adults £5.95; children age 2+ £4.85; family (2+3) £21

A daily programme of events including cuddle corner exotic encounters and tractor rides.

Halloween featuring the Nearly Wild Show

Saturday 28th October

£7 per child including farm admission. Must be pre-booked; spaces limited

An array of more unusual and slightly spooky animals including snakes, bearded dragons, leopard geckos, wood turtles, scorpions, tarantulas and more. Learn lots of interesting facts about these fascinating creatures and enjoy hands on opportunities.

Halloween events

Saturday 28th-Monday 30th October

Halloween events include pumpkin carving (£2.50); pig agility and apple bobbing; and piggy pumpkin.

Halloween Fun For Little Ones

Tuesday 31st October 10am-3.30pm (farm closes at 3.30pm to prepare for spooktacular)

Halloween events include pumpkin carving (£2.50); pig agility and apple bobbing; and piggy pumpkin.

Halloween-themed events

Newport Wetlands

Monday 30th October-Friday 3rd November

10.30am-12.30pm

RSPB members £3/non-members £5

Make wacky willow wands before going in search of the weird and wonderful wildlife at the wetlands. Plus nature-based creepy crafts and frightful fun. Read our review of Newport Wetlands here.

Halloween Spooktacular

Rhondda Heritage Park

Monday 30th and Tuesday 31st October, 11am-4.30pm

Adults free; children £2.50

Traditional Halloween events including pumpkin carving, a pumpkin hunt, face painting, arts and crafts, a Halloween show plus wizard wand and broomstick-making workshops (additional costs apply for activities). Advance booking recommended.

Witches and Wizards Potions Workshop

Pugh’s Garden Centre Radyr

Monday 30th October

£6 per child; age 2+

Create a magical potion in a jar and cast a spell on Hallow’s Eve; followed by a telling of Julia Donaldson’s Room on the Broom. SOLD OUT

Wicked Willow Broomstick Workshops

Pugh’s Garden Centre, Radyr

Tuesday 31st October

£8 per child; age 4+

Create your own Wicked Willow Broomstick followed by Halloween games and a ghost hunt around the garden centre. SOLD OUT

Monster Pottery

Amelia Trust Farm, Barry

Saturday 28th October-Sunday 5th November, 10am, 12pm, 2pm

£5 per participant

Age 4+ (under 4s can have a go at making a simpler version and will need adults supervision)

Make a Little Monster Pot with air drying clay and decorate to be as scary or cute as you like. Read more about our visit to Amelia Trust Farm here.

Little Pumpkins Party

Amelia Trust Farm, Barry

Tuesday 31st October, 3pm-5pm

£5 per participating child including goody bag (£2 per participating child under 2) Pre-booking essential

Two hours of disco dancing spooktacular games with prizes, apple bobbing, face painting (small charge applies) and a fancy dress competition for the best spooky character!

Creepy Crawly Show

Amelia Trust Farm, Barry

Wednesday 1st November, 10am, 11.30am, 1pm and 2.30pm

£3.50 per person; suitable for 1+ years

This one-hour show will introduce you to exotic animals including a tarantula snake giant afrucan snail and other creatures.

Presented by The Nearly Wild Show this is a fundraiser for the Amielia Trust Farm plus PONT which supports people in Uganda.

Half term Halloween events

Dyffryn Gardens, Vale of Glamorgan

Saturday 28th October-Friday 3rd November, 10am-4pm

Scarecrow Making – Usual admission applies but event is free

Pumpkin carving – £4 plus entry

Entry £9.60 for adults; £4.80 for children or free for National Trust members

For more of what to expect at Dyffryn Gardens see our review.

Halloween and autumn half term fun

Greenmeadow Community Farm Cwmbran

Adults £5.95; children age 2+ £4.85; family (2+3) £21

A daily programme of events including cuddle corner exotic encounters and tractor rides.

Halloween featuring the Nearly Wild Show; Saturday 28th October; £7 per child including farm admission. Must be pre-booked; spaces limited

Unusual and slightly spooky animals including snakes, bearded dragons, leopard geckos, wood turtles, scorpions, tarantulas and more. Learn lots of interesting facts about these fascinating creatures and enjoy hands on opportunities.

Saturday 28th-Monday 30th – Halloween events include pumpkin carving (£2.50); pig agility and apple bobbing; and piggy pumpkin.

Halloween Fun For Little Ones Tuesday 31st October 10am-3.30pm (farm closes at 3.30pm to prepare for spooktacular)

Halloween events include pumpkin carving (£2.50); pig agility and apple bobbing; and piggy pumpkin.

Halloween Spooktakular

Greenmeadow Community Farm, Cwmbran

Tuesday 31st October, 6pm

£6 in advance £7 on the door.

Moonlit tractor rides murder mystery haunted haybarn animal lab Halloween games and more. Designed to be scary with loud noises strobe lights and gory scenes.

Halloween events

Tredegar House Newport

General entry: adults £9.20; children £4.60; family £23

Pumpkin carving – Thursday 26th-Tuesday 31st October 11am-4pm

£3 per pumpkin

Make a mud pie – Tuesday 31st October 1pm-3pm

Free event; inclusive in entry

A chance to tick off number 13 on the NT’s 50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾ – make a mud pie with a Halloween twist by making mud gargoyle faces to scare away any mischievous spirits in the Orchard Garden.

Make some wild art – Thursday 2nd November 12pm-4pm

Free event; inclusive in entry

Number 18 on the NT’s 50 things…

Make some gargoyles to decorate the Orchard Garden.

Toffee Apple Bar Saturday 28th October-Sunday 5th November 11am-4pm

£1.75 in addition to entry

A DIY toffee apple bar. Pick an apple and choose from a range of decorations.

Halloween and half term events

Margam Park Port Talbot

Entry to the park is free; parking costs around £6 for the day

Monday 30th October 11am – Spooky Stories 11am, 12pm and 1.30pm (free)

Tuesday 31st October 11am – Halloween Crafts and more 11am-3pm (free)

Wednesday 1st November 10.30am – Wildlife Explorers Spying on Spiders 10.30am-2.30pm (free)

Thursday 2nd November – Make a bonfire night tea light holder 11am, 12.15pm, 1.45pm and 3pm (£3 per child)

Friday 3rd November – Guy Fawkes Night – Get crafty for bonfire night; 11am-3pm (free)

Saturday 4th November – Come and Try Canoeing and Kayaking; 10.30am-3.30pm (£12 per person; must be prebooked)

Sunday 5th November – Come and try Stand-up Paddle Boarding; 10.30am-3.30pm (£12 per person; must be prebooked); – Capel Mair Hill Fort Walk 11am (free)

Halloween and half term events

Cwmcarn Forest Visitor Centre

Monday 30th October – Spooky Slime Pots Sessions available 11am-1.45pm; £4.50 per child

Ages 4+; must be pre-booked

Bring a jam jar and fill it with homemade slime.

Tueday 31st October – Shrunken Head Garland Sessions available 11am-1.45pm; £4 per child

Ages 4+; must be pre-booked

Make a gruesome shrunken head out of apples – and use them to feed the birds.

Friday 3rd November – Spooky Toddler Crafts

Friday 3rd November

Sessions available 1030am-12.15pm; £2 per child

Ages 1+; must be pre-booked

Spooky messy fun for tots and toddlers.

Sunday 5th November – Firework Salt painting Sessions available 11am-1.45pm; £3.50 per child

Must be pre-booked

Use strange ingredients to make a firework display picture.

Sunday 5th November – Bonfire Walk 6pm; £6 per adult; £4 per child

Must be prebooked; ages 10+

A walk to Twmbarlwm to enjoy the fantastic fireworks displays in the surrounding valleys. After the strenuous walk you’ll be rewarded with a hot drink and hot dog.

Ghostly Goings On

Cosmeston Medieval Village Penarth

Sunday 29th-Tuesday 31st October 3pm

£7.50 per person; must be pre-booked

Hear all about the paranormal activity that has been witnessed by staff and paranormal investigation teams like UK Ghost Hunts and the South Wales Paranormal Research at Cosmeston. Children may be frightened and must be accompanied by an adult.

Party Fizz Halloween parties and disco

Christ Church Scout Hall, Lake Road North, Cardiff

Sunday 29th-Tuesday 31st October

Various times available for babies 0-18 months; toddlers 1-4 years (parties); and 6-8 year olds (disco)

Some events have already sold out so book quick to avoid disappointment.

Hosted by Liz Mullen of Little Fizz pre-school classes and Party Fizz expect age-appropriate spooky songs, games and activities.

FREE Monster Fun

The Red Dragon Centre, Cardiff Bay

Tuesday 31st October, 12pm-4pm

Mike and Sulley from Monsters Inc. will be meeting and greeting visitors inside the centre every hour between 12pm and 3pm plus face painting from 12pm-4pm.

(Events are free; parking is free subject to minimum spend and ticket validation.)

FREE Natural Sciences Halloween Open Day

National Museum Cardiff

Tuesday 31st October, 10am-4pm

Discover some of the museum’s creepier objects – from a stingray to a slug; have a go at some hands-on games and activities plus follow the spooky Halloween trail.

Hocus Pocus

Memo Arts Centre, Barry

Tuesday 31st October, 2pm

£3 in advance, £3.50 on the door

A spooky showing of the classic film which sees Max Allison and Dani exploring an abandoned house and accidentally freeing a coven of evil witches who used to live there.

Halloween Fun Day at The Crepe Escape

The Crepe Escape, Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay

Tuesday 31st October, 10am-3pm

£7 on the door

Get your face painted, try out Halloween crafts or decorate your own creepy crepe!

Halloween Party

Cefn Mably Farm Park

Tuesday 31st October, 6pm-9pm

£6 per person

A spooky walk around the farm, fancy dress competitions, and more.

Spooky Valleys

Aberddulais Tin Works and Waterfalls, Neath Port Talbot

Tuesday 31st October, 5.30pm-8pm

Non-National Trust Members – Adults £7.50; children £3.75; family (2+3) £18.75

NT members – Adults £2; children £1; family (2+3) £5

A candlelit walk around the old spooky industrial site to see what goes bump in the night. Plus ghoulish games and activities.

Halloween Events

Llancaiach Fawr Manor, Treharris

Tuesday 31st October – Halloween crafts and disco £5 per child; first adult free; extra adults £1

Wednesday 1st October – Children’s soft play and disco 10am-12.30pm & 1.30pm-4pm; £3 per child first adult free; extra adults £1.

Thursday 2nd November – Puppets and balloons 10am-12.30pm & 1.30pm-4pm £7.50 per child; first adult free’; extra adults £1. Must be pre-booked.

Monster Ball

Mambo Play Centre, Ocean Way, Cardiff

Tuesday 31st October, 4pm-7pm

£9 per child; adults and under 1s free (with paying child)

Price includes admission, lunch box and drink, party bag, ‘eyes cream’, monster disco and fancy dress competition.

Spooky Trails and Tales with Louby Lou

Bedwellty House, Tredegar

Tuesday 31st October, 10.30am-11.30am

£6.50 per child; ages 5+

A slightly spooky interactive storytelling session including craft activities and soft play. Must be pre-booked.

Halloween-themed Mini Movers Messy Play

Bedwellty House, Tredegar

Wednesday 1st November, 12.30pm-2.30pm

A Halloween-themed parent and toddler session to enjoy exploring movement and music together through nursery rhymes and songs.

Wacky World Cardiff

Vale Arena Cardiff, Cambria House, Penarth Road, Penarth

Wednesday 1st and Thursday 2nd November

Pre-book in advance; ages 5-13 from £12

Expect 20+ inflatables including assault courses, human demolition balls and rodeo bulls; plus a spooky game show and more spooky fun.

Craft Club – Potion School

The Winding House Museum, Caerphilly

Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd November, 11am to 12pm.

Age 4+; £2.50 per child; must be prebooked

Join the spooky witch to make your own wooden wand and create some potions.

Non-Halloween-related events

Charity

FREE Snowdogs

Across Cardiff and the Vale

Until Thursday 26^th November

Spot 43 Snowdogs and 57 Snowpups in support of Ty Hafan Children’s Hospice. The trail is free although donations welcome. You can download a map from the website or pick one up at attractions across South Wales. You can also support the charity by downloading the Snowdogs: Tails in Wales app for 99p. Read how we got on spotting dogs in Cardiff city centre here and Cardiff Bay here.

Museums and historical

Dinosaur Babies

National Museum Cardiff

Until Sunday 5th November, 10am-4.45pm

Adults £7, children £3, £17 family 2+2, £13 family 1+3

The last chance to catch the exciting family-friendly exhibition bringing together some of the world’s most amazing finds of dinosaur eggs and embryos. The display includes full size dinosaur skeletons and replicas, touchable models of dinosaur embryos and eggs, and even a huge 2.5 metre model dinosaur nest. Read our review here. The museum is closed on Mondays.

FREE Wriggle – The Wonderful World of Worms

National Museum Cardiff

Until June 2018

A fascinating look into the weird and wonderful world of worms, this has plenty of interactive exhibits, perfect for children. Read our review here. Please note the museum is not open on Mondays.

FREE Toddler Time

National Museum Cardiff

Every Friday during term-time, 1.30pm-4pm

The museum welcomes pre-schoolers every Friday afternoon, with special boxes of toys, games and books hidden in different galleries to help parents and children explore the museum through play. Read our review of a previous  Toddler Time here.

FREE Clore Explorers

National Museum Cardiff

Saturdays and Sundays during term time, 2pm

Free workshops give families the chance to find out more about objects from the museum and take part in a crafty activity.

FREE Super Saturdays

National Roman Legion Museum Caerleon

Saturdays from, 11am-4pm

Every Saturday, visitors can discover what life was like for a soldier in the Roman army. Visit the reconstructed barrack room and learn more about the weapons and armour, as well as try on some replica armour. Families can also dress up and play games in the Capricorn Centre, a relaxed hands-on area of the museum. Both areas are closed on Sundays but are open during some school holidays.

Read our review of the National Roman Legion Museum plus other Roman sites in Caerleon here.

October Half Term

National Roman Legion Museum Caerleon

Monday 30th October-Friday 3rd November; 11am, 12pm, 2pm and 3pm

£2 per person

Make a Roman tile with a scary face on it, an antefixa, out of clay. Add warts, fangs or horns, whatever you think will keep the ghosts and goblins away. Plus catch the ‘Spookémons’ living in the museum using the special app.

FREE Tales and limericks with Blandalf the Baard

Big Pit National Coal Museum, Blaenavon

Monday 30th October, Wednesday 1st and Friday 3rd November, 12pm-4pm

Blandalf the Baard, teller of tales, will share stories about Dai Morris the miner and other Blaenavon tales wrapped up in legends. You can also try your hand at writing ridiculous rhymes and silly sonnets!

FREE Family of Blaenavon

Big Pit National Coal Museum, Blaenavon

Until Thursday 1st February 2018, Monday-Friday, 9.30am-5pm

A series of photographs by Walter Waygood documenting the landscape, home life, society, work, religion and youth in Blaenavon from the 1970s onwards. Read our review of Big Pit here.

FREE Magical machines

Cardiff Story Museum, The Hayes, Cardiff

Wednesday 1 November, 10am to 3pm

Ages 4-7; drop-in event

Be inspired by the artwork of local legend Charles Byrd and create your own magical machines.

FREE Automata workshop

Cardiff Story Museum, The Hayes, Cardiff

Thursday 2 November, 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 2pm

Ages 7-11; drop in event

Create your own automata inspired by Charles Byrd’s magical machines.

FREE Take over day

Cardiff Story Museum, The Hayes, Cardiff

Thursday 9th November, 10am to 3pm

Young people are taking over the museum! Drop in to see them take over the museum staff roles.

FREE The Winding Engine

The Winding House, New Tredegar

Saturday 28th October 12pm

The Winding House is a museum built on the site of the former Elliot Colliery. Its centre-piece is the original Victorian winding engine, which used to operate the cages which transported men and coal between the surface and the mine below. Visitors can see the huge engine in operation for 10-15 minutes at 12pm on the last Saturday of the month.

FREE The Museum in Focus – behind the scenes

National Museum Cardiff

Thursday 2nd November 10am-4pm

A photography-themed day highlighting the work of the people behind the scenes at National Museum Cardiff. The museum’s scientists and curators will show you what goes on day in, day out at the museum to research and keep safe its paintings and artefacts. The photography theme has been chosen to fit in with the new photography exhibition SWAPS by David Hurn.

FREE After Dark in the Museum

National Museum Cardiff

Thursday 2nd November 6pm-9pm

A night of fun activities, mysteries, experiments and torch-lit tours. Discover why and how things glow in the dark; make a balloon scream; use a powerful microscope plus more in this family-friendly event.

Theatre and performance

Peppa Pig’s Adventure

New Theatre, Cardiff

Wednesday 25 to Thursday 26 October, 10am, 1pm and 4pm; age 3+

Peppa Pig, George and their friends go on an outdoor adventure with tents and muddy puddles in this new stage show.

FREE Diwali Mela

National Museum Cardiff

Saturday 28th October 10am-4pm

Celebrate the Hindu festival of light with performers dancers and stall holders from the India Centre Cardiff who will bring the museum to life with the sights sounds and smells of an Indian festival.

The Magic Flute

Blackwood Miners Institute

Saturday 28 October,  7.30pm

£18.50 / £13.50 for under 16s

Heritage opera return to Blackwood Miners’ Institute with a delightfully playful version of Mozart’s The Magic Flute.

Music and the Animal Kingdom

National Museum Cardiff

Sunday 29th October 3pm

£5 per person; must be pre-booked

A performance for families based on the Museum’s natural history collection. Hsiang Tu will play a number of musical pieces inspired by the animal kingdom while Julian Carter, Principal Conservator (Natural Sciences) will give a talk about some of the specimens in the museum.

Sing-a-Long-a Beauty and the Beast

St David’s Hall Cardiff

Monday 30 October, 2.00pm and 7pm

Sing your heart out to the Disney songs including Be Our Guest, Belle, Gaston and Beauty and The Beast. Sing along with Emma Watson, Ewan McGregor and Emma Thompson in the live action remake of Disney’s romantic fairy tale. The Singalonga host will start with a pre-show where they will warm up your voices, teach you some hand actions, show you how to use the famous Singalonga props bag during the film and when to Boo the arrogant Gaston and judge the fancy dress competition!

The Snow Dragon

The Riverfront, Newport

Tuesday 31^st October, 11.30am and 2.30pm

Age 3+; £7 family £26

The night of the Snow Dragon approaches and Billy has everything a young goat could need. On New Year’s Eve, Billy is looking forward to the annual visit of the legendary Snow Dragon, who will bring him even more goodies. But when Billy bumps into some hungry wolves in the forest, New Year’s Day seems along way off. How will Billy escape? And has he been naughty or nice?

FREE Glamorgan Folk Tales

Porthcawl Library

Wednesday 1st November, 2.30pm

Storyteller Cath Little she shares local stories of magic and adventure from her new book Glamorgan Folk Tales for Children.

Ogbots

Blackwood Miners’ Institiute

Wednesday 1st-Thursday 2nd November, various times

Ages 7-11, £8.50 per person / £22 for a family of four
A sci-fi treasure hunt that weaves together immersive street theatre, interactive gaming and the basics of electronic engineering.

Little Mix

Motorpoint Arena Cardiff

Monday 30th and Tuesday 31st October, 6.30pm

From £25

A live concert from the girl band with support from Lina, and Jessarae.

Pop Divas Live

Memo Arts Centre, Barry

Thursday 2nd November, 6.30pm

£12.50 in advance; £15 on the door

Tributes to pop’s biggest female acts including Little Mix, Katy Perry, Adele, Taylor Swift, Rhianna, Meghan Trainor, and Arianna Grande. Expect dazzling choreography, state of the art videos and superb vocals in a show suitable for all ages.

The Magic Porridge Pot

Sherman Theatre, Cardiff

Friday 3rd-Saturday 4th November (touring Wales and then back in Cardiff 25th November-30th December)

Ages 3-6, £9 per person

A new stage adaptation of the classic fairytale. Overflowing with songs, music and fun for all the family, especially those under 7, this Christmas.

Craft-themed events

FREE Family Saturdays

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay

Saturdays, 11am-4pm

Drop in to enjoy some family-friendly arts and crafts in Wales Millennium Centre’s foyer, with a different theme every week.

FREE The Big Draw

The Winding House Museum, Caerphilly

Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd November, 1pm-3pm

Make a moving picture using special pens and water in this free activity to celebrate the national Big Draw event which wants to get everyone drawing.

FREE Me and My Pet

National Museum, Cardiff

Tuesday 31st October-Friday 3rd November; 11.30am, 1.30pm, 3pm

Places limited; book on arrival

Whether it’s a guinea pig or a goldfish; a pooch or a parakeet draw your own portrait with your favourite pet (real or imaginary).

The great outdoors & nature-inspired

Half term nature events

Tredegar House, Newport

Saturday 28th October-Sunday 5th November

Celebrate the humble hedgehog; one of Britain’s most familiar wild mammals. Walk a mile in a hedgehog’s shoes on an interactive trail and get stuck into some critter arts and crafts. Visitors can also help us set up five new hedgehog hotels at 2.30pm from Monday to Friday.

See above for Halloween-themed events.

Autumn half term fun

Greenmeadow Community Farm, Cwmbran

Wednesday 1st-Sunday 5th November

Adults £5.95; children age 2+ £4.85; family (2+3) £21

A full programme of events includes cuddle corner milking demonstration take and make your own bird feeder autumn crafts and more all included in admission price.

See above for Halloween events

Soup and starlings

Newport Wetlannds

Wednesdays Saturdays and Sundays between 1st-29th November; from 3pm

RSPB members £4; non-members £6; must be pre-booked

Find out all there is to know about starlings over a cup of soup or hot drink. An expert will guide you around the wetlands as the starlings put on a dusk spectacle

Fun and games

Minecraft

The Riverfront, Newport

Monday 30^th October, 2pm-4pm

£8; ages 5-11

Join worlds and work in teams to complete a number of exciting challenges – all off line. iPads provided. Must be pre-booked.

Outdoors Activity Days

St Donat’s Arts Centre, Vale of Glamorgan

Monday 30th and Tuesday 31st October

Ages 8 to 16, £30 per day

A day of physical activities such as climbing, high ropes, and orienteering as well as more conventional team and individual sports such as badminton, basketball and indoor hockey using Atlantic Colleges newly completed sports hall

Play Fest

The Willows Centre, Troedyrhiw, Merthyr

Wednesday 1^st November 11am-3pm

Arts and crafts circus skills den building bouncy castle face painting and more at this free play event.

Free Ben 10 Giveaways!

Hamleys Cardiff

Wednesday 1^st November 12pm-4pm

A chance to get your hands on some fantastic Ben 10 goodies! There’s stickers, masks and more up for grabs as well as a photo opportunity with Ben and Four Arms props.

There’s also the chance to join WWE Network for an exclusive two-month free trial; plus design beautoful bead creations with Aquabeads; Hamley or Hattie Bear will be in store for high 5s and selfies throughout half term; plus up to 25% off selected toys including LEGO, Nerf, Disney Princess, Thomas and Friends and more.

Cinema

I’m focusing on special film events and cheap family screenings at holidays and weekends here, rather than regular cinema screenings.

Hotel Transylvania

Cardiff Speaker Hire, Dumballs Road, Cardiff

Saturday 28th October, 11am

Adults £6, children £5, family (2+2) £20

Carnevil from Lostlands Cinema present a spooky cinematic experience where you’ll not only watch Hotel Transylvania but get to marvel at the sights of an old fashioned carnival Freakshow and pumpkin carving. (There’s also a range of adult horror films showing over the weekend too.)

Underground Cinema: Halloween

The Undercroft, Cardiff Castle

Monday 30th October-Sunday 5th November

From £6 per person; must be booked in advamce

Various films showing throughout the week including Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride Coraline The Nightmare Before Christmas Hocus Pocus Ghostbusters and more.

Sing-a-Long-a Beauty and the Beast

St David’s Hall, Cardiff

Monday 30th October, 2.00pm and 7pm

Sing your heart out to the Disney songs including Be Our Guest, Belle, Gaston and Beauty and The Beast. Sing along with Emma Watson, Ewan McGregor and Emma Thompson in the live action remake of Disney’s romantic fairy tale. The Singalonga host will start with a pre-show where they will warm up your voices, teach you some hand actions, show you how to use the famous Singalonga props bag during the film and when to Boo the arrogant Gaston and judge the fancy dress competition!

Odeon Kids

Odeon Cinema, The Red Dragon Centre, Cardiff Bay

The 10am weekend and school holiday showings are £2.50 per person. Films to be announced; films are usually a few months old rather than new releases.

Movies for Juniors

Cineworld, Mary Ann Street, Cardiff

The 10am weekend and school holiday Movies for Juniors showings are just £2 per person. Check online for schedule; films are usually a few months old rather than new releases.

Mini Mornings

Vue Cinema, Millennium Plaza, Cardiff

The 10am weekend and school holiday Movies for Juniors showings are just £2.49 per person. Check online for schedule; films are usually a few months old rather than new releases.

Chapter Arts Centre, Canton, Cardiff 

A different family film every week

£4/£3 booked in advance; see website for full listings.