We realise that the nippers have only _just_ started back at school, but if you’re one of these parents who likes organising things in advance, here are some ideas for the October Half Term from the Isle of Wight Council Tourism Services. The bubble fun at the Isle of Wight Glass Studio in St Lawrence (at the bottom of the page) is our current favourite. Ed
Wizard and Pirates, Dragons and Bats are all welcome on the Isle of Wight this October half-term
Whether your kids are into Harry Potter, Roald Dahl’s ‘The Witches’, Casper, Pirates of the Caribbean, or Batman, the Isle of Wight is the perfect holiday choice for families this October half-term.
The Isle of Wight Steam Railway, near Ryde, is running a kids’ Wizard Week with prizes for the best-dressed wizard, while at the UK’s oldest theme park, there are eerie tales of ghostly goings on. Or ‘shiver your timbers’ with stories of smugglers and shipwrecks at the Needles Old Battery at Alum Bay.
Creative kids will love The Big Draw at the Island’s Quay Arts where dragon-slayers can draw all over the walls and furniture; historians can follow the clues at the Needles Old Battery (National Trust) and find out what it would have been like to be a child during the War or a Victorian drummer-boy.
A Wizard day out
This October, the Isle of Wight Steam Railway near Ryde is hosting a Wizard Week. (26 October to 2 November) with clowns, magic shows and live bats from the Isle of Wight Bat Hospital – find out what these protected and much-maligned creatures are really like. Prizes for the best dressed wizards! Tel. 01983 884343,
Blackgang Chine is hosting a Wizards and Witches Day Out on 31 October. Expect a fang-tastic day out with games, activities and prizes for all those in fancy dress.
Also at Blackgang, there will be two nights (29/30 October) of guided walks with tales of ghostly apparitions, gruesome deeds and the mysterious past of this unique location. Tel. 01983 730052,
More ghostly goings-on can be found at English Heritage’s Spooktacular at Appuldurcombe House: 25-30 October from 7.00pm., 31 October from 7.30pm.
The Big Draw
Every October, hundreds of venues across Britain, from large national institutions to village halls, join in to offer many thousands of people of all ages the chance to discover that drawing is enjoyable, liberating and at everyone’s fingertips – and the Isle of Wight is no exception.
As part of The Big Draw month, the Island’s Quay Arts in Newport is turning its Learning Curve Gallery into a drawing room which invites you to be naughty and draw all over the walls and furniture! Come along between 10am – 12pm & 1 – 3pm (4,11,18 & 25 October) and explore your passion for drawing.
In addition, on Saturday, 25 October there are two free workshops entitled ‘Dragons’ which run from 10am-12pm and 1-3pm (ages 8 years +). No need to book, just turn up on the day. Tel. 01983 822490.
Also part of The Big Draw, the Needles Old Battery at Alum Bay is hosting Drawing Magic on 28 October with children’s drawing activities based on World War II posters. The event takes place from 10.30am to 4.30pm
Trails & Tales
Learn about Isle of Wight’s infamous past at two National Trust events taking place at The Needles Old Battery, Alum Bay: Pirate Trail on 27 October (from 10.30am to 4.30pm) and Shipwreck Tales on 30 October (12.30pm-3pm).
Children at War
Follow the clues around the Needles Old Battery, Alum Bay, on the WWII Spy Trail (1 November, 10.30am to 4.30pm.) and find out what it would have been like to be a child during the war at a series of Children at War talks (29 October, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3pm). Or meet a Victorian military drummer and discover how commands were conveyed by drum on the battlefield at Battle Drums (2 November, 12pm-3pm). For more information, telephone 01983 741020 or check the Web site
Get back to nature
On 31 October, you are invited on a Halloween trail followed by an afternoon of bat poems and stories. Meet the bats and enjoy a talk from the Isle of Wight Bat Hospital at 2pm. The event takes places at the Needles Old Battery form 10.30am-4.30pm. Tel. 01983 741020,
At Mottistone Manor Garden Family Fun Day on 29 October, there’s a special day of activities and trails around the garden from 11am to 4.30pm. Call 01983 741302 or email isleofwight(at)nationaltrust.org.uk for more information.
Bubble Fun
As part of the National Breast Cancer Campaign, the Isle of Wight Studio Glass are going to ‘Blow a Pink Bubble’. This is a fun event for the whole family during October Half term. The studio will be open to anyone who wishes to support the campaign by paying a donation to take part by blowing a pink bubble in glass. Open Mon – Fri 10am -4.30pm. Tel. 01983 853526, email iowsg(at)isleofwightstudioglass.co.uk or check the Web site
