It’s going to be a Spooktacular Halloween this half-term. With a variety of family events and activities across Kirklees – find out what’s happening near you.
Most of these activities are of little to no cost, where there are charges the information is displayed.
Page 2- Scarily good events at Kirklees Libraries
Page 3- Weird and wonderful events at Kirklees Museums and Galleries
Page 4- Fa-boo-lous free and low cost activities you can do at home or out and about
Page 5- Skele-fun activities at Cliffe House
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There are plenty more activities and events happening in Kirklees! Visit Creative Kirklees to find out what else is happening near you.
Scarily good events at Kirklees Libraries
Luna Loves Library Day The Musical
When: Friday 27 October 2023
- 11 am – 12 pm
- 2 pm – 3 pm
Where: Cleckheaton Library
Cost: Free
Join Luna and her Dad for an adventure among the library shelves in this exciting new musical for families.
Luna looks forward to one special day… Library Day! It’s the day when she discovers magic among the library shelves, from dinosaurs to mummies, from unexplained mysteries to monsters and magic. But for Luna, Library Day is also a chance to spend time with Dad, making it all the more special.
Based on the critically acclaimed book by Waterstones Childrens Laureate Joseph Coelho and illustrator Fiona Lumbers, join Luna and Dad as they discover magic and mystery, laughter and sadness and, through the power of stories, even start to mend their own history.
Adapted for the stage by award winning poet and author Joseph Coelho, with music and lyrics by family favourite David Gibb, Luna Loves Library Day is the perfect treat for children aged 3+ and their families. Luna Loves Library Day is a co-production from Little Seeds Music and Z-arts.
For ages 3-11 (5-7 is the sweet spot!)
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt!
When: Thursday 2 November
Where: Cleckheaton Library
Join us for an exciting Storytrail adventure based on this well-loved book. How many bears will you find in the nature trail? Find out more about these wonderful animals and enjoy a bear themed craft activity.
Suitable for families with children under 8.
Sounding Stories – drop in Discover Arts Award workshops
When and where:
- Batley Library- Monday 30 October, 10 am – 12 pm
- Birstall Library- Monday 30 October, 2 pm – 4 pm
Cost: Free
Unleash your inner thrill-seeker by diving into some spine-chilling reads and bring those eerie sounds to life. Collaborate with sound artist Sophie Cooper from hcmf to conjure up and record sounds that will form an incredible soundscape, a masterpiece made up of all kinds of sounds, to be showcased in libraries. Plus, your creation could even earn you an Arts Award (Discover level) certificate.
Perfect for all the brave 7-11 year-olds out there!
Visit your local library
Our libraries are now open for the little ones to have fun, to learn and discover new things and we’re so excited to welcome you in!
Weird and wonderful events at Kirklees Museums and Galleries
Halloween Children’s Art Workshop
When: Saturday 14 October 2023, 12 pm – 4 pm
Where: Tolson Museum
Cost: Prices range from £3.50 – £10.00, (payable by cash or card) and there is always a FREE activity
These Halloween Children’s Art Workshops are very popular and suitable for children and young people from age 4 upwards, accompanied by an adult. We will be making Halloween Lanterns, Hanging Decorations (witches faces, pumpkins etc), Halloween Party Poppers and Spooky Masks. Children are welcome to wear fancy dress too if they wish!
Spooky Barn
When: 31 October 2023 – 2 November 2023
Where: Oakwell Hall and Country Park
Cost: £5 per child
Join us this Hallowe’en in our Spooky Barn at Oakwell for some ghoulish goings on. From creepy crafts to terrifying tales and trails, we have lots to keep the whole family entertained. Buy your entry wristband in the Oakwell Hall Gift Shop. Halloween trail included in Spooky Barn entry.
Don’t leave without saying hello to our resident ghost, the mysterious William Batt. We’ve got lot of spooky activities to enjoy…
– Start the session with some spooky storytelling.
– Have a go at creating some spooktacular crafts
– Scary story book corner
– Halloween games and toys
– Take a frightful walk round the Country Park and complete our Halloween trail – trail sheet included in Spooky Barn ticket.
Halloween Children’s Art Workshop
When: Sunday 15 October 2023, 12 pm – 4 pm
Where: Bagshaw Museum, Batley
Cost: Prices range from £3.50 – £10.00, [payable by cash or card) and there is always a FREE activity.
These Halloween Children’s Art Workshops are very popular and suitable for children and young people from age 4 upwards, accompanied by an adult. We will be making Halloween Lanterns, Hanging Decorations (witches faces, pumpkins etc), Halloween Party Poppers and Spooky Masks.
Children are welcome to wear fancy dress too if they wish!
Visit your local museum
Entry to all our museums and galleries is free! Donations are welcome.
Bagshaw museum
Join us on a trip around the world and explore Batley and beyond.
Where: Bagshaw Museum, Woodlands Road, Wilton Park, Batley, WF17 0AS
Opening hours:
- Saturday & Sunday 12pm – 5pm
- Tuesday to Thursday 11am – 5pm (until 5 September)
- August Bank Holiday Monday 11am – 5pm
Oakwell hall and country park
History comes to life in our Elizabethan Manor House set-in award-winning parks and gardens with gift shop and cafés.
Where: Oakwell hall and country park, Nutter Lane, Birstall WF17 9LF
Opening hours:
- Saturday & Sunday 12pm – 4pm
- Kirklees school holidays: Tuesday to Thursday 12pm- 4pm.
- August Bank Holiday Monday 12pm- 4pm
- Visitor Centre 10am – 5pm daily
Tolson museum
From pre-history to the present day, amazing objects tell the story of Huddersfield.
Where: Tolson Museum, Ravensknowle Park, Huddersfield HD5 8DJ
Opening hours:
- Saturday & Sunday 12pm – 5pm
- Tuesday to Thursday 11am – 5pm (until 5 September)
- August Bank Holiday Monday 11am – 5pm
- Other Mondays 11am – 3pm
Huddersfield art gallery: unit 7
Visit Huddersfield Art Gallery’s new temporary home and exhibition space for ground-breaking contemporary art
exhibitions.
Where: Unit 7, The Piazza Huddersfield HD1 2RS
Opening hours: Wednesday to Saturday 11am – 4pm
Free and low cost activities you can do at home or out and about
The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland
When: Saturday 28 October 4:30 pm
Sunday 29 October 1:00 pm
Where: Lawrence Batley Theatre
Cost: £14 – £16, A limited number of £5 tickets are available for Kirklees Passport Holders. Find out more information about the Kirklees Passport holder scheme.
Take a leap down the rabbit hole and enjoy appearances from fantastical puppets designed by the Associate Puppetry Director of the National Theatre’s award-winning production War Horse in this new adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s classic story.
Age guidance: 3+
Stick Man
When: Tuesday 31 October – Thursday 2 November, 10:30 am, 1:30 pm and 4:30 pm
Where: Lawrence Batley Theatre
Cost: £14.50 – £16.50, a limited number of £5 tickets are available for Kirklees Passport Holders. Find out more information about the Kirklees Passport holder scheme.
Help Stick Man return to his family tree after his morning jog becomes quite the misadventure! A delightful adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s much-loved book.
Age guidance: 2-7
Halloween crafts
Have some skele-fun today and make some spook-taular Halloween crafts!
Who knew you could make toilet rolls look so scary! Get out the pencils and craft box and get creative.
Spook-tacular Halloween recipes
Why not make some spook-tacular Halloween recipes today, from bloodcurdling biscuits to maggoty apples there is sure to be something for everyone. Bone appetit!
Halloween story den
Make a den and tell stories this Halloween, you could even turn out the lights… of course that’s only if the little ones aren’t afraid of the dark.
Halloween treasure hunt
A treasure hunt is a perfect way to get the kids active. We’ve put together a list of things to discover but you could make your own list of things to spot whilst you’re out and about.
- Leaf
- Feather
- Spider web
- Tree
- Bird
Put on your Halloween costumes and head to your local park!
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Skele-fun activities at Cliffe House
Pumpkin Picking
When: Saturday 28 October- Friday 3 November, 10 am – 4 pm
Cost: £6 per pumpkin
Come along to our pumpkin patch, pick your favourite pumpkin, and carve it while you’re here. Wheelbarrows available (limited number available, first come first served). Carving will be undercover on the lawn, so no need to worry about the weather, though wellies are advised – it can get muddy! Open to all ages and parental supervision always required. Online booking recommended.#
Halloween Fun Trail
When: Saturday 28 October – Friday 3 November, 10 am – 4 pm
Cost: £2.50 per person
Get outdoors and enjoy our fun family trail around the grounds of Cliffe House. The trail is family and buggy
friendly, something the whole family can enjoy. When you have collected all the clues don’t forget to return to the food
kiosk to collect your prize! (1 prize per paid trail sheet). No advance booking required.
Bushcraft
When: Monday 30 October – Wednesday 1 November
- 10 am – 11:30 am
- 12 pm – 1:30 pm
- 2 pm – 3:30 pm
Cost: £8 per person
Enjoy the great outdoors whilst roasting marshmallows and making garlic bread twists over an open fire. All
washed down with hot chocolate (please advise us of any special dietary requirements). Open to children age 6+ and
adults. 90 minute instructor led session, all equipment provided. Online booking recommended.
Archery
When: Tuesday 31 October – Thursday 2 November
- 10 am – 11 am
- 11:15 am – 12:15 pm
- 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
- 1:45 pm – 2:45 pm
- 3 pm – 4 pm
Cost: £6 for 60 minutes
Learn the basics of archery in our one hour instructor led sessions, with 12 spaces per session. Open to children
age 6+ and adults. All equipment provided. Online booking recommended.
Climbing wall
When: Friday 3 November, 10 am – 4 pm
Cost: £4 for 4 climbs
Test your skill and strength on our climbing wall. Suitable for children age 6+. Fully qualified instructor led session. All
equipment provided. No advance booking required.
Adventure Playground
When: Saturday 28 October – Friday 3 November, 10 am – 4 pm
Cost: Free to enter
Let your young ones explore our woodland adventure playground with ropes, swings, slides and a tree house! No
booking required.
