FAMILIES looking for free and low-cost things to do during the half term holiday should head for Leicester’s libraries and museums next week.
Dozens of activities are taking place at sites across the city, with fun events inspired by the festival of Diwali or with a spooky theme to mark Halloween.
There are also opportunities to ride a bike on Leicester’s traffic-free bike circuit, take part in Stay & Play sessions at Leicester’s children, young people and family centres, discover more about some of the hidden gems at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery, and explore recently-digitised photos from the city’s archives.
On Saturday (19 October), budding archaeologists can take any metal, stone or ceramic finds to Newarke Houses Museum, where the local finds liaison officer will be happy to look at them. Pop in to the Archaeological Finds Day between 10am and 2pm.
Photos from Leicester’s past will be the focus on Archive Sundays, with brand new digital exhibitions at three city museums on Sunday (20 October). Families with older children visiting Leicester Museum & Art Gallery, Abbey Pumping Station or the Guildhall will be able to explore some fascinating images that document everyday life in Leicester over the past 70 years.
Highfields Library is inviting young visitors – aged seven and over - to craft like an Egyptian on Monday (21 October). Those taking part will be able to create Egyptian hieroglyphs on papyrus paper at free drop-in sessions between 1pm and 4pm.
Tuesday (22 October) sees the return of Abbey Pumping Station’s popular Railway Day.
Families can enjoy a ride on the narrow gauge railway for just 50p per person, with no charge for those aged 3 and under. Entry to the museum and grounds is free of charge, so bring a picnic or buy refreshments from the on-site café (cash only please).
Halloween provides the theme for two events on Wednesday (23 October), with the Haymarket shopping centre hosting a Horrible Halloween, while little witches and warlocks will be heading for Leicester’s Belgrave Hall for a special half-term event.
Tickets for the Witches & Warlocks Kids’ Craft Day are £4 per child when bought online, or £5 – cash only please - on the door.
The spookiness continues on Thursday (24 October), when the Guildhall opens its ancient doors for a spine-tinglingly fun Spooktacular.
Young visitors will be able to make their own dancing skeleton, have a go at catching ghosts, or follow the spooky trail around the haunted hall. Tickets are £4 per child when booked online, or £5 – cash only please – on the door.
Also on Thursday, Knighton Library will be inviting youngsters to make an African bead bracelet, while Westcotes Library will be making spooky monsters and Halloween masks.
On Friday (25 October), join Mr Cleaver's Monsters for an awesome Diwali shadow puppet-making workshop at the Haymarket shopping centre, or head to the old police cells at the Guildhall for a craft day inspired by the legendary Leicester detective, Tanky Smith. Investigation Stations runs from 11am until 4pm and admission is free of charge.
It's time for youngsters to get on their bikes on Saturday 26 October for the last Bike Fest of 2024.
Enjoy riding on the Leicester Cycle Circuit at New College, free of charge, from 1pm to 4pm, before heading to the Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre for a special waterside Diwali celebration, hosted by the Canal & River Trust, from 5.30pm.
Bringing the half-term break to an end is a screening of the family-friendly, dark fantasy animation, Coraline. Families can watch the film in the atmospheric surroundings of the Great Hall at Leicester’s Guildhall at 1pm on Sunday 27 October. Tickets are £6.
Assistant city mayor Cllr Vi Dempster said: “We’ve got lots of ideas for things to do during the half-term break, with many activities completely free of charge.
“Find out what’s on at your local library or pop in to one of our fabulous museums and enjoy a great day out that won’t cost a fortune.”
A guide to dozens of free and low-cost activities taking place in Leicester over the half-term break is available here