Get ready for a spooktacular October Half Term packed with storytelling, crafts, creatures, and curious adventures! From puppet shows to Minecraft-inspired escape rooms, mining myths to minibeasts, there’s something for everyone to discover.
Spooky Stories from the Coal Shed
Wed–Sun, 11.30am–3.30pm
Free, just turn up at Parkinson’s Yard, The Hub
There’s something nasty in the coal shed – come along for an interactive storytelling session, inspired by mining myths and legends to see what might be lurking inside…
Makers’ Shed – Spooktacular Orange Crafts
25,26, 29–31 October & 1–2 November, 11.30am–4pm, 11.30am-4pm
Free, drop-in at Pony Discovery Centre
Get creative and explore the science behind clean water through hands-on crafts inspired by our water treatment plant.
Horsekeeper Talks
Wed-Sun, Free Drop-in
Pony Discovery Centre
Visit Eric, Ernie, and Bud. Join us for our Horsekeeper talks at 12pm, see what they are fed at 2.30pm.
Meet the Minibeasts
Sat 25 October, 11.30am-3pm,
Free, just turn up, Learning Room 1, The Hub
Join Michala from Lion Learners to meet some amazing minibeasts and learn how these tiny creatures help the environment! You’ll also get to handle furry and scaly friends in this fun, hands-on session.
Black to Green Festival
Sat 25 October: 10am-6.30pm,
Free, just turn up
Join us for the Black to Green Festival, created by SPARK’s Youth Ambassadors. There’s something for all ages – recycled crafts, meet the minibeasts, nature storytelling, theatre performances, guided tree walks, and a chance to discover how our amazing reed
beds naturally clean the orange mine water.
Greta’s Glorious Garden
Sat 25 October, 11am-4pm
Free, just turn up
Enjoy an interactive puppet show for all ages! Join Greta in her magical autumnal garden, as she gets ready for the glorious garden competition.
Minecraft Escape Room In A Box
25, 26 October & 1, 2 November, 11.30am & 2pm
Pre-bookable
Join us for a Minecraft themed escape room challenge. Solve riddles, crack codes and problem-solve your way to victory.
The Wonder Shelf – Tmesis Theatre
Sat 25 October, 2pm–3pm
Free, tickets via Wakefield Libraries
Step into a magical bookcase where myths and legends burst into life! Join us on an unforgettable adventure packed with puppetry, music, and laughter. A celebration of imagination and the joy of reading. Perfect for curious minds!
The Magic Paintbrush
Sun 26 October: 11am, 1.30pm, 3pm
Free, tickets via Wakefield Libraries
Edgelands Arts presents “The Magic Paintbrush”, A Chinese legend brought to life by three performers through words, visual theatre, original music
and puppetry.
Autumn Scavenger Hunt
Wed 29 & Fri 31 October, 10.30am–11.30am
£2.50 per child, pre-bookable
Join us in Pit Wood to discover the natural treasures of the season.
Family Lantern Making Workshops
Wednesday 29, Thursday 30 & Friday 31 October
£10 per family ticket (1 ticket per four people), pre-bookable
Learning Space, The Hub
Get creative as a family by making a large statement light-up scenescape! Be part of our lantern parade (Sat 22 Nov) and Light Up Festival with your colourful creation.
Hocus Pocus Film Screening
Friday 31 October, 12.30pm-2pm, pre-bookable
This Halloween, join us for a spellbinding screening of Hocus Pocus, complete with spooky vibes, cinema snacks, and a Best Dressed Competition, so don your witchiest, wackiest, or most magical costume for a chance to win!
Beasts & Boggarts
Saturday 1 November, 12.30pm
Free, tickets via Wakefield Libraries
Using specially designed storytelling cards inspired by local folklore, explore visual and oral story telling techniques and develop your own imaginative stories.
Escape the Forbidden Forest SEND
Saturday 1 November, 2pm
Free, tickets via Wakefield Libraries
“The trees have closed in, the path has disappeared, night has fallen… Can you find your way out of the Forbidden Forest? Join Story Trails this WordFest to solve the mystery of the forest in this fun guided story, containing riddles, puzzles and playful adventure for families with children with SEND.
Tours:
Why’s Our Water Pumpkin Orange?
Sat 25 October
Free, meet at Reception
Take a family walk and find out how we pump and purify orange mine water.
Pithead Baths Explore
Wed-Sun, 12pm, Free
Meet at Pithead Baths
Discover the daily routines of miners, from the start to the end of their day, in this fun family tour!
For more information including contact details for the National Coal Mining Museum please visit their directory listing –
