It hardly seems any time since the schools returned from their summer break, but October half term is almost upon us. The age- old question is of course, ‘how do we keep the kids entertained?’ Traditionally in the north east of Scotland October half term is known as ‘The Tattie Holidays’, and it was established to allow schoolchildren time off to help with the potato harvest: a practice that continued in counties such as Angus until recent times. But if your offspring aren’t up for two weeks of hard manual labour, here’s some other suggestions of how to keep your little ones amused.
1. Spook them silly
Take them on a ghost tour! Our Ghostly Underground tour is suitable for brave children over the age of 5, and has all the gruesome and ghastly bits of history that kids love. Prepare not to sleep if they insist on retelling you the stories before bedtime.
2. Survive!
If you have a budding Bear Grylls in your brood, The Water of Leith Visitor Centre are running survival skills workshops with experienced leaders between the 14th and the 25th.
3. Tell us a story
Get down to the Storytelling Centre for the International Storytelling Festival between the 21st and 31st October. The huge range of events won’t just keep the family amused, it could inspire some little storytellers to create their own.
4. Botanical adventures
Caley, the garden witch of Edinburgh’s Botanic Garden, is feeling under the weather, and needs some healing herbs. Follow Miagh, her cat, on a Halloween trail around the gardens and see what restorative brews you can rustle up.
5. Carve the hours away
Lauriston Castle is the place to be if you want to learn how to carve your own creepy Halloween Lantern. They will be running a workshop on 23rd October.
Have a fun half term!
