Top 5: October 2017 half term ideas ft. Craft Centre & Ordsall Hall

So it’s half term again – and once again, there’s loads to get your teeth into, from hands on workshops at the Craft Centre exploring the secrets of jewellery making, to a giant spiders web at MSI and fun happenings at Waterside Arts Centre.

1. Science and art drop ins at Craft & Design Centre
There are free craft/science workshops at Manchester Craft & Design Centre this October half term as part of Manchester Science Festival. Explore chemicals, reactions and elements used by artists in the Science Studio alongside demonstrations and hands-on experiments. Read our preview.
Mon 23 – Sat 28 Oct, Manchester Craft and Design Centre, 17 Oak Street, Manchester M4 5JD. Tel: 0161 832 4274, 2-5pm, free, drop in, no booking required, www.craftanddesign.com

2. Family theatre: The Lowry’s Family Arts Festival
The Lowry’s annual Family Arts Festival takes in Slava’s Snowshow, Michael Morpurgo’s Why The Whales Came on the stage, and much more. We have a family ticket for Slava’s Snowshow up for grabs – click here to enter. There are also free family events and activities taking place in The Lowry’s devoted kids area, The Lookout. Check website for full listings.
Sat 21 – Sun 29 Oct. The Lowry, Pier 8, The Quays, Salford M50 3AZ. Tel: 0843 208 6000, times and prices vary, www.familyfestival.org.uk

3. Spook fest: Halloween Grotto at Ordsall Hall
Visit Tudor Manor House, Ordsall Hall, and enjoy Halloween activities to get you in the mood for trick or treating. Options include a ‘The Magical Door Trail’ (Mon 23 – Sun 29 Oct) workshops and drop ins exploring how to make a magic wand (and other things, Mon 23 – Tue 24 Oct). There’s even a Halloween Grotto this year, which is home to the Ordsall Hall witch (Wed 25 – Thu 26 Oct).
Mon 23 – Thu 26 Oct, 322 Ordsall Lane, Salford M5 3AN. Tel: 0161 872 0251, www.salfordcommunityleisure.co.uk

4. Kids cabaret: Duckie (Le Gateau Chocolat’s Ugly Ducking – pic) at Contact
This new piece of children’s theatre explores themes of identity and belonging, as well as showcasing plenty of glamour and glitz with cabaret star, Le Gateau Chocolat, at the helm. This is the artist’s acclaimed re-working of Hans Christian Anderson’s The Ugly Duckling.
Tue 24 & Wed 25 Oct, Contact Theatre, Oxford Road, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6JA. Tel: 0161 274 0600, 2pm/7pm, prices vary (£5 under 10s), www.contactmcr.com

5. Autumn fun at Waterside & our guide to the best kids shows
Waterside Arts Centre’s has a host of family friendly theatre shows, live music, workshops and drop ins taking place during half term. Stage shows include Micheal Morpurgo’s King Arthur (Sat 21 Oct, 2pm) and What Became of the Red Shoes (Tue 24 Oct, 11.30am & 2.30pm). Read our ‘top 4 kids shows’ guide or just pop in and see what’s going on.
Ongoing, Waterside Arts Centre, 1 Waterside, Sale M33 7ZF. Tel: 0161 912 5616, www.watersideartscentre.co.uk