10 Activities to do with the Family Under £20
With the colder weather and half term just around the corner (yes, it’s hard to believe the first school term is almost over!), you may be looking for activities for all the family to get involved in over the coming months. And, for those staying closer to home, there are a wide range of well-priced activities to enjoy, including lots of Halloween fun! With that in mind, below are 10 activities for the family to enjoy for under £20 - some even free of charge - across Northern Ireland.
1. Halloween Fun Days, Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh
The Ulster American Folk Park is putting on a special event giving visitors an experience of how Halloween would have been celebrated years ago in Ireland and in America. This includes a taste of seasonal foods such as colcannon and current loaf freshly made on the open-hearth turf fire, and Shoofly & Pumpkin Pie in the Pennsylvania Log Farmhouse. The park will also have fun Halloween activities and games for all the family to participate in, in addition to a tour of the park itself.
Adults cost £9 per person and admission for under 5s is free.
2. Halloween Monster Mash and Halloween Display, Belfast
Belfast’s sky will be lit up on Sunday 29th October for a special Halloween Monster Mash and Halloween Display celebration at the Slipways, Titanic Belfast. Starting at 4pm, the event will include street theatre, fire shows, arts and crafts, live music and food stalls, among other spooky fun. The event is free and there will even be a special Ghost Shuttle bringing passengers to the Slipways from Belfast City Centre.
This event is now over but check out Visit Belfast for a list of upcoming events.
3. Richill Apple Harvest Fayre, Armagh
On Saturday 28 October, families can soak up the joys of the apple harvesting season at the Richill Apple Harvest Fayre in Armagh. The Fayre will have great experiences including a taste of apple-filled food and drink courtesy of the wonderful dishes local chefs and Fayre representatives will be knocking up on the day.
4. Cinemagic International Film and Television Festival
From 6 October to 8 November, movie fans of all ages will be able to enjoy a whole host of films and television events at various cinemas and art venues across Belfast as part of the Cinemagic International Film and Television Festival. This includes a special stream for under 12s that allows young families the opportunity to enjoy special events such as the Mini Masterclasses (between £8-£10 per person) and an opportunity to judge films as part of the CineSeekers stream.
5. Derry Halloween, Derry City
Derry City is really going to town on Halloween celebrations as part of its Derry Halloween festival. So much so that it would be a shame for families not to take a trip to the Walled City. Over the course of four days, visitors and locals will be able to soak up a wide variety of events and activities, including “Museum of the Moon” an incredible event looked at the different facets of the moon at the Guildhall; a Haunted Harvest Market, where a Hallowe’en themed street food and live music space will fill up Guildhall Square; Hallowe’en themed goodies and events at Derry’s Craft Village; and, topping it all off, a fireworks extravaganza over the city.
Free admission.
6. Ghouls and Gruffalo Welly Walk, Colin Glen Forest Park
On Friday 27th Oct – Wed 1st November, families will be treated to a storytelling of The Gruffalo, a world-famous children’s story book. The storytelling will then be followed by a guided walk along Colin Glen Forest Park, with Ghosts and Ghouls making an appearance along the way. In addition to this there will be an opportunity to pick a pumpkin from the forest pumpkin patch then carve out a pumpkin to take home.
Cost is £9 per child, with under 2s going for free. Find out more at www.colinglen.org/portfolio/ghouls-gruffalo-welly-walk .
7. Harry Potter Movie Experience, Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, Holywood
For Harry Potter fans, Ulster Folk and Transport Museum has a wonderful screening of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets at the Rail Gallery at the Transport Museum in partnership with Pop Up Film Club. For just £9 per person, kids – big and small – can enjoy the movie in the atmospheric surroundings of the museum.
This event is now over but check out Visit Belfast for a list of upcoming events.
8. I’m a Poetato: John Hegley (Schools Show), Homeplace, Bellaghy
John Hegley presents I'm a Poetato, an entertaining poetry show for families and school groups on Friday 20th October in The Helican theatre at Homeplace in Bellaghy. This fun and alternative day is geared towards 8-10-year olds and looks set to be very entertaining.
Tickets are £7.50 (General) and £5.00 (Concession).
9. Half-Term Hallowe’en Fest, Dungannon
The Argory, a National Trust house in Dungannon, will host a Half-Term Hallowe’en Fest. The Fest will include pumpkin carving, a Halloween trail and spooky treats in the onsite café.
10. Ghosts and Ghouls Spooktacular, Rowallane Garden, Ballynahinch
From 21 October – 5 November, Rowallane Garden will host a whole programme of Hallowe’en-focused events. This include a Ghosts and Ghouls Weekend, a Poison Chocolate Apple Dunking and Pumpkin Carving.
Prices start at £6.50 per adult and £3.00 per child.
Have any other activities to recommend for under £20?
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