Weekly Update: 27th October – 2nd November | Half-Term Fun, Theatre Magic, Dino Discoveries & Halloween Crafts
- Nov 3, 2025
- 4 min read
Half-term is always one of my favourite weeks — a whole stretch of time to slow down, make memories, go on little adventures and squeeze in lots of family fun. And this one was especially lovely. From theatre trips and trampoline bouncing, to dinosaurs, chocolate, baking and Halloween crafts, it felt like one of those weeks where every day brought something new.
Here’s everything we got up to during our half-term week.
Theatre Magic & Trampoline Fun 🎭🤸
We kicked off the week with something really special on Monday. Alice and I headed to The Lowry to see The Smeds and The Smoos (gifted tickets), while Lawrence took Leo to Oxygen inside the Lowry Outlet Mall.
The Smeds and The Smoos was absolutely delightful — bright, imaginative, funny and full of heart. The perfect half-term show. Alice was completely captivated, and I just loved seeing her so engaged with the story and characters.
👉 You can read my full review HERE
Meanwhile, Leo had the best time ever at Oxygen. Bouncing, running, climbing and burning off all his energy — it was exactly his kind of day.
It felt like such a perfectly balanced start to half-term, with both kids doing something totally suited to them.
Halloween Crafting & A Black Cat Piñata 🐈⬛🎃
On Tuesday, I went full Halloween craft mode and made a black cat piñata for our party later in the week.
I used recycled cardboard, tissue paper, card, string, masking tape and glue — and honestly, it turned out so cute. I love making things from scratch and giving them a bit of personality. There’s something really special about decorations that you’ve made yourself, especially when they’re for family celebrations.
Chocolate Lollies & Sweet Treats 🍫
Wednesday was all about chocolate. The kids and I made Halloween chocolate lollies using spooky moulds and loads of colourful sprinkles.
We melted the chocolate, filled the moulds and went absolutely wild with decorations. It was messy, chaotic and very sugary — but so much fun. The lollies looked amazing and tasted even better, and the kids were so proud of them.
One of those simple half-term activities that turns into a really lovely memory.
Museum Adventures & Dino Discoveries 🦖🏛️
Thursday was a proper full family day out as Lawrence was off work, so we headed into Manchester.
Manchester Museum
We started at Manchester Museum to see their new free exhibition Triceratops: Eat, Roam, Repeat. But of course, before anything else, we had to visit the Vivarium, because Alice always needs to see the frogs — her absolute favourite part of the museum.
The dinosaur exhibition was brilliant and really interactive, with:
A dino dig
Build-your-own felt dinosaurs
Hands-on displays for kids
Both Alice and Leo had such a good time exploring everything. Before we left, we popped into the gift shop where Alice chose a frog fidget toy and Leo picked an axolotl — both £12 each.
Lunch & The Power Hall
We then headed to Manchester Arndale for lunch at KFC, before jumping on the free city centre bus to the Science and Industry Museum.
Our main mission was the newly reopened Power Hall, which has been closed for six years for refurbishment — and wow, it was worth the wait. It looks incredible: bright, modern and full of huge historic engines.
The kids’ favourite was the steam locomotive Pender, which has a cut-away side so you can see how it works inside. They were completely mesmerised — especially Leo, who could have stayed there all afternoon.
We spent about an hour exploring before heading home, tired, happy and full of that warm family day out feeling.
Halloween Baking Fun 🧁👻
Friday was baking day with Leo. We made a batch of Halloween cupcakes, and the whole house smelled amazing.
Then on Saturday, we decorated the cupcakes and made Halloween biscuits too. There were sprinkles everywhere — and I mean everywhere. It was chaotic, colourful and very on brand for us.
The kids were so proud of their creations and couldn’t wait to show everyone.
Halloween Party Day 🎉🎃
Sunday was our Halloween party, but there was so much going on that it’s getting its own dedicated vlog and blog post! Decorations, costumes, games, sweets, the piñata — it definitely deserves a post all of its own.
Final Thoughts 💛
This week felt like the perfect half-term mix of creativity, family time, adventures and a little bit of magic. From theatre and trampolines, to dinosaurs, baking and Halloween crafts, it was one of those weeks that felt busy — but in the very best way.
The kind of week that reminds me just how much I love these ordinary-but-not-so-ordinary family days.
And as always… I’m already looking forward to the next adventure ✨
Watch Our Weekly Vlog 🎥
If you’d like to see everything we got up to in real time, you can watch our Weekly Vlog below — come and join us for all the behind-the-scenes half-term fun, theatre trips, crafts and family adventures.
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