Welcome to our Half Term/Halloween edition of Parent’s Digest!

Parent’s Digest is our seasonal newsletter, created with your family's fun in mind - an “at-a-glance” list of what is on offer for the whole family! Thank you for subscribing, Happy Halloween!

Miriam & Sarah xx

Farms, Museums and Top Attractions

This grand month includes exciting activities for the whole family! Do you need the kids to let off some steam? Have some Suffolk Farms Halloween Fun!  Suffolk museums offer ideal activities for a rainy day out, read our blog  Museum Half Term Spooktacular to find out more about what they have on offer this half term.  Why not Explore Suffolk Mazes this Halloween, pick up your own pumpkin and meet some spooky friends along the way.

Attractions & local businesses are also ready to welcome you to their special family packed events. Check out our Top Attractions This Halloween in Suffolk.

October is also ADHD awareness month. For all mums & dads concerned about your child's behaviour, take a look at our blog ADHD Support For Families In Suffolk. Remember you are not alone! Special thank you to to Autism & ADHD’s CEO Annie Clements.

National Trust and English Heritage

• National Trust and English Heritage sites are ready to welcome the whole family this year. 
• Enjoy the autumn theme crafts  or head outside to the playground or den building area with a family explorer pack at Ickworth (Oct 22- 30, except 26th).
• Halloween fun awaits at Framlingham castle with Ghosts, Ghouls & Goings On and Creepy Crafts (Oct 22- 28).
• Introduce your children to reading with Beatrix Potter Story Readings at Melford Hall (Oct 22) suitable for young children and narrated by a storyteller, or
• discover the Anglo-Saxon storytellers, an evening event with tales to tell of heroes, monsters and gods at Sutton Hoo's Tales by Torchlight (Oct 26).

Loads of Festival Fun!

Brand new to Suffolk is the Lavenham Children's Festival (Lavenham, Oct 28  - 29), taking place at the main Village Hall and The Swan Hotel, suitable for age 2+. Activities include storytelling, and workshops of reading and writing.

The internationally acclaimed Spill Festival is also in town! With two family friendly shows

• Beastie | Lone Twin Who’s that hiding around the corner? (Dance East, Oct 27-29) for kids 6-10 years old and
• Kids in Charge: Messy Play for Toddlers (Christchurch Park, Oct 28-29) session for 18 months to 3 years old.

Grab a pencil, create a collage or an animation! The biggest drawing festival in the UK, The Big Draw, takes place in October. Participating venues include;

• The Long Shop Museum with their Workshop wednesday: The Big Draw, (Oct 26) suitable for all ages. Their theme this year is STEAM - putting the Arts into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) with visiting artists from the Royal School of Drawing (London).
• The Big Draw also comes to Framlingham (Oct 29), offering everyone a chance to have a go at drawing in the heart of the town. All materials will be available.
• The Museum of East Anglian Life joins the festival with a showing of 'The World of Peter Rabbit' and Friends (Oct 27) at their pop-up cinema in Abbot’s Hall Barn. These family friendly 25-minute shows feature the famous tales written by Beatrix Potter of Peter Rabbit, Benjamin Bunny, Jemima Puddle-Duck and more. Visitors will also be able to do crafts, and listen to the new book.

Suffolk libraries “Bookfest” have a couple of events for families this Half Term;

• Cook-up-a-story with Francesca Armour-Chelu (creative writing workshop for children aged 8-12)  (Woodbridge Library, 28 Oct) a 90-minute creative session designed to stimulate creative thinking in a fun way, and
• Going Wild with Emily Hughes (art workshop for children aged 5-8) (Woodbridge Library, Oct 29)

Finally, the “Get Creative Family Festival” brings a variety of family shows this October Half term. The festival aims to encourage arts and events activities for families nationwide. With many participating venues in Suffolk these are our favourites:.

• The Lullaby Concerts: The City of London Sinfonia are coming to Suffolk with concerts designed for 2-7 years old. A fantastic introduction to orchestral music not to be missed. Playing at Lowestoft Library, Newmarket Memorial Halls, Stowmarket United Reformed Church, and Trinity Methodist Church in Lowestoft. Please visit our calendar of events and enter “lullaby” on the "Search by title" search box for dates and details.
• Underneath A Magical Moon. (Oct 25) Suitable for age 3+, The New Wolsey Theatre
• James Campbell - Stand-up Comedy for children. (Oct 23) Suitable for age 6+, Red Rose Chain
• The Emperor's New Clothes. ( Oct 26-27) Suitable for age 3+, The New Wolsey Theatre (Ipswich)
• Marty Macdonald's Toy Machine, Suitable for age 2-7. Showing at (Theatre Royal) Oct 23 and (Spa Pavillon) (Oct 22).
• King Arthur  (Oct 28-29) Suitable for age 7+, Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds
• Albee Vector The Sound Collector (Oct 27), Suitable for age 3-7, Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds)

More ideas?

Make your own stuffed toy at  The Bear Garden (Ipswich) where your kids can choose their cute little outfits from the Bear Boutique! Paint your own monster this Half term at Glass & Craft Halloween Craft Party! (Oct 29, 14:00 - 16:00). Or keep your eyes peeled for the next Brickologist session, be quick, they're so popular they quickly sell out!

It is never too early to learn a new language! Visit bambini Lingo for fun language introductory lessons for 0-6  years old, including fun French arts & crafts this half term.   

Dare we mention making an early start on the Christmas shopping? Take a look at small print original fingerprint jewellery company.

Visit our calendar of events for FREE events, nature and wildlife, and a lot more ideas on what to do this half term!

Have a fantastic Half term and remember to Keep Your Kids Safe This Halloween!

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