Get ready for a spooktacular October Half Term packed with storytelling, crafts, and curious adventures! From magical mysteries to wonderful workshops, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this October.

Time TunnelWed-Sun£5.50 per child, £6.50 per adult, pre-booking advised

Be transported through the centuries as you are taken through almost 200 years of mining history thanks to state-of-the-art technology. Travel through time and discover the incredible stories of coal mining through the centuries.

Voices of the Village: Sensory StorytellingWed–Sun, 11.30am–3.30pm Free, just turn up at Parkinson’s Yard, The Hub

Step into the world of Betty Miller’s Royston village sculpture through an immersive sensory story. Meet the characters, explore their lives and discover the close-knit mining community that inspired the artwork.

Makers’ Shed24,25, 28–31 October & 1 November, 11.30am-3.30pmFree, drop-in at Pony Discovery Centre

Get creative and be inspired by the ‘Villagers – Sculpting the Community’ exhibition and create a community character of your own to take home.

Horsekeeper TalksWed-Sun, Free Drop-inPony Discovery Centre

Visit Eric, Ernie, Aladdin, and Bud. Join us for our Horsekeeper talks at 12pm, see what they are fed at 2.30pm.

Autumn Scavenger HuntWed 28 – Fri 30 October, 10.30am-11.30am£2.50 per child, pre-bookableMeet at Reception

Search for autumn treasures and use clay and natural materials to create your own seasonal tree.

Meet the Trees WalkWed 28 October, 12pm-1pmFree, Meet outside The Hub (suitable for 8 years and over)

Join us for a relaxed guided walk through our Nature Trail. Discover different trees and get hands-on with nature. Moderate walk with some steep inclines.

Pokémon PartyWed 28 October, 10am-4pmFree (£5 for Pokémon Party)

Join us for a Pokémon-tastic day with a free Pokémon trail, crafts and Pokémon GO fun. For £5 per child, join our pre-bookable Pokémon Party (1pm & 2.15pm). Our Pokémon Trainer will lead children through fun-filled, high-energy activities and Pokémon-themed games. Will you catch them all?

The Great Library MysteryWed 28 October, 2pmPre-bookable via WordFest website, Conference Rooms, The Hub

Something very strange has happened in the library. One of its most treasured books has been mysteriously altered, and the ending has disappeared. Become a team of detectives, following clues, solving puzzles, and stepping into the world of the book to uncover the truth. Encounter familiar faces from much-loved stories, but everyone seems to have a different version of what happened. Who can they trust? And who is hiding something?

Family Lantern Making WorkshopsWednesday 28, Thursday 29 & Friday 30 October, 11am-12.30pm£10 per family ticket (1 ticket per four people), pre-bookableLearning Room 2, The Hub

Get creative as a family by making a large lantern, inspired by the ‘Villagers – Sculpting the Community’ exhibition! Be part of our lantern parade (Sat 21 Nov) for our Light Up Festival, with your colourful creation.

Halloween Bath Bomb MakingThursday 29 October, 10.15-11am, 12.30pm – 1.15pm, 2pm-2.45pm£10 per child, pre-bookableLearning Room 1, The Hub

Join Forever Fizz for a fun, hands on bath bomb making workshop where creativity meets science. Create your own vibrant fizzy treats from scratch and discover how the ingredients react to create the colour explosion in your bath. Your spooky creations will be made in Halloween-themed containers, making them the perfect treat to take home.

Yew Tree Theatre PerformanceFri 30 October, 12pm, 2pm & 3pmFree, just turn up, Conference Rooms, The Hub

Inspired by Betty Miller’s characters and observational sculpture, this short piece of theatre – created and performed by Yew Tree Youth Theatre, explores the life lived by miners in the 1940s. Enjoy a celebration of the community and connection of a Yorkshire mining village.

Interact Collective of Empath Theatre PerformanceFri 30 October, 1pmFree, just turn up, Conference Rooms, The Hub

Join the Interact Collective of Empath Theatre as they share their creativity inspired by nature – this 10 minute performance will celebrate the inspiration to be found amongst the trees and fields.

Halloween TrailSat 31 October: 10am-5pm,Free, just turn up

Get ready for a spooky adventure around the Museum! Follow the trail, solve the clues and discover where to go next. Can you crack the clues and make it to the end? All children who complete the trail will receive some free Halloween sweets!

Coco Film ScreeningSat 31 October, 11am, pre-bookableThis Halloween, join us for a spookacular screening of Coco, complete with spooky vibes, cinema snacks, and a Best Dressed Competition, so where your most magical costume for a chance to win!

Minecraft Escape Room In A BoxSun 1 November, 11.30am & 1pm£15 per ticket (Up to 2 adults & 1 child) +£5 per additional child, pre-bookable

Join us for a Minecraft themed escape room challenge. Solve riddles, crack codes and problem-solve your way to victory.

Tours:

Why’s Our Water Pumpkin Orange?Sat 31 OctoberFree, meet at Reception

Take a family walk and find out how we pump and purify orange mine water.

Pithead Baths ExploreWed-Sun, 12pm, FreeMeet at Pithead Baths

Discover the daily routines of miners, from the start to the end of their day, in this fun family tour!

Visit us this half term for a spooktacular family day out, take a walk around our nature trail, explore discovery spots, and lots, lots more!

PLEASE NOTE: THE MUSEUM IS CLOSED ON MONDAYS AND TUESDAYS