Five fab free(ish) things to do for half term
Five free or inexpensive things to do to keep the kids (and their parents, grandparents or carers) occupied this half-term.
1. Bake a Christmas cake
Autumn half term is the optimum time for baking a Christmas fruit cake, allowing time for it to mature for Christmas. But don't forget to 'feed' it regularly between now and the big day with brandy (or whisky or rum). Get the kids involved weighing and adding ingredients and stirring the mixture.
Try this classic recipe from Mary Berry.
http://www.maryberry.co.uk/recipes/baking/mary-berrys-classic-fruit-cake
2. Go for a walk in the woods
What better way to enjoy the autumn colours and wildlife than to tramp through the leaves in one of the region's many woods and forests, with the promise of a cup of something hot on your return home. The Woodland Trust has a directory to help you find your nearest options -
http://visitwoods.org.uk/en/visit-woods/Pages/get-involved.aspx#.Um4sgfm...
3. Have a Halloween party
You don't have to be very organised or even invite any guests:
- Just choose some suitable music: this compilation is available for a fiver or so -
http://www.amazon.co.uk/100-Hits-Halloween-Various-Artists/dp/B002KFZJRM
- Cook a warming, paprika-spiced GHOULash: here's The Hairy Bikers' take on this classic dish -
http://www.hairybikers.com/recipes/beef-goulash/1696
- Fill a bucket with water for some apple bobbing and toast some marshmallows (best done outdoors!).
- Hollow out a pumpkin and put a tea light inside to make a lantern.
- Have fun with face paints and dress up in some old clothes to create your Halloween look.
Hey presto - an (almost) instant party!
4. Visit a museum
Admission is free to Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery -
http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/museumpcmag.htm/
- and there are some free family-friendly events on this week too -
http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/homepage/creativityandculture/museums/museump...
5. Tidy the kids' bedrooms!
OK, so this might be a long shot but you could try and make it fun. Dig out some old toys, sort out any that are unwanted to donate to charity, put on ebay or to offload for a few pence in a kids' yard sale.
Maybe put up some fresh pictures and posters to help stimulate their interest and offer up a tantalising treat for the end of the week as a reward - cinema and popcorn. Here's what's on locally -
http://www.myvue.com/home/cinema/plymouth
http://www.reelcinemas.co.uk/films-out-now/?p_c_id=952
