Rhyme times, toddler sessions, stay and play and everything else that genuinely works with a pre-schooler in and around Carlisle.
Luke Jerram's seven-metre glowing moon hangs in the cathedral for the whole of October, with children's workshops and pyjama parties on the programme. Entry is by donation, suggested £5 an adult or £12 a family, and daytime visits need no booking. Sunday opening is only 12 to 2.
Every paying child ticket includes a pumpkin from the patch, on top of the indoor and outdoor play and the animals. On 27 and 28 October the farm stays open until 7pm so you can pick as the light goes, on the same ticket, and the farm expects both to sell out. The pumpkin picking after dark nights are adults only.
An evening soft play party with food, a goodie bag, a silent disco, a treasure hunt and a costume competition on the Friday of half term. The night before is a quieter SEN session with no loud music or flashing lights.
Carlisle's free bonfire night, now in its 37th year: a centrepiece bonfire and more than 2,000 fireworks set to music, with 35,000 people expected. There is an accessible viewing area on Sheepmount Road, and roads around the park close from about 7.30pm to 8.30pm for the walk out.
Fireworks with a warm fallback: the ticket gets you into the indoor play barn from 4pm, so small children can burn off energy under a roof before going out for the display. Tickets are limited and the farm says they always sell quickly.
The long version of meeting Santa: passport control, snow play, an enchanted forest with 3D glasses, gingerbread, real reindeer, marshmallows, then Father Christmas in small groups, a toy shop gift and a teddy to build. Full day farm access is included, and it sells out every year, so if Cumbria is your patch, book this first.