10 dated events coming up in and around Wirral, Merseyside. Collected from the organisations running them, not from anyone paying to appear.
Not Halloween as such, but half term on the Wirral with a real-life dragon from Teach Rex, dragon breath with The Wonderweaver and a new show, Dragon Dynamics. Useful for the child who is sick of pumpkins by the Tuesday.
A book-themed Halloween trail round Ness Botanic Gardens, 24 October to 2 November, 10.30am to 3.30pm. It takes about 40 minutes and suits 5 to 12s. The sheet is free with admission; bring a pencil.
A book-themed trail round the gardens for 5 to 12s, about 40 minutes: spot favourites from children's books along the way and work out which one the witch has not read. The trail sheet is free with garden entry, but bring a pen or you will be buying one in the shop. Half term also has a Halloween family workshop, and an autumn colours workshop on Tuesday 27 October.
Not Halloween as such, but half term on the Wirral with a real-life dragon from Teach Rex, dragon breath with The Wonderweaver and a new show, Dragon Dynamics. Useful for the child who is sick of pumpkins by the Tuesday.
A book-themed Halloween trail round Ness Botanic Gardens, 24 October to 2 November, 10.30am to 3.30pm. It takes about 40 minutes and suits 5 to 12s. The sheet is free with admission; bring a pencil.
A book-themed trail round the gardens for 5 to 12s, about 40 minutes: spot favourites from children's books along the way and work out which one the witch has not read. The trail sheet is free with garden entry, but bring a pen or you will be buying one in the shop. Half term also has a Halloween family workshop, and an autumn colours workshop on Tuesday 27 October.
A free family book day at the Floral Pavilion on Saturday 7 November, with author talks, comic-making and face painting. Frank Cottrell-Boyce appears. Entry is free but some activities need booking in advance.
Starts at 3.30pm. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
A community Christmas fair at West Kirby Grammar School on Saturday 21 November, 10am to 3pm. Free entry, though they ask for a food or toiletry item for the foodbank. Santa's Grotto is booked separately.
New Brighton's seafront panto, with Blackpool breakfast radio presenter Scott Gallagher making his debut as a dame, as Widow Twankey. Every performance has a few £15 stalls seats, so book early for those and walk the prom afterwards if it is not blowing a gale.
Father Christmas reads a story by the fire at Ness Botanic Gardens on Sundays 6 and 13 December, then chats and has a photo with each child. £9.50 a child includes a gift and their garden entry. Max 20 children a session.
A woodland light trail, grotto, fairground and family shows in Birkenhead Park, 10 to 13 December. Everyone needs a ticket except babies under 1. Tickets are non-refundable and it goes ahead in any weather.
Elf and Safety is an hour of slapstick Christmas comedy in the Ness Gardens lecture theatre on 12 and 13 December, at 11am and 3pm. Every child gets a gift afterwards. Tickets £11 through Blue Jay Theatre.
Places you can turn up to whether or not anything is on.
About 250 acres of parkland and woods in the middle of the Wirral with a toddler play area, an adventure playground, pitch and putt and a cafe that opens at 8am. The all-rounder for a Saturday morning.
The park Central Park was copied from: two lakes, a covered Swiss Bridge, a playground with a climbing boulder and acres of flat grass, all free. The visitor centre has the cafe and the toilets.
The oldest standing building on Merseyside, a twelfth century monastery hemmed in by the Cammell Laird shipyard. Ruined cloisters, a chapter house, and a tower you can climb for a view over the yard.
Old woodland on the Wirral bank of the Mersey with views across the estuary, an old bear pit (empty, long since) and a tea garden in the warmer months. A short, easy woodland walk with a strange bit of history in the middle.
Walk across the sands from West Kirby to three tidal islands in the Dee estuary to see grey seals and wading birds. 45 minutes to an hour each way, only on the right tide. Toilets on the island, no cafe.
William Lever built it for his wife and filled it with what he liked: Pre-Raphaelite paintings, Napoleon memorabilia and one of the most significant collections of Wedgwood jasperware in the UK. Free, and the Chinese ceramics cases sit low so children can see in.