Children and families can have a blast this October half term, with Dudley Council hosting activities in leisure centres, parks, museums, town halls and libraries.

Duncan Edwards, Crystal and Halesowen leisure centres will be offering sessions including free swimming, family disability swims and soft play and £1 football sessions are on offer at The Dell Stadium. Full information is online at dbleisure.co.uk.

The ever-popular Himley Fireworks event, organised by Dudley Council, returns to the park on Saturday 2 November with a stunning 30-minute firework display. It will also include a giant funfair, street entertainment, a night market and food from around the world. Tickets are on sale at himleyhallandpark.co.uk and are expected to sell out ahead of the event.

Dudley libraries will be a hive of activity during October with Bonfire night themed fun, Halloween craftmaking, storytelling, biscuit decorating and lots more. More information can be found on the Dudley Libraries Facebook page. 

Families can enjoy entertainment at Stourbridge Town Hall with the live Halloween special show ‘Villains Unleashed’ on Thursday 31 October at 2pm, as well as film screenings of ‘Addams Family 2’ on Saturday 26 October at 2.30pm and ‘Ghostbusters: The Frozen Empire’ at 1.30pm on Monday 28 October. The ever-popular All Star Superslam Wrestling will also return to Dudley Town Hall on Saturday 26 October at 7pm. Full details are listed at boroughhalls.co.uk.

A free fun Halloween Trail will run at Himley Hall and Park from Saturday 26 to Thursday 31 October, with worksheet available from the hall’s Coffee Lounge.

The Red House Glass Cone is offering bookable glass fusing sessions during the week and the fun craft sessions ‘Trick and Treat’ on Thursday 31 October. For more information and to book, people can visit the cone’s ticket source page.

Dudley Museum at the Archives will be open Thursday, Friday and Saturday between 10am and 4pm, with interesting exhibitions and activities for families to enjoy. 
Park Active sessions will be taking place in selected Dudley borough parks. These 45-minute activities are led by a qualified volunteer and gives people of all fitness levels the opportunity to be active outdoors. Families can also enjoy using free outdoor gym equipment with more online about both activities.

Children can enjoy being active with the Junior Parkrun at Stevens Park in Wollescote, which will bookend the half term break. The activity runs at the park every Sunday (including Sunday 27 October and Sunday 3 November), starting at 9am. People can find out more and register online.

Councillor David Stanley, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “We are delighted to be offering families a range of fun and affordable activities this October half term including trails, craft activities, sports and free swimming.

“Himley Hall and Park Fireworks event will also offer families the perfect opportunity to come together and have fun on Saturday 2 November, but tickets are selling fast so we’re reminding people to book early to avoid disappointment.”