Take part in free and affordable family adventures at North East Museums this October half term

Families across the region can look forward to exciting, budget-friendly adventures at their favourite cultural attractions, thanks to Ways to Play - an ongoing collaboration between North East Museums and Tyne and Wear Metro.

 The popular Ways to Play programme invites children to get active, creative and imaginative with a variety of engaging, affordable experiences designed to make the school holidays memorable. This October half term, families can enjoy a varied programme of Halloween-inspired events, from creative workshops to spooky experiences, offering something to engage children of all ages.

Highlights from October's half term events programme include: A special effects makeup class at Laing Art Gallery Halloween-inspired heritage train rides at Stephenson Steam Railway A spooky silent disco at Newcastle’s Discovery Museum. Art workshops for families and young people at Shipley Art Gallery and Hatton Gallery.

With rising costs affecting many households, the opportunity for families to make savings on travel costs makes visiting museums and galleries more affordable. Many North East Museums venues are easily accessible via Metro, Bus or Shields Ferry. During school holidays children under 11 can travel free on Tyne and Wear Metro, the Shields Ferry and buses when accompanied by a fare-paying adult.

Ways to Play has won several awards, including the Best Arts and Business Partnership at the North East Culture Awards in 2022 and the Not-for-Profit Marketing Award at the North East Marketing Awards the same year. It was also shortlisted for Partnership of the Year at the Museum + Heritage Awards in 2023. Full events listings in Editor’s notes.