They’re creepy and they're kooky, mysterious and spooky… and happening at Birmingham Museums this half term! There’s a whole host of fa-BOO-lous events planned across the city’s top attractions, from a Pumpkin Flotilla at Sarehole Mill to the scariest of ghost stories at the historic Aston Hall.

THINKTANK

Open each day throughout half term, there’s no end of frightful fun for the family at Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum. Enjoy hands-on science experiments, make giant junk creatures, follow the Monster Munching Trail and take a seat at the Monster Mayhem Family Show. For quiet time, chill out in the Planetarium, or there’s Halloween-themed Stay and Play sensory sessions for little ones. 

Monster Munching Trail | Saturday 22 - Sunday 30 October | 10am-5pm (included with entry): Follow the trail and discover what the monsters munched on for lunch.

Monster Mayhem Family Show | Monday 24 - Friday 28 October | 1pm & 3pm (included with entry): Inspired by all things monstrous, prepare to be amazed by creepy live science demonstrations.

Massive Monster Modelling | Monday 24 - Friday 28 October | 11am-4pm (included with entry): Join in the fun to make a massive monster using rubbish.

Creepy Cameras – Lego Lab Takeover | Monday 24 - Friday 28 October | 11am, 12pm & 2pm (tickets: £2 per person, in addition to Thinktank admission price): Get hands on with science with fun light experiments before making and decorating a creepy camera obscura.

Spooky Stay and Play | Thursday 27 October | 11am-12pm (included with entry): Creative, interactive and sensory play with different colours, lights, textures and sounds to explore, all with a Halloween twist. Aimed at little ones aged 18 months-three years and parents/caregivers.

ASTON HALL

One of the last great houses built in the Jacobean style and one of the most haunted buildings in the UK. Soak up the atmospheric surroundings of this architectural gem while listening to the spookiest of stories. Visitors can rub shoulders with the magical characters before learning their own supernatural sorcery.

Aston After Dark: Torchlit Ghost Tour | Friday 21- Sunday 23 & Friday 28 - Sunday 30 October | 5pm-10.30pm (tickets: adults £15; children, £12): Explore the torch-lit Hall and hear tales of its dark past. Expect a few scares along the way.

Ghostly Tales: Family Friendly Ghost Tour | Thursday 27 - Friday 28 October | 12pm, 1.30pm & 3pm (tickets: children £3; adults, £9; concessions, £7): Join the family-friendly tour of Aston Hall.

Aston Hall’oween | Saturday 29 October | 12pm-4pm (tickets: children £3; adults, £9; concessions, £7): Meet the witch-hunter, a witch and a real magician.

Spooky Magic Lesson | Sunday 30 October | 11am, 12pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm & 3.30pm (tickets, children £3, adults £3): Magician Paul shares a few trade secrets to design and create card tricks.

BLAKESLEY HALL

Take a step back in time and discover the Halloween tales within the walls of historic Hall or be brought bang up to date with a fun-filled spooky disco.

Halloween Family Spooky Tour | Friday 28 October | 11.30am, 1pm, 2pm & 3pm (tickets: children £4; adults, £8; concessions, £6): A storyteller tour to discover the Hall’s Halloween traditions.

SAREHOLE MILL

Decorate a pumpkin at home and bring it along for the Pumpkin Flotilla, or make a lantern to light the way for a ghostly guided tour.

Pumpkin Flotilla | Friday 28 - Sunday 30 October | 5.30pm & 7.30pm (tickets: £45 for up to five people): A spooktacular evening, bring in a home-decorated pumpkin and watch it glide across the millpond. Hot chocolate and ghost stories included before the flotilla sets sail.

Spooky Mill Tours | Saturday 29 - Sunday 30 October | 2pm & 3pm (Tickets: children £6; adults £6; concessions, £5): Suitable for all the family, create lanterns for a guided tour of the Mill and discover the story of the White Ogre that scared J.R.R Tolkien as a small boy.

For more information, visit: birminghammuseums.org.uk/october-half-term