Things to do in Nailsea this Halloween

The spooky season is now upon us! The days are rolling in, the leaves are turning beautiful shades of crimson, yellow and brown and there is something ghostly lurking in the dark. But don’t panic, because there is a host of activities that you can do with the family this Halloween and half term.

Upcoming Events

There are plenty of public events, both free and paid, coming up over the next couple of weeks suitable for all ages across Nailsea and North Somerset.

Mizzymead Recreation Centre are hosting a spooktacular evening of events on October 29^th, with family bingo, apple bobbing and more.

Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm are hosting a Pumpkin fest up until November 6^th, and, for those interested in a trip to the Theatre, the Addams Family will be arriving at the Backwell Playhouse just in time for Halloween, book your tickets now.

For more information on these planned events read our in-depth article >

Things to do at home this Halloween

With the increased cost of living hitting families this winter, we have put together some affordable alternatives to do at home this Halloween season.

Pumpkin Carving and Decoration

A classic for Halloween, pumpkin decoration is a brilliant activity to do with your children! Whether you are carving a monstrous creation or painting a fang-tastic vampire, unleash your creativity while decorating your home for the spooky season. There are a wide variety of pumpkins available for you to choose from in your local super markets or suppliers.

Triggols Farm are selling their homegrown pumpkins at their farm in Tickenham every day in October between 10am and 5pm. You can find out more information from their Facebook page.

For those of you wanting to make your pumpkins go a little further, you may want to choose a cooking pumpkin rather than a carving one. Cooking pumpkins have more flesh than carving alternatives, they also have a sweeter taste, making them a great addition to a hearty vegetable soup or a wonderful roast dinner, however, their skins can be a little tougher meaning more care should be taken when they are being carved.

Cooking

A classic in any household, cake making is a quick and affordable way to keep children entertained this half term.

Check out these good looking crispy cakes. All you need is Rice Krispies, marshmallows, and an assortment of food colouring.

Film Nights

There’s a plethora of seasonal favourites to watch this year, from the classic of Casper the Friendly Ghost, to Disney’s new Hocus Pocus 2.

For those without online streaming services, the Library service has a collection of 9,000 DVDs to suit all ages, including the latest Hollywood blockbusters and classics from years gone by. Please note there is a small hire charge for DVDs.

Top Tips for Staying Safe this Halloween

For most the epitome of Halloween is Trick or Treating. It is a fun and exciting time of year to dress up and get some delicious treats! However, there are risks involved. We have put together some top tips to keep yourselves and others safe this Halloween.

Preparing your home for visitors

Over Halloween we usually have a lot more people visiting our front door than normal; therefore, it is important to make sure that people can get there safely.

Ensure that any obstacles, such as steps and slopes, are clearly visible to present trips or falls and make sure that any pathways leading to your front door are well lit.

Planning your Route

When Trick or Treating it is best to only knock on the doors of people you know, but if you are new to the area or don’t know a lot of people locally here are the best things to look out for.

Pumpkins and Lights – Over the last couple of years, it has become custom that those with a pumpkin in their window or on their porch are happy to receive trick or treaters.

Check for Posters – The Avon and Somerset Police have created a poster for people to download and print to deter prospective trick or treaters. They have a variety of poster designs available on their website as well as other guidance on staying safe this Halloween. If you do not have a printer at home, you can pay to have one printed at the library in Somerset Square.

You can access the Avon and Somerset Halloween posters here >

If you are ever unsure, it is best to avoid knocking.

Being safe in the dark

The evenings are getting darker quicker, this comes with a lot of risks with people going out and about. It is best practice especially with children to go out in the early evening while it’s still light and stick to lit pathways.

If you do stay out later, it is important to make sure that you are visible – especially around roads – not only for yourself but for others. Consider using reflective bands on top of your costume to make sure you are visible to road users.

Make sure you always go out in groups and have a phone with full charge. Should the worst happen, you can quickly contact someone for help.

Being mindful of others

While the spooky season is an exciting time for many, this is not the same for everyone. For those that live alone and the elderly and vulnerable this time can be challenging.

Check in on your neighbours – the past couple of years have helped redevelop our relationships with our neighbours. As we approach Halloween it is a great time to check in on your neighbours to see if they are okay or need anything.

Supporting the Nailsea Community this Halloween

We are all feeling the pinch this year, but there is no need to go without. There are a range of community initiatives open to help those in need this Halloween and half term. The Nailsea Community larder at 26 Somerset Square offers members 5 free items plus bread, Monday – Saturday 10am – 12:30pm. Anyone is eligible to join and donations are always welcome.