Looking for something fun to keep your little ones entertained during the school holidays this autumn? Our libraries are hosting a variety of events and activities for children and families, all for free!
From nature-inspired activities as part of our Go Wild programme, to interactive Viking battle demonstrations, and even puppet shows where you can learn French – see what’s happening near you.
Want to find more events? Take a look at our What’s On to find something for you.
When: Sunday 27 October
Join us at Felixstowe Library for a fun day of Halloween-themed crafts for children and their families! Get involved with spooky craft activities including making your own scary mask for trick-or-treating, and make some ghost and spider decorations to hang up in your house ready for Halloween! Suitable for children aged 3-10.
When: Tuesday 29 October at Chantry Library, Friday 1 November at Ipswich County Library, and Monday 4 November at Gainsborough Community Library
Join Ipswich Museums and get up close with their natural history collection! Immerse yourself in the animal world and explore animal diets, skulls, survival, and the scientific study of insects. You can play in our makeshift entomology lab and help the team identify animals and their diet, create your own habitat, talk to a museum expert, and create your own banner for change, all whilst exploring and learning from some of their collections.
When: Tuesday 29 October
Come along to Beccles Library and enjoy some Halloween-themed crafts for children and families! Paint your own ceramic pumpkin characters, clothespin puppets, witch paper plate craft, and monster pom pom crafts. Suitable for children aged 5+.
When: Tuesday 29 October
Join us for a free and fun craft activity session for children of all ages! Come along to the library at 11AM and at 2PM and learn how to make your very own dangly bats, pop-up bats, scratch art bats and much more. There will also be bat-themed temporary tattoos!
When: Tuesday 29 October
Looking for something fun for your little ones during half term? Join us at Leiston Library for a free craft session, suitable for children under 10! Get involved in making some spooooky Halloween-themed craft activities to take home with you and decorate your house with.
When: Tuesday 29 October
Join the friendly artists from Rock Paper Scissors at Newmarket Library to create your own spooky stop motion animation. Create your story out of Lego, plasticine, and other crafty fun. You don't need to bring anything with you but your imagination!
When: Wednesday 30 October
Create your own mini book masterpiece at this free workshop for children and teens! Spark new ideas using our creative prompts and bring your imagination to life using mixed media drawing and collage with the freedom to create in your own way. Tap into your creativity and take home your very own mini book art masterpiece! The only thing you need to bring is your imagination...
When: Thursday 31 October at Ipswich County Library, and Friday 1 November at Sudbury Library
Join the team of Funnelwick Limb to explore the wonderful world of Atom and Luna. See the beautiful story illustrations up close and even have a go at creating one of your own. Or take a story for a walk round the library, have a go at our virtual reality game and meet our show puppets (selfies encouraged!). There will even be the chance to carry out a creative challenge to help us develop our new show!
When: Thursday 31 October
Join us for a fun interactive Halloween-themed event for children at Framlingham Library! Enjoy stinky, spooky, slimy fun as we create word-magic from a brew of cauldron ingredients. Perfect to keep your little ones entertained during half term!
When: Thursday 31 October
Calling all young witches and wizards - grab your wands and cloaks and join us at the library for a free Harry Potter themed drop-in day! Celebrate Halloween with a variety of fun-filled crafts, games, and more! Suitable for ages 2-14.
When: Friday 1 November
Join us for a fun filled day at Gainsborough Community Library with the Viking Re-enactment group - Óðinns Raven Guard! There will be lots of activities going on, from a battle demonstration, living history stories, jewellery stall, crafts and a chance for questions and answers from the group. Suitable for families.
When: Friday 1 November
Join Helen and her puppets, Rico, Abelino, Milou, Alphonse, and Angeline, to learn French through music, stories, role play, and lots of fun. A delightfully fun way for young children to learn French!
When: Friday 1 November
Join Pauline from Growing Together and step into a magical fairytale land at Halesworth Library! Together, we'll meet the three little pigs as they build their homes and try porridge with Goldilocks. There will be lots of activities suitable for children aged under 5 based on well-loved traditional tales. An interactive story time to engage all your senses!
When: Wednesday 30 October at Kesgrave Library, and Saturday 2 November at Capel St Mary Library
Join us for a morning of minibeasts! Angela from Angie's Curious Creatures will be visiting the library with her amazing minibeasts - enjoy an interactive experience where children can get hands-on with reptiles, minibeasts, and other creatures whilst learning the role they play in the ecosystem and the circle of life! Suitable for ages 4-12.
When: Saturday 2 November at Hadleigh Library, and Sunday 3 November at Ipswich County Library
In this two-part workshop, we'll first go exploring in the areas around the library to find natural materials we can turn into puppets. Following this, we'll use our finds to create new puppet characters and learn how to bring them to life!
Looking to explore the great outdoors? We've also put together a list of recommended nature and wildlife activity ideas from local wildlife organisations for the whole family to get involved with, including shelter-building from Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Halloween-themed nature crafts from Woodland Trust, and spotter guides from Wildlife Watch.
You can also check out Let's Get Creative, an online cultural directory of free and low-cost creative experiences across Suffolk.
