End of October can only mean two things: half term holidays and, most likely, bad weather. If you are on the impossible mission to find interesting and educational events that will keep your overtired pupil happy, entertained and engaged, check out these family-friendly space events and activities! Happy holidays and may the force be with you!

1. October 2019: half term space themed
family fun

2. Museum of the Moon, Gloucester
If you haven’t yet seen the legendary
“Museum of the Moon”, it’s time! The 7
meter big inflatable Moon replica is on a
display in Gloucester Cathedral until
November 4. Don’t miss!

3. Young stargazers age 3 and up (and their families) will absolutely
love aerial circus performance “Stella” by Filskit Theatre company.
This magical show inspired by the night sky tells a story of a star
engineer from the Moon called Stella and her quest to save the
stars. The show will take place on the following dates:
•October 29
Farnham Maltings, Surrey
https://farnhammaltings.com/events/stella/
•October 30
The Point, Eastleigh
https://farnhammaltings.com/events/stella/
•October 31 (1pm and 4pm)
Chapter House, Gloucester Cathedral
https://www.strikealightfestival.org.uk/events/stella/

4. Stargazing, Exmoor National Park
Get your warm clothes ready, fill your flasks with hot chocolate,
we are going outside! Of course you can marvel at the night sky
from anywhere, even from your own garden. But the best places
to look at the stars are the dark locations away from city lights
and big roads. National Parks Dark Skies Festival offers
amazing opportunities for stargazing throughout Autumn and
Winter. The first festival, Exmoor Dark Skies Festival, will take
place over the half term between October 14 and November 3.
There will be talks, stargazing, night walks and crafts for all
ages, so check out the event programme.

5. Holiday activities, National Space Centre, Leicester
Who needs spooky Halloween stories when you have Space just
100 kilometers above your head. Freeze to death? Check! Boiling
bodily fluids? Check! Deadly radiation? Check!
Visit one of the UK’s most popular space destinations for
some Spooky Space fun before November 3. And don’t forget to
wear your space suit!
Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon, Cinemas across the
UK
Ok, the new “Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon” is not
especially scientifically accurate, but as far as there is the cutest
sheep ever plus aliens and flying saucers, we are not going to
complain! In cinemas from October 18.

6. Public lecture, Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge
Grown-ups and older children interested in Astronomy will have a chance to learn
all about the large scale structure of the Universe (aka Cosmic Web) in a public
talk The skeleton of our Universe by Dr Cora Uhlemann on October 30. You are
coming, aren’t you?
Astronomy and Islam Mornings, Royal Observatory, Greenwich
Early Arabic scientists played a very important role in laying the foundations of the
modern Astronomy, from early observations of the sky and apparent motion of
celestial objects, to developing mathematical tools and astronomical instruments.
Visit the Greenwich observatory on October 26 (10AM) to learn about the Autumn
sky, famous Arabic astronomers and their discoveries. The Astronomy and Islam
Mornings show is suitable for general audience over the age of 11. No previous
knowledge of Astronomy is required!

7. Planetarium Shows, Partington, Manchester
WonderDome inflatable planetarium is proud to be a part of
the October Half Term WOW Week at The Hideway Play Centre in
Manchester. The special holiday activities include messy play, crafts,
animal encounters and, of course, our out-of-this-word star
dome space show! All ages and abilities are welcome! We hope to
see you there!
Have you been to any of these half term holiday events? Or know
other space themed events we haven’t mentioned? Share your
reviews and pictures with our readers!