Fun activities for our neurotypical kids this half term

It's getting dark so much earlier now in the evenings.  This means the kids I have that need to burn off steam can not longer do it outside in the same way.  We need a little more ideas, but thankfully, even though it's dark out, we can still have some fun.   Here's some great weird, wild and wonderful things to do this October Half Term around the theme of butterflies - not something you might usually think about this time of year.

1. Carve a beautiful pumpkin

Get ready for season by carving a beautiful butterfly inspired pumpkin. Pumpkins do not need to have scary faces and I think they are way easier to have when we try not to cut all the way through them. You cna pick anything that will appeal to your child, perhaps even something from a specific interest - nothing says you can't have a Thomas the Tank engine on one. You need to copy an outline, so we headed to the Butterfly Conservation website and picked a butterfly/moth aand looked for an outline to cut into the outer. If you want to make things more detailed, print out a picture, trace it using tracing paper and thick pencil, and transfer it onto your pumpkin. Then it’s time to get carving!

2. Go on a weird and wild walk

Autumn is the season when things tend to get a bit weird in the wildlife world. Grab your wellies and your raincoat (just in case) and head out to see what weird and wild things you spot! On the same site we found details on things to look for from zombie caterpillars to skeleton leaves to name a few. 

3. Create hiding spots for creatures 

Ever wondered what butterflies get up to during the colder months of the year? Some overwinter as caterpillars, some as eggs or chrysalises, and a few species, like the Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock will spend the winter as adult butterflies. To help them stay snug and safe over winter, the kids can get outside and make butterfly and moth hiding places! Leaf piles and log piles are brilliant spots for caterpillars to hunker down or pupate, and leaving your hedges and Ivy uncut can help provide hiding spots for adult butterflies and moths. You can even create a “butterfly door” in outbuildings, sheds and other cool, dry places by decorating around littles holes or gaps to allow adult butterflies to enter in the winter and leave again in spring.

4. Make an autumn mask

We don't like scary masks but there's plenty in autumn to make masks without the need for it to be scary. You could making your own moth mask. This fun craft will have the kids entertained even on rainy days and can make a fun activity that uses motor skills and imagination. Download your moth mask template and follow the simple steps. You can even get creative with natural materials you collect from your weird and wild walk.

Many thanks to butterfly Conservation for their great resources for many of these ideas!