Mystic Pets: Halloween Crafting

Mystic Pets: Halloween Crafting is at the Museum of Oxford on Monday 26 October, a workshop for children aged 5 to 11. The idea is simple: you make your own spooky animal friend, drawing on the creatures that turn up in tales of witches from English folklore. If you've got a child who likes a bit of crafting and a bit of the macabre, this is a good one to have on the radar.

It's a drop-in session, so you don't have to commit to a single slot. There are two windows to work with: 11.00 to 12.30 and 13.30 to 15.00, with the activities closing for lunch in between from 12.30 to 13.30. If you're coming in the morning, you can get it done and be home for lunch; if the afternoon suits better, that works too. There's also a Halloween trail running through the museum, so if you've still got energy after the crafting, you can have a wander around and tick that off as well.

The museum itself is worth a mention if you've never spent much time there. The Museum of Oxford is the only museum dedicated to the story of Oxford and its people, and it's housed in the city's Grade II* listed Town Hall, right in the centre. The galleries trace the city's history from the Romans and Anglo-Saxons through to the first Cowley factory workers, the infamous Cutteslowe Walls, and Oxford's heritage through times of conflict and industry. It's a community hub as much as a museum, with room for school learning, interactive displays, and community exhibitions alongside the city walking tours and talks they run throughout the year.

It's £2 per child, and that includes free entry for one accompanying adult and access to the Galleries, so you can make a proper afternoon of it. The museum is at Oxford Town Hall, St Aldate's, Oxford OX1 1BX. The workshop runs on Monday 26 October from 11.00 to 12.30 and 13.30 to 15.00.