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Things To Do with the Children in October

Things to do out and about in October

1. It's the National Conker Championship on Sunday 12 October so get out there and find some conkers! The Horse Chestnut has had a better time this year, and with all the rain there should be some big conkers about. If you want to play, then check out the rules at Wikipedia. 
2. Animals are starting to migrate and hibernate, so if you're out having a walk look out for squirrels, hedgehogs, geese and gulls. Have a look at BBC Radio 4's World On The Move for more information on which animals to look out for and where they are going.
3. Trees are where it's at in autumn with the wonderful display of changing leaves and the vast array of nuts and seed pods produced. Sweet chestnuts will be in season later on in the month - last year my daughter and I collected loads and roasted them, they were so good. If you're not sure, don't eat it - there are plenty of poisonous things out there that look tasty. You can always use the seeds and nuts to make pictures or decorations.
4. My daughter is just starting to get interested in weather, and autumn can be a real mix - foggy, frosty, windy, rainy and sunny. Keep a weather diary and see if you can notice patterns or make predictions. If you have older children take the temperature or make a rain gauge.
5. Dress up for Halloween on the 31st, even if you don't go trick or treating. If you have older children check out Hitchin's Ghost Walks on the 22nd or 29th, or have a look in Hitchin Library for local ghost books.

Events around the world in October

Black History Month

Also known as African History Month and running from 1st to 31st October each year. Events across the UK will celebrate the contributions of the black communities both now and in recent history, including a local event at Hitchin Library on Wednesday 8th October when the author of 'Pilgrim State' will be visiting.

For further information visit the official Black History Month website.

End of British Summer Time

The clocks go back on October 25th and the run up to winter truly starts.

Diwali (28th October)

Diwali is perhaps the most well known of the Indian festivals. It is a five-day celebration, which occurs on the 15th day of the Hindu month of Kartika. The word Diwali means "rows of lighted lamps", and the celebration is often referred to as the Festival of Lights because of the common practice of lighting small oil lamps and decorating the home with them. Diwali is a Hindu, Sikh and Jain celebration.

The Start of the Hindu New Year (29th October)

Diwali is not only a festival of lights. It also marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year. It is one of the most important Indian national celebrations as it is believed that the Hindu goddess of good luck visits homes that are brightly lit.

Halloween (31st October)

A tradition which is believed to have started in Ireland held on the day before ‘All Saints' Day' making it ‘All Hallows Eve'. Traditionally a night where the dead were said to walk the earth again, it is a great time to dress up as your favourite scary character, carve pumpkins into scary faces and eat lots of sweets. Try lighting your pumpkins with glow sticks, which you can buy in a variety of colours.

Also...

Mohandas Gandhi Born (2nd October 1869)

Gandhi was a leader in India's successful, non-violent struggle for Independence from Great Britain. Gandhi is often referred to as Mahatma, which means "Great Soul."

Pearly King & Queens Harvest Festival (5th October)

There is a harvest festival service at St Martin-in-the-Fields, London, at 3pm - the traditional cockney celebration.

World Conker Championships (12th October)

Competitors of many different ages and nationalities gather in the town of Ashton, Northamptonshire, to play conkers and raise money for charity. For further information see the World Conker Championships website.

Columbus Day (12th October)

Celebrated in America to commemorate Columbus' great voyage on which he ‘discovered' America.

This month's favourite websites

For all the information on Diwali that you could want:

www.diwalifestival.org/diwali-traditions-customs.html

This is a great website for cool Halloween stuff for kids:

http://www.halloweenparty.org.uk/halloween-superstitions.html

Fun things to make in October

Tell the story of Diwali

After 14 years of exile in the forest, the King of Ayodhya, Rama, and his brother, Lakshman, returned to their hometown having fought a fierce battle with the demon king of Ceylon, Ravana, who had captured Rama's wife, Sita.

Aided by an army of monkeys as well as some bears, Rama and Lakshman defeated Ravana and rescued Sita. Upon Rama's return to Ayodhya the people of the town lit lamps to welcome the King back and to celebrate the brothers' victory over Ravana.

Overjoyed at Queen Sita's rescue and the safe return of King Rama, the people danced and celebrated and lit fireworks to show how happy they were. These festivities continue every year at Diwali and are still celebrated today.

Make a Diwali tealight holder

To celebrate Diwali try making a great little tealight holder and light it on Diwali night. The glitter on the inside isn't necessary but it does look really good when you light the candle. You can now buy those great LED tea lights, which are great for children's crafts.

You will need:

• Air drying clay
• A ramekin or old jam jar
• Grease proof paper
• Rolling pin
• Paint
• Paintbrushes
• PVA glue
• Glitter
• Tea light

Method:

1. Roll out the clay to roughly 2-3mm thick. Cut out a circle roughly 15 cm in diameter.
2. Place the greaseproof paper over the upturned ramekin or jam jar, then put the circle of clay over the bottom of the ramekin or jam jar.
3. Leave overnight to fully dry out. The greaseproof paper comes away quite easily when the clay is dry. Now you have a little clay pot and we're ready to paint!
4. Paint the outside of the tealight holder.
5. Paint a layer of glue inside the pot and sprinkle with glitter, then allow to dry.
6. When completely dry, you can put your tealight or LED light in the holder and light it.

A traditional Halloween dish of Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkins aren't just for making into lanterns. In America they also make sweet potato pie, which I haven't yet made but it does sound delicious.

You will need:

• Sweet shortcrust pastry case
• 450g prepared weight pumpkin flesh, cut into 2.5cm chunks
• 2 large eggs plus 1 yolk (use the white for another dish)
• 75g soft dark brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ level teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• ½ tsp ground allspice
• ½ tsp ground cloves
• ½ tsp ground ginger
• 275 ml double cream

Method:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 180^oC/Gas 4.
2. Use a shop-bought sweet crust pastry case, about 9 inch/23 cm diameter and 1½ inches/4 cm deep.
3. To make the filling, steam the pumpkin then place in a coarse sieve and press lightly to extract any excess water.
4. Then lightly whisk the eggs and extra yolk together in a large bowl.
5. Place the sugar, spices and the cream in a pan, bring to simmering point, giving it a whisk to mix everything together. Then pour it over the eggs and whisk it again briefly.
6. Now add the pumpkin purée, still whisking to combine everything thoroughly.
7. Then pour the filling into your pastry case and bake for 35-40 minutes, by which time it will puff up round the edges but still feel slightly wobbly in the centre.
8. Then remove it from the oven and place the tin on a wire cooling rack. Serve warm or chilled.

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