Wilderness Wood

Main Road, Hadlow Down, Tuesday, October 29, to Friday, November 1, various times, from £5.50 children, £4.50/£3.50 adults, 07766 486548

EXPLORERS in Wilderness Wood can take part in storytelling and woodland cooking sessions this half-term.

Young backwoodsmen can learn how to bake cookies over an open fire and make woodland potions and twig skeletons in the Family Forest Schools on Tuesday and Thursday from 10.30am.

There’s more cooking on Wednesday with the Castaway expedition from 1.30pm, where children can learn how to build shelters and cook sausages and marshmallows over a campfire, and on Friday with Woodland Baking sessions making traditional damper bread.

Youngsters can also enjoy story sessions based around Where The Wild Things Are on Thursday, October 31, and The Gruffalo on Friday, November 1.

Theatre Royal Brighton

New Road, Monday, October 28, and Tuesday, October 29, 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5.30pm, £12/£10 per session, £38 family ticket, 0808448 717650

LOOK out for a giant creation being put together outside Theatre Royal Brighton to mark the opening of Playing Puppets for half-term.

Would-be Jim Hensons aged four to 12 will be able to spend a whole morning or afternoon backstage at the theatre making and animating puppets, watching a professional show by WishWorks puppet theatre, and following a trail around areas of the building not normally seen by the public.

There will also be a pop-in session on Tuesday from 6pm for adults and older children to have a go.

Pump Bar

Behind the Visitor Centre, Seven Sisters Country Park, Exceat, from Monday, October 28, to Friday, November 1, various times and prices, 01273 497561

BUILD a waterproof shelter, follow an orienteering trail and cook out in the open as Seven Sisters’ Autumn Holiday Club regroups for half-term.

On Monday is the Break Out session, exploring the nature and environment around Seven Sisters, while Wednesday is focused on bushcraft cooking. Sessions cost £16/£13 each.

The Country Park is also hosting a Gruffalo walk for five to seven-year-olds and their adults on Tuesday, tickets £7.50/£5, and a muddy and messy morning with marshmallows on Thursday, for £4. All sessions start at 10.30am.

A spooky walk through Friston Forest takes place on Friday for ghost-hunters aged seven to 12 in collaboration with Meeching Amateur Dramatics and Wave Leisure Health Walkers. The walk starts at 6.30pm and costs £6 per person, with soup and rolls in the barn afterwards.

De La Warr Pavilion

Marina, Bexhill, Tuesday, October 29, to Thursday, October 31, 10am to 5pm, free, 01424 229111

IMAGINE the city of the future in Bexhill’s Big Draw 2013 event led by artist Sheridan Quigley.

She will be building a 3D prototype city Futuropolis in the De La Warr auditorium for young visitors to draw on over the course of the three days.

Grove Lodge Vets

Southwick Street, Southwick, Thursday, October 31, 7pm to 9pm, £1, 01273 596201

YOUNG animal lovers can get up close to living reptiles and learn about caring for exotic pets such as iguanas (pictured left) as a Southwick vet surgery opens late.

Exotic pet specialist Laurel Bowker will be giving talks as part of the night, which will raise money for conservation group East Sussex Reptile and Amphibian Society.

There will also be ghoulish games and a most frightening fancy dress competition.

Central Junior School

Orchard Street, Chichester, Tuesday, October 29, to Friday, November 1, various times and prices, 01243 812917

CHICHESTER Festival Theatres are behind a series of half-term workshops for a range of ages next week.

Young genealogists can find out about their family tree on Tuesday, October 29, in two sessions aimed at two to four-year-olds. Tickets £5 per child.

Wednesday sees Ian Nicholson from Tinder Theatre Company leading a time travel session for five to seven-year-olds from 10am to 3.30pm, costing £25 per child.

Luke Osbourne will be telling Halloween stories and leading games and activities for eight to 11-year-olds on Wednesday, October 31, from 10am to 4pm, tickets £28.

And 12 to 16-year-olds can take part in a Wicked song and dance day on Friday, November 1, from 10am to 4pm for £28 each, led by Chichester summer school’s Colin Billing and Iona Holland.

Towner

Devonshire Park, College Road, Eastbourne, Thursday, October 31, 11am to 1pm and 2.30pm to 4.30pm, £7.50, 01323 434670

HELP Professor Gristle build his own life-size monster from body parts found in the lab.

The morning session is for five to eight-year-olds, with a second session for nine to 12-year-olds starting at 2.30pm.