Pumpkins, witches and black cats – children have a chance to kick-off Halloween 2022 today (Tuesday 25 October) with a Halloween Craft event at Jesmond Library.

The 90-minute session begins at 2pm and provides safe and fun activities for children aged 3-8 years, accompanied by their parents or guardians.

“Halloween is never short of imagination,” said Joan Aarvold, the organiser of the event. “Children love the pumpkins, witches, ghosts, black cats, spiders and cobwebs and this is a great opportunity for children to make their own Halloween crafts.”

“We will be preparing pumpkin patches, witch hats and mummies,” Aarvold said, and for the younger “little ones”, she also has some Halloween images for them to colour or doodle, so that children of all ages can find something they will find fun.

To ensure children’s safety, there will be “no points, no sticks, no scissors or knives”. Volunteers will cut out different shapes in advance, with children just following examples and using their imagination to assemble the shapes.

Aarvold said she believes that the event is a good way to bring people together at Jesmond Library, and an opportunity for parents and children to do something together.

“It’s great! We can see the kids interact with their parents,” she said. “Parents these days don’t usually have a lot of time for their kids and they often put them in front of electronic screens. That’s the way of this times.” The session, she said, will allow children to develop their Imagination and creativity.

Children will able to take home the crafts they have made and display them to their families as part of their home Halloween decorations. “Parents will be delighted to see these and it will give the children a great sense of achievement,” said Aarvold.

“I’d love to make memories with my child on this special day,” said Thomas, 31, who is the father of a three-year-old daughter. He agrees that making Halloween crafts can improve a child’s creativity and skills. “On Halloween, I usually dress up my kids and go out to do some trick-or-treating, but it’s also a good opportunity to sit down and do some Halloween crafts with your kids.”

For more information about Halloween , visit the Jesmond Library Facebook Page.