If the weather isn’t on your side this half term, not to worry. Monmouthshire has plenty of activities to enjoy when it’s wet outside. Here are a few options so you can still get out and about and explore a wide range of indoor (& some outdoor) activities.

Escape the rain by enjoying Monmouthshire’s leisure centre facilities, including swimming pools, gyms, multi-purpose sports halls and fantastic cafés. All four leisure centres open at 6.30am to allow people extra time before a busy day ahead. The leisure centres, based at Abergavenny, Caldicot, Chepstow and Monmouth, provide a warm welcome with support as well as a convenient, community facility that has lots to offer at a great price. An exciting dual-run inflatable pool session is available in Abergavenny leisure centre on Friday 29^th October from 6:15-7pm for 8-11 year olds, where kids can race their friends across the inflatable course (children will need to pass a swim test prior to being allowed on the inflatable). Book here: Abergavenny Leisure Centre – Monlife

You can join Monmouth leisure centre on 29^th October from 6:30-7:30pm for a ‘Spooktacular’ Halloween swim, by booking here: Monmouth Leisure Centre – Monlife

Caldicot leisure centre is also offering a ‘Spooktacular’ Halloween session in the pool for 8-16 year olds between 6:15-7:45pm on Friday 29^th, and also between 9:15-11:00am on Sunday 31^st. These sessions must be booked in advance here: Caldicot Leisure Centre – Monlife

At Monmouth’s leisure centre, kids can climb to new heights with Monmouth Premier Play Centre, featuring an exciting 3 storey, action pack climbing maze, with a unique beat the clock timing system. There’s also a designated (enclosed) toddler area. Adults can relax in air-conditioned seating area while enjoying fresh coffee from the cafe that serves fresh food daily. Free parking and Wifi is also available.

The Play Centre is open seven days a week (except bank holidays) between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm from Monday to Sunday. There are also quiet hour disability soft play sessions every Saturday and Sunday from 9-10am, where age-appropriate siblings are welcome. More information can be found here: MonLife Active ¦ Monmouth, Chepstow, Caldicot, Abergavenny Leisure Centres (visitmonmouthshire.com)

The Monmouthshire Games (TMG) is another great reason to get the little ones active this half term. TMG is based on learning new skills, developing confidence, meeting new people and most importantly having fun through sport. With over 30 different sports, each day will be action-packed with a full range of sporting activities that children and young people aged 5-11 years can enjoy. A maximum of 50 spaces are available per day, per site. You can book here: The Monmouthshire Games October Half Term – Register now! (office.com)

No matter what age, Monmouthshire museums are always a great day out. Take the family to visit Abergavenny, Chepstow or Monmouth museums where the stories of the towns are brought to life through art, displays, costumes, artifacts and models. This week, MonLife Heritage Museums are inviting children to bring along adults to discover and try out some traditional toys and games. Some of these may have their roots in simple pastimes played for centuries, others might be games that parents or grandparents enjoyed in the playground or at those children’s parties. Re-discover, teach each other, and learn together. It’s all about having some fun and sharing the enjoyment of playing together. You can find out more information by following this link:

• Chepstow Drill Hall (Thursday 28^th October) – Buy Games We Used to Play – Chepstow in Visit Monmouthshire eShop
• Abergavenny Museum (Friday 29^th October) – Buy Games We Used to Play – Abergavenny in Visit Monmouthshire eShop

If you’re already wet, what’s a little rain going to do? Try out some of Monmouthshire’s water sports by kayaking, canoeing or paddle boarding in the natural playgrounds of the Wye Valley, Monmouthshire & the Brecon Beacons. There are options for you and the family to paddle your canoe up to 100 miles, from Hay-on-Wye, Hereford, Ross-on-Wye, Symonds Yat or Monmouth as far as Tintern or guided, to Chepstow where the Wye meets back up with the River Severn after their birth together in the Welsh mountains. You can find out more ways to experience the wet and wonderful Wye Valley here: Browsing Venues (visitmonmouthshire.com)

Monmouthshire also has some ‘spooky’ fun for the family to enjoy this Halloween half term. Grab your broomsticks and get spooky at Chepstow Castle this week. A Halloween trail which is suitable for all ages from 9:30-16:30 is available all of this week. Raglan Castle is also hosting a spooky trail, where participants will receive a ‘sweet’ Halloween treat on Saturday 30^th and Sunday 31^st October.

Full details of activities during this half term can be found on Visit Monmouthshire’s website: Events and What’s On in Monmouthshire (visitmonmouthshire.com)