Mixing it up at Half Term
So it’s half term and time to chill your beans. The age old question… Do I become a nocturnal potato that crawls back into school or do I take the opportunity to try something new and finish the week feeling fresh, energised and ready for the new term?
In a half-term reflection, Our Made of More Project Coordinator, James has been swatting up on what’s going on in Sheffield this week, and shares from experience his holiday top-tips!
My half terms used to be spent indoors, playing computer games into the night - I’d get that ‘tweaky’ look in my eyes and start to hide from the big yellow scare-ball in the sky! As I got older, I wanted to look after myself better - I tried new things, and felt much better for it - wishing I’d have done it earlier in life!
Build your self-esteem, try something new!
Sheffield is full of exciting opportunities to take up a new interest and try something new - a lot of them for zero the cost! Here are a few of my own pointers.. Maybe you’ll have your own suggestions that you can add to our comments section…
FREE - Swing by Weston Park Museum:
There are loads of different exhibits inside including animals, archaeology and Sheffield history.
There’s a park right outside for those who love green space - serenity in the city!
Tennis courts are available to the public but require booking in advance for a small cost.
FREE - Visit the animals at Graves Park:
Wide open parkland to explore, a duck pond, and a cafe to warm up in.
See a million different chickens!!! (Okay, there are probably 20 different types, but it feels like a lot to me!)
FREE - Go for a demo game at Patriot Games (near Peace Gardens):
Modern board gaming is miles apart from Monopoly and Scrabble!
They’re a friendly bunch - ask for a demo game and say that James from Goldddigger Trust sent you!
FREE - Into art? The Millenium Art Gallery in Winter Gardens is the best place to see local art free of charge:
You might want to take some spare change for the gift shop or a snack, or make a small donation to help keep the gallery running.
FREE - Views for days.. Visit Bishops’ House at the top of Meersbrook Park:
One of Sheffield’s last surviving timber, Tudor-style houses, with a breathtaking view of the city and surrounding areas.
Weston Park Museum can be a wild day out!
Other activities that don’t hit the pocket too hard…
Go on a charity shop crawl and find some gold of your own!
Some of my favourite things have been bought from charity shops. Why not set yourself an awkward budget of £4.86 and see what you can find!
Check out the Video Games Museum in the city - it’s £8 for under 18s:
100 playable exhibits including stations to create your own game.
Play all day (you can even leave and come back on the same day!)
Lumberjack it up and share a stack of pancakes at The Cabin near The Moor:
Take part in the colossal eating challenge and demolish 12 big pancakes (or 6 waffles) + toppings for £18.95 (I’d take a friend or two!)
Feeling less hungry? It’s a great place to get away from the cold and have coffee with friends.
Feeling adventurous? Why not step out of the city borders and head over to the Peak District! Hike up Mam Tor, be awestruck by scaling Surprise View - and while there, walk to and from Grindleford Train Station via Padley Gorge.
Remember to stay safe if you haven’t hiked before! Top tips are stick to popular routes, only hike during daylight hours, check the weather forecast before setting out and ALWAYS go in a group, preferably with someone who has trekked a few times before and knows what to expect.
An organised walk, hike, trek can be amazing FUN! Pack a lunch in your bag and eat at the summit of a tor, observing the world around you from on high. Exercise releases feel-good endorphins and fresh air is good for you!
More safety & wellbeing tips can be found here.
Old school meets new school gaming at the National Video Game Museum on Angel Street
Stuck indoors?
Build a blanket fort across a whole room!
Create a comic book in a day (www.24hourcomicsday.com).
Marie Kondo it up and have a proper tidy (I hate tidying, but found this so satisfying!) - Marie Kondo’s Tidying Up on Netflix
Plant basil in your home & enjoy in most dishes! - it grows well any time of the year and gives a real sense of fulfilment. Nurture it from seed in a pot of good soil and compost or buy it ready & potted from Aldi!
Bake a cake and give it to a neighbour (or just skip the neighbour bit and eat it yourself!) - https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/search/recipes?query=cakes
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This is just a small list out of a multitude of opportunities to get stuck in to this half term. Whatever you do get up to, remember to be nice to others, smile and look after yourself :)