Gaasbeek
On 31 October every year, the spirits awake and move across the earth, sowing mischief and confusion wherever they go. This year, Halloween is given a Grimm flavour at the castle of Gaasbeek with a whole evening's events beginning at 18.00 as the sun begins to go down.

The evening is for all ages, says Marieke Debeuckelaere of Gaasbeek, though it is inspired by the Brothers Grimm fairy tales, which, as we all know, can be pretty strong stuff. On the trip around the grounds, you'll come into contact with princes and princesses, Sleeping Beauty and Snow White, not to mention the Big Bad Wolf and Red Riding Hood. Along the way are all sorts of music, special effects and sideshow entertainment and spectacular costumes designed by Daila Laika.
www.kasteelvangaasbeek.be

Brussels
Musical instrument Museum, Hofberg, Brussels
Two-day workshop for over-sixes on Corneille, a member of the Cobra group, his paintings and music. Thursday 4 and Friday 5 November. Also, a one-day workshop on recycling musical instruments with Luc Van Hende, on Wednesday 3 November.
www.mim.be

Ham
The old rectory in Ham is the perfect place for getting a feel of Halloween with a workshop for four to fives where they'll make spooky beasts out of socks and listen to tales of ghoulies and ghosties. Come dressed up! In the annexe, the eight to twelves can listen to Halloween stories and make themselves up into Frankensteins and zombies. Both start Thursday 4 November at 16.00. Contact bibliotheek@ham.be

Leuven
The Tweebronnen library in Leuven is offering a workshop to make a special type of bookmark that grips the page so you don't lose your place. For ages four and up, this one is free and held Thursday 4 and Saturday 6 November from 15.00. Also at the library on Saturday 6 November, a red-dog workshop, and no, it isn't some sort of cocktail. These are dogs of the barking variety and they're red! Make one of your own, from 14.00 to 17.00. Also free.
www.leuven.be/vrije-tijd/bibliotheek

At the Vleugel F youth centre on the Brusselsestraat, meanwhile, kids of five and up can, if you ask them nicely, bring along their parents to an afternoon of music, handcrafts, dancing and more, all built around the red dog motif. Saturday 6 November, price €2.50, email jeugddienst@leuven.be or call 016 24 66 90

Over at the Marleen Sempels dance studio in Diestsestraat there's plenty to do. A dance-puppet-theatre-factory all day daily from Tuesday 2 to Friday 5 November, culminating in a final performance costs €98 for four full days, which doesn't seem too much to ask. For kids aged seven to 14.

For kids aged three to six there's a similar all-week workshop centring on movement and dance. Held on the same days, but this time only €52 for the week. And, finally, what would happen if all the people you invited to your birthday party failed to show up? Disaster! But wait! One guest has arrived - and it's Elvis! A one-hour show for four-year-olds and up on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 November.
www.spoor6.be/elvis.html

For workshops contact inschrijvingen@dansatelier-ms.be
www.dansatelierms.be/db/node/132

Bruges
Workshops for over-sixes on working with plaster (including plaster bandages), hand-made felt, Fimo clay and sculpting in soapstone. Organised by De Banier, a chain of shops catering to the Chiro (the Flemish version of the Scouts). Workshops last one day from Tuesday 2 November through to Saturday. Make sure you give them old clothes to wear! Also in Ghent, Antwerp and Mechelen.
www.debanier.be

Peer
Just like in the movies is the theme of a three-day workshop for six-to-ten-year- olds, organised by Merel Vercoutere, dance teacher at Leuven's art centre Mooss. Instead of sitting glued to the DVD player, kids will step into the shoes of Happy Feet, Billy Elliott or the cast of Willy Wonka, learning to express themselves in the style of the musicals. From Wednesday 3 to Friday 5 November in Peer cultural centre. Reservation required.
www.biccpeer.be

Mechelen
It may be a bit chilly to go out of doors but where else can kids find the natural materials to create all sorts of creatures? On Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 November, a workshop for children aged nine and over is being organised by Flemish environmentalist organisation Natuurpunt in the Mechelen rivers area. Wellies and a parka advised.
www.mechelsrivierengebied.be

Kortrijk (Heule)

Workshop for four to six-year-olds on Wednesday 3 November, making lamps and then taking them on a candlelight march. They'll also be cooking up some pancakes! De Vonke, Heule. Also on Wednesday 3, for kids aged seven to 12, the same workshop, this time in Heule castle, and with waffles. Contact: oc.devonke@kortrijk.be

Roeselare
Brooddoos (Lunchbox) is a musical based on the book for children by Dimitri Leue. A young girl's friends all mock her, calling her a lunchbox, and in the end she feels like one because every day somebody comes rifling through her feelings and at the end of the day she's empty. It's a clever, entertaining examination of feelings: a lunchbox is all about love from home; sometimes it's the only thing that gets you through the day. The production, for over-fives, starts on 30 October in Roeselare and goes on to Bilzen, Oudenaerde, Bruges, Borgerhout and Ghent.
www.bronks.be

Strombeek
Kids of six to 12 have several options at Piereman on Nijverheidslaan in Strombeek: trompe l'oeil artworks or an art workshop inspired by Picasso and Bosch, both on Tuesday 2 November.