Oakham families looking for half-term fun without a hefty bill have a creative option at Rutland County Museum this October.

Kidora, a UK parent-to-parent marketplace for preloved baby and children's items, believes the same make-more-of-what-you-have approach can help families prepare for Christmas.

The museum on Catmos Street is running Creepy Crafts on Monday 26 October, from 2pm to 3.30pm, and Wednesday 28 October, with sessions from 10.30am to noon and 2pm to 3.30pm.

Children can make bunting, masks and treat bags for £3.50 each.

Ages 3 to 11 are welcome; children aged two and under, and accompanying adults, go free. No booking is needed, but places are first come, first served.

The town's next shopping occasion is close behind. Oakham Winter Market is listed for Sunday 1 November, from 11am to 3pm in the town centre, with free entry. Stalls are expected to offer handmade crafts, food, drinks and gifts as families start thinking about festive presents.

Shopping locally and shopping preloved do not have to compete. A handmade gift from a market stall might sit alongside a carefully chosen second-hand book, wooden toy or winter coat. For parents watching their budgets, the question is less about whether everything is new and more about what a child will actually enjoy.

Children's interests shift quickly. Dinosaurs give way to trains or art supplies, while usable belongings sit untouched in cupboards. Buying an item that another family has outgrown can make it easier to follow those changing interests without paying full retail prices.

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Kidora was founded by Karolina Gudes, a mum of two in North Wales. Its UK-only marketplace is designed specifically for baby and children's belongings, including toys, books, clothes, prams and nursery essentials. Parents can browse listings from other parents, arrange free local collection where suitable or choose delivery when available.

Sellers pay no seller fees, while buyer protection applies to orders. Listings show photographs, details and condition to help buyers make informed choices.

The platform also includes a Parent Hub with ideas for family life and Family Places, a directory of more than 6,500 UK attractions and places to visit. Those sections are intended to help parents find activities as well as products, whether they are planning a weekend out or looking for a rainy-day idea.

Preloved does still require care. Check age guidance and safety markings on toys, look for missing or damaged parts and avoid items affected by a product recall. For clothes, ask about fit and condition. A bargain is worthwhile only if it is safe and suitable for the child receiving it.

Rutland County Museum's workshops and Oakham Winter Market are independently organised local activities and are not connected with Kidora. Together, though, they offer a useful reminder as Christmas approaches: a memorable day or a thoughtful present does not always depend on buying something brand new.

https://kidora.uk