It might feel like the summer holidays have only just finished, but with the autumnal leaves turning crisp and conkers appearing on the trees, October half term will soon be upon us. For parents, that means a whole week of trying to keep the kids entertained. The unpredictable Autumn weather can make this difficult, especially if you’ve become used to letting them play outside during the Summer months. Fortunately, we’ve racked our brains and come up with some fantastic ideas for things to do with the kids during October half term. Here are our best picks.
Go pumpkin picking
Pumpkin picking is becoming more popular every year, and with so many fantastic places in the UK to do it, there’s no excuse for not taking part in this fun-filled family activity. Kids will love picking their pumpkin to take home and carve ready for Halloween - the spookiest night of the year! Get creative and add some unique designs using paint and much more so that your pumpkin stands out. With plenty of Craft Supplies to choose from, you'll definitely have the best pumpkin anyone has ever seen. One of the best places to pick a pumpkin is Cotswold Farm Park in Gloucestershire. The park is running two massive pumpkin picking events, and with thousands of them to choose from, you won’t struggle to find your perfect pumpkin. If you’re a little further north, consider heading to Cannon Hall Farm in South Yorkshire. The farm’s pumpkin patch is open 19th - 31st October and is part of a much bigger Pumpkin Festival & Wizardry School event which is sure to be a whole lot of fun for kids for all ages.
Take a spooky ghost tour
With Halloween falling in the middle of October half term, it makes sense to take part in some ghoulish activities! Edinburgh is famous for its ghost tours, and with many of them specially designed for kids, it’s the perfect destination for enjoying some spooky fun. Mercat Tours runs a daytime tour for children that will take you to some of the city’s most frightening haunts, including the eerie Blair Street Underground Vaults. Further south, the London Ghost Bus Tour is also very popular with kids. A spooky sightseeing tour with a theatrical side, this tour will show you the more sinister side of London – perfect for Halloween fun in half term! Why not get your kids to dress up in Halloween fancy dress to make the ghost tour even more exciting?
Get adventurous at Go Ape!
Of course, there’s more to October half term than Halloween. With Autumn temperatures forecast to be milder than average this year, it’s the ideal time to get outdoors and spend time as a family before the cold winter weather sets in. If your kids are adventurous, why not head to Go Ape! and have a go at one of their famous assault courses? With zip wires and treetop walkways, they’re so much fun for children of all ages. The Go Ape centre in Battersea London is set to host a series of thrilling night-time events for young adventurers during half term. If you prefer to be on solid ground, the centre’s moonlight forest trails might be more up your street.
Take a colourful Autumn walk
With bright blue skies and a huge palette of colours waiting to be discovered, Autumn is the perfect time to get outside. So, why not head out on some kid-friendly walks this half term? Many people pack their walking boots away at the end of summer, but with breathtaking landscapes and fantastic scenery in all corners of the UK, this is a big mistake. To make your autumn walk more interesting for kids, you could always write down what you see along the way, including animals, insects and different plants. Not only will you get your children outdoors in the fresh air, but you’ll help them to learn more about nature in the process. Additionally, take a bag of toys that they can play with so that they can maintain their energy throughout the day. The bag doesn't require much and we have a variety of small toys that they can take with from balloon tubes to the fun and entertaining Fun Snaps. Lastly, you'll want to take a packed lunch and make sure to plan regular rest-stops on your walk.
Eureka! National Children’s Museum
This fun-packed museum is located in Halifax and is ideal for kids of all ages. With six zones covering various topics like the human body, technology and nature, there’s plenty to intrigue and excite your little ones. Their Halloween event - ‘Hocus Pocus’ runs over half term, when witches and wizards will be on-site to show your budding magicians a thing or two about magic. Fancy dress is encouraged, so get their hats, capes, wands and broomsticks at their ready! Other top museums in the UK for kids include the Horniman Museum (London), Science Museum (London) and the Roald Dahl Museum (Great Missenden).
Summer may have been and gone, but that doesn’t mean the kids need to revert back to their games consoles and computers. There’s so much to keep your kids entertained during October half term, with many activities very affordable or even free. These colder nights are made for family time and even though it can be challenging to keep the whole family happy at the same time, don't forget the simple things like a movie night or game night. Nothing gets the family interactive and happy like some classic Board Games! Hopefully, we’ve given you some fantastic ideas for things to do with your little ones at this time of year.
Do you prefer to do all your family activities during the Autumn half term or the Summer half term, let us know down below!
