13 exciting days out ideas for October half-term

Make sure you’re all set for Halloween this year by picking your very own pumpkin. Whether you’re after big, small or funny-looking, Undley Farm has hundreds of pumpkins for you to pick directly from the vine. And that’s not all; as well as PYO pumpkins, there’s also a magic show, a witchy hat bouncy castle, a farm-inspired assault course and a maize maze to get lost in.
21st-25th October, free entrance, pay for your pumpkin and other activities

Set sail with the ‘Soggy Otter’ this half term and learn how to man the poop deck, shiver me timbers and give pretty Polly a cracker at a bona fide Pirate School. Part-show, part workshop, this pirate training academy aims to turn your little land lovers into swashbuckling seafarers in just 45 minutes. ‘Oh-arrr’.
22nd-26th October; from £9

Don’t be a scaredy-cat, head down to Oxford Castle to be spooked this half term. Join the castle’s resident warlock and brew a magical potion underground in the crypt, scare yourself silly with a ghost stories on a spooky tour or meet the ghouls of Oxford’s past and ask them the all-important question: trick or treat?
25thOctober -1st November; various charges apply.

Think you’ve got a little monster? Leeds Castle is hosting its brand new academy this half term where kids can learn to move like a monster, perfect their scaring techniques and complete an obstacle course. There’s also a Halloween trail through the beautiful grounds, ghoulish games and a fancy dress competition, so they can really get into the spirit of things. 
21st-27th October; included in admission price.

Do you dare to board the Haunted Express at Audley End? The miniature railway journey will take you deep into the woods where you’ll visit a coven of witches who’ll entertain you with their chanting spells and witchy dances. Next, you can head to the Halloween activity area for creepy crafts, thriller dance moves, spooky tales and scary face painting.
26th October -3rd November; from £11.00 (advance booking required); suitable for younger children.

The Northern Ballet is retelling this famous story with its own unique twist. Little Red Riding Hood is on her way to meet her grandmother when she comes across a very hungry wolf who just wants something to eat. Is he so big and bad? This 40-minute show explores the friendship and kindness behind this classic tale – all accompanied by live ballet, music and theatre.  
28th October-2nd November; children £5.50, adults £7.00

For a different take on Halloween, let the London Symphony Orchestra transport your to the enchanted woods of Eastern Europe and their tales of wolves and witchcraft. Using the evocative works of Dvorak, Mussorgsky and Prokofiev – plus Rachel Leach’s narrative – you and your little ones will explore a musical path of light and dark. And it’s not just listening – there’s also the chance to get involved by playing and singing along for yourself.
27th October, from £10.00; suitable for over 7s.

The Eden Project has been filled with mythical creatures and outlandish beasts this half term. Come face to face with a Mongolian Death Worm and a lovable Giant Beast, before learning that owls aren’t as spooky as they sound during an owl encounter. If you prefer to get your hands dirty, use the finest botanical ingredients to make a marvellous potion or join in a pumpkin carving masterclass.
19th October – 3rd November; included in admission price.

Pic Credit: Emily Whitfield

Those feeling brave should head down to Scarborough Castle for an eerie evening tour. Suitable for children over the age of 10, it sees storytellers guiding you through the castle’s darkest tunnels and dungeons while recounting toe-curling tales of the past. Expect ghosts, supernatural sightings and horrors from history galore. Not for the faint-hearted. 
25th-27th October; children £4, adults £8.

Enjoy the beautiful autumnal leaves this October at the Black Devon Wetlands. Kids can engage with the stunning scenery around them by making pictures out of what they find around the reserve and creating their very own ‘wild art’. They will then discover the changes that occur during autumn and what they mean for the creatures and plants that grow here.
20th October; Adults £3, children £2

Picture Credit: Ben Andrew (rspb-images.com)

Find the missing skeleton bones at Denbigh Castle this half term and you could be in for a treat rather than a trick. Kids can take part in a Spooktacular Trail in the castle’s grounds before doing Halloween-themed crafts. The first 150 children will receive a spooky chocolate surprise as a reward.
26th October; adults £4.20, children £2.50

Let little ones show off their costumes at the Piglets Adventure Farm Halloween fancy dress competition – or show off their dance moves instead with a boogie at the Little Monsters’ Laser rave. There’s also the chance to ‘enjoy’ a tour of Mischief Manor from Ghoulish & Ghoulish estate agents - not everything is quite as it seems, or, for gentler entertainment, watch a 30-minute show from the Magic Hatter. Whatever you decide to do, everyone gets to pick and take home their own home-grown pumpkin. 
26th October – 3rd November; adult £9.95; children £11.95 (includes pumpkin)