30 things to do in the October school holidays
- Tracy Tristram
- Oct 18
- 3 min read
October half term is almost upon us, folks...
With the October school holidays comes Halloween, and for that you're going to need a pumpkin... hop into our guide to where to pick your own in and around London.
Once you've made your pumpkin pie, it will be time to turn your mind to these other Halloween spooky snack recipes.
Entertain the kids with a ghoulishly good movie fest starting with these fam-friendly Halloween movies. Eat the snacks you made while you're watching.
Witches and wizards go hand in hand with Halloween, so hop on your brooms (or the London Underground) and check out Wands & Wizard Exploratorium for an activity with a difference.
While we can guarantee fun during the October school holidays, we can't guarantee the weather: try these activities around London that the rain can't ruin! And if the sun does put in an appearance then surprise the kids with one of these quirky kinda days out in London. Brunch in a toilet, anyone?
We love heading to Museum Mile and beyond to check out these top notch London museums. Lots of them are free and all of them are fab.
It's Brick or Treat season at Legoland Windsor which always makes for a day out where everything is awesome. Book here for all the best deals.
Combine good deeds with the chance to meet around 700 different critters and creatures at donation dependent Hopefield Animal Sanctuary. They have a ghoulishly good Halloween Festival happening.
It's official we reckon: it's hot chocolate season! Whip up some of these heavenly, choccie creations to get you in an autumnal mood.
More free fun! Get into London and check off these free activities with the kiddos.
Discover Geocaching: family fun in the great outdoors at its best, and another freebie to add to your list of free stuff to do. Wellies on standby.
Go conkers with these autumn craft ideas.
More learning through play fun: this time at The Clink Prison Museum! A gruesomely fun adventure perfect for Halloween season.
Raid the recycling bin and turn all those old toilet rolls into craft opportunities. And when you're done with those, turn toilet rolls into something Halloween-themed.
For a high speed adventure that is sure to make a splash with the family, a Thames Rockets experience will launch you into 'cool parent' stratosphere.
Make your own playdough, and then make your own slime, turn plastic bottles into pencil cases, plant pots and more and have an all round squidgy, squelchy, sensory play day.
Paint some rocks using our guide for some inspo, and then place them around your local park for people to find.
Have a family competition to see who can come up with the best smoothie recipe. Cheat sheet right here...
There are extended hours all through the October half term for Fright Nights at Thorpe Park which has thrills 'n' spills for the whole family. Best deals via this link.
If you want to combine rides and animals, then Chessington is where it's at, and we have some great deals here.
Banish boredom with a board game: hop into this guide for some of our faves.
Take a wander around London's best country parks. And if you don't live near London, discover the ones in your area.
Whip up some DIY Halloween costumes;
Then creep it real with some DIY Halloween decor.
Check out our guide to the Tower of London, and then get yourselves over there to check it out for real: it's supposed to be super haunted so another perfect Halloween hot spot.
The London Dungeon is spookily great all year, but never more so than at Halloween. Find out about what's going on here.
Spend some time ticking off all the ideas from our bumper school holiday craft list.
Snuggle up and read all of your favourite picture books together. Bonus points for funny voices.
A big green ogre in a swamp definitely screams Halloween, so get yourself over to the always-fun Shrek Adventure London this half term for plenty of laughs. Book here.
Last but by no means least why not start planning ahead for the Christmas holidays by choosing and booking a magical ski holiday. We might not have made it to tropical beaches this year, but we're really hoping to get to the slopes!
Still looking for more inspo for school holidays and beyond? Then these reads might just help...
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