With half term falling late in October from Monday 23rd October to Friday 27th October, Halloween is the dominating theme, both for days out and in children’s thoughts. This list features ideas to fit the spooky season, as well as activities to suit those who are more easily spooked.
Pumpkin picking is an ideal day out for all ages, with farms up and down the country offering up a patch locally to you.
Once you’ve picked your perfect pumpkin, it’s time to go home and carve it ready for Halloween!
Pumpkin picking spots
Wheelock Hall Farm is a great option for families in Crewe, with the pumpkin patch and farm open every day in October.
For those hoping to pick pumpkins on Merseyside, Church Farm has over 3,000 to choose from, along with a scarecrow trail, animal feeding and the farm park open all day. Mrs Dowson’s farm park in Blackburn and Lower Drayton Farm in Stafford are packed full of pumpkin in a variety of sizes. Lastly, Cockfield’s farm park in Oldham has its own carving cave, fairground rides and a scarecrow scareshow.
Whereas residents of Greater Manchester are spoilt for choice, with two large farms in the area boasting an outrageous number of pumpkins, Kenyon Hall Farm has over 15,000 to choose from meanwhile Dunham Massey Ice Cream farm has 30,000 pumpkins in various colours, with food and hot drinks also available… and yes, they do pumpkin spiced lattes.
Halloween Events
While picking a pumpkin at Dunham Massey, why not head up the road to the national trust site, which has its own host of Halloween activities on offer over half term.
The National Trust are offering Halloween events at several sites this year, for those in Wrexham, why not try the Autum Apple Trail at Erdigg. From 14th October to 5th November visitors can follow the clues to discover where the evil witch has hidden the poisoned apple.
Theme Parks
As ever theme parks are embracing the screams, whether it is on a ride or pure fear.
Alton Towers in Uttoxeter is holding the award winning ScareFest once again, with a combination of rides such as the Wickerman and Nemesis combining with Halloween attractions such as the Alton Towers Dungeon and the new ride, ‘The Curse of Alton Manor’.
Warrington’s Gulliver’s World is putting on a party with the Fright Fiesta running from October 7th until November 3rd.
The festival style event invites children (and adults) to dress up and revel in music, colour, and spectacular rides. Family activities such as Gilly’s Halloween Dance party are running daily, as well as the Fright Fiesta Feast.
Whether you love them or loathe them, clowns will be aplenty at Jump Inc. in Merseyside which playing host to a crazy clown invasion theme.
Liverpool’s 40,000 square feet indoor playground equipped with trampolines, laser tag, inflatables and more provides fun for the entire family.
On the theme of clowns, the circus is coming to town at Cadbury World in Birmingham for 15th to 30th October.
The Spooktacular Stage show will be full of tricks and treats, with Freddo the Frog playing ringmaster in the spookiest show on earth.
Moving to slightly less scary half-term fun, the Operation Ouch exhibit is running throughout half term at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester.
Ever wondered what it’s like to be the food you eat? Well, you’re in luck, as the exhibit which takes visitors through the digestive system gives an interactive learning experience of ‘food, poo and you!’.
Alternatively, the Lowry Centre is continuing it’s Julia and Axel exhibition, paying homage to thirty years of the best loved children’s books such as the Gruffalo, Room on the Broom, and Zog, in a celebration of the partnership between Author Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler.
Also reminiscing on the pinnacle of children’s entertainment is Disney who celebrate their 100th year in 2023 and as such are re-releasing classics such as Snow White, Jungle Book, and Bambi into cinemas; along with modern favourites’ such as Toy Story and Frozen throughout October.
Additionally, new releases such as Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie and The Canterville Ghost offer universal entertainment.
So, whether children (or parents) are fans of a spooky Halloween or not, there is plenty to get up to this half term, all within driving distance of Swansway Customers.
For journeys which might feel a little longer, check out these seasonal activities’ packs, which are sure to keep the little ones busy whether at home or in the car.
