Pack your diaries with fun with our guide to activities in the country & in town
If you’re on the look out for child-friendly activities to keep the kids happy during October half term, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve rounded up the best special events and nationwide diary dates to keep the little ones in good spirits for the break.
October Half Term 2021: What To Do With The Kids
Autumn Treasure Hunt With Percy the Park Keeper
Get involved with a live theatrical treasure hunt in Chiswick House and Gardens. The immersive 60-minute experience invites visitors to help Percy the Park Keeper help get his animal friends ready for winter – think theatrical storytelling, clue-based games and puppetry, all amid the great outdoors.
HOW? Available until 14 November, tickets from £20, with under 2’s going free. seetickets.com
Telling Tales
Shakespeare’s Globe is running a series of storytelling workshops during half term. There are sessions available for a range of different ages, where groups will learn about plays like Hamlet, The Merchant of Venice and Othello. Children aged 15 and older can get involved with practical explorations of plays, while family workshops are suited to little ones aged five to eight, with interactive activities designed to explore characters and themes.
HOW? Book at shakespearesglobe.com
Gravity Wandsworth
Children will easily be entertained for a whole day at this new family-friendly attraction site in Wandsworth. Set over three floors, the venue uses the latest technology to create numerous exciting game zones – from electric go-karting to a 14-lane bowling alley with augmented reality.
HOW? Book at gravity-uk.com
Tiny Tea and Pumpkin Carving at Bluebird
Who said afternoon tea was just for adults? The new offering at Bluebird Chelsea treats little diners to a selection of sweet and savoury treats – from strawberry jammy dodgers to a Malteser milkshake topped with popping candy. Alongside this, the restaurant will be hosting a pumpkin carving class in partnership with florist Blooming Haus, suitable for all ages.
HOW? Tiny Tea is available every Thursday to Sunday, 3 – 4.30pm, for kids aged 3 to 10 years old, for just £12 per person. Pumpkin carving class takes place on 28 October 2021 at 11am. Book at bluebird-restaurant.co.uk
Hideous Histories of Herefordshire
Fancy exploring the darker side of Herefordshire this Halloween? Embark on a family road trip around the county’s ruined castles and spooky caves, led by a downloadable trails from Visit Herefordshire. The guide features 15 places to visit over four areas, with historical facts peppered throughout plus crafts to inspire imaginative play and treasure hunts.
HOW? Download at visitherefordshire.co.uk
The Gruffalo’s Child
Gruffalo fans of all ages are invited to explore Kew Gardens’ trail, where you’ll encounter much-loved characters from Julia Donaldson’s famed book. The route begins at Brentford Gate and snakes through to Kew’s Rhododendron Dell before finishing at the Children’s Garden – offering ample opportunities for playing in the natural landscape along the way. Afterwards, head to Kew’s Kitchen Garden, home to a harvest of beetroots, carrots and giant pumpkins.
HOW? 16 – 31 October 2021, kew.org
Pumpkin Picking
Make Halloween extra special by picking your own pumpkin. There are a number of sites near London, many of which host special events around this time of year. Secretts in Surrey, for instance, has pumpkin pickin’ trailer rides, while Crockford Bridge Farm offers pumpkin carving.
Visit The Story Museum
The Story Museum in Oxford makes a lovely trip for the family, with plenty of activities for a range of ages. The Enchanted Library will once again invite visitors to step inside iconic scenes from children’s books such as The Chronicles of Narnia, while The Whispering Wood’s indoor forest will share spoken tales from all over the world. Young children aged 0-5, meanwhile, will love the Small Worlds play space. The museum is open every day during half term.
HOW? storymuseum.org.uk
Check out Port Lympne, Kent
A must-visit for animal-lovers; this Kent-based conservation charity is not your average UK wildlife experience. Whether you opt for a day visit or a short stay, you’ll come face to face with big cats, gorillas, giraffes and many more. If you really want to push the boat out, (and blow their minds in the process) book in for a stay at Tiger Lodge, where tigers play right outside your (very sturdy) windows.
Forest Nets at Celtic Manor Resort, Newport
If you want to drag the kids away from their screens and get them playing outside this half term, take a day trip to the Celtic Manor Resort in Wales and check out the Forest Nets, where kids can clamber through the trees bouncing on suspended nets. It is absolutely as fun as it sounds, for the young and young-at-heart alike.
HOW? celtic-manor.com
See Baby Animals At Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens, Norfolk
Great Yarmouth’s Thrigby Hall Wildlife Centre is the place to be if you want to enjoy some cuteness this half term. Go along and meet the new snow leopard and red panda cubs, which are just starting to get out and about and explore their surroundings.
HOW? Prices from £15.50 adults; £11.50 children and under fours are free. For more information visit: thrigbyhall.com
Image: Tom Jones Photography
Go for a Family-Friendly Walk in Cornwall
Exploring the rugged Cornish coastline is best done away from the crowds, so autumn is the perfect time to travel south west. Make St Mawes your base and try a family-friendly walk on the Roseland Peninsula, suitable for all abilities. See our guide here.
Main image: Goodwich Castle
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