Free Things To Do In October Half Term

It’s October half-term, and you’re wondering what to do with the kids during the school holidays. Whether you’re looking for ways to keep the kids entertained or just some fun, family-friendly activities, there are plenty of free ‘half-term activities near me’ that can help you make the most of the spooky season!

From pumpkin carving to outdoor adventures, here are some ideas for free things to do in October half term!

🧛🏻‍♀️ ATTENTION: We’ve launched a BRAND NEW Halloween Events page which you’ll find fab-BOO-lous! Find all the best Halloween events near you with a simple click! 🧙🏻

It’s spooky season, so it’s only right that we kick off this list with fun activities inspired by the enchanting tales of wizards and magic from the famous Harry Potter books and films.

Harry Potter Movie Marathon

Gather your family or friends, grab some popcorn, and get ready for a magical movie night. Set the mood by transforming your living room into Hogwarts with homemade decorations and snacks inspired by the wizarding world. Why not make your own hanging candles or witches’ hats? Or put up lots of portraits of your favourite wizards! You could even hang up a plastic brick sheet in the entrance so it looks like you’re entering through Platform 9 3/4! Then indulge in some jelly beans, Harry Potter brownies or butter beer!

Let each person choose their favourite Harry Potter film and enjoy a night of adventure, laughter, and spellbinding moments.

Make Your Own Free Harry Potter Trail

You can organise your very own Harry Potter-themed scavenger hunt or trail in your garden, local park or neighbourhood. Create a trail sheet full of fun clues and riddles based on the beloved universe – you could even use actual riddles in the book/movie like: “Golden Body, Silver Wings…When I’m found, the Whistle Sings!” (Oh, and in case you were wondering, the answer is the Golden Snitch). This will keep the kids entertained for hours. Wondering about the prize for completing the trail? You could make your own golden snitch or some delicious themed treats!

We all love visiting a museum or art gallery, and in the UK, we’re so lucky that there’s an abundance of history, art, and culture to explore! So, you don’t need a hefty wallet to explore! There are so many free museums and art galleries across the UK that cater to all interests. Plus, they can be a little bit spooky too! Imagine seeing mummies, sarcophagi, old artefacts or spine-tingling paintings – suddenly, a simple trip to the museum has gotten a whole lot more spooky.  

Wondering what museums to visit? We’ve got you covered! Check out our guide to Free Museums In London and 20 Free Museums For Families.

Arts and Crafts are always a fun family activity – especially when they are themed! We’ve got loads of Free Halloween Crafts for Kids for you to enjoy! Whether you’re looking to decorate your space, entertain little ghouls and goblins, or get creative with your costume, there are endless possibilities for DIY Halloween projects that won’t break the bank.

Why not try creating your very own Halloween indoor decor? You can make paper bats, ghosts, and spiders to hang from the ceiling or spooky candle holders out of mason jars (old wine bottles or tin cans), adding an eerie glow to your surroundings. You can also make a cotton wool ghost or cardboard roll monster. Which one will you try?

Maybe the kids could make their own costumes, with paper plate masks, cardboard swords, or even simple fabric capes. Their imagination knows no bounds! They could turn into little witches, superheroes, or monsters.

There are sure to be plenty of pumpkins lingering around your home this Autumn. They make for the best seasonal decorations and the most delicious pumpkin-flavoured treats.

And with all these pumpkin picking farms around, pumpkin carving is one of the best ‘half term activities near me’!

All you need is a serrated or pumpkin carving knife, tracing paper, washable markers and an ice cream scoop or spoon. Or a pumpkin carving kit (if you have one). Have fun transforming an ordinary orange gourd into a grinning jack-o’-lantern, a whimsical character, or a haunting masterpiece! We’ve even got loads of pumpkin carving ideas for you in our Pumpkin Carving guide!

Autumn Walks sound super basic, but trust us; they are the perfect family day out and free October half-term activity! Whether you’re heading to a woodland, royal park, forest or hill, you are sure to enjoy the Autumn feel. Wander around the countryside and take in the beautiful red, orange, brown and gold hues. Feel the cooler breeze against your skin and hear the sound of crunching leaves beneath your boots.

Why not create a list of different things for little ones to spot on your October half-term walk? From conkers and acorns to squirrels, there are many exciting things to appear at this time of year. Plus, there are plenty of woodlands around the UK, so this is one of many ‘half-term activities near me’ that you won’t struggle to do! If you need more inspiration, check out Woodland Walks Near Me and Nature Scavenger Hunt.

Oh, and sometimes, the parks even host special events, like Druridge Bay Country Park Lake’s spooky trail, Halloween trails, or pumpkin trails. There’s definitely something to make every Autumnal visit beautifully spooky. Just remember to stop by the visitor centre to see what’s happening!

From Harry Potter-themed activities to Autumn walks and Halloween crafts, there are plenty of free activities to sink your teeth into. So, if you’re ever scratching your head on free things to do in the October half term, remember we’ve got you covered! We’re all about family fun! 

And if you’re looking for even more Autumn and Halloween things to do, check out Pumpkin Picking In Liverpool 2024, Pumpkin Picking Near London 2024, Pumpkin Picking In Essex 2024, Pumpkin Picking In Manchester 2024, Halloween Events In Glasgow 2024, Halloween Events In Bristol 2024, Halloween Events At Top UK Theme Parks 2024, and Halloween Events In Liverpool 2024!