Starting to worry about what to do with the kids this October half term? We’ve got some great ideas, whether you’re staying in and getting cosy or heading out for a family fun day out.

Things to do at home:

  • Get crafty with autumn leaves, conkers, acorns and twigs. Their different textures make great paint or play doh stamps and you could even turn them into decorations for Christmas if you’re feeling organised. Pinterest has lots of ideas!
  • Baking is fun and messy for kids of all ages. If you can’t bear the mess or don’t enjoy baking you could buy pre-made cakes or biscuits and let the children go to town with icing and sprinkles!
  • Junk modelling is a fun activity that involves using rubbish to make something new. It’s a nice way to start talking about recycling and the environment.
  • Who doesn’t love a den? Set aside a morning and lots of blankets and pegs to make a den in the house or garden, then enjoy a picnic lunch inside.
  • Make a bird-feeder out of half an orange (with flesh removed leaving a bowl shape) and any combination of peanut butter or lard, raisins, seeds, bread crumbs and oats. Then hang in the garden and watch the birds and squirrels enjoy.
  • Get ready for Halloween by making spooky decorations, costumes and creepy treats. Think green and orange jelly filled with bug sweets, spiders made from pipe cleaners and googly eyes, and a black paper version of the classic Christmas paper snowflake for a spider’s web. Again, Pinterest has the answer to your Halloween crafts and activities.
  • If you want to get your Halloween fancy dress costumes sorted, check out our quick, cheap and easy wins for Halloween costumes – all ready for trick or treating.

Days out:

These are just a selection of ideas for days out across the county. There are tonnes more, so why not drop us a note in the comments and let us know what you’ll be up to! We’d love to hear your ideas!

Halloween half term at Battle Abbey

Gather your little monsters and prepare for a ghoulishly good day out at Battle Abbey. Follow Dennis, Gnasher and friends to solve creepy clues on the fun family quest around the grounds. Then, meet costumed performers to hear tall tales of the strange, the supernatural and the downright silly. With so much spooky stuff to see and do, it’s a phantomtastic, great value day out for families – and tickets are even cheaper if you book in advance.

Find out more on the 1066 website.

The Downs Beneath My Feet – family session

Have you ever wondered what lies beneath your feet, under the streets and parks of a town? Come along and find out in a story session at the Beachy Head Story, where you’ll read through the brilliant ‘Street Beneath My Feet’ book by Charlotte Guillain and take a deep dive down to the centre of the earth and back again! Suitable for Ages 6-10.

Find out more on the Heritage Eastbourne website.

 

WWT Arundel Wetland Centre

Discover a mysterious world of wetland nature this October half term. Keep your eyes peeled and your ears pricked as you make your way around the Eek Week interactive trail. There’s also an owl pellet family workshop taking place every Sunday in the month of October, pond dipping at the raised pond and a wetland discovery boat safari.

Find out more on the WWT website.

 

Room On The Broom adventure at Wakehurst

Put on your warm clothes and get ready for an adventure because Witch needs your help! Head off through the wild botanic garden, following Witch’s trail, to see if you can find the items she has lost along her way. Remember to watch out for Dragon on your journey!

There will be limited capacity with timed entry slots, so make sure you pre-book on the Wakehurst website.

 

Signs of Autumn at Bodiam Castle

Have a great family day out at this amazing 14th century, moated castle. On arrival, pick up your free spotter sheet, designed by Hastings artist Claire Fletcher, and discover more about how nature changes with the seasons.

Find out more on the Bodiam Castle website.

 

Shriek Week at Drusillas

From creepy crawlies to fiendish face painting, there’s definitely something spooky in the air at Drusillas this half term! There’ll also be a competition for the best Halloween photo shared during Shriek Week, with the chance to win a family ticket for four.

Find out more on the Drusillas website.