Best October Half-Term Activities for Kids in the UK 2026

Keeping the kids entertained for a whole week can feel like an adventure in itself especially when the great British weather has other ideas.

But October half-term is actually one of our favourite times to get outside. The forests are turning gold, pumpkin patches are in full swing, Halloween is creeping closer and chilly days provide the perfect excuse to retreat somewhere cosy afterwards.

And, as the old saying goes, there’s no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothing. So dig out the wellies, waterproofs and woolly hats. We’re going adventuring.

A campervan makes a particularly handy base for an October half-term family holiday in the UK. You’ve got somewhere warm to retreat to, snacks are never far away and muddy boots can be kicked off at the door. Many of our family-friendly campervans also come with handy extras such as heating, toilets, showers and kitchens.

From pumpkin picking and spooky castles to wildlife walks and treetop adventures, here are some of the best October half-term activities for families in 2026.

Pumpkin Picking During October Half-Term

Is it really autumn if you haven’t spent an afternoon wandering around a field debating the merits of approximately 47 different pumpkins?

Pumpkin picking has become one of the UK’s favourite October half-term family activities, and plenty of farms have transformed it into a full day out. Think tractor rides, maize mazes, straw bales, food stalls and enough seasonal photo opportunities to fill the family album several times over.

Pick your favourite pumpkin, pop it safely in the campervan and save the carving for a cosy evening back at camp.

6 of the Best Pumpkin Patches in the UK for 2026

1. Secretts of Milford, Surrey

Pumpkin Picking & Halloween Trail: 17–18 and 21–30 October 2026

Secretts of Milford grows around 200,000 pumpkins each year, so even the fussiest pumpkin hunter should find something worthy of the carving knife.

Alongside exploring the pumpkin fields, families can follow the Halloween trail, tuck into seasonal food and soak up all those gloriously autumnal farm vibes.

Definitely bring the wellies.

2. National Forest Adventure Farm, Staffordshire

Pumpkin Village: selected dates throughout October 2026, starting 3 October

At National Forest Adventure Farm, pumpkin picking is just the beginning.

Its Pumpkin Village returns on selected dates throughout October, alongside plenty of the family-friendly farm fun the attraction is known for.

It’s a good one if you’re after an autumn day out that lasts considerably longer than simply selecting a pumpkin and heading home.

3. Farmer Copleys, Yorkshire

Pumpkin Festival: 2026 dates not yet confirmed on the official website

Farmer Copleys near Pontefract is famous for going big on pumpkins.

Its annual Pumpkin Festival fills the farm with pumpkins in every imaginable colour, shape and size, alongside seasonal food and activities for the family.

At the time of updating this guide, Farmer Copleys hasn’t published confirmed 2026 Pumpkin Festival dates on its official website, so check directly before plotting this one into your road trip.

4. Bell’s Pumpkin Patch, Lincolnshire

Pumpkin Patch: 10–11, 17–18 and 24–31 October 2026

With more than 300 varieties of pumpkin and squash, Bell’s Pumpkin Patch gives even the most dedicated pumpkin picker quite the choice.

Alongside its enormous pumpkin fields, there’s a maize maze, pedal tractors, bounce and climb areas, circus skills, a pumpkin cannon, fairground rides and plenty of autumn displays.

Bell’s even grows around two million pumpkins, squashes and gourds on its Lincolnshire farm each year.

Go small and perfectly round. Go enormous and wonky. We support both approaches.

5. Tulleys Pumpkin Festival, West Sussex

Pumpkin Daytime Festival: 19–20 and 26–27 September; 3–4, 9–11 and 15–31 October 2026

Tulleys Pumpkin Festival doesn’t really do pumpkins by halves.

There are around 1.5 million pumpkins and gourds to explore, alongside street theatre, seasonal food, live music, rides and an impressive collection of autumnal photo spots.

New for 2026 is Pumpkin Valley, complete with giant pumpkin sculptures, ponds and even more places to explore.

If you want to go during October half-term itself, Tulleys is open daily from 19–31 October 2026.

6. Arnprior Farm, Stirling, Scotland

Pumpkin Patch: 10–25 October 2026
After-school sessions: 26–30 October 2026

Scotland’s original pumpkin patch is back for 2026 with more than 20,000 pumpkins waiting to be picked.

Arnprior Farm adds plenty of extra entertainment too, including a pumpkin cannon, quad pod rides, bale mountain, an indoor straw barn, face painting and a bouncy castle.

Its main pumpkin patch runs from 10–25 October, with additional after-school sessions between 26 and 30 October.

There are even evening sessions on 22 and 23 October if you fancy your pumpkin picking with a little extra atmosphere.

Halloween Castles to Visit With Kids

Why settle for a plastic skeleton dangling from the front door when you could spend Halloween wandering around an actual castle?

Britain has no shortage of atmospheric fortresses, and plenty of them embrace spooky season with open arms — and possibly the occasional ghost.

During October half-term you’ll find everything from pumpkin trails and interactive storytelling to mysterious mazes and fancy-dress competitions.

Better still, there’s usually a sneaky bit of history involved too.

Educational? Technically.

Spooky? Absolutely.

4 of the Best Halloween Castles in the UK for 2026

1. Warwick Castle, Warwickshire

The Haunted Castle: 24 October–1 November 2026

Warwick Castle gets a suitably spooky makeover for October half-term.

The Haunted Castle brings more than 1,100 years of history to life with over 15 live shows and attractions, family-friendly entertainment, mysterious mazes and Halloween surprises throughout the castle and grounds.

New for 2026 is the Scarecrow Disco, while plenty of old Halloween favourites are returning too.

For families with older children who like their scares considerably scarier, Warwick also runs separate Castle After Dark events on selected evenings.

2. Muncaster Castle, Cumbria

Halloween Family Festival: 24 October–1 November 2026

If you’re heading towards the Lake District, Muncaster Castle has gone gloriously over the top for Halloween.

Its 2026 Halloween Family Festival has a Zombie and Boggles theme, with live entertainment, folklore, a scary maze and the return of its pumpkin patch.

There are spooky activities throughout the castle and grounds, making this a cracking addition to an autumn campervan adventure in Cumbria.

3. Framlingham Castle, Suffolk

Halloween Half-Term: 24 October–1 November 2026

Gather your little monsters for the Great Pumpkin Party at Framlingham Castle.

There’ll be interactive storytelling, spooky games, a themed trail and seasonal photo spots around the castle.

And because Halloween simply isn’t Halloween without an excellent costume, there’s also a daily fancy-dress competition.

All against the backdrop of one of Suffolk’s most impressive castles.

4. Hever Castle, Kent

Halloween Half-Term Fun: 17 October–1 November 2026

Things are getting experimental at Hever Castle this Halloween.

For 2026, Spooktacular Science takes over the grounds, sending young visitors off on the Mad Scientist’s Halloween Trail to solve clues and hunt for hidden letters among some wonderfully weird experiments.

There are also craft activities, family shows and themed face painting on selected dates.

Mad scientists in a double-moated castle?

We’re in.

Autumn Wildlife Activities for Kids

Autumn is a brilliant time to get curious about the natural world.

Woodlands explode into shades of red, orange and gold, fungi start popping up beneath the trees, migrant birds are on the move and deer become particularly active.

You don’t need much more than sturdy shoes and a sense of curiosity to turn it into an adventure.

Whether you join an organised nature event or simply head into the woods and see what you can spot, wildlife watching with kids is one of the easiest ways to spend an autumn afternoon.

4 Wildlife Experiences for October Half-Term 2026

1. Halloween Wildlife Explorer Walk, New Forest

30 October 2026, 3pm–5pm

Halloween meets wildlife watching on this family-friendly guided walk through the New Forest National Park.

Expert guides will lead families through ancient woodland and open glades looking for fungi, owls, deer, bats and other autumn wildlife.

There’s also spooky forest folklore and a Halloween nature quest for younger explorers.

The walk lasts around two hours and is recommended for children aged six and over.

Torch? Check.

Warm clothes? Check.

Unexpected owl hooting from somewhere in the darkness? Hopefully.

2. Autumn at Chatsworth, Peak District

Half-Term Fun: 24 October–1 November 2026

Chatsworth is rather glorious at this time of year, and families have plenty of reasons to explore beyond admiring the autumn colours.

Head to the Farmyard and Playground for Halloween-themed crafts, face painting, animal feeding, guinea pig cuddling and spooky tractor and trailer rides.

Pumpkin carving runs until 31 October, too.

Once everyone has befriended every available guinea pig, head outside for a wander among the surrounding autumn scenery.

3. October Half-Term at Dunham Massey, Cheshire

24 October–1 November 2026

Dunham Massey is a brilliant place to slow things down for an afternoon and simply see what you can find.

During October half-term, families can pick up a self-guided walk, follow a family trail and explore the parkland as autumn takes hold.

There are ancient trees, colourful leaves and plenty of opportunities for a spot of wildlife watching along the way.

You can also turn your walk into a family scavenger hunt: acorn, feather, fungus, deer, red leaf.

First one to find the lot gets first dibs on the biscuits back at the van.

4. Dark Skies Fringe Festival, North York Moors

23 October–1 November 2026

Wildlife and outdoor adventures don’t have to stop when the sun goes down.

The Dark Skies Fringe Festival returns to the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales during half-term with a brilliant programme of after-dark activities.

The 2026 programme includes stargazing, night navigation, a UV fungi walk, night photography, Halloween activities and guided experiences beneath some seriously impressive skies.

There are family-friendly events throughout the festival, including Halloween in Outer Space on 30 October.

Wrap up warm, fill a flask and prepare to spend a lot of time looking upwards.

Outdoor Adventure Activities for Families

A gentle walk through crunchy leaves is lovely.

But every now and then, half-term calls for something with a little more oomph.

Learning a new outdoor skill is a brilliant way to make a family holiday memorable, whether that means catching your first wave, whizzing through the trees, cycling around a forest or doing something lovely for the planet.

And the beauty of travelling by campervan?

Once everyone is cold, muddy and satisfyingly exhausted, your kitchen, kettle and cosy bed aren’t far away.

5 Family-Friendly Outdoor Adventures to Try This Half-Term

1. Join a Beach Clean with Surfers Against Sewage

Community cleans take place throughout October 2026

Give your family adventure a feel-good twist by joining one of Surfers Against Sewage’s community cleans.

Volunteer-led beach, river and community cleans take place around the UK throughout the year, and several are scheduled for October 2026.

For example, there’s a clean at Calshot Beach on 10 October, The Point at Bembridge on 11 October and Pill near Bristol on 17 October, with more added to the live events map.

Fresh air, exercise and leaving somewhere a little lovelier than you found it.

We reckon that’s a pretty good family day out.

2. Take a Dip at Bude Sea Pool, Cornwall

Open year-round; check conditions before swimming

Bude Sea Pool sits beside Summerleaze Beach and offers one of Cornwall’s most memorable outdoor swimming spots.

It’s a semi-natural sea pool, so you get the thrill of outdoor swimming without being quite as exposed as you would be in the open sea.

October swimming is, shall we say, invigorating.

Always check conditions and current safety information before getting in, particularly with children, and make sure there’s something warm waiting back at the van afterwards.

Hot chocolate strongly encouraged.

3. Learn to Surf in Pembrokeshire, Wales

Surf school operates throughout the year, subject to conditions and available sessions

There’s something wonderfully satisfying about standing up on a surfboard for the first time.

Even if you only manage it for approximately three seconds.

Pembrokeshire Surf School runs surf training for beginners through to more experienced surfers and operates seven days a week.

The surf school is active during October 2026, with courses scheduled over the October half-term weekend.

Book ahead for family lesson availability and let somebody else worry about teaching everyone which way round the surfboard goes.

Wetsuits very much recommended.

4. Treetop Adventures at Zip World Windermere, Lake District

Open year-round, including autumn 2026; book your chosen October date in advance

Swap the woodland path for the canopy at Zip World Windermere.

There are six adventures at its Brockhole location, ranging from bouncy Treetop Nets to high-ropes courses and ziplines.

For older adventurers, the Full Trek climbs as high as 15 metres and includes 32 obstacles followed by a triple zip line.

Smaller explorers aren’t forgotten either, with Treetot Nets designed for children under five.

In other words, there are considerably more exciting ways of getting through the forest than simply walking.

5. Cycle Through Moors Valley Country Park and Forest, Dorset

October half-term: 24 October–1 November 2026

Tour de France?

Tour de Forest?

We know which one sounds more relaxing.

Moors Valley Country Park and Forest has miles of forest to explore, and its cycle hire centre is open during the October half-term holiday.

Bike hire opens from 9.30am during October half-term, with bikes available for adults and children alongside trailers and tagalongs for younger riders.

And if cycling doesn’t provide quite enough excitement, Moors Valley has plenty happening for Halloween too.

Its steam railway runs daily from 24 October–1 November 2026, while Go Ape Sundown Adventures run from 16 October–8 November, giving brave families the chance to take on the treetops after dark.

Free Things to Do With Kids During October Half-Term

Not every day of half-term needs tickets, bookings or military-level organisation.

Some of the best free October half-term activities for kids are also the simplest.

Head into the woods and create an autumn scavenger hunt. Collect fallen leaves in as many colours as you can find. Go geocaching.

Build a den. Hunt for conkers. Take photos of interesting fungi. See who can spot the most birds.

Or wait for a clear evening, grab some blankets and head somewhere dark for a bit of DIY stargazing.

You could even give everyone the challenge of finding the most interesting object on a walk without spending a penny.

You may be surprised by how competitive identifying a particularly excellent stick can become.

What to Pack for an October Half-Term Campervan Trip

October weather in the UK likes to keep everyone guessing.

You might get crisp sunshine.

You might get sideways rain.

Quite possibly both before lunch.

For a family campervan adventure, make sure you’ve got:

• Waterproof coats
• Waterproof trousers for little explorers
• Wellies or waterproof walking boots
• Plenty of warm layers
• Spare socks
• Hats and gloves for chilly evenings
• A torch or headtorch
• A flask for hot drinks
• Towels for muddy humans and dogs
• Binoculars for wildlife watching
• Reusable bags for wet clothes and muddy boots
• A few games for rainy evenings

And, naturally, an emergency supply of hot chocolate.

Why Choose a Campervan for October Half-Term?

Family adventures are brilliant.

Packing up an entire hotel room every time you want to move somewhere new?

Slightly less brilliant.

With a campervan, your cosy little base travels with you. Breakfast can happen beside a forest, lunch overlooking the sea and bedtime somewhere completely different.

Our collection of family-friendly campervans includes handcrafted campers across the UK, with layouts designed for families of different shapes and sizes.

Depending on the van you choose, you’ll find useful family features including belted seats, heating, cooking facilities, toilets, showers, fixed beds, bunks, storage and off-grid setups.

And because every Quirky Camper is individually converted, your family holiday doesn’t have to involve spending a week in something beige and boxy.

Quite the opposite.

Ready for your own half-term adventure? Explore our family-friendly campervans and find a wonderfully quirky home on wheels for your autumn escape.

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