OCTOBER half-term is fast approaching, and keeping the kids entertained without spending loads can feel scarier than Halloween itself.
Luckily, you don’t need to spend a small fortune to keep the half term action-packed, with brilliant cheap and free events popping up across the UK.
From giant inflatable monster takeovers, to ‘Wizard Schools’ and Hey Duggee-themed trails, there are options for families of all ages.
Here’s our pick of the best free and cheap family days out for October half-term.
Free
Spooky Season at the National Railway Museum, York
Visit the National Railway Museum between 24 October – 1 November follow a spooky storytelling trail through spectacular vintage trains.
Drop into free daily storytelling sessions, creepy craft workshops and more, while getting to see everything from steam locomotives to the Japanese shinkansen.
For even more hands-on action, grab tickets to the Wonderlab gallery, where the interactive science exhibits have been given a thrilling seasonal twist.
Tickets are free, just make sure to book online in advance.
The Playful Park of Peculiar & Halloween Trail, London
Head to High Street Kensington for a family-friendly Halloween trail that will lead you in and out of shops along one of London’s prettiest streets.
The free trail takes place from October 23 – 31, but if you visit on Halloween, you’ll also get to visit Big Kensington Vintage Flea market which will be specially stocked with Gothic furniture and florals.
Plus, from 4:30pm – 7.30pm that night, Holland Park transform into the Playful Park of Peculiar.
This is a free trail complete with decorations, illuminations and even live characters and performances to meet along the way.
Pendle Hill, Lancashire
For a proper scare this Halloween, head to Lancashire’s Pendle Hill, which is widely known as one of the UK’s most haunted spots.
The area is famous for hosting witch trials in 1612, and there are plenty of ghostly and historical walking tours that delve deep into its past.
Brave a guided ghost walk for £10pp and explore the very villages where the accused witches once lived.
After working up a fright in the dark, you can calm your nerves and warm up with a well-earned pint by a roaring fire in one of the area’s cosy local pubs.
Halloween trails, murder mystery and more on the English Riviera
Brave the hair-raising ‘Abbey After Dark’ scare trail at Torre Abbey, hunt for mini monsters at the illuminated Babbacombe Model Village, or explore ancient underground caves on a creepy ghost walk at Kents Cavern.
If you need a break from the scares, take a brisk walk along the stunning South West Coast path before warming up with a cosy pub lunch.
Derry Halloween Festival
Visit the home of Halloween this October half-term, as Derry celebrates the 40th anniversary of Europe’s largest Halloween festival.
Families can tackle the ‘Awakening the Walled City’ trail, where the streets come alive with giant illuminated statues, creepy roaming characters, and thrilling fire shows.
Down in the city centre, the streets are packed with free entertainment and live shows to keep the kids entertained, with acrobatics, circus performers and spooky street theatre.
The fun wraps up on Halloween night with a costume carnival parade through the city and a dazzling fireworks finale over the River Foyle.
Halloween in the City, Manchester
From October 24 – 31, Manchester city centre will be taken over by giant inflatable ghosts and aliens as the popular MCR Monsters return to the city to celebrate their 10th birthday.
Families can join in the completely free monster birthday bash, featuring a Rave Yard disco, live storytelling and a brilliantly bizarre Monster Bake-Off.
Kids are also encouraged to don their best fancy dress alongside creepy creatures in the Walk the Plank monster procession.
To top it all off, little trick-or-treaters can tackle the Kids’ Halloween Hunt on New Cathedral Street to bag themselves a party bag stuffed with free sweets.
Lightpool Festival, Blackpool
Blackpool‘s Lightpool Festival is back with a bang this October half-term, celebrating its 10th anniversary with another completely free program of illuminated entertainment.
Running from October 21 – 31, the seaside town‘s landmarks will be transformed by mesmerising 3D projection shows and interactive artworks including neon jellyfish and giant glowing sculptures.
Make sure to visit the famous Tower Ballroom to catch the ‘Carnival Magic’ show, an explosive performance packed with puppets, fire-breathers, and dancers.
With zero cost to explore all the indoor and outdoor displays, it’s the perfect family evening out to brighten up the dark autumn nights.
£5 and under
The Creepy Circus, Zombie Apocalypse party & more, Weymouth – £2.75pp
Head on a haunted trail through Weymouth this October, and meet the cast of the Creepy Circus (made up of live actors) along the way…
Beginning in the city centre, you will explore the seaside town as a team, stopping to collect clues from witches and mystery circus characters.
The trail takes place from October 25 – November 1, from 10am – 6pm daily and costs £2.75pp.
Plus if you’re in Weymouth on Halloween night, there’s a Zombie Apocalypse party at The Donkey Social with totally free entry. Fancy dress is encouraged, and there’s prizes up for grabs, too.
Wizard School & more in Southampton – from £4
There’s plenty of spooky happenings in Southampton this October, with options for families of all ages.
Tudor House will offer free admission on October 30 on a Halloween-themed open day. The site is Southampton’s oldest museum, and was built in the late 15th century.
There will also be additional themed crafts, face painting and more from £4.
Families visiting on October 26 or 27 can take part in ‘Wizard School’ sessions, and even create their own wand to take home (£8 per child).
Scarecastle, Staffordshire- £5
Brave the dark depths of a two-mile long underground canal tunnel on a spooky ‘Scarecastle’ boat trip this October.
The tunnel opened in 1777, and helped to connect the Midlands canal network to Stoke-on-Trent and beyond.
Running daily from October 25 to 31, this historic tunnel is transformed into a floating Halloween tour packed with surprises.
Tickets cost £5 each. Pre-book your spot in advance online.
£10 and under
Southampton Ghost Tour – £10pp
The Southampton Ghost tour winds through underground medieval vaults and includes visits to haunted historic buildings such as the Merchants Hall, Tudor House and The Red Lion pub (which boasts an impressive 21 ghosts)
It starts at 6pm on Halloween night, but if you can’t make this one there are more options with various dates hosted by the likes of Dark Encounters and Get Your Guide.
Halloween at Stockeld Park, Yorkshire – from £9pp
At Yorkshire’s Stockeld Park, families can explore an Enchanted Forest on a Woodland Witches trail, tackle interactive challenges and even take on a giant Mummy Maze.
Beyond the witchy fun, there are tractor rides to pumpkin patches and even a Zombie Laser Tag arena.
For a special after-dark treat, you can grab tickets to the brand new Pumpkin Nights to watch spectacular fire-eating shows under the stars.
The events run every weekend throughout October, with event tickets priced individually. The cheapest event costs £9pp.
£15 and under
Illuminated Halloween trail, Moors Valley Country Park and Forest, Dorset – £14 per adult, £8 per child
As darkness falls, Moors Valley begins to glow with a spectacular illuminated Halloween trail packed with eerie encounters.
Wander beneath towering giant skeletons, dodge creepy characters like manic barbers, and tip-toe through a creepy carnivorous garden.
The route also features a brilliant food village where you can stop to sip a hot chocolate or toast some marshmallows.
The event takes place from October 23 – November 1. Pre-book timed entry tickets online, costing £15.75 for adults and £13 for children.
Hey Duggee Kew Gardens trail, London – £2 (+ £10 entry)
Kew Gardens is teaming up with Hey Duggee for an autumnal outdoor adventure trail for little ones this October half-term.
Kids can grab a map and explore the famous gardens while taking on interactive challenges, stopping to collect Squirrel Club badge stamps along the way.
After earning their final badge and grabbing a quick photo with a Duggee sculpture, there’s plenty more to explore such as the Children’s Garden.
Running daily from October 17 – November 1, the trail is completely free with standard garden entry. You can bag £10 entry tickets if you visit on a Tuesday throughout autumn.
Castle Howard Arboretum, North Yorkshire – from £12.75 per adult, £8.50 per child
Visit Castle Howard Arboretum this October half-term for a spectacular display of autumn colours across 120 acres of beautiful woodland.
After exploring hidden glades and tranquil lakes, you can sit down for a family meal in the cosy on-site cafe.
Make sure to look out for the resident red squirrels, named David Attenborough and Cinnamon.
Enjoy getting out in the fresh air this half term, with adult tickets from £12.75 and kids from £8.50.
Welsh School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Carmarthenshire – £10pp
Pack your broomsticks, as the British Bird of Prey Centre is transforming into the Welsh School of Witchcraft and Wizardry this October half term.
Trainee wizards can get stuck into a timetable of spooky activities, including crafting their own wands and brewing potions.
You can also upgrade for £10 to a masterclass where you’ll learn how to fly an owl and more.
The event runs from October 26 – November 1, with all standard classes and bird shows included in your regular centre admission ticket (£14 per adult, £8.50 per child).