Kids’ Activities This October (Including Half Term) | North East England

(ad) Our Top Picks for October Days Out

Whitehouse Farm Spooktacular 

Running on selected days throughout October, the Whitehouse Farm Spooktacular offers a complete day’s worth of activities included with your ticket. Attendees can enjoy:

• Spooky Magic Shows
• Witches and Wizards School
• Fancy Dress Competition
• Indoor & Outdoor Pumpkin Patch (one free pumpkin per paying child)
• Pumpkin Carving Station
• Walkway of Terror
• Storytime with Winnie the Witch

In addition, visitors will have access to all the usual Whitehouse Farm fun, such as small animal handling, crazy critter encounters, bird of prey meet-and-greet, interactive meerkat talks, goat/pony grooming, indoor soft play, castle catapult, jumping pillows, animal feeding, a go-kart track, and an adventure playground.

For more information and to book, visit: Whitehouse Farm Spooktacular.

Raby Castle

Raby Castle is hosting an exciting lineup of events this month, featuring daytime and evening Halloween Trails at Plotters’ Forest, and the much-anticipated Glittering North, scheduled for selected evenings. Visitors can look forward to an unforgettable night celebrating the region’s Norse and Viking heritage with delightful puppetry, stunning illuminations, storytelling, fire performers, folk musicians, and much more.

Discover more and book tickets at: Raby Castle Events.

Spilmans Pumpkin Festival

The Spilmans Pumpkin Festival operates on selected dates throughout October and promises to be bigger and better than ever this year.

• Over 125,000 Pumpkins to Pick (including Ghost Pumpkins)
• Academy of Witches and Wizards Show
• Skelebones Disco
• Pumpkinella Character Meet & Greet
• Bale Mountain
• Pumpkin Washing
• Carving Barn
• Spooky Walk
• Giant Pipe Rolling
• Barrel Train Rides
• Corn Cannon
• Pumpkin Slingshot
• Tractor Rides
• Photo Opportunities
• Fairground Rides
• Tasty Food & Drinks on Sale

Evening events will feature live music and fire pits, as well as basic pumpkin picking options without additional activities, if preferred.
Learn more and book your tickets here.

Beamish Museum

Beamish transforms beautifully during autumn, showcasing stunning fall colors that enhance its historic charm. I plan to visit this month for a lovely dog walk with Fozzy and will share photos afterward.

This month will feature several special events, including Harvest Weekend (5 & 6 October), Tractor Gathering (19 & 20 October), and Halloween Half Term, all included with the Beamish Unlimited Pass.

Additionally, limited tickets are available for the highly anticipated Halloween evenings (not covered by the unlimited pass), offering visitors the unique opportunity to see the museum illuminated in a whole new way.

Find out more here.

Autumn Days Out with North East National Trust

There’s nothing quite like a relaxing autumn walk around a National Trust property, followed by a steaming hot chocolate and a slice of their delicious cake.

This October half term, over 40 events will be held at North East National Trust sites, such as the Little Leaf Collectors and Broomstick Trail at Wallington, the Brilliant Bats Trail with a chance to meet a real bat at Gibside, and the Witches Dance at Ormesby Hall.

Additionally, don’t miss the spectacular Halloween celebrations at Seaton Delaval Hall, featuring a Halloween Parade (with a live band) and the story of Lord Delaval’s attempt to catch the Witch of Wallsend.

Explore the full schedule of events here.

Discovery Museum

On Friday, 1st November, Discovery Museum will host two Spooky Silent Discos in the stunning Great Hall. The first, from 2 PM to 4 PM, is perfect for families with children aged 4+, while the second from 6 PM to 8 PM caters to families with children aged 9+. Tickets are a fantastic bargain at just £3 each (children under 3 enter for free).

For more details and to book, visit: Spooky Silent Disco.

On Tuesday, 29th October, kids can create their own Spider Catapult at Discovery Museum. After crafting their catapult, they can launch spiders back into their web! This activity costs only £2 per child and is best suited for ages 6+, though all are welcome.
Book here: Spider Catapult Workshop.

A spooky museum trail will also be available throughout the week. Find objects around the museum covered in spider webs and solve the mystery to enter a prize draw.

Great North Museum

The Great North Museum is always a fantastic free day out, and in October, they’re introducing extra FREE activities that sound exciting!

First up is the Totally Chaotic Museum Trail running from 19th October to 2nd November. It’s FREE—pick up an activity sheet from the welcome desk. Uncover Roman objects around the museum, invent a Roman name, and design your own Roman outfit. Complete the trail to earn a Totally Chaotic History Sticker as a reward.

From the 29th to the 31st of October, you can be among the first to test a brand new Murray the Mole family trail, allowing families to explore the museum and collect ‘prizes’ for their artwork. This activity is FREE—just collect the materials from the welcome desk. You can also craft your own upcycled hedgehog during these days, with no charge!

Discover more at: Great North Museum Events.

The Anatomy of a Dinosaur at the Centre for Life

Available exclusively from 26th October to 1st November, “The Anatomy of a Dinosaur” is a must-see interactive show included with regular center admission or your annual pass. This presentation features special presenter Teach Rex as he explores how our understanding of dinosaurs has evolved over time in this engaging show for all ages.
Find out more: The Anatomy of a Dinosaur.

Moreover, it’s Spooky Science Week at Life during half term, offering various spooky activities as part of admission, such as examining real mini beast specimens in the experimentation zone, creating your own spooky contraption, catching Earth Defenders in the Planetarium, and enjoying a live science demonstration by local scientists.

Woodhorn Museum

Scarefest at Alton Towers

Planning a road trip? Scarefest at Alton Towers runs from 11th October to 3rd November this year, featuring scare mazes, spooky characters, Amigos in the Afterlife, a Monster Ball in Cbeebies Land, Haribo Trick or Treat Town, and much more. Find out more and book (ad): Scarefest at Alton Towers.

Half Price DFDS Mini Cruise to Amsterdam

Photo from Ripley’s Believe It or Not in Amsterdam, located a short walk from the city center bus drop-off.

Thinking about a last-minute weekend getaway? The DFDS Half Price Sale is on now!
Book a mini-cruise to Amsterdam for as low as £60pp for a 2-night stay, including bus transfers to and from Amsterdam. Be sure to book by 17th October and travel between now and 31st December.
Check prices and book (ad): DFDS Mini Cruise.