October half-term is right around the corner and when your little ones have tired of leaf kicking and conker collecting, our round up of fantastic events across the UK will ensure that there’s not a single cry of "I’m bored". From museum workshops to woodland trails, there’s something on offer for the whole family. If you want to make a weekend of it, check out our guide to the best British weekend breaks with kids, too.
A swashbuckling exhibition throws open its doors at the start of half-term week (20 October) at the V&A Museum of Childhood, giving youngsters a taste of the high seas without ever leaving dry land. Visitors can step on board a large-scale pirate ship, feast their eyes on a display of real 18th-century Spanish coins and experience a day in the life of a pirate as they journey from a moody coastal inn to a tropical treasure island. Best of all, entry is free.
Relive Victorian England as you wander around Blists Hill Victorian Town, an interactive museum in Shropshire, complete with authentic shops, cottages and Victorian townspeople. From 27 October to 4 November, there are a variety of kids' workshops covering everything from candle dipping to fashioning bug hotels using autumn foliage. Round off your family day out with a visit to the entertaining Shadow Puppets Show.
Storystock, the travelling circus of stories, rolls into Battersea Power Station at the start of half-term week (22 to 24 October). Celebrating the 250th anniversary of contemporary circus, children of all ages will enjoy a jam-packed schedule of literary events including workshops and storytelling. The fun continues with a series of live performances including The Harry Potter Show and Ben Hoare's Anthology of Intriguing Animals.
Each year the Legoland Fireworks Spectacular lights up the night sky, drawing gasps of delight from watching crowds. This year, displays take place on several dates during half-term (20, 21, 26 and 27 October and 2 November) and early booking is recommended. Highlights include fireworks turning into exploding LEGO bricks with the whole event is set to an exhilarating soundtrack.
Take your mini intrepid explorers on a family day out they won’t forget. Hop aboard a tractor to explore the 25,000-acre Holkham Estate on a Deer Safari (running until 23 October), keeping those binoculars primed for a sighting of the estate’s roaming fallow deer (pictured) and red deer. For those who want to make a weekend of it, the estate’s classic English inn, the Victoria Inn, has 20 individually designed bedrooms as well as a light and airy orangery for dining.
Head down to The Deep, one the UK’s biggest aquariums for their fun-packed Venom vs Poisons! event (20 October to 4 November). Learn about the lives of toxic creatures at The Deep through daily interactive shows which reveal how creatures use venom and poison to defend themselves. For an extra £1, little ones can reserve a spot at the Learning Centre and make their own sticky slime to take home. Read our top guide for more things to do in Hull.
Set around various venues in the Welsh market town of Gwledd Conwy, this festival of food, drink, music and more is perfect for the whole family. Over half-term weekend (26 to 28 October), family-friendly events include cooking workshops, sea creature art and gardening projects. There's also a farmyard where children can get up close to animals including sheep, pigs and alpacas. Adults will love the live music and tempting street food on offer.
Set amid picturesque gardens and parkland with a Victorian Gothic Revival house at its centre, Tyntesfield Estate is a destination in itself. Visit during October half-term for your last chance take part in the autumn explorers event (the last day is 26 October). Children can indulge their adventurous sides by conquering the estate’s tree maze or building a bug hotel.
Get your skates on as the National History Museum's outdoor skating rink throws open its doors for another season from 25 October. Last year saw 165,000 visitors from across the globe descend on the attraction, and 2018 isn't likely to be any different. As well as the ice rink, there's also a sparkling 30-foot Christmas tree to admire, an on-site café for warming mugs of hot chocolate and a cosy viewing gallery to catch a glimpse of all the action below.
There's something for all ages at this year's Manchester Science Festival (18 to 28 October). From exploding hydrogen rockets at The Flash Bang Show to a live link with a Kenyan lab to find out about the work of conservation scientists, each event will give visitors the opportunity to learn something new and have loads of fun in the process. The festival takes place in various venues across Manchester, including the Science and Industry Museum.
Make the most of your visit to the Isle of Wight's only surviving windmill by following the tree and hedgerow trail this half-term (20 to 28 October). Once the trail is completed, climb the tower and learn more about the inner workings of the mill or stop to refuel at the on-site kiosk. Beyond the mill, here are some more ideas for your time on the Isle of Wight.
This half-term (22 to 26 October), the Horniman Museum's Hands on Base gallery will give children the chance to explore its collections and gardens through their senses. From handling African masks and playing musician on the Pueblo Drums, to taking in the exotic scent of spice jars, there will never be a dull moment. It's free to explore.
Head to the UK's largest planetarium this half-term (13 October to 4 November) to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first mission in the Apollo space programme to carry a crew into space. Discover what the astronauts ate, how they trained for the trip, and even how they went to the toilet (who isn't a little curious?). Kids can also design their very own mission badge to take home.
Discover the more gruesome side of Roman life in the Rotten Romans event at Hadrian's Wall, from 27 October to 4 November. Listen as soldiers tell a hideous tale or two about what life was really like in the Roman army. If children are feeling brave, why not try out for the army? Drilling sessions and handling Roman weapons will put their battle mettle to the test.
This exciting programme of events during half-term (27 October to 4 November) has something for everyone. Highlights include tartan weaving at the Fashion Museum, fossil hunting with the team at Radstock Museum and a visit to the Mayor's Parlour for a glimpse of the city’s Royal Charters, gold and silver collection, ceremonial maces, sword and robes. Advance booking is required for some events.
Head to Yorkshire Sculpture Park, the UK's leading open-air gallery for Family Ceramic Day (20 October). Guided by artist Sally Storr, head into the park to find inspiration before creating your very own ceramic pot embellished with texture, colour and patterns. Kids will walk away with a Discover Arts Award, the first step to getting a full Arts Award too.
The Hidden Estate Event (27 October) gives visitors the chance to explore this breathtaking 2,000-acre property like never before. Join the site's rangers for a tour of Crom using a 100-year-old wooden boat and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife including deer and red squirrels. Explore historic ruins including the 17th-century Old Castle at Crom, surrounded by the estate's famed Yew trees.
Kidtropolis – the 'UK's best kids event' – rolls into London for its third year over half-term weekend (20 to 22 October). Visitors will be spoilt for choice with a range of activities including a roller skating zone, inflatable bumper cars, a 60 metre-long giant inflatable assault course, The Play-Doh Zone, a carousel and live shows. The event is suitable for children aged 12 and under and their guardians.
The National Railway Museum's Future Engineer's Festival (27 October to 4 November) offers the opportunity for budding engineers and their families to learn more about this important industry. Design your own robot railway, take part in pop-up science shows and be entertained by performances from the likes of award-winning science presenter, author and rapper Jon Chase. Most events are free.
Forestry Commission England has joined in partnership with the Roald Dahl Story Company to create a 'forest adventure kit', packed with everything a little explorer could need. Available to buy on-site, the kit – including a backpack, activity booklet, foldout binoculars and magnifier – can be used to take part in the James and The Giant Peach-themed forest adventure games event. Bookmark 20, 21, 27 and 28 October in your diary.
As part of the Mammal Society’s National Mammal Week (20 to 28 October), Yorkshire Coast rangers have teamed up with other conservation organisations and local wildlife enthusiasts to organise a small mammal survey on 27 October. Families can scour woodlands and hedgerows in this picturesque coastal village in search of voles, shrews, wood mice and more. It's free to join but booking is essential.
Discover around 400 different varieties of apple in this two-day celebration (20 and 21 October) of the tasty fruit. Activities include an apple bobbing competition and talks from Apples in Wales author Carwyn Graves. There's also the chance to sample apple-based food and drink treats including homemade cider – perfect for parents.
Rev up your engines for a visit to the National Motor Museum and the opening of a new exhibition based on the iconic film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (from 20 October). Truly Scrumptious' Humber motorcar takes pride of place, while a full-size replica of Grandpa Potts’ hut is not be missed. Also on display are original costumes from the movie including Sally Anne Howes’ life-size music box doll dress.
Learn all about the Cornish Seal Sanctuary's dramatic rescues of grey seal pups in the Puptober half-term event (20 to 28 October). Take part in Rescue Rangers SOS training, go on a pup rescue adventure trail and earn an exclusive ‘Puptober’ Pop Badge.
The stars of the popular animated children's series PAW Patrol will be visiting this heritage railway for two days only on 20 and 21 October. Ride out into the countryside and see the show's stars Marshall & Rubble at regular intervals throughout the day, as well as entertaining magic shows.
Organised by the Fife Coast & Countryside Trust, Access All Areas is Fife’s Festival of the Great Outdoors. With more than 20 events scheduled over half-term (6 to 21 October), there’s something for every taste. Family-friendly activities on offer include a Seashell Safari, Minibeast Hunt and a boat trip around the Isle of May helping to record and monitor the activity of grey seals.
Aintree Countryside Day (28 October) is packed with events the whole family will enjoy. There's a Punch & Judy show, the 'Quack Pack' duck display, laser clay shooting, pony rides and face painting. New for 2018, Aintree is hosting its very first Dog Show with four-legged friends competing in categories including Best Young Handler, Waggiest Tail and Best Fancy Dress.
Find out about the role of hawks and falcons during Victorian England at Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's former seaside estate. Taking place over three days (23 to 25 October), visitors will enjoy falconry displays throughout the day and hear tales of how these birds of prey were employed, trained and used for hunting during the 19th century.
This family-friendly festival runs from 13 to 28 October, and offers more than 70 walks for a variety of ages. Highlights include a gentle walk and talk around the millpond and Bartley Water, and a drop-in wild day play event featuring outdoor obstacles, welly wandering in the river and more.
Running across two weeks (15 to 19 October and 29 October to 2 November), School Holiday Club for Kids at Twycross Zoo is an exciting and educational event, which has a different zoo-related theme each day. Youngsters will help the zoo’s animal keeping team with jobs such as mucking out, window washing and even poo picking. Children can sign up for individual days or the whole week.
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