With October half term just around the corner, there are plenty of fantastic activities to keep the whole family entertained across the county this month! Whether it’s getting creative and making Halloween crafts or baking tasty treats at home, going for an autumnal walk and visiting some of the county’s most beautiful green or blue spaces, or visiting a local pumpkin patch, there is so much to see and do this spooky season!
Head down to local, free October half term club with Essex ActivAte!
Eligible school-aged children who receive benefit based free school meals or who’re from ‘low-income’ working families can enjoy physical and enrichment activities at a local Essex ActivAte club this half term! Clubs across the county are offering endless amounts of fun, from Halloween parties to spooky activities and so much more, helping to support families across Essex.
Enjoy spooky season at home!
There’s plenty of seasonal activities to enjoy in the comfort of your own home, which don’t need to cost a fortune!
- Fancy a trick… or treat? Try creating our low-cost, simple Halloween recipes, we guarantee the whole family will love them!
- Head over to the Activity Village and discover thousands of free printables! From seasonal puzzles to learning resources and colouring pages, there’s something for everyone, including some Halloween fun!
- Take a trip down to your local supermarket and pick up a couple of pumpkins to carve or even paint at home!
- Convert the lounge into a den, get cosy and read some spooky stories – OxfordOwl offer plenty of e-books for free, as well as learning resources for children to do at home!
- Design a ‘chilling’ obstacle course using household items – crawl under tables draped in black cloths, hopping over “cauldrons” (upturned bowls), and navigating through a spider-web of yarn are just a few spooky ideas to include!
October events and days out across Essex and Thurrock
North Essex – Pumpkin picking at Cullen Family Farming!
Head down to The Maltings in Harwich and enjoy their FREE pumpkin patch. With plenty of photo opportunities, toy tractors for children to ride and lots do to, it makes a lovely, seasonal day out for the whole family! Find out more here.
Dates: Every weekend in October from 14th – 30th
Times: 10am-4pm
Address: Hill Farm, The Maltings, CO12 5LN
Cost: FREE entry and parking – pumpkins and attractions at extra cost
Mid Essex – Spooky Shadows and Frightening Familiars
Chelmsford Museum are offering multiple, Halloween craft sessions this half term, as well a history on witchcraft and some spooky puppet making with opportunities to dress up! Find out more here.
Dates: 23rd-27th October
Address: Chelmsford Museum, Oaklands Park, Moulsham Street, Essex, CM2 9AQ
PRICE: FREE *Everyone attending the session will need to book a free place, and all children must be accompanied by an adult
West Essex – Halloween at Pets’ Corner
Pets corner will be offering lots of exciting, seasonal activities across the October break, from ghost hunts to dress up competitions, craft sessions, pumpkin carving and much more! No booking is needed, and you can just turn up on the day. Find out more here.
Dates: 24th – 28th October
Location: Harlow Pets Corner, Town Park, Edinburgh Way, Harlow, Essex, CM20 2QQ
Price: Adult entry £3. Entry to all activities is held at a small fee.
South Essex – Southend Halloween Parade
A frightfully fun and FREE evening of music, dancing, amazing costumes and huge light up puppets at the spooktacular Halloween parade and hang around for the firework display at 8pm! Find out more here.
Date: Saturday 28th October from 6pm
Location: Seaway, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 2HR
Price: FREE
Thurrock – Pumpkin patch at Lakeside shopping centre!
Lakeside shopping centre are excited to present their biggest and spookiest Halloween yet! This year will see the return of the interactive pumpkin patch, selfie areas and a scavenger hunt – lots of fun for all the family. Find out more here.
Date: Every day this October half term from 10am to 7pm (Sunday’s 11am-5pm)
Location: W Thurrock Way, West Thurrock, Grays RM20 2ZP
Price: FREE
Discover more autumn activities with Visit Essex here.
More family-fun activities this October!
There are plenty of green and blue spaces to explore as the autumn season creeps in. Discover new nature, wildlife and scenery and enjoy the crisp, fresh air at country parks across the county here.
If you are still looking for some inspiration on ways to get moving with the family for little or no cost during half term, head over to our Move With Us or Find Your Active pages.
