Halloweden
October 22–30
Head to the Eden Project in Cornwall this Half-term for a packed calendar of Hallowe’en celebrations. Creative little critters should enter the Wishcraft Tent which will be full of creepy and crafty goings on including spooky storytelling, pumpkin carving demonstrations, potion mixing and wand making lessons. The Little Monster’s Disco on Friday and Saturday evening will have the whole family shaking their skeleton to the Monster Mash – after which you can sink your fangs into some tasty treats at the café.
Skeletons And Scarecrows
October 22–30
Join in a host of traditional Hallowe’en pursuits at The Hop Farm, Kent, including bobbing for apples and broomstick games throughout the week. As well as this there will be dressing up, dancing, magic and much more.
Halloween Shriek Week
October 22–31
Bijoux Zoo Park Drusillas in East Sussex should keep even the most bloodthirsty brood occupied this Hallowe'en. Play a special game of hide and shriek with Winifred the witch in her haunted cottage, hop aboard the ghost train through the spooky tunnel and scramble around the dino-dig to combat Winifred’s evil sorcery
Wizard Week
October 24–28, 30
Harry Potter enthusiasts can channel their inner wizard at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway with themed fancy dress, owl encounters and the chance to ride in a working vintage steam engine. Perfect your wizardry at the spellbinding magic displays and indulge your family’s competitive spirit with coloring and fancy dress competitions.
Punkie Night
October 2
This alternative to Hallowe’en is a Somerset tradition which takes place on the last Thursday of October each year. Legend has it that one misty night many years ago, the local ladies feared their menfolk were not returning and set out to find them with lanterns, which the men saw approaching in the mist and assumed to be ghostly apparitions (Punkies). These days families can watch a modern day lantern parade through the town of Hinton St George followed by a pumpkin carving competition.
Decorate a Halloween biscuit
October 30
The ghost of Dame Dorothy Selby is said to put a chill down the spine of anyone who dares to venture up to the tower of Ightham Mote, Sevenoaks. Fortunately you and your loved ones can remain safely downstairs and decorate a delicious pumpkin shaped spooky cookie. Will your child be brave enough to ascend to Dorothy’s lair and experience her icy presence?
For more fun family days out, see our pick of the best autumn activities in The South
