Fun & Cosy October Half-Term Activities for Families

As the blustery autumn weather turns colder and wetter, and the days grow shorter, it’s the perfect time to plan some October half-term activities that keep the whole family warm, happy, and entertained. When my own three small children are on a 10-day school break, we’d be filling our days with Halloween and autumn-inspired crafts, cosy movie nights, delicious seasonal baking, and even a little outdoor exploring (wellies and waterproofs at the ready!). Whether you’re looking for creative indoor projects or outdoor adventures, this is the perfect season to slow down, spend time together, and make lasting memories.

Creative October Half-Term Activities to Try

Here are some of our favourite things to do during the break — a mix of indoor and outdoor fun to keep little hands and big imaginations busy.

1. Halloween & Autumn Crafts

We’ll be making all sorts of autumn-inspired art and craft projects — think paper pumpkins, spooky garlands, leaf printing, and salt dough ornaments in Halloween shapes. Add glitter, googly eyes, and autumn colours for that extra seasonal magic.

Spider Web, 50” Giant Spider 

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2. Pumpkin Picking & Carving

We’ll head out to a local pumpkin patch, then come home to carve our creations — spooky faces, friendly smiles, or even a pumpkin cat!

31 Days of Harvest & Halloween Crafts and Activities

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3. Seasonal Baking & Treat Making

My two sons (not so much my daughter) love pottering in the kitchen, so we’ll spend time baking pumpkin muffins, apple crumble, gingerbread biscuits, and marshmallow popcorn balls — perfect treats for movie night.

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4. Autumn Gardening Adventures

Out in the garden, in our wellie boots and waterproofs, we’ll prepare and turn the soil for the next planting season, clearing away everything after harvest. There will be mud kitchen play, squirmy worm collecting, and bug-box investigations.

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5. Seasonal Celebration Tree

One of our traditions is going for a warm, wrapped-up walk in the woods to collect large twigs and sticks. Back home, we arrange them in a pot to make a seasonal tree, decorating it with pine cones, colourful leaves, fake spiders, ghosts, bats, and other Halloween symbols.

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6. Cosy Family Movie Night

Light the fire, put on winter pyjamas, and set up a cosy carpet picnic with hot chocolate and snacks. Our go-to autumn movies include:

• The Addams Family

• Casper

• Ghostbusters

• Hocus Pocus

• It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

• The Little Vampire

• The Witches (Roald Dahl)

• Monster House

• The House of Magic

• Frankenweenie

• Hotel Transylvania

• Paranorman

• Gremlins

• Coraline

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7. Halloween Dress-Up & Photo Shoot

A spot of trick-or-treating, face painting, and a silly dress-up photo session (while eating far too many sweets!) is always a hit.

Unleashing Creativity: 6 Powerful Benefits of Dress-Up Play for Children

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8. Autumn Nature Scavenger Hunt

Make a list of seasonal items — red leaf, acorn, pinecone, feather — and see who can collect them all first.

How to make an easy Halloween Trick or Treat bag

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9. Indoor Den Building

Gather blankets, cushions, fairy lights, and chairs to build the ultimate indoor fort — perfect for reading, playing, or hiding away from the weather.

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10. DIY Halloween Science Experiments

From bubbling cauldrons (vinegar and baking soda) to ghostly slime, these activities combine fun with a dash of learning.

Magic Mix Potion Making Kit

Wizard Potions Kits for Kids

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11. Storytelling Night

Turn off the lights, light some candles (or use lanterns), and take turns telling spooky or funny autumn stories.

Unleashing Creativity: 6 Powerful Benefits of Dress-Up Play for Children

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Making the Most of October Half Term

Whatever October half-term activities you choose, the real magic is in being together, slowing down, and making memories you’ll treasure long after the pumpkins have been put away. These moments of connection are what your children will remember most — not the mess, not the weather, but the laughter, the creativity, and the cosy comfort of family time.