If you are looking for places to go in Essex with children this half term then
check out this list. There are lots of special events on at the best love
attractions. Most, but not all, are Halloween themed. This list includes
inside and outside activities. Although some schools have 2 week half terms
most of the events are running between 26th October and 3rd November.
Audley End Miniature Railway, Audley End Road, Saffron Walden CB11 4JB
The
Halloween special event at Audley End runs from Saturday 26th October to
Sunday 3rd November. Head into the woodland on the train and travel to the
witches house where you can catch them singing, dancing and making spells
(maybe even conjuring up sweets). Next little ones will be able to make
their very own potion pouch to take home before it's on to meet the woodland
magician, William, who needs help performing his spook-tacular spells.
Don't forget to explore the Halloween decorations in the Fairy & Elf
Walk and finish off with a run around in the adventure play area. Tickets
will sell out so must be booked in advance. Adults and children over 92cm
are £19.50 or £20.50 (date dependent), children under 92cm are £9.75 or
£10.25. There are SEN Halloween sessions on 27th, 30th October and 2nd
November.
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Get the train to the witches house for an exciting Halloween event at
Audley End Miniature Railway
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The Halloween Festival for half term runs between 26th October and
3rd November with plenty of child friendly spooky activities. There will
be Witch and Cat dance parties as well as the chance to pick a pumpkin
from the paddock to decorate. Enjoy a spooky walk through the labyrinth,
a ghostly trail, as well as all the usual farm favourites. £14.45 for
adults and children over 2 years old. Under 2's are £2.55.
Spooky nights are running at the farm park on 26th, 27th, 30th &
31st October 2024 from 17:30 to 21:00. Enjoy unlimited toddler
fairground rides, safe trick or treating around The Village, spooky
disco with Skittleman, creepy critter show, indoor and outdoor play
areas, animals and more. £17 for adults and children over 2 years old,
£13.60 for members, £3 for under 2. Prebooking required.
Brentwood Halloween Mega Fun Day
Brentwood Centre, CM15 9NNOn Monday 28th October there
is a Spook-tacular Mega Fun Day at the Brentwood Centre including a magic
show, inflatables, games and a disco. This is a 90 minute indoor event
aimed at 2 to 11 year olds. The are 2 timeslots starting at: 10.30am and
1pm and a shorter 3pm SEN friendly session. Tickets are very limited now
but there are a few left, £9.99 per child plus £1.00 booking fee and
adults are £1.50 plus £0.75 booking fee.
Join in the Halloween activities at Capel Manor from Saturday 26th to
Thursday 31st October 2024, 10am to 4pm. There is a trail through the
Gardens, interactive experiences, disco, crafts and you can also visit their
mini zoo. Additional fee for pumpkins and carvings, face painting and bouncy
castle. Tickets cost £11 for adults and £8.50 for children. Prebooking
recommended. You can read our
review of visiting Capel Manor with children here.
Back for a second year Chelmsford For You are hosting free events between Monday 28th and Sunday 3rd November. There are various actvities running each day including slime, origami, bath bomb making and shows. There is also a trail to complete. Download the trail sheet and programme from their website.
Runnning from 22nd to 29th October the final events of this year's Science Festival will be in half term. Check out the Family Science Days on Saturday and Sunday at the Chelmsford Campus of Anglia Ruskin University which have lots of fun activities. Free, but tickets need to be prebooked.
Visit Cherry Lane Garden Centre in Braintree this Halloween (31st October)
for a pumpkin carving event. Children are invited to arrive in fancy dress
for a zombie dance off and will be treated to a cookie and witches brew
while carving their pumpkins. Children’s places cost £6.99 and up to 2
adults can accompany each child free of charge.
There are lots of spooky goings on at Colchester Castle over half
term:
Colchester Castle’s Medieval Trail is running from 26th October to
3rd November, a creepy trail in the eerie setting of Colchester
Castle. Tickets are £5 each (in addition to castle entry) and
include a prize at the end. Suitable for children aged 6+.
Castle admission for daytime events £12.75 for adults, £7.50 for
first child, £3.75 for additional children, under 4s are free. Read
our
review of the castle here.
The Castle’s Spooktacular Family Fun Night is on 29th October and
includes: ‘thrilling games, eerie crafts, and a party bag packed
with treats and surprises.’ Suitable for children aged 4+. Tickets
are £10 per child and £5 per adult.
They also have their sleepover event, Knightzzz At The Museum, on 26th
October (prebooking essential, from £40 per person), 5 years and up,
children must be accompanied by an adult.
Prebooking for events can be done by calling 01206 282939.
Colchester Fringe runs from 25th October to 3rd November with a wide range of events for all ages. If you check out their webpage you can filter events by age suitability.
Join Shriek Week at the zoo from 26th October to 3rd November 2024 which
features face painting, creating wands and potions with the good witches and
wizards at the Craft Coven (extra charges apply) or go to Scare
School! Zoo entry online and in advance is £19.95 for children and
£27.08 for adults (plus booking fee). Read
tips for visiting the zoo here.
They also have an evening event "Trail of Terror" for adults and
recommended for children 12yrs+ (under 5s will not be admitted) on
18th, 19th, 23rd, 25th, 26th, 28th and 30th October 2024 . This must be
prebooked, prices start at £24. This event does not include viewing animals.
Cursed Essex,
BCM Productions Ltd, Crouch Valley Showground, A1245
With 5 themed horror mazes and with scary actors or ‘Cursed roaming
rotters’ to interact with, plus immersive scenery. There are food and
drinks also available to purchase including loaded fries, a bar and hot
chocolate. The Cursed Village Fright Nights are running from 17th October
to 2nd November 2024 from 7pm to 11pm, this event is for over 16’s only
due to the content and under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult.
Tickets range between £20.00 and £30.00 plus booking fee per person
dependent on the date.
They also run Cursed Twilight which is intended for under 16’s and those
who will find the full event too frightening (age 8 plus) on Tuesday 29th
October 5pm to 9pm, tickets are £20 per person.
Daisy May's Farm,
Hall Road, Elsenham, CM22 6DN
From Saturday 26th October to 3rd November, 10am to 4pm, you can enjoy the Halloween event at the farm. Ride the Halloween train (£2 extra per person), get your face painted, enjoy marshmallows around the fire, meet & feed the animals, have lots of messy art & craft fun, pick your own pumpkin and more. Aimed at children age 2 to 10. £10 per child, £5 per adult. You can prebook online. Read more about visiting the farm here.
Down Hall Hotel, Matching Road, Hatfield Heath, Bishop's Stortford CM22 7AS
This hotel is hosting a number of Halloween events this year including
Afternoon Tea with a specially themed menu on 25th October to 1st
November. They also have a Halloween cinema weekend on 26th to 27th
October with Ghostbusters on Saturday and The Nightmare Before Christmas
and Edward Scissorhands on the Sunday. The hotel is just over a ten
minute drive from Cammas Hall Farm so why not combine it with their
popular pumpkin patch for a Halloween day out?
They even have staycations on offer with pumpkin patch tickets and
Halloween activity included or on 28th October with piñata making and a
treasure hunt, which includes childcare.
Afternoon tea for adults is £40 mid week, £42.50 at weekends with kids
going for half price. The cinema weekend tickets start at £10 (+£1
booking fee) per person. Staycations start at £249.
On 26th and 27th October 2024 Day Out With Thomas is back at the railway
museum. Great fun for little train fans and those who love Thomas the
Tank Engine. You can take unlimited train rides behind Thomas,
Percy and Daisy. Meet Toby, Henrietta, Rusty, Dusty and Sir Topham Hatt.
Also enjoy the miniature railway and train themed playground. Tickets
cost £15.40 for children (2 to 17) and £19.80 for adults. Prebooking
required. Read my
review of our visit to Day Out With Thomas here.
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As an alternative to Halloween Half Term activities why not see
Thomas and Friends in Essex?
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Ride the Ghost Train at Fright Week on 26th, 27th and 29th to 31st
October 2024. Expect spooky characters on and off the train and a
magician. Prize for best costumes. Tickets are Adult £18, Children £10. Under 3s free.
A free Monster Mysteries Trail is now running at various parks in Essex including Belhus Woods, Cudmore Grove, Danbury, Great Notley, Thorndon, Weald and Cressing Temple Barns. Download it from the website and follow at your own pace. It's essentially just a series of signs to look out for and fill in on a trail sheet, but it might help some children on an Autumnal walk. The trail and entry is free, but car parks are chargeable.
There are two open days at the fire museum running over half term: Sunday 27th and Tuesday 29th October, 10.30am to 4pm. Free, but email to let them know you are coming (time and number of people) on museum@essex-fire.gov.uk. Read about
what to expect in this post.
Fingringhoe Wick Nature Discovery Park,
South Green Road, Fingringhoe, Colchester , Essex, CO5 7DNThere is an event on Monday 28 October which includes
pumpkin carving, potion making and a trail. Event running between 10.30
and 3pm (except for a lunchbreak between 12 and 1pm). You need to
prebook tickets (£12.99 per child inclusive of booking fee), but can
arrive at any time and ticket price includes the pumpkin.
Halloween activities include: a Spooky Spells and Pongy Potions
session on Wednesday 30th October, £7.73 per child and parents must
accompany. If you are not out trick or treating they are also running
an evening session for over 5s on Thursday 31st October 5 to 7pm,
£10.88 per person where children can search for creepy crawlies, make
potions and enjoy the woodland scenery. Prebooking required.
As well as the traditional farm animals and lots of play activities there
is a Halloween event running from Wednesday 23rd October to Sunday 3rd
November 2024. With child-friendly Halloween mini games, The Happy Ghost
trail and themed selfie areas to enjoy. You can add on the option to take
a pumpkin home or upgrade to the VIP package which includes help from
staff to carve your pumpkin, a sweet treat and a goody bag. Prices
start at £5.95 toddlers and £9.95 everyone else plus booking fee. The
pumpkin upgrade is £2.50 and VIP upgrade an extra £9.50 (on children's
tickets only).
Haunted Circus,
Colchester Business & Seedbed Centre, Wyncolls Road, Highwoods,
CO4 9HT
Join the team at Together AAT for a Haunted Circus every weekend from
19th October to 2nd November. Complete challenges alongside the
ringmaster to enter the circus then meet the therapy animals, such as
bunnies and snakes and even join in with the show. Refreshments of hot
chocolate, biscuits and cake are included. Tickets for children and
adults over 2 are £15 each and under 2 are £7.50.
Hedingham Castle,
Bayley Street, Castle Hedingham, Essex, CO9 3DJ
Visit Brightworth's School of Magic for young witches and wizards this
October half term. The sessions are aimed at children aged 3 to 14.
Tickets include: castle entry, a magic wand, entry to the enchanted animal
enclosure, potion and magic classes, 2024 diary and a magic school
certificate.
From Sunday 27th October to Saturday 2nd November 2024,
the classes will run in two sessions: 10.30am to 1pm and 1.30pm to 4pm.
Entry is £13.95 adults, £21.95 children. You can even add a personal
acceptance letter for £9.95 per person which will be sent in a wax sealed
envelope to the door inviting your child to the school if you book
early.
There is a Halloween Hunt at the community farm on Sunday 27th October between Midday and 2pm. £3 for children. There is also a fancy dress competition, refreshments and games (extra cost). Prebooking not required.
Hobbycraft (Various locations including Basildon, Chelmsford, Colchester, Harlow
and Loughton-Epping Forest)
Most Hobbycraft stores are running craft sessions in store during the
October half term including: maché pumpkin and haunted house decorating
and clay bats and ghosts workshop. Sessions are £5-£10 each and are
bookable via
ClassBento. If you want to try some Halloween crafts at home then check out this
Halloween bunting
which is great to make with pre-schoolers.
Half Term sees Hopefield Animal Sanctuary open 10am to 3pm between
Saturday 26th and Sunday 3rd November. Entry includes a Haunted Barn,
trick or treat trail, arts and crafts, meet the creepy crawlies and
general admission to the sanctuary as well as a pumpkin to take home.
Adults £8, children £12, under 2’s are free.
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There is lots of choice for a Halloween themed day out in Essex in
October Half Term
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Hyde Hall promises Spooktacular fun from 26th October to 3rd November,
10am to 5pm. Story telling (29th only) and an wicked plants trail are
included in the entrance price, additional charge and prebooking
required for crafts (28th and 30th) and face painting (28th and 30th).
Garden entry £7.95 for children over 5 and £15.85 for adults.
Ingrebourne Valley Visitor Centre,
Hornchurch Country Park, Squadrons Approach , Hornchurch, RM12 6DF
(Sat Nav RM12 6TS)A spooky special on Friday 1st November includes: wand
whittling and potion making. Suitable for children aged 3-10, £7.73 per
child, prebooking required.
Kids Play Bouncy Castles Stay and Play, Debden Park High School, Willingale Road, Loughton IG10
2BQ
Taking over a large hall in the Debden Park High School Kids Play
Bouncy Castles set up a main area of inflatables for 4 to 11 year olds
and a smaller area with inflatables and soft play for children age 6
months to 3 years. Running from Monday 28th October to Friday 1st
November there are 3 bookable timeslots each day lasting 2 hours
(9.30am, Midday and 2.30pm). £13 per child, prebook online.
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Inside bouncy fun in Loughton this half term |
Langdon Nature Discovery Park,
Lower Dunton Road, Basildon, SS16 6EJ There are a few
events running at half term at the home of the
Peter Rabbit Trail
including: The Spooky Secrets of Langdon Halloween event on Monday 28th
October at 5pm, 6pm or 7pm time slots. This involves a guided walk around
the reserve after dark whilst you learn about the park plus spooky stories
and some wildlife. Suitable for 5 years and above. £12 per person. On
Wednesday 30th October at 10am is a Halloween Special Nature Tots
session where young children between 18 months and 5 years can participate
in bug hunting and some spooky crafting. Tickets are £7.73 per child.
Prebooking required.
Lambourne End,
Centre for Outdoor Learning, Manor Road, Lambourne End, Essex, RM4
1NB
From Monday 28 October 2024 to Friday 1 November 2024 there is an
Adventure Academy for children over 8. £25 half day, £50 full day . On
Tuesday and Friday there is a farm session in the morning and and all
age session in the afternoon which are suitable for all ages, but
under 5s must be accompanied by an adult.
The Halloween Festival is running from Saturday 26th October to Friday
1st November. Enjoy Halloween themed shows, Hocus Pocus Spell Classes
and Day of The Dead Disco as well as the normal animals and play areas.
Free small pumpkin with each child ticket. Tickets £14.49 per person, 6
months to 2 years £5.50. Tickets are more expensive if purchased on the
door. Wrap up warm as it's mostly outside.
Markshall Estate are hosting a pumpkin trail from 28th October to 1st
November (10am to 4.30pm). Find the 20 pumpkins around the arboretum
and enjoy the autumn plants before collecting a munchkin pumpkin. Also
on 28th October to 1st November there is a Witches & Wizards event
with children's activities, there are limited tickets available for
this event.
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A pumpkin trail and other bookable activities this half term at Markshall Estate |
The Marsh Farm Halloween Festival is running 12th, 13th, 19th, 20th and
26th October to 1st November. Entry includes fair rides, pumpkin picking
patch, adventure play, bouncy pillows, Trick or Treat Hunt and
shows. You can even warm up in the soft play. Tickets online in
advance cost £15.99 for everyone over 2, £5.00 for 6 months, tickets are
more expensive on the door.
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There will be plenty to keep children entertained (inside and out) at Marsh Farm this half term |
The Halloween event runs from Saturday 26th October to Sunday 3rd
November 2024 and includes a Pumpkin Trail. Children can look for the
hidden pumpkins around the castle and House on the Hill museum and win a
prize for completing the trail and enter the Haunted Manor, if you dare
(additional cost). Entry costs £17 adults, £13.50 children.
This museum in Maldon is running half term activities from Wednesday
30th October to 3rd November with Halloween arts, crafts and more. On
31st October they have ‘Professor Dean the Steampunk Scientist and
Magician’ with Spooky Science fun. The miniature railway (extra
charge) and Astaria Model Village are also open on 31st October and
3rd November. Tickets for children under five are £1, over five are £5
and adults are £8.
The Crafty Cabin: The Museum of Power is also home to The Crafty Cabin, which is running a separate
Wizarding School on 26th, 30th and 31st October. These craft
sessions involve wand making, slime potions and Day of the Dead tea
lights. £15 per child.
Located in the garden centre (on the far side of the car park) and run
by volunteers the miniature railway is running Spooky Specials on
Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th October between 4pm and 7pm. Pre booking
required. It's £4 per person for this short train ride, but a fun
Halloween activity for children that love trains.
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This miniature railway needs to be prebooked for their Halloween special |
Old Macdonald's Farm,
Weald Road, Brentwood, Essex, CM14 5AY
The Halloween Festival is running from Saturday 26th October to Sunday 3rd
November 2024. Activities include: magic school, haunted house, meet a
dragon, go on a ghost trail, stories, pumpkin patch (free pumpkin per
child), arts and crafts, Halloween tattoos and more. Entry to the park
includes unlimited rides and prices are cheaper if buying online and in
advance. Adults tickets range from £17.00 to £20.00, between £17.40 and
£20.50 for children over 2 (under 2s free).
The small farm in Harlow Town park is running some activities from Monday
28th October to Saturday 2nd November 2024. The farm entry is free, but
there is a small charge for activities. There is a ghost hunt every day between 11am abd 3pm, Spooky Crafts on 28th and 2nd, Animal meet and greets 28th to 1st and Creepy Crawly Lair 26th and 31st October as well as Pumpkin competition and fancy dress competition. Check out the post on their
Facebook page
for more details. Tickets available on the day. Nearest car park is School Lane.
On Monday 28th October 2024 Midday to 2pm The Runwell Social Club in
Wickford are hosting a Halloween themed event with a children's
entertainer, games, costume contest and prizes. Tickets £5.00 for
adults, £9.50 for children and £4.50 for under twos. Tickets available
at the bar.
From 26th October to 3rd November there is a monster hunt on the pier.
Get an activity sheet for £2 (in addition to pier entry prices, which
vary depending on if you walk or get the train along the pier). Claim a
prize from the Royal Pavilion when completed.
Half term is pumpkin week at Stubbers. General entry is £3 for adults, £4 for children and includes a Pumpkin Discovery Trail as well as the adventure playground. You can also prebook inside/ under cover actviities including caving in their artificial caves (£8pp), clip and climb (£8pp) and target sports (from £16pp).
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Book climbing at Stubbers to warm up after their Pumpkin Trail |
Nicky Trix presents Halloween Howls on Monday 28 October at 2pm. This
Halloween themed family comedy magic show costs adults £14.50, under
16 £12.50, Family of 4 £45.50.
Thurrock Thameside Nature Park,
Mucking Wharf Road, Mucking, Stanford Le Hope SS17 0RNThere are
several activities happening over October Half Term, but the more Halloween
themed ones are:
Thameside Halloween in the wood,
(Wednesday 30th October 2024 5-7pm) for a night time walk around the
reserve, creepy crawly hunt and scary stories around a camp fire- this is
aimed at 5yrs+ and is £10.88 per child.
Thameside Witches and Wizards
is taking place on 31st October 2024 from 10:00-12:00 where little ones can
‘craft their very own magical wands, design fairy houses using
nature-inspired materials, and enjoy mixing up potions and a story.’ £7.73
per child.
Wild Forest Obstacle Activity Centre,
Parsonage Farm, Ongar Road, Kelvedon Hatch, Brentwood, Essex, CM15 0LAA
90 minute, muddy, obstacle course (but with a trick or treat twist?!), these
sessions are taking place on the 26th, 29th and 31st October 2024. Children
aged 6+. Saturday 26th October is a family event where adults can get
involved too however the other two dates are kids only. £20 pp plus booking
fee.
Wyvernwood,
St. Osyth Road, Alresford, Colchester CO7 8AP
Halloween adventures will be taking place at this magical lost kingdom
(aimed at children 2 to 12) from the 26th October to 3rd November 2024
between 10am and 5pm. Gate tickets £22 per person, but cheaper in advance.
Includes meeting the wicked witch, storytelling, warrior workshop,
spellcasting, heroes and villains and much more. Make sure to dress for
the weather as cover is limited.
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Enjoy the magical world of Wyvernwood as they have their special Halloween event |
All information correct at time of publishing. I am not affiliated with
any of the venues and I can't provide any information about the quality of
the events. If you spot any errors or know of any other events please
email me or add to the comments below. I always recommend checking the
social media and websites before visiting incase there have been changes.
Thank you
Thank you for putting all of this information together for parents and grandparents, it is very much appreciated and extremely helpful.
ReplyDeleteThank you, I'm glad you have found it helpful
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