October half term is here so we’ve found plenty of fun activities to keep the whole family entertained – despite the glum weather.
While outdoor adventures like pumpkin picking and walking the Blackpool illuminations are a staple of this darker season, the weather can be unpredictable.
So here are a list of affordable indoor activities you can take part in indoors and even from home.
Pumpkin Decorating
Halloween is just around the corner, and there's no better way to get into the spooky spirit than by decorating pumpkins. Pumpkins cost as little as £1 from stores so gather an array of paints, glitter, and stickers, and let your kids get creative.
Spooky Mocktail Making
Stir up some enchanting concoctions this half term and delight your family with these frightfully fun mocktails (or cocktails) recipes you can find all over TikTok.
For a spooky spin on your drink, make a spiderweb across the glass. All you need are marshmallows, a microwave, and yours and your kids’ favourite drink. Simply microwave the marshmallows for about 10 seconds until they become gooey, then use your fingers or a toothpick to pinch the rim of the glass and drag the gooey marshmallow across the outer rim. This creates a creepy spiderweb design over the glass, instantly adding a haunting touch to your drink.
For a more sinister twist, go for the blood drips effect. Mix a drop of red food colouring into some honey and use it to dip the rim of your glass. Allow a few drops to drip down the outer surface for a chilling blood effect.
Film Night
Nothing beats watching a film on a cold Autumn day and you can decide whether to cozy up at home or take a trip down to the cinema. Vue is offering Mini Morning sessions every day in the school holidays where both adults and children pay £2.49 per ticket if you book online.
If you’re watching from home, you can choose a selection of Halloween classics or family-friendly flicks, set up a comfy viewing area with blankets and pillows, and indulge in some popcorn and hot chocolate.
Circus of Horrors
The Circus of Horrors at the Globe Theatre in Blackpool Pleasure Beach includes an amazing amalgamation of acts, driven by a rock and roll soundscape with a cast featuring people who appeared in the finals of Britain’s Got Talent. While the main show contains explicit nudity and language of an adult nature, there is an ‘Addams family friendly’ matinee performance at 4pm each day.
Tickets start from £12 and the show runs from October 26 to October 31.
Horse and Bamboo Theatre Activities
The Horse and Bamboo Theatre are hosting a range of family events this half terms including a family board game date on October 25. The board game day is a free drop in session.
On October 24, there’s a free drop in ‘crafternoon’ for children to get arty and creative. There’s also a fairycraft and film event on the same day, which requires booking to attend. Find out more here.
Scavenger Hunt
Create an indoor scavenger hunt with themed clues that guide your children around the house. Whether it's a treasure map or riddles, they'll have a blast solving the mystery and searching for hidden treasures.
Baking Day
Get the whole family involved in some delicious baking. You can make them Halloween themed by whip up spooky cupcakes with orange and black frosting or buy cookies and decorate them with coloured icing.
Blackburn Market Theatre Show
Indigo Moon Theatre's 40-minute show on October 23 at 11.30am and 1.30pm is a magical journey with puppetry, pop-ups, and interactive scenes. It's a free, educational and entertaining half-term treat in Blackburn offering valuable lessons about our impact on the environment, so it’s perfect for families. Visit the Blackburn Market website for details and book your spot for this eco-conscious adventure.
Learn to Screen Print in Darwen Market
This is your chance to create the wackiest, weirdest, most wonderful stalls of the future in Darwen Market hubs this half term. Children can join Molly and learn screen printing, creating a market stall print using her press, and then designing their own market stall.
This drop-in activity is free and runs from 11am to 3pm on October 23 and is suitable for children aged 5 and over. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for this exciting adventure at Darwen Market.
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