17 Amazing Family-Friendly Activities this October that you DON'T want to miss!
What an action packed month October is!
There’s the half term coming up, its also time for one of the spookiest time in the year aka Halloween PLUS its also the month Hindus celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Light.
So of course October is going to be jam packed with Amazing Family-Friendly Activities activities that you don’t want to miss!!
And I want to clarify at the outset that these are some activities on my own families list from October. I have NOT been paid to add activities to this list. (I wish!!)
Here goes the list now.…
We will start off the list with this amazing event which is being promoted as World’s Greatest Festival of Ideas and Discoveries! With a schedule that is full of talks on topics like The Future, Mind& Body, Our Planet and The Universe, it promises to be a MUST-DO event for every budding scientist out there.
The Event is from 7-9 October and sadly all the individual tickets are already sold out! There are Family Tickets that are still available.
2. Pumpkin Picking at Garsons Farm
Hey! It is October! So this list is bound to be Halloween heavy! :) There are loads of farms that will be doing a pumpkin Picking Activity. Garsons Farm is a popular choice as they have hundreds of farm-grown pumpkins lying on beds of dry straw, ready for you to choose your perfect one!
Their Pumpkin Pass is available to pre-book now and gets sold out really quickly. They then release some very limited same day passes is my understanding.
Depending on where you live, other popular locations for Pumpkin Pickings are -
3. Halloween Pumpkin Market at Covent Garden
The Halloween Pumpkin Market will return to the iconic Covent Garden Market Building throughout October. The display will feature over two hundred pumpkins, squashes and gourds available to purchase in various shapes and sizes.
I have never been to this one - but the pictures on their website compel me to add it to my Not-to-be missed list!
4. Harry Potter Fan Anyone?
Be part of the immersive ‘Dark Arts’ experience. Hosted by the Warner Brothers Studio in London, this epic Hallowe’en At Hogwarts is set to blow you away, as you begin the hunt for the Dark Mark.
Experience Hallowe’en as if you were a Hogwarts student, by stepping into the Great Hall with over 100 pumpkins floating above a spooky feast, as seen in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. During filming, the Prop making Team carved the pumpkins each to have their own unique design.
For the first time ever, you’ll discover the secrets to the Riddikulus spell and a selection of siriusly cool props from Professor Lupins’ classroom. Including the famous Boggart wardrobe and the Vulture hat that Professor Snape Boggart wore!
With the symbol of Lord Voldemort and the Death Eaters projected throughout the studio, you’ll feel like you’re truly immersed in the Harry Potter World. You can even learn some wand combat in an interactive display and wand choreography from wand combat!
5. Spooky Halloween Trail at Chiswick House & Gardens
New for 2022, Chiswick House & Gardens will have a spooky illuminated Halloween trail featuring fire artists, haunted woods filled with neon cobwebs, ghastly ghouls and wicked witches. There will be hot chocolate, marshmallows to taste and other decadent treats on offer along the trail.
Dates - 14-31 October
It seems there’s limited capacity with timed entry. Tickets are on sale now though.
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6. Halloween Trail at Hampton Court Palace
Explore Henry VIII’s notoriously haunted palace along a spooky, family-friendly Halloween trail with atmospheric projections and creepy sound effects.
Head to the Gallery of the Damned and see eerie portraits come to life, or stop by the Council Chamber to take part in a spine-tingling séance.
For a truly spooky experience, you can opt for their After-dark programme which is not for sissies like me!! eek!!
If you have a membership to the palace, this might be the time to dust it off as members go free!
7. Spooky Stained Glass Workshop at the Museum of Richmond
Create your own spooky ‘stained glass’ decorations inspired by the tales of ghosts and ghouls who haunt the ruins of Richmond Palace. Workshops are from 10am to 12pm on 25 – 28 October. Workshops are aimed at children aged 5-11 years old.
This one seemed very different to other Halloween events out there - therefore I was happy to include this one on the list.
8. Top Trumps Halloween Trail at ZSL London Zoo
This October half term, the London Zoo will have a Halloween challenge featuring Top Trumps. You can grab a tournament card at the entrance, then head off around the zoo in search of the zoo’s most impressive residents and their giant Halloween Top Trumps cards.
You can choose which animal you want to play and pick a category, then battle it out to see which animal is the speediest, cutest, greediest, longest living, highest rated or has the highest EDGE score. You can beat London Zoo on three or more cards to win! Plus, you can have a go at designing your own Top Trumps card in the Terrace Restaurant!! How cool is that, now?!
9. Mexico Family Fiesta at Kew Gardens
Celebrate Day of the Dead with all the family at Kew Gardens during October Half Term. Immerse yourself in the vibrancy of Mexican culture with a whole day of fun, family activities, from dress-up stations, carnival dance workshops, parades, through to their unique art installations in the Temperate House that bring Mexico to life.
Having lived in Mexico myself, this is one event I don’t want to miss for sure!!
10. Find Your Sea Legs at HMS Belfast
You can take charge of HMS Belfast in the interactive family activity, Find Your Sea Legs, and complete fun tasks around the ship. Get to grips with the science and skills needed to survive on HMS Belfast, solve nautical puzzles and discover for yourself what life was like for the ship’s company during the Second World War.
Over the October half term, there are also Kit Bags available to collect to take part in the D-Day Family Mission activities at HMS Belfast. Find hidden messages in the kit bag, predict the weather for sailing, discover ship life and crack Morse code.
Both drop-in activities are recommended for families with children aged 7+ and included in general admission. Each activity directs you around different areas of the ship and lasts approximately 45 mins to 1 hour.
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11. Monster Soup! at London Museum of Water & Steam
This October half term, discover the monster bacteria that lurked in the River Thames in the past at the London Museum of Water & Steam in Brentford. Learn the science behind where our water comes from and how our city’s water is cleaned in a Soggy Science Show.
With music, crafts, and the museum’s community art project, there is plenty for the whole family to enjoy.
12. Tree Treasure Hunt Workshop at Morden Hall Park
This is for the younger ones.
You can go on a treasure hunt in National Trust Morden Hall Park for natural materials to make an autumn story kit. After finding your treasures, spend time with the autumn flavours “workshop chef” to craft your own little tree or other garments and seasonal adornments using natural materials, string, glue, tape and crayons.
This event is for children aged 2-6 years old and their parents/carers.
13. Out of This World: Mars at the Royal Observatory
Out of This World: Mars begins with travelling across the solar system in the planetarium with a special focus on our neighbour, the planet Mars, followed by an interactive workshop to discover more about this fascinating world that at one time was not so different from our own.
Recommended for ages 7+. The workshops are from 10.30am to 12pm on 24 and 26 October.
14. Demon Dentist at New Wimbledon Theatre
I try and include at least one theatrical performance each month. And this month I HAD to include Demon Dentist!
Strange things are happening in Alfie’s town. Children are leaving their teeth for the tooth fairy and waking up to find odd things under their pillow. Alfie and his friend Gabz are determined to get to the bottom of the mystery – but no-one could have dreamed what they’ll discover, when they come face to face with the demon dentist herself in this amazing children’s adventure!
15. MCM Comic Con
On the face of it - this seemed like an event for grown ups. However, I was surprised that they have a whole section on their website dedicated to family day out at the comic con.
Definitely seemed like a super exciting event then to check out with kids!
You can immerse yourself in three days of all things pop culture, including a chance to meet TV and film stars, take part in games, and show off your cosplay costume. Honestly, Not all events are suitable for kids, but head for the Treehouse for the family-friendly experience!
I will round out the list with a couple Diwali events. There are gazillion Diwali events around London this month. These are just two of the biggest ones on my list -
16. Diwali at Wembley Park
You can dance along with live performances and music throughout the day, sample some delicious food, be mesmerised by a stunning lantern parade, complete with dancers and drummers, and join in on the early family-friendly festivities.
17. Diwali on Trafalgar Square
The Mayor of London’s annual family event is delivered in partnership with the Diwali in London committee and opens with 200 colourfully dressed dancers in the main square followed by an exciting mix of performances from the Hindu, Sikh and Jain community on the stage. You can browse through the lively marketplace or tuck into some tasty vegan and vegetarian South Asian cuisine.
There will be a host of activities to enjoy including Neasden Temple’s Diwali Festival Experience, dance workshops, yoga and meditation, Glimpse of Goddesses, Sari and Turban tying, the Diwali Culture Zone, the Unity Marquee, Soho Theatre Comedy and the ever popular Children’s marquee, plus there’s henna, face painting and a light up moment on the Square as the day turns to dusk.
In short, there should be something for everyone!
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That’s all for now . I hope you pick at least one event to go to from the list.
If there is a big event on your list that has not been captured above…..be sure to share that in the comments.
Till next time! :)
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