5 Terr-or-ific ideas for Halloween Family Fun in October Half-Term

Autumn is not always blessed with the best weather conditions, and October can be a bit of a dismal, dark and dank month.  However, Halloween at the end of the month means that there are lots of opportunities to keep the kids entertained with some good-old fashioned spookiness during the upcoming half-term.  The celebration provides lots of opportunities for dressing up, party games, themed food and drink and ghoulish decorations to set the spooky atmosphere.

We’re trawled the (spider’s) web for the best activities out there for some fiendishly fun Half-term frivolity – and also some genuinely spine-tingling treats:

Warner Brothers Studio Tours

A combination of Halloween and Harry Potter is bound to please all the family, as there are special events happening over the half term holiday in addition to the usual attractions to be enjoyed.  To celebrate the launch of the new permanent Dark Arts section, they are also offering extra Dark Arts activities throughout the October half-term.  A section of the Halloween feast from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone will be on display in the Great Hall of Hogwarts.  The infamous Diagon Alley takes on an even more sinister ambience as the lights are dimmed and a clutch of scarily-masked Death Eaters patrol the shopping street. You can opt to take part in an interactive wand combat lesson to practice your duelling techniques, should the death eaters get a bit too close for comfort!

Where: Leavesden, Watford – WD25 7LR

Price:  Family (either two adults with two children or one adult with three children) is £93.00

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Alton Towers

Alton Towers is a great theme park for family fun, with thrill rides like ‘The Smiler’ and ‘Thirteen’, family rides and attractions as well – Cbeebies Land opened earlier in the year – with lots of fun for younger visitors.  Highlights include ‘Justin’s House Pie-O-Matic Factory’, ‘In the Night Garden Magical Boat Ride’ and ‘Get Set Go Tree Top Adventure’.  For those that want more chills and thrills, and this is all a bit tame, there’s lots of Halloween fun to be enjoyed from 18^th October to 2^nd November when Scarefest will be running.  The park will be open each day from 10am till 9pm and younger visitor can enjoy live Halloween shows and Character Meet and Greets.  For hardier souls (recommended age 14 and over) there is the Scare Maze, Terror of the Towers, Zombies Scare Zone and Scary Tales Scare Zone. Hauntingly good fun!

Where:  Alton, ST10 4DB

Price:  Scarefest ticket – 1 day admission to Alton Towers Theme Park + Maze access   £49.99

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The London Dungeon

The Dungeons are a combination of Halloween and Hell at the best of times, so they only get an awful lot scarier when it is actually Halloween! The costumed characters of Sweeney Todd, his ‘pumpkin’ pie making sidekick Mrs Lovett, Jack the Ripper, Guy Fawkes and Henry VIII will all be lurking in the shadows, and they are also joined by a new character to get the visitor’s pulse racing.  The Master of Tricks will be bamboozling guests with his wit and games of deception and handing out Trick or Treat cards to visitors to see whether you will get a nice surprise or a not-so-nice one! Halloween is the perfect time to take a murky meander through the dingy streets of London and take a look at the dark underbelly of 1000 years of history of our capital.  Take in the horrific sights, sounds – and even smells (!) of the past and make your Halloween truly horrific.  Not for the faint-hearted, this is more suited to teenagers and adults.

Where:  London – between Big Ben and the London Eye, SE1 7PB

Price:  Online saver ticket Adult (from £17.50), Child (from £15.95)

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The London Eye Witch Academy

Whilst you’re in London to visit the Dungeon, why not head to the iconic London Eye as well, or this is an alternative for those with younger children or those who want a less-gory Halloween experience.  As well as the amazing 360 degree views of the landscape and landmarks of London, the pods will be receiving a Halloween makeover between 25th October and 1^st November.  Young participants can cast spells and discover ghostly stories as part of their initiation into the Witch Academy.  Little witches and wizards are encouraged to dress up to receive a Halloween treat (not trick!)

Where:  South Bank of the River Thames, opposite the Houses of Parliament, London.  SE1 7PB

Price:  Standard ticket – Online price  Adults £18.85, Child £13.50

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English Heritage properties

An English Heritage castle with dingy dungeons, hidden corridors and underground tunnels is the perfect venue for those that love history as well as some haunting  thrown in for good measure.  They have a range of events at their different properties throughout the country so you can take your pick to what you fancy doing.  Some of them are extending their opening times till after dark, there are ghost tours for older visitors, pumpkin carving and other spooky craft activities for younger history buffs.  You’re spoilt for choice when you look on their website for events near you.  Lots of these ancient properties are reputedly haunted in real-life, not just at Halloween, so keep your eye out for some real spooks as well as those in fancy dress!

Where: Nationwide

Price:  Varies by event

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Whatever you have planned for Half-Term and Halloween, we hope you enjoy all the fun of the season, and don’t forget the Bonfire Nights that will no-doubt be happening too – to really make your family time go with a whizz and a  bang!