October half-term fun-filled activities
It can be a challenge to think of fun-filled activities to do during half term, to keep you and the little ones entertained! That’s why we have put together a selection of activities and events taking place in the local area this October half term. Everything from spooky mazes to pumpkin picking to make your holiday to Poole unforgettable, for you and the kids. This year, the autumn half term is from Saturday 26th October to Sunday 3rd November 2024.
Farmer Palmer’s
Farmer Palmer’s is an award-winning children’s farm park situated in Organford, Poole. This fun-packed farm offers a range of indoor and outdoor activities and has loads of friendly farm animals for your kids to feed and pet. Its range of attractions includes the famous bumpy tractor-trailer ride, pedal go-karts, and Straw Mountain.
During the October half term, the farm will be getting a spooky makeover where you and the little ones can pick pumpkins, get involved in Witch Races, and explore the Spooky Maize Maze. This Halloween takeover will take place from Saturday 26th to Thursday 31st of October 2024.
How to find it: Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park, Wareham Road, Organford, Poole BH16 6EU. Enjoy your day out from Lobster Cottage, a stone’s throw from Poole Quay, or Club Tropicana in Poole.
Pumpkin Fest at Gullivers Farm
From Saturday 12th October 2024, you can pick your own pumpkins at Gullivers Farm Shop & Kitchen. Their pumpkin patch will be open seven days a week, from 10am to 3pm, allowing you to grab all the pumpkins you need for carving with the little ones, decorating your home, and cooking autumn favourites such as pumpkin soup or pumpkin pie! Either bring your own bag or borrow one of the farm’s wheelbarrows to discover pumpkins of all shapes and sizes, and get those perfect, Instagram-worthy shots!
Alongside daily pumpkin picking, Gullivers Farm will be hosting two special weekend events – known as West Moors Pumpkin Fest! Taking place on Saturday 12th to Sunday 13th October, and Saturday 19th to Sunday 20th October, these weekend festivals will be filled with activities for all the family, including tractor rides, live music, and a fire pit with s’mores. Children’s activities include pumpkin carving/decorating and fun farm-themed games. Refreshments will be on-site, from seasonal treats to freshly cooked meals from the farm’s kitchen.
How to find it: Gullivers Farm Shop & Kitchen, Station Rd, West Moors, Ferndown BH22 0JG. Enjoy your day out from Daintree in Bournemouth, or Sea Breeze in Bournemouth.
Moors Valley Country Park and Forest
Moors Valley is an award-winning park and forest that hosts a range of outdoor activities throughout the year, for all ages. The country park, based in Ringwood, will host a range of Halloween activities during the October half-term. The Halloween Experience allows you to stroll through the illuminated trail and find hidden surprises, dodging the creepy woodland spirits and wicked witches. Click here to book your timeslot between 4pm and 9pm from Friday 25th October to Sunday 3rd November.
There is also a free Halloween Activity Sheet available to pick up from the Visitor Centre from Saturday 12th October with themed puzzles and eye spy, to keep the little ones entertained during your visit. Why not head to the Ranger Den to create some spooky Halloween crafts? With no booking required, you will be able to decorate witch hats or create spooky autumn bunting to get you in the Halloween spirit!
How to find it: Moors Valley Country Park and Forest, Horton Road, Ashley Heath, Nr Ringwood, Dorset BH24 2ET. Enjoy your day out from The Willows in Christchurch, or Sandy Shores in Sandbanks.
Monkey World
On Thursday 31st October, from 10am to 5pm, experience Halloween Fun at Monkey World! The monkey rescue centre provides sanctuary for over 260 endangered primates, of 25 different species.
On Halloween, there will be free entry to Monkey World for all children who arrive in full Halloween fancy dress. They can also be entered into the fancy dress competition to win prizes, so make sure you have your spookiest costume at the ready! When booking your admission slot online, select the ‘Free Entry for KIDS in full Halloween Costume’ option to benefit from this offer. There will be fun, spooky-themed activities for children, to make this Halloween extra special. Click here to book Halloween Fun at Monkey World.
How to find it: Monkey World – Ape and Rescue Centre, Tout Hill, Longthorns, Wareham BH20 6HH. Enjoy your day out from Solstice in Harbourside Park, Poole, or Lakeside Retreat in Poole.
Paulton’s Park
Paulton’s Park, famously known for the UK’s only Peppa Pig World, is located a little further afield on the edge of the New Forest National Park in Hampshire. From Thursday 17th October to Monday 4th November, the park will be transformed for the spooky season, with Halloween-themed decorations and spooky live performances. You can take part in activities such as dancing at the Little Monsters Ball or exploring the Fairy Garden – visit the Paulton’s Park website to find out more!
To celebrate this creepy time of year, the park will be open until 7:30pm from the 29th to the 31st of October, allowing you to enjoy the Halloween lighting late into the evening. The park has also added some new activities for Halloween 2024 – the Great Halloween Mystery and the Spirit Squad Ghoul School Show!
How to find it: Paultons Park Home of Peppa Pig World, Romsey SO51 6AL. Enjoy your day out from Carpe Diem in Bournemouth, or Knotter Cottage in Branksome.
The Blue Pool
In the quant village of Wareham, you can find the mesmerising Blue Pool – previously a hand-quarried clay pit that since being abandoned, has now filled with rainwater and become a stunning pool of blue.
The attraction will host an array of autumnal activities from the 26th to the 31st of October, to keep you and the little ones entertained. With no booking required, simply show up during The Blue Pool opening hours, and experience plenty of spooky, Halloween-themed activities including arts and crafts, pumpkin carving, a spooky trail through the woodland, and bushcraft sessions. The bushcraft sessions cost £10 per person and the Estate Team will take you on an hour-long experience to learn essential survival skills in the wild. After your interesting and fun-filled session, why not cosy up to the fire and toast some marshmallows next to the pool?
How to find it: The Blue Pool, Furzebrook Rd, Wareham BH20 5AR. Enjoy your day out from Park Lake View in Poole, or Sunnyside in Poole.
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