Top picks for October half term
If you’re on the look out for child-friendly activities to keep the kids happy this October half term school holidays, you’ve come to the right place. Despite the current restrictions, there are plenty of things happening for the kids to enjoy this autumn.
We’ve rounded up our top picks of activities to enjoy in and around Notts...
Things to do, places to go
Rufford Country Park
- Halloween Monster Trail - Join the Rufford Monster Hunt team and follow the map into the haunted hideaways and creepy woods and find out what’s the cause of Rufford’s strange happenings this Halloween.
- 17 Oct - 15 Nov | 10.30am - 4pm daily
- £1.50 per trail sheet
- Spectacle of Light - Explore Rufford like never before with new illuminations along a magical trail that's fun for all the family. Why not sip a delicious mulled wine or a hot chocolate as you enjoy your after-dark adventure?! Family tickets start from £39.10.
- A limited number of other activities are available at the park currently, find out more.
Sherwood Forest
- Halloween Family Potion Trail - Meet the baddies of Sherwood Forest on this Halloween trail for all the family. Each of our gruesome guides has a tale to tell and a gift to bestow, gather them all to mix a potent Halloween potion...
- 30 - 31 Oct | 4.30pm - 5.15pm
- RSPB Non-members (up to 6 people) £48.50, RSPB Members (up to 6 people) £38.80
- Halloween Frights in the Forest - Not everyone in these woods is a friend to Robin and his Merry Band. Meet the baddies of Sherwood Forest on this Halloween trail...
- 30 - 31 Oct | 7pm - 7.45pm
- RSPB Non-members (up to 6 people) £48.50, RSPB Members (up to 6 people) £38.80
- Halloween Half-term - Bring your little monsters for an eerie autumn adventure in the forest this half term.
- 17 Oct - 1 Nov | 10am - 3pm
- Prices from £1
National Water Sports Centre
Enjoy activities for all the family at the National Water Sports Centre, some activities remain unavailable during this time but the Sky Trail, mini golf and some of the lagoon flat water activities are back. Visit the NWSC website for more information.
Notts Outdoors Holiday Club
Book in your adventurer(s) for a week of fun at the Notts Outdoors half term holiday club at the Mill Adventure Base.
- Suitable for children in school years 3 - 8
- 5 days of adventure for £100 normally £125
Sherwood Forest
Wonder around the home of Robin Hood on Sherwood Forest's trails. Facilities are currently limited check the Visit Sherwood website for more information.
#ExploreNotts
Check out our Routes and Rides guides, they're full of walks, cycle routes and horse riding trails you can enjoy across Nottinghamshire. It's time to explore the county in its Autumn beauty...
Activities to enjoy at home
Virtual Tours
Check out a virtual tour of:
Reading and books
Inspire Culture
If you don't fancy a trip to your local library, bring the books to you! You can access a wide range of books, audio books, magazines and newspapers online by visiting the Inspire website.
To be able to enjoy reading materials from Inspire, you will need to have a membership, but don't worry, it's free to join and you can sign up online.
Check out Inspire's audio drama: The Girl of Ink and Stars. A tale of maps, myth and monsters! A gripping audio drama performed over three podcasts, suitable for children aged 7+.
Get crafty
Design a bunting flag inspired by a mighty oak tree and join in with Inspire Libraries The Big Draw 2020!
Ready, steady, cook
Why not get cooking with the kids and educate them about the important of reducing food waste and recycling? Notts Recycles have a range of seasonal recipe cards that you can download for free. Will you have leftover pumpkins this Halloween - why not try the delicious pumpkin and bean soup recipe?!
Autumn Youth Arts Programme
Inspire Youth Arts deliver a range of music, dance and digital projects and showcasing events. As a result of the ongoing pandemic they have not been able to do all the events they usually would but have been able to move many of their regular groups and sessions to online delivery, with a few now offering in-person COVID -safe sessions too.
Something a bit different?
Check out CBeebies 'five alternative half term activities' from coding to crafts, to science experiments they've got some great ideas that are not only fun but also help teach little ones important life skills.
