Things to do in Kent during October half term 2020 including Halloween events and pumpkin picking
It's the first half term holiday of the new school year and whilst things may be arranged a little differently and require more planning there's plenty of fun still to be had.
Here's some suggestions of things to do over the coming week...
1. Pick up a pumpkin, county-wide
Saturday, October 24 until Saturday, October 31
There's still plenty of time to pick your pumpkins in Kent in time for Halloween.
Pumpkin Moon in Rainham and Bapchild, PYO Pumpkins in Hoo, Spadework in West Malling, Chilton Manor Farm in Sittingbourne and Saffery Farm in Faversham are amongst those open to visitors. To learn more about visiting, and those which may require you to prebook, please click here.
2. Fright at the Museum - The Black Dog Mystery, The Beaney, Canterbury
Running until Friday, November 6
Super sleuths are being invited to solve the mystery of The Beaney's new trail for Halloween. Discover the truth behind strange sightings of the Black Dog and complete the trail to be entered into a prize draw. Young visitors are also being encouraged to come along in fancy dress for some additional Halloween-themed fun.
The trail will follow a new one-way system in order to maintain social distancing and uses contact-free clues and puzzles in the galleries to limit the touching of surfaces. Pre-book your visit and pre-order the trail online here .
3. Spooky Dover Castle
From Saturday, October 24
Get ready for a ghoulish day out at Dover Castle between October 24 and November 1. Follow a trail to solve creepy clues, listen to spooky stories, come face to face with creepy creatures and take part in the daily fancy dress competitions.
Events and activities are suitable for all the family but do need to be pre-booked. To arrange your date and time to visit Dover Castle click here .
4. Where's Wally at The Historic Dockyard Chatham
Running until Sunday, November 1
Embark on a real hunt for Where's Wally at the dockyard in Chatham. The popular children's book character is hiding out this Halloween at various points across the attraction and your family's job will be to see if you can spot him! The event is being organised to celebrate the release of a new Where's Wally book. To learn more about taking part at the Dockyard, click here.
5. Sundown Sessions, Go Ape Leeds Castle and Go Ape Bedgebury
Slots available from Saturday, October 24
Take on an adventure in the trees after dark at Go Ape during half term. The event could be a great alternative Halloween celebration and courses are available for children, adults and teens.
Sessions take place after 4.30pm to ensure the sun has set on the day. To learn more about the unique adventure please click here.
6. Spooky Week, South of England Rare Breeds Centre, Woodchurch near Ashford
Saturday, October 24 until Sunday, November 1
Meet the animals, get outside, enjoy some tasty hot food and drink and have a great day out with Spooky Week at this popular animal attraction.
Families are being encouraged to prebook their outing to the Rare Breeds Centre to enable social distancing. To learn more and ticket prices, click here.
7. Halloween Spooktacular, Kent Life, Sandling near Maidstone
Saturday, October 24 until Sunday, November 1
Kent Life is being transformed for the spooky season with pumpkin carving, a creepy cuddle corner, spooky tractor rides and daily fancy dress competitions.
There will also be daily trick or treating available at 2pm on each day of half term.
Families wishing to brave Kent Life's spooky activities must pre-book their visit online here .
8. Halloween half term fun at Hever Castle
Saturday, October 24 until Sunday, November 1
Treat your little ones to a spine-tingling visit to Hever Castle. Come dressed up in your spookiest outfit and follow a pumpkin trail around the grounds during your visit. The playgrounds and mazes will also be open for the half term break to ensure a great adventure in the outoors.
Tickets must be pre-booked in advance for a specified date and time slot. Learn more here.
9. Ghostly goings on at Maidstone Museum
Tuesday, October 27 until Friday, October 30
Bring the children to the museum to make some Halloween-themed decorations to spook up your home!
Drop in anytime between 10.30am to 3.30pm from Tuesday to Friday to take part. The museum is observing social distancing rules and will have one family per table, so you may be asked to queue for a short time until space is available. All resources are cleaned between use. Tickets are £2 per child and correct cash will be required.
Victoria Barlow, Maidstone Museum Director said: “Come along and enjoy our socially distanced, safe museum. Whether you want to try out one of our spooky events or if you would just prefer to have a look around at our incredible collections in peace and quiet, we would love to see you." For more details click here .
10. Spooky Screenings with Kent Drive In Cinema, Canterbury
Friday, October 23 until Sunday, November 1
Kent Drive-in Cinema is in the city for half term at the New Dover Road car park with some spooky showings of films for all the family.
Scoob!, Casper, Hotel Transylvania, Hocus Pocus, The Addams Family, Ghostbusters and The Nightmare Before Christmas are all amongst the choices. To learn more about booking your family's tickets, click here .
11. October half-term adventures with the National Trust, Kent
From Saturday, October 24
Autumn’s beautiful backdrop, its crunchy carpets of leaves and glossy conkers will create a natural playground for children this half term.
Explore the great outdoors at any of Kent's National Trust properties this half term - but be sure to book your visit in advance to avoid any disappointment.
At Chartwell half term is harvest time and the pumpkins that have been growing in the veg garden will be on display whilst there's also a kids's spotter sheet to help youngsters occupied during their visit.
The natural play area at Emmetts is welcoming visitors whilst at Ightam Mote you can take on the trail around the garden to learn more about the animals that hibernate there.
There is also a fantastic display of autumn colour at Scotney Castle whilst the deer park at Knole is also open for families keen to get out and explore.
To learn more about exploring National Trust properties during half term please click here .
12. Halloween happenings at Bluewater Shopping Centre, Greenhithe
From Saturday, October 24
The Hungry Caterpillar outdoor nature trail is hiding some spooky surprises this half term says the shopping centre. Families keen on a walk through Bluewater's award winning outdoor space should keep an eye out for many Halloween themed items which have made their way into the trail.
Meanwhile Bluewater's cinema is screening Disney's Hocus Pocus for families whilst early bird tickets are also up for grabs to the zip-wire attraction which opens next year.
To learn more about half term events at Bluewater click here.
13. Halloween at Betteshanger Country Park, Deal
From Monday, October 26 until Friday, October 30
There are some awesome activities on offer at the country park over half term including forest school, pumpkin carving, a Halloween trail, activity clubs, geocaching and orienteering. Some events will require you to pre-book your space to account for restrictions and social distancing.
Please visit www.betteshanger-park.co.uk to plan your outdoor adventure.
14. Leeds Castle
Saturday, October 24 until Sunday, November 1
A Halloween app trail and Halloween archery are part of the activities children on their school break can enjoy at Leeds Castle next week.
You'll need to pre-book your date and time to visit, but tickets remain valid for months to enable you to make a number of return trips!
To learn more visit www.leeds-castle.com
15. Pumpkin Party, Flip Out Chatham
Saturday, October 31
Trampoline park Flip Out has tickets on sale for a Halloween party on Saturday, October 31. There are free goody bags for those in a costume, best dressed prizes and a best pumpkin competition.
Your place will need to be booked in advance. To learn more about what is planned for half term week and Halloween click here.
Read more suggestions of things to do with the kids across Kent please visit www.mykentfamily.co.uk
