Looking for ideas of what to do with your baby or toddler over October half-term this year?
Fear not: with a ton of Halloween, apple and pumpkin-themed activities out there as well as fêtes, fairs and regular baby classes with a spooky theme, there’s something for everyone.
Looking for a (not so spooky) Halloween class or event to do with your little one this October?
We’ve got you covered on Happity! Search for a class here.
Pumpkin Patches
Loads of places like farms and stately homes now have their own pumpkin patches where you can go and choose your own pumpkin. Some supply wheelbarrows too, so your children can have loads of fun adding pumpkins to the barrow. This will really get you in the Halloween mood, particularly if you take a pumpkin or two home to decorate.
Check here for pumpkin patches near you and here for how to get your toddler involved with pumpkin carving.
Pumpkin Trails
Pumpkin trails have also become more popular in recent years and are a favourite for the October half-term. Often ten or so pumpkins will be laid out along a path or trail around a town or village, and it’s a simple task of finding each pumpkin and filling in an answer on a sheet. Sometimes a local shop or community centre will offer a small prize for completing the trail.
This can be a colourful way to spend a drizzly afternoon as you look for splashes of orange among the trees or in gardens. Even with a very small baby, you can have fun pushing the pram along and getting some autumnal air at the same time.
Recreate the idea of Halloween trails at home too by hiding small cut-out pumpkins in the house or garden.
Usual Baby And Toddler Classes With A Spooky Theme
Regular classes often run classes over the October half-term with a spooky theme. Check out all these Halloween classes here listed on Happity.
Classes like Hartbeeps, Baby Sensory and Jo Jingles will often do a Halloween theme, or one-off Halloween drop-ins.
Some class franchises, like Cha Char Chimps, will suggest you dress up and have Halloween parties planned for some venues
Halloween Craft Sessions
Check out your local museum for craft sessions with a Halloween twist! These sessions can be very relaxed, and often they will welcome younger siblings and babies along to play while a slightly older toddler can join in with the actual crafting.
Autumn Wreath Craft Making At Home
Get crafty with an autumn wreath. You just need a Christmas wreath base and some autumn materials like leaves, conkers and pine cones to get started. The more home-made it looks, the better! Check out here for more autumn crafts to do with your toddler.
Apple And Arbor days
Apple and arbor days are traditions going back hundreds of years. On arbor days, local people or schoolchildren would plant apple trees in orchards to supply their local communities with bountiful harvests in the coming years.
Apple days are ways of bringing the community together in apple picking, chopping and squeezing out the juice using an apple press to make tasty apple juice or scrumptious cider.
The National Trust runs loads of apple days at their properties. It’s usually standard garden admission or free for members. Check out here (East of England), and here to see if you can find an apple day near you – and for more apple-related activities!
Apple Juice Or Fruit Smoothie Making
Making apple juice or a smoothie can be fun with your toddler too. Chop the apple in half using a sharp knife, then get a plastic knife, or playdough knife, to help your toddler cut the apple up into smaller pieces. Add to a blender with any other fruit you fancy and enjoy a cup of freshly squeezed apple juice!
Here’s an apple smoothie recipe with milk. Use almond, coconut or any type of milk as a substitute for a vegan recipe.
Nature Classes
Remember that loads of forest and nature groups still run during the October half-term too, so search here for more woodland fun.
Also check out this list of top 50 things to do in autumn for children.
Halloween Discos Or Balls
Some town halls or community centres do day discos specially aimed at young children (and their parents, of course!) So pull on your favourite Halloween outfit and get ready to jive!
Trick-Or-Treating
You’ll find many neighbourhoods have an agreed way of trick-or-treating where participating houses will light a pumpkin to show they welcome trick-or-treaters. Others will leave our sweets or other treats.
Even a baby or toddler may enjoy an early evening mini trick-or-treat adventure. Look out for chats on your local Facebook page or Whatsapp group.
See here for our blog on DIY Halloween costumes and last-minute costume ideas.
Pumpkin Hunt
Even if your child isn’t yet ready for full-on trick-or-treating, why not take them on an amble round to spot pumpkins on doorsteps or in windows? More and more households are giving their gardens or front rooms a ‘spooky makeover’, so you can easily spend an afternoon doing a ‘spot the Halloween decoration’ walk.
Look out for regular buggy walks or ‘bring your baby’ type events in your local area.
Castles Or Museums
What could be more exciting than exploring a castle or museum in the dusky days of autumn? You’ll find that some go full-blown Halloween spectacular, while others offer a more traditional vibe.
You’ll find that some museums offer storytelling, theatre, puppetry, play sessions or performances aimed at pre-schoolers and older during half-term. Keep an eye on local newsletters and email updates from your favourite local venues.
Dinosaur Trails
There are dinosaur trails up and down the UK, with some places doing trails all year round. Look out for zoos which run dinosaur trails after dark as well as other festive half-term events!
Fêtes
Along with apple and arbor days, many community gardens and projects often open up their grounds for one last outdoor fête or fair before the winter months kick in.
So grab a cosy jumper, some warm toddler mittens, and get out and about this half-term with your little one.
Want to get out and about, have fun with your baby or toddler, and meet other parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5’s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
If You Found This Post Useful, You May Also Like:
14 Easy Autumn Crafts For Toddlers
0 Comments