Things to do with the kids during October half term

While it's great not having to worry about the school run during the upcoming half term, it does mean you have will to find ways of entertaining the kids all day long.

Fear not! WhoCanFixMyCar is here to help with its selection of fun-filled, family friendly activities that are only a short drive away for you and your little ones. Enjoy!

Autumn treasure hunt

Forest school meets puppetry, theatrical storytelling and clue-based adventures at Chiswick House and Gardens this October when you join Percy the Park Keeper and his animal friends for a fun-filled treasure hunt. Hot and cold food and drink will be available, plus you can even go pumpkin picking while you are there (up to October 31).

Spooky goings on down at the farm

Why not celebrate the run-up to Halloween on a farm this year? There are creepy mysteries to solve at Fairytale Farm or spooky arts and crafts (as well as a costume competition – the best dressed wins a special hamper packed full of goodies) at Foxholes Farm. Alternatively, you can carve pumpkins and explore the Tricky Taul at Odds Farm Park.

Celebrating ordinary people

Why not take the kids on a march through time at the People's History Museum in Manchester following the development of democracy in Britain over two centuries. With hands-on stuff in every gallery and regular activities for children, the museum is family friendly throughout and welcomes visitors of all ages.

Daytime Halloween trail

Grisly ghouls, spooky skeletons and Halloween nasties have taken over The Alnwick Garden this month in the North East, so why not grab your family’s hand and go on a spook-tacular adventure around The Alnwick ‘Spooky’ Garden? A trail card and activity pack will assist you on your ghoulsome journey. Plus, in the evenings there’s the super scary Scare Garden.

Up close and personal with nature

Be a nature explore this October half term and venture into the great outdoors and spot some wildlife. For instance, at Bodiam Castle in East Sussex, embark on the bats trail to find out what they like to eat and how they live – you might even see a couple in their favourite places. Alternatively, celebrate the humble hedgehog at Dyffryn Gardens in the Vale of Glamorgan. See if you can spot one around the gardens, and make your very own from a pine cone.

Haunting Halloween fun

Families are invited to join wizards, witches, ghosts and ghouls for family friendly frights and spooky tales at Warwick Castle this month. Find out what spells the Witches of Warwick are cooking up in their cauldron. Learn about history’s gruesome truths in the Horrible Histories maze and enter the Haunted Hollows spooky mansion. After dark, there will be live entertainment, street food and even more haunting Halloween fun.