- Play Hard
- 20th Oct 2026
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15 family-friendly things to do in the North East this half term
October half term is creeping up on us, and with Halloween falling right at the end of it, the North East is bursting with ways to keep everyone entertained.
From pumpkin trails and ghostly woodland walks to ballet, fireworks and spooky crafts, whether you’ve got little ones to tire out or just fancy a seasonal day out, here’s our pick of what’s on.
The Pumpkin Garden – Northumberland
When: Daily until Sunday 1st November
Where: The Alnwick Garden
Price: Included in admission
The Alnwick Garden turns into The Pumpkin Garden for autumn, awash with seasonal colour. Take on the Pumpkin Garden Scavenger Hunt, and during half term tackle Reg the Hedge’s Beastly Botanicals Trail, uncovering the garden’s strangest plants and poisonous secrets, plus fun-filled harvest games.
Spookydorei Days – Alnwick
When: Daily until Sunday 1st November
Where: Lilidorei, The Alnwick Garden
Price: £17.20 adults and children, under twos go free
Lilidorei, the giant play village at The Alnwick Garden, celebrates Halloween with Spookydorei. Pull on your costume and see how each clan has decorated its corner of the village, with spooky games, chilling tales from the storyteller, trick-or-treating and a brand-new Clan Villager revealing themselves for the first time.
Pumpkin Trail – Northumberland
When: Every Wednesday to Sunday until Sunday 1st November
Where: Woodhorn Museum
Price: Included with admission
Woodhorn Museum has hidden pumpkins in the shadowy corners of its galleries and colliery buildings. Grab a trail sheet, hunt down as many as you can, then take your completed sheet back to the welcome desk, spot them all and there’s a sweet treat to claim.
October Half Term Harvest Quest – Gateshead
When: Daily until Sunday 8th November
Where: Gibside
Price: Included with admission
Gibside invites little explorers (under 8s) on a harvest quest. Gather in the orchard, then adventure around the Walled Garden hunting for apple facts, puzzles and special surprises. A free, self-led bit of outdoor family fun with no booking needed, set in a beautiful Georgian landscape in its autumn colours.
Lord of the Wings – Newcastle
When: Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th October
Where: Wylam Brewery
Price: Free entry
Wylam Brewery’s Food Battle goes all-in on chicken wings, with vendors going head to head for the title of wing champion. Last year saw over 20,000 wings served, so expect all the flavours plus fiery surprises, with food tokens at £4 a plate, live music and DJs throughout. Be sure to vote for your favourite.
Spookydorei Nights – Northumberland
When: Friday 23rd to Saturday 31st October
Where: Lilidorei, The Alnwick Garden
Price:£17.20 adults and children, under twos go free
When darkness falls, Lilidorei lights up for Spookydorei Nights, an after-dark take on the village’s Halloween celebration. Expect costumes, spooky games, tales from the storyteller and trick-or-treating, with spooky and not-so-spooky trails. Note, it includes mild jump scares and spooky effects, best suited to children aged 11 to 15.
Paper Pop Ups – Whitley Bay
When: Saturday 24th October
Where: The Bound
Price: £12 child (accompanied by an adult)
Pop-up cards are a small marvel, and this hands-on hour lets children make their own. Led by artist Suzie Winsor upstairs at The Bound bookshop, they’ll colour, cut and fold crafty papers into bright cards that spring off the page. All materials provided, groups kept small. Ages four to 11.
SUPER Natural: October Half Term – Washington
When: Saturday 24th October to Sunday 1st November
Where: Washington Wetland Centre
Price: Included with admission (book online to save 10%)
WWT Washington turns into a celebration of all things wild, weird and wonderful, with willow wands, marshland potions and pond dipping across one of the North East’s loveliest outdoor spaces. It’s a scare-free half term, ideal for little ones who’d rather spot a heron than a ghoul.
Pumpkin Painting – County Durham
When: Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th October
Where: Raby Castle
Price: £12 child
Little artists get their own pumpkin, paints and brushes to decorate however they like, no carving involved. From spooky faces to bright patterns, they can let their imagination run and carry their creation home afterwards. A mess-friendly, creative break from the trails for younger ones.
Halloween After Dark in The Plotters’ Forest – County Durham
When: Saturday 24th and Wednesday 28th to Saturday 31st October
Where: Raby Castle
Price: £10 child, £8 adult
When dusk falls, The Plotters’ Forest at Raby Castle transforms into an illuminated after-dark trail, with witches, wolves and spinning spiders lurking in the shadows. Brave souls in their spookiest costumes are challenged to uncover the forest’s secrets by torch and lantern light.
Meet a Bat at Gibside with Ranger Tim – Gateshead
When: Tuesday 27th October
Where: Gibside
Price: £2 per person, plus admission
A rare chance to meet a real bat up close at Gibside. Ranger Tim introduces Mabel, a rescued common pipistrelle, and shares all about these special creatures and how to help protect them. For the bats’ welfare, everyone stays quiet and wears a provided face mask. Ages 5+, booking essential.
Paper Debut Albums – Whitley Bay
When: Wednesday 28th October
Where: The Bound
Price: £12 child (accompanied by an adult)
For music-mad kids, this one’s a treat: an hour designing the cover for their own debut record. Children explore the artwork of cassettes, CDs and vinyl, then raid a world of crafty papers to create a sleeve inspired by the music they love. Led by artist Suzie Winsor. Ages four to 11.
Cinderella by Northern Ballet – Newcastle
When: Wednesday 28th to Saturday 31st October
Where: Newcastle Theatre Royal
Price: Tickets from £35
The timeless tale takes centre stage in Northern Ballet’s magical staging of Cinderella, performed to Prokofiev’s classic score played live. Expect breathtaking waltzes, tender duets and laugh-out-loud characters, with a romantic finale where love and a perfectly fitting slipper conjure a happily ever after. Suitable for all ages.
Spooky Special Effects Make-up Event – Newcastle
When: Friday 30th October
Where: Laing Art Gallery
Price: £30 child (accompanied by an adult)
The Laing Art Gallery hosts a Halloween special effects make-up class for 7 to 12 year-olds, led by an SFX make-up artist and teacher. All equipment is provided, with time to practise before creating a finished look. Not one for the faint-hearted, as fake blood may be used.
Pyromusical – County Durham
When: Saturday 31st October
Where: Kynren
Price: £14 adult, £11 child (ages 4 – 17)
The North East’s biggest fireworks spectacular returns to Bishop Auckland, with fireworks lighting up the sky above Kynren’s seven-and-a-half-acre stage, perfectly timed to a rousing musical score. Designed by the team behind Kynren’s famous finale, with Auckland Palace on the hill behind, it’s a heart-pounding display the whole family will love.
Molly Ferry
CONTENT ASSISTANT
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