As the days get shorter and the school holidays seem to get longer, finding things to keep both little and big kids entertained can be a challenge.
With Halloween fast approaching, there are plenty of places in and around Manchester to spend time together as a family this October half term.
This list of half term and Halloween activities will have you spooked at how ghoulishly good they are.
All of the following businesses have paid to feature in this article.
October half term at Treetop Golf
This October half term, get ready for spooky fun for the whole family at Treetop Golf.
Join the team from Monday, October 21, until Sunday, November 3. Take part in the Halloween costume contest, for a chance to win a £50 e-gift voucher.* Little ones can also enjoy free face painting from 11am to 2pm on selected dates and receive a free gift whilst stocks last.
Feeling thirsty? Adults can get ready for eerie cocktails and mocktails, including the Bat-Berry Martini and the Jungle Ghouler Mocktail. Plus, satisfy your sweet tooth with baked treats to sink your teeth into.
With extended opening hours, you’ll have plenty of time to trek your way through the jungle. No booking needed, just turn up and enjoy.
*Terms and conditions may apply.
Get in touch: To plan your spooky Treetop adventure, visit the website here or follow the jungle team on Facebook.
Get active this half term at Total Ninja
Get the little (and big) kids active this October half term. Take on one of the UK’s largest fixed obstacle courses and giant inflatable obstacle courses at Total Ninja.
See if you can beat the wall, grab the fastest speed on the inflatable course or even bounce the highest.
Once you’ve achieved total ninja status, you can refuel in the ninja café with a delicious selection of hot food, sweet treats and coffee for mum and dad.
Looking for something some big deals this Autumn? Grab a one hour ninja session for two and a sharing pizza to refuel for £28.
Get in touch: Find out more about your next adventure by visiting the Total Ninja website here.
Enjoy a full day family adventure at Lyme
The grand regency house is packed with Legh family treasures and family activities such as billiards and dressing up. Younger adventurers can swoosh down slides and clamber through a mini-assault course in Crow Wood play area.
There’s plenty of additional activities to do too – the surrounding gardens and deer park come alive with an “All things autumn” family trail. For £3, pick up an activity pack from the Ticket Office for a booklet packed full of activities and games.
Families can also pre-book on to “Ranger In Training” sessions to learn hands on Ranger skills such as bush craft and building for £8.
Get in touch: Family tickets to Lyme start at £22.50 and entry for National Trust Members is free. Visit the Lyme website here for more.
Follow a Halloween trail at the Trafford Centre
Featuring over 100,000 lights, this mesmerising trail is filled with captivating installations, as well as interactive installations and activities such as pumpkin carving, marshmallow roasting, a skeleton petting zoo and skeleton disco.
Venture further into the woods to discover the skeleton funfair, Ye Olde Skeleton Arms, and abandoned Haunted Hotel, illuminated by a backdrop of captivating lights, before feasting on a variety of food and drink options from Manchester’s popular street food venue, Freight Island.
Get in touch: The Halloween trail runs from October 17 to November 3. Find out more on the Trafford Centre website here, or follow the team on Facebook.
Launch your half term with a big bang at Jodrell Bank
Its ‘Martian Mayhem’ at Jodrell this October, with a brand new science show.
This Halloween, dress up for spooky cinema ‘Hotel Transylvania’ or join TED for a sing-a-long planetarium show, perfect for pre-schoolers.
Try coding with Astro Pi, a free daily workshop with an International Space Station twist. Visit the exclusive new exhibition celebrating ‘Astronomy Photographer of the Year’. Steer the ‘virtual’ Lovell in the First Light Pavilion and pick up your ‘Alien Trail’ quiz on arrival.
Beautiful outdoor spaces also make Jodrell Bank a great place to picnic, and with two cafes and four pavilions of amazing science, there’s more to explore.
Get in touch: Book online via the website here and return free for 12 months. You can also follow the team on Facebook.
Play and experiment at Manchester Science Festival
Manchester Science Festival is back this October half term with inspiring experiences for all ages.
Explore the extremes of nature, human capability and creativity through entertaining events, daily science shows, family fun and hands-on activities across ten days of wow moments.
Take part in a virtual reality space expedition, dive into the world of deep-sea creatures, find out how to survive a volcanic eruption, and much more.
Discover a dynamic programme of daytime activities and adult-only evening events at the Science and Industry Museum, and look out for pop-up activities at Manchester Arndale and Harpurhey Sure Start Children’s Centre.
Get in touch: Visit the website for more information or keep up to date by following the team on Facebook.
Toot! A concert for families
Join the Toot! Ensemble at the Stoller Hall for a fun family concert that’s perfect for seven to 11-year-olds and their families.
Travel across the globe with a musical performance filled with excitement, stories and magic.
The Toot! Ensemble will be taking you from the majestic Scottish Highlands to the blues of the American deep south, to the tropical sound of a Cuban beach.
The musicians will be performing on a range of instruments, making this the perfect introduction to live music for children, and a chance to discover more about sounds and history from around the world.
Get in touch: You can enjoy the concert on Friday, October 25 at 11am and 2.30pm. Form more information, visit the website here.
Step inside a story at the Library of Enchantment
Ever wanted to step inside a story? The Library of Enchantment is a fun-filled thrilling family-friendly escape room, full of seafaring adventures, time travelling tricks and a pesky old bookworm who’s always up to meddlesome mischief.
Enjoy an enchanting experience that requires your puzzling skills, logic, persistence and, most of all, teamwork.
You’ll have one hour to escape by solving the various riddles, puzzles and challenges The Library of Enchantment has to offer. But be quick or you may just get trapped amongst the pages forever.
Get in touch: Visit the Library of Enchantment website for more information or follow the team on Instagram.
Take part in the Yorkshire Wildlife Park Halloween extravaganza
Yorkshire Wildlife Park is gearing up for a spook-tacular Halloween scarefest.
Visitors can enjoy an unbeatable line-up of Halloween events from live shows to creepy characters, fearful fairground rides, and mystical music medleys.
The Halloween extravaganza will run for three days from October 31 – November 2, located in the brand new “Let’s Go – Events Festival Village”.
With conservation at the heart of all activities and offers, visitors can enjoy a mesmerising walk-through experience coming almost face to face with some of the world’s most at-risk species.
Whatever the weather, Yorkshire Wildlife Park offers a fun-filled and educational day out for all ages.
Get in touch: Tickets come with free admission to the park. Find out more by visiting the Yorkshire Wildlife website or or following the team on Facebook.
Be immersed in the Halloween Lakeside Trail
The Halloween Lakeside Trail is an enchanted walk where you can immerse yourself in a fun family-friendly experience. The event is dog-friendly so your four-legged friends can join for a night to remember.
The event takes place at Partridge Lakes in Culcheth, Warrington from October 4 to October31, 2024, and tickets are on sale now.
There is also a terrifying version of the attraction, the Halloween Lakeside Terror Trail -over 14s only and sadly no dogs on the trail.
There’s a free-to-enter hub featuring live music, food outlets, Halloumination, Pizza in the Box, Spoon Desserts and Patridge Café.
Get in touch: Visit the website here for more information of follow the Halloween Lakeside Trail team on Facebook.
Gandeys Circus spooktacular at The Trafford Centre
A very special (trick or) treat for Halloween, Gandeys Circus returns once again with a new, action-packed legendary Halloween Spooktacular Big Top Show for all the family.
From the thrill acts to the big production numbers Gandeys are famous for, it’s all here and you will be on the edge of your seat with excitement, rolling in the aisles with laughter, and hiding under your coats from the spooky thrills.
This event gets more popular every year so its advisable to book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Get in touch: The spooktacular event runs from Friday, October 11 to Sunday, November 3 and tickets can be booked via the website. You can also follow the team on Facebook for more information.
Bringing families together at the National Football Museum
The National Football Museum welcomes you this October half term to immerse yourself in footballing stories, uncovering identities that make football a universal language and above all, create lasting memories with your family.
Take part in half term activities including comic storyboard workshops, book clubs and ‘footy’ fairy tales.
Key highlights include:
- Original laws of the game
- Jules Rimet World Cup trophy
- Peles Brazil first World Cup shirt
- Lily Parr statue
- Penalty shootout and physical interactives
All visitors are encouraged to book in advance to take advantage of the online discount.
Get in touch: Book online via the website or follow the team on Facebook.
Step into a magical adventure aboard the Wizards and Fairies Cruise
Set sail from Salford Quays on this enchanting one-hour family experience, perfect for children aged two to ten.
Dress up in your finest wizard or fairy costumes and help the fairies find the Wizards’ magic potion. Enjoy interactive games, magical gifts, and whimsical drinks like Floopy Juice for adults.
With spellbinding views of Manchester’s waterways, it’s a journey filled with wonder for all ages. Don’t miss this enchanting opportunity to make lasting memories with your little ones. Book now for a magical day out on the water.
Get in touch: Find out more by following the team on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
