October half term has a habit of arriving faster than you expect. One minute you are thinking “I’ll sort something soon” and the next it is Monday morning and you have got a week to fill. Sound familiar?
Whether your child is sporty, creative, outdoorsy or just loves trying new things, we have pulled together 10 brilliant things to do with kids this October half term, from easy at-home ideas to full week adventures.
Get Creative With Halloween Crafts
Halloween is one of the best excuses to get crafty all year. Set up a little Halloween craft station at home, think mask making, spooky drawings, pumpkin decorating and DIY costumes, and you have got a genuinely fun afternoon that costs very little. For kids aged 8 to 12 especially, giving them creative freedom and letting them lead the project makes it even more enjoyable. Bonus: you will have brilliant decorations ready for Halloween night too.
Head Outdoors for a Nature Trail
October is genuinely one of the most beautiful months to be outside. The leaves are turning, the air is crisp and there is something special about an autumn woodland walk. Make it more exciting for kids by turning it into a scavenger hunt. A list of things to find, conkers, acorns, red leaves, a spider’s web, keeps them engaged and moving. No fancy equipment needed, just decent shoes and a willingness to get a bit muddy.
Plan an October Half Term Day Out Somewhere New
Half term is a brilliant excuse to explore somewhere you have not been before. A heritage railway, a local market town, a nature reserve or a museum. Getting out of the usual routine and going somewhere new together creates the kind of memories that stick. Kids aged 8 to 12 particularly love having a sense of adventure and going somewhere that feels like a proper day out, even if it is only an hour away.
Try Something Performing Arts-Based
Drama, dance, circus skills. October half term is a great time to try something your child might not normally get the chance to do during term time. Many holiday clubs and local arts centres run taster sessions during half term. Performing arts are brilliant for building confidence, creativity and communication skills, and children who claim they would never do drama are often the ones who love it most once they try it.
Cook or Bake Something Together
Cooking with kids aged 8 to 12 is genuinely enjoyable. They are old enough to follow a recipe, do real tasks and take real pride in what they make. Pick something seasonal: pumpkin soup, Halloween biscuits or a homemade pizza night. It is a great way to spend a rainy half term afternoon and they will talk about it long after the week is over.
Keep Them Active With Sports
Half term is the perfect time to try a sport they have not played before or brush up on one they love. Whether it is a kick around in the park, a local sports session or a structured holiday club with proper coaching, keeping kids physically active during the school holidays matters for their energy levels, their mood and their sleep. Kids who move during the day sleep better at night, and parents everywhere will agree that is worth a lot.
Try an Outdoor Activity They Have Never Done
Horse riding, archery, kayaking, pond dipping. Half term is the ideal time to try something completely different. Activities like these build confidence, focus and a real sense of achievement in children. Many holiday clubs and activity centres offer taster experiences during half term, making it easy to give something new a go without a long term commitment.
Explore Science and Stargazing
October evenings get dark earlier which makes them perfect for a spot of stargazing. Download a free stargazing app, head into the garden or a local park away from bright lights and see how many constellations you can spot together. During the day, simple science experiments at home, volcanoes, slime, paper rockets, go down brilliantly with this age group and cost almost nothing to set up.
Start and Actually Finish a Book Together
Half term is one of the rare chances to sit down and read together without the rush of school nights. Pick a book that suits your child’s age and interests. Adventure, mystery and humour all go down brilliantly with 8 to 12 year olds. Commit to reading a chapter or two together each evening. It is a lovely wind-down ritual that feels special and genuinely gets kids into reading in a way that school sometimes does not.
Book Them Into a Holiday Club for the Week
Sometimes the best thing you can do for your child this half term is give them a week full of variety, new friends and activities they would never get to try at home. A good holiday club for 8 to 12 year olds will pack the day with sports, creative sessions, outdoor adventures, performing arts and more, all run by experienced staff who know how to make every child feel welcome and excited to be there.
At Horizon Kids Club in Berkhamsted, that is exactly what we do. Our October Half Term programme runs 26 to 30th October 2026, 9am to 5pm, with 6 activity sessions every day including sports, drama, woodland trail, Halloween crafts, swimming, arts and crafts and yoga. Optional add-ons are also available including Horse Riding, a Steam Railway Trip and DJ’s Jungle Play Zone for just £5 each.
From £50 per day, with 10% off when you book 4 or more days. Early drop-off and late pick-up are available from £7 per session.
The Horizon Centre, Bell Lane, Northchurch, Berkhamsted HP4 3RD. Ages 8 to 12. Enhanced DBS-checked staff with a 1:8 ratio throughout the day.
Book your child’s October half term spot here, Spaces are limited so do not leave it too long.
Make This Half Term One to Remember
However you spend it, October half term is a brilliant opportunity to slow down, try something new and enjoy some time together. Whether it is one of the ideas above or a full week at holiday club, we hope it is a good one.
Got questions about Horizon Kids Club? We would love to hear from you. Drop us a message anytime and we will be happy to help.
