The best kids activities for Halloween

Halloween is one of the most exciting times of the year for children. From dressing up as their favourite spooky characters to carving pumpkins and collecting treats, October is full of opportunities to make magical family memories.

But when the school holidays arrive, finding enough activities to keep the kids entertained can be a challenge. You might be looking for a fun day out, a creative activity to enjoy at home, or something adventurous to make this Halloween extra special.

The good news is that there are plenty of ways to celebrate, whether you're looking for a budget-friendly afternoon at home or an exciting family adventure. And with the unpredictable British weather, it's always worth having a few indoor activities ready for a rainy day.

Here are some of the best things to do with kids this Halloween, from pumpkin picking and baking spooky treats to tackling a climbing challenge at Rock Up!

There's something special about visiting a pumpkin patch in October. With rows of pumpkins, autumn colours and plenty of photo opportunities, it's a lovely way to get the family outdoors and embrace the Halloween season.

Find the perfect pumpkin

Many farms and seasonal attractions across the UK open their pumpkin patches in the weeks leading up to Halloween. Children can explore the fields, choose their favourite pumpkin and take home the perfect centrepiece for their Halloween decorations.

Some locations also offer additional activities, such as hayrides, corn mazes, farm animals and seasonal food stalls, making a pumpkin-picking trip a great family day out.

It's worth checking what's available at your local farm before visiting, as activities and opening dates vary.

Turn your pumpkin into a masterpiece

Once you've brought your pumpkin home, the fun doesn't have to stop there!

Carving pumpkins is a classic Halloween activity. Younger children can help scoop out the insides and draw designs, while adults handle any cutting. From traditional grinning jack-o'-lanterns to silly faces and spooky monsters, there's no shortage of designs to try.

If you'd prefer something a little less messy, painting pumpkins is a great alternative for younger children. You could even turn it into a family competition to see who can create the funniest, scariest or most imaginative design.

Top tip:

Looking for something exciting to do this Halloween that doesn't depend on the weather? Rock Up is the perfect place for a family adventure!

With colourful climbing walls, thrilling challenges and activities for different ages and abilities, there's plenty to keep little adventurers entertained. Best of all, our indoor climbing arenas mean the fun can continue whatever the British weather has in store.

Take on the Halloween Explorer Climb

This October Half Term, we're adding an extra dose of spooky fun with our limited-time Halloween Explorer Climb!

Children can take on a climbing adventure with a Halloween twist, searching for spooky prizes as they explore the walls. It's a brilliant way to combine physical activity, adventure and seasonal excitement in one memorable day out.

And anyone that competes in our Halloween Explorer Climb will walk away with a Halloween-themed prize, like spooky tattoos, sweets & more!

An indoor adventure for the whole family

Rock Up offers more than just climbing walls. Depending on your local centre, you can also discover soft play, interactive climbing games and exciting vertical challenges.

Little ones can explore our soft play areas, while older children can test their skills on different climbing walls and challenges. With activities designed to encourage movement, problem-solving and confidence, there's something for a range of ages and abilities.

Standard climbing is available from age four, and no previous climbing experience is needed. Our team provides a safety briefing and the equipment needed for your session.

👉 Ready for a fang-tastic family adventure?

Visit your local Rock Up for an indoor climbing experience this Halloween. Don't miss our limited-time Halloween Explorer Climb and its spooky prizes! **Book your climbing session** today and get ready to reach new heights.

If you're looking for a fun activity to enjoy at home, why not get the kids into the kitchen?

Halloween baking is a brilliant way to spend a rainy afternoon together. From decorating biscuits to creating creepy cupcakes, children can get creative while learning a few kitchen skills along the way.

Make some spooky snacks

You don't need to be an expert baker to create Halloween treats that look fantastic. A few simple ingredients and some colourful decorations can go a long way.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Monster cupcakes: Decorate cupcakes with colourful icing, edible eyes and silly monster faces.

Ghost biscuits: Use white icing to turn simple biscuits into little ghosts.

Mummy brownies: Add thin strips of white icing to brownies to create spooky mummy designs.

Spider biscuits: Use chocolate decorations to create spider legs and edible eyes.

Pumpkin-shaped cookies: Bake simple biscuits and decorate them with orange icing and green icing stalks.

Let the children choose their favourite designs and get involved with decorating. They might not all look perfect, but that's part of the fun!

Make Halloween baking a family tradition

You could make a different Halloween treat each year, invite friends over for a decorating competition or put together a spooky afternoon tea.

Just remember to supervise younger children in the kitchen and keep hot trays, sharp utensils and other hazards out of reach.

Top tip:

Sometimes the best Halloween plans involve nothing more complicated than a cosy evening at home.

A family Halloween movie night is an easy way to bring everyone together after a busy day. Add blankets, popcorn, Halloween decorations and a few homemade treats, and you've got the ingredients for a memorable evening.

Choose the right amount of spooky

Not every Halloween film needs to be terrifying! There are plenty of family-friendly films that offer a little mystery, a few silly scares and lots of laughs.

Here are some Halloween film ideas to consider:

Room on the Broom: A gentle animated adventure that's ideal for younger children.

Hotel Transylvania: A funny monster-filled comedy for families looking for something light-hearted.

Hocus Pocus: A Halloween classic featuring three mischievous witches, best suited to children comfortable with mild scares.

The Nightmare Before Christmas: A quirky animated adventure that combines Halloween spookiness with musical fantasy.

Coco: A colourful, heartfelt animated film inspired by Mexican traditions surrounding Día de los Muertos.

Check age ratings and parental guidance before choosing a film, as what's fun for one child might be frightening for another.

Create your own Halloween cinema

Make the evening feel extra special by letting the children help prepare the living room. They could make paper bats, arrange cushions into a cosy viewing area or create tickets for their very own Halloween cinema.

You could even ask everyone to come dressed as their favourite character!

It's a simple activity, but one that can become a Halloween tradition the whole family looks forward to.

For families who prefer adventure to a quiet night in, a high ropes course or zip lining experience can be a fantastic way to make Halloween memorable.

These activities let children test their balance, coordination and confidence while navigating suspended bridges, obstacles and elevated challenges. For older children who love a little adrenaline, a zipline can be the highlight of the day.

Find an adventure to suit your family

High ropes courses and outdoor adventure parks can be found throughout the UK, with different routes and challenges designed for different ages and abilities.

Some venues combine rope bridges, climbing elements and ziplines, giving children plenty of opportunities to challenge themselves and celebrate their achievements.

Before booking, check the minimum age, height and weight requirements, as well as any supervision rules. It's also worth checking whether the course operates in wet or windy weather.

Bring a little Halloween magic to your adventure

Why not make your trip part of your Halloween celebrations? Children could dress up in comfortable, activity-friendly costumes, create spooky team names or finish the day with a Halloween treat.

If the weather isn't suitable for an outdoor course, don't worry. An indoor climbing session offers another way to challenge the family and get active without relying on the forecast.

👉 Looking for an adventure whatever the weather?

At Rock Up, you can take on colourful climbing walls and exciting challenges in an indoor environment. Selected centres also offer High Ropes Courses, so check your local centre to see what's available.

Find your nearest Rock Up and book your next family adventure!

Halloween costumes don't have to come straight from a shop. Making your own can be a fun, affordable activity that gives children the chance to bring their imagination to life.

It's also a great option for a rainy afternoon when you're looking for something creative to do together.

Get creative with things you already have

Before buying anything new, take a look around the house. Old clothes, cardboard boxes, fabric scraps and leftover craft materials can all become part of a brilliant costume.

Here are a few easy ideas:

A classic ghost: An old white sheet can become a simple ghost costume, with an adult helping to make any necessary adjustments.

A cardboard robot: Use a cardboard box, paint and foil to create a homemade robot.

A spooky cat: Black clothing, homemade ears and a cardboard tail can make an easy costume.

A friendly monster: Use an old T-shirt, colourful felt and paper eyes to create a unique monster.

A magical witch or wizard: A homemade hat, a cape and a cardboard wand can complete the look.

Encourage the children to design their own costumes rather than worrying about making them look perfect. The most memorable outfits are often the ones with the most imagination behind them!

Turn costume-making into a Halloween challenge

If you have several children, set a theme and see what everyone can create using the materials available. You could even have a mini fashion show at home, complete with music and prizes for the funniest or most creative outfit.

Remember to keep costumes comfortable and safe, particularly if children will be wearing them outdoors after dark. Avoid trailing fabric around feet and ensure masks don't restrict vision.

Top tip:

Halloween is a brilliant opportunity to spend quality time together, try something new and create memories that last long after the decorations come down.

From picking pumpkins and baking spooky treats to dressing up in homemade costumes, there are plenty of ways to make the most of the season at home. And if you're looking for something more adventurous, a high ropes course or a family climbing session can add an extra thrill to your October plans.

Of course, autumn weather doesn't always cooperate. Having an indoor activity ready means that a rainy forecast doesn't have to put a stop to the fun.

At Rock Up, families can enjoy indoor climbing, exciting challenges and our limited-time Halloween Explorer Climb, complete with spooky prizes.

So whether you're planning a quiet afternoon of Halloween crafts or a full day of adventure, there's no shortage of ways to make this Halloween special.