It’s October and the kids are off so it’s time to get out and about and enjoy some autumn sunshine. This half term there are some fantastic events taking place at an attraction near you and here’s my list of things NOT to miss!
W5, Belfast
Weekends from 1st October, Daily from 28th – 6 November, 10am – 5pm
Visit Monster Manor this Halloween for an even spookier experience than last year! There will be singing pumpkins, dancing skeletons, floating ghosts and much more to send you on a spooktakular adventure this Halloween! There is plenty of fun to be had, so if you’re brave enough to find out what lurks in the dark then take your little ones down to explore the mansion! Find out more.
Fright Night, The Jungle Northern Ireland
Selected times and nights until 2nd November
This Halloween why not visit Ireland’s biggest and best horror attraction? This year Fright Night will be an entirely new experience as the Woodland Trail has now got lights, special effects and some horrendously horrid creatures to see! If you’re looking for a good scare this Halloween then this is the place to be! Find out more. Find out more.
Autumn Pumpkinfest! Castle Ward, Downpatrick
22nd – 23rd October, 12 – 5pm
This sounds like a wonderful day out for all the family at an Autumn festival, where kids can create their own pumpkin masterpieces ready for Halloween as well as following a spooky trail in search of ghostly clues! There will be interesting stalls selling local food and crafts to browse and kids are invited to bring along their scarecrow creations ready for a judging competition. Find out more.
Spooktacular Week at Rowallane Garden
Ghosts and Gourds Spooktacular, 22nd and 23rd October – 11am until 5pm
Explore the terrifying ghost trail and say boo to some sinister characters from Premiere Circus and your children can even be transformed into whatever they wish with some fearsome, freaky face painting! Don’t escape without carving your very own pumpkin to take home with you. Find out more.
Hallowe’en Ghost Trail, 22nd until 25th October – 11am until 5pm
Get goosebumps as you explore the ghastly ghost trail in the garden and discover strange and spooky sights along the way like finding out what is moving in the bushes! Submit your clues and claim your treat. Find out more.
Poison Chocolate Apple Dunking, 24th until 31st October – 11am until 3pm
Visit the café for some terrifying family fun and watch your little witches and wizards create a sweet and sticky treat to take home with them. All this while the professors sit back and enjoy a bonfire latte and a ghoulish treat. Find out more.
Spellbound Festival, Castle Epsie
29 October – 4th November, 10am – 5pm
This Halloween you can enjoy a frightfully fun family event at Castle Epsie. Enjoy Jump, Jiggle and Jive’s Broomstick Disco and enter the fancy dress competition as well as having your face painted and enjoying some spooky storytelling. Find out more.
Spooky Halloween Sea Safari, Winterfell Tours
30th October, 2pm
Enjoy a trip that will feature some spooky history about the spectacular Strangford Lough, as well as plenty of Halloween treats for the kids. This is guarantee to be fun for the whole family! There are some wonderful surprises along the way like whirlpools and the Angus Rock Lighthouse! Trips leave from Strangford Pier. Booking is essential. Find out more.
Halloween Howler at Share, Share Discovery Village
31st October, 6 – 10pm
For a spookily spectacular family friendly Halloween you should definitely head to share village. There will be face painting, Halloween t-shirt art, Halloween games, a fancy dress parade, Halloween hunt, fireworks and a bouncy castle! What more could you need for Halloween? Booking is essential due to high demand – please see the website for details. Find out more.
Halloween Fest, Florence Court, Enniskillen
30th October, 12 – 6pm
Dare to explore this super spooky 18th century country house, set amongst a backdrop of dramatic mountains and forest? You never know who (or what!) is waiting to meet you around the corner. There’s lots of Halloween fun for all of the family to join in on! Find out more.
Halloween Fun! Mount Stewart House Garden and Temple of the Winds, Newtownards
28th October – 1st November, 11am – 4pm
Come along to this unique and unusual garden, owned by the National Trust, for lots of creepy crafts, spooky trail and for stories about the Magic Ink pot that little monsters will love! Find out more.
I hope this gives you some inspiration of things to do with the kids this half-term. Don’t forget, visit our website Picniq for more ideas of where to take the children and share your wonderful snaps on our Facebook,Twitter and Instagram pages!