What's on in Oxfordshire
- This event has passed.
What’s On for Kids: October Half Term Buckinghamshire 2023
21 October, 2023 - 29 October, 2023
The October Half Term holiday falls just before Halloween and there are lots of spooktacular events happening in Buckinghamshire. If you’re looking for ideas of what to do with the kids over October Half Term and family friendly Halloween events, then look no further. Just click on any of the links in red for more information. There’s also a handy guide for Berkshire and Oxfordshire too if you’re looking to venture a little further.
If you’re looking for where to go pumpkin picking in Buckinghamshire go straight to the PYO pumpkin patch guide.
FEATURED
HOGSHAW SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT & WIZARDRY
Hogshaw Farm & Wildlife Park have a week of magical adventures this October half term! Follow our herbology tutor down to the pumpkin patch to collect your specimen for decorating and spot fellow Wizard School pupils getting up to mischief around the farm. For pumpkins, potions, broomsticks, owls & more
October Half Term Activities in Buckinghamshire 2023
Buzzwangling Beasts at the Roald Dahl Museum & Story Centre (Great Missenden) 21st – 29th October
The Roald Dahl Museum have a great line up for October half term with Revolting Rhymes Storytelling, Buzzwangling Beast Battlecards Trail, Create a Clay Critter, Boggled Box Beasts, Buzzwangling led walks and self-guided trails. Pay once and visit again all year.
The Patch MK (near Milton Keynes) 7th – 9th October
The Patch MK return again with there mega pumpkin patch with lots of great fun photo opportunities. The ever popular bale maze will be returning in 2023 along with the traversing wall, slide trailer, zombie knock down, the barrel train and more in the planning.
Land of Lights at Gulliver’s (Milton Keynes) until Feb 2024
From Peter Pan to Gulliver’s Travels, light up your imagination this winter with spectacular lantern displays. Follow the 1-mile trail and see incredible light installations at every turn.
Lillingstone PYO Patch & Halloween Activities (nr Akeley Village) 7th – 29th October
Pop on your boots and wrap up warm, collect a wheelbarrow and head down to the Lillingstone PYO Pumpkin Patch bursting with home-grown pumpkins and squashes! They’ve got a spooky trail, play patch and tractor trailer rides too.
The Moon Witch Halloween adventure at Tumblestone Hollow (Stonor) 18th – 29th October
Follow the clues around the mysterious world of Tumblestone Hollow and the Gardens at Stonor to win a special chocolate prize (or an alternative treat).
Halloween at the Hell Fire Caves (West Wycombe) 20th – 31sth October
General admission to the caves with a spooky twist this Halloween season. During the day the caves will be decorated to their spooky best and there will be a scavenger trail too.
Haunted Half Term at Waddesdon Manor (Waddesdon) 21st – 29th October
Take part in a fact filled Trick or Treat Skeleton Trail. Join Zoolab for their Creepy Critters show learning about some spooky and gruesome animals and insects or just sit back and relax in the powerhouse with some classic family Halloween films or try your luck at a vintage game.
Wow! Said the Owl at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre (Aylesbury) 21st October
WOW! Said the Owl, the acclaimed children’s book by award winning author, Tim Hopgood, is brought to life through a blend of beautiful storytelling, puppetry and music.
Halloween Hocus Pocus at Thrift Farm (nr Milton Keynes) 21st – 31st October
Get your little ghouls and boys ready for a fang-tastic time at the Halloween Hocus Pocus event!
Odds Farm Park Pumpkin Festival (near High Wycombe) 21st – 29th October
As well as all the usual fun on the farm, there will be a pumpkin patch, pumpkin carving and Halloween arts and crafts.
Herbs & Potions Trail at Hughenden Manor (near High Wycombe) 21st – 29th October
There will be multiple stations featuring different herbs and plants. At each station there will be information provided about the herb’s magical properties, folklore and traditional uses with interactive activities.
Fright Feista at Gulliver’s Theme Park (Milton Keynes) 21st – 29th October
A festival-style Halloween that’s bursting with colour, costumes and music. Fright Fiesta is nine days of fabulous family activities, frights and theme park fun
Freaky Fun Fest at Mead Open Farm (Billington) 21st – 29th October
Roll up, Roll up! Take a seat in our huge Big Top Tent to experience our exciting new Freaky Flamenco Fiesta Circus. You can also experience 3 immersive Spooktacular Haunts this Halloween.
GymFusion at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre (Aylesbury) 22nd October
Lights, camera, action! GymFusion is one of the most exciting and dramatic forms of gymnastics to watch, as display teams from across the country showcase exciting and creative performances based on this year’s theme of ‘movies’. It’s all about timing, teamwork, tumbling and more!
Pumpkin Patch Kitchen Workshops at Eden Shopping (High Wycombe) 23rd – 29th October FREE
In each workshop you’ll learn basic cookery skills before getting hands on in re-creating the terrifying treats of the day. Plus, enter the haunted hut, if you dare…
Make Your Own Wand Woodcrafting at Hughenden Manor (near High Wycombe) 23rd – 24th October
Learn about different types of trees and woods from fantastic volunteer wood turners. You’ll then work from hazel and turn it into a magic wand under their guidance.
October Half Term Activities at Discover Bucks Museum (Aylesbury) 23rd – 28th October
Lots of great activities for families to enjoy, from Rangoli Sun Catchers, Autumn Collage and Clay Leaves at the beginning of the week to spooky Bats and Spider Webs later in the week topped off with a Frightful Family Halloween day on Saturday 28 October
Terror Trail at Black Park (Wexham) 23rd – 27th October
Why not come dressed up and see if you can find all the hidden characters in the woods! There will be lots to see, from Frankenstein’s Monster to a colony of giant bats! Are you brave enough to take on The Terror Trail? Arm yourself with our trusty map and you will safely make it through the haunted woods!
Terrific Tuesday at the Chiltern Open Air Museum (Chalftont St Giles) 24th October
This October Half Term Terrific Tuesday will have a spooky autumn theme and all included in the admission price.
Halloween Spectacular at Chiltern Open Air Museum (Chalfont St Giles) 27th October
Bring the family to our unforgettable, unmissable evening of spooky fun for all ages in the unique and atmospheric setting of the Museum’s historic buildings and woods.
Peppa Pigs Fun Day Out at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre (Aylesbury) 28th October
Packed full of songs, dance and muddy puddles, Peppa’s Fun Day Out guarantees giggles and snorts for all Peppa fans, and a perfect introduction to theatre.
Halloween Spooktacular at Bucks Railway Centre (Quainton) 28th – 29th October
Come and watch a special family-friendly, interactive and funny play ‘Baba Yaga: The Witch in the Woods’. Plus, will you brave a steam train ride with Dracula and his family?
TeachRex at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre (Aylesbury) 28th October
Teach Rex are an award winning Liverpool based team who specialise in unique and interactive shows that bring learning to life for families! The show is suitable for children of all ages (3+ recommended) and has even proven to be extremely popular with adults. The educational part of the show runs for approximately 1 hour, followed by a dinosaur meet and greet
Halloween Party at the The Little Gym (Handy Cross, High Wycombe) 28th October
Get the costumes ready, it’s time for The Little Gym’s annual Halloween Parties!
Choose from four age-appropriate sessions, with bonus SPECIAL creepy crawly guests from ‘Basil & Crew’.. They will be joining with their friendly collection of lizards, insects, geckos, snuggly snakes and a delightful dragon for an indoor jungle experience.
Members and non-members are welcome.
Thomley reduced sound fireworks (near Worminghall) 28th October
Fireworks have been carefully selected so that they are enjoyable to watch but with less noise than most displays.
Halloween Spooktacular at Buckinghamshire Railway Centre (Quainton) 28th – 29th October
A special family-friendly, interactive and funny play ‘Baba Yaga: The Witch in the Woods’. Plus, will you brave a steam train ride with Dracula and his family?
Halloween Character Make Up Masterclass at Milton Keynes Theatre (Milton Keynes) 29th October
Learn the best tips and tricks from a professional make-up artist in the backstage studio in this 3-hour Masterclass! Ages 11+ and adults