Autumn's Calling! 13 Fun Things To Do With Kids This October Half Term

Autumn's calling! October half term is already creeping round the corner...

Despite feeling like back to school was only yesterday, we can't wait to dive into some seriously autumnal, child-friendly fun over the October holidays. Forget Halloween for the moment and contemplate all the different possibilities for family fun in half-term - will you go down to the woods today with Sally's Adventure Club, tuck into some traditional afternoon tea at B Bakery or have a royally good day out at Windsor Castle? Who knows.

Check out our top picks for an awesome October half term and get some epic inspiration if you're feeling a little lost!

If your kids are into everything fantasy, they'll love this woodland adventure! Sally's Fairytale Fun will take children on an adventure through the great outdoors (Highgate Wood) as they search for creatures from their favourite fairy tales. They'll get to imagine they're walking through the pages of all their favourite stories as they use a magnifying glass and a map to hunt for creepy crawlies, minibeasts, fungi and more. Don’t forget your wellies!

Get a steamy 43% off admission, making tickets less than a fiver, to the London Museum of Water & Steam and enjoy an aquatic journey through London’s watery history. Your kids will love the interactive experience of the museum, learning about everything from London's water supply history to the first steam engines and everything in between. This unique museum truly is a hidden gem - complete with a splash zone, enormous engines, beautiful picnic gardens, an opportunity to ride round the museum on a steam-powered train and loads more!

Is October half term really October half term without a trip to the zoo? We think not. Whether you're a fan of beautiful butterflies, impressive crocodiles or cute little meerkats, you're sure to find your favourite - there are more than 3,500 animals to visit at Whipsnade Zoo! There are daily animal talks and feeding sessions, plus you can ride the bus around the zoo or even book a ride on one of the steam engines. And there's even an indoor play area called Hullabazoo Adventure Play! What more could you want?

This multi-sensory play adventure is a dream for the under 5s, free and a total hidden gem slap bang in the middle of London. Developed by India Harvey and Lisa Marie Bengtsson together with Barbican Guildhard Creative Learning, Squish Space provides a safe environment for babies and young children to discover and play with different textures and materials. With loads of different materials, toys and activities to discover, it's the perfect way for your little ones to start playing and socialising with others!

From as little as £19, you and your little ones can uncover the secrets of London on this alternative, bicycle tour of London with Secret London Bike Tours. You’ll be making use of the city’s ever-growing cycle lane network, using back streets to avoid traffic and even travelling along waterside pathways in order to make your way around town. Whether you want gruesome history, intriguing ancient legend or wild scandal and glamour, there’s definitely something for everyone on this tour. Don’t forget your camera!

Who doesn’t love a nice cuppa and slice of cake in the afternoon? Forget the world for a little while and enjoy a delightful traditional afternoon tea at Brigit’s Bakery - a sanctuary amid the busy streets of Covent Garden. All you need to do is book a voucher and contact B Bakery to reserve your specific date and time slot - piece of cake! Tuck into a selection of freshly made cakes, scones, sandwiches and mini cupcakes, plus freshly-cut savoury treats and more!

This October half term is the perfect opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of London for a while and get away to the magnificent Windsor Castle. Whether you're a family of history buffs, architecture aficionados or fine art fans, Windsor Castle is a great day out for everyone and entrance costs as little as £22.50! Walk in Prince Harry and Megan Markle's footsteps and explore the stunning St George's Chapel in all its Gothic glory, check out Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House and more!

Londoner or not, the London Eye is an iconic family attraction and the perfect way to sightsee with a twist! We guarantee you and your youngsters will be captivated by the 360 degree views across London as you spot all the major landmarks - Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, St. Paul's Cathedral, Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey - from the sky. Don’t forget your camera because the view offers the perfect backdrop to some of the most Instagrammable family selfies in the City.

No, you’re not dreaming. With Kidadl’s 25% off deal, tickets to the incredible Dreamland cost as little as £12.00! Nothing is more quintessentially British than an amusement park in a seaside town, and Dreamland ticks all the boxes and more. After a recent relaunch, it's become one of the top tourist attractions on the southeast coast, with 20+ attractions to keep everyone entertained. With your ticket you'll have totally unlimited access to all the rides in the park - just swap it for a wristband on the day and you're good to go!

If you're looking for somewhere new, affordable (with tickets starting from just £3) and exciting to take your tiniest tots this October half term, then Under 1 Roof's Palace Gardens play area and soft play space is the place for you. Not only does Under 1 Roof have a brilliant soft play room where children can learn through physical play, but they have also recently upgraded their Palace Gardens play area, which has been specifically designed for under 5s, making days out with your tiniest tots even easier!

Based on the classic film starring Tom Hanks, there will be laughs and gasps all round in this fun-filled, heartwarming family spectacular. With tickets from less than £30, get ready for a big adventure as the new adaptation of the iconic smash-hit movie Big makes its West End premiere at the Dominion Theatre. It’s bound to put a big smile on your face!

With the weather still looking up for October, treat your little kings and queens to a family outing filled with history, culture and outdoor fun at Hampton Court Palace. With gardens, a maze, a magnificent palace, interactive exhibitions, activities and stunning gardens, Henry VIII's ancient palace is a haven for mini historians. Time travel back to the days of royal feasting and jesters, explore Hampton Court's kitchens and venture into the 300-year-old maze.

It’s all kicking off! With under 5s going completely free and kids for just £15, go behind the scenes and discover the world-famous home of the Blues on this exclusive part guided, part multimedia tour. Fans will love seeing Chelsea FC’s home stadium beyond the pitch they see on the TV. Highlights include seeing the dressing room full of famous jerseys, exploring the press room and walking down the tunnel just like the players.