If you're looking for more ideas for days out, why not join our FREE days out Facebook group here.
This post does not include Halloween Events and is a post full of more general days out to enjoy this half term - please see my guide to Halloween events here if you are looking for ideas on that front.
- FREE The Rock Showman presents Volcanoes are Oresome at The Common Room, Newcastle (next to Central Station). 23, 25 & 26 October.
Join Floss and the Rock Showman for an Oresome volcanic journey back in time and why the crystals from the North Pennines are so valuable. These Science shows are fantastic and I would highly recommend. Tickets are free and include admission to the rest of the Common Room exhibitions. Find out more and more and book here. - FREE LEGO® Mini Model Workshops at The Common Room, Newcastle (next to Central Station). 28,29 & 30 October.
Build your very own LEGO® Model of some of the North East's greatest engineering feats (including Stephenson's Rocket, an Electric Car or the Swing Bridge) or try your hand at creating a Mars research robot model.
Tickets are FREE but need to be booked in advance. Tickets also include admission to the rest of the Common Room exhibitions. Find out more and book here. - 23 - 31 October - October Half Term at Beamish
There is lots of fun included with admission / your annual pass this October Half Term including:
*Saturday 23 October - Bus Running Day. Buses of all shapes and sizes will be out and about around the museum grounds and there will be a display of vehicles outside the Northern General Transport Bus Depot
*Halloween themed fun across the week including pumpkin carving at Old Pockerley Hall, Spooky Jokes Bunting in the 1950s Welfare Hall and the chance to play 'Flap the Bat'.
*Join in with the Haunting Halloween Teddy Bear Trail and spot the bears around the museum
*Vote for your favourite Ice Cream Sundae which will be added to the menu next year
*Over October Half Term visitors can ride on the waggonway or hop on a traditional tram or bus
*Enjoy a Skiffle Session in the 1950s Welfare Hall with the Skiffle band who will be playing on Sunday 24 October from 12noon - 3pm
*31 October is Classic Car Day where visitors can see an array of vehicles on the museum's display field. Organised by Sunderland and District Classic Vehicle Society, the rally is for novices and enthusiasts alike.
Entry to Beamish is via an allocated time slot. This applies to all visitors. You can book your time slot online here.
October Half Term Days Out with NO Pre-booking Required
- 23 - 31 October - Little Leaf Collectors at Wallington Hall. Included with admission - find out more here.
- 23 October - Pop-Up Railway at Romanby Scarecrow Festival - find out more here
- 27 October - FREE drop-in Fix It Cafe at Great North Museum (Hancock) - find out more here
- 27 October - FREE drop-in Street Scientists at Discovery Museum - find out more here
- 28 October - FREE drop-in Marine Day at Great North Museum (Hancock) - find out more here
- Last chance to see the Northumberland Folk exhibition at Woodhorn, Hexham Old Gaol, Berwick Museum and Morpeth Chantry (closes 31 October). Find out more here
- 1-31 October - What Lurks Beneath New Interactive Trail at WWT Washington. There is also a pond-dipping activity on 23, 25 & 27 October with no booking required and included with admission. Find out more here
- From 21 October - NEW Investigating Detectives exhibition at The Word. Find out more here.
- 28 October - Make & Take your engine from modelling clay at Stephenson Steam Railway (FREE drop in event, donations welcome).
- 25 Sept - 29 January - Take the kids to a POP Art Exhibition at Hatton Gallery Newcastle (includes Andy Warhol). It's FREE (donations appreciated. Find out more here.
- 13 September - 11 November - Museum of the Moon at Durham Cathedral. It's FREE to visit (donations welcome) and there are additional activities for kids planned during half term week from 25-31 October. Find out more here.
- Until 30 October - Last chance to see Sheila from Shields, her Cat and the Rainbow exhibition at South Shields Museum. It's FREE. Find out more here.
- 30 October - Autumn Storytelling and Craft at Land of Oak and Iron. Drop-in event with a suggested donation of £3 per child. Find out more here.
October Half Term Events - Available To Book Now
- 8 - 30 October - Road at Northern Stage (recommended for ages 14+) - find out more and book here
- 21 - 23 October - Haddock & Chips at Gosforth Civic Theatre (recommended for ages 12+) - find out more and book here
- 23 October - Rock pooling at at South Shields (all ages) - find out more and book here
- 23 October - Puss in Boots at Theatre Hullabaloo (recommended for ages 4+). Find out more and book here.
- 23 October - Make a Hedgehog Hibernation Box at Hardwick Park. Find out more and book here.
- 23 October - Little Larks Forest School at The Sill (under 5s). Find out more and book here.
- 24 October - Trainmaster at Sunderland - Find out more and book here.
- 25 October - Family Bird Watching at Shibdon Pond. FREE activity but pre-booking required. Find out more and book here.
- 25 & 26 October - Sonic Sounds at Discovery Museum (ages 8+). Join sonic investigators Matt & Amy and discover how to capture and manipulate sounds. Pick up tips for picking up interesting sound, how to get the best recordings on your phone and how to digitally manipulate them. Find out more and book here.
- 25 - 29 October - Wilde Farm October Holiday Club - Find out more and book here
- 25 - 29 October - Half Term Combo Deal at NAMCO Metrocentre. Get one game of bowling and one turn on the dodgems for £8.95 per child / £9.95 per adult - book here.
- 23 & 30 October - Family Astronomy Night at Grassholme Observatory - find out more and book here
- 25 - 30 October - Everyone's Talking About Jamie at Newcastle Theatre Royal - find out more and book here
- 25 October - 14 November - The Three Bears at Northern Stage (recommended for under 5s and their families). Find out more and book here.
- 25 October - Board Game Tuesdays at Land of Oak and Iron. Find out more here.
- 25 October - Space Puppet Workshop at Gosforth Civic Theatre (ages 6-8 and 8+). Find out more and book here
- 25 - 28 October - Outdoor Fun with Welcome to Northumberland (ages 5-11). Find out more and book here
- 26 October - 13 November | Meggie Magica at Alphabetti Theatre - a magical show for families available on a 'pay-as-you-feel' basis. Find out more & book here
- 26 October - Witchy Woodland Puppet Workshop at Gosforth Civic Theatre (ages 6-8 and 8+). Find out more and book here
- 26 October - Haddock & Chips at Alnwick Playhouse (recommended for ages 12+). Find out more and book here.
- 26 October - Family Arts Festival at Shipley Art Gallery (Autumn Days - create a watercolour painting and Autumn wreath - recommended for ages 4+). Find out more and book here.
- 26 - 30 October - The Hound of the Baskervilles at People's Theatre. Find out more and book here.
- 27 October - Creatures of the Deep Puppet Workshop at Gosforth Civic Theatre (ages 6-8 and 8+). Find out more and book here
- 27 October - World of Worms at Druridge Bay Country Park - find out more and book here.
- 27 - 30 October - Redcoat at Live Theatre (recommended for ages 14+). Find out more and book here
- 27 & 28 October - VR Guy at Alnwick Playhouse (recommended for ages 14+). Find out more and book here
- 28 October - Family Arts Festival at Shipley Art Gallery (Create your own clay model and decorate a ceramic pumpkin -recommended for ages 4+). Find out more and book here.
- 28 October - Haddock & Chips at Queen's Hall Hexham (recommended for ages 12+) - find out more and book here
- 28 October - Melva by Mortal Fools Feature Film (recommended for children aged 7-11 and their families) - find out more and book here
- 28 October - Same Same....But Different at Washington Arts Centre (recommended for children aged 5+) - find out more and book here
- 28 October - Family Silent Disco at Museum of the Moon (Durham Cathedral). Find out more and book here.
- 29 October - The Big Science SLIME Party at Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens. Find out more and book here.
- 29 October - Wood-fired pizzas and live music at Land of Oak and Iron. Find out more here.
- 29 - 30 October - The Last Dinosaur at Stockton Arts Centre (recommended for ages 3-7). Find out more and book here
- Daily throughout Half Term - Sunderland Festival of Light. Find out more here.
Rainy Day Ideas for October Half Term
Coming soon......
Woodland Walks for October Half Term
Coming soon.......
- Click here to read our full guide to North East Halloween Events.
- Click here to read our guide to pumpkin picking near Newcastle
Ideas for October Half Term at Home
- Join in with a Pumpkin Hunt - decorate your window with Pumpkins and then head out for a walk. For every pumpkin your child spots, you give them a little treat. They can collect in their usual Halloween baskets / buckets and it is a fab, safer alternative to traditional trick or treating.
- Get ahead and make your Christmas Cake - here is my easy recipe
- Check out Nyomi's Guide to the Best Halloween Movies for Little Ones
- Make Chocolate Orange Slow Cooker Fudge
If you have enjoyed this post and found it useful, here are some ways you can say thanks and support North East Family Fun:
1 - Click here to sign up to our FREE monthly guide to what's on. This monthly email will feature lots of ideas for things to do for the month ahead plus exclusive deals.
2 - Join our Days Out Facebook Group here which includes lots of ideas for things to do - you can post your own recommendations too.4 - Share this post with your friends5 - Follow North East Family Fun on the following platforms :Thank you for your support as always.Please follow social distancing rules & Government guidelines , respect the local area. leave no trace, take litter home, park responsibly and if somewhere is busy on arrival, please consider leaving and returning at a later date.
Always check updated opening hours / protocols with venues direct before setting off as things may have changed since this post was published.
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