What's On for Kids - October (+ Half Term) | North East England

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If you're looking for more ideas for days out, why not join our FREE days out Facebook group here.

Please note, Half Term dates do vary depending on your county/school so make sure you double check before booking or planning everything.

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This post does not include ALL 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.

I have not included every pumpkin patch in this post as there are over 20 to choose from this year. Please read my dedicated North East Pumpkin Patch Guide for more info including FREE entry and dog friendly pumpkin patches.

And if it's Fireworks displays you're after, do check out my Ultimate Guide to North East Fireworks post (will be updated for 2025 this week).

Make sure you check out these posts for more ideas and follow North East Family Fun on Instagram here to see what we're up to:

(ad) Our Top Picks for October Days Out

Silent Disco at Newcastle Cathedral

A silent disco suitable for all ages is taking place in the illuminated grand setting of Newcastle Cathedral for one day only - Saturday 4 October.

Guests can expect neon-lit arches, LED headsets playing all the classics from the 90s, 00s (and modern kids' party hits), festival face painting and a fully stocked bar.

This fully indoor event is somewhere you can truly let your hair down and have lots of fun together.

Tickets available from £9. Find out more and book: https://ticketspotapp.com/e/newcastlecathedral_Oct2025_family

Halloween Spooktacular at Whitehouse Farm

Halloween Spooktacular takes place across selected dates in October and is jam-packed with spooky fun. There's loads included and you will certainly be able to enjoy a full day out here.

Activities include: Magic Merlin, Witches & Wizards School, Fancy Dress Competition, Indoor Pumpkin Patch (& carving should you wish), Walkway of Terror, Storytime with Winnie the Witch + all of the usual farm fun including animal handling and feeding, adventure playgrounds and indoor play barn.

Find out more and book: https://whitehousefarmcentre.digitickets.co.uk/category/57977

Beamish

There's lots of fun planned at Beamish Museum this October including Harvest Celebrations on 4 & 5 October. There will be plenty of activities planned for half term week and don't miss three very special Halloween Evening Openings on 27/29 & 31 October.

As an extra special treat, why not book tickets for a screening of Hocus Pocus in the 1950s Grand Cinema?

Find out more about what's on at Beamish here: https://www.beamish.org.uk/whats-on/

Spot at Northern Stage

Spot is celebrating his birthday party at Northern Stage between 29 October and 2 November and you're all invited! Expect integrated Makaton, catchy songs, dancing and lots of fun party games.

Every ticket comes with a FREE birthday party hat and a chance to meet Spot after the show.

Recommended for ages 2+, tickets are available to purchase here: https://northernstage.co.uk/whats-on/spots-birthday-party/

Dracula and Halloween at Seaton Delaval Hall

𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐟 𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐦: 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚 𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥 - drop in event

25 Oct – 2 Nov |

11am–4:30pm

Suitable for all ages and included with NT membership / admission

Explore the Basement brought to life with theatrical installations, soundscapes, and trails inspired by Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

Follow the trail, discover the Lost Wing graveyard, and dress up on the West Wing stage.

𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥 - drop in event

Fri 31 Oct |

2pm–5pm

Included with NT membership / admission.

Costumes, carved pumpkins, and creepy fun! Join us for our annual celebration of all things spooky as the hall celebrates Halloween. With competitions for best dressed, best carved pumpkin — and this year, a fangtastic new category: Best Dressed Vampire!

Then take part in the annual Halloween parade through the grounds.

October Half Term at North East National Trust

Make the most of your National Trust membership and try one of these fantastic trails taking place across October Half Term. All included with membership / admission and a fab way to get out and about and make the most of autumn:

Broomstick Trail through Wallington Woods
Spider Trail inside Wallington House
Dracula Trail inside Seaton Delaval Hall Basement
Autumn Nature Trail around Seaton Delaval Hall Grounds
Smugglers & Shipwrecks Trail at Souter Lighthouse
Halloween Nature Trail at Gibside
Autumn Nature Trail around the Garden at Crook Hall
Mini Beasts Trail around Washington Old Hall
Garden Trail at Ormesby Hall

Find out more, check dates + discover other events taking place at National Trust North East this October here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/family-friendly

Discovery Museum

You can expect lots of FREE and LOW-COST fun at Discovery Museum in Newcastle this October including:

FREE Entry to the Museum & Galleries
Tiny Sparks - STEM Sessions for 3-5 year olds
FREE Build a Flying Bat
Make a Horrifying Hand + Halloween Crafts Workshop
Room on the Broom / The Gruffalo Storytime & Crafts for Little Ones
Halloween Themed Museum Trail

Find out more, check dates and book here: discoverymuseum.org.uk/whats-on

Science at Life

Science at Life kicks off October with a dedicated SPACE DAY on Saturday 4 October. Visitors can expect to meet a range of scientists and North East companies working in the Space sector so do make sure you bring along any burning questions.

Across October Half Term, Teach Rex Dinos will be visiting with their amazing Dino Show and there's a new 'Bump in the Night' Planetarium Show, TRICKY Science Show and you can make your own Halloween Lantern to take home in the making studios.

Life is opening late for one night only on 31 October and they'll have slime stations and creepy feely walls set up as well as hosting a Halloween disco.

Find out more about these events and book: https://www.life.org.uk/whats-on/

Blyth Celebrates

The celebrations continue in Blyth this month with a whole host of FREE activities including:

A Giant Luminarium (pictured above) in Blyth Market Place
Halloween Crafts & Parade with Dancers, Music & Carnival Trolleys
Halloween Costume Swap Shop
Let's Play Circus Skills & Demos
Puppeteering and Puppet Making Workshops
Radio Making Workshops
Seaside Craft Workshops
Blyth Remembers with the Time Bandits

& lots more!

You can check the full programme of events and timings here: https://www.greatnorthumberland.co.uk/whatson

Gosforth Civic Theatre

Make Your Own Myth is heading to Gosforth Civic Theatre for one day only on Saturday 4 October. Suitable for all ages from 6 - 106, this hilarious interactive show promises to invent three BRAND NEW myths using only cardboard.....

A fantastic twist on choose your own adventure from award-winning children's theatre. Find out more and book: https://www.gosforthcivictheatre.co.uk/whats-on/the-story-forge-make-your-own-myth

And then looking forward to October Half Term, Gosforth Civic Theatre aims to provide a relaxed environment for anyone who may need one with relaxed screenings of The Gruffalo and Cat Video Fest taking place on 28 Oct.

The theatre will also host Sister Shack's Autumn Market with lots of beautiful handmade treats for the season.

Find out more about these events and more: https://www.gosforthcivictheatre.co.uk/whats-on

National Trust Yorkshire

If you fancy a little road trip this October, National Trust Yorkshire has lots on offer this month. Most events are included with National Trust Membership or Admission but some do need to be booked in advance. Highlights include: