How To Survive October Half Term In Buckinghamshire (Without Losing The Plot)

2026-09-16T16:17:08Z

October half term is coming, which means two things: the leaves are turning gloriously golden, and the kids are about five minutes away from announcing that they’re bored.

Fear not. Buckinghamshire is rather handy when it comes to keeping little people entertained, even when the weather is doing its best to derail your plans. From muddy woodland adventures and pumpkin-filled activities to farms, family-friendly days out and plenty of things to do when the heavens inevitably open, there’s a lot more on offer than another trip to the soft play.

So, whether you’ve got energetic toddlers, hard-to-impress tweens or a whole gang of small people who need wearing out before bedtime, we’ve rounded up the best things to do in Buckinghamshire this October half term.

Consider this your survival guide. You’re welcome.

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Art Outdoor Fireworks History and heritage Sports Theatre Other Events Food and drink Gaming Music Workshop Adventure Comedy Exhibition

Art

October Half Term Pumpkin Festival

Join us for a fun half term adventure where you can enjoy the daily live character show ‘Monster Mash Bash’ in our Show Barn and exceptional Bubbleology outdoor displays

📅 Saturday 24th October – Sunday 1st November
🕰️ 10am - 5:30pm
📍 Odds Farm Park
💷 £21
🔗 Learn More

Art School Foundation

Explore core drawing and painting techniques in this flexible, dynamic art class with renowned artist Derek Ogbourne—perfect for beginners and creatives alike looking to develop their own artistic voice.

📅 Monday 26th October
🕰️ 7pm - 9pm
📍 High Wycombe Arts Centre
💷 £12
🔗 Explore This Event

Children's Holiday Printmaking Workshop: Inky Animals

In this hands-on workshop, children will create playful prints of their favourite animals or own pets using funky foam and lino techniques

📅 Monday 26th October
🕰️ 10am - 12:30pm
📍 Queens Park Arts Centre and Limelight Theatre
💷 £18
🔗 Explore This Event

Spiders And Webs @ Discover Bucks Museum

Make a colourful yarn-wrapped spider and weave a hanging web.

📅 Monday 26th October
🕰️ 10am - 3pm
📍 Discover Bucks Museum
🔗 Find Out More

Teens Holiday Workshop: Text & Pattern Printing

Discover the creative art of lino printing in this hands-on workshop

📅 Monday 26th October
🕰️ 1:30pm - 4pm
📍 Queens Park Arts Centre and Limelight Theatre
💷 £18
🔗 See More Info

Ghouls And Ghosts @ Discover Bucks Museum

Make a 3d haunted scene for a moveable ghost to fly through

📅 Tuesday 27th October
🕰️ 10am - 3pm
📍 Discover Bucks Museum
🔗 Explore This Event

Children's Holiday Pottery Workshop: Mad Hatter Rabbits

We will use air-hardening clay so you can take your creations with you at the end and paint them at home

📅 Thursday 29th October
🕰️ 10am - 12:30pm
📍 Queens Park Arts Centre and Limelight Theatre
💷 £15
🔗 See More Info

Children's Holiday Pottery Workshop: Pumpkins

We will use air-hardening clay so you can take your creations with you at the end and paint them at home

📅 Thursday 29th October
🕰️ 1:30pm - 4pm
📍 Queens Park Arts Centre and Limelight Theatre
💷 £18
🔗 Explore This Event

Pumpkin Paint Morning

Join us for a cosy morning of pumpkin painting, coffee and creativity at The Patch in High Wycombe!

📅 Thursday 29th October
🕰️ 10am - 12pm
📍 The Patch/Old Library
💷 £15
🔗 Explore This Event

Spooky Science @ Discover Bucks Museum

Our popular Spooky Science workshop is returning for 2026! Join us for some spooky science: make a bubbling witches brew, create ogre slime and more!

📅 Thursday 29th October & Friday 30th October
🕰️ 10am - 3:30pm
📍 Discover Bucks Museum
🔗 Learn More

Children's Holiday Pottery Workshop: Capybaras

Join tutor Emma Bowden to make wonderful clay sculptures.

📅 Friday 30th October
🕰️ 10am - 12:30pm
📍 Queens Park Arts Centre and Limelight Theatre
💷 £18
🔗 Learn More

Pumpkin-fest

Step into a pumpkin patch paradise this October at The Walled Garden!

📅 Friday 30th October (+8 more dates)
🕰️ Various Times
📍 The Walled Garden, High Wycombe
🔗 Find Out More

Museum Makers

Get creative together with local award winning illustrator Elly Bazigos at Amersham Museum!

📅 Sunday 1st November
🕰️ 10am - 11:30am
📍 Amersham Museum
💷 £12
🔗 Explore This Event

Outdoor

Howl-O-Ween Half-Term At Stowe House

Calling all little monsters, curious creatures and adventurous pups! Join us for a frightfully fun family day out at Stowe House this October half-term

📅 Friday 23rd October – Saturday 31st October
🕰️ 10:30am - 3pm
📍 Stowe House
🔗 Find Out More

Halloween Potion Hunt At Go Ape

Looking for a fun outdoor activity this Halloween with your family? Take on the Halloween Potion Hunt, a 'spell-tacular' addition to Go Ape Wendover's Treetop Adventures, high in the Chiltern Hills

📅 Saturday 24th October – Sunday 1st November
📍 Go Ape Wendover
💷 £29
🔗 See More Info

Sundown Adventures- Go Ape Wendover At Night

Looking for unique things to do in Buckinghamshire this October? Back by popular demand, Go Ape Wendover’s Sundown Adventures offer a new level of forest fun in the evenings after dark

📅 Saturday 24th October – Sunday 1st November
📍 Go Ape Wendover
💷 £32
🔗 Find Out More

Sundown Adventures- Go Ape Black Park At Night

Looking for unique things to do in Buckinghamshire this October? Back by popular demand, Go Ape Wendover’s Sundown Adventures offer a new level of forest fun in the evenings after dark

📅 Sunday 25th October – Sunday 1st November
📍 Go Ape, Black Park
💷 £32
🔗 Learn More

October Half Term At Go Ape Black Park

Looking for things to do this October Half Term in Buckinghamshire? Get outdoors and head to Go Ape Black Park for an unforgettable autumn adventure

📅 Monday 26th October – Sunday 1st November
📍 Go Ape Black Park
💷 £37
🔗 Learn More

October Half Term At Go Ape Wendover

Looking for things to do this October Half Term in the Chilterns? Get outdoors and head to Go Ape Wendover for an unforgettable autumn adventure

📅 Monday 26th October – Sunday 1st November
📍 Go Ape Wendover
💷 £37
🔗 Find Out More

Halloween Trail

Stop by the Haunted House, located in Princes Risborough Library Meeting Room, to pick up your trail leaflet

📅 Saturday 31st October
📍 PrincesRisborough
🔗 See More Info

Fireworks

Stokenchurch Primary School PTA Fireworks

Join us for Stokenchurch Primary Schools annual Fireworks Extravaganza

📅 Friday 30th October
🕰️ From 7pm
📍 Stokenchurch Primary School and Nursery
🔗 Explore This Event

Buckingham Bonfire & Fireworks

Join us on Saturday 31st October at Bourton Park, Buckingham for a fantastic evening of fireworks! The event starts at 6pm, with the fireworks at 7pm

📅 Saturday 31st October
🕰️ 6pm - 9pm
📍 Bourton Park, Buckingham
🔗 Learn More

High Wycombe Cricket Club Fireworks Night

Light up your night with an unforgettable Fireworks Spectacular on Saturday 31st October! Gather family and friends for an evening of entertainment, food, and fun that everyone will love

📅 Saturday 31st October
🕰️ From 5pm
📍 High Wycombe Cricket Club
💷 £10
🔗 Explore This Event

Gerrards Cross Family Fireworks

This long-standing tradition is the perfect way to kick off the season with family and friends. Expect a night filled with spectacular fireworks, delicious food, lively music, and a fully stocked bar.

📅 Sunday 1st November
🕰️ From 3:30pm
📍 GXCA, Gerrards Cross
💷 £10
🔗 See More Info

Olney Fireworks

The impressive display is staged by an award winning company and there are food and drink stalls and the fair.

📅 Sunday 1st November
🕰️ From 4:30pm
📍 Recreation Ground, Olney
🔗 See More Info

History and heritage

Halloween Pumpkin Trail

Can you find all the pumpkins hidden around the museum? Spell out the spooky word to earn a trick or treat!

📅 Friday 23rd October (+7 more dates)
🕰️ 11:30am - 4pm
📍 Amersham Museum
💷 £1
🔗 See More Info

Terrific Tuesday: Tudors

Make the most of October Half Term with Terrific Tuesday at Chiltern Open Air Museum, a fun-filled day of hands-on activities for children and families

📅 Tuesday 27th October
🕰️ 11am - 3:30pm
📍 Chiltern Open Air Museum
💷 £17
🔗 Find Out More

Clay Monster @ Discover Bucks Museum

Sculpt yourself a terrifying (or not so terrifying) Halloween monster.

📅 Wednesday 28th October
🕰️ 10am - 3pm
📍 Discover Bucks Museum
🔗 Find Out More

Halloween Spectacular

Get ready for a night of frightful family fun as the Halloween Spectacular returns to Chiltern Open Air Museum on Friday 30 October, from 5pm–9pm

📅 Friday 30th October
🕰️ 5pm - 9pm
📍 Chiltern Open Air Museum
💷 £17
🔗 Explore This Event

Creepy Doll Hunt @ Discover Bucks Museum

Visit the museum after dark this Halloween for our Creepy Doll Hunt: explore one of the oldest buildings in Aylesbury by only torchlight and discover the haunted dolls hidden throughout the museum

📅 Saturday 31st October
🕰️ 6:30pm - 8:30pm
📍 Discover Bucks Museum
🔗 Find Out More

Sports

Booker Parkplay

ParkPlay is free community play, every week in a park or public space

📅 Saturday 24th October & Saturday 31st October
🕰️ 10:30am - 12:30pm
📍 Booker Rec, 19 Barry Cl, High Wycombe, HP12 4TA
🔗 See More Info

Laser Tag At Wendover Woods

Step into the ultimate adrenaline fuelled experience with laser tag in Wendover

📅 Saturday 24th October (+3 more dates)
🕰️ 10am - 4pm
📍 Wendover Woods
💷 £25
🔗 See More Info

Marlow Inclusive Cycling

Our sessions are open to both children and adults and are all about breaking down barriers to cycling,especially for those with disabilities

📅 Saturday 24th October & Saturday 31st October
🕰️ 12:30pm - 2:30pm
📍 Little Marlow Athletics Track, Wycombe District Athletics Complex, Marlow Rd, Little Marlow, Marlow SL7 3RS
💷 £5
🔗 Find Out More

Fun Fest Marlow – Bourne End October Half Term

Fun Fest Marlow is a holiday club which provides high quality, summer camp style childcare for children from 3 years old, offering them a choice from a menu of exciting activities every morning and afternoon.

📅 Monday 26th October – Friday 30th October
🕰️ 8am - 6pm
🔗 Find Out More

Theatre

CBeebies House Party Live!

A family fun-packed stage show with sensational songs, stupendous surprises and mega moments

📅 Saturday 24th October & Saturday 24th October
🕰️ Various Times
📍 Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
💷 £13
🔗 Learn More

Matilda The Musical

Matilda The Musical, the multi-award winning musical from the Royal Shakespeare Company is inspired by the beloved book by Roald Dahl

📅 Wednesday 28th October – Monday 2nd November
📍 Milton Keynes Theatre
🔗 See More Info

The Witch Who Couldn't Sleep

There’s always so much to do and so much fun to be had

📅 Friday 30th October
🕰️ 2:30pm - 3:30pm
📍 Norman Bragg Studio, Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
💷 £16
🔗 Find Out More

Funny Beeseness Wycombe: Brian Conley

Comedy and TV legend BRIAN CONLEY headlines our first special Funny Beeseness show at the Old Town Hall!

📅 Saturday 31st October
📍 Wycombe Swan
🔗 Explore This Event

Other Events

Halloween Trail: Willow The Witch’s Wicked Quest

Deep in the enchanted gardens of Ascott Forest, Willow the Witch was busy brewing up a powerful magic spell… But OH NO! Something went terribly wrong! Instead of creating the magic she intended, Willow accidentally turned her poor cat, Jinx, completely green!

📅 Friday 23rd October – Sunday 1st November
🕰️ 11:30am - 4pm
📍 Ascott House and Gardens - National Trust
💷 £4
🔗 Learn More

Youthspace Drop In

A space for youth to hang out after school with your friends

📅 Tuesday 27th October
🕰️ 3:15pm - 5pm
📍 Mapledean Family Centre
🔗 Learn More

Aylesbury Halloween Fun!

Get Ready for a Wickedly Wonderful Day of Halloween Fun on Thursday 29 October!

📅 Thursday 29th October
🕰️ 11am - 3pm
📍 Aylesbury
💷 Free
🔗 Find Out More

Food and drink

Halloween Extravaganza

2 hour Piggy Pet & Play experience starting at 10am or 12pm

📅 Saturday 31st October (+3 more dates)
🕰️ Various Times
📍 Kew Little Pigs Farm, Old Amersham High Street, HP7 0HR
💷 £30
🔗 Learn More

Little Monsters Breakfast Banquet At The Ivy Marlow Brasserie

This Halloween, The Ivy Marlow Brasserie is getting into the spooky spirit with a week of wickedly tempting treats, from an eye-catching limited-edition cocktail and dessert to a frightfully fun Little Monsters Breakfast Banquet

📅 Saturday 31st October & Sunday 1st November
🕰️ 9am - 11:30am
📍 66-68 High St, Marlow SL7 1AH
💷 £28
🔗 Explore This Event

Gaming

High Wycombe Family Board Game Club

Enjoy a variety of classic and new games with your family

📅 Sunday 25th October & Sunday 1st November
🕰️ 1pm - 3pm
📍 High Wycombe Library
🔗 See More Info

Games Club at Stony Stratford Library

Join the fun at the new weekly Games Club at Stony Stratford Library, starting Thursday, 26th September, from 3:45 to 4:45 pm—bring your favourite games and enjoy a friendly hour of fun for all ages!

📅 Thursday 29th October
🕰️ 3:45pm - 4:45pm
📍 Stony Stratford Library
🔗 Explore This Event

Music

Stranger Folk At Cliveden

From Saturday 3 October to Sunday 8 November 2026, head to Cliveden and download the Stranger Folk app and begin an immersive adventure inspired by British folklore

📅 Friday 23rd October – Monday 2nd November
🕰️ 9:30am - 5pm
📍 Cliveden National Trust
🔗 Explore This Event

The Searchers And Hollies Experience

The Searchers & Hollies Experience -The Best of Both Worlds has been earning rave reviews for 15 years` and brings to the stage the iconic magical hits of two of the biggest bands in the 60s and 70s era and features an incredible back catalogue of over 30 hit songs

📅 Saturday 24th October
🕰️ 7:30pm - 10pm
📍 Norman Bragg Studio, Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
💷 £31
🔗 Find Out More

Workshop

Drop In Chess Club | Wycombe Library

Drop-in for Chess Club! Come along and learn the basics or practice your skills

📅 Friday 23rd October – Monday 2nd November
📍 High Wycombe Library
🔗 Find Out More

Halloween Slime Lab

Get ready to mix, squish and create at our Halloween Slime Lab!

📅 Tuesday 27th October
🕰️ 11am - 2pm
📍 Stowe House
🔗 See More Info

Adventure

Mr Worzel's Adventure Trail And Pumpkin Patch At Hartwell Nurseries

Join Hartwell Nurseries for a ghoulishly good time this October with fang-tastic Halloween fun for the whole family

📅 Saturday 24th October – Saturday 31st October
🕰️ Various Times
📍 Hartwell Nurseries
💷 £4
🔗 See More Info

Comedy

Mr Sleepybum's Dream Machine

To solve this problem, he invents a machine that magically brings dreams to life, featuring dinosaurs, robots, car chases, the world's largest blanket, and much more! This award-winning interactive show is filled with sketches, slapstick, and silliness, ensuring maximum fun for the whole family

📅 Monday 26th October
🕰️ 11am - 12pm
📍 Norman Bragg Studio, Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
💷 £16
🔗 Find Out More

Exhibition

The Rothschild Story

New for 2026, discover The Rothschild Story – a display bringing the family's complex history and family tree to life

📅 Friday 23rd October – Monday 2nd November
📍 Waddesdon Manor
🔗 Find Out More

So there you have it: proof that October half term doesn’t have to mean seven days of hearing “I’m bored” on repeat.