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
Twits And Tricks

Visitors to the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre in Great Missenden are in for a ‘disgusterous’ half term this October as the leisure attraction celebrates one of Roald Dahl’s best-loved books, The Twits (Saturday 24 October - Sunday 1 November)
📅
Saturday 24th October
🕰️
10am
-
4:30pm
📍 The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre
💷 £10
🔗 Find Out More
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
🔗 Discover More
Forest Phantom Family Painting Workshop

Step into a magical woodland this Halloween as we paint Forest Phantom — an adorable little ghost floating through an enchanted forest, surrounded by glowing lanterns, autumn leaves and twinkling lights
📅
Monday 26th October
🕰️
3pm
-
5pm
📍 The Walled Garden, High Wycombe
🔗 See More Info
Half-term Printmaking Workshop: Inky Animals At Queens Park Arts Centre

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
📍 Queens Park Arts Centre and Limelight TheatreQueens ParkAylesburyHP21 7RTGet directions
🔗 See More Info
Owl Post Family Painting Workshop

Join us for a magical Halloween family painting workshop as we create Owl Post — an enchanting snowy owl clutching a mysterious letter beneath a sparkling night sky
📅
Monday 26th October
🕰️
9:30am
-
11:30am
📍 The Walled Garden, High Wycombe
🔗 Discover More
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
🔗 Discover More
Haunted House Family Workshop 9:30am

Join Toni at 9:30am on Tuesday 27th October for our spook-tacular Haunted House Family Craft Workshop at The Walled Garden, Chorley Road, West Wycombe, HP14 3AP
📅
Tuesday 27th October
🕰️
9:30am
-
12pm
📍 The Walled Garden, High Wycombe
🔗 Find Out More
Museum Makers - Haunted Museum

Get creative with local award-winning illustrator Elly Bazigos and create a spooky haunted museum!
📅
Tuesday 27th October
🕰️
10am
-
11:30am
📍 Amersham Museum
💷 £12
🔗 Learn More
Fairy Cottage Family Workshop 3pm

Join The Easely Does It team at 3pm on Wednesday 28th October for our enchanting Fairy & Gnome Cottage Family Craft Workshopat The Walled Garden, Chorley Road, High Wycombe, HP14 3AP
📅
Wednesday 28th October
🕰️
3pm
-
5pm
📍 The Walled Garden, High Wycombe
🔗 Discover More
Little Boo Family Painting Workshop 9:30am

Meet Little Boo—the happiest little ghost you’ll ever paint! Dressed in a magical witch’s hat and carrying a smiling pumpkin lantern, Little Boo is ready for a fun-filled Halloween adventure beneath the moonlit sky, with a curious black cat peeking out from behind the trees
📅
Wednesday 28th October
🕰️
9:30am
-
12pm
📍 The Walled Garden, High Wycombe
🔗 Learn More
Witch Bottles

Discover the spooky story of witch bottles! Inspired by the 16th and 17th-century Bellarmine jugs, learn how these bearded jugs were once believed to protect people from witchcraft
📅
Wednesday 28th October
🕰️
11:30am
-
3pm
📍 Amersham Museum
💷 £3
🔗 Discover More
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
🔗 Discover More
Make Your Own Mini Witch Family Workshop 9:30am

Looking for a fun Halloween family activity in Buckinghamshire this October half term?
📅
Thursday 29th October
🕰️
9:30am
-
12pm
📍 The Walled Garden, High Wycombe
🔗 See More Info
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
🔗 Discover 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
Pumpkin-fest At The Walled Garden

Step into a pumpkin patch paradise this October at The Walled Garden!
📅
Friday 30th October
📍 The Walled Garden
🔗 Discover More
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!
📅
Friday 30th October
🕰️
10am
-
3:30pm
📍 Discover Bucks Museum
🔗 Learn More
Winnie Whiskers Family Watercolour Workshop 3pm

Join us for a magical family watercolour workshop as we paint Winnie Whiskers—an adorable little woodland mouse wearing a floppy witch’s hat and holding her mini broom
📅
Friday 30th October
🕰️
3pm
-
5pm
📍 The Walled Garden, High Wycombe
🔗 See More Info
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
📅
Sunday 1st November
🕰️
10am
-
5:30pm
📍 Odds Farm Park
💷 £21
🔗 Learn More
Try Something New This Sunday – Painting Club At B’Hive

🎨 How about doing something a little different this Sunday morning?
📅
Sunday 1st November
🕰️
10:30am
-
12:30pm
📍 B’Hive Cafe
💷 £10
🔗 See More Info
Music
Adam Sweet Band

Since being crowned Introducing Stage winners at The Great British Rock and Blues Festival in 2023 the Adam Sweet Band have been rapidly gaining a reputation as one of the tightest units on the circuit
📅
Friday 23rd October
📍 The Stables, Milton Keynes
🔗 See More Info
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
Habib Koite & Sura Susso: Manding Melody

African Night Fever is excited to present a new collaboration between Mali’s legendary guitarist, singer and composer Habib Koité, and charismatic Gambian kora maestro Sura Susso
📅
Wednesday 28th October
📍 The Stables, Milton Keynes
🔗 Find Out More
Solstice

Voted Best Band in Prog magazine’s latest annual Prog Awards, Solstice have been riding a wave an exuberant wave of positivity in the latest chapter of a story that began in the early eighties Neo-prog scene at London’s Marquee club
📅
Saturday 31st October
📍 The Stables, Milton Keynes
🔗 Find Out More
Hothouse Flowers: The Greatest Hits Tour

Something amazing happens when Hothouse Flowers step onto the stage – something that has been shaped by more than 30 years of singing and playing all over the world, yet no two shows have ever been the same! There is a sense of musical adventure, an impulse to reach new heights and depths in music where the unspoken aim is that the band and the audience become one and the world becomes a different place for a while
📅
Monday 2nd November
📍 The Stables, Milton Keynes
🔗 Find Out More
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
📅
Monday 2nd November
🕰️
9:30am
-
5pm
📍 Cliveden National Trust
🔗 Discover More
Outdoor
Holiday Activity Days For 12 To 16 Year Olds

Based on our ever popular Holiday Activity Days, we have created a new program suitable for those aged 12 plus
📅
Thursday 29th October
📍 Longridge Activity CentreQuarrywood RoadMarlowSL7 1REGet directions
🔗 Find Out More
Action4youth | The Caldecotte Xperience | Holiday Camp Adventure Days

Join us for big adventure, fresh air, and brilliant memories- with flexible multi-date booking
📅
Friday 30th October
📍 Caldecotte XperienceGeorge Amey CentreSimpson, Milton KeynesMK6 3AGGet directions
🔗 Discover More
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
📅
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
📅
Sunday 1st November
📍 Go Ape Wendover
💷 £29
🔗 See More Info
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
📅
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
📅
Sunday 1st November
📍 Go Ape Wendover
💷 £37
🔗 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
🕰️
11am
-
12:30pm
📍 Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
💷 £13
🔗 Learn More
Chesham October Holiday Club

Join us for 1, 2, or all 3 days of our fun-filled October Half Term Performing Arts Holiday Club in Chesham!
📅
Thursday 29th October
📍 Newtown SchoolBerkhampstead RoadCheshamHP5 3ATGet directions
🔗 Find Out More
Junior Farmers- Bird Feeder Making

Give you're little one the best time with our 90 minute messy play session plus make your own bird feeder to take home, using local tallow, bird feed & pumpkin seeds
📅
Thursday 29th October
🕰️
10am
-
1pm
📍 The Walled Garden, High Wycombe
🔗 Learn More
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
🔗 Discover 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
📅
Monday 2nd November
📍 Milton Keynes Theatre
🔗 See More Info
Workshop
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
Magic Potion Family Workshop 3pm

Looking for magical Halloween family activities in Buckinghamshire this October half term?
📅
Tuesday 27th October
🕰️
3pm
-
5pm
📍 The Walled Garden, High Wycombe
🔗 Find Out More
Potion Making Family Workshop 3pm

Join Scilla for a spellbinding Halloween Magic Potion Workshop, where children and adults will step into a world of witches, wizards, dragons and magical creatures to create their very own magical potion bottle
📅
Thursday 29th October
🕰️
3pm
-
5pm
📍 The Walled Garden, High Wycombe
🔗 Discover More
October Half Term At Milton Keynes Museum

Looking for ways to keep the kids entertained this half term? Head to Milton Keynes Museum for a week full of hands-on
📅
Friday 30th October
📍 Milton Keynes MuseumMcConnell DriveWolvertonMK12 5ELGet directions
🔗 Discover More
Plush Pumpkins Family Painting Workshop 9:30am

Join Toni for a cosy and creative Family Plush Pumpkin Workshop, where children and adults can work together to create beautiful handcrafted fabric pumpkins using a stunning selection of luxurious fabrics, including soft velvets, cosy bouclés and rich autumn textures
📅
Friday 30th October
🕰️
9:30am
-
12:30pm
📍 The Walled Garden, High Wycombe
🔗 Learn More
Drop In Chess Club | Wycombe Library

Drop-in for Chess Club! Come along and learn the basics or practice your skills
📅
Monday 2nd November
📍 High Wycombe Library
🔗 Find Out More
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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
🔗 Discover More
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
🔗 Discover More
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
Food and drink
Spooks & Spirits – Halloween Ghost Tour

Join us and renowned paranormal expert Ashley Darkwood for a spine-tingling ghost tour through the historic streets of Old Amersham
📅
Friday 23rd October
🕰️
6pm
-
9:45pm
📍 The Saracen’s Head, Amersham
💷 £18
🔗 Discover More
Halloween Outdoor Cinema Night At The Black Horse

Halloween cinema at The Black Horse! Choose Hotel Transylvania for kids or Paranormal Activity for adults!
📅
Thursday 29th October
📍 The Black Horse PubChesham, England
🔗 Discover More
Junior Farmers The Halloween Hunt

Plus a Halloween themed treasure hunt, can you find everything on the hunt to get a treat? S'mores station open for everyone to enjoy
📅
Saturday 31st October &
Friday 30th October
🕰️
10am
-
1pm
📍 The Walled Garden, High Wycombe
🔗 Discover More
Halloween Extravaganza

2 hour Piggy Pet & Play experience starting at 10am or 12pm
📅
Sunday 1st November
🕰️
10am
-
12pm
📍 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
📅
Sunday 1st November
🕰️
9am
-
11:30am
📍 66-68 High St, Marlow SL7 1AH
💷 £28
🔗 Discover More
History and heritage
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
🔗 Discover More
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
Halloween Pumpkin Trail

Can you find all the pumpkins hidden around the museum? Spell out the spooky word to earn a trick or treat!
📅
Sunday 1st November
🕰️
11:30am
-
4pm
📍 Amersham Museum
💷 £1
🔗 See More Info
Other Events
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
Halloween Disco

Join us for a spooktacular Halloween Disco with ghoulish fun, drinks and dancing for all the family!
📅
Friday 30th October
🕰️
5pm
-
10:30pm
📍 The Crown, Penn
🔗 See More Info
Princes Risborough Halloween Trail

Little witch Willow was getting ready to cast her most important Halloween spell
📅
Saturday 31st October
🕰️
10am
-
1pm
📍 High Street, Princes Risborough, HP27 0AE
🔗 Learn More
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!
📅
Sunday 1st November
🕰️
11:30am
-
4pm
📍 Ascott House and Gardens - National Trust
💷 £4
🔗 Learn More
Sports
Newport Pagnell Tennis Club October Half Term Camp

Join us this October half term for a tennis camp aimed at children aged 4 to 14 years old
📅
Thursday 29th October
📍 Newport Pagnell Tennis ClubWillen RoadNewport PagnellMK16 0DEGet directions
🔗 Learn 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.
📅
Friday 30th October
🕰️
8am
-
6pm
🔗 Find Out More
October Half Term Camp

We run a fun half term camp from 10am to 3pm for children aged 3 to 14 years to have fun, play tennis and pickleball
📅
Friday 30th October
📍 Gerrards Cross Lawn Tennis ClubBull LaneGerrards CrossSL9 8RNGet directions
🔗 Learn More
Literature
Halloween Trail

Little witch Willow was getting ready to cast her most important Halloween spell
📅
Saturday 31st October &
Saturday 31st October
📍 High Street
🔗 See More Info
Meet The Ghosts Of Milton's Cottage Halloween Late Night!

Ghost writers, plague zombies and vengeful demons are just some of the supernatural spirits at Milton’s Cottage this Halloween
📅
Saturday 31st October
🕰️
7:30pm
-
11pm
📍 Milton's Cottage
💷 £10
🔗 Discover More
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 31st October
🕰️
9am
-
4am
📍 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
Daytime
October Family Fun Day

Connect with nature by exploring the site whilst having fun with your family!
📅
Tuesday 27th October
📍 Iver Environment CentreIverSL0 0EBGet directions
🔗 Learn 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
📅
Monday 2nd November
📍 Waddesdon Manor
🔗 Find Out More
Fashion
Stargazing Experience: Wonders Of The Night Sky

Join UK Astronomy for a family-friendly evening of cosmic discovery and adventure
📅
Friday 23rd October
📍 Ascott Estate OfficeAscott HouseWingLU7 0PSGet directions
🔗 See More Info
Movie
Spooktacular Screening: Coco (2017)

Looking for a fun, family-friendly half-term activity? Join us on Sunday 1st November for a spooktacular screening of Disney Pixar’s Coco!
📅
Sunday 1st November
🕰️
1pm
-
3:45pm
📍 Brushwood Suite, Wades Centre, Stratton Road
💷 £1
🔗 See More Info
So there you have it: proof that October half term doesn’t have to mean seven days of hearing “I’m bored” on repeat.










