From pumpkin picking aplenty to spooky trails, animal fun, street parties and fireworks, Staffordshire has dozens of events and attractions to keep the children busy during October half term.
Here is the Daily Focus guide to what’s on.
Pick a pumpkin
The National Forest Adventure Farm’s Pumpkin Village has over 35 varieties of autumnal squashes on its seven-acre site at Tatenhill, as well of plenty of photo opportunities.
Other sites – many offering other attractions too – include Canalside Farm, near Stafford; Proctors Nursery in Endon; Pillaton Hall, Penkridge; Lichfield Maize Maze; Ryman’s Pumpkins, Lichfield; Caverswall Creamery; Lower Drayton Farm; Penkridge.
Make a day of it
The Trentham Estate is treating visitors to a host of family friendly fun featuring professionally carved pumpkins, a selfie trail, an interactive challenge, Witch and Wizard School, fairground rides, pantomime and performances by KPop Demon Hunters and Sanderson Sisters at various points throughout the week.
On Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 October only, there’s also a special makers market taking place in the gardens.
Statfold Country Park’s Halloween Spooktacular is described as perfect for families with younger children, complete with Monster Mansion, a new maze and a spooktacular show.
Bishton Hall, near Stafford, has a fun day featuring games and activities, a craft corner and various stalls on Sunday (26 October).
Trails galore
At the National Memorial Arboretum, in Alrewas, visitors can join Arbie the owl in a brand-new trail to discover autumnal treasures at the 150-acre site. There are also free interactive storytelling sessions and drop-in crafts taking place. Click here for more information.
Skeletons have decided to have a ball at Biddulph Grange Garden, where youngsters are encouraged to track down all the names and take part in fun activities along the way.
There is also a trail at Tittesworth Water, a spooky craft and Halloween trail around Stafford Castle on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 October, a hunt for the Halloween Monster Caper at Tamworth Castle, Halloween i-spy at Lichfield’s Beacon Park and a free trail and creepy crafts at Hanley Park, Stoke-on-Trent, on 28 October.
Hit the town
Sunday (26 October) will see a free Halloween family festival held on Stone’s High Street, with a special market, trail, entertainment and crafts.
Stafford Music & Food Festival Halloween Street Party on 31 October will feature live performances, a makers market, street food and bar.
Meanwhile, Stoke-on-Trent City Centre’s BIG Halloween Street Party on 1 November will feature music, street entertainers, a costume contest for little monsters , trick-or-treating and an appearance from Potteries Artisan Market.
Or check out tomorrow’s (25 October) zombie disco at the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery.
In Longton, there’s a Halloween event with animals, trick-or-treating, a community BBQ, disco and fancy dress competition happening tomorrow (25 October) and children can also go trick-or-treating in Longton Market on 31 October.
Cheadle also has a pumpkin trail around its High Street.
Furry good fun
Staffordshire Exotics Rescue is holding a Halloween event in Longton featuring creepy crawlies, farmyard animals, mammals and birds on Sunday (26 October). Guests can have a go at bush tucker trials and apple bobbing. Find out more here.
Rodbaston Animal Zone’s Halloween attractions include a new twilight trail, a colouring competition and crafts and some spooky animal enrichment activities to spot.
And you can combine the fun of pumpkins and alpacas at Wetley Moor Alpacas, Stoke-on-Trent.
Kids get 50 per cent off admission to Peak Wildlife Park in October with the code KIDS50 and there’s also a pumpkin patch to enjoy.
Party time
The Wilkes Head pub, in Leek, is hosting a free, family Halloween party between 1pm and 5pm on 31 October, with entertainment including games, crafts, face painting, stalls. There’s live music and crazy games for the adults from 6pm. The events are being held in aid of Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, with donations encouraged. No tickets are needed for daytime activities but free tickets are available from the bar for the evening session. Find out more on Facebook here.
There are still tickets available for Tots of Fun’s Halloween party for toddlers being held at Hanchurch Village Hall on 31 October. Expect fun and games with prizes to be won plus a disco, refreshments and more.
There’s also a Halloween disco at Flash Village Hall on 1 November and a free family-friendly party featuring a book treasure hunt at Burton Library on 31 October.
Roll up, roll up
Gandeys Circus has performances at The Trentham Estate between 25 October and 2 November.
Planet Circus is also set up at Hanley Park until 26 October.
Have a blast
There are silent fireworks as well as various other attractions at Polesworth Donkey Sanctuary in Tamworth on October 25.
Weston Park’s fireworks event on 2 November will feature two displays choreographed to the sound of music from the movies, alongside a giant bonfire and traditional funfair.
Drayton Manor Resort’s fireworks on 25 October and 2 November will celebrate the attraction’s 75th birthday.
Newcastle’s fireworks event takes place at Lyme Valley park from 5pm on Sunday (26 October) and Staffordshire County Showground’s fireworks extravaganza will be held on 2 November.
Get active
The area’s junior parkruns know how to have fun and Burslem Park’s will be marking Halloween this Sunday, while Lyme Valley Parkway Junior parkrun’s Halloween event – featuring a scavenger hunt, trick-or-treating and a tuckshop – is on 2 November.
Those looking to tire out some little legs in Lichfield should try sessions hosted by Active Lichfield Communties, running all week and including netball, basketball, glow dodgeball and soft archery.
Something different
Workshops will be taking place in Newcastle-under-Lyme to create free willow and paper lanterns as part of a lantern parade being held in December. Find out more here.
New Vic Borderlines’ Fab Food and Financial Folktales takes place between 27 October and 1 November, the free, interactive event will tour venues and community groups across Staffordshire and is designed to encourage open discussions about finances within the community and integrate food aid as part of a holiday support initiative. Check out the Facebook page here.
