With half term right around the corner, we've put together our list of top picks for keeping the kids entertained across the spooky season...
Coco screening & Halloween Disco - Millennium Point, Birmingham, 26 October
Enjoy Disney’s Coco on our giant screen with a spooktacular children’s disco at Millennium Point
A DJ will be spinning the best pop hits and spooky tunes for littles one to dance along to. And as they bust their moves, grown-ups can relax in our adjoining bar area with a drink. There will also be a colouring in stations, dance competitions and prizes for the best-dressed.
Then it will be time to experience Coco as never before - on Birmingham’s biggest screen! The enchanting Disney Pixar film follows aspiring musician Miguel, alongside charming trickster Hector, on an extraordinary journey through the Land of the Dead to find his musical hero.
Spooky Cinema - Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum, 31 October - 2 November
From 31 October - 2 November there will be a thrilling line-up of film screenings in Thinktank's planetarium, perfect for both adults and families to enjoy.
The NeverEnding Story, Blade Runner: Final Cut, Ghostbusters, The Thing, E. T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Pink Floyd: The Wall make up the line up of classics.
Gruesome Tour - Aston Hall, Birmingham, 27 October
Hear about the grottier side of Jacobean life in this family friendly Gruesome Tour of Aston Hall. From medicine to gunpowder, witches and food learn how gruesome life could be in the 17th century!
Your ticket will also give you admission to Aston Hall, so when the tour is over you are free to have a look around the Hall. Suitable for children of all ages but visitor discretion is advised.
Halloween Fun - The Coffin Works, Birmingham, 26 October
The Coffin Works Museum will be hosting a day of extra spooky, spooktacular Halloween fun, with free entry for children in costume (must be accompanied by a paying adult).
This old Victorian factory packed with coffin fittings, and a few coffins, will be all decked out to celebrate the spooky season in style.
Resident witch Seraphina will be showing willing children (and adults!) how to brew a special potion in the sorcery class, the courtyard will be decked out with pumpkins-a-plenty, and there's the chance to do some ghost busting on the cheeky ghouls who have taken over the factory.
The Back to Backs by Candlelight - Birmingham Back to Backs, 31 October
As the nights draw in, experience a tour of the Birmingham Back to Backs by the glow of candlelight this Halloween.
Hear the stories of the extraordinary lives of the ordinary people who called Court 15 their home, with over 200 years of local working-class history to discover on this 90 minute guided tour.
Scare Maze - Luna Springs, Digbeth, until 2 November
One for the older kids and adults, Digbeth venue Luna Springs has brought back its popular Scare Maze attraction for Halloween.
Venture into a world of heart pounding suspense and relentless danger as you embark on a harrowing journey through Meltdown - an abandoned nuclear facility in the heart of Birmingham’s industrial district.
Prepare yourself for an adrenaline-fuelled journey through this twisted maze of terror. Each corner you turn will bring you face-to-face with the horrors that lurk within the abandoned facility. The sound of distant alarms, eerie whispers, and the faint hum of malfunctioning equipment will send shivers down your spine.
Dare to enter the realm of terror? Confront the horrors that await you in this nuclear plant meltdown and experience a horror maze like no other.
Each ticket includes a Bacardi cocktail or soft drink. Age 14+ sessions available on selected time slots, please see ticket options on each day for times. Must be accompanied by a paying adult.
Severn Valley Railway Ghost & Scream Trains - Severn Valley Railway, Worcestershire, 26, 30 - 31 October
Are you brave enough to ride the Ghost Train at Severn Valley Railway this Halloween?
Kickstart your fright night with tricks and treats for the whole family to enjoy at Kidderminster Station; then take your reserved seats and settle back to experience a ride out into the darkness.
Scary characters will join you on board, sneaking along the corridors of the train as it passes through haunted stations to Arley. The Ghost Train experience lasts for approximately 75 minutes and comes complete with a free goodie bag for every child.
Severn Valley Railway is also hosting a similar but ‘more fearsome’ event for older guests. The Scream Train is aimed at visitors aged 18-plus and features ‘petrifying ghouls’ who will be looking to scare the life out of commuters as they make their way to Arley.
October half term at the RSC - RSC venues, Stratford-upon-Avon, 28 October - 2 November
The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) invites families and young people to take part in a week of ghoulish fun and theatrical magic.
Throughout the week families will have the chance to get creative and make props for the first ever RSC inspired escape room ahead of Friday when everyone will be welcome to come along and to try and solve the clues and escape the room.
Other higlights include an interactive family demonstration of gruesome stage effects, pupperty workshops, evenings of spooky storytelling and stage combat demonstrations at twilight.
Prunella Pumpkin's School of Wizardry - Touchwood, Solihull, 28 October - 3 November
Touchwood’s popular Pumpkin House returns for more spook-tastic fun, with Prunella Pumpkin in residence to deliver lessons in the art of witchery, spooky school histories, hat and wand making, plus spells and potion making at her School of Wizardry.
The event is free but booking in advance is recommended through Touchwood’s website to avoid disappointment.
October Half Term 2024: Cold War and Spies - Royal Air Force Museum Midlands, Cosford, 26 October - 3 November
This haf term, the RAF Museum Midlands invites visitors of all ages to embark on a thrilling spy adventure as part of the Cold War Spies Week.
Visitors can explore interactive spy-themed activities, designed to transport them into the covert world of Cold War espionage. Whether you’re solving a murder mystery, boarding a spy plane, or designing your own spy vehicle, there’s something for budding detectives of all ages to enjoy.
With half term right around the corner, we've put together our list of top picks for keeping the kids entertained across the spooky season...
Coco screening & Halloween Disco - Millennium Point, Birmingham, 26 October
Enjoy Disney’s Coco on our giant screen with a spooktacular children’s disco at Millennium Point
A DJ will be spinning the best pop hits and spooky tunes for littles one to dance along to. And as they bust their moves, grown-ups can relax in our adjoining bar area with a drink. There will also be a colouring in stations, dance competitions and prizes for the best-dressed.
Then it will be time to experience Coco as never before - on Birmingham’s biggest screen! The enchanting Disney Pixar film follows aspiring musician Miguel, alongside charming trickster Hector, on an extraordinary journey through the Land of the Dead to find his musical hero.
Book here
Spooky Cinema - Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum, 31 October - 2 November
From 31 October - 2 November there will be a thrilling line-up of film screenings in Thinktank's planetarium, perfect for both adults and families to enjoy.
The NeverEnding Story, Blade Runner: Final Cut, Ghostbusters, The Thing, E. T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Pink Floyd: The Wall make up the line up of classics.
All tickets include a drink and a snack.
Book here
Gruesome Tour - Aston Hall, Birmingham, 27 October
Hear about the grottier side of Jacobean life in this family friendly Gruesome Tour of Aston Hall. From medicine to gunpowder, witches and food learn how gruesome life could be in the 17th century!
Your ticket will also give you admission to Aston Hall, so when the tour is over you are free to have a look around the Hall. Suitable for children of all ages but visitor discretion is advised.
Book here
Halloween Fun - The Coffin Works, Birmingham, 26 October
The Coffin Works Museum will be hosting a day of extra spooky, spooktacular Halloween fun, with free entry for children in costume (must be accompanied by a paying adult).
This old Victorian factory packed with coffin fittings, and a few coffins, will be all decked out to celebrate the spooky season in style.
Resident witch Seraphina will be showing willing children (and adults!) how to brew a special potion in the sorcery class, the courtyard will be decked out with pumpkins-a-plenty, and there's the chance to do some ghost busting on the cheeky ghouls who have taken over the factory.
Book here
The Back to Backs by Candlelight - Birmingham Back to Backs, 31 October
As the nights draw in, experience a tour of the Birmingham Back to Backs by the glow of candlelight this Halloween.
Hear the stories of the extraordinary lives of the ordinary people who called Court 15 their home, with over 200 years of local working-class history to discover on this 90 minute guided tour.
Book here
Scare Maze - Luna Springs, Digbeth, until 2 November
One for the older kids and adults, Digbeth venue Luna Springs has brought back its popular Scare Maze attraction for Halloween.
Venture into a world of heart pounding suspense and relentless danger as you embark on a harrowing journey through Meltdown - an abandoned nuclear facility in the heart of Birmingham’s industrial district.
Prepare yourself for an adrenaline-fuelled journey through this twisted maze of terror. Each corner you turn will bring you face-to-face with the horrors that lurk within the abandoned facility. The sound of distant alarms, eerie whispers, and the faint hum of malfunctioning equipment will send shivers down your spine.
Dare to enter the realm of terror? Confront the horrors that await you in this nuclear plant meltdown and experience a horror maze like no other.
Each ticket includes a Bacardi cocktail or soft drink. Age 14+ sessions available on selected time slots, please see ticket options on each day for times. Must be accompanied by a paying adult.
Book here
Elsewhere...
Severn Valley Railway Ghost & Scream Trains - Severn Valley Railway, Worcestershire, 26, 30 - 31 October
Are you brave enough to ride the Ghost Train at Severn Valley Railway this Halloween?
Kickstart your fright night with tricks and treats for the whole family to enjoy at Kidderminster Station; then take your reserved seats and settle back to experience a ride out into the darkness.
Scary characters will join you on board, sneaking along the corridors of the train as it passes through haunted stations to Arley. The Ghost Train experience lasts for approximately 75 minutes and comes complete with a free goodie bag for every child.
Severn Valley Railway is also hosting a similar but ‘more fearsome’ event for older guests. The Scream Train is aimed at visitors aged 18-plus and features ‘petrifying ghouls’ who will be looking to scare the life out of commuters as they make their way to Arley.
Book here
October half term at the RSC - RSC venues, Stratford-upon-Avon, 28 October - 2 November
The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) invites families and young people to take part in a week of ghoulish fun and theatrical magic.
Throughout the week families will have the chance to get creative and make props for the first ever RSC inspired escape room ahead of Friday when everyone will be welcome to come along and to try and solve the clues and escape the room.
Other higlights include an interactive family demonstration of gruesome stage effects, pupperty workshops, evenings of spooky storytelling and stage combat demonstrations at twilight.
Book here
Prunella Pumpkin's School of Wizardry - Touchwood, Solihull, 28 October - 3 November
Touchwood’s popular Pumpkin House returns for more spook-tastic fun, with Prunella Pumpkin in residence to deliver lessons in the art of witchery, spooky school histories, hat and wand making, plus spells and potion making at her School of Wizardry.
The event is free but booking in advance is recommended through Touchwood’s website to avoid disappointment.
Book here
October Half Term 2024: Cold War and Spies - Royal Air Force Museum Midlands, Cosford, 26 October - 3 November
This haf term, the RAF Museum Midlands invites visitors of all ages to embark on a thrilling spy adventure as part of the Cold War Spies Week.
Visitors can explore interactive spy-themed activities, designed to transport them into the covert world of Cold War espionage. Whether you’re solving a murder mystery, boarding a spy plane, or designing your own spy vehicle, there’s something for budding detectives of all ages to enjoy.
Book here