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...

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Freaky Family Fun Day - The Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry, 26 October

Celebrating all things strange and mysterious, visitors to the Herbert can join a free drop-in family day, running from 11am - 3pm.

Alien family The Roswells will be dropping by the galleries on their visit to Planet Earth, taking holiday snaps, playing a very English game of cricket and enjoying a picnic lunch. There will be a digital art masterclass for ages 11 - 16, and the gallery's new exhibition Microworld will be open to explore.

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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

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Car Design: Tech Takes the Wheel - British Motor Museum, Gaydon, 26 October - 3 November

The British Motor Museum’s family-friendly selection of half-term activities are inspired by the evolution of car design. 

From the classic sketchbook to 3D digital imagery, visitors can learn how technology has made possible some of history’s finest designs. Activities include Dottie & Dougie’s Tracing Tech Family Tours and an ‘electrifying’ Graphite Lights craft activity. 

Families visiting the venue from Tuesday 29 October to Friday 1 November can join the scientists in the lab for a series of mind-blowing experiments.  A spooky Black Cat Trail also features.

Book here

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October half term - Stratford Butterfly Farm, Stratford-upon-Avon, 26 October - 3 November

This October half term the Butterfly Farm will be celebrating the amazing migration story of the Monarch Butterfly, Danaus plexippus, and why they are associated with Día de Muertos.

Daily butterfly lifecycle demonstrations will take place at 11am in the Discovery Zone, where visitors can learn about Monarch migration, their life cycle and food plants and see beautiful Monarchs flying.

During October half term the Butterfly Farm and nature inspired gift shop will be dressed for Day of the Dead, featuring colourful decorations and sugar skulls.

Plus in the Flight Area families can follow a gruesome insect fact trail, and find out just how weird and wonderful nature can be.

Book here

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Halloween Trail - Compton Verney, Warwickshire, 26 October - 3 November

Families visiting Compton Verney this October half term can enjoy a spooky Halloween trail. Inspired by Chila Kumari Singh Burman and Louise Bourgeois’ on-site Spider sculpture (see picture below), visitors will take a journey through the grounds and uncover neon spider pumpkins concealed in hidden areas. 

Book here

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Halloween at Lord Leycester - Lord Leycester, Warwick, 25 October - 4 November

During October half-term families can take part in a special Halloween murder mystery trail, becoming Victorian detectives to help crack codes and solve the mystery of poor Alice Brown's murder. From Fri 25 Oct to Mon 4 Nov, the free murder mystery trail is available from the Lord Leycester ticket office, providing the perfect family activity.

Alongside this, the Lord Leycester is also running after-hours tours of the site, where visitors can uncover the chilling stories of ghosts past and present who have walked the Medieval buildings. From headless knights to medieval monks, delve into the tales of those who have haunted the Lord Leycester for over 900 years. The ghost tours will take place on 30 and 31 Oct from 4.30pm to 5.30pm. The tour is priced £8 per person and is open to aged seven and above.

Book here

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Halloween Spooktacular - Hatton Adventure World, Warwick, 19 - 20 October and 26 - 31 October

Visitors can expect an array of terrifyingly thrilling activities at Hatton's Halloween Spooktacular this year. Including the Haunted Cabin Walkthrough filled with eerie cabins and ghoulish surprises, the family-friendly Village of Trick or Treat, and the spooky Zombie Marsh.

Families can hop on a Bewitching Trailer Ride for a spooky spin through the Halloween-themed farm and get up close with some seriously slithery friends at Scales and Tails. Older kids (8+) can battle their way through a zombie-infested arena in Laser Combat Zombie Run. Plus, the Magic & Mayhem Illusion Show will show daily at 11:30am, 1pm, 2:30pm, and 3:30pm. 

Those who want to get into the pumpkin spirit can pick and carve their own pumpkin in the Pumpkin Carving Tent with pumpkins ranging from £2 to £5. 

Book here

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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

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Creepy crafts for Halloween - Shakespeare's Schoolroom & Guildhall, Stratford-upon-Avon, 19 October - 3 November

Young wizards, witches, ghosts and ghouls can take part in some spine-tingling family crafts this Halloween at Shakespeare's Schoolroom & Guildhall.

There will be bats hanging from the rafters and spiders spinning their webs in the Master’s Chamber, which is where the Creepy Crafts will take place. Once you’ve decided on a batty bat or spooky spider you can decorate your scary (or cute!) Halloween friend and either take it home or add it to the display.

You won’t see ghosts during your visit, but you will meet Master Thomas Jenkins who has travelled back from Shakespeare’s day to give visitors an interactive lesson in the same spirit that young William would have experienced. There are also activities to be found in the Georgian classroom, including traditional games, quill writing, puzzles and Tudor dress up, and a family quiz - all included in the ticket price.

Book here

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Halloween half-term - Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire, 25 October - 1 November

Prepare for a ghoulishly good day out at Kenilworth Castle this half term. Step into the Monster Hunting Academy, and take on thrilling tests of bravery as you learn the techniques of monster hunting sure to thrill aspiring monster hunters of all ages. Those who complete all the challenges will earn their place as one of the brave Monster Hunters!

Plus, through-out the day, follow the Halloween Quest through the grounds of Kenilworth Castle to solve creepy clues and gruesome tasks.

Book here