By Parkdean Resorts on 31/08/2021
October half term is just around the corner and if you’re already looking for ideas for planning fun days out and activities with the kids, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve got plenty to offer both on our holiday parks and beyond to make sure the whole family has the best October half term break.
Whether you’re the kind of family who loves to get up and go or you prefer a slower-paced holiday environment, you’ll discover something to suit everyone in our guide below.
When is October half term in 2021?
School term dates will vary depending on your local area, so don’t forget to check your council website before you book. Generally, schools in England and Wales will break up from the 25th until the 29th October this year and October half term in Scotland usually falls a week or two earlier.
The Best Holidays for October Half Term Activities
With 66 holiday parks dotted all over the UK, wherever you choose to spend your October half term getaway with us, you’re guaranteed to have a fantastic time. To get you started, we’ve handpicked just a few of our favourite parks which offer a wider range of activities and entertainment specifically for kids.
In addition to our usual programme, we’ll also be running some spooktacular Halloween themed activities across our parks, including ghost walks, a Monster Ball and a huge variety of fang-tastic live shows!
Sandford Holiday Park, Dorset
Visit Sandford Holiday Park in Dorset and discover a multitude of exciting new activities we bet you can’t wait to get stuck into this half term! We’ve invested heavily at Sandford this year and there’s so much to do, from scaling the high ropes course to getting inventive in the new Arts and Crafts Den. The crazy golf course has had a makeover too, plus there’s a brand new Sports Dome hosting activities for all ages from laser tag to archery.
Cayton Bay Holiday Park, Yorkshire
With a fantastic beach right on the doorstep, as well as a whole host of new activities and facilities on park, head to Cayton Bay for October half term and you won’t be disappointed. Thrill seekers will love the bungee trampolines and high ropes, or why not hire bikes or pedal karts to explore the park as a family? And not to mention Waterworld – so much more than an indoor swimming pool, whiz down the flumes, splash in the fountains and take part in some of our swimming activities.
Trecco Bay Holiday Park, Wales
Renowned for being one of the biggest holiday parks in the UK, Trecco Bay in Wales is the place to be if it’s all out action and adventure you’re looking for this October. We’ve invested even more into the park this year, including an outdoor climbing wall, Sports Dome and Arts and Crafts Den. Not to be missed and the first of its kind at a Parkdean Resorts holiday park, check out the new gaming arena – well stocked with the latest consoles, teens will love winding down with some screen time!
The Best Autumn Walks
Wrapping up warm, crunching leaves under your feet and breathing in the crisp October air – there’s nothing quite like an autumn walk to blow the cobwebs away. Having teamed up with the Ramblers, we’ve got lots of great walking routes near our holiday parks, from breezy coastal strolls to picturesque woodland trails and they’re the perfect way to keep the kids active this October half term.
We’ve chosen three brilliant walks near our parks to give you some inspiration, but if you’d like to explore further, check out our walking holidays page. Alternatively, select your chosen region or park from the dropdown menu, head to the local attractions tab and filter by ‘Walks.’
Hawkshead & Grizedale Forest, Lake District
It goes without saying that walking holidays and the Lake District go hand in hand and there are endless routes to choose from in this beautiful part of the country. This particular 3 mile walk should only take around an hour and a half to complete and follows some gorgeous scenery around Hawkshead Hill and Grizedale Forest. The starting point is also just a stone’s throw from all of our holiday parks in the Lake District so you won’t have to travel far to access it.
Crantock to Holywell Circular, Cornwall
You’ll be perfectly placed for this leisurely coastal walk if you’re staying at either Crantock Beach or Holywell Bay Holiday Park. At just over 7 miles in length, you’ll experience some spectacular Cornish views and you might even get the chance to spot some local marine life along the way. This route is for Ramblers members only, however, if you book a holiday with us you’ll receive an exclusive discount on membership, giving you access to hundreds more of their walks!
Crimdon Dene & The Durham Coastal Path, County Durham
This easy 5 mile walk will be just steps away if you’re staying at Crimdon Dene Holiday Park this October half term. Providing lovely views of the sandy beach, you’ll encounter several points of interest en route such as a former railway line and a colony of nesting terns. It offers the ideal combination of coastal and countryside scenery that the North East is renowned for.
The Best Half Term Crafts to Try
If the weather takes a turn for the worse or if you simply fancy spending a cosy day in your caravan, keep the kids entertained with some arts and crafts activities. It’s a great way to while away a few hours and it can be cost-friendly too!
A small selection of our parks even have their very own Arts and Crafts Den, offering an assortment of indoor activities from pottery painting to teddy bear making. You can find out which parks offer this by heading to your chosen park facilities page.
Create an autumn collage
Whilst out on your autumn walk, why not make it even more of a fun adventure and look for pretty autumn leaves, pine cones and other nature things to collect and make a collage? Allowing the kids to unleash some creativity, all you’ll need is some paper, glue and pens for them to construct their masterpiece.
Pumpkin carving
As October half term marks the run up to Halloween, it’s a great opportunity to spend time preparing some spooky decorations and there’s no better way to start than by carving your own pumpkin! Make sure any young children are under constant adult supervision if handling sharp knives, or even just let them draw their design onto the pumpkin and you can safely handle the carving for them.
Autumn tree handprint painting
Although it can get a little messy, handprint painting is always a favourite and is suitable for kids of all ages. Stock up on paper and poster paint in autumnal colours, draw your tree trunk and let their little hands do the rest! The finished product will make the perfect keepsake to take home with you to remind you of all the happy holiday memories you’ve made.
Nature to See during your October Break
The seasonal transition from summer to autumn is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful times of the year in the UK and it’s a brilliant opportunity to get out and about exploring nature this October half term.
Whether you’re staying on park enjoying your surroundings or venturing further afield for a day out, there’ll be plenty of autumnal nature and wildlife to get spotting! We’ve highlighted a selection of holiday parks below which will particularly appeal to nature lovers.
Warmwell Holiday Park, Dorset
When it comes to pretty woodland setting, our lodge-only holiday park, Warmwell, immediately springs to mind. Its leafy backdrop, quaint fishing lakes and overall peaceful ambience are unrivalled and you might even see some wild roe deer roaming the park.
Take a relaxing stroll around the wildlife nature trail, or why not sign the kids up to our popular Bear Grylls Survival Academy? Not only will they learn about how to fend for themselves in the wild but they’ll have heaps of fun whilst doing it! Off park, Dorset has plenty to offer in the way of local attractions, including Durlston Country Park, Abbotsbury Swannery and an abundance of coastal and countryside walking trails.
Romney Sands Holiday Park, Kent
You’ll experience the best of both worlds at Romney Sands Holiday Park, with a glorious sandy beach right on your doorstep, plus the Romney Marshes nearby, full to the brim with interesting wildlife to see.
Dungeness National Nature Reserve is also within easy reach from the park, one of the earth’s largest shingle landscapes and housing a wide variety of plants, insects and birds. If zoos are more your thing, Howletts Wildlife Park is less than an hour’s drive away too, home to over 400 species of animal, from elephants to anteaters.
Todber Valley Holiday Park, Lancashire
Set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Todber Valley Holiday Park is inevitably one of our favourite wildlife hotspots due to its stunning countryside location. Nestled within the magnificent Ribble Valley, you’ll find a diverse collection of nature in this part of the UK, from hares and water voles to lizards and rare insects.
With the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District not too far away either, you’ll be spoilt for choice for exciting family days out if you’re staying at Todber Valley.
How are you and your family spending the October half term holiday with us? Share your plans on our Facebook page!