Keeping the Mini Mumblers happy and entertained throughout the Half Term Holiday doesn’t need to be expensive with these fun, FREE or low cost activities and events in and around Ryedale.
1. Activities and Events
Danby Lodge have got lots going on over the October half term and beyond, including The Secret Life of Hedgerows Trail, Trails & Tails Storytelling and Wildlife Club. The centre is a fabulous indoor activity in itself. FREE too! More info here
Sutton Bank have some exciting activities planned for October half term including Night time biking and Dark Skies events. Plus there is the cycle paths and the awesome pump track More info here.
Easingwold Community Library are offering two FREE indoor activities to keep the young ‘uns out of mischief including Spooky Crafts on 31st October, and Boccia and New Age Kurling on the 1st November. More details here.
Kirkbymoorside Library are having FREE Halloween family fun and activities on 31st October. More details here.
Helmsley Library are having a Science Workshop on the 3rd November. More details here.
FREE Halloween activities at Pickering Library on 30th October 2023. More details here
Malton Library are having FREE family Halloween Crafts on the 30ths October, and also running a Trick or Treat Trail from 28th October to 4th November. More details here.
Learn how to make haunted luminaires and other Halloween craft activities at Norton Hive Community Library on 31st October 2023. More details here
Nafferton Scarecrow Festival will run along the week of October half term, it starts on Saturday 28th of October and finishes on the 3rd November 2023 where we will hold our annual musical fireworks display. (fireworks, Ticketed event)!
Admission to the National Railway Museum is FREE, and the Flying Scotsman will be there over October half term, from 21st October to 5th November 2023. More details here.
The Great Easingwold Pumpkin Hunt is running from 29th to 31st October 2023, more information on their Facebook page
Scarborough Museums and Galleries have drop in craft and fossil handling sessions 31st October to 2nd November 2023. More details here
There are loads more activities, events, Halloween Parties and days out ideas for over Half Term on the October Half Term & Bonfire Night section of the website.
2. Explore the Outdoors
North Yorkshire Moors – there is so much to explore, whether you like walking, cycling or just a drive! A trip to Goathland, Hutton le Hole, Rosedale, Thornton le Dale and the Hole of Horcum are favourites of ours. These places can be explored on a budget. A great place to start are the National Park Centres (Danby Lodge National Park Centre, Lodge Lane YO21 2NB and Sutton Bank National Park Centre YO7 2EH). More details HERE.
We live in such a beautiful area and are spoilt for choice when it comes to parks and places for a walk/bike ride. Why not set yourself the challenge of trying a new park over the holidays? We have lots of ideas on the website here.
Or why not visit the seaside. We are in easy reach of so many lovely beaches. See the website for ideas and more detail.
3. Nature Trails
Dalby Forest – With themed trails, adventure play areas, natural play, safe off-road cycling and lots of space to create your own woodland palace, your local woods and forests are the perfect place for a family day out, fit for a king! Plus they have some fabulous Halloween themed activities too. Dalby Forest is home to an abundance of internationally important wildlife species and is also a designated Dark Sky Discovery Site, where you can experience the magic of seeing the Milky Way with the naked eye. You only need to pay for parking (£10 before 4pm, £5 after 4pm in October – £5 all day November to February).
If you fancy an Autumn Scavenger Hunt, The Woodland Trust Nature Detectives have an amazing scavenger hunt pack you can find some good ideas here
If you find a few conkers still kicking around, have a read of our recent blog for inspiration of 10 activities children can do with conkers!
4. Pick Your Own Pumpkin
If you fancy picking your own pumpkin and bringing it home to carve/decorate we have listed a few Pick Your Owns in the area.
The Balloon Tree Stamford Bridge Road, Gate Helmsley, York Yo41 1NB. 01759 373023
Cedarbarn Farm Shop and Miniature Train. Pickering, YO18 7JX
Spilmans Pick Your Own Pumpkins Church Farm, Sessay, Thirsk. YO7 3NB
The Whole Hogg Farm Shop Howebridge Farm, Low Marishes, Malton, YO17 6RQ
Beacon Farm Halloween Beacon Farm, Sneaton, Whitby
Bewholme Pumpkin Patch Produce – PYO Pumpkins Homeland Farm, Catfoss Road, Bewholme, YO25 8DX
Humble Bee Farm Humble Bee Farm, Flixton, Scarborough YO11 3UJ
Kemps Farm Pick Your Own Pumpkins Kemps Farm, Barton Le Street, Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17 6PP
Pop-up Patch, Sutton-on-the-Forest Westfield farm, Sutton on the Forest YO61 1EN
Wondering what to do with your pumpkin once you’ve got it home….look no further than our blog – 10 Pumpkin Related Activities
5. Ideas for Free Fun Further Afield
If you fancy a change and can go a little further afield then here are some other free options:
6. Eating Out
If you’re looking to eat out at some point over the holiday’s we have lots of family friendly places in Ryedale and beyond listed on the website. Here is the latest list from Money Saving Centre where kids can eat for free, or at a very low cost:
7. Swimming
There are quite a few pools within an hours drive that have splash parks and slides which will keep the kids entertained for a few hours. The full round up of Mumbler recommendations can be found here.
8. Fun at Home
If the weather doesn’t play ball at times over the holidays or you want a quiet day at home why not try some of Mumbler’s tried and tested activities to do at home. From spy games to creating time capsules, you’re guaranteed to have fun!
Hopefully, some of these ideas will help you entertain the children this October Half Term without costing a fortune.
Have a good one
SJ x
* Please check all events before visiting in case of late changes.
