October half term activities Manchester 2025

There are loads of October half term activities Manchester in 2025 to choose from. There are plenty of Halloween themed ones and some that have nothing to do with Halloween. This post will focus on those that aren’t about Halloween but it will link to my guides on Halloween events and Pumpkin picking locations in Greater Manchester too. Find more October half term activities North West here.

Table of Contents

Ad – This post contains affiliate links. These are marked with *.

I have done my best to make sure this post is up to date and accurate but please check the organiser’s website before travelling as events may be cancelled at short notice, details might be changed and mistakes happen. I have included links to the event organisers so you can check the up to date details and terms and conditions before travelling or booking. Most of the events need pre-booking.

As always, I will be updating these guides right up to and October half term. Please do send me details if you have an event that I have missed. I can be reached by emailing info@northwestforkids.co.uk

If you love finding new family days out and events in the North West then you need to follow me on Facebook or Instagram. If you use Facebook you might like to join my Family Days out North West group.

All things Autumn at Lyme Park – details for 2025

Where: Lyme Park, Didsley

When: 25th October – 2nd November 2025

Cost: £3 per trail, normal admission applies for none members

Look out for all the colours and weird and wonderful creatures that autumn has to offer, and enjoy autumn games and indoor creative activities.

Full details here – All things autumn trail | National Trust

Spooks’ autumn art adventure at Dunham Massey– details for 2025

Where: Dunham Massey, Woodhouse Lane, Altrincham, WA14 4SJ

When: 18th September – 9th November 2025

Cost: free trail, normal admission applies for none members

Spooks the spider is spinning something spectacular – but first, they need a burst of inspiration! Join Spooks on a wander through the park, where every leaf, colour and creature could inspire their next work of art. Along the way you’ll sort colours, match leaves and hunt for natural treasures, all to help create Spooks’ most magnificent masterpiece yet.

Full details here – Spooks’ Autumn Art Adventure | National Trust

Autumn crafts at Dunham Massey– details for 2025

Where: Dunham Massey, Woodhouse Lane, Altrincham, WA14 4SJ

When: 25th October – 2nd November 2025

Cost: free, normal admission applies for none members

Make your own leafy crown or fluffy pumpkin pompon. Come along, bring your crafty ideas to life and take home a special seasonal decoration to remember your visit.

Full details here – Autumn crafts

Diggle Scarecrow Trail – Details for 2025

When: 24th October – 2nd November 2025.

Where: Trails available from Grandpa Greene’s, The Gate inn, The Diggle Hotel and Diggle Lock

Cost: £3 a trail

Further details – you can buy a trail sheet and have a spooky walk around the lovely village of Diggle trying to find all the amazing scarecrows.

Full details here – Diggle Scarecrow Trail

Quentin Blake and me, free exhibition, The Lowry

When: until 4th January 2025.

Free family exhibition celebrating the work of one of Britain’s most popular writers and illustrators, Quentin Blake

Book here – Quentin Blake and Me

Alice in Wonderland, Z-Arts

When: 25th, 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st October and 2nd November 2025

Fall down the rabbit hole and step into Lewis Carroll’s classic world at Z-arts, Manchester – an interactive play experience where families can imagine, explore, and make unforgettable memories together.

Book here – Adventures in Wonderland – Z-arts

Nick Cope I’ve lost my bobble hat, Waterside Sale

When: 26th October 2025.

Nick Cope’s Family Show is a one-hour acoustic, seated performance. Nick sings his uniquely crafted songs while playing his guitar accompanied by a backdrop of Nick’s beautifully animated projections.

Nick has a way of reaching into people’s hearts with songs of the everyday, igniting children’s imagination in an organic, unpatronizing, educational and fun way.

Book here – Nick Cope: I’ve Lost My Bobble Hat

Free, Create, fold, pop your Triceratops awaits, Manchester Museum

When: 28th – 31st October 2025.

This hands-on activity lets kids (and grown-ups!) create their very own 3D dino masterpiece. Design, decorate, and bring your favourite dino to life, then take it home as a roar-some keepsake. For children aged five and over, accompanied by parents or carers, but younger siblings are welcome too.

Full details here – Create, fold and pop – your Triceratops awaits! – Manchester Museum

free, Dino Hunt trail, Manchester Museum

When: 28th October – 2nd November 2025,

Imagine you’ve made it to the Mesozoic and you’re on a dino-spotting expedition.

Head to our Fossils and Dinosaur Gallery to see how many wooden dinosaurs you can find tucked away in our cases throughout October half-term.

Full details here – Dino Hunt trail – Manchester Museum

Free, Dino Tales Claymation workshops, Manchester Museum

When: 28th October – 2nd November 2025,

Bring a Triceratops and other dinosaurs to life using vibrant plasticine and craft your own stop-motion animation. Dive into the world of storytelling as you design characters, build miniature sets and learn the magic of frame-by-frame filmmaking.

These free family workshops are aimed at children aged five and over, accompanied by parents or carers, but younger siblings are welcome too. They’ll run at intervals throughout the day but spaces are limited, so sign up on arrival at the Museum.

Full details here – Dino Tales claymation workshops – Manchester Museum

Cinderella Ice Cream Seller, Z-Arts.

When: 29th October 2025.

In this new musical for families and children, join Talvi and Caldwell, loyal employees of Cinderella’s, as they share her rags to riches tale, and confront their own desires, hopes, and the magic that lies within each scoop of Cinderella’s legendary ice cream.

Perfect for children and families alike, this exciting musical retelling of a fairytale classic promises a delightful blend of storytelling, stunning live music, and theatrical magic that will capture your heart and tickle your taste buds.

Book now – Cinderella Ice Cream Seller – Z-arts

Manchester museum celebrates Diwali

When: 29th October 2025.

Diwali is a festival of new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance, celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world.

Our celebrations are a chance for people of all ages and cultures to immerse themselves in the spirit of the festival.

It all starts at 4pm with fun, family activities across the Museum before the party starts as the sun begins to set and you’ll have a chance to enjoy dance performances and music.

Full details here – Manchester Museum Celebrates Diwali – Manchester Museum

Comedysportz, Waterside Sale

When: 25th October 2025

You’ve seen football. You’ve seen tennis. But have you seen Comedy as a sport? Then you don’t want to miss this all ages, all action, all improvised competitive comedy show!

Two teams battle it out for laughs with quick-witted gags, games, sketches and songs inspired by your suggestions. There’s a referee on hand to ensure a good clean match – it’s a family friendly show after all – with penalties for bad behaviour and bad jokes. Who wins? You decide!

Book here – ComedySportz

The Smeds and the Smoos, The Lowry

When: 27th October – 1st November 2025

Soar into space with this Olivier Award-nominated adaptation of the much-loved book by superstar duo Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

On a far-off planet, Smeds and Smoos can’t be friends. So when a young Smed and Smoo fall in love and zoom off into space together, how will their families get them back?

Music, laughs and interplanetary adventures for everyone aged 3 and up, from Tall Stories.

Book here – The Smeds and the Smoos

October half term at Heaton Park

When:

Full details here – Heaton park

Heaton park Haunted History trail, low cost – Details for 2025

Where: Heaton Park

When: 25th October – 2nd November 2025

Self-guided trail and see how many hidden horrors you can find around the park.

Pick up a free checklist from the Stables Visitor Reception before 4.00pm on the 25th October to 2nd November, and don’t forget to pack a pencil.

Find out more here – Heaton Park Halloween trail

October half term at Science and Industry museum Manchester

When: 25th October – 2nd November 2025

The Power hall is newly renovated and back open, you can also enjoy the rest of the free museum or book Power up.

Full details here – October half term

Find my review of this museum here – Science and Industry museum Manchester.

Operation Ouch! Brains, bogies and you! Manchester Museum of Science and Industry 2025

This is a really fun and interactive temporary exhibit about the senses which is perfect for kids.

£10 per ticket, family discounts available.

Find out more here – Operation Ouch

Free, Afrocats x Whitworth at The Whitworth

When: 28th – 30th October 2025

With screens taking up so much of our lives, these sessions are designed for children to ground themselves and reconnect – with others, with nature, and with the freedom to play. Come along and enjoy free, inclusive drop-in sessions filled with outdoor messy play, bushcraft adventures and circus skills.

Our family activities welcome all ages. This October we have more of a focus on activities aimed at children and teens aged six to 16, however our messy play is perfect for those under six.

Full details here – Afrocats x Whitworth

Diggle Scarecrow Trail – Details for 2025

When: 24th October – 2nd November 2025.

Where: Trails available from Grandpa Greene’s, The Gate inn, The Diggle Hotel and Diggle Lock

Cost: £3 a trail

Further details – you can buy a trail sheet and have a spooky walk around the lovely village of Diggle trying to find all the amazing scarecrows.

Full details here – Diggle Scarecrow Trail

MadLab at Stockport Museum – booking required

All tickets are £3-£5

Saturday 25th October (multiple slots): Tinkerbots: Build your own Robot

Calling all tinkerers! Build your own robot from found objects, learn to use tools, recycle ethically, fight waste and have fun.

Tinkerbots is a hands-on, engaging workshop in which you create a robot sculpture from electronic waste to take home. This unique experience is sure to get your tinker juices flowing!

Sunday 26th November (multiple slots): Stop Motion Animation

Join us for some stop motion animation family fun!

This stop motion workshop explores how you can use your digital skills to bring inanimate objects to life. Stop motion involves taking a series of still images and then digitally stitching them together to make an animation. We will guide you through the process of creating your own animated masterpiece using tablets and Stop Motion Studio (a free app for animations on tablets), from designing and creating your characters to filming your story.

Monday 27th October (multiple slots): DIY Light Show

Learn how to program LEDs to create your own mini light show!

Tuesday 28th October (multiple slots): Save the World with Minecraft

Explore the world of Minecraft through coding!

This workshop will reveal the power of Minecraft in developing and testing world-improving creative ideas! You’ll explore how to create and control objects in Minecraft using the programming language Python. Harness your creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills to make a difference using the exciting world of Minecraft.

Wednesday 29th October (multiple slots): The Art of the Panel: Canva Comic Workshop

Create your very own comic strips using Canva – unleash your creativity!

This workshop will show you how to use Canva to design eye-catching graphics and express your creativity. Work together, experiment with ideas, and learn how to create cool and impactful designs that stand out – no design experience needed!

Thursday 30th October (multiple slots): Cat-astrophe! Code a Splat Game with Python

Get ready to unleash your inner coder and create a splat-tastic game using Python – it’s going to be a purr-fectly fun time!

In this workshop, you’ll create your very own Splat-A-Cat game, learning some programming as you play. Use your imagination and problem-solving skills to bring your game to life.

Friday 31st October (multiple slots): Ghost Alert! Create Your Own Circuits

Get ready to catch some ghouls by creating your own spooky tin foil circuits this half term!

In this workshop, you’ll design your very own security system using tin foil circuits to keep the ghouls at bay. Connect switches, buzzers, and lights, and watch your creations come to life. Use your creativity and problem-solving skills to build circuits that really work, creating the ultimate trick this Halloween!

Saturday 1st November (multiple slots): Tinkerbots: Build your own Robot

Calling all tinkerers! Build your own robot from found objects, learn to use tools, recycle ethically, fight waste and have fun.

Tinkerbots is a hands-on, engaging workshop in which you create a robot sculpture from electronic waste to take home. This unique experience is sure to get your tinker juices flowing.

Sunday 2nd November (multiple slots): Stop Motion Animation

Join us for some stop motion animation family fun!

Halloween events Manchester

Fancy some Halloween themed activities? There are loads to choose from in Manchester. Find them here – Halloween events Manchester

Halloween in the city – 2025 details

Where: across Manchester city centre

When: 25th – 31st October 2025

Cost: Free

Summary: Includes a giant rooftop Monster Invasion, a magnificent Monster Procession, and frightful fancy dress challenge, Monster rock music festival and a Carnival of Monsters.

Find full details here – Halloween in the City

Halloween festival – Reddish Vale farm – Book now for 2025

Where: Reddish Vale farm, Stockport, SK5 7HE

When: 4th – 31st October 2025

Cost: Tickets from £13.50 per adult, £17.50 per child (includes 1 pumpkin)

Summary: visit all the animals and outdoor play areas as well as The Spooky Express tractor ride (£2.50 per ride), vampire archery, pick your own pumpkin and carve it, Halloween children’s games and more. Pumpkin patch and carving.

Book here – Halloween Farm Fun 2025

Cockfields farm pumpkin festival- book now for 2025

Where: Ashton/Oldham Border OL6 8AR

When: 4th – 31st October 2025

Cost: from Adult Tickets: £14.95, Child Ticket: £14.95, Under 1s: £4.95,

Summary: Huge outdoor pumpkin patch and mini indoor pumpkin patch, tractor rides, Halloween show, fairground carousel and all the usual farm yard fun. Includes mini (toddler) pumpkin patch (term time) and main pumpkin patch event on weekends and in half term.

Book here – Buy The Pumpkin Patch tickets

Asquarium, Mancheter Sea life Centre – book now for 2025

Where: Manchester Sea life centre, Trafford Centre, Manchester

When: 27th September to 2nd November 2025

Cost: From £15 (included in standard admission, can combine with admission to Legoland discovery centre too)

Summary: Meet a Sea witch or Warlock, vist the pumpkin patch, fun activities and challenges around the aquarium and a reward for completion.

Book here – * Asquarium

Brick or treat, Legoland discovery centre Manchester – details for 2025

Where: Legoland discovery centre, Manchester Trafford Centre

When: 27th September – 2nd November 2025

Cost: Included in normal admission price.

Summary: As well as all the usual Legoland discovery centre activities you can

Watch the LEGO® 4D Movie ‘The Great Monster Chase’
Build your own LEGO® pumpkin and help us make a spooky monster garden
‘Scarevenger’ hunt – What can you find hiding in our haunted MINILAND?
Meet and greet with our character mascots – Scarecrow and Lord Vampyre. Bring your best monster moves and join them for a Halloween dance party!
Spin our spooky wheel of fortune; will you get a trick or a treat?

Book here – * Brick or Treat | LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Manchester

Halloween on the farm, Lancaster farm – tickets on sale now for 2025

Where: Lancaster Park & Animal Farm, Middleton Road, Chadderton, Oldham, OL1 2TG

When: Weekends from 4th October and then daily from the 25th to 31st October 2025.

Cost: Adults £13.62 (no pumpkin), Child (1 -15 years): £16.77 (includes pumpkin), Baby (under 12 months): £6.81 (includes pumpkin)

Summary: Pick and carve your own pumpkin from the patch, Halloween disco, spooky characters, fancy dress competition, all the usual farmyard fun included too.

Book here – Halloween On The Farm! | Lancaster Park and Animal Farm

Halloween at Smithills open farm, Bolton – book now for 2025

Where: Smithills open farm, Smithills Dean Rd, Bolton BL1 7NS

When: 25th – 31st October 2025.

Cost: £6 per pumpkin which does not include farm entry. If you just want pumkins it’s £6, you need farm entry as well if you want the Halloween activities. Farm entry includes Halloween activities from 25th to 31st October. Prices start from £11.50

Summary: Halloween activities include a spooky sweet hunt, farm staff in fancy dress, the farm is decorated for Halloween and a Children’s fancy dress competition.

Book here – Halloween 2025 – Smithills Open Farm

Halloween fun at RHS Bridgewater – Details for 2025

Where: RHS Bridgewater, Occupation Road, Off Leigh Road, Worsley, Salford, Greater Manchester, M28 2LJ

When: 25th October – 2nd November 2025

Cost: Included in admission fee

Summary: pumpkin garden trail, pumpkin carving (25th), sow the city pumpkin music (27th and 28th), Zoolab animal encounters (29th £5 per child), pumpkin crafts (30th), Bread and Butter Zombie Disco (31st) and donate your pumpkins to the pumpkin display on 1st & 2nd November 2025.

Find out more here – RHS Garden Bridgewater / RHS Gardening.

Halloween heart trail at Fletcher Moss, Didsbury – Details for 2025

Where: Fletcher Moss Park, Didsbury

When: 25th October – 2nd November 2025

Cost: £1 per sheet

Full details – Collect your sheet from the cafe and find the Halloween-themed hearts around the park.

Find out more here – Broad Oak Hearts Trail | Manchester

Wild Magic at The Hive at Moss Bank Park, Bolton – book now for 2025

Where: The Hive at Moss Bank Park, Moss Lane, Bolton, BL1 6NB

When: 30th October 2025

Cost: Tickets are £9 per child

Summary: This Halloween, come along to the woodland school of magic nestled in the mystical setting of The Hive. Using natural materials, you can design an enchanted cloak, build your very own broomstick from scratch, create magical wild potions and make a wand to conjure your spells! Are you ready to be spellbound?

Book here – Wild Magic at The Hive

The witch’s potion trail at Bramhall Hall – Book now for 2025

When: 23rd October – 2nd November 2025, Thursday -Sunday only

Where: Bramhall Hall, Bramhall Park, Stockport, SK7 3NX ·

Cost: Adult £6.50, Concessions £5.00, Child (under 16) with trail £3.00, Child (under 16) without trail free.

Summary: Batilda the resident witch fell from her broom, scattering ingredients in every room! Find them all, get them right, to make a potion for Halloween night!

There is a small prize if you find all the ingredients and you might even get to meet Batilda, our slightly scary witch!

Recommended for children age 3+

Book here – The Witch’s Potion Trail 2025 – Bramall Hall – Art Tickets

Halloween at Salford museum – book now for 2025

When: 28th – 31st October 2025

Halloween card making, £3 per child – 28th October 2025 – booking required

Haunted dolls houses with spooky characters, free – 30th October – booking required

Haunted mask making, £1 per child – 31st October – booking required

Book here – Salford Museum & Art Gallery

Halloween fair at The Trafford Centre – book now for 2025

Where: Trafford Centre, Manchester, Trafford Park, Stretford, M17 8AA

When: 25th October – 2nd November 2025

Halloween funfair located outside the Great Hall. £3.50 on the gate, £2.50 online, ride tokens £1 each.

Book here – Halloween fair

Pumpkins and potions crafting at The Trafford Centre – book now for 2025

When: 25th October – 2nd November 2025

Within the fair and beneath a spooky undercover tent lies a gentler kind of magic. Join our mischievous pals Wanda Web and Jack O’Lantern for free pumpkin painting and other Halloween crafts to spark little imaginations (and maybe a few giggles).

Full details here – Pumpkins and potions crafting