With Leicester Half Term a week earlier than everywhere else, it does mean we get to enjoy some Halloween fun with less of the crowds, even if some places don’t start their activities til later in the month.

After a bit of a search for some local pumpkin-tastic events, suitable for younger kids who may not appreciate a blood-thirsty scare-fest, I discovered some amazing places to check out for some seasonal fun for all the family this month.

Here are a few of my top picks for family days out and Hallowen activities, from pumpkin patches to family-friendly activities!

Cattows Farm, Leicestershre – www.cattowsfarm.co.uk/

Pumpkin picking at Cattows Farm has become a tradition for us, as it is always one of the first places to open its seasonal fun, and knows how to get us into the autumn vibe! It also seems to be getting bigger and better every year.

It’s open for pumpkin picking from 1st til the 31st October, from 9am, 7 days a week, boasting one of Leicestershire’s largest pumpkin patches.

With stunning countryside views, a beautiful tearoom (with seasonal menus and decorations), as well as a whole host of family-friendly activities at weekends, it really is an amazing place to visit.

I always find the staff are incredibly friendly and helpful, and visiting outside of Peak times such as weekdays or mornings can often mean you have the place to yourself.

This year, they’ve also opened up an outside coffee shop in a covered marquee, and a spooky corn maze, as well as inflatables, ride-on tractors, and hosting their own charity pumpkin fun run on the 13th October.

Keep an eye on their Facebook page for all their latest events this month!, as well as my full review from our last visit there!

West Lodge Rural Centre – www.westlodgeruralcentre.co.uk

From October 12th, West Lodge Farm is running a whole host of Halloween fun including activities over half term.

The farm has some amazing facilities and activities for all ages throughout the year, including barrel rides, an indoor adventure barn (it is incredible in there!!), and animal petting, as well as plenty of beautiful forests to explore!

However for Halloween, they’re adding in an extra bundle of spooky fun, including pumpkin carving, where kids can pick their own pumpkin from the field, and the team will carve out their design on the pumpkin – adding in something different to your pumpkin picking experience!

What’s more, you can also pay an extra £2 per person to jump on their family-friendly Spooky Tractor Ride, or join in the free Witch’s House Tour, learning about Daisy and her magic spells. Both must be pre-booked in advance, but both sound really fun!

We’re also excited to join in the panto-style ghost story in the barn, that apparently is fun for all the family, rather than creepy… so watch this space!

I’m sure this will be booked up quickly, so I’d recommend booking your slots in advance online.

National Forest Adventure Farm – www.adventurefarm.co.uk/event/halloween/

There’s no secret about how much we love the National Forest Adventure Farm on any day of the year, whatever the weather, so to see their incredible line-up for the Halloween season, I’m not sure either of us could contain our excitement!

They’re hosting a Halloween Spook-tacular on the 19th&20th October, as well as through 25th October-1st November for those on half term in the area.

Not only do you have access to their amazing activity selection of jumping pillows, animal petting, musical maze and more, but they also have an incredible lineup of Halloween activities for all ages, including jumping on their pumpkin wagon to get a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch!

I’m pretty excited about the broomstick training and Wizarding Academy, but you can also get involved with wand making, magic spells, pumpkin carving, a mummy maze and more!

We also really like how the online prices are available until 10am on the day you arrive, but I’m convinced these will be popular events, so get booked on!

For our review of the National Forest Adventure Farm and all the activities available there throughout the year, click here!

Mini Meadows Farm in Northamptonshire – www.minimeadowsfarm.com/events/

Mini Meadows Farm is a lovely place to visit all year round, especially as it only costs £5 to get in and there is so much to do!

We have loved every visit, but especially when we went to their forest school, which they run throughout term time too!

From the 19th til 31st October, you can pay an extra £3 to enjoy their pumpkin activities, where you can pick your own pumpkin from their pumpkin patch, and use a wheelbarrow to return it to a special carving station, where you can scoop out the seeds and carve out a pumpkin.

All the animals will be available to visit and feed as standard, with everything from llamas to bunny rabbits, and the indoor and outdoor play areas to enjoy no matter what the weather!

For more about Mini Meadows, check out our review here!

Twin Lakes Park – www.twinlakespark.co.uk/

This will be our first visit to Twin Lakes Park, but we’re super excited to check out something very different from the rest of our spooky line-up!

From October 18th til 31st you can get involved with Fruity the Witch’s Not-So-Scary trick or treat Witch Wagon, which promises to be the “happiest haunted place on Earth”! With younger children, this sounds perfect, where for just £3.99, you can enjoy prizes, cauldrons, and an interactive experience in a Witches Wagon, complete with a small trick and treat at the end from Fruity the Witch!

The whole of Twin Lakes Park is also converting into a Family Scream Park from the 18th, promising over 20,000 pumpkins to pick, carve or paint, a Halloween hunt with prizes and meeting Marty the Monster, as well as a free circus each day – promising to be not-so-scary!

We can’t wait to visit for the Halloween fun with a difference – especially to meet Fruity and check out the circus! What’s more, you can get a discount for a limited time with discount code SPOOKY19 when booking online!

Boost Trampoline Park – boosttrampolineparks.co.uk

On October 26th & 27th, Boost Trampoline Park in Leicester is hosting two spook-tastic Halloween parties.

The parties are on the 26th at 6-8pm for over-4s and on the 27th at 10-11am for Little Monsters (under-4s and their older siblings) where you can turn up in your fancy dress and enjoy a whole host of spooky activities. Their parties always have great music and a fun vibe, so we really recommend them!

Throughout Half Term, they’re also running a school holiday club for children age 4 and above, from 9am til 6pm, at £30 for the day including jumping, activities, and food.

We love Boost Trampoline Park thanks to it’s fun and safe areas to play and jump for all ages, the foam pits, the little soft play area for the little ones, the lovely cafe, and of course the super-friendly staff.

For a discount on holiday club, jump sessions, the Hallowen parties, birthday parties and more, use code LILY10 when booking online!

Check out our review of Boost Trampoline Park here.

Thurlaston Garden Centre & Tearoom – www.thurlastongardencentreandtearoom.co.uk/

We are definitely regulars at the Thurlaston Garden Centre thanks to their amazing coffee, homemade cakes and super-friendly staff.

They’ve opened up their pumpkin patch again this year where you can pick up your own pumpkin in the lovey field next to the tearoom, and enjoy the little setup too.

Lily had great fun last year and we will definitely head back for their little pumpkin patch… Any excuse for a coffee 🙂

Check out our review of the Thurlaston Garden Centre & Gardeners Rest Tearoom here.

Looking for something less Halloween-y and more autumnal?

National Trust Stoneywell – www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stoneywell

I’d really recommend checking out National Trust Stoneywell to explore everything autumn has to offer in such a beautiful setting.

Through half term (from 12th to 28th October), you can enjoy a Creepy Crawly nature trail for just £2 through their beautiful forest and grounds, as well as nature activities in the stables, and even (on select days) a campfire where you can toast marshmallows!

Entry is free for National Trust members, just make sure you book online first!

For our review of National Trust Stoneywell, click here!