Family days out for lessLocal, national and around the worldPart of the Shmor.ai network
🧭 Adventure finder⚡ Teen days out🔐 Escape rooms🌊 Water parks🎢 Theme parks💸 Free days out🌲 Zip lines⛸️ Snow & ice⚡ Harry Potter🎟️ Real offers🏖️ Beaches🧸 Toddler days out
Two children sitting on a hay bale surrounded by pumpkins

Seasonal · Halloween

Halloween days out and pumpkin picking with kids

Pumpkin patches, glowing trails and friendly spooks. Autumn is one of the best times of year for a family day out. Here’s how to pick the right Halloween fun for your kids’ ages.

Photo: Christopher Luther on Unsplash

Scout the Fox

Scout’s tip

Scout’s spooky-meter

Check the scare level before you book. Lots of theme parks run family-friendly daytime Halloween events and much scarier evening events for older teens and adults.

  • Under 8s: pumpkin patches and daytime trails
  • 8 to 12: dressing up and mild spooky shows
  • Teens: check age limits on scare mazes

Pumpkin picking

Pick-your-own pumpkin farms usually open from late September to Halloween. Many charge an entry fee plus a price per pumpkin, and some include hay-bale mazes, tractor rides or play areas.

  • Book ahead: popular farms use timed slots, especially at weekends.
  • Wear wellies: fields get muddy fast.
  • Bring cash and a bag: or a wheelbarrow if the farm offers one.
  • Go early in the season for the best choice.

Theme park Halloween seasons

Many theme parks theme the whole park for Halloween. Daytime events tend to be family-friendly, while evening “scare” attractions often have minimum ages. Read the event details carefully, and check whether scare attractions cost extra.

Free and cheap Halloween fun

  • Autumn leaf walks in country parks and forests.
  • Library Halloween crafts and story times.
  • Carving pumpkins at home after a picnic walk.
  • Local fun days and community events, listed on council websites.

Halloween safety tips

Choose costumes that are labelled flame-resistant, add reflective strips for evening events, and agree a meeting point in case anyone gets separated.

Last updated: 14 October 2026

Frequently asked questions

When does pumpkin picking season start?
Most pick-your-own pumpkin farms in the UK open from late September or early October until around Halloween. Opening dates vary, so check the farm’s website.
Are theme park Halloween events suitable for young children?
Daytime events are usually family-friendly. Evening scare mazes often have minimum ages and can be frightening for younger children, so check the event guidance before booking.

Where shall we go next?