October half term is when schools break up and you’re left with active kids looking to exert their energy. With the British weather being ever unpredictable, it can be hard to know how to keep children entertained if you’re stuck at home. However, don’t let the average October rainfall of 13 days – yep, 13 – put a dampener on your half term with the kids. There are plenty of activities to enjoy inside. From soft play to baking and fort-making to painting, we’ve put together 25 ways to keep your kids entertained this October half term.
1. Make a sofa fort / den
A great one for a rainy day at home. Making a fort or a den from sofa cushions, pillows and sheets is something that kids love to do. They can hide away and feel like they’ve got their very own special place to chill out. Check out this WikiHow method for some tips.
2. Go for a walk and collect autumn leaves
If the weather permits, go for a nice autumnal stroll in a nearby park or forest. While you’re there, encourage the kids to collect autumnal leaves and conkers to take home with them. Once at home, you can wash the leaves and paint over them with a brush to create a stamp, press them down onto plain card or paper to create colourful illustrations.
3. Do some baking
Whether it’s a cake packet mix or cookies from scratch, the kids won’t mind as long as they can get involved. Allow them to get messy and crack eggs, sprinkle flour and do some icing – they’ll love the different textures and will be proud of the sweet treats they helped to produce.
4. Go to the cinema
Check your local cinema for any family deals and experience the big screen and surround sound.
5. Play board games
From traditional scrabble and chess to modern-day board games, there are plenty to choose from and something for all ages. Hours can pass by with a good board game and sometimes a little competitiveness can be healthy and enjoyable.
6. Have a sofa day and watch films with snacks
Another great one for when it’s raining outside and you’re feeling a bit lethargic. Allow the kids to stay in their PJs, bring their duvets onto the sofa and snack on treats in front of the TV. It’s a lovely way to relax every once in a while.
7. Do some exercise
Inside or outside, as a family you can exercise together with little to no equipment needed. Check out PE with Joe Wicks to get your hearts pumping and your endorphins released.
8. Play ‘Sleeping Lions’
A great game if you fancy some quiet time! Here’s how to play Sleeping Lions.
9.Take the dog for a walk or spend some time grooming your pet
Teach the kids how to look after an animal such as walking, bathing, grooming and feeding.
10. Go to a soft play centre
This should really get them worn out – just a couple of hours at a local soft play centre is almost sure to have them napping on the way home.
11. Do some reading
Time off from school doesn’t mean learning has to take a break. Encourage your little ones to read their favourite books to you and help them improve their literacy skills.
12. Create a garden treasure hunt
One for dry days, hide away some trinkets or treats around your garden and leave clues for the little ones to see who can seek them out first. The winner can be awarded a prize.
13. Host a sleepover
Your children are likely to miss seeing their school friends every day so why not invite a few of them over for a sleepover? They can ‘camp out’ in the front room, play together, watch films and have a whale of a time.
14. Learn something new together
This could be anything from playing a musical instrument to juggling and riding a bike without stabilisers, etc.
15. Make a time capsule
An enjoyable way to record the present. Easy and cheap to make, your little ones will probably have some funny ideas about what their futures may bring!
16. Host a kids’ party
It doesn’t have to be a special occasion for the kids to enjoy a party. Take a look at our kids’ party packages for all ages and budgets.
17. Visit a museum
There are plenty of free museums all across the UK where kids can learn all about history, science and art.
18. Visit friends and family
Spending time with loved ones is a great way for your children to develop their social skills.
19. Go trampolining
Let off some steam at a trampoline park – it’s fun for all the family.
20. Visit a farm or wildlife centre
Kids love seeing animals up close – they may even have an opportunity to hold or feed some of the animals.
21. Go camping
Pitch up a tent or visit a glamping site and enjoy some quality time as a family in the great outdoors.
22. Visit the seaside
Although this is nicer when the sun is shining, you can still take a walk along the beach when it’s cold and windy – just be sure to wrap up warm and perhaps grab a nice hot chocolate.
23. Go to the theatre
Watching a live show is a wonderful experience for all the family – especially those little tubs of ice cream you can buy.
24. Have a picnic in the park
Allow the kids to work up an appetite in the playground, then relax with homemade sandwiches, some sweet treats and drinks on a picnic rug.
25. Video call faraway relatives or loved ones
Set up a video call for the kids to chat to family members who are too far to reach in person.
We hope you find these ideas useful. Looking after children during half term can be demanding, but seeing their happy faces when they’re entertained, happy and content makes it all worthwhile. Remember, it’s not possible to always be on top form and in charge. This Instagram post by TV personality Stacey Solomon highlights when parenting can just be so exhausting and sometimes it’s fine to just give in and let the kids do what they want. In this case, Stacey’s boys chose to play video games while she relaxed and watched TV. Sounds good enough to us!