WE have rounded up 15 of the best Halloween activities for a spooktacular trip out this half term. We have made sure to include a boo-tiful mix of things to do to suit all ages and budgets.

Grab your broomstick- don your best costumes and get involved in the events across Bristol, Stroud, South Glos and Gloucestershire.

Museum in The Park

Museum in the Park have lots of events available over the half-term. Including ‘Hiding Hedgehogs’ – an I Spy trail where families with young children can enjoy a quiet walk around the beautiful Walled Garden whilst trying to spot little stone hedgehogs. This event is running October 23-31 and is free to take part.

Or why not pop in on Halloween between 3:00pm – 6:00pm and drop off your carved pumpkin at the Museum courtyard to take park in the annual pumpkin lantern trail. Lots of prizes to be won and it’s free to attend – the more pumpkins the better the trail. There will also be a shadow puppet making event.

For more information click here

Whiteshill Scarecrow Trail

The ‘Friends of Whiteshill School’ have organised a scarecrow trail around the village. You can buy a map from the Whiteshill and Ruscombe village shop for £3 and have fun finding scarecrows around the village. The village hall offers homemade cake and hot drinks which you can enjoy also.

The event is on October 25 and starts at 9am.

The Pulse, Dursley

The Pulse are offering some great, jam-packed events over the half-term. Including activity days on October 26, 27 and 28 which involve sports challenges, activities crafts and fun pool sessions, a Halloween Dance Workshop on October 29 with different sessions for children from 3 up to 11 years old, and lastly a Halloween themed pool party on October 30.

Click here for more information

Woodchester Mansion

Woodchester Mansion are back this year with their Spooky Cellars. Find the scary spectres of all shapes and sizes if you dare… Open from October 26 - 31 and adults and children are all welcome and encouraged to dress up too. You can also enjoy seasonal refreshments in the tearoom after.

Play Gloucestershire

Play Gloucestershire have a jam-packed event calendar for October half-term on offer for everyone. Free, outdoor community based activities for 7-14 year olds - whole families can join in; children with disabilities and their families are welcome. Join the Play Rangers at The Old Common on 25 October, Mason Road Open Space on 26 October and Lawnside Play Area in Nailsworth on 27 October. No registration and children are free to come and go as they please. All sessions are between 10am to 4pm. (https://playgloucestershire.org.uk/)

Berkley Castle

From 25 – 27 October and 31 October Past-Times Living History will be at Berkley Castle for spooky shenanigans and fiendish family fun. With performances, games show, story-telling and more gore, there’s lots to keep the family entertained and educated too. (https://www.berkeley-castle.com/whats-on/spooktacular-halloween-1)

Pick a Pumpkin at Cattle Country Farm Park

The Pumpkin Patch at Cattle Country is open from now until 31 October, where there is thousands of hoe-grown pumpkins and gourds to pick from. You can also enjoy carving, decorating and marshmallow toasting. Grab your wellies and get stuck in.

Five Valleys fireworks display

Known for their firework displays for over 50 years, Five Valleys fireworks know how to put on a show in the sky. An incredible £250,000 has been raised and distributed to charities and good causes with a local impact. Enjoy on site entertainment such as a fun fair, Punch and Judy, food and refreshments and the ‘star’ of the show – the fireworks ran by Star Fireworks.

Alternatively, if you normally enjoy the fireworks from other places including one of the commons, you may wish to donate or support one of the charities and good causes Five Valleys fireworks raise money for.

Stonehouse Library

are offering some Halloween themed activities on October 28 at 2:30pm. Recommended for ages between 5-10 years. Call 01452 583737 or email stonehouselibary@gloucestershire.go.uk for more information.

Miserden Pumpkin hunt

The Miserden School Friends Association (MSFA) are hosting a Miserden Pumpkin hunt on 30 October between 6:30pm to 9pm. You can pick up a map from The Carpenters Arms pub and see how many pumpkins you can spot, then you can claim your prize. (https://www.facebook.com/events/1029590087894616/)

Hunts Court

Hunts Court in North Nibley are holding fun activities for children which include both free and paid for activities, they run between 10am to 4pm October 25- 31. You can pick your own pumpkin, get involved with the pumpkin treasure hunt, watch a Bird’s of Prey show on the Saturday, have a drink or snack in the pop-up café or if you’re feeling lucky you can buy a ticket for the tombola which is in aid of Many Tears Animal Rescue on the Saturday.

For more information click here

Wild Place Project

A visit to Wild Place Project makes the perfect day out this autumn. Marvel at the changing colours with over 50 acres of woodlands, meadows and gardens — bursting with life in every season. Grab an extra layer and keep warm with a seasonal drink from the café, then delight in the rustle of leaves underfoot, the chill in the air and the special glow of nature this season.

Spot bears, wolves, lynxes, including two kittens - which has just been named Bramble and Rowan - and wolverines roaming the award-winning Bear Wood exhibit and don’t miss giraffes, zebras, gelada ‘baboons’, cheetahs, meerkats and ring-tailed lemurs, among many others.

All the play areas at Wild Place are now open. Kids can run wild in the Fun Fort, Congo Bongo, Barefoot Trail and giant bird's nest. And if you’re feeling really adventurous, there’s Leap of Faith – the thrilling outdoor climbing experience for children and adults.

Book tickets online wildplace.org.uk.

Bristol Zoo Gardens

Spot spooky skeletons at Bristol Zoo Gardens this October half term October 23- 31 – if you’re brave enough!

Get into the Halloween spirit and learn all about the clever bones inside your favourite vertebrates.

See over 300 incredible animal species. Dare to discover dark and spooky Twilight World, see creepy creatures in Bug World, and spy Livingstone’s fruit bats hanging upside down.

Fun for little ghouls and grown-ups alike.

Take in the autumnal colours with over 12 acres of award-winning gardens.

Treat yourself to tasty meals from The Hide restaurant or a seasonal hot beverage from a kiosk.

If that’s not enough, give yourself a fright on ZooRopia, an adventure ropes course.

Yate and Sodbury Halloween trail

If your still worried about 'normal' trick or treat experience this year or would like something to do during the October half term, a page on Facebook shows a map of te best Halloween deocrated houses in the area.

Please feel free to join https://www.facebook.com/groups/213899113275168/?ref=share

Pumpkin Carving at Yate Shopping Centre

Pumpkin carving is back at Yate Shopping Centre to celebrate Halloween.

There will be a special session at the Centre’s main square between 11am and 3pm, while stocks last, on Thursday, 28th October.

Andrew Lowrey, Yate Shopping Centre Manager: “This special event during the school break is always a favourite with visitors and it is good to have it back on the Centre’s calendar.

“2021 has been an unpredictable year but trade has picked-up and the Centre is once again looking forward to a booming Christmas period. We are maintaining certain restrictions within the Centre to ensure that shopper’s health and safety is treated as a priority with Centre Management on hand to give any guidance as required.