Halloween activities in Kent that kids will love this October half-term

by Sam Lawrie

slawrie@thekmgroup.co.uk

From castles and historic estates to pumpkin patches and wildlife parks, there’s no shortage of spooky fun in Kent this October half term.

Families can follow creepy trails, meet magical characters and join devilish discos with a Halloween twist. Here’s our guide to some of the best family-friendly events happening across the county…

Treat the family to spook-tacular days out this October half-term. Picture: Hever Castle and Gardens / Kate York

CHARTWELL, Westerham

Pumpkins will be scattered across this historic National Trust property during the October half-term. Visitors will be invited to the gardens to take on challenges and play games to help find as many of the lost pumpkins as possible.

Details: Saturday, October 18 to Sunday, November 2. Trail costs £3. Standard entry admission applies.

DOVER CASTLE

Little monsters can get up close to vampires and witches as they pay a daring visit to Dover Castle. These devilish creatures will be revealing secrets of the castle’s dark underworld with interactive shows and storytelling. There will also be an outdoor quest with clues to solve.

Details: Saturday, October 18 to Sunday, November 2. Standard entry admission applies, activities included.

The spooky skeleton trail includes live shows and roaming characters. Picture: Hever Castle and Gardens

HEVER CASTLE, Edenbridge

Spot skeletons dancing around the grounds of Anne Boleyn’s childhood home as part of this year’s Halloween trail. There will be lots of fun activities, including a skeleton party, live entertainment, pumpkin picking and roaming characters. Children can also take part in craft activities and face painting.

Details: Saturday, October 18 to Sunday, October 26. Standard entry admission applies, activities included.

HISTORIC DOCKYARD, Chatham

This October, the maritime attraction is being overtaken by the ghostly crew of the Medway Phantom, a warship that vanished off the Kent coast in a storm centuries ago. Visitors can join a 20-minute interactive show that tells the story of the doomed ship and helps unlock the Phantom’s secret.

Details: Saturday, October 18 to Sunday, October 26. Standard entry admission applies, activities included.

Are you brave enough to get up close to the creepy crawlies? Picture: Howletts

HOWLETTS WILD ANIMAL PARK, near Canterbury

During the Halloween season, families can enjoy a ghostly activity trail through this wildlife park, along with creepy crawly encounters and a critter corner. There will also be autumnal treats, such as pumpkin lattes and Halloween-themed snacks, and a chance to see more than 390 rare and endangered animals – and the best part is, kids go free.

Details: Saturday, October 18 to Sunday, November 2. Adult tickets cost £26, kids go free, but tickets are limited and must be booked in advance here.

KENT LIFE, Maidstone

Get stuck into a week’s worth of frighteningly fun activities, from pumpkin carving to trick or treating. Visitors can enjoy a Halloween-themed show in the Big Top, meet creepy crawlies, dance at the Deadly Disco and paint autumnal pottery.

Details: Saturday, October 18 to Sunday, October 26. Standard entry admission applies, activities included. Online booking is advised, and you can book tickets here.

The majestic grounds of Leeds Castle will be transformed by autumnal decor. Picture: Leeds Castle

LEEDS CASTLE, near Maidstone

Join forces with Leeds Castle’s brave Guardians to help protect the grounds from the Evil Sorceress. This half-term, visitors will need to help colourful characters, such as Ember the Autumnal Witch and Kit the Castle Keeper, find the spellbook and complete the challenges.

Details: Saturday, October 18 to Sunday, November 2. Standard entry admission applies, activities included.

Join the Halloween crafts at Penshurst Place. Picture: Penshurst Place and Gardens

PENSHURST PLACE, near Tonbridge

If you’ve got little witches and wizards at home who want to learn everything there is to know about the world of magic, then a trip to Penshurst Place is a must this October. The estate’s School of Sorcery and Spells trail will give visitors a chance to practise their wand skills, learn about supernatural students and crack the enchanted codes.

Details: Saturday, October 18 to Sunday, November 2. Standard entry admission applies, activities included.

PUMPKIN MOON

There will be more than 100 varieties of pumpkins available across these three Kent patches. Visitors can pick their own pumpkins to take home, as well as enjoy autumnal displays, mini mazes, food and drink stalls. Don’t forget, fancy dress is highly encouraged.

Details: Select dates from Friday, October 11 to Friday, October 31. Patches are located at Lower Rainham Road in Rainham, Old Chatham Road in Maidstone, and Perry Court in Faversham. Tickets start from £2.75. Book online here.

QUEX ADVENTURE FARM PARK, Birchington-on-Sea

Travel aboard the Slime Blaster Express, venture into the Spooky Woods and explore the Bewitched Pumpkin Patch this autumn. The spine-tingling trail includes Halloween-themed characters, sweet treats, and a free pumpkin to take home.

Details: Saturday, October 18 to Sunday, November 2, plus Friday, October 31. Adult tickets start from £6.50, child tickets start from £20.95. Book online here.

There’s a haunting new Halloween show set to entertain visitors at the Rare Breeds Centre in Woodchurch. Picture: Rare Breeds Centre

RARE BREEDS CENTRE, near Ashford

Effel the Witch is back with a brand new show, as well as games like the witches’ hat ring toss and pumpkin bowling, and visits to the potion pantry and the slime den. There will also be a fun trick-or-treat trail where you can collect stamps to receive a prize.

Details: Saturday, October 18 to Sunday, October 26. Standard entry admission applies, activities included.

REINDEER CENTRE, near Ashford

The barn is getting a magical makeover this Halloween, where visitors can admire themed decorations while meeting the reindeer, donkeys, sheep, llamas and more. There’s also the Tunnel of Terror, fancy dress competitions, a scarecrow pumpkin patch, selfie stations and free goodies for the children.

Details: Saturday, October 18 to Sunday, October 26. Adult tickets cost £12.95, child tickets cost £15.95. Book online here.

REUTHE'S THE LOST GARDENS, Sevenoaks

Choose your own spooky journey at Reuthe’s. There are two Halloween trails this year, with the Treat route offering a fun-filled path that is ideal for younger visitors. The Trick route is a darker adventure with props, visual effects and jumps for those who are feeling a little braver. Each trail takes around 30 to 45 minutes, and it’s dog-friendly too.

Details: Daily until Friday, October 31. Adult tickets cost £3, child tickets cost £8. Book online here.

SCOTNEY CASTLE, near Tunbridge Wells

There’s a great range of autumnal events going on at this country house, including the ghoulish goblin trail. See if you can find the hidden spells and solve the riddles to receive a small prize. There will also be kids’ photography classes focused on autumn colours this month.

Details: Goblin trail is open from Saturday, October 18 to Sunday, November 2 and costs £3. Photography workshops is on Tuesday, October 21. Standard entry admission applies.