Things to do over October half-term

Creative Tourist

Looking for things to do with the family over the October half-term holiday? Things that are fun for both kids and adults, and maybe even — whisper it — educational? We’ve got you covered.

Honing in on Manchester but also looking to places like Liverpool and Leeds, here we we round up indoor and outdoor escapades for the whole family, taking in museum trips, children’s theatre, science shows and more. We’ve also included some free and low-cost activities, because thankfully there’s lots of affordable arts and cultural fun to be had in these parts.

And if the below isn’t enough, sign up to our newsletter for a weekly round-up of Manchester and the North’s best events.

Our top picks

40 Things to See, Do and Discover at the Science and Industry Museum

40 Things to See, Do and Discover at Science and Industry Museum, Manchester, Until 30 September 2025, free entry - Visit now

A true gem in Manchester’s cultural crown, the Science and Industry Museum is celebrating its 41st birthday with a myriad of things to see, do and discover on your half term visit.

40 Things to See, Do and Discover at the Science and Industry Museum
Science and Industry Museum © The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Halloween Lakeside Trail

Halloween Lakeside Trail, Until 31 October 2024, from £13.00 - Book now

The North-West’s favourite Halloween event returns in 2024 with lots of new spooky twists.

Image of Halloween Lakeside Trail
Partridge Lakes

Room on the Broom at Z-arts

Room on the Broom at Z-arts, Manchester, 22–24 October 2024, from £14.00 - Book now

Join Witch, her cat, her hat and her very long plait and jump aboard the broom in Tall Stories’ fun-filled adaptation of Julia Donaldson’s well-loved book.

Room on the Broom at Z-arts
Tall Stories

Mini Monster Mash at Victoria Baths

Mini Monster Mash at Victoria Baths, Manchester, 26 October 2024, from £4.00 - Book now

Get ready for a some seriously spooky fun for families at the Mini Monster Mash at Victoria Baths this half term, featuring Halloween arts and crafts and a silent disco.

Mini Monster Mash at Victoria Baths
Victoria Baths

Power Up at the Science and Industry Museum

Power UP at Science and Industry Museum, Manchester, Until 30 March 2025, from £8.00 - Book now

Yes, okay, we know a cultural day out with the family really shouldn’t involve staring at screens. However, the ever-popular Power Up at the Science and Industry Museum offers avid gamers the opportunity to play their way through five decades of the best video games, and always demands an exception.

Boy playing retro arcade games in Power Up.
Image courtesy of the Science and Industry Museum.

Halloween Party at Z-arts

Halloween Party at Z-arts, Manchester, 27 October 2024, from £2.50 - Book now

Enjoy a spooktacular afternoon of fun and games at Z-arts much-awaited Halloween party.

Halloween Party at Z-arts
Z-arts

Bees: A Story of Survival at World Museum Liverpool

Bees: A Story of Survival at World Museum Liverpool, Liverpool, Until 5 May 2025, from £0.00 - Book now

Both kids and grown-ups will get a lot out of this educational exhibition in Liverpool, which takes a closer look at the lives of bees and their vital role in human existence.

Bees: A Story of Survival at World Museum Liverpool
© Photo by Pete Carr - Render by Battlecat and Wolfgang Buttress Studios

Stephen Hawking at Work at the Science and Industry Museum

Stephen Hawking at Work at Science and Industry Museum, Manchester, Until 30 September 2025, free entry - Visit now

Explore incredible objects from the world-renowned theoretical physicist’s office in this special display.

Stephen Hawking at Work
Science Museum Group - © The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum.

Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Yorkshire Sculpture Park, West Bretton, Wakefield, Yorkshire, WF4 4LG - Visit now

Brighter days mean more outdoor adventures. Set over 500 acres, you’ll find art trails, scavenger hunts and all manner of family fun happening at this stunning open-air gallery over the hols.

Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Manchester Museum

Manchester Museum, The University Of Manchester, Oxford Rd, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M13 9PL - Visit now

A place of wonder packed full of incredible stories and family-friendly activities, you can’t go wrong with a trip to Manchester Museum.

Manchester Museum Tours at Manchester Museum

Eureka! Science + Discovery Merseyside

Eureka! Science + Discovery Merseyside, Victoria Pl, Seacombe, Wallasey, Merseyside, CH44 6QY - Visit now

Discover how Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics are a part of everyday life at the North’s newest children’s museum, sister of the much-loved Eureka!

Image courtesy of Eureka! Science + Discovery Merseyside.

Dunham Massey

Dunham Massey, Altrincham, Greater Manchester, WA14 4SJ - Visit now

The perfect place to experience the first hints of warmer days. Whatever the weather, Dunham Massey in Altrincham takes our number one spot for a fun outdoorsy day out.

Dunham Massey
National Trust

People’s History Museum (PHM)

People’s History Museum (PHM), Left Bank, Spinningfields, Manchester, M3 3ER - Visit now

There is always something stimulating and creative for big and little kids alike at this national museum of democracy. It’s never too early to learn about past struggles and that ‘there have always been ideas worth fighting for’.

People's History Museum Manchester
Image © People’s History Museum

World Museum Liverpool

World Museum Liverpool, William Brown Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L3 8EN - Visit now

Family-focused and hands-on, it’s all here at The World Museum with treasures from around the world, the bottom of the ocean and even outer space.

Exterior of World Museum Liverpool, home to Dino Ranger Day

Discover and Explore at the Science and Industry Museum

Discover and Explore at the Science and Industry Museum at Science and Industry Museum, Manchester, Until 30 September 2025 - Book now

Whether you’ve half an hour or a full day, you’ll always find something new to discover at Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum.

Discover and Explore at the Science and Industry Museum
State of Mind installation at the Science and Industry Museum. Image courtesy of Orbie Pullen Photography.

Stately Homes in the North

Explore some of the North’s most stunning buildings and learn about the families that once lived there. Stroll through the picturesque grounds, take in the fresh air and let the kids run free.

Adventure Activities in the North

The North of England is home to the longest high wire bridge in Europe, over 1,000ft above the Honister Pass in Keswick, and one of the UK’s largest outdoor inflatable water assault courses near Sheffield. This part of the world, then, has no shortage of incredible adventure activities.

Treetop Adventure Manchester
Treetop Adventure Manchester.
If at First Main Image
Spotlight on

Black History Month in Manchester and the North

Discover the North West's best Black History Month events, including exhibitions, theatre and dance.

Take me there

Culture Guides