Discover family-friendly events and activities to keep the kids entertained during the October school holidays in Bristol.
We've rounded up some of our top picks for autumnal trails, Halloween crafts, pumpkin picking and lots more! See what's on below...
October Half Term Highlights
Explore more family-friendly experiences
Half Term Theatre Shows
Watch the beloved story Dear Zoo come to life on stage at The Redgrave Theatre, or see a special Halloween-themed edition of Mr Browns Pig Puppet Show at Windmill Hill City Farm.
Enjoy an afternoon of puppetry and beautiful storytelling in Rabbit & Rey and The Lost Things at The Wardrobe Theatre, or see a brand-new circus show from Magique at Wookey Hole Caves.
Pumpkin Patches
Roam around Avon Valley Adventure Park's Pumpkin Patch to pick your perfect pumpkin, or for a more atmospheric visit, head along to one of their Pumpkin Patch Nights.
Choose from more than 30 varieties of pumpkins and gourds in the free-to-visit pumpkin patch at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm, or head inside the farm to meet the animals and follow the hilarious Poo at the Zoo Number 2 trail!
Family-Friendly Halloween Activities
Visit toned-down scare attractions aimed at ages 11-16 in FEARless at Avon Valley Scream Park on 24 & 31 October, or meet real-life wizards and learn how to cast spells in The Academy of Mischief & Magic at Puxton Park throughout the school holiday.
Help Shaun the Sheep stop a giant pumpkin takeover during the Halloween Hoedown at Longleat, join The Grand Pier for a Spooktacular Family Halloween Party hosted by Party Peeps on 29 October, or join a Family Lantern Tour through the underground vaults of Clifton Suspension Bridge on 31 October.
Outdoor Adventure
Looking for the perfect spot to get some fresh air and enjoy the vibrant autumn colours? Discover our top picks of Bristol’s best gardens and parks, ideal for family strolls and to run the kids around this October half term.
Explore a magical lantern trail at WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre, climb the high ropes course lit with glowing lights and illuminated trees at Go Ape, or a day of wildlife discovery at Longleat Safari Park.
Step into a world of autumnal colours at Westonbirt, The National Arboretum as you explore the brand-new family trail through dog-friendly Silk Wood.
Special Offers
Looking for ways to save this half term? Be sure to check out our special offers for food and drink and things to do deals and browse our blog on free things to do for budget-friendly ideas and discounts.
As well as events to keep you busy on your half-term break to Bristol, don't forget to check out our family-friendly things to do section for information on all our big attractions and activities.
We’ve also got a list of family-friendly accommodation to help you pick the right hotel for you, should you decide to stay for a few days and experience as much as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any free events over October half term?
There are plenty of free days out across Bristol, including exhibitions at M Shed, Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, Spike Island and Arnolfini. You can also enjoy free entry to a range of attractions, such as Windmill Hill City Farm, Underfall Yard and Clifton Suspension Bridge Museum.
Bristol Cathedral is hosting a free event on the Science of Music on Wednesday 28 October, alongside their regular, free-to-attend Crafty Cathedral activities. Spitfire Hangar's Community Heroes Day in Patchway on 29 October is free to attend and will have a range of family-friendly activities.
Are there any special offers or discounts during the school holidays in Bristol?
Don't forget that children under 16 travel for free across all buses in Bristol and the surrounding area during school holidays! You can browse more family offers and discounts in our Special Offers section.
What are the best things to do with toddlers in Bristol?
We've got a whole blog post dedicated to this! Our top picks would be We The Curious (under 2s can visit for free), Bristol Dockyards (ages 3 and under can visit for free), and Bristol Aquarium (under 2s can visit for free) in the city centre. Wake The Tiger in East Bristol is free for under 5s and has a multitude of amazing, interactive spaces for little ones to explore. If your little ones are animal lovers, we'd recommend Bristol's city farms in Windmill Hill, St Werburghs or Hartcliffe (all are free to visit), or just outside the city you can visit Bristol Zoo Project, Noah's Ark Zoo Farm and Old Down Country Park - under 2s visit for free at all three attractions.
Where is a good day out for teenagers in Bristol?
If you have the whole family in tow, we'd recommend days out at The Upside Down House with a combined ticket for Bristol Aquarium, or a day out at Bristol Dockyards or Bristol Aerospace, all of which have fun activities for all ages. If your teens want to venture out exploring, Cabot Circus has a great selection of shops and cafes, or they could book a game at one of Bristol's activity bars, with activities including bowling, electro darts, crazy golf and batting cages.
Where can kids eat for free in Bristol?
Many of Bristol's restaurants do special offers during the school holidays, including free meals for kids with a paying adult at Bambalan and Future Inns. Keep an eye on our Family Offers page for the latest deals.
