Keeping the Mini Mumblers happy and entertained throughout the 2023 October half term holiday doesn’t need to be expensive with these fun activities that are either free or low cost in and around Scarborough, Whitby & Filey. Click on the links for more information.
We have a section on Mumbler dedicated to things to do and places to go that are free, check it out here.
The following FREE activities are happening during October 2023 half term:
Active Coast Events are free to attend, just turn up and join in:
Bayle Museum are having a free Halloween Quiz Trail on 31st October 2023, more details here
Beeforth’s Hive in Southcliff Gardens are hosting lots of free drop in activities for families throughout half term, find out more here
Love Exploring App – download the app and go exploring, they usually have some Halloween themed adventures during October, more details here
Peasholm Park have some lovely free Autumn Events during October including Moonlight on the Lake, and Autumn Daze, full details here
Raincliffe Woods are holding a free drop in session on 2nd November 2023 for some FREE Autumn Crafts, Treasure Hunts and prizes, based in the Woodland just in front of Raincliffe Gate Car Park, YO11 2PW
There are some FREE activities as part of the Dark Skies Fringe Festival including:
Scarborough Art Gallery and Rotunda Museum have some FREE fun October half term events including:
The Local Libraries usually run free or very low cost activities during October half term, but they can get booked up quickly, find more details for each here Scarborough, Whitby, Filey Derwent Valley Bridge , Newby & Scalby and More Than Books.
Filey Lions are hosting a Pumpkin Festival on the 30th October. Free to enter with prizes to be won, even if you don’t want to enter pop on down to view all the pumpkins. More details here
Falsgrave Park are having a Halloween Family Fun Night on 31st October, 5.30pm onwards at the bottom park. An evening of spooky entertainment including Spooky Walks, Potion Labs and Wand Workshops, Fancy Dress Competition, Pumpkin Carving Competition. Bring a torch!
Bell Close Community Centre Autumn Fair is on Tuesday, 31st October 2023, 12-4pm. Tombola, Craft stalls, nearly new, cakes, refreshments, book stall, 2 prizes for best child’s Halloween costume, Luck dip stall, and much more.
Scarborough Tricks and Treats – Learn new tricks and earn some treats during the October half-term holidays in Scarborough! Come and learn a new skill (TRICK) and make your own fabulous creation in a series of FREE workshops.
Danby Lodge have got lots going on over the October half term and beyond, including The Secret Life of Hedgerows Trail, Trails & Tails Storytelling and Wildlife Club. The centre is a fabulous indoor activity in itself. FREE too! More info here
Sutton Bank have some exciting activities planned for October half term including Night time biking and Dark Skies events. Plus there is the cycle paths and the awesome pump track More info here.
Derwent Valley Bridge Library are having low cost some craft sessions on 28th October, more details here
Gallows Close Halloween Parties are on 26th & 31st October, more details here
Scarborough Museums and Galleries have drop in craft and fossil handling sessions 31st October to 2nd November 2023. More details here
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust are hosting some Coastal Events which are great for families, including Rockpool Safaris, Seashore Safaris and Coastal Crafts. More details here
If you feel like visiting Bempton Cliffs they you can take part in the Beat the Sea Witch Halloween Trail which runs from 7th October to 1st November 2023, 9.30am – 4pm. The evil sea witch of Bempton has trapped the souls of lost sailors. Can you help us free them before it’s too late? Brew the special potion, say the magic words and collect your prize from the Visitor Centre. £3 per trail. No need to book, just turn up!
We live in such a beautiful area and are spoilt for choice when it comes to parks and places for a walk/bike ride. Why not set yourself the challenge of trying a new park over the holidays? We have lots of ideas for family friendly walks on the website here. And an extensive list of local parks here.
A couple of our favourite parks are:
Peasholm Park, Scarborough: Open for everyone to enjoy all year round, 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Entrance to the Park, which is never closed, is FREE. Victoria Park Ave, Scarborough YO12 7QZ
Pannett Park, Whitby: A haven of peace and tranquillity and located close to the centre of Whitby in North Yorkshire, is well worth a visit, whichever season of the year. Excellent for family and nature walks. There’s also a unique Jurassic garden which is complete with a life-size replica of one of the sea creatures of the time.
North Yorkshire Moors – there is so much to explore, whether you like walking, cycling or just a drive! A trip to Goathland, Hutton le Hole, Rosedale, Thornton le Dale and the Hole of Horcum are favourites of ours. These places can be explored on a budget. A great place to start are the National Park Centres (Danby Lodge National Park Centre, Lodge Lane YO21 2NB and Sutton Bank National Park Centre YO7 2EH). More details HERE.
Or why not visit one of our fantastic Yorkshire Beaches, they are just as exciting to visit during Autumn as they are in Summer, who knows what treasures the sea might have washed up, children love to search for sea glass, shells, fossils, weird shaped pebbles. Great places to search include Whitby, Robin Hoods Bay, North Bay Scarborough and Cayton Bay. More information on our local beaches here.
Dalby Forest – With themed trails, adventure play areas, natural play, safe off-road cycling and lots of space to create your own woodland palace, your local woods and forests are the perfect place for a family day out, fit for a king! Plus they have some fabulous Halloween themed activities too. Dalby Forest is home to an abundance of internationally important wildlife species and is also a designated Dark Sky Discovery Site, where you can experience the magic of seeing the Milky Way with the naked eye. You only need to pay for parking (£10 before 4pm, £5 after 4pm in October – £5 all day November to February).
If you fancy an Autumn Scavenger Hunt, The Woodland Trust Nature Detectives have amazing scavenger hunt ideas here and lots of other tips for families visiting woodland here.
If you find a few conkers still kicking around, have a read of our recent blog for inspiration of 10 activities children can do with conkers!
Pick Your Own PumpkinIf you fancy picking your own pumpkin and bringing it home to carve/decorate, we have a full list here of places you can go to pick your own pumpkin and have some pumpkin fun while you’re at it. Some of these places do not charge entry, you just pay for the pumpkins, others may have a small entry fee.
Wondering what to do with your pumpkin once you’ve got it home….look no further than our blog – 10 Pumpkin Related Activities
There are quite a few pools within an hours drive that have splash parks and slides which will keep the kids entertained for a few hours. The full round up of Mumbler recommendations can be found here.
If you’re looking to eat out at some point over the holiday’s we have lots of family friendly places in Scarborough, Whitby, Filey and beyond listed on the website. Here is the latest list from Money Saving Centre where kids can eat free or at a very low cost:
If the weather doesn’t play ball at times over the holidays or you want a quiet day at home why not try some of Mumbler’s tried and tested activities to do at home. From spy games to creating time capsules, you’re guaranteed to have fun!
For more ideas for October Half Term see our full What’s on Guide here or visit our Days Out page – Filey, Scarborough, Whitby.
Bonfire Night & Fireworks here
Events Calendar here
Hope you have a great half term, SJ x
PS * Please check all events before visiting in case of late changes.
