10 tried-and-tested October half term activities in Cornwall
October in Cornwall is a delight. If you’re lucky, you may be blessed with warm, sunny days playing on the beach and cold, crisp evenings toasting marshmallows around the firepit as you gaze up at the twinkling stars.
And if the weather’s less kind, you’re still lucky because the Cornish autumn is full of ambiance and intrigue. Think misty moorland walks, waves crashing against craggy cliffs while the wind whips your hair and cosy pubs with crackling fires.
But what about the kids? Here are some tried-and-tested October half term activities in Cornwall to rally the troops.
1. Write an autumnal poem at Trelissick, near Truro
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This October half term explore Trelissick and find some autumnal words hidden through the garden. Once you’ve found them all, use them to create your own poem about autumn at Trelissick. Then admire the stunning maritime views, go on a lovely woodland walk and treat yourself to some hot chocolate at the cafe.
2. Get the shivers at Heartlands, Redruth
Head to Cornwall’s heritage hub Heartlands on Friday 27 October for Squashbox’s Shivers and Shadows Halloween show. Expect an overflowing cauldron of a show, brimming with delightful frights and hilarious horrors, bubbling with ingenious puppetry and comedy, seasoned with scary stories and tall tales, flavoured with live music and songs and topped with a sprinkling of slapstick and silliness.
3. Listen to spooky stories at Pendennis Castle, Falmouth
Grab your broomsticks and get ready for a bewitchingly brilliant day out at Pendennis Castle this October half term.
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Gather round and prepare to be enthralled as you listen to stories spun by our spooky storytellers. Little monsters will giggle and gasp at these kid-friendly tales, all against the backdrop of Falmouth’s creepy castle!
Next, take part in the Halloween quest and discover magical potion ingredients. Complete the booklet’s activities and solve its creepy clues to become a wonderfully wicked witch’s apprentice…
4. Embark on a Halloween adventure at Heligan, near St Austell
Head to Heligan for a host of Halloween-themed activities. This October, the Home Farm barn welcomes back spiders, snakes and other creepy creatures for a really wild encounter.
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For giant pumpkins like you’ve never seen before, make your way to the Carved Pumpkin Trail, where you’ll discover creatively carved jack o’lanterns sure to give you a Halloween thrill! Finish your day by toasting a marshmallow over a fire bowl and take in the autumn air as you stretch your legs in the Heligan Play Meadow.
5. Create your own sea-inspired puppet, St Ives Art Club
Join St Ives Art Club for a memorable puppetry journey that unlocks storytelling, creativity and the enchantment of the sea. Children will embark on a creative journey to craft their very own sea-themed puppet characters and set, using various materials and techniques.
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Imagination takes the helm as your child dives into storytelling. Guided by their unique puppet characters and the mysteries of the sea, they’ll collaborate with peers to craft engaging narratives. They’ll rehearse and perform their sea tales, showcasing newfound puppetry and performance skills.
6. Treat your dog to a swim at Jubilee Pool, Penzance
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Staying in one of our Penzance holiday cottages? You’ll be barking mad to miss Dog Day at Jubilee Pool. Back for 2023 and the highlight of the year, humans and doggos come together in the main pool on the last day of the season. Enjoy a paddle with your fur baby on Sunday 29 October.
7. Make churros at Rick Stein’s Cookery School, Padstow
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Inspire your budding chefs with a half-day Children’s Churros Workshop at Rick Stein’s Cookery School. Because everyone loves a good churros, especially dipped in chocolate sauce! Kids will make the batter and pipe the churros before Nick and the team deep-fry them and provide a very yummy chocolate sauce for dipping.
8. Go on a beach clean with the Cornish Seal Sanctuary
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Hit the sand with the Cornish Seal Sanctuary on Sunday 29 October and help to tidy the coastline for Cornwall’s wildlife. Sanctuary staff will supply everything you need on the day at Poldhu Cove on the Lizard – all you have to do is show up. And to say thanks, every attendee is offered one free admission to the Cornish Seal Sanctuary.
Educational plus exercise – beach cleans are a great thing to get the kids into. They’ll not only learn about why problems like plastic pollution cause such havoc for our local marine life, but also make a visible impact on Cornwall’s shorelines.
9. Discover Halloweden at the Eden Project, St Austell
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Halloweden returns for another year with an all-new tree-mendous offer. This spooky season take on a special quest to protect the world’s forests is guided by the legendary Tree Giants. On your magical adventure to become a forest guardian, you’ll discover the Tree Giants’ ancient wisdom, hear extraordinary tales and witness enchanting performances.
Don’t forget to take a spin on the ice rink and get hands-on in the spooktacular tipis with a bewitching Wand Making Workshop, where a mystical guide will weave wonderful tales and lead you in crafting your very own wand.
10. Pick a pumpkin at Healeys Cornish Cyder Farm, near Truro
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Board the haunted vintage tractor to be taken to the Healeys pumpkin patch to pick out your very own pumpkin! After you’ve found the perfect pumpkin, get creative in the Rattler Bar, which will be transformed into a spooky pumpkin carving family workshop.
Looking to book your October half term break? Browse our collection of handpicked Cornish holiday cottages, selected with families in mind.