October Half Term: Things to Do with Kids in West Berkshire
Looking for things to do with the kids this October half term? From dinosaurs and circus skills to Halloween trails, pottery, crafts, discos and spooky adventures, there is loads happening across Newbury and West Berkshire.
Friday 23 October
Kick off half term with a night of live Halloween favourites including Thriller, Monster Mash and The Time Warp. 7.30pm | All ages | £34.25.
A lovely woodland-based play session where under-5s can explore, play and enjoy nature. 10am | Under 5s | Check booking page for price.
Saturday 24 October
An hour of joyful chaos with circus skills, tricks, juggling and physical comedy for the whole family. 2pm | Age 3+ | £14.25 adults / £12.25 concessions.
Songs, stories and creative activities provide a gentle introduction to the gallery for its littlest visitors. 9.30am | Under 2s | £8.25.
Children can experiment with graphite powder and pencils while exploring shape, texture, light and shade. Age 7–11 | Check booking page for price.
A hands-on creative workshop exploring coastal-inspired gelliprinting techniques with Sarah Jane Gordon. Booking required | See event page for price and times.
Enjoy Play Barn time, choose and carve a pumpkin to take home, plus a sweet treat and unlimited squash. 9.45am, 12.30pm & 3pm | £15 per child.
Sunday 25 October
A spectacular family show packed with magic, huge illusions, circus skills, mind-reading and daring escapes. 7pm | All ages | £33 adults / £31 concessions.
Make and paint your own decorative pumpkin from air-drying clay in this creative pottery workshop. 10am–12.30pm | Age 6–11 | Check booking page for price.
Get creative with stained glass and make a seasonal pumpkin decoration to take home. Booking required | See event page for price and age guidance.
Enjoy time in the Play Barn followed by a Halloween craft activity to make and take home. 10am, 12pm & 2pm | £10 per child.
Monday 26 October
A full day of creative fun including arts, crafts, drama, junk modelling and painting with a Woodland Wonders theme. Age 4–11 | 10am–4pm £37.50 / extended day £42.50.
A three-hour drop-off art session where children can experiment with new materials, techniques and their own creative projects. 10am–1pm | Age 6–11 | Check booking page for price.
A creative portrait workshop with artist Fatima Pantoja for children wanting to develop their drawing and art skills. Booking required | See event page for price.
Follow a spooky trail around the reserve, discovering wildlife and helping the Wild Witch gather ingredients for her magical potion. 10am–3pm | Families | £6 per child + booking fee, adults free.
Drop in for a selection of autumnal and Halloween-themed crafts at the Nature Discovery Centre. 10am–3pm | Families | Check event page for price.
Play, carve a pumpkin to take home and enjoy a sweet treat and unlimited squash. 9.45am, 12.30pm & 3pm | £15 per child.
Tuesday 27 October
Come face-to-face with amazingly life-like dinosaurs including T-Rex and Triceratops, followed by a dinosaur meet-and-greet. 2pm & 4.30pm | Age 3+ | £17.
Explore the story of Pinocchio with puppet-making, storytelling and silly drama games at this family fun day. 10.30am–2pm | Best for ages 2–7, all families welcome | £5 child / £2 adult | Storytelling at 10.30am & 12.30pm.
A full day of creative arts, crafts and drama with a fun Playful Pumpkins theme. Age 4–11 | 10am–4pm £37.50 / extended day £42.50.
A creative half-term club where young people can meet others and work together on an ambitious giant willow lantern project. Age 11–14 | Booking required.
Experiment with different artistic techniques and materials in a fun three-hour drop-off session. 10am–1pm | Age 6–11 | Check booking page for price.
Children can get hands-on with clay and have a go at throwing their own pottery on the wheel. Booking required | See event page for price and age guidance.
A special Halloween edition of Naturally Curious Play's woodland adventures for little ones. 10am & 12.30pm | Under 5s | Check booking page for price.
Head around the reserve on a spooky nature trail and help the Wild Witch complete her magical transformation. 10am–3pm | £6 per child + booking fee, adults free.
Get crafty with a selection of autumn and Halloween-themed activities. 10am–3pm | Families | Check event page for price.
Combine Play Barn fun with a spooky craft activity for children to take home. 10am, 12pm & 2pm | £10 per child.
Wednesday 28 October
A roarsome interactive family show featuring life-like dinosaurs followed by the chance to meet a dinosaur after the performance. 11am & 2pm | Age 3+ | £17.
Arts, crafts, drama and creative fun with a suitably spooky Witchy Woods theme. Age 4–11 | 10am–4pm £37.50 / extended day £42.50.
Children can complete their Arts Award Discover through three fun creative sessions at central Newbury venues. Booking required | Check event page for price.
A three-hour creative drop-off workshop exploring new artistic materials, styles and techniques. 10am–1pm | Age 6–11 | Check booking page for price.
A magical 45-minute theatrical bubble show featuring everything from tiny delicate shapes to enormous bubbles. 11.30am | £11 each / £40 family of four online.
Create your own spooky fused-glass artwork in a special Halloween workshop. Booking required | Check event page for price.
Make a wonderfully spooky Halloween lantern in this creative glass workshop. Booking required | Check event page for price.
Get hands-on with clay and experience throwing pottery on a wheel. Booking required | Check event page for price and age guidance.
Follow the Wild Witch through the reserve on a 1–1½-hour family nature adventure. 10am–3pm | £6 per child + booking fee, adults free.
Enjoy Play Barn time followed by pumpkin carving, with a pumpkin to take home plus a sweet treat and squash. 9.45am, 12.30pm & 3pm | £15 per child.
Thursday 29 October
Finish the Create & Make week with a Monster Mash day packed with arts, crafts, drama and creative activities. Age 4–11 | 10am–4pm £37.50 / extended day £42.50.
Create quirky characters, explore haunted castles and solve magical riddles before rehearsing and performing your very own spooky play for family and friends. 29–30 October, 9am–4pm | Ages 5–11 | £100 for the two-day workshop.
The final day of the half-term creative club and its collaborative giant willow lantern project. Age 11–14 | Booking required.
A three-hour creative workshop encouraging children to experiment with different media and techniques. 10am–1pm | Age 6–11 | Check booking page for price.
A wonderfully creepy Halloween-themed creative session with artist Katherine Kingdon. Booking required | Check event page for price.
Get outdoors and follow the spooky Wild Witch trail through the nature reserve. 10am–3pm | £6 per child + booking fee, adults free.
Make a selection of seasonal autumn and Halloween crafts during your visit. 10am–3pm | Families | Check event page for price.
Play in the barn and make a Halloween craft to take home. 10am, 12pm & 2pm | £10 per child.
Friday 30 October
Dress up and enjoy a spooky story with actor and audiobook narrator Fran Burgoyne, followed by a Halloween craft. 10.30–11.30am | Age 6–10 | £8.50 one adult + child / £3 additional person.
Crown Ballet brings the magical story of The Nutcracker to Newbury in a beautiful family-friendly classical ballet. 7.30pm | All ages | Adults £34.25 / concessions £32.25 / children £26.25.
Learn traditional willow-weaving techniques while creating a giant spooky spider approximately 30cm across. 10am–12pm | Age 8–12 | Check booking page for price.
Little ones can enjoy a special Halloween-themed woodland play adventure. 10am & 12.30pm | Under 5s | Check booking page for price.
Follow the Wild Witch around the nature reserve and help gather the ingredients for her magical potion. 10am–3pm | £6 per child + booking fee, adults free.
Play, choose and carve a pumpkin, then take it home – with a sweet treat and unlimited squash included too. 9.45am, 12.30pm & 3pm | £15 per child.
Saturday 31 October – Halloween
Young witches and wizards can embark on a magical quest, make spooky crafts, play games, trick or treat and enjoy spellbinding storytime. Doors 6pm; event 6.20–8.30pm | Age 4+ | £8 per child including one adult / extra adults £2.
A creative Halloween printing workshop where children can experiment with safe printmaking techniques. 10am–11.30am | Booking required | Check event page for price.
Children can design and create their own Halloween-themed lino print with Charlotte Adcock. 12pm–2pm | Booking required | Check event page for price.
Sunday 1 November
Have a go at juggling, hoop, diabolo, stilt walking, spinning plates and poi in a hands-on family circus workshop. 11am–12pm | Age 7–11 | £10 per person.
Also running during half term:
Get creative with seasonal Halloween arts and crafts alongside a day at the farm. Various dates until 30 October | £4 per child.
Bucklebury Farm is also advertising additional Halloween activities during the half-term period, including a Halloween Disco and other seasonal sessions, so it is worth checking their current booking calendar when planning your visit.
Beloved by generations of families, Bippo is Britain’s favourite clown, and his unique mix of comedy, audience participation and laugh-out-loud mayhem has been delighting crowds for decades. 25th - 31st October. Tickets from £11.99
We'll keep adding events as we find them, so bookmark this page and check back for updates.
Event information is correct at the time of writing, but times, prices and availability can change. Please check with the venue and book in advance where required.
Here’s our day-by-day guide to what’s on from Friday 23 October to Sunday 1 November 2026.
Comments