The leaves are falling, the air is crisp, but despite all this Autumn beauty, we cannot help but feel dread. As whilst Autumn is a gracious time, and brings with it spectacles such as Halloween, Bonfire Night and more, it also brings the October Half Term to Wales. We’ve just gotten past our trauma of having the youth or teenagers around the house all summer, and now they’ll be back for a week again! But have no fear, we’re here to provide you with the best tips and ways to keep everyone busy and content for the half term!
#1 Eye Out for Events
There is so much happening around Wales during October, that you are sure to find events to suit all ages, locations and preferences! We couldn’t possibly list them all here, but we’ll include a few to get started. For the little princesses of the home, take them to join the other little princesses at St. David’s Hall on October 30th for the Beauty and the Beast sing-a-long! It will start with a pre-show where they will warm up everyone’s voices, teach you some hand actions and show you how to use the famous sing-a-long props bag during the film. It is recommended to come dressed up, as they’ll be judging the best dressed! So grab a tiara and yellow dress for yourself and your child and enjoy a magical evening together. If your kid has a lot of energy to release, then head over to Vale Sports Arena on Penarth Road from November 2nd to 3rd. Wacky World will have a giant inflatable activity arena for you all to slip, slide, bounce and squeeze your way around. They have times dedicated to specific ages, mixed, or even one for adults only - in case having a full house has caused some pent up frustration! For more events and fun places to visit with the kids, check out Wales Online.
#2 Get Outside
I know many parents grow concerned about how much time our kids spend indoors nowadays, behind screens or under artificial lighting. And while we can’t do much to change that on school days, we can utilise these holidays to our advantage! Take your kids swimming! If weather allows it, at the beach or by an outdoor pool. But if the weather is rubbish, find an indoor pool! You might even find one nearby with a slide, which will earn you extra brownie points with the kids! Get everyone’s bikes out, or rent some for the day, and go cycling. Wales is simply gorgeous, and cycling together will allow you to enjoy this beauty together while stretching your legs. Let your kids help you with some gardening, and they’ll be happily mucking about with a pair of gloves and wellies. Organise a water fight for them and their friends in the garden, with water balloons for them to chuck about! But given October weather, a hot chocolate and blanket may be needed straight after. Create an obstacle course in the garden, with hoops and cones to go through and around. Another great way to keep them excited outside is geocaching! Geocaching is an outdoor recreational activity that forms a treasure hunt across the world. It involves using a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or mobile device to hide and seek containers, which are called “geocaches”. Once you find a geocache, you sign the log with your code name and date it, and then hide it exactly where you found it. Super fun! It will keep you outside for hours and be super fun team building!
#3 Hype up Halloween
You can also celebrate Halloween together with other families, to increase the fun for your kids and decrease the amount of effort for yourselves. It can even be a great way to meet fellow parents and make a few friends for yourself! From October 29th to 31st you can visit St Fagans National Museum of History for a spooky evening. Watch out for the ghosts wandering the halls, who will be sure to tell you a terrifying tale or two. There will Creepy Craft workshops where you can make a lantern for the parade and write your own special spell inspired by the mystical ‘witch bottles’ in their collection. On October 30th, Pugh’s Garden Centre in Radyr will become a Haunted Woodland Lodge. Here you’ll be able to create your very own Witches and Wizards magical potions in a jar to take home, and then this is followed by a telling of Room on the Broom and a ghost hunt around the garden centre. If you’re looking to combine halloween fun with a bit of learning, then head to Techniquest between October 28th to November 5th! You can go in fancy dress and enjoy spooky happenings, including pumpkins carving themselves and coins screaming. You’ll be having so much fun you won’t even realise you’re learning at the same time!
#4 Sightseeing!
Wales is a stunning country, full of places to see and things to do! There are plenty of options for cheap family days out in Wales, to ensure that fun stays on the budget. If you’re willing to spend a bit of money, then consider packing some sandwiches and heading over to GreenWood Forest Park. Voted Best Family Attraction in North Wales for four years running, it is filled with amazing attractions that will keep everyone smiling and laughing! Perhaps if your offspring aren’t quite old enough, or don’t enjoy the thrill, you can instead take them to Anglesey Sea Zoo in Llanfairpwll, the largest aquarium in Wales. Pirates of the Caribbean fans will adore the Seven Sisters Shipwreck, while others will be plucking up the courage to walk the Shark Pool grids. A great perk of Anglesey is that they allow readmission for free within the same week, so head over at the start and end of the week to really take everything in and have two cheap family days out in Wales! If your kids love their furry pals, make their day by bringing them to Dwyfor Ranch Rabbit in Criccieth, where under adult supervision they’ll be able to handle a variety of animals. This ranges from rabbits to guinea pigs to puppies! They can also feed larger animals, and if they’re lucky, witness a birth of a new farm resident! If you’re hoping for a more thrifty day out, take your kids to enjoy the wonders Wales has to offer. Spend a day at Snowdonia National Park and relish in the fresh air and acres to explore. Pull on sturdy boots and spend hours enjoying this beautiful region. Visit Conwy Castle or Cardiff Castle, some of the best historic places to see in Wales. Teach your young ones all about the history and folklore of these impressive architectures.
#5 Break from the City
Take this opportunity to escape from the city or routines, and get away for at least a night! A great way to do this is a motorhome holiday, as then there is no hassle with accomodation and no need to plan out your entire journey. It gives you the freedom to stop whenever you want to, and to stay at each stop as long as you like. You can experience the wonderful outdoors and social hub of campsites, without all the downsides to camping. Motorhome holidays allow you to bring everything you need and want, no cramping into a suitcase, and allow you to sleep on a proper bed! Luxury! You can find motorhomes in your area through a simple search on our site will reveal plentiful options.
As promised, here were our best ways to keep busy during the October half term in Wales. From cheap family days out in Wales to our top picks of the places to see in Wales, there should be something for everyone on this list. And if it is a city break you desire, then it isn’t too late! Look on our site for a last minute deal and treat the family to a trip they won’t forget.
