Poole Family-Friendly Fall Activities 2026

Poole

Family-focused, non-scary Halloween activities during October half term.

Illustration of costumed children and two witches on a lawn with pumpkins, a small tent and orange autumn trees (2026 HALLOWEEN TRAILS AT MINTERNE GARDENS)

2026 HALLOWEEN TRAILS AT MINTERNE GARDENS

Minterne Magna 0

Explore the grounds to discover hidden Halloween characters.

Illustration of a sunny autumn lawn with pumpkins, hay bales, a small tent, a witch and costumed children under orange trees (Paultons Park Halloween Spooktacular)

Paultons Park Halloween Spooktacular

Oct 9 – Nov 2

Romsey 25 mi

Family Halloween theme park event with themed lands, shows, and rides.

Illustration of striped market booths and pumpkin displays on a street with small clay figures under orange autumn trees (31 Days of Halloween at Away Resorts 2026)

31 Days of Halloween at Away Resorts 2026

Fordingbridge 18 mi

Features the illuminated Forest of Light and The Enchanted Cauldron outdoor experience.

Lyndhurst Scarecrow Trail

Oct 10 – Oct 11

Lyndhurst 21 mi

Hunt down 84 scarecrows across Lyndhurst with a family barn dance.

Illustration of small costumed figures and a witch playing on a sunny lawn with pumpkins, hay bales, a tent and orange trees (Ascarium: Tricks & Treats at SEA LIFE Weymouth)

Ascarium: Tricks & Treats at SEA LIFE Weymouth

Oct 3 – Nov 1

Weymouth 21 mi

Complete magical ocean challenges and join an army of sea defenders.

Witchville at Picking Patch

Oct 3 – Oct 31

Ringwood 17 mi

Halloween village with pumpkin picking, train rides, and a maize maze.

Illustration of a pumpkin patch with many orange pumpkins, a scarecrow, a wheelbarrow, a fence and a red barn at sunset (Halloween Spooktacular at Bincombe Bumps Events)

Halloween Spooktacular at Bincombe Bumps Events

Oct 10 – Oct 31

Bincombe 21 mi Free

Free-entry pumpkin patch with a haunted house and bouncy castle.

Illustration of clay kid characters, paper bats, cotton ghosts and pumpkins on a craft table with paint pots and bunting (Russell-Cotes Museum Half Term Activities)

Russell-Cotes Museum Half Term Activities

Bournemouth 5 mi

Ghost hunt in the historic house with garden trails and crafts.

Illustration of small costumed figures and a witch playing on a sunny lawn with pumpkins, hay bales, a tent and orange trees (Halloween Pumpkin Trail)

Halloween Pumpkin Trail

Beaulieu 24 mi Free

Free garden pumpkin hunt with secret letters and sweet treats.

Illustration of an older person handing out candy to costumed children on a glowing neighborhood porch at dusk (Spooky Spoon Family Cooking Session)

Spooky Spoon Family Cooking Session

Tue, Oct 27

Bournemouth $

Family cooking workshop making spooky tortilla pizzas and fruit skewers.

Illustration of clay characters in Halloween costumes on a stage with a golden trophy, a ghost and an audience (Tops Pokesdown's Spooktacular Halloween Party)

Tops Pokesdown's Spooktacular Halloween Party

Boscombe 7 mi Free

Nursery Halloween disco featuring games, refreshments, and fancy dress.

Halloween Trail (2026)

Sat, Oct 31

Bransgore 12 mi

Spooky activity trail featuring eerie challenges, climbing, and caving.

Illustration of a guide with a lantern on a cobblestone quay beside a boat of friendly ghosts under a full moon at dusk (Halloween Half-Term at Carisbrooke Castle)

Halloween Half-Term at Carisbrooke Castle

Oct 17 – Nov 1

Newport 30 mi

Family Halloween celebration featuring spooky games, storytelling, and daily costume contests.

Illustration of small costumed children and a witch on a sunny autumn lawn with pumpkins, hay bales and orange trees (Haynes Motor Museum October Half Term: The Big Bug Hunt)

Haynes Motor Museum October Half Term: The Big Bug Hunt

Sparkford 34 mi

Explore a Halloween trail alongside hundreds of iconic cars and motorcycles.

Illustration of small costumed figures and a witch playing on a sunny lawn with pumpkins, hay bales, a tent and orange trees (Family Fun Pumpkin Trail)

Family Fun Pumpkin Trail

Sherborne 28 mi

Hunt for hidden pumpkins across the gardens to earn a prize.

Illustration of small costumed children and a witch on a sunny autumn lawn with pumpkins, hay bales and orange trees (Sherborne Castle Autumn Colours Weekend)

Sherborne Castle Autumn Colours Weekend

Oct 24 – Oct 25

Sherborne 28 mi

Reduced-price garden admission to enjoy vibrant autumn reflections around the lake.

Illustration of a pumpkin patch full of orange pumpkins on curling vines, with small figures, a wheelbarrow and a farm stand (Witches, Wands & Whistles)

Witches, Wands & Whistles

Oct 17 – Oct 31

Havenstreet 34 mi

Free-entry Halloween festival featuring magic shows, circus workshops, and pumpkin picking.

Illustration of a winding path through autumn trees with glowing lanterns and carved pumpkins in purple evening light (Shanklin Chine Halloween Spooktacular)

Shanklin Chine Halloween Spooktacular

Oct 9 – Nov 1

Shanklin 36 mi

Family-friendly Halloween trail through a historic gorge day and night.

Illustration of a small Ferris wheel, striped tents and a decorated booth with pumpkins on a grassy fairground in autumn (Pumpkins in the Park 2026)

Pumpkins in the Park 2026

Oct 17 – Oct 18

Netley 30 mi $$

Features giant pumpkin displays, chainsaw woodcarving, and birds of prey.

Illustration of a pumpkin patch with orange pumpkins, a red wheelbarrow, a wooden farm stand and two scarecrow figures (Yeovil Fairfield Pumpkins)

Yeovil Fairfield Pumpkins

Oct 10 – Oct 31

Yeovil 31 mi

Pick your own pumpkins straight from the field near Yeovil.

Illustration of small clay figures carving glowing jack-o'-lanterns on a wooden table with candles under string lights (Wild Autumn at Marwell Zoo)

Wild Autumn at Marwell Zoo

Winchester 36 mi

Seasonal sweet treats and warming drinks including pumpkin spiced lattes.

Illustration of small costumed children and a witch on a sunny autumn lawn with pumpkins, hay bales and orange trees (Fareham Halloween Roller Disco)

Fareham Halloween Roller Disco

Sat, Oct 31

Fareham 36 mi $$

Family roller disco featuring a resident DJ, lights, and lasers.

Illustration of a craft table with a glitter pumpkin, paint cups, a clay kid, a smiling ghost and a paper bat under bunting (Art for All: Spooky Portraits! (5yrs+))

Art for All: Spooky Portraits! (5yrs+)

Wed, Oct 28

Print your own spooky self-portrait with lift-the-flap twists.

Illustration of smiling ghost figures and a small costumed child beside pumpkins and paint cups on a wooden table (Halloween Slime Making Workshop)

Halloween Slime Making Workshop

Oct 29 – Oct 30

Eastleigh 33 mi

Hands-on spooky slime creation with custom colours and textures.

Illustration of a candlelit Halloween dinner table with small pumpkins, a friendly ghost and two witch costumed figures (Halloween Children's Afternoon Tea)

Halloween Children's Afternoon Tea

Fri, Oct 30

Fareham 34 mi $$

Afternoon tea with treats and spooky cookie decorating

Wizard School (6yrs+)

Mon, Oct 26

Craft a magic wand and search for magical characters in the garden.

Hands on History: Frightening Folklore

Interactive family history session exploring local folklore, mythical creatures, and crafts.

Illustration of small purple clay characters carving glowing jack-o'-lanterns on a wooden table with candles and seeds (Art for All: Clay Pumpkins Workshop)

Art for All: Clay Pumpkins Workshop

Create your own unique pumpkin using clay, powder paint, and accessories.

Illustration of costumed clay children and a witch playing among pumpkins, hay bales and tents on an autumn lawn (Children's Theatre Trail Autumn 2026)

Children's Theatre Trail Autumn 2026

Sep 12 – Nov 21

An interactive behind-the-scenes adventure exclusively for children aged 7 to 11.

Illustration of three costumed clay children and little ghosts at a table with pumpkins and decorated cookies in autumn light (Toddler Time: Silly Spiders!)

Toddler Time: Silly Spiders!

Storytelling and spider-crafting session led by artist Celia Ford.

Illustration of a Halloween craft scene with clay kids, a friendly ghost, bats and glowing pumpkins under party bunting (Southampton Culture Club for Kids – Spooky Autumn!)

Southampton Culture Club for Kids – Spooky Autumn!

Oct 26 – Oct 28

Creative autumn half-term workshop for children aged 6½ to 12.

Illustration of kids in costumes at a table with pumpkins, bowls of treats, and paper bats and bunting overhead (Art for All: Bats on Bags Printing Workshop!)

Art for All: Bats on Bags Printing Workshop!

Mon, Oct 26