October Half Term in Berkshire 2026
*This article is in the process of being updated – many attractions haven’t announced their activities for this year yet so I’ve kept last year’s events on for some attractions until I can update them.
Prices correct at the time of writing. Click through to each venue for up to date pricing and information.
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We always love October half term as a family. By the time October half term comes around, the children are tired, school has taken its toll and we all really need a break. Plus, autumn means that it’s the perfect time to be cosy at home, watching movies, playing games and drinking so much hot chocolate!
But, autumn is also a great time to get outside, blow off those cobwebs and appreciate the beautiful, changing time of year. So I thought I would put together some ideas of things to do across Berkshire this October half term.
When is October half term in Berkshire?
October half term in Berkshire runs from 26 October to 30 October 2026. Some schools will usually have an inset day or two attached to the start of end of the half term, making it a little longer.
So here we have ideas of things to do during this autumn half term. I hope it’s helpful and if there are any activities or events that I’ve missed please do get in touch and let me know.
Days Out in Berkshire
If you’re just looking for a day out then we have a lot of inspiration for you in Berkshire and a little further afield. These posts should be helpful and there are family fun days out in Berkshire with dedicated half term activities below.
- Family Days Out in the South East
- Educational Days Out in the South East
- Educational Days Out in London
- Things to Do on a Family Trip to London
- Things to do in London on a Rainy Day
Afternoon Tea in Berkshire
If you fancy going for afternoon tea as a half term treat there are plenty of places to choose from and these guides may help you find somewhere perfect!
- The Best Places to Have Afternoon Tea in Berkshire
- Where to Have Afternoon Tea for Kids in Berkshire
Fireworks in Berkshire
Half term is when all the fireworks displays start to happen and there are so many across Berkshire this year. This post has all the information you need to add fireworks to your half term plans:
National Trust Events in Berkshire
National Trust is one of our go to places during any school holiday and they always have so many events and trails on to keep the whole family entertained. Here are a few options for half term fun at National Trust this October:
Basildon Park – Lower Basildon, Reading RG8 9NR
We’re Going on a Ghost Hunt Halloween Adventure – 24th October to 8th November 2026 – Included with admission
Based on the bestselling children’s books, this Halloween the Bunnies of Hoppity Hill are setting off on an adventure to find the ghosts hidden around Basildon Park with heaps of exciting things to see and do along the way.
Pick your bunny name, play Halloween hoopla, race your broomstick, and watch out for the warty toads as you cross the stepping stones, before joining the celebration party and collecting your sticker.
Read about our time at Basildon Park here
Days Out with Half Term Activities in Berkshire
The Little Play Lounge – Rectory Road, Padworth Common, Reading, Berkshire RG7 4JD
The Little Harvest Festival – 10th to 18th October 2026
Celebrate the magic of autumn at The Little Harvest Festival! Visit The Little Play Lounge for a wholesome family day out in the beautiful grounds, filled with pumpkin picking, little ride-on tractors, hay bales, harvest games and seasonal fun. Follow the autumn trail, explore the pumpkin patch, enjoy the self-led outdoor activities and capture some beautiful family photographs among the autumn displays.
The Trick or Treat Session – 28th to 30th October 2026
Visit The Little Play Lounge for a stroll around the trick or treat village; the perfect opportunity to celebrate Halloween as a family in a not too scary way!
* Bucklebury Farm Park – Pease Hill, Reading RG7 6RR
Halloween at the Farm – Throughout half term 2025
4 Kingdoms Adventure Park – Newbury Road, Headley, Thatcham RG19 8JY
Halloween – Pumpkin Patch – All October Weekends and Saturday 24th October to Saturday 31st October 2026
Spooky entertainment during the whole October open dates, with lots of Halloween themed fun and mischief and pumpkin picking in the Pumpkin Patch.
Halloween Nights with Dinos in the Dark – 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 10th, 16th, 17th, 23rd – 31st October 2026
Experience 4 Kingdoms at night for a spook-tacular Halloween adventure. Brave the Haunted Woods, explore the lantern-lit Maize Maze, ‘Enjoy’ Trick-or-Treating and pick your perfect pumpkin in the Pumpkin Patch. Then grab a torch for Dinos in the Dark. Jump into a Jeep and see if you can make it through the Dinosaur Kingdom in the dark!
Wellington Country Park – Odiham Road, Riseley, Berkshire RG7 1SP
Hallo’Welly’Ween – 23rd October to 31st October 2026
This October half-term, Wellington Country Park have got some wickedly awesome plans brewing! They’re throwing the biggest and most friendly spook’tacular Hallo’Welly’Ween ever, and you’re all invited.
Read about our day at Wellington Country Park here
* Windsor Great Park Environmental Centre – The Great Park, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 2BY
Wildlife Halloween Mystery Family Trail – Not confirmed for 2025
There’s been a murder… of the wildlife kind. After a bump in the night, there’s a crime scene at Windsor Great Park. Help solve the wildlife mystery – whodunnit?! In order to enter the crime scene to investigate, you must become a wildlife detective. Complete the detective training through this family trail, learning how to find and identify tracks and signs of animals.
Wasing Estate – Wasing Lane, Aldermaston RG7 4LZ
Pumpkins and Woodland Trail at Wasing – 16th – 18th & 23rd – 31st October 2026
Visit Wasing for a seasonal adventure this Autumn. Follow the enchanting decorated woodland trail through Wasing’s stunning woodland then head for the pumpkin patch where a fairytale pumpkin carriage awaits and where you can choose your perfect pumpkin to take home and carve. Afterwards enjoy tasty seasonal snacks and hot & cold drinks under our beautiful stretch tent.
Woolley Firs Environmental Education Centre – Cherry Garden Lane, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 3LJ
Family Event “Creepy Creatures and Nasty Nature” – 28th to 30th October 2026
Come along to Woolley Firs this Halloween. Spooky activities and trail inspired by our spectacularly strange, wild creatures!
Legoland Windsor – Winkfield Rd, Windsor SL4 4AY
Brick or Treat – 10th October to 1st November 2026
The LEGOLAND Windsor Resort will be transformed into a pumpkin-filled wonderland for what is sure to be the most frightfully fun event of the year perfect for the young, and the young at heart!
Reading Museum – Blagrave Street, Reading, RG1 1QH
Victorian Schoolroom Experience in the Gateway – 29th October 2026 – £2 per person
Meet a Victorian schoolteacher and re-learn the ‘3Rs’. A 45-minute experience for adults and children over 5 in a unique Victorian classroom, in the historic Abbey Gateway.
BCA Zoo – Burchett’s Green, Maidenhead SL6 6QR
Zoo Tours – Various dates
Visir BCA Zoo on a guided tour, home to over 100 different species from across the globe. Visit the Nocturnal Room where the animals come alive in the twilight, the bustling Zoo Courtyard and finish off in the warm Reptile House where you never know what fascinating creature might be waiting around the next corner.
Half Term Activities in Berkshire
Wherever you are in Berkshire, there’s bound to be somewhere nearby with organised family activities or events to keep your children entertained over the holidays. Here are a few suggestions of things to do in October half term in Berkshire:
Renegade Brewery – The Old Dairy, Yattendon, Berkshire RG18 0XT
Halloween Crafternoon – Monday 26 October to Wednesday 28 October 2026
Bring the kids down to Renegade Brewery and let them the staff help keep them entertained while you relax. They’ve got plenty of space for groups, so whether it’s a catch-up with friends or a family day out, everyone’s welcome.
While the little ones are amused, you can sit back and enjoy a freshly cooked lunch with a pint of craft beer or a refreshing soft drink. Not in the mood for beer? No problem – they’ve also got proper coffee, tea, and indulgent hot chocolate to keep you cosy.
Corn Exchange – Market Pl, Newbury RG14 5BD
Create and Make: October Half Term 2026 – Monday 26 October to Thursday 29 October 2026
Join us this half term for some creative fun. Activities include arts and crafts, drama and more! Your child will get to work with professional practitioners to explore the creative arts, develop new skills and make new friends.
11 – 14 Club! – Tuesday 27 October to Thursday 29 October 2026
Hang out with friends, meet new people, and get stuck into some fun creative activities, from Willow Lantern sculpture making to Pottery Painting.
Family Quiz: Autumn 2026 – Wednesday 28th October 2026
Gather the family and join us for an evening of trivia, laughs and friendly competition.
Halloween Storytime and Craft – Friday 30th October 2026
Join actor, voice artist and award-winning audiobook narrator Fran Burgoyne for a spook-tacular session. Come dressed in your favourite costume and enjoy a Halloween story and make a fang-tastic craft to take home.
Family Circus Skills – Sunday 1st November 2026
Want to learn how to spin plates, stilt walk and have a go at an array of circus skills and tricks? Then join Roxy from Flow Motion Circus and have a go at hoop, juggling, diablo, stilt walking, spinning plates and Poi (a circus art form that involves swinging weighted fabric around the body in patterns and formation). This is a fun session for all the family where you can all have a go.
Theatre Shows in Berkshire
Going to the theatre is a great activity that the whole family will enjoy and Berkshire has a lot of great theatres to really make the most of. Here are the family shows on during October half term:
Theatre Royal Windsor – 32 Thames Street, Windsor SL4 1PS
- The Snow Queen – Tue 27th Oct to Sat 31st Oct 2026
Corn Exchange – Market Pl, Newbury RG14 5BD
- Halloween in Concert – 2026
- Out of the Box: October Half Term – 2026
- Illusion Impossible: Half Term – 2026
- Dinosaur World Live: Half Term –
- The Nutcracker: Half Term – 2026
South Hill Park Arts Centre – Ringmead, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 7PA
- TBC for half term
The Hexagon – Queen Walk, Reading, Berkshire RG1 7QF
- The Princess Proms – 24 Oct 2026
- Rude Science Live – 28 Oct 2026
The Mill at Sonning – Sonning Eye, Reading RG4 6TY
- TBC for half term
South Street Theatre – 21 South Street Reading, Berkshire RG1 4QU
- The Elves & the Shoemaker – 29th October 2026
- The Shivers by emma + pj – 31st October 2026
Treasure Trails
If you want to get outside but you don’t really know where, we love Treasure Trails. It’s an adventure that the whole family can get involved in. Solve a mystery, save the day or be a spy! It’s great fun and we always really enjoy it. Here are some of the Berkshire Treasure Trails – you can see the full list here.
- Marlow – Town and Parks
- Maidenhead – Riverside
- Twyford
- Wokingham
- Reading – Abbey Quarter
- Windsor – Gardens and Riverside
- Eton
- Datchet
You can read about one of our Treasure Trail adventures here.
Indoor Activities in Berkshire
If the weather isn’t great over half term then you may want to do something indoors that still gets you out of the house. Here are some ideas:
Libraries in Berkshire
There are many libraries across Berkshire and the vast majority of them have activities and events on for children on a regular basis but especially during school holidays. You can find your local library here and book available sessions online too.
Leisure Centres in Berkshire
Leisure centres can be a fantastic place to spend time as a family and they’ve come far over recent times, now having so much more than just swimming pools. Many have climbing facilities, soft play centres and even trampoline parks within them! Here are some of the ones in Berkshire to choose from:
- Bracknell Leisure Centre
- Palmer Park, Reading
- Wokingham Leisure Centre
- Arborfield Green Leisure Centre
- Bulmershe Leisure Centre
- Woodford Park Leisure Centre
- St Crispin’s Leisure Centre
- Loddon Valley Leisure Centre
- Kennet Leisure Centre
- Windsor Leisure Centre
- Braywick Leisure Centre
- Rivermead Leisure Centre
- Willink Leisure Centre, Burghfield Common
- Northcroft Leisure Centre
- Cox Green Leisure Centre
- Charters Leisure Centre
- South Reading Leisure Centre
Trampoline Parks in Berkshire
Trampolining is a fantastic activity that children love and it’s perfect for a wet weather day – which is often the case in February half term! Here are the trampoline parks in Berkshire – and many of the leisure centres above offer trampolining classes too. It’s great fun for all ages.
- Oxygen – Reading – Make the most of their £30 Half Term Holiday Pass giving access to five 60 minute Open Play sessions between Saturday 25th October and Sunday 2nd November 2025. Find out more here.
- Jump In – Slough
- Bracknell Trampoline Centre
- Jump Giants – Slough
Soft Play and Indoor Play Centres in Berkshire
Soft play and other indoor play centres are fantastic for children and are great for bad weather days too. We have so many great indoor activity hubs in Berkshire from typical soft play centres to role play dressing up experiences.
- Jungle Mania – Woodley
- Monkey Mates – Wokingham
- Active Antz at Bracknell Leisure Centre
- Tiny Town Cafe – Newbury
- The Jelly Lounge – Windsor
- Lakeside Soft Play – Datchet
- Cobbs Play Barn – Hungerford
- Active Tots – Reading – Read our review here
Shopping Centres in Berkshire
Shopping centres are a great place to spend time. You can wander round the shops, grab some lunch and there are often organised activities and events in to make the most of as well.
- The Lexicon – Bracknell
- Nicholsons Shopping Centre – Maidenhead
- Queensmere Observatory Shopping Centre – Slough
- Kennet Shopping Centre – Newbury
- Parkway Shopping Centre – Newbury
- The Oracle – Reading
- Broad Street Mall – Reading
Pottery Painting in Berkshire
Pottery painting is a fantastic activity for the whole family as well as being a calm and relaxed experience. Children of all ages will love it and it’s so nice to have something to take away with you afterwards – or pick up a few days later when it’s been fired! Here are our Berkshire pottery painting destinations.
- Pottery Pals – Wokingham
- Top of the Pots – Warfield
- Mad Hatters Pottery Cafe – Reading
- Hands-on Art Adventures – Windsor
- The Ugly Duckling Pottery Painting – Newbury
- Blue Beetle Ceramics – Thatcham
Bowling in Berkshire
Bowling is another great activity for the whole family and perfect when the weather isn’t great. Here are the Berkshire bowling alleys to choose from:
- Wokingham Superbowl
- The Phoenix Bowl – Maidenhead
- Spinners Crazy Golf & Bowling – Reading
Laser Tag in Berkshire
Laser Tag was such a new thing when I was a child but they’ve grown massively in popularity over recent years and now laser centres are everywhere. Here are both indoor and outdoor laser tag sites across Berkshire.
- Laser Quest – Wokingham
- Predator Assault – Reading
- Absolutely Laser – Maidenhead
Climbing Centres and Aerial Adventures in Berkshire
Climbing is another great family activity and we have so many centres across the county – plus those included in the leisure centres above. Here are some more indoor and outdoor centres to give you some climbing inspiration.
- Parthian Climbing – Reading
- Oakwood Climbing Centre – Wokingham
- The Climbing Hangar – Reading
- Slough Climbing Wall
- Northway Climbing Centre – Newbury
- Dinton Activity Centre – Wokingham
- Go Ape – Swinley Forest, Bracknell – Read our Go Ape review here
- Clip n Climb – Reading – Read our Clip n Climb review here
Cinemas in Berkshire
Most cinemas have reduced tickets at weekends and in school holidays, a great budget activity that the whole family can enjoy together
Vue – Mighty Mornings
At Vue’s Mini Mornings you can see the best kids and family films from only £2.49 each. Mini Mornings run every Saturday and Sunday morning from 10am plus every day in the school holidays.
Odeon – Odeon Kids
With special Odeon Kids screenings of the most spellbinding fairy tales and animated films, grown-ups pay kids’ ticket prices, making it a great value day out for the whole family.
There are many other cinemas in Berkshire – Everyman, Empire and Harlequin to name a few, but they all seem to have the same ticket prices and offerings during school holidays.
Holiday Clubs in Berkshire
If you need to work over the holidays and need childcare then holiday clubs are a really popular idea – and there are so many across Berkshire that you’re bound to find one perfect for your children that’s close to where you live or work.
Koosa Kids
Where: The Heights Primary School, Reading – EP Collier Primary School, Reading – Birch Hill Primary School, Bracknell
When: Most school holidays
Ages: 4 – 13 year olds
Experience all the fun and excitement of the Winter Olympics at KOOSA Kids February Half Term Holiday Clubs. With a mixture of active and non-active games and activities, the Winter Olympics Spectacular caters for all tastes and interests.
Ultimate Activity Camps
Where: Crossfields, Reading
When: Most school holidays
Ages: 4 – 14 year olds
At Ultimate Activity Camps, children will enjoy a fantastic range of sports, games and art activities every week led by engaging staff at amazing locations. Fun is at the heart of everything they do.
Camp Beaumont
Where: Elstree School, Reading – Jennett’s Park, Bracknell – Leighton Park School, Reading – St George’s School, Windsor – St John’s Beaumont School, Old Windsor – Wellington Health & Fitness Club, Berkshire
When: Most school holidays
Ages: 3 to 16 year olds
Camp Beaumont award-winning half-term adventure day camps feature over 50 activities including archery, football and tennis, teaching children new skills whilst making new friends and enjoying their best half-term break yet.
Premier Education Holiday Camps
Where: Birch Copse Primary School, Tilehurst
When: Most school holidays
Ages: 4 to 12 year olds
Premier Education have a range of fun and exciting holiday camps to keep children active. Each Holiday Camp features a range of activities and with a choice between a Multi-Activity camp, Multi-Sport camp, Performing Arts camp, or a Sport-Specific camp.
Barracudas also usually have camps in Maidenhead and Newbury over the holidays.
I hope that’s given you some inspiration for family friendly things to do over the October half term holidays before the kids are back at school for the last half term of the year. I’ll add more suggestions as I come across them and if you know of anything going on in Berkshire that I’ve missed please do get in touch and let me know.
If you’re looking for even more to do this half term, these articles might help:
