It might not have felt like it with the summery weather we’ve been having, but it’s already October and half term and Halloween are just round the corner! Once again, I’ve put together a list of what I’ve found in the local area to occupy our little ones. Refreshingly, there’s quite a bit for toddlers to do this half term too! As of today, these all have availability, but book quickly as spaces go fast.
Do check back, as I’ll update the list as and when I find more events and activities happening. Don’t forget to scroll to the end for things that are happening on multiple days across the half term holiday!
Of course, on top of this there is also pumpkin picking! There are quite a few places locally, but our personal favourite is PYO Pumpkins in Hoo.
Saturday 21st October
| Junior Rangers | Riverside Country Park, Rainham, Gillingham | https://www.facebook.com/riversidecountrypark/ |
Sunday 22nd October
| Children’s Halloween Party | The George Pub, Rochester | https://www.facebook.com/ |
| Pumpkin Carving | Riverside Country Park, Rainham, Gillingham | https://www.facebook.com/riversidecountrypark/ |
Monday 23rd Oct
| Halloween Spooktacular – show and hands-on entertainment | Millbrook Garden Centre, Gravesend | https://www.millbrookgc.co.uk/webshop/events/ |
| Half Day Workshop – slime making and games | The Academy of Woodlands, Gillingham | https://www.facebook.com/busybodieswithjess/ |
| Mini Harvest Kitchen – make apple bites, free drink and goody bag | Jasper’s Community Cafe, Rochester | https://www.facebook.com/jasperscommunitycafe/ |
| Stay and Play | Next Step Children’s Centre, Cedar Avenue, Gravesend | 9.30-11am |
| Halloween Open Session – giant inflatables, Halloween arts and crafts and games. SEN session in morning. | Meopham Leisure Centre, Meopham | https://www.facebook.com/MeophamLeisure/ |
| Half Term Workshop – dancing (Wednesday Addams), singing, acting, games, crafts and more | Rheinstones Productions, The Academy of Woodlands, Gillingham | https://www.facebook.com/RheinstonesPro/ |
| Barbie Workshop | Dance Envy Studio, Rainham | https://www.facebook.com/ |
Tuesday 24th October
| Witches Walks and Creepy Creations | Shorne Woods Country Park, Shorne | https://bookings.kentcountryparks.co.uk/ |
| Relaxed Opening for visitors with autism, learning disabilities or sensory and communication needs along with their siblings, families and carers | The Historic Dockyard, Chatham | https://thedockyard.co.uk/events/ |
| ‘Weird and Wonderful’ with Our Amazing Animal World | Millbrook Garden Centre, Gravesend | https://www.millbrookgc.co.uk/webshop/events/ |
| Autumn Holiday Stay and Play | Davis Estate Community Centre, Chatham | https://nct.intrabiz.co.uk/ |
| Halloween Haunts Cupcake Decorating (followed by a meal) | Chalk ‘N’ Teas, Chalk, Gravesend | https://mariestearoom.co.uk/product/halloween-haunts-cupcake-decorating/ |
| Halloween Baby Massage and Movement | Hoo | https://birth-boss.com/booking/ |
| Pond Dipping | Rainham Marshes | https://events.rspb.org.uk/ |
| Holiday Cooks – make pumpkin snakes! | Gravesend Sea Cadet Unit, Gravesend | https://www.thecookerycabin.co.uk/bookclasses |
| Halloween Party | Lordswood Studio Centre, Lordswood | https://www.facebook.com/ |
| Forest School | Meopham | https://www.facebook.com/WildatHeartLearningKent/ |
| Spooky Scarecrow Craft | Capstone Farm Country Park, Chatham | https://www.facebook.com/CapstonePark/ |
| ‘Picture This!’ Craft | Riverside Country Park, Rainham, Gillingham | https://www.facebook.com/riversidecountrypark/ |
| Half Day Workshop – slime making, games, arts & crafts, dress up competition | The Academy of Woodlands, Gillingham | https://www.facebook.com/busybodieswithjess/ |
| FaBOOlous Halloween Messy Play | Meopham Village Hall, Meopham | https://little-learners-northwestkent.classforkids.io/info/812 |
| Light Party | St. Augustine’s, Gillingham | https://www.facebook.com/StAsGillingham/ |
| Rochester Library Bumps & Babies | Rochester Library, Rochester | https://nct.intrabiz.co.uk/ |
| Mini Harvest Kitchen – make apple bites, free drink and goody bag | Jasper’s Community Cafe, Rochester | https://www.facebook.com/jasperscommunitycafe |
| Stay and Play | Little Gems Children’s Centre, Gravesend | 9.30-11am |
| Halloween Party | The Goose, Gravesend | https://www.facebook.com/GooseGravesend/ |
Wednesday 25th October
| ‘Weird and Wonderful’ with Our Amazing Animal World | Millbrook Garden Centre, Gravesend | https://www.millbrookgc.co.uk/webshop/events/ |
| Hocus Pocus Workshop | KICC Buckmore Park, Chatham | https://fb.me/e/1iAIJpMdm |
| Half Term Workshop – dancing, drama, crafts, games and more | Sterondalls, Peters Village | https://www.sterondalls.co.uk/ |
| Halloween Haunts Cupcake Decorating (followed by a meal) | Chalk ‘N’ Teas, Chalk, Gravesend | https://mariestearoom.co.uk/product/halloween-haunts-cupcake-decorating/ |
| Halloween Party | St. Mary’s Island Community Centre, St. Mary’s Island | https://www.facebook.com/ttbGravesendandMedway/ |
| Halloween Fire Building and Open Fire Cooking | Capstone Farm Country Park, Chatham | https://www.facebook.com/CapstonePark/ |
| Family Autumn Ramble | Riverside Country Park, Rainham, Gillingham | https://www.facebook.com/riversidecountrypark/ |
| Full Day Workshop – dress up competition, slime making, arts & crafts, games, activities, obstacle courses and races | The Academy of Woodlands, Gillingham | https://www.facebook.com/busybodieswithjess/ |
| Meet a Pirate | Upnor Castle, Upnor, Rochester | https://www.visitmedway.org/events/ |
| Screening of Coco and activities | Midkent College, Gillingham | https://www.facebook.com/ChildFriendlyMedway/ |
| Stay and Play | Bright Futures Children’s Centre, Packham Road, Northfleet | 1-2.30pm |
Thursday 26th October
| Clay Creatures Workshop | The Historic Dockyard, Chatham | https://thedockyard.co.uk/events/ |
| Halloween at Little City | St. George’s Church Hall, Gravesend | https://littlecity.my-sfs.com/ |
| ‘Spooky Science Party’ with Sublime Science | Millbrook Garden Centre, Gravesend | https://www.millbrookgc.co.uk/webshop/events/ |
| Build Your Own Bear & Teddy Bear’s Picnic | The Clarendon Royal Community Hub, Gravesend | https://www.exploretock.com/theclarendonroyalhotelgravesend/ |
| Pond Dipping | Rainham Marshes | https://events.rspb.org.uk/ |
| Kids Halloween Party | City Wall, Rochester | https://www.facebook.com |
| Forest School | Meopham | https://www.facebook.com/WildatHeartLearningKent/ |
| Halloween Haunted Trail | Capstone Farm Country Park | https://www.facebook.com/CapstonePark/ |
| Den Building and Woodland Fun | Riverside Country Park, Rainham, Gillingham | https://www.facebook.com/riversidecountrypark |
| Toddler Sense Spooky Wooky Halloween Special | St. Matthew’s Community Hall, Wigmore | https://www.facebook.com/ToddlerSenseMedway/ |
| WW2 Bomb Squad | Upnor Castle, Upnor, Rochester | https://www.visitmedway.org/events |
| Stay and Play | Riverside Children’s Centre, Dickens Road, Gravesend | 9.30-11am |
| Big Bounce – games, inflatables and refreshments. SEN session available. | D&T Events, The Victory Academy, Chatham | https://www.dtevents.co.uk/events/october-big-bounce.php |
| Halloween & Slime Day | Dance Envy Studio, Rainham | https://www.facebook.com |
Friday 27th October
| Trainmaster Halloween Special | Parkwood Primary School, Gillingham | https://trainmaster.co.uk/kent/ |
| Halloween Party | Chalk Parish Hall, Chalk, Gravesend | https://www.facebook.com/ |
| Halloween Party | Gerald Miskin Hall, Gravesend | https://www.facebook.com/ttbGravesendandMedway/ |
| Monkey Bizz Halloween Disco | Monkey Bizz, Strood | https://www.facebook.com/monkeybizzmedway/ |
| Holiday Cooks – make pumpkin snakes! | Gravesend Sea Cadet Unit, Gravesend | https://www.thecookerycabin.co.uk/bookclasses |
| FaBOOlous Halloween Messy Play | Kipling Hall, Northfleet | https://little-learners-northwestkent.classforkids.io/info/816 |
| Toddler Sense Spooky Wooky Halloween Special | St. Matthew’s Community Hall, Wigmore | https://www.facebook.com/ToddlerSenseMedway/ |
| Scare Fest – trail, goodie bag, crafts, photo opp and kids show | The Pentagon, Chatham | https://www.facebook.com/pentagonshoppingcentre/ |
| Stay and Play | Little Pebbles Children’s Centre, Ordnance Road, Gravesend | 9.30-11am |
| Halloween Party | Jumpin Fun Inflatable Park, Strood | https://www.facebook.com/jumpinfunrochester/ |
Saturday 28th October
| Trick or Treat Party | Waggon at Hale, Chatham | https://www.facebook.com/events/850414023399165 |
| Spookfest | Gravesend Borough Market, Gravesend | https://www.facebook.com/gravesendboroughmarket.Kent/ |
| Halloween Special Baby Class | Cleave Warne Hall, Borstal | https://bloombabyclasses.com/medway/ |
| Pumpkin Carving | Capstone Farm Country Park, Chatham | https://www.facebook.com/CapstonePark/ |
| Kids’ Mache Pumpkin Craft | Hobbycraft, Strood | https://classbento.co.uk/kids-mache-pumpkin |
| Walk and Talk | Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre, Hempstead, Gillingham | https://nct.intrabiz.co.uk/ |
| Halloween Dance Special – dance fun for under 5s with Afrobeats and hip hop, Halloween costumes encouraged (prize for the best one) | The Academy of Woodlands, Gillingham | https://usddacademy.as.me/schedule.php?appointmentType=54137913& |
| Halloween Scarefest – kids activities, food, cocktails, prizes for best costumes | The Leather Bottle, Cobham | https://www.facebook.com/theleatherbottlecobham/ |
| Halloween Party | Jumpin Fun Inflatable Park, Strood | https://www.facebook.com/jumpinfunrochester/ |
Sunday 29th October
| Zoo Lab Creepy Critters | Shorne Country Park, Shorne | https://bookings.kentcountryparks.co.uk/ |
| Kids Halloween Party | Strand Social & Sports Club, Gillingham | https://www.facebook.com/events/316351287770042 |
| Pumpkin Carving Competition | The Bounty, Strood | https://www.facebook.com/events/710562637639440 |
| Pumpkin Carving | Capstone Farm Country Park, Chatham | https://www.facebook.com/CapstonePark/ |
| Baba Yaga – performance, music and craft | LV21, Gravesend | https://www.facebook.com/WoodvilleGravesend/ |
| Halloween train ride – first ride free if you’re wearing a costume! | The Gravesend Model Marine and Engineering Society, Cascades, Gravesend | http://www.gmmes.co.uk/index.php |
| Kids’ Mache Pumpkin | Hobbycraft, Strood | https://classbento.co.uk/kids-mache-pumpkin |
| Halloween Party | Istead Rise Community Centre, Istead Rise | https://www.facebook.com/IRCAtoday/ |
| Brass Rubbing | Rochester Cathedral, Rochester | https://www.rochestercathedral.org/ |
| Halloween Fundraiser – 2 hours inflatable fun swim | Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School (‘The Math’), Rochester | See below |
Multiple Dates
| Halloween Crafts – pumpkin garland, cat with moveable eyes, spider bowls, spooky wreaths and more | TC Craft Studio, Strood | https://www.tccraftstudio.co.uk/book-a-workshop/p/halloween-fun-tc-craft-studio |
| Here Be Dragons – interactive story and craft activities | The Historic Dockyard, Chatham | https://thedockyard.co.uk/events/here-be-dragons-halloween-half-term/ |
| Pumpkin Carving Workshops | Broadditch Farm, Southfleet, Gravesend | https://spookycastle.digitickets.co.uk |
| Holiday Camp | 3rd Space Kids – Cobham Hall, Cobham | https://3rd-space-kids.classforkids.io/camps? |
| Haunted House | Riverside Country Park, Rainham, Gillingham | https://www.facebook.com/riversidecountrypark/ |
| Hedgehog Craft | The Moat House Coffee Shop, Rochester | https://www.facebook.com/TheMoatHouseCoffeeShop/ |
| Trail Sheets | Rochester Cathedral, Rochester | https://www.rochestercathedral.org/ |
| Harvest Hunt | Rochester Cathedral, Rochester | https://www.rochestercathedral.org/ |
| Ghostly Treasure Hunt | Eastgate House, Rochester | https://www.visitmedway.org/events/ |
| Ghost Story Evenings | Eastgate House, Rochester | https://www.visitmedway.org/events/ |
| Mystery Objects | Guildhall Museum, Rochester | https://www.visitmedway.org/events/ |
| Spooky Children’s Crafts – hanging ghost or pumpkin mask | Guildhall Museum, Rochester | https://www.visitmedway.org/events/ |
| Halloween Event | The Fenn Bell Inn, St. Mary Hoo, Rochester | https://www.fbcukproject.co.uk/halloween/ |
| Halloween Horrors | Fort Amherst, Chatham | https://halloweenhorrors.co.uk/ |
| Create a Clay Medal | The Royal Engineers Museum, Gillingham | https://www.facebook.com/RoyalEngineersMuseum/ |
| Electric Medway Festival | Luton, Brompton, Chatham and online | https://www.electricmedway.org/ |
| Halloween Kiddies Fair | “The Prom” Gravesend Riverside Leisure Area, Gravesend | https://www.facebook.com/ |
Disclosure: This is not written in affiliation with any of the events or activities listed.
Cover photo by Nik on Unsplash