It’s that time of year again – the nights are getting darker, jumpers are making their way out of the wardrobes and, before you know it, it’s October half-term! Whether you’re going all-out for Halloween or want to keep it a little more low-key, we’ve pulled together the best things to do in Yorkshire this Halloween.
Pumpkin Picking
Pumpkin picking is a fun and inexpensive way to get into the autumn spirit, and the kids will love it! Take a trip to Cannon Hall Farm’s pumpkin patch in Barnsley, where each child can take away a free pumpkin, or visit Farmer Copley’s Pumpkin Festival in Pontefract and browse through their twenty acres of pumpkin patches.
Leeds-based folk can head to Horsforth’s Pick Your Own at Kemps Farm which promises a delightful day out for the whole family. Just remember to book your pumpkin picking slot in advance!
Boo-tiful cooking
Wondering what to do with all those pumpkins? Get into the Halloween spirit and bake some frightfully delicious treats! These pumpkin passion cupcakes and this pumpkin and ginger teabread loaf pair perfectly with a seasonal chai tea, and the kids will love getting involved in mixing the batters. Older children can get stuck into baking these pinata poltergeist biscuits – the recipe suggests packing a punch of popping candy, but why not try filling them with a generous dose of jam for extra blood-like Halloween flair?
If savoury's more your style, this vegan pumpkin soup is certainly pumpkin to talk about! It'spacked full of flavour and is sure to warm you up after a blustery autumn walk. Cooking with the kids? They'll love decorating these healthy homemade pizzas and making spooky shapes using their favourite toppings!
Give older kids a scream
Hallowtween is back! Venture to Yorkshire’s most popular maze and prepare to be spooked by both family-friendly scares and truly ghoulish horrors across four mysterious buildings. Although fearless teenagers will love being spooked, there's fun for all the family with street theatre, live stage acts and much more! Just remember, Dunnington Lodge at York Maze is one of the most haunted sites in Yorkshire - only enter if you dare!
Image: York Maze
If York is a little too far for you to venture, tickle your teenager’s taste for terror at Wakefield’s Scream Park. With five spine-chilling attractions and two blood-curdling scare zones to choose from, this night-time stroll through Yorkshire Scare Grounds (located on the aptly named Hell Lane) will be a little less Casper and a little more The Exorcist. This attraction is recommended for kids aged 12 and over, but younger ghouls with a desire for dread are welcome too.
Frightful Films
The only thing better than a good Halloween movie night is a Halloween movie night with a spooky backdrop!
Head to Leeds over the Halloween weekend and settle in for a scare at Kirkstall Abbey. Sneaky Experiences’ pop-up cinema is showing festive favourites Hocus Pocus, Nightmare on Elm Street and The Shining, eerily complemented by the spooky surroundings of Kirkstall Abbey – a ruined Cistercian monastery dating back to the 12th century which is said to be one of the most haunted buildings in Leeds!
Image: Sneaky Experiences
Seasonal Strolls
We’re never short of places to go on a picturesque autumnal countryside walk here in Yorkshire - and they're perfect for walking off all those Halloween treats.
Take a trip to the rolling hills of the Peak District with a circular walk around the historic village of Low Bradfield, South Yorkshire, or follow the Railway Trail at Hardcastle Crags in Halifax for stunning riverside views. If you’re a Huddersfield local you’ve probably climbed Castle Hill before, but the view from Victoria Tower never gets old - get your boots on and take the kids on this circular 4-mile walk around the Holme Valley!
Wanting something a little more magical? Explore the mystical woodlands of the Northwood Trail Fairy Sanctuary at Stamford Bridge, near York! Set off on a spellbinding guided lantern walk through the wood once the sun sets and be fascinated by tales from Professor Howland’s collection of fairy histories and mythologies. This charming attraction is perfect for families with younger kids or disabled children who may be more sensitive to the bright lights and loud noises of theme parks and scare festivals.
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Image: Northwood Trail
Halloween at home
Fancy an inexpensive, cosy day inside? You can still make the most of Halloween from the comfort of your home!
These printable Halloween activities are sure to keep kids entertained - from spooky wordsearches and frightful colouring pages to scary math problems and fantastical writing prompts, there's something to suit every child's interest.
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How are you spending Halloween in Yorkshire this year? Let us know on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!