If I see the word ‘spooktacular’ one more time, I may scream (from frustration, not horror!). My email account is now pinging at an alarming rate offering me ‘spooktacular October savings’ and wishing me a ‘spooktacular half-term holiday’.
The October half-term, falling in between the big spend of the six-week summer holiday and the even bigger spend of Christmas, often creeps up (Halloween/ spidery pun intended) unexpectedly. If you're anything like my family, we opt for a more low-key, local-activity approach to the week, in an attempt to save a little and avoid the over-commercialised run up to Halloween. But how to plan a week’s worth of activities for our kids?
Embrace the season! Autumn awakens the senses- the vivid red, orange and yellow of turning leaves, the smells and tastes of comfort eating - pies, stews, casseroles and crumbles, the ever-satisfying crunch of leaves underfoot, numb cheeks from cold mornings... Kids love traditions too, so why not start some this half-term for the whole family to cherish year after year?
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Go for a walk
Find a bridlepath, National Trust property or local Forestry Commission area and get outdoors! Bring along the bikes and scooters for extra fun. Take along a picnic using a couple of our hammam towels to sit on and savour the last of the warm sun.
Organise an Autumn scavenger hunt
This livens up any park trip and can be done with friends. Hand-out brown paper bags labelled with items to be collected- conkers, leaves from different trees, feathers, acorns...
Hot chocolates and toppings
Any drizzly afternoon can be improved with a mug of hot chocolate and marshmallows. Get creative with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
Apples, apples, apples!
Organise a scrumping trip, get the kids involved in making apple pie, apple crumble, toffee apples, baked apple crisps or even set up a mini apple bobbing competition in your back garden! If you're feeling adventurous, hire an apple press and make your own apple juice - the kids can get involved in the process and you get to enjoy the results!
Get creative
Get crafty with seasonal activities like leaf rubbing or threading string or ribbon through laminated leaves to create your own autumnal garland. Pinterest is full of ideas to keep your kids entertained on a rainy afternoon indoors.
Have a duvet day
Snuggle down under some of our soft 100% cotton herringbone weave throws for a film and popcorn. We've got a gorgeous range of colours to choose from.
Build a den!
Why not turn our versatile, large throws into forts and palaces and let the kids’ imaginations run wild.
Planning autumn half term activities for kids can be challenging as the weather changes and the temperature drops, but take advantage of the opportunities that this beautiful season has to offer, and enjoy making memories for you all to treasure.
