Get Spooky: Top UK Free Kid-Friendly Halloween Events 2026

‘The freakist things in life are free’

It’s all aghast here at My Mini Maker this month as we get ready for our frightfully favourite time of year. We’ve put down our pumpkins for a moment to share seven kid-friendly Halloween events, most of them free, to get your freak on. From terrifying trails and animals in the dark to gothic gardens, here is where to head for a gruelling good time.

Kids go free at Howletts

For an absolute howling day out, Howletts delivers at Halloween. They run a Kids Go Free offer throughout October half-term for children 15 and under with a paying adult, and that ticket is well worth it: spooky trails, danger talks and prehistoric exhibits add up to hours of eerily good entertainment. To keep you going, stop by one of the cafes for a seasonal treat. Pumpkin soup, anyone? This is one the kids (and you) will want to go back to every year.

Hobbledown Heath Pumpkin Patch

There are plenty of pumpkin patches and farms around London to soak up the Halloween spirit. With an action-packed adventure playground, themed villages and even a zoo, you can have all the best bits of Halloween without the mess. Anyone who has tried to carve a pumpkin in the kitchen knows the orange carnage we mean. The pumpkin patch runs from the end of September to early November, so hobble down, grab a wheelbarrow and get your pumpkin fix.

Hyde Park Discovery Days

Drop in to Hyde Park from 29 October and you will be in for a spooky surprise. The park hosts hair-raising discovery days for families who like to explore: creepy-crawly feel boxes, a witch’s den and nature trails, with a pumpkin latte and a spot of bat spotting on the side, and spooky storytelling that will stay with you long after the day is over. Entry is free for children and adults from 11am to 3.30pm.

Ghost Adventures at Hampton Court

For a bit more of a scare, head over to Hampton Court to be made to jump. The palace puts on a Halloween event packed with boos, creepy stories and ghoulish characters: bewitching trails to follow, spine-tingling stories to hear and ghosts roaming the grounds. There is a small ticket fee for non-members, bookable on their website. Wear your best Halloween costume, and wrap up warm for the chills.

Halloween Fun at Kew Gardens

Kew Gardens had to be on the list. If you are brave enough, an enchanted experience awaits: fire performers, headless horsemen and an event that mesmerises the whole family. It runs from the end of October and promises something for every age; after all the terrifying twists and turns, fill up on freaky fries and monster marshmallows. It closes at 10pm and non-member tickets can be booked on their website.

Manchester’s Ultimate Family Halloween Disco

Get your wiggle on with an afternoon of non-stop dancing, scary songs and spooky vibes. With games and a fancy dress competition, this is one treat the whole family will enjoy, and you might even leave with a prize. There is a bar and snacks to keep you dancing until it gets dark. The disco kicks off at 3pm on 31 October, tickets are £5 and full details are here.

Halloween Autumn Craft Market Edinborough

For some crafty afternoon fun, hop over to the Autumn Craft Market in Edinburgh. It opens from 10am to 4pm and is full of spooky surprises: music, art and creativity with a side of scary vibes across more than 25 craft stalls. There is a sensory hour from 10am to 11am if you want to head over early, and entry is free. Full details here.

What if you are staying home?

Fancy snuggling in with pumpkins, treats and a scary movie? We don’t blame you. Bring the magic of Halloween home instead: our free seasonal activity guides have a cotton wool ghost, painted leaf ghosts and bats, and a costume to make, and our activity kits arrive with everything included for a Halloween adventure from the comfort of the living room, which will obviously be turned into a spooky den.

Let us know what you get up to

Halloween can be a hard time to plan for: some little ones love being scared while others are more sensitive, so finding something that keeps everyone happy is tricky. Whether you head out for a trail, hobble down for some pumpkin carving or snuggle up at home, we hope you have a horrifyingly good time. Tag us in your Halloween creations @myminimaker to enter our competition.