Half term activities

There are lots of free and low cost family-friendly activities taking place in Leicester over October half term.

Saturday 19 October

  • Archaeological Finds Day
    Have you found any small archaeological objects? If so, let the local Finds Liaison Officer take a look and give you more information about your find.

Sunday 20 October

Why not take your children for a swim at one of Leicester's Leisure Centre

Monday 21 October

Tuesday 22 October

  • Campaign for learning - Family learning festival
    Join Leicester Adult Education for a free, fun-filled day of inspiring you and your child’s curiosity. There will be lots to get involved with such as writing exciting stories and taking part in our hand decorating competition.
  • Craft like an Egyptian
    Have fun creating Egyptian hieroglyphs and symbols on papyrus paper.
  • Diwali and Halloween fun
    Take part in the celebration two different events on the same day.  Lots of colourful Diwali crafts and spooky Halloween themed ones too, with a scary story or two thrown in. 
  • Festival of lights graffiti residency
  • Halloween papercrafts
    Make Halloween themed puppets, hats and baskets.
  • Railway day
    Enjoy a ride on Peter the Narrow-Gauge Railway this half-term (50p per person).  Entry to the museum and grounds is free. 
    11.30am to 4pm at Abbey Pumping Station
  • Stay and Play 

Wednesday 23 October 

  • African Ndebele Bead Bracelets
    Have fun learning how to create traditional Ndebele bead bracelets.
  • Campaign for learning - Family learning festival
    Join Leicester Adult Education for a free, fun-filled day of inspiring you and your child’s curiosity. There will be lots to get involved with such as writing exciting stories and taking part in our hand decorating competition.
  • Festival of lights graffiti residency
  • Halloween papercrafts
    Make Halloween themed puppets, hats and baskets.
  • Horrible Halloween
    Bella Donna the witch and her chariot powered by Venus Fly Traps will provide the entertainment and dancing. Fun and games from The Intellectual Zombies. Magical interactions with the Wish Witch and her broomstick. Ghoulish stilt walkers too.
  • Lego Coding
    Boost your coding skills with fun activities with our Lego coding kits.
  • Pop up play session by Young Champions
  • Stay and Play
  • Witches and warlocks kids craft day
    Come along and celebrate a magical day with us at Leicester's haunted Belgrave Hall and Gardens.  Make a witch's cat hat, a flying wizard, and your own book of spells. Come dressed in your Halloween outfit and join in the magical trail. 
    • 11am – 3pm at Belgrave Hall
    • Tickets: Child (under 16): Online booking £4, On the door (cash only) £5 Accompanying adult: Free

Thursday 24 October

Friday 25 October 

Saturday 26 October

  • Bike Fest
    Join Leicester City Council, Ride Leicester and British Cycling for the final Bike Fest of the year - a free event where you can experience the excitement of cycling on a traffic-free track at the Leicester Cycle Circuit.
  • Spooky glass fusion workshop
    Glass Fusion Workshops for Halloween, for all the family or bring your friends!
    • Six sessions to choose from between 10am to 4pm at Belgrave Hall
    • Booking required - £12 each
    • Ages 5+
  • Diwali Lights Celebration: Waterfall of Light
    Join the Canal and River Trust, in partnership with Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre for a spectacular waterside Diwali celebration. This magical evening will feature an enchanting Waterfall of Lights, a stunning lights trail created by the local community, and an on-the-water lights paddle display. There will also be bell-boat paddling activities on the water and high ropes adventures for the thrill-seekers. Get involved in the excitement by helping us create our magical lights trail at our pre-event art workshops and let’s light up the night together. 
  • Spooky scratch art and split pin Skeletons
    • Drop-in between 1pm and 3pm at Fosse Library
    • Children must be accompanied by an adult, due to the small parts.

Sunday 27 October

  • Film: Coraline 
    Watch this dark fantasy animation film (family friendly) in the atmospheric Great Hall. 

Accessing activities

This summary is for information only and is correct at the time of publishing. View the webpage links or contact the individual providers directly to find out if the activities are suitable for your child or family needs.   Children must be supervised by a parent / guardian at all times. 

Activities are free to attend unless stated; however, fees may apply for additional activities or services available at the event. 

Related links