Discover our October half-term in Yorkshire — pumpkin picking, free trails, cosy crafts, and family fun from spooky food to ghost pyjamas.

October 2025: From Pumpkins to Pyjamas – Our Half-Term Reflection

October half-term always sneaks up on me — one minute we’re battling school mornings, the next the house smells of pumpkin spice and there are bits of costumes scattered everywhere. This week felt like a deep breath between the rush: slow mornings, a mix of free days out and little treats, and plenty of time together. Here’s what we got up to — the good, the bad, and the beautifully ordinary.

Golden Acre Park Halloween Trail – Leeds (Free)

We started the week with the free Halloween trail at Golden Acre Park, and it was one of the loveliest surprises of half-term. The park looked gorgeous in its autumn colours, and the trail was packed with imagination — around thirty free, creative activities for children as we wandered. From spotting hidden pumpkins to mini games tucked along the paths, it felt wholesome and relaxed rather than commercial. It filled a full morning and cost nothing, which always earns bonus points. Definitely one to repeat next year.

During our lovely autumn walk, Lily also tried out our Mini Autumn Activity Pack Lily Tries the Free Autumn Activity Pack | Family Fun at Home. You can do the same for FREE by subscribing to my newsletter (link below).

Swithens Farm Pumpkin Evening – £21 (including two pumpkins)

Our annual pumpkin pick took us to Swithens Farm, and the evening event was just as festive as we’d hoped. Once the sun set, the lights and music gave everything that cosy Halloween glow. The £21 price included two good-sized pumpkins, and there was plenty of space to wander without queues. I’ve written a full 5* review separately, but in short — a simple, well-run family favourite.

You can read my full 5 Star review of this here 5★ Review: Swithens Farm Pumpkin-Picking Evening, Rothwell, Leeds.

Nostell Priory Creepy-Crawly Trail – £32 entry + £20 café treat

We met friends at Nostell Priory for the Creepy-Crawly Trail. The estate is stunning, and the dog-walking routes alone make me tempted to buy an English Heritage pass just for the grounds. The themed trail itself was gentle fun — some decorations, a few displays, and a lovely “decorate the dolls’ house” activity with jigsaws inside the main house. Entry for the family came to £32, and we spent another £20 on coffee and cake (absolutely worth it; the cake was delicious). A beautiful setting, but the trail was a little over-promoted for what it was.

Pontefract Castle – Our First Visit (Free)

We spent a sunny morning exploring Pontefract Castle, our first time there, and it completely exceeded expectations. There’s a perfect mix of open space for the kids and interesting history for adults. It’s free, friendly, and you can easily spend a couple of hours without needing to plan much. I’ve written a full review on this one too, but we’ll definitely be back.

Check out my 5 star review of this, if you would like more details 5★ Review: Pontefract Castle, West Yorkshire

Community Trick-or-Treat Trail & Party (Free)

Halloween night was a community highlight. The local children’s centre organised a free trick-or-treat trail that ended with a small party back at the hall. We met up with friends and were blown away by the effort some families put into their decorations — one house even had a hut in the back garden with a witch inside!

Note to self for next year: aim higher than just sticking things in the window.

It was low-key, inclusive fun — games, music, snacks, and that comforting sense of neighbourhood togetherness.

Green Explorers Pumpkin Light Trail – [Cost £15]

Hidden in the woods and glowing with fairy lights and lanterns, the Green Explorers Halloween Light Trail felt like stepping straight into a storybook. The woodland was beautifully lit — cosy, atmospheric, and just the right mix of spooky and magical.

The children followed a fun letter trail through the trees, collecting clues as they went, before gathering around the firepit for hotdogs, toasted marshmallows, and mugs of hot chocolate. The spooky stories told around the crackling fire made it feel extra special — a proper autumn evening adventure.

Afterwards, the kids dived straight into the mud kitchen, mixing up “witches’ potions” and giggling nonstop. Noah had an amazing time — sticky, muddy, and happy, exactly how childhood in the woods should be.

Total Weekly Spends

Activity	Cost
Golden Acre Park	£2 (donation)
Swithens Farm	£21
Nostell Priory	£52 (entry + café)
Pontefract Castle	£0
Community Trail & Party	£0
Green Explorers Trail	£15
Playgym with Friends (on the Sunday)	£20
Approx. Total	£110

Final Thoughts

This half term didn’t go exactly to plan (all you need to see for that is my terrible Halloween food fails Lily Rates My Halloween Fails)— we skipped most of the crafts, made a fair bit of mess, and probably ate more sugar than we should have — but it felt real. The laughter, the muddy wellies, the half-burnt marshmallows, all of it.

Halloween week reminded me that the best memories don’t come from perfect plans or Pinterest ideas; they come from just being in it together — the noise, the chaos, and the glow of the fairy lights at the end of the day.