10 Days Out In and Around Liverpool – October Half Term 2022

It’s no secret that myself and Vincent are huge lovers of Halloween. As a bit of a self confessed goth, I keep a lot of our decorations up all year round so I am so excited when it comes to September / October and spooky season is in full swing! That being said though, I still dread the October half term and having to keep Vincent entertained for the week. I can’t quite believe it’s next week already! This year I’ve been really organised for once and pre-booked a few things for us to do so I thought I’d share some ideas of places to visit with your little monsters this October Half Term in and around Liverpool.

Also just a side note; I’m aware that the majority of people here in the UK are feeling the pinch from the cost of living crisis at the minute. I know it can be hard enough in times like these to just get by, let alone think about the extra costs of days out with the kids. I’ve included a few free ideas too because of this, just because I know every little helps and we are really lucky here in Liverpool to have so many fun things around us to do with the kids that are free!

1. The Smugglers Cove

If you’re looking for somewhere nice to eat out with the kids this October half term, look no further! Based on the Albert Dock, this is the perfect spot for any pirate obsessed kids. It’s like stepping into a real life pirates den. Their kids meals are only £6.95 which includes a drink, main meal and a dessert and honestly their food is so good. We were recently lucky enough to be invited there to try their kids menu. Vincent ordered tomato gnocchi which he loved and then ordered their seaside jelly and ice cream for dessert which looked so fun! He also got to try out a strawberry colada mocktail which just made the trip even more special.

Vincent enjoying his seaside jelly and ice cream at The Smugglers Cove

They also have pumpkin carving on the 26th and 27th October for the kids! Fully recommend a visit if you’re up at the docks, just make sure to book in advance as it does get busy! You can book a table here.

2. Otterspool Adventure

I think Otterspool Adventure is always a great day out and I absolutely love their themed events! We visited earlier this year for their Wizard and the Wand (Harry Potter) week and I was worried Vincent was bordering on being a bit too old to properly enjoy it but he loved it. He can’t wait to go back this half term for their Ottersghoul event. This is £20 for kids and £10 for adults (free admission under 1’s and £10 for 12-23 months) however I think for what you get included it’s really reasonable. On top of their usual entertainment (park, rides, etc.), this year they have a Halloween Spooktacular Show, Poltergeist Parade, Old Burial Hill Walk Through and Salem Museum and frankly, I’m more excited than Vincent is. You just book your show time and you’re ticket then allows you access to the rest of the park for the rest of the day.

3. Halloween Crafting at Walker Art Gallery then see Mummies at the World Museum

We always seem to end up in the World Museum on a rainy day over the summer holidays, but given their mummies collection in their Ancient Egypt section it could be perfect to put a bit of a Halloween spin on it. It’s free entry here and honestly I could spend hours there, we always have the best day out and learn something new every visit! The Walker Art Gallery next door also have Halloween Craft and Create sessions on on the 27th and 28th October. These are completely free and on a drop in basis which is great because it means not rushing round the museum first to make the time slot! Both great ideas if you’re trying to cut back a bit at the minute and looking for something free to keep the kids entertained.

4. 30 James Street – Halloween Movie Showings

I was super excited to find out that the gorgeous 30 James Street venue are hosting some Halloween movie screenings this spooky season! The family friendly screenings of Addams Family (the good one, not the rubbish animated one) and Hocus Pocus are only £5 per ticket including pick and mix. So much cheaper than a trip to the actual cinema! They also have an adults only screening of Scream on Halloween night which is £7.50 a ticket including a spooky cocktail. Sadly, we won’t be able to attend either of their family ones with the way our plans have fallen but don’t miss out as I’m sure these will sell out quickly. You can get your tickets here.

5. Pumpkin Picking

We are so lucky here to have so many options for pumpkin picking locally! My personal favourite is The Hayloft Cheshire. We’ve visited here the past 2 years for our pumpkins and it’s been the best day out. They always have great Halloween decorations so plenty of photo ops and they also have a spooky Maize Maze with a fun letter finding activity for kids to do around it. They have a gorgeous cafe on site, a Halloween face painter for the kids in the barn and a park for smaller children. If you’re looking for somewhere more local other suggestions for pumpkin picking are: The Pumpkin Patch Hightown and Church View Farm.

6. Spooky pottery painting at Cheshire Craft Workshop – Blakemere Village

Cheshire Craft Workshop at Blakemere Village was somewhere we managed to find by chance looking for something a bit different to do with Vincent recently and I’m so glad we did! I wasn’t expecting them to have such a good collection of Halloween / spooky pottery to paint however Vincent and myself were both in our element and found it really hard to pick just one thing each.

I ended up opting for a pumpkin tealight holder and Vincent went for a smaller pumpkin with a little witches hat on. David also did a little trinket dish with a pumpkin on. You have the option of painting with acrylic paints or painting with a bake-on paint, which they can then put in the kiln to give your work of art some shine. We opted for ours to go to the kiln which does take around 7-10 days but I can’t wait to see our finished results! This would be perfect for a bit of a different family outing or they also have a kids pumpkin painting party on the 24th and 25th October which is £26.00 and includes a pumpkin to paint, a set of LED lights to put inside, a Belgian Hot Chocolate and a guaranteed quick turn around in the kiln, ensuring you get your pumpkin back in time for Halloween! You can book tickets for this on their website.

7. Rose Et Leigh – Maghull

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen that back in July I was invited to the opening of Rose Et Leigh in Maghull. This is a gorgeous new cafe / cake shop in Maghull that would make a perfect lunch stop during the half term. It is one of the most Instagrammable places I have visited recently with the decor being very influenced by Alice in Wonderland it’s a Disney lover’s dream. The coffee and food is gorgeous (I fully recommend their smashed avocado on sour dough toast) and their cakes are to die for. I visited last week and they had special Halloween hot chocolates and a selection of Halloween themed cakes too, perfect treat for the kids!

8. Our Place in Space

A unique solar system themed sculpture trail opened in Liverpool last week. Our Place in Space is an 8.1km trail with scale models of the solar system. You can start the trail at the Sun on Church Street and make your way along the city’s iconic waterfront towards Otterspool, where the trail finishes with Pluto. Perfect free family activity to get the kids learning a bit more about the solar system / space and just getting active outdoors! They also have various free events on throughout the half term week such as Baby Space Sensory play at Liverpool Central Library, Swing at the Sun with The Merseyside Swing Dancers and a Star Gazing Silent Disco at St Luke’s Bombed Out Church this Friday 21st which we will be attending to kick start our half term. You can find out more about Our Place in Space here.

9. River of Light

River of Light has become a bit of an autumn staple for us so I’m so happy it’s returning again this year! This year it will run for 17 nights from 21st October until 6th November and is another thing that is completely free to do with the kids. This is an outdoor illuminated gallery across Liverpool’s waterfront. The whole thing is around a 2 kilometer loop, so not too far to walk with smaller kids either. Definitely recommend a visit one evening over the half term!

10. The Spooks of Speke Hall – Outdoor Theatre

Speke Hall is always such a great day out and even better with a bit of Halloween fun! The Spooks of Speke Hall is an hour-long immersive and action-packed show about a playful ghost that haunts Speke Hall. You do need to pay for general admission (£9.80 adult, £4.90 child) as well as the event ticket price, but you could easily spend a full day out there exploring the hall / grounds. Child tickets are £9.50 with adults £7.50 and shows are at 11am and 3pm. Child tickets also include a free interactive experience with the cast of the show at 1pm too! This is an outdoor event with no seating so their website advises bringing a blanket to sit on and an umbrella just incase.

2 year old Vincent exploring Speke Hall gardens

Do you have much planned with your little ones this October half term? Will you be visiting any of these places with the kids? Let me know in comments!

A disclaimer: Some of our days out to a few of these venues have been gifted / PR invites (The Smugglers Cove and Rose Et Leigh Maghull). As always, I would never recommend anything I wouldn’t spend my own money on. These are days out I hope that you and your family enjoy as much as ours!

Lauren x