Activities for Children in Cornwall This October Half Term

1. The Wizardry Weekend – The Alverton, Truro

When: 19th – 20th October
Age: all ages

Something spell-binding is coming to the Cornish capital this October. The Alverton’s Wizardry Weekend will consist of two mystical events. For the grown-ups, join The Wizardry Ball on Saturday 19th October, a highly coveted engagement in every sorcerer’s calendar. Professor of Cornish cuisine, Ollie Wyatt, will be whipping up a four-course feast – alongside some unexpected entertainment from magicians, feathery owl friends, and an enchanting DJ and dance floor.

On Sunday 20th October, gather the whole family together for the ‘Witchcrafternoon Tea’ – a wicked twist on The Alverton’s signature sweets, scones and savouries, with a side of whimsical tricks at a feast fit for wizards of all ages. Fancy dress is encouraged, so think cloaks, wands, dress robes, and broomsticks.

2. Silhouettes and Shadows – The National Maritime Museum, Falmouth

When: 26th October – 3rd November
Age: all ages

This October half term in Cornwall, The National Maritime Museum has a whole host of activities and exhibitions for the ultimate autumn entertainment. Alongside their standard 15 galleries of seafaring displays and interactive learning, expect a mesmerising daily performance of Myths in the Mist, a shadow puppet show, followed by the chance to make your own Cornish puppets. 

Throughout the museum there will also be a Halloween trail, plus some spooky treats added to the menu at the Waterfront Cafe. The Silhouettes and Shadows experience is free with a valid annual admission ticket to the museum, and is suitable for all ages.

3. Trick or Treat Week – Flambards, Helston

When: 26th October – 3rd November
Age: all ages

You can’t go wrong with a family trip to a theme park. You’ll be a popular parent this half term, as Flambards are hosting their Trick or Treat week, with lots of Halloween-inspired fun. Take part in the Spooky Pumpkin Hunt, and scour the park for the seven hidden pumpkins to crack the secret code.

Let the little ones burn off some steam (and hopefully tire themselves out for an early night), with a visit to Crazy Chris’ Party In The Park from 1pm-3pm on 28th October, or learn some new magic tricks on 29th October with front row seats to the Emazdad Magic Show. 

4. Halloweden – Eden Project, St Austell

When: 26th October – 3rd November
Age: all ages

This Halloween at the Eden Project, it’s all about the creepy crawlies. Get up close and personal with nature’s small but mighty creatures at the magnificent minibeast show, and get involved with interactive activities and experiments at the Bug Fair.

The rainforest biome will also be joined by some slightly larger ‘megabeasts’, created by eco-friendly paper sculptors Studio ROOF. See if you can spot them all on your tropical safari. The Eden Project’s ice-rink will also be reopening from 16th October, so get ready to strap your skates on and take to the ice.

📸: Eden Project

5. Halloween at Pendennis Castle – Falmouth

When: 26th October – 3rd November
Age: all ages

Combine history and Halloween at Pendennis Castle, one of Falmouth’s most haunted spots. Henry VIII’s fortress will be welcoming spooky storytellers ready to share fascinating, child-friendly tales of ghostly encounters, Cornish folklore, and mysterious occurrences. The Pendennis Castle Halloween Quest will be calling upon little heroes to hunt the grounds for clues, crack codes, and solve puzzles.

Just a 10 minute walk from The Falmouth Hotel, if you’re visiting Falmouth from afar, save the drive home and make a night of it. This October half term, children stay for free at our beachside hotel – offering the perfect seaside escape for the whole family.

📸: Aerial Cornwall

6. Free Heritage & Ceramics Workshop – The Ladder, Redruth

When: 26th and 30th October
Age: 11-18 years

This October half term in Cornwall, The Ladder in Redruth are hosting a two-day, free ceramics workshop, aimed at slightly older children. Ages 11 to 18 are invited to take part in a creative project that explores the notion of heritage, culture, and art. 

On 26th October there will be a visit to Halliggye Fogou – an underground cave that can be traced back as far as the 5th century, to learn more about Cornwall’s heritage and the iron age. On 30th October, following the field trip, the children will work with a professional ceramicist to create a mosaic inspired by the theme of heritage. When signing up, children must be available for both days to take part.

7. Bugs and Mini Beasts Halloween Trail – The Cornish Seal Sanctuary, Helston

When: 26th October – 3rd November
Age: all ages

Get the ‘seal’ of approval from your little ones this Halloween with a day out to The Cornish Seal Sanctuary. Discover creepy crawlies on the Bugs and Mini Beasts Halloween Trail, get your hands dirty with a crafting workshop, and say hello to all the rescued seal pups, as you learn about the rehabilitation mission with seal pup rescue demonstrations.

📸: Cornish Seal Sanctuary

8. Apple-solutely Fun Activities – Wheal Martyn Clay Works, St Austell

When: 28th October – 1st November
Age: 5 years +

To celebrate Allantide, the Cornish festival marking the first day of winter, Wheal Martyn Clay Works in St Austell are hosting a week of apple-themed activities. Red apples were traditionally gifted as a good luck charm in celebration of Saint Allan.

Let your budding artists get creative, using their imagination to make something fruity to take home, from clay modelling to sculpture building, and painting. 

9. Biofluorescent Night Walk – Trebah Garden, Falmouth

When: 31st October
Age: 8 years +

Embark on a magical tour of Trebah Garden in Falmouth, and explore the extraordinary world of biofluorescence at night. A true natural phenomenon, biofluorescence occurs when organisms such as fungi, insects and plants emit a natural glow in pops of bright colours. 

As night falls on the eve of Halloween, join the walk around the subtropical gardens with a UV torch, ready to capture this unique spectacle up close. Watch as creatures and plantlife display an astounding kaleidoscope of vibrant colours, on this truly enchanting night walk. Suitable for anyone over the age of 8 years old, wrap up warm and get ready for an evening to remember.

📸: Trebah Garden

10. Jam Jar Theatre ‘How A Jellyfish Saved The World’ – AMATA Art’s Centre, Penryn

When: 2nd November
Age: 4-11 years

This October half term in Cornwall, Jam Jar Theatre will be performing a vibrant puppetry musical, illuminating an underwater world, and the issues it faces, in the beautifully illustrated story of How A Jellyfish Saved The World.

Follow the story of Clyde the jellyfish, as he sets off on a quest to find a forever friend, in a world that is becoming more and more polluted. A tentacle-tickling tale with a topical talking point and fin-tastic characters, book your tickets now.

📸: Falmouth University