FREE October half term activities and events for children in Dorset

The school holidays can be an expensive time for us all. Especially when the weather is not so good and you can't spend the day at the park or beach. There are LOTS of fantastic events going on across Dorset for the October half term holidays, and I expect you have already booked some Halloween events into your calendars. However, I am sure that you still have days  you need to fill, so I have compiled this awesome list of completely FREE things you can do in Dorset during this October half term holidays, enjoy!

On 25th October between 1-4pm, Scaplen's Court have their annual free Halloween event on for children. Meet their resident witch and explore some spooky museum objects. They usually have crafts and other activities for the children to take part in during this event too. It's worth popping next door to the Poole Museum too as they usually have a spider trail on during half term too. 

Learn all about small animals at the Pets at home free pet workshops. Spaces are free but need to be booked by visiting their website.

Hobbycraft have FREE slime making workshops on again during the school holidays. We did this in the summer and the slime has kept really well all this time so its really worth going if you children are into messy play. We have kept ours in a pot in the fridge and its still as good as the day we made it.

Poole Zombie Fest is a free, family-friendly day of spook-tacular activities taking place within Falkland Square, in the Dolphin Shopping Centre. All visitors are encouraged to wear zombie fancy dress. This event takes place on Saturday 27th October from 12pm, with the zombie parade starting at 4pm.

On Saturday 27th October, Southbourne is holding its very own Halloween Event- lots of events and activities for little ghouls and ghosties during the day and a chance for the grown ups to come out for their very own Halloween spooktacular 7pm onwards until 10pm. 

There are lots of free events at your local library over the half term holidays. You can find out what is going on on different dates by visiting their website. 

Other FREE things to do:Some of the best things to do for free when you are stuck for ideas

1. Go for a lovely Autumn walk and collect some leaves and conkers. You could extend this activity by bringing leaves home to make some arty pictures.
2. GeoCaching
3. Paint some rocks and hide them for others to find. There are lots of local facebook groups for this, some local ones are "Poole Rocks" and "BH Rocks"
4. Get baking! Its the perfect time of the year to stay indoors and do some baking together. Why not try some Halloween themed cookies or cakes?
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If you have heard about any other FREE events in Dorset over the October holidays please do let me know I would love to add them to my list. 
I hope you all have a fantastic half term with your little ones.