FREE October half term activities and events in Dorset

Is anyone else as excited as me for October half term?
I think a break is definitely due and we absolutely love this time of the year.
My kids seem to be more excited about Halloween than Christmas, I think it might be all the sweets! 

As usual, I have put together a list of FREE events and things to do across Dorset this half term to keep the kids amused without spending a fortune.
I hope you enjoy it, and please share it with your friends.

Mr Merlin show in Blandford. 23rd October - 11am

Come to the Corn Exchange in Blandford for a FREE Mr Merlin and Okey Dokey the Dragon show at 11am.
All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Tesco - House of Halloween

Follow the clues, find the six members of the Spooky Squad and solve the puzzle to win a prize and inspire all your Halloween celebrations this year.
You can also sample delicious food and drink.
The Halloween party is taking place on these dates:
Tesco Fleets corner, Poole - 21st October
Tesco Riverside, Bournemouth - 20th October

For more information please visit the Tesco website.

The Parks Foundation, FREE events throughout October

The Parks Foundation offers lots of free outdoor events for the family across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. 
Above are just a few of the locations that they offer events at.
For more information please visit their facebook page.

Castlepoint's 20th Birthday Party

Castlepoint turns 20 years old on 27th October.
Save the date and join in 27th & 28th October from 11am - 4pm for our 20th Birthday party outside M&S.
Activities will include;
Hand outs including free gifts, exclusive discounts and more. Join us every hour at 20 past the hour on both event days between 11am - 4pm to receive a free birthday gift on us.
Giant ‘2 0’ installation partnering with Arts University Bournemouth.
- Branded cupcakes partnering with @scarlettbakescakes
Enjoy a glass of Nozeco
Live music
Check out their facebook page for more information.

Winchester Winch Word Hunt

Ok so technically, Winchester is in Hampshire, but its less than an hour away from Poole and makes a great day out if you are looking to go a little further a field for a change.

This October and during the school half-term week(s), there is a free and fun-filled, Halloween-themed trail around the city.
The Spooky Winch Word Hunt will run from Saturday 14th October to Tuesday 31st October 2023. Enjoy taking part in the trail and once completed enter a prize draw to win a Halloween-inspired hamper.
Before heading out across the city, collect a copy of the Spooky Winch trail sheet from The Visitor Information Centre, The Arc or Winchester City Museum. Hard copies of the trail sheets will be available to collect at these venues from Saturday 14 October 2023.
The city centre will be split into nine areas and each area will have its own coloured pumpkin sign. Using the map on the trail sheet, explore the mysterious and eerie cobbled streets of Winchester and seek out all nine Halloween-themed words, hidden in pumpkin signs displayed in the windows of local businesses.
Once you've found all nine words, return your completed trail sheet to either of these three locations – The Visitor Information Centre, The Arc or Winchester City Museum, to collect a Halloween-themed treat and be entered into the prize draw to win a Halloween-inspired hamper, filled with lots of great gifts, kindly donated by local businesses.

Halloween at Brewery Square, Dorchester

Fancy Dress: Show off your scariest or most creative costumes!
Pumpkin Carving Competition: Carve your way to victory!
Trick or Treat: Satisfy your sweet tooth 
Stilt Walkers: Prepare to be amazed by our eerie entertainers! 
Music: Dance the time away to hauntingly good tunes! 
Balloon Modelling: Get twisted with spooky balloon creations!
And lots more!

Don't miss out on the Halloween event of the year.
Mark your calendars, invite your friends, and check their facebook page for more updates.

FREE children's events at BCP libraries

Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch libraries have some great FREE events going on during October half term. For more information or to book a space, please visit their website.​