20 terrifying things to do with tiny Londoners this Halloween

Pop down to Pumpkin Village, Essex’s “premium pumpkin-picking patch”, from the 6th-31st, and grab yourself a spooky squash. SEN-friendly (and dog-friendly) timeslots are available, and there’ll be plenty of fearsome photo ops to enjoy while you’re there. Paid.
Spook-Fest returns to Aldenham Country Park from the 16th-31st. Embark on a spooky trail, pick and carve your own pumpkin, play a game of pumpkin bingo, take a terrifying tractor ride, meet a gang of monsters among the hay bales and loads more. Paid.
Lee Valley Park Farm will host its Halloween Festival on the 16th, 17th and 23rd-31st. Arrive in fancy dress, creep through the devilishly decorated farm and enjoy funfair rides, a pumpkin-picking patch, adventure play, bouncy pillows and lots more. Paid.
Bring Your Baby is running a Halloween-special Guided London Walk around Fleet Street and the ancient Temple Inns of Court on the 18th. Visit the site of Sweeney Todd’s barber shop and hear the story of the ghost of ‘Hanging’ Judge Jefferies, plus lots more. Paid.
Horrible Halloween runs at Waddesdon Manor from the 23rd-31st. Brave the Cryptid Safari Halloween trail and collect a petrifying prize, or experience the magic of the Twilight Cryptid Safari Trail (6+) before enjoying a Spooky Afternoon Tea in the Manor Restaurant. Paid.
Head to Under1Roof for the Raver Tots Halloween Party on the 23rd. Fancy dress is encouraged and there’ll be prizes for the best costumes. All profits will be split between Brain Tumour Research and a local boy who is currently undergoing radiotherapy. Paid.
Half Term Halloween Fun is happening at Hever Castle from the 23rd-31st. Come dressed in your spookiest outfit, spot Halloween decorations around the grounds, take the Ghoul School Audio Trail and plant garlic bulbs in a family-friendly workshop. Included with entry.
Chelsea Physic Garden is offering Halloween Family Spooky Tours with Wild Immersive Theatre Co. on the 24th, 26th, 27th, 28th and 31st. Delve into the spooky history of the garden, discover its secrets and what lies in the shadows between the trees. All ages. Paid.
The Patch is where it’s at for North London and Hertfordshire-based pumpkin pickers this half term. Based in Weston, near Hitchin, The Patch will be open between the 25th and 31st, and even comes with its own maize maze and refreshment trucks. Paid.
The Knebworth Gardens Halloween Trail runs from the 25th-29th. Follow a trail around the garden and take part in fun-filled activities and crafts. Fancy dress is encouraged for all ages and a prize for every paying child can be collected at the end of your visit. Paid.
Ghosts, Gargoyles and Goodies is on at Charlton House from the 26th-27th. Designed for 5-12s, these spooky sessions will involve a gargoyle-making session and treasure hunt in the gardens, plus ghastly goodies and a Halloween drink. Costumes welcome. Paid.
Discovery Day: Hair-Raising Halloween takes place in Hyde Park from the 26th-28th. Drop in any time to take part in a host of creepy-crawly-themed activities, including an eerie nature trail, potion making, spooky storytelling, creepy clay crafting and mask making. Free.
Half Term Halloween at Hatfield House runs from the 28th-31st. Kids aged 2-10 are invited to follow a terrifying trail where creepy characters lurk around every corner. When you’re done, the fun continues with a creative pimp-a-pumpkin workshop. Paid.
Head to Lesnes Abbey in Abbey Wood on the 29th-30th for Witches, inspired by Roald Dahl’s classic. Attend a Witches-themed Spell Workshop, then sit within the 800-year-old walls of Lesnes Abbey Ruins and be captivated as the story is read aloud by professional actors. Paid.
Marble Hill Playcentre’s Halloween Family Party takes place on the 30th. Walk the eerie trail and claim your goodie bag. Carve a pumpkin, make a ‘spectre’ of yourself at the silent disco or warm your bones around the campfire whilst toasting a marshmallow. Paid.
Boxpark Croydon will play host to the Boogie Monsters Haunted Halloween Family Gig on the 31st. Aimed at kids aged 7 and under, the event will feature a spooky monster mash-up of current and classic chart hits, plus colourful props and bubbles. Fancy dress welcome. Paid.
The Big Fish Little Fish Halloween Spooktacular comes to the creepily atmospheric under-the-arches One Night Records venue in Borough on the 31st. Join the pioneering crew as they bring acid house, techno, house and drum ‘n’ bass to families with 0-8 year olds. Paid.
FUN DMC’s Fancy Dress Special heads to Colours Hoxton on the 31st. Expect harrowing Halloween games, frightening face-painting, spooky soft play, FUN DMC games and dance offs, plus prizes for the best kids’ and adults’ fancy dress costumes. Paid.
Evergreen Adventure Playground in Hackney is running a Halloween Family Funday on the 31st. Attractions will include live music, trick or treating, face painting, a bouncy castle, a costume competition, a kids’ disco, a Halloween tuck shop and lots more. Paid.
Dalston Curve Garden won’t be bringing back its full Pumpkin Lantern Festival until 2022, but keep an eye out for updates on its scaled-back festivities in half-term week, when they’ll be inviting people to display their pre-carved pumpkins in the garden for everyone to enjoy.