Budget-friendly Halloween days out for the whole family

Halloween-themed activities are a great way to make family memories this time of year. But they're also becoming more and more expensive. Pumpkin patches, for example, have become a big deal in the UK with some families spending up to £80 on a single visit. What used to be a muddy field and a £3 pumpkin is now a full-on day out, complete with spooky-themed rides, pricey food stalls, and photo opportunities with giant scarecrows and pumpkins.

But Halloween fun doesn’t have to cost a fortune. We’ve rounded up some brilliant ideas to help you plan a fantastic day out. Whether you’re after creepy crafts, haunted trails, or just want to dress up and explore, these ideas are perfect for families looking for a budget-friendly day out.

DIY Halloween fun

Sometimes the best fun is homemade. Try organising a haunted garden scavenger hunt or a costume-making challenge using recycled materials. You could even host a Halloween picnic in the park with themed snacks and games.

If you like getting out in nature, the Woodland Trust has 13 DIY Halloween ideas for fun on your hikes using mostly twigs and leaves you'll find along the way. From making leaf ghosts to stiring up woodland potions, there's plenty to do that costs little or nothing and makes great spooky memories.

Free museum activities

Lots of museums across the UK run Halloween-themed events during half term. Many are free or donation based.

The British Museum, for example, is running a week worth of “spooky skeletons and sugar skills”. Events include a free Halloween headpiece-making workshop and a Day of the Dead storytelling session.

Other museums all over the country are running their own events, so it’s worth checking out those near you.

National park Halloween fun

Lots of national parks around the UK are running free Halloween-themed trails. The National Trust, for instance, has several events across it sites including pumpkin carving and ghoulish autumn trails. Normal National Trust fees apply but the events themselves are free.

Other trusts are running their own activities. In Derbyshire, for example, the Wildlife Trust is running a free Halloween family fun day with spider hunts and spooky skeletons.

Local council and city events

Check your local council’s website or social media for free Halloween activities. From craft workshops and costume contests to spooky scavenger hunts in parks, there’s usually something happening during half term.

Several Manchester parks are offering free pumpkin carving sessions, for example. in Liverpool, Blackstock Market is running a free Halloween fun day with live music, Halloween movies, spooky mascots and creepy face painting. If you live near a bigger city, it’s worth checking out what’s on this Halloween.

Halloween fun that doesn’t break the bank

There are lots of options for a fun, family Halloween day out that won’t blow the budget. From DIY Halloween-themed picnics in local parks to free headpiece-making workshops at local museums, there’s plenty to explore for the whole family.

Halloween is an opportunity to make memories, but that doesn't have to mean spending hundreds of pounds on pumpkins, parties, and expensive costumes.