This article has been kindly sponsored by Silver Palate.

Looking for things to keep the kids entertained this October half term? From spooky one-off sessions and Halloween parties to sports camps, creative workshops and performing arts, we’ve rounded up some of the options happening in and around Harpenden.

October Half Term Camps

1. The Little Gym’s October Half Term Camps run from Monday 26th to Thursday 29th October, with gymnastics, arts and crafts, STEM activities, games and more. Choose from Magical Mysteries for ages 3–8, running 10am–1pm, or Flip or Treat for ages 5–12, running 2pm–5pm. Sessions are £45, with early drop-off, lunch club and all-day options also available.

2. TLC Kids Holiday Club, based at The Lea School in Harpenden, welcomes children aged 3–11 from any school during the school holidays. With a varied programme of activities including arts and crafts, pottery, baking, football, dance and jewellery making, there’s plenty to keep children entertained, make friends and try something new!

3. In Piste’s October Half Term Kids’ Camps offer children aged 7–16 the chance to sharpen their skiing skills on the simulators, stay active and have fun with friends ahead of the winter season. Running Monday 26 to Friday 30 October, 10am–12pm, the camps cost £55 per child and are ideal for young skiers looking for something different this half term.

4. King’s Soccer School’s October Half Term Football Camp runs from Monday 26th to Friday 30th October at Harpenden Town FC. Children can enjoy five hours of daily coaching, skills training, competitions and small-sided games, with girls-only groups on Tuesday 27th and Friday 30th October. Complimentary early drop-off and late pick-up are available.

5. Ovation Performing Arts’ Seussical Kids Production takes place from Monday 26th to Friday 30th October at St George’s School. This five-day musical theatre workshop will see performers aged 6–16 put together a full production of Seussical Kids, complete with props, costumes, singing, dancing, acting, crafts and games.

6. Elliswick Lawn Tennis Club’s October Half Term Camp runs from Monday 26th to Friday 30th October and is open to everyone. There are morning sessions from 9.30am–12.30pm for ages 5–8 and 8–10, plus afternoon sessions from 12.30pm–3.30pm for ages 11+.

7. Traffic Light Arts runs from Monday 26th to Thursday 29th October at Harpenden Academy, with a week of themed arts, crafts, music and creative activities inspired by Toy Story. Children aged 4–11 can design their own toys, make character crafts, explore space-themed projects and create their own superheroes. The camp runs from 8.45am–5pm and costs £38 per day or £145 for all four days, with a 5% sibling discount.

8. Showtime Circus brings a full day of circus fun to Roundwood Park School during October half term. Suitable for children aged 5 and up, the camps are packed with activities including aerial hoop and silks, acrobatics, stilt-walking, juggling and balance skills, alongside warm-ups, dance, poster designing and a Showtime Showcase Finale. The sessions are led by CPD-accredited circus teachers and are designed for children of different ages and abilities.

9. Harpenden Leisure Centre’s October Half Term Swim Crash Courses run from Monday 26th to Friday 30th October, with 30-minute sessions available across Stages 1–4 between 9am and 10am. The full week costs £45, with bookings available at reception or by contacting Harpenden Leisure Centre.

Halloween Drop-Ins & Seasonal Classes

10. The Little Gym Halloween Party is back on Friday 30th October from 1pm–4pm, with a Halloween-themed assault course, sensory play, treats and hands-on animal handling with Basil and Crew, including snakes, lizards and spiders. Suitable for ages 4 months–12 years, with tickets costing £30 per child and adults free. 

11. Babies First Halloween Party at The Little Gym takes place on Friday 30th October from 10.30am–11.30am and is specially designed for little ones aged 4–11 months. Expect fun in the gym, a Halloween craft, tea and cake, plus optional mini photoshoots with Emily from Evi Grace Photography. Free for members and £20 for non-members.

12. Get little scientists into the Halloween spirit with the Mini Professors Spooky Science Party on Friday 30th and Saturday 31st October. Children aged 3–10 can enjoy hands-on experiments including fizzing potions, invisible ink, floating ghosts and gooey slime, plus a gift to take home. Tickets are £15 per child and costumes are welcome.

13. Join Mini Mozart for a special live, interactive musical version of Room on the Broom on Monday 26th October. There are sessions for toddlers at 9.30am and babies at 10.25am at The Salvation Army on Leyton Green, with drop-in places available. Seasonal fancy dress is welcome!

14. Get creative this half term at The Art Room Halloween Workshop on Thursday 29th October. Children aged 4–13 can get stuck into Halloween-themed art activities from 9.30am–12pm at Musicale. The session costs £35 per child.

15. Harpenden Leisure Centre’s Halloween Pool Party takes place on Friday 30th October from 10am–11am, with a spooky swim session for families. Tickets are £7.60 for adults, £3.80 for juniors/concessions and £2.20 for under-2s, while current Swim Scheme members go free. Book at reception or call.

Event details are correct at the time of publication. Please check the individual event page for the latest information and booking details.