Fang-tastic family activities in the Stroud district this half term
From pumpkin carving to firework displays, find a range of free-of-charge and low-cost activities to keep the whole family entertained this October half term.
Family explorer trails at the Museum in the Park
Take part in a family workshop this October half term, at the Museum in the Park. Home to 4,000 collection objects on display, all with a local connection, it’s the perfect place to spend a chilly afternoon. Why not pick up an Awesome Autumn family explorer trail? Ask for a trail at reception when you visit.
During October half term, you can also take part in a family workshop.
Half Term Family Fun: Drop in Autumn Craft Activities 11am - 4pm (drop in)
Tuesday: Ghosts & Ghouls, Wednesday: Hats & Bats, Thursday: Paper Pumpkin Masks. For families with children aged 5+, for adults and children to enjoy together. Workshop doors open at 11am and close at 4pm, so come by 3.30pm if you’d like to take part. £1 per child.
Pumpkins in the Park with SVP & Friends Sunday 27 October, 2 - 6pm (drop in)
Stroud Valleys Project and friends invite you to bring along your very own carved pumpkin lantern to the museum and help create a magical trail to enjoy with your family. Free-of-charge, donations welcome.
Unweaving and Reweaving the Commons Tuesday 29 October – Thursday 31 October, 11-3pm (drop in)
You are invited to gradually pull threads from a large, printed textiles piece depicting the grassland environment on Rodborough Common, echoing the path erosion that is gradually reducing this rare wildflower habitat. Then, reweave the pulled threads, working together to create a new collaborative fabric. No previous weaving experience necessary. Free-of-charge, donations welcome.
The Museum at Night Thursday 31 October 5:30 - 7:30pm (drop in).
Have you ever visited the museum at night? Explore the displays, follow the Awesome Autumn trail, see what curious objects catch your eye and enjoy this special place as darkness falls. Listen for the Jackdaws as they roost in Stratford Park and look out - you may meet characters from Stroud’s past as you wander around the museum. Please bring a torch! For families with children aged 7+. Free-of-charge, donations welcome.
Prehistory! Family Friendly Object Handling Session Friday 1 November 11am - 3pm (drop in).
Get hands-on with some amazing objects and discover some of the things prehistoric people left behind. Meet the team for a chance to look closely, touch and hold some incredible objects. For families with children aged 5+, but everyone is welcome. Free-of-charge, donations welcome.
To find out more, visit: Museum in the Park
Explore our canals
There is plenty of wildlife to appreciate on our canals. Most of the route between Eastington and Brimscombe is flat and accessible, ideal for family walks or bike rides. The Gloucester & Sharpness Canal provides a flat towpath on the 8 mile stretch between Saul and Gloucester too.
Roll up your sleeves & volunteer
There’s still a chance to join Cotswold Canals Connected on a special October half term conservation volunteer day for anyone aged between 14 - 25. You can help us make a difference at our brand new nature reserve by carrying out habitat management alongside the canal to create space for native wetland plants to flourish. Tuesday 29 October, 10am-2.30pm. There are only a few spots left, so be sure to book: Young People's Volunteer Day
Watch the sunset on our commons
From Selsley, to Minchinhampton and Rodborough, we are lucky to have huge grasslands on our doorstep to explore. These vast commons are a haven for nature lovers, with sweeping views of the countryside, known for incredible sunrises and sunset views. In autumn, the commons are particularly stunning, with the landscape painted in rich hues of red, orange, and gold.
Please respect the land - don’t light fires, take all your litter home or dispose of it in your nearest bin, and keep your dog on a short lead to protect grazing livestock.
The Pulse, Dursley
Halloween Dance Workshop
Join a wickedly fun dance workshop run by the Amy Addle Team. Friday 1 November 3.35pm – 5.35pm Tickets are for children aged 4-9 and cost £9.50 per child.
Halloween Pool Party
Join the Pulse’s spooktacular team for a Halloween pool party, with fun games and ghostly music. Watch out, things will look a little bit different this evening, maybe there’s something in the water… Saturday 2 November. 5.30pm*, 6.20pm and 7.10pm. £5 per person *The first time slot is more suitable for younger witches, vampires and zombies.
Activity Days
A jam-packed day of sports challenges, activities and crafts, plus an inflatable fun session in the pool. Tuesday 29 October & Thursday 31 October. 9am - 3pm. Suitable for: 5–11-year-olds. £25 per child.
Find out more at The Pulse.
Watch the changing trees at Stratford Park
Discover the 56-acre grounds of Stratford Park, alive with the colours of autumn. With a children’s play area, sensory garden, small skate park, woodland and lake, it’s the perfect place to play and immerse yourself in nature. Why not download our Discover Stroud Trails app to guide you? The app includes a nature hunt that invites young explorers to discover features around Stratford Park as well as hunts to find hidden historical features in the district’s towns while collecting online badges and taking part in fun quizzes.
Download here:
Discover Stroud Trails on the App Store
Discover Stroud Trails on Google Play
Hop on a miniature train
All aboard! Rail enthusiasts can join the last public running of the year at Stratford Park’s miniature railway on Sunday 27 October from 2 - 4:30pm. For updates, visit the SSME Facebook page.
Discover spooky cellars at Woodchester Mansion
Will you dare to explore Woodchester Mansion’s Spooky Cellars this autumn? Meet the rattly skeletons and the silent Mummy, wade through the stinky swamp and see the beautiful Pumpkin Queen. Don’t forget to join the Pumpkin Trail. Friday 25 October to Sunday 3 November 11am - 3:30pm. Suitable for children aged 3-16. £5 per child, £10 per adult. Pumpkin trail is £1 per child. To book, visit: Spooky Cellars at the Mansion.
Dursley’s Halloween Hunts
Can you find all the spooky items in Twinberrow Woods? How many broomsticks will you find around town? Pick up a hunt form, free-of-charge at Dursley library, Jacob’s House or at Dursley Town Council. From 21 October.
Halloween Fun in the Market Place
Bring your decorated pumpkins and enter a competition. Watch Amy Addle dancers perform a spooky dance at 3pm. Plus games, activities and a lucky dip. You can even listen to a Halloween story time! Dursley Market Place, Saturday 26 October 2-4pm. Free-of-charge.
Swap your costume at Dursley Library
Come and swap your old costume for a new one! Accessories, whole and part costumes accepted. Adult and child costumes accepted. You can still take a costume home if you don’t have one to swap. Dursley Library until Friday 1 November.
Watch a dazzling firework display
Five Valley Fireworks has gone off with a bang for over 50 years and has donated almost £250,000 to charities. The family friendly event attracts 4,000 people each year and has a phenomenal display, choreographed to music. There is a fun fair, a variety of food and drink options as well as free entertainment for children under 12 before the fireworks begin. Marling School Playing Field, Stroud. Monday 28 October, 6:00pm - 9:30pm. Tickets are £10 per adult, £5 per child when you book online at Five Valleys Fireworks.
Dursley Firework Display is also set to light up the skies, with two incredible 10-minute firework shows, the first being quieter for younger children and those sensitive to loud noises. There is a beer tent, hot drinks, glow stalls and live music. All proceeds from the Dursley Fireworks Display will be donated to the Great Western Air Ambulance. Recreation Ground, Kingshill Road, Dursley. Saturday 2 November, gates open at 5:00pm. Tickets are £5 on the gate, under 3’s free. For more information and to book, visit: Dursley Fireworks.
Please take steps to ensure that your animals are safe when the fireworks are going off. We know that many pets show signs of distress linked to fireworks. The RSPCA’s advice page has lots of hints and tips to help dog, cat, small animal and horse owners.
Enjoy a film on the big screen
This half term, Electric Picturehouse in Wotton-Under-Edge and Vue cinema in Stroud will be showing ‘The Wild Robot’, an epic adventure about a robot shipwrecked on an uninhabited island. Showing from Friday 25 October. For showtimes and to book in advance, visit: Wotton Cinema or My Vue.
Meet baby dragons at Berkeley Castle
Come face-to-face with a giant dragon this Halloween at Berkeley Castle. With a whole range of mythical activities for a legendary day out. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet baby dragons and learn about their unique origin, before seeing if they have what it takes to tame the giant dragon.
Don't forget to stop by Wizard School where younger guests will have the chance to play games with our visiting wizard as they give you a crash-training course on how to be the ultimate wizard and tame those dragons! Sunday 27 October 2024 at 11:00am & Wednesday 30 October 2024 at 5:00pm. To find out more information and book your place, visit: Dragons & Wizards at Berkeley Castle
Spot scarecrows in Whiteshill
The popular scarecrow trail is back, run by ‘Friends of Whiteshill School’. Each scarecrow will have a children's theme with a competition to guess which film, character, TV show or book each one represents. The maps offer the opportunity to vote for your favourite scarecrow and an entry into a prize draw to win a £50 John Lewis voucher. Maps will be on sale from the village shop or The Star Inn in Whiteshill from Saturday 26th October. £4 per map.
Play outdoors with Play Gloucestershire
Wrap up and play outside with the Play Rangers this half term, with activities taking place in rain or shine in various play areas across the district. There is no need to register, simply turn up. Under 8s are welcome and should be accompanied by an adult. All sessions are 10-4pm Monday to Friday during half term. Find the Play Rangers in Wotton-Under-Edge, Nailsworth and Stroud, plus other locations outside the district. For more information, visit: Play Gloucestershire.
Story Time at Stroud Library
Get cosy with a book at Stroud Library in its new location at Five Valley’s Shopping Centre. Join Story Time, every Monday between 11-11.30am.
Try ‘50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾’ at Newark Park
Autumn is full of opportunities for outdoor adventures, such as splashing in puddles and collecting champion conkers. The National Trust has compiled a list of challenges to complete at its sites this season. Why not try ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ at Newark Park this half term? For more information, visit: National Trust.
Pick your pumpkin at Cattle Country
Big ones, small ones, some the size of your head… Browse Cattle Country’s range of pumpkins and take part in its family games tournament. Don’t forget to snap that all important autumnal photo! The Pumpkin Patch is included in the cost of your Cattle Country Farm Park ticket. To visit the Pumpkin Patch, book a Cattle Country ticket anytime between 25 - 31 October. For more information and to book, visit: Cattle Country Farm Park
Spooky face-painting at Stroud Brewery
Get down to the balcony bar at Stroud Brewery on Halloween for a day of pumpkin carving and spooky face painting, followed by a screening of the 90’s classic, E.T. The Extra Terrestrial. Pumpkins are £2 and face painting is £2pp, between 11:30am-12:30pm. The film is free-of-charge, 2-5pm.
There will also be a ‘Spooktacular Halloween Circus Fun Day’ with Cirque Du Dance in the Loft Space. Tickets are £25 for this event and spaces are limited, so book now if you dare! For more information, visit: Stroud Brewery
Stratford Park Leisure Centre
Let’s Play is hosting October Fun Days at Stratford Park Leisure Centre this half term, with a jam-packed offering of activities for children aged 5-12. There will be swimming, multi-sports, arts, crafts, a bouncy castle, nerf wars, laser tag, performing arts, gaming, Lego building and more! If this sounds exciting enough for your little ones, book now at PlaySport.
There will also be regular swimming sessions and family roller-skating, Saturday 26 October 1pm - 2.15pm, 2.30pm - 4pm.
To find out more information and to book visit: Everyone Active
You may have heard that SDC is taking over the running of Stratford Park Leisure Centre from Everyone Active.
The centre will be closed between Friday 1 November and Friday 8 November 2024. We reopen our doors at 8am on Saturday 9 November 2024 as Active Lifestyles Stroud. We can’t wait to improve services for users and hope that you can bear with us while we make important changes for your safety and enjoyment. For more information about these changes, visit: Active Lifestyles Stroud District
Follow the lights at Slimbridge Wetlands
Slimbridge Wetlands’ Halloween Light Trail will take you on a journey that’s every bit as amazing as the wildlife you’ll see during the day. Discover the Marsh Witch and her potions, pumpkins, shipwrecks, scarecrows, bats, broomsticks, and much more. Make a wish with her in the pond zone, do some creative crafting or toast marshmallows in the firepit. Friday 25 October - Sunday 3 November, various time slots available. Adult £14.50, Child £12.50, Under 4s Free. For more information and to book, visit: Halloween Light Trail.
Win prizes at The Stanleys Halloween Trail
Join the Stanleys Halloween Trail, with face-painting, glitter tattoos, a bake sale, games and prizes. There will be multiple interactive stops, and every entry gets a prize. If you win, you might get to pick from the spooky lucky dip! The three games are £1 each to play, or £2.50 if you purchase all three at the start of the trail.
Maps will be for sale in person at the first stop at the green, opposite The King's Head pub. Saturday 26th October. 11am - 2pm. For more information, visit The Stanleys' Halloween Trail.
Make autumn crafts at Kids Stuff
Join an autumnal craft session at Stroud District Kids Stuff in Brimscombe Mill. Make ghost wind socks, pine cone hedgehogs, lanterns, nature crowns or carved pumpkins this half term. Sessions are varied and simple so everyone can join in and get creative whatever age. Drop in and pay-what-you-feel. Tuesday - Saturday during half term, between 10.30am - 2.30pm. To find more sessions, visit: Stroud District Kids Stuff
Find out what’s on at your local community hub
There are community hubs around the district, most of which will have activities for local children during half term. Find out where your closest hub is here: Stroud District Community Hubs.
Cllr Catherine Braun, Leader of Stroud District Council said: “Our October half term guide highlights the wide range of budget-friendly activities available for families in the Stroud district. From outdoor trails to indoor crafts, there’s something for all ages and weather conditions to enjoy.
“Providing accessible and high quality leisure opportunities that meet everyone’s needs is a key priority in our Council Plan. For those impacted by the cost-of-living crisis, there’s information and sources of support available.”
Sign up for email alerts: https://www.stroud.gov.uk/apps/email-alerts For regular social media updates from the council, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
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