From ghostly treasure hunts, spooky crafts and meeting a pirate, there are plenty of fun activities for the whole family to enjoy across Medway during the October half-term.
Plenty to see and do in Medway
Cllr Harinder Mahil, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Heritage, Culture and Leisure, said: “There is always plenty to see and do in Medway and this October half-term is no exception. Immerse yourself in Medway’s history, explore the great outdoors and take part in autumnal crafts. All of these spooktacular activities support our aspiration to make Medway even more child-friendly. I would encourage families to find out more about what’s on offer.”
Treasure hunts and ghost stories at Eastgate House
Eastgate House is packed with things to do this half-term. Learn about Tudor Halloween traditions and customs as you explore the mansion. If you head there between Saturday, 21 October and Sunday, 29 October make sure you take part in the Ghostly Treasure Hunt! For the braver visitors, don’t miss the chilling ghost story evenings on Saturday, 28 – Tuesday, 31 October from 6pm to 7pm.
Entry to Eastgate House is £6.10 for adults, with free admission for up to three children for one paying adult this half-term. The ghost story evenings are ticketed and should be bought in advance. Tickets are £10 per person.
Mysteries and crafts at The Guildhall Museum
For the history buffs, get to The Guildhall Museum this half-term. With exhibits spanning history from Roman times to now, a reconstruction of part of an 18th century Medway prison ship and of course a Charles Dickens exhibition there’s loads to learn about.
As you wonder around the museum you might notice some hidden mystery boxes – are you brave enough to put your hand inside and work out what the mystery objects are? There will also be spooky children’s craft activities throughout half-term – create your very own hanging ghost decoration or pumpkin mask ahead of Halloween!
Entry to the Guildhall Museum is free. It is open every Tuesday to Saturday between 10am and 5pm.
History comes to life at Upnor Castle
History is coming to life on two very exciting days at Upnor Castle this half-term.
Meet a real life pirate on Wednesday, 25 October at Upnor Castle’s Meet a Pirate event! Join Sir John Henry Palmer, the captain of the Antelope, and explore the castle with him and find out what it takes to be an Elizabethan privateer.
On Thursday, 26 October you have the chance to meet Lt Palmer of the Royal Engineer’s Bomb Squad and learn about bomb disposal, air raid training at the WW2 Bomb Squad event.
Both events will run between 10am and 4pm. Entry to Upnor Castle is £7.70 for adults and £3.40 for children. Concession and family tickets are also available.
Fun for all the family at our award-winning country parks
The rangers at Riverside and Capstone Farm country parks have planned a whole range of activities for those who want to explore the great outdoors this half-term.
These exciting sessions include making a messy masterpiece at a pumpkin carving workshop at Riverside Country Park on Sunday, 22 October, between 10am and 12noon and 1-3pm. You can also carve pumpkins at Capstone Farm Country Park on Saturday, 28 October between 10am and 12noon and 1-3pm. Costs £5 per pumpkin.
Suitable for children aged five and above when accompanied by an adult. Pop into the visitor centre or call 01634 337432 to book at Riverside and phone 01634 338191 to book at Capstone.
Are you brave enough to enter the haunted house at Riverside? Navigate your way around our spooky room in search of special keys, count them to claim your prize. Open Monday, 23 – Friday, 27 October between 10am and 3.30pm (last entry 3.15pm). No booking required. Costs £3 per child. Suitable for children aged seven and above.
Take a walk on the scary side at Capstone with our children’s Halloween trail on Thursday, 26 October between 10am and 2pm (last entry 2pm). Solve scary clues and riddles to claim your treat. No booking required. Costs £3.00 per child. Suitable for children aged five and above.
For more information about the activities on offer visit Riverside and Capstone’s Facebook pages, look in the Medway What’s on guide or call the visitor centres.
Discover Medway’s marvellous maps
Medway Archives Centre has the perfect autumn half-term activity for Medway’s budding explorers and treasure hunters. Historic Ordnance Survey maps of the Medway area from 1866, 1896, 1909 and 1938 will be on display to provide inspiration for children to create their very own map to take home!
The activity is suitable for children between the ages of seven and 10-years-old and will be running on Tuesday, 24 October from 2.30-3.30pm. Children must be accompanied by an adult. It is free to attend, but you must book in advance by calling 01634 332 714 or emailing archives@medway.gov.uk
Electric Medway Festival
Take part in a VR cinema, street projections, an augmented reality history trail, live electronic music, 3D model scanning and much more at Electric Medway – where everyone is a digital storyteller. The festival, which returns between Friday, 27 and Sunday, 29 October, will offer three days of cutting-edge digital activities around Luton, Brompton, Chatham and online. Suitable for families, booking required for some events.
Find out more about Electric Medway.
Child-Friendly Medway activities
Join the council’s Child-Friendly Medway team for spooky crafts at The Pentagon Shopping Centre on Friday, 27 October between 11am and 4pm, with Anton Ghoul shows at 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3pm.
Medway’s children and young people can also watch a screening of Coco for free at MidKent College on Wednesday, 25 October, between 10am and 1pm.
These events are all free to attend. For information on how to book, email: childfriendly@medway.gov.uk.
Keep active this half-term at Medway’s sports centres
Mini Youth Sport Camps for children aged seven to 11 will also be running during half-term holidays at Strood Sports Centre and Medway Park. Places must be booked and paid for, with morning, afternoon and full day options available. Find out about dates and times and how to book.
There are many more activities on offer at other attractions across Medway including at The Historic Dockyard Chatham, The Fenn Bell Zoo, The Royal Engineers Museum and at Fort Amherst. Families can also pick their own pumpkins and gourds at Pumpkin Moon in Rainham.
For more information about events and activities taking place across Medway.