Family-Friendly Things to Do This October Half Term in NewcastleGateshead

The arrival of Autumn brings plenty of opportunities to explore NewcastleGateshead as a family this October half term. With Halloween and Bonfire Night just around the corner, there’s no shortage of fun things to do with the kids, from spooky adventures, creative sessions, theatre performances and many more family-friendly events.

Many of the top attractions and venues in the region have a packed family programme to cover the school holidays and are guaranteed to keep everyone happy. Take a look at our guide to family-friendly activities this October half term.

All month

Throughout October at Life Science Centre get ready to enjoy frightfully fun live shows and exciting experiments. Plus, the chance to see the huge collection of moving dinosaurs before they go extinct. You can also take part in spooky making activities, a special Halloween edition of our 360° fulldome show Bump in the Night and explore interactive exhibits in Lightbox, Space Zone, and Play Zone for under-7s. Tickets aren’t yet on sale, but you can find out more here.

24th October - 1st November

Step into the spectacular world of Gandey’s K-Pop Dragon Circus at Metrocentre Coach Park for a dazzling fusion of East meets West, where magic, music, and myth unite beneath the big top. Leading the adventure is the charismatic Ringmaster Joel, joined by his mischievous clown companion, La Loka. Their journey begins when they discover a baby dragon, Together, they embark on a heartwarming quest to reunite the young dragon with her majestic mother, guarded by the noble dragon riders. Find out more.

24th October - 1st November

Get ready for a spooktacular adventure full of friendly ghosts, wicked witches and things that go bump in the night at Seven Stories. We’d love to see you in your best Halloween outfit for a magical, monster-filled storytime the whole family will love. Find out more.

24th October - 1st November

Gather your little monsters for a ghoulishly good day out at Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens this October half-term. Join the Great Pumpkin Party and celebrate the season with family activities and entertainment. There'll be interactive storytelling and spooky games, as well as a themed trail and a seasonal selfie spot around the site. It wouldn't be Halloween without costumes, so don't forget to come dressed for the occasion. Join in the daily fancy dress competition and you might just win a prize. Find out more.

24th October - 1st November

This October half term, discover activities that show just how super wetland nature can be. You can enjoy a host of creative and nature-themed activities and get close to the weird and wonderful side of wetland nature during this interactive, outdoor event.

From wildlife spotting and fungi hunting to potion making and spell casting, the wetlands are bubbling over with magic. On your visit, make sure to pick up your super natural log book and capture the magic of your other-worldly wetland adventure! Find out more. 

27th & 28th October

Head to The Glasshouse to hear the fantastic Royal Northern Sinfonia as they play the soaring, sweeping soundtrack of How to Train Your Dragon 2, timed exactly to match the action on the big screen. The film is hailed by critics and audiences alike, the acclaimed adventure continues featuring ground-breaking animation, brilliant storytelling and stirring emotion. Find out more. 

27th October

At Tyne Theatre & Opera House get creative and create a miniature 3D paper theatre inspired by the Tyne Theatre’s beautiful Victorian interior. Design a series of layered scenes featuring curtains, scenery, performers and a dramatic backdrop. Once assembled, you can peer through the theatre curtains into your own tiny theatrical world. Use the theatre itself as inspiration, invent what is performing at the Tyne Theatre that night, it could be a magical forest, circus, band, ghost story or a completely imaginary production. Find out more.

27th October

Get creative this October half term with a fun crafting session for children and adults at Shipley Art Gallery. With a variety of materials available and friendly staff on hand to help, children can make their very own Hallowe’en hand puppet using paper and card. Prefer something a little less spooky? Create any character you like and let your imagination take the lead. Find out more.

28th October

Head to Discovery Museum this October half term for a special seasonal story with Amy, followed by creative crafts and simple play activities inspired by the story. Part of the Tiny Sparks programme, the session is suitable for children aged 3-5 years and their parents and carers. Find out more.

28th October - Nature Explorers with Megan Randall

Join artist Megan Randall in Front Room in Baltic for a hands-on, creative workshop inspired by nature and the changing seasons. Explore plants in our planter gardens around the building, and help us bid our rooftop honeybees farewell for Winter, crafting your own artwork in response, then take away what you make to share with friends and family. Find out more.

28th - 31st October - Bee Tours at Baltic

Find out more about Baltic's resident honeybees and the crucial role bees play in our ecosystems in this free tour with Baltic Crew. These tours will be our final bee tours before the honeybee's relocate for the winter. Discover facts about our resident rooftop colony and gain a deeper appreciation for the natural world. There’ll even be the chance to taste some honey from the rooftop hives. Find out more.

29th October

Get ready for Time Odyssey, a new interactive learning experience which takes families on a quest through Great North Museum: Hancock. On your Time Odyssey journey you must collect four Timeless Treasures to equip your character and help them return home. Choose the character you'd like to help and work as a family to find objects, locate place names and photograph special items from the museum collections. Find out more.

Until 2nd November

Explore Newcastle Castle, and the city that bears its name, like never before this Halloween. Step inside the Castle walls and uncover centuries of dark and fascinating history, from Romans and Anglo-Saxons to Victorians, medieval prisoners and those caught up in Newcastle’s infamous witch trials. Find out more.

Experience living, breathing history at Beamish Museum, The Living Museum of the North and discover what life was like in North East England during Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, war time and fifties Britain. Beamish is a living, working museum, set in a stunning 300-acres of County Durham countryside and is the perfect place for a half term day out. Meet knowledgeable volunteers and staff who are decked out in exceptional, historical costume and who shine a light on the stories, facts and the goings on of everyday life at locations set throughout the expansive outdoor museum.

Travel by tram or old-fashioned bus from the Edwardian Town and Pit Village, complete with original drift mine to at Home Farm and Pockerley Old Hall. Experience first-hand how the Industrial revolution transformed agricultural life in the region, what life was like in a North East town and the trials and tribulations of a Victorian village school.

Lindle creates self-guided treasure hunts and each hunt is a flexible, phone-guided city adventure: solve clues, follow a digital map, and discover hidden corners of the city at your own pace. It's a fun few hours solving clues hidden amongst the nooks and crannies of the city. Find out more. Purchase a gift voucher here.