Halloween in London can be especially fun for families to share some spooky fun with their kids.
The city comes alive with enchanting illuminated trails and creative pumpkin carving sessions to playful trick-or-treat trails and interactive museum activities. Whether you’re exploring historic sites with a ghostly twist or enjoying nature-themed adventures, London offers a variety of kid-friendly ways to celebrate the season. Ready to dive into the best Halloween experiences the city has to offer? Here’s our top 12 activities to enjoy Halloween with the children.
1. Illuminated Halloween Trail at Kew Gardens
Halloween at Kew is an immersive, family-friendly illuminated trail through the iconic Kew Gardens, running from 17 October to 2 November 2025. Designed especially for children and families, the 1.5 km after-dark experience blends glowing neon spiders, eerie fairground scenes, and whimsical Halloween installations into a magical outdoor adventure. With themed zones like haunted woodlands and a Frankenstein-inspired lab, the event offers just the right balance of spooky and playful. Time slots are tiered for age-appropriateness – daylight for the youngest visitors, twilight for a gentle thrill, and moonlight for maximum ambience. Along the way, guests can enjoy treats like marshmallows, hot chocolate, and seasonal snacks. The trail is well-paced for little legs, stroller-accessible, and filled with visual wonder, making it a perfect October half-term activity.
Top Tip: Bring a flashlight and dress warmly — evenings can get chilly.
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2. Pumpkin Picking and Trick or Treating, Parsons Green
The London Pumpkin Patch & Trick or Treat Lane at Parsons Green transforms a slice of London into a vibrant autumn wonderland from 25–31 October 2025, open daily from 10am to 6pm. Families can wander through a charming pumpkin patch to select their ideal pumpkins, explore photo‑worthy displays and enjoy warm drinks and snacks in a dedicated parents’ retreat. For children aged three+ there is an optional “Trick‑or‑Treat Lane” add‑on: a timed, immersive 30‑minute experience where kids knock on themed doors, meet friendly characters and collect sweets in a safe, interactive environment. Accessibility has been built in, including step‑free routes, buggy‑friendly paths and a sensory‑friendly session with reduced lighting on a designated day. It’s a well‑organised way for younger children and their families to enjoy Halloween in central London without the traditional door‑to‑door trick‑or‑treating.
Top Tip: Pre‑book your slot and consider bringing a small carved lantern to add to the atmosphere.
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3. Pumpkin Patch and Hobble’ween at Hobbledown Heath
At Hobbledown Heath in West London, the seasonal event Hobble’ween (running 25 October - 2 November 2025) offers a delightfully spirited Halloween adventure for families. Children can explore the park’s woodland‑set play villages and animal zones whilst engaging in special themed activities like the “Bug Brunch” (where brave little ones sample dried bugs!), a whimsical “Monster’s Ball” disco, and the “Hobble’ween Trail” where hidden clues lead to sweet treats. With the regular farm and zoo animals, indoor play barn and outdoor adventures included, the event strikes a perfect balance of play, creativity and mild spookiness; it’s ideal for younger children who want fun not fright.
Top Tip: Don’t forget wellies or boots if the ground is damp and prepare for muddy patches.
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4. Covent Garden Trick‑or‑Treat Trail
The free family‑friendly “Halloween Trick or Treat Trail” in Covent Garden invites children and parents to don costumes and embark on a fun self‑guided exploration of the area, from midday to 4pm on 31 October. As families wander through the nooks of Covent Garden, they follow a downloadable trail map that tests observation skills, offers interesting facts about the area, and leads to treats from local contributors like Chestnut Bakery, Whittard and the Bow Street Police Museum. The event also features special offers for adults, a photo‑competition for kids in fancy dress and provides a memorable Halloween outing in central London.
Top Tip: Arrive early or midday when it’s a bit quieter; costumes encouraged.
5. Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art — Family Art Day: Halloween Special
Located in Islington, the Estorick Collection invites families to its Family Art Day: Halloween Special on 26 October 2025 (10am – midday), an imaginative and hands‑on session where children and adults can explore the gallery, create their own masks inspired by the museum’s contemporary Italian art collection and dress up for a fun trick‑or‑treat styled tour of the exhibits. The event is designed for all ages and is free for under‑18s when accompanied by a paying adult, with advance booking required. Accessible and family‑friendly facilities such as buggy parking and step‑free access make it a welcoming indoor option for a creative Halloween outing.
6. Spook‑tacular Half Term Halloween Trail, Chiswick House & Gardens
The “Spook‑tacular Half‑Term Halloween Trail” offers a lively and family‑friendly way to celebrate the school break. Running on 31 October and 1 November 2025 from 11am – 1pm and 2pm – 4pm, this event features face‑painting, Halloween arts and crafts, themed games and a dance‑disc o (courtesy of Bizzy Buddies) ensuring toddlers through tweens have a fang‑tastic time. The emphasis is on fun rather than fright, making it a perfect outing for families looking to enjoy a vibrant Halloween moment together in a green, accessible setting.
7. Boo at the Zoo, ZSL London Zoo
At ZSL London Zoo in Regent’s Park, the annual “Boo at the Zoo” event (25 October – 2 November 2025) invites families into a fun and festive half‑term celebration where kids can wander through a rustic pumpkin patch, select their own pumpkin and decorate it in a tipi‑style workshop. They’ll also find marshmallow toasting around a fire pit, craft‑workshops (like making bat puppets), spooky animal talks focused on nocturnal creatures and even a silent disco under UV lights. It’s a great way to combine wildlife, nature and Halloween fun.
8. Plonk Golf Hackney: Pumpkin Carving Sessions for Families
At Plonk Golf Hackney, children and families are welcomed to join their “Halloween Pumpkin Carving Sessions” – a fun, interactive afternoon where every participant gets their own pumpkin and carving kit included. With multiple start times (from 1pm through 5pm) and tickets starting at around £5.50, the event is designed to be accessible and relaxed. Kids (aged four+) can don costumes, carve their pumpkin creations, enjoy a few sweet treats, and take home their handiwork. It’s a festive, creative way to mark the season without venturing into anything too spooky.
Top Tip: Bring wipes!
9. King’s Cross Monster Trail
For a free, playful family‑friendly Halloween outing, the Monster Trail in the King’s Cross neighbourhood is a perfect pick. From 11 October to 2 November, children and grown‑ups can pick up a special map at the Visitor Centre (1 Stable Street, N1C 4DQ) and head off through the streets of King’s Cross in search of a series of hidden “monsters” lurking in unexpected places. Each monster hides a little clue or puzzle to solve, making the walk both fun and interactive. Once the trail is complete, participants can head back to the start to collect a small prize. It’s an especially good option for families who want to combine a bit of fresh air, exploration of a lively London neighbourhood, and light Halloween thrills without the spook‑level turned up too high.
Top Tip: It’s all outdoors, so stay warm!
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10. Monster Maze, Museum of Brands
At the Museum of Brands in Notting Hill, the “Monster Maze” is a fab child‑friendly Halloween half‑term event running from 24 October to 2 November 2025, where families can wander through the museum’s Time Tunnel and engage in a spooky brand‑hunt adventure. Kids and adults follow a cobweb‑trail, solve puzzles, spot hidden “monsters” among vintage packaging and collect clues while colouring in themed “Monster Munchies” menus. It’s a relaxed, indoor outing—ideal for younger kids or for a break from outdoor adventures.
11. Halloween Spooktacular, Vauxhall City Farm
At Vauxhall City Farm, the “Halloween Fun for Kids” session delivers a spirited farmyard adventure ideal for children aged around three to 10. On the day, families arrive in costume and jump into a two‑hour programme of pumpkin‑lantern making, a spooky Halloween trail around the farm, animal‑meet activities (think goats, pigs and guinea pigs), and fun games like “The Hungry Pumpkin”. It’s an easy‑to‑access, indoor/outdoor option combining rural charm with Halloween spirit.
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12. Halloween at Kenwood House
The Halloween at Kenwood trail, running from 17 October to 2 November 2025 at Kenwood House on Hampstead Heath, offers a captivating Halloween experience for families and visitors of all ages. The historic grounds transform into an illuminated wonderland featuring a variety of immersive installations including a glowing Spider’s Tunnel teeming with 50 neon arachnids, a Slime Web to navigate, a Laser Garden, and interactive Selfie Stocks & Cages for those daring enough to pose. The trail also showcases a fire show, a laser and lights display, and projections that animate the grand façade of Kenwood House. Food and drinks are available on-site, including themed treats like Trick or Treat pizzas, Heaven & Hell burgers, and Vampire Dogs, along with hot toddies and hot chocolate to keep visitors warm.
Top Tip: Children are encouraged to come in costume, and dogs on short leads are welcome to join the fun. The trail is outdoors, so appropriate clothing and footwear are recommended.
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