Orpington half-term: 15 things to do with kids

Thursday 29 October · 10.30–11.30am · free · ages 7+

1. Meet African Queens author Onyinye Iwu at Orpington Library

Hear about the book, play a timeline game, guess the queen and join a drawing activity at the library in the Walnuts Centre, BR6 0TW. Parents and carers attend with children. Each free ticket covers one adult and one child; book extra tickets for additional people. Reserve an author-session place.

Friday 30 or Saturday 31 October · free · choose by age

2. Try a spooky story session at Orpington Library

For ages 8–12, authors Farrah Riaz and Jo Verrill bring stories, a campfire story game and a Monster Mash dance-along on Friday 30 October, 1.30–2.30pm. Book Beware of This Book!

For ages 3+, Peter Bently will read spooky picture books and lead a craft activity on Saturday 31 October, 10–11am. Book Peter Bently’s storytime. Both take place at the Walnuts Centre library. Each ticket covers one adult and one child; book additional tickets for extra attendees.

26–31 October · free · families

3. Follow Bromley’s trick-or-treat trail

Collect a map from Guest Services on the upper mall of the Glades, then find skulls and letters in 12 town-centre businesses to solve a mystery word. Prizes are handed out only on Saturday 31 October, 11am–4pm, in the Central Atrium, while stocks last.

That Saturday also brings free face painting, hair braiding and treat-bag decorating, 11am–4pm; queues may close early. See the trail and the Glades’ Halloween activities.

Thursday 29 October · 10am–2pm · free · ages 0–25 with SEND

4. Try inclusive activities at SEND Local Offer Live

Arts, music and sport tasters and a pop-up arcade sit alongside local support services at Bishop Justus School, Magpie Hall Lane, Bromley, BR2 8HZ. The event is for children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities; families, carers and siblings are welcome. See the programme and register interest in the taster sessions.

Enter by Friday 30 October, 5pm · free · ages 4–12

5. Colour a Halloween house for a Chelsfield competition

Print one of Langford Rae’s three house designs and colour it by hand. Three winners will each receive a £25 Amazon voucher. Children must live in Bromley borough or Sevenoaks district; a parent or guardian must submit the entry, either by email or at 49 Windsor Drive, Chelsfield, during office hours. One entry per child, with no purchase or marketing signup required. Download a colouring sheet and read the entry instructions.

Tuesday–Sunday · free entry; pay for the pumpkins you pick

6. Pick a pumpkin at Hewitts Farm

Head to the farm on Court Road, opposite Chelsfield Lakes Golf Course. No booking is needed. Pick-your-own opens 9am–4.30pm Tuesday–Saturday, with last entry at 3.30pm. For a Sunday visit, arrive between 10am and the 3pm last entry; the farm closes at 4pm. Closed Mondays.

Bring bags and pay for everything you pick; under-16s need an adult. Crop availability can change, so check the farm’s latest picking information before setting off.

Saturday 31 October · 10am–noon · £10 per child

7. Carve a pumpkin at The Buff

The pub on Pinewood Drive, BR6 9NL, has a Halloween morning for children with pumpkin carving and breakfast. A specific age range is not given. See Pumpkin Carving for the Little Ones and call 01689 854411 to arrange a place.

Friday 23 October · 11am–noon · ages 3–10 · drop-in

8. Solve puzzles and play games at Petts Wood Library

Try jigsaw puzzles and board games at the library on Frankswood Avenue, BR5 1BP. No booking is needed. Find Puzzles and Games in the children’s activity calendar. The listing does not specify a charge, so check with the library before visiting.

Monday 26–Friday 30 October · £70 per child for the week · ages 3+

9. Build swimming confidence in St Paul’s Cray

Swim Stars runs a five-day course at Midfield Primary School, Grovelands Road, BR5 3EG. Lessons last 30 minutes, with slots between 8.30am and 11am. Small classes cater for non-swimmers through to children swimming 50 metres, with teachers in the water. See the course and enquire about a place.

22, 27, 28 and 29 October · 10am–3pm · ages 5–13 · confirm price with organiser

10. Make art with Mrs G at Warren Road

Choose sparkle-and-light artwork on Thursday 22 October, camels and capybaras on Tuesday 27, food-themed clay and pop art on Wednesday 28, or spooky artwork on Thursday 29. Materials and aprons are included; bring an allergy-safe packed lunch.

The usual venue is Warren Road Primary School, BR6 6JF. Groups of eight or fewer may move to the artist’s home in Hillcrest Road, so confirm the venue, price and availability with Mrs G on 07584 604298. See the October programme.

Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October · 10am–3pm · normal admission; members free

11. Investigate worms at Down House, Downe

Explore Charles Darwin’s worm experiments and try hands-on earthworm sampling in the gardens at Down House, Luxted Road, BR6 7JT. The family activities are included in normal admission; English Heritage members go free. Choose a date and check admission prices for Worm Weekend.

Sunday 25 October · 10.30am–4pm · suggested donation £15

12. Learn a traditional craft at Sadeh Farm, Crockenhill

Try scribing, wool spinning or candle making at Skeet Hill House, Skeet Hill Lane, BR6 7QA. Beginners and children are welcome, with no prior knowledge of Judaism needed. Candle making costs an extra £10; stone carving is sold out. Nobody will be turned away for lack of funds.

Bring a vegetarian dish to share for lunch, without cheese, wine or wine vinegar. Activities will mainly be in the house, which has step-free access and an accessible toilet. Read the programme and sign up.

Monday 26 October–Sunday 1 November · £7.99 per ticket

13. See John Lawson’s Circus at Ruxley Manor, Sidcup

The circus returns to the garden centre on Maidstone Road for approximately 45-minute shows. Choose 10am, 11.30am or 1.30pm daily; there is also a 3.30pm show on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Under-twos sitting on an adult’s lap go free.

Book online and arrive 15 minutes before the show. Contact the organiser in advance if you need wheelchair access. Check circus dates and book.

Daily during local school holidays · hourly tours, 10am–4pm

14. Explore Chislehurst Caves by lamplight

Take a 45–50-minute guided tour at Caveside Close, Chislehurst, BR7 5QX. Tickets are £10 for ages 16–63, £8 for ages 3–15 and 64+, and free for under-threes. Buy at the ticket office for the next available tour; arrive 10–15 minutes early.

All children need an adult aged 18+. Darkness and uneven ground make this less suitable for some younger children and difficult for pushchairs and wheelchairs. Read the caves’ visiting and access information.

Wednesday 28 October · 11am or 1.30pm · from £13 · ages 7–12

15. Learn K-pop dance moves at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley

The K-Pop Demon Hunters dance workshop lasts 75 minutes and takes place at the Churchill Theatre on Bromley High Street. Wear comfortable clothes and trainers, and bring a named water bottle. Choose a workshop and book.