Things To Do With the Kids This October Half Term (Without Running Out of Ideas)

03rd September 2025

School holidays are meant to be a break, but for many parents, they come with that familiar pressure: how do you keep the kids entertained all week long? The dreaded “What are we doing today?” can quickly turn half term into a marathon of planning, driving and juggling.

The good news? With a little creativity – and the right setting – half term can be as stress-free as it is fun. Here are some ideas for keeping children of all ages engaged this October Half Term and how a stay at The Goodwood Hotel brings them all together in one place.

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Get outside and embrace the season

Autumn is the perfect excuse for woodland adventures. Building dens, toasting marshmallows over a fire, or getting creative with leaf art makes the most of crisp days and colourful landscapes. At Goodwood, our forest-inspired sessions, hosted at The Goodwood Education Trust bring all of this together, giving children the space to explore, imagine and run wild.

Add a little Halloween magic

Pumpkin painting, spooky crafts, or even making your own Halloween-themed chocolate can transform the season into something truly memorable. Younger ones will love dressing up for a Halloween party, while older kids can relax with family-friendly screenings of Hocus Pocus, Scooby Doo or Coraline in our cinema room.

Tap into their sporting spirit

Active kids need more than just space to run around; they need challenges. Inspired by Goodwood’s sporting heritage, half term here offers everything from a Goodwood-style sports day and mini golf to adrenaline-fuelled activities for older children. Think drone football, remote-control racing, or even stepping into the cockpit on an Aerodrome tour. Teens can take the wheel themselves with a Junior Driving Experience or put their reflexes to the test on professional-grade racing simulators.

For the four-legged members of the family

Whether you’re exploring with little legs or four-legged friends, make the most of the Estate’s 11,000 acres with one of the beautiful walking routes that take in views across the rolling West Sussex countryside. Guests with dogs can also book Tapster’s Paddock, Goodwood’s new private three-acre dog exercising area just across the road from The Goodwood Hotel.

Little Farmers’ teatime & kids eat free

A family favourite returns, giving little ones the chance to refuel after a day of adventure at the Hotel’s flagship restaurant with a menu created just for them. Kids can also enjoy a free dish with every adult dish purchased at the Goodwood Bar & Grill throughout the week.

Don’t forget time for you

While the kids are happily occupied, half term is your chance to recharge too. Whether it’s a spa treatment, an indulgent afternoon tea and tour at Goodwood House, or a spin around the Motor Circuit in a performance car, Goodwood ensures parents get their own share of the fun.

A half term where it’s all covered

The beauty of an October Half Term family break at The Goodwood Hotel is that you don’t need to piece together a week’s worth of plans. From little ones to teens – and even the family dog – there’s always something happening to keep everyone happy. Which means this half term, you can swap the question “What are we doing today?” for something far simpler: “What shall we try next?”

An overnight stay starts from £150 per room, with Kids’ Activities ranging from £8 per session. Many activities are included in the cost of your stay.

Find out more about October Half Term Stays at The Goodwood Hotel.

 

 

  • The Goodwood Hotel

  • kids activities

  • Kids go free

  • latest news

  • Goodwood Education Trust