If you’re looking for ways to keep your little witches and wizards busy over the October half term, we’ve got some spook-tacular ideas.

From terrifying trails to creepy arts and crafts, Kent is bubbling with devilish days out for the whole family this Halloween…

The Beaney, Canterbury

Join the beasts of The Beaney and take on the evil wizard lurking along the Halloween trail. Solve puzzles, uncover clues and explore the museum collection to defeat the wizard and receive a reward for all your help. There will also be a special Spooky Day where you can dress up and wander around the museum in the dark - if you dare!

Details: The Halloween trail is open daily from Saturday, October 7 to Sunday, November 5 (except Mondays) at The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge in Canterbury. The Spooky Day will take place on Saturday, October 28. Book online here.

Betteshanger Country Park, Deal

There are lots of autumnal activities taking place at Deal’s country park this October. The family-friendly woodland trail is set in a mysterious forest with all sorts of ghosts and ghouls hiding around every corner, while the Terror Trail is a more frightening experience for older teens. There’s also Betteshanger’s Pumpkin Town where you can pick your own pumpkins to take home and turn into jack-o’-lanterns in time for the weekend.

Details: The woodland trail and Pumpkin Town are open from Saturday, October 21 to Sunday, October 29 at Betteshanger Country Park in Deal. The Terror Trail is open from Thursday, October 26 to Saturday, October 28. Book online here.

Canterbury Garden Centre, Herne

Get stuck into a range of activities at this garden centre just outside of Canterbury. There will be magic shows, face painting, science experiments, children’s crafts and a photo booth competition for the best-dressed monsters.

Details: Tuesday, October 24 at the Canterbury Garden Centre in Herne. Entry is free and no booking is required, however some activities do charge.

Dover Castle

One of Kent’s oldest castles is bursting with macabre history, and there’s no better time to explore it than Halloween. This half term, visitors can join a spine-tingling quest where they will help solve clues and riddles and discover magical potion ingredients in the hopes of becoming the witch’s new apprentice.

Details: Saturday, October 21 to Sunday, November 5 at Dover Castle. Book online here.

Hever Castle, Edenbridge

If you can find all of the letters scattered around Hever Castle - and avoid the scary giant spider - you can win a special prize. There’s also an outdoor Halloween-themed trail, art workshops and terrifying stories read out loud by vampires and ghosts, as well as fancy dress and face painting on the weekends.

Details: Saturday, October 21 to Sunday, October 29 at Hever Castle in Edenbridge, near Sevenoaks. Book online here.

Kent Life, Maidstone

This October, Kent Life will be transformed into a hair-raising hub of activities, from pumpkin carving to fancy dress competitions. There will be spectacular light projections, creepy crawlies and haunted houses open to those who are brave enough to go trick or treating - and don’t forget to visit the brand new village of Sandling Hollow that has fallen under the spell of mischievous spirits.

Details: Saturday, October 21 to Sunday, October 29 at Kent Life near Maidstone. Book online here.

Leeds Castle, Maidstone

Find yourself lost in an interactive quest through the grounds of Leeds Castle. Learn how to cast spells and break the curse of the castle while meeting characters such as Ember the Autumnal Witch and Rocky the Stone Monster along the way. There will be storytelling, puzzles and decor to fully immerse visitors in the Halloween journey.

Details: Saturday, October 21 to Sunday, October 29 at Leeds Castle near Maidstone. Book online here.

Lullingstone Castle, Swanley

There’s still time to see out the season with some fun-filled family activities at Lullingstone Castle. There will be pumpkin carving, creepy garden tours, fancy dress, talks and magic after-dark to make for a jam-packed day out.

Details: Sunday, October 29 at Lullingstone Castle and the World Garden in Swanley. Entry costs £12.50 for adults, children under 16 go free. No need to book.

Margate Caves

As if Margate’s underground caves weren’t eerie enough, this October they are being overrun by monsters. These beastly creatures will take over the caves for a truly terrifying visit - but don’t worry, most of them are friendly once you get to know them (or at least that’s what we hear).

Details: Saturday, October 21 to Sunday, October 29 at the Margate Caves. There will also be messy crafts on Monday, October 23. Entry costs £4.50 for adults and £2 for children, craft activities cost an additional £1. No need to book.

Market Place, Faversham

For a unique day out during the school holidays, visit Faversham’s town centre and cheer on the Howl-O-Ween dog parade. Pet owners and their dogs will be dressed up in their best Halloween costumes and parading around the market town in the hopes of winning prizes including Scariest Dog Costume and Scariest Dressed Family.

Details: Saturday, October 28 at the Market Place in Faversham town centre. Entry is free, no need to book.

Mount Ephraim, Faversham

Take in the beautiful autumn colours at the gardens of Mount Ephraim as you follow the Halloween trail. There will be fun activities to take part in along the way and plenty of not-so-scary surprises for young visitors. The tea room will also be open and serving treats during the event.

Details: Wednesday, October 25 to Sunday, October 29 at Mount Ephraim in Faversham. Book online here.

Penshurst Place, Tonbridge

Boo and hiss the baddies at a panto-style show, follow the fairytale-themed garden trail and try your hand at blood-curdling crafts during the school holidays. From characters such as princes and princesses to activities such as making hand-print spiders and monster masks, there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained.

Details: Saturday, October 21 to Sunday, October 29 at Penshurst Place and Gardens in Penshurst, near Tonbridge. Book online here.

Reuthes Lost Garden, Sevenoaks

These stunning gardens are about to be turned into a huge family haunt where you will find this year’s ‘spooktacular’ trail. As well as the trail, which returns after a successful season last year, there will be pumpkin carving, Halloween discos and a family fright night where you will come face-to-face with monsters in the dark.

Details: Saturday, October 14 to Tuesday, October 31 at Reuthes Lost Garden in Sevenoaks. Book online here.

Spa Valley Railway, Tunbridge Wells

Enjoy a side-splitting slapstick adventure aboard a real steam engine. Dr Frankenslime is a family-friendly show full of magic and mayhem starring the wacky scientist with lots of interactive elements, including colouring packs and trick or treating. There’s also a chance to stop off at Eridge station and learn how to make glow-in-the-dark slime from the doctor himself.

Details: Saturday, October 28 and Sunday, October 29 at the Spa Valley Railway in Tunbridge Wells. Book online here.

The Stag, Sevenoaks

Marvel at magic tricks and cackle at laugh-out-loud jokes as the Kent Magician’s Guild return for another round of spectacularly spooky entertainment. The show, which has sold out in previous years, is a comedy caper with a sprinkling of family-friendly horror, all performed by a group of top children’s entertainers.

Details: Friday, October 27 at the Stag Theatre in Sevenoaks. Book online here.

Walmer Castle, Deal

Do you dare to join Walmer Castle’s group of ghost hunters for a devilish after-dark walk? Follow the ghoulish storytellers as they share terrifying tales of strange happenings from the castle’s history and explore the hidden corners of the Walmer’s wicked woodlands.

Details: Friday, October 27 to Sunday, October 29 at Walmer Castle near Deal. Book online.