When we’re not dealing with weeks of never ending rain, autumn in the UK is something seriously special.
Crisp mornings with dewy grass, wrapping up in cosy layers, crunchy leaves underfoot, hot chocolates galore and seasonal celebrations. There’s nothing quite like it.
We love nothing more than getting the family together for some autumnal memory-making, that’s why we’ve compiled the perfect family-friendly autumn activity guide for Halloween and Bonfire Night. Oh, and don’t forget to wrap up warm!
Halloween
1. Trick or Treating, but with a Twist
As a warm up to the Christmas season of gift giving, plan a ‘reverse trick or treating’ evening with your little ones where, in costume, you head door-to-door handing out candy or small gifts.
All your little ones need to do is prepare small gift bags and surprise family, friends and neighbours by handing out Halloween treat bags instead of receiving them. To add an extra ‘trick,’ leave spooky “Boo! You’ve been tricked!” notes inside the bags.
Our thermal Kids Character Socks are a cosy addition to kiddie costumes!
2. Haunted House - At Home
Haunted houses aren’t as commonplace in the UK as the likes of America, but that doesn’t mean we should have to forgo Halloween fun!
There are numerous haunted houses across the country available for families to visit during spooky season, but it isn’t always feasible to drive hours to your nearest location.
Why not go all out this year and DIY a haunted house, transforming your home into a spooky setting?
Here’s how:
Decorate each room with cobwebs, old-timey pictures, low ambient lighting, ‘spell books’ and candles. Use blankets and bedding to cover furniture, replicating an old, derelict house.
Use wireless speakers to set the mood with haunted house noises like creaking floorboards and ghostly wails. A fog machine is also a great addition for creating a creepy atmosphere!
Hide sweets in each room leaving an ‘old’ piece of paper giving a clue to their location and which room they need to enter next.
If you’re going for ‘best parents of the year award’ - finish the haunted house tour with a giant pinata in the garden! 
3. Homemade Costume Competition
Each year we end up spending a small fortune on Halloween costumes, only for them to be shoved up into the loft and not fit the following year.
This October, we’re all about upcycling and avoiding waste. Using old sheets, towels and any crafting equipment you have lying around, plan a homemade Halloween costume competition that’ll get the creative juices flowing!
Some ideas for you to get started: A scary ghost costume using an old white bed sheet or a back-to-life mummy using toilet paper.
Bonfire Night
1. Bonfire Baking
The flavours we associate with Bonfire Night somehow manage to taste of autumn. We’re treated to toffee, cinnamon, ginger and treacle - arguably the most comforting flavours of all.
If you don’t fancy heading out into the cold this November 5th, get the whole family in on a spot of bonfire baking! Get cosy in thermal loungewear and make the most of Guy Fawkes night at home.
We love this cupcake recipe by Lyle’s Golden Syrup. Remember, decoration is key here - have fun with icing and piping tubes to create a funky firework effect.
Finish your baking bonanza with a family movie - don’t forget the blankets!
2. Crafty Fireworks
These Bonfire Night crafting ideas are a super fun and easy way to get stuck into the festivities, even for young kids!
Here are our favourite ways to get creative during Bonfire Night:
Clean a glass jar and fill it 3/4 of the way up with warm water. Pour 4 tbsp of oil into a bowl and add four drops each of various food colourings. Mix the oil and colours together, then slowly pour the mixture into the jar and watch what happens!
Gather some tinsel pipe cleaners and cut them in half. Gather five halves, fold them in half again, wrap around your child’s finger to make a ring shape then use the sixth half to secure the circle. Bend the ends to look like a bursting firework, making sure the ends don’t poke into the child’s finger. Share your craft ideas with us on social media @HeatHoldersUK 🧶🎨
3. Bonfire Quiz Night
Although we love to get wrapped up warm, enjoy sweet treats and warming hot chocolates whilst taking in the sights and smells of a good bonfire, we often neglect the origins of Bonfire Night.
By creating a Bonfire Night quiz for your little ones to complete, they’re not only getting into the spirit but learning about our history too. Make it interesting with set prizes for the winner of each round!
There are numerous printable quizzes available online for you to easily print and use at home. 
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Happy Hallows-Bonfire Night and have a spooky season ahead!
Share your Halloween and Bonfire Night activities with us on social @HeatHoldersUK 📷👻❄️
