Autumn Adventures and Half Term Fun in Yorkshire

Ideas for some half term fun in Yorkshire to keep the whole family entertained

Half term is looming and with it the promise of a whole week of little people with lots of energy to burn. Don’t worry, we’ve got some great ideas to keep everyone happy, spend some quality family time together and maybe even learn some new skills along the way!

Family Experiences

Weather permitting, October is a great time to get out and about and make the most of the fabulous Yorkshire countryside. Nothing beats a good walk and Yorkshire certainly provides us with enough wild woodland, windy moorland, and beautiful dales and grassland to escape into. If you’re looking for some walk inspiration or searching for new walking routes try Yorkshire Walks, a fantastic resource curated by avid walker, Easingwold resident and short story writer Frank Firth.

Planning a to visit York this half term? See what’s happening on the Visit York website.

If you’ve exhausted all the free activities there are to be done and need something more to peak their interest how about…

A Two Hour Bushcraft Experience for up to 6 People near York

Spend two hours in a wonderful woodland not far from York and choose from a list of activities that includes:

• Fire Lighting. Build and light a fire safely using various techniques including the fire bow-drill.
• Hand Tools. Use a knife and saw safely and have a go at making a useful camp utensil.  (children must be at least 8 years old for this option).
• Shelter Building. Have a go at this essential survival skill; put up a bivouac shelter and build a shelter made from natural resources.
• Pioneering. Learn some useful knots and work as a team to construct a bridge over the stream.
• Geocaching. Have a go at navigating in the woods, use a handheld GPS receiver, locate hidden drop boxes, and solve the clues to take the prize!
• Nature Discovery. A guided walk through the wood, discovering the trees, the birds, and the animals that live there.
• Initiative Challenges. Work as a team to overcome challenges and improve your teamwork and leadership skills.
• Basket Making.  Make a basket from natural willow.

Minimum age for child groups: 6 years.
Minimum age for child with hand tools option: 8 years.
There must be at least one participating adult in the group.
Hot and cold drinks provided free of charge

Group Canoe Trip for up to 7 People

Unleash you inner explorer and prepare for a day of adventure on the river. The kids will love spending the day wending their way down stream from Ripon and seeing well known landmarks (Newby Halls and gardens which have unfortunately closed for the season) from the water.

The route follows the picturesque river Ure in Yorkshire. Your adventure starts at Boroughbridge where you will meet your qualified canoe guides. You’ll then be transported by private minibus to Ripon and given a safety brief before jumping into your Canadian canoe and the adventure really begins!

You’ll paddle to Boroughbridge, stopping on route for an alfresco lunch (included in the price) at the scenic West Wick Lock.

This is great family day out for children aged 7 years and over.

High ropes course tree top adventure at Ripley Castle near Harrogate

Ripley Castle is a simply stunning location for this tree top adventure activity for children aged 8 years and over. You will be safely harnessed and under the constant supervision of a trained instructor while you spend an exhilirating hour attempting a number of high rise challenges.

All the ropes courses are set up in the traditional way meaning that you will have your own instructor on hand to encourage and support you whilst jumping off amazing heights. There will be plenty of encouragement and guidance for anyone who is feeling a bit nervous or needs some extra help.

You will spend your time literally up in the trees with a variety of high and low challenges to attempt.

• Leap Of Faith – climb to the top of the platform, reach for the trapeze and jump!
• Jacobs Ladder – the rungs on the ladder get further apart the higher you go.
• High Beam – suspended 11 metres up from the ground, dare you walk along the high beam backwards?
• Crates Stack – race against the clock to build the highest stack of beer crates.
• Mohawk Walk – teamwork is needed here to traverse the ‘seemingly’ easy tightrope.
• And many more challenges..

Family Cookery workshop near Sheffield

If the Autumn weather is not kind this half term then how about spending some quality family time learning to cook together?

After donning your Penistone Pie aprons you will all get involved in a morning of making either sausage rolls or bread depending on what your family would most enjoy. This is a really lovely way to spend quality family time together learning new skills in Jacqui’s delightful country kitchen.

If you’ve got animal loving children they’ll be able to feed Jacqui’s chickens and collect the eggs for baking from the hen coup.

This is a three hour workshop which includes lunch and refreshments.

When it comes to lunch you will either enjoy a Penistone Pies Ploughman’s lunch if you choose sausage roll making or a pizza lunch if you prefer the bread making workshop. This will be followed by a choice of two homemade cakes – which could include cream scones, chocolate brownies, lemon drizzle or carrot cake. Yummy!

These are just a few ideas for Autumn adventures in Yorkshire this half term, have a look at the full list of family experiences we offer on Uniquely Local for more ideas.