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Forestry England’s ultimate list of low-cost, fun activities to do this autumn half-term in Yorkshire

For getting out and about with the kids, the seasons don’t get much better than autumn. From conker collecting to jumping in leaf piles, there are so many brilliant, low-cost autumnal activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Whether you’re looking to celebrate The Gruffalo on his birthday or enjoy a family-friendly walk through the autumn leaves, Forestry England has plenty of activities to keep all ages entertained this half-term. Best of all, many of the activities are free, so you can have a fun-filled day without breaking the bank!

  1. Gruffalo sculpture trail, Forestry England Dalby, North Yorkshire

Set off on a memorable day out and venture into the deep dark wood with your family to find the Gruffalo character and his friends from Julia Donaldson’s classic story. Each sculpture has been hand-carved and placed in different positions. Can you find them all?

Your little ones will love meeting Mouse, Owl, Fox, Snake and Squirrel as well as the Gruffalo and the Gruffalo’s child!

Cost: Free, parking charges may apply. Free parking for members.

  1. Gruffalo’s 25th birthday trail, Forestry England Dalby, North Yorkshire

Celebrate the beloved Gruffalo’s 25th birthday this autumn with a big party trail in the forest! Families can work together to find missing party items while enjoying fun games along the trail and learning how plants and animals care for each other. This trail is a delightful and educational experience for Gruffalo fans of all ages.

Cost: £4 per Gruffalo trail pack plus parking charges. Free parking for members. 

  1. Stomp through leaves, various forests

In autumn deciduous trees lose their leaves, leaving a carpet of red, yellow and orange leaves spread across the forest. On your family walk, try gathering as many fallen leaves as you can, and have a competition to see who can build the tallest pile. Or just take the opportunity to roll, jump and play in them!

Remember to bring a picnic. It might not be as warm as the summer, but autumn can be the perfect time for a picturesque family lunch. Wrap up warm, dust off your picnic blanket and pack all your favourites into your picnic basket, you could even try including something warm, like soup in a flask!

Here is Forestry England’s ultimate guide of autumn walks to enjoy.

Cost: Free, parking charges may apply. Free parking for members.

  1. Pumpkin spotters trail, Forestry England Dalby, North Yorkshire

A sneaky witch has cast a mysterious spell on Forestry England Dalby Forest this October half-term and the forest protectors need your help to reverse it! Grab a scroll from them in the visitor centre before heading into the play area. Find letters on the enchanted pumpkins to form a secret code. Visit the forest protectors again, giving them the magic word to break the spell and win a prize.

Cost: Activity free, parking charges may apply. Free parking for members.

  1. Reconnect with nature on a wellbeing trail, Forestry England Dalby, North Yorkshire and Forestry England Guisborough,

Autumn is a fantastic time to look, listen and reflect on the things all around you. Did you know that simply taking time to be mindful can be good for children’s health and happiness?

During half-term, spend some quality time away from screens with your family and connect with nature on one of Forestry England’s wellbeing trails.

In addition to the wellbeing trails, families can also give forest bathing a go. Simply find a quiet spot where your kids feel safe and relaxed and start practicing the art of forest bathing with Forestry England’s  downloadable activity sheets.

Cost: Entrance free, parking charges may apply. Free parking for members (Dalby only)

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