Things to do in October half term 2026 in Teesside and nearby

Looking for things to do in October half-term around Teesside? From a library visit in Middlesbrough to a café stop in Stockton or pumpkin picking in nearby North Yorkshire, there are plenty of ways to build a family day around something your children enjoy.

This autumn, look out for Find Maestro at participating local venues. The free poster challenge runs from Monday 5th October to Friday 13th November 2026, adding a little learning and a digital character reveal to your outing.

Pumpkin picking at Spilmans near Thirsk

For an autumn outing beyond Teesside, Spilmans at Church Farm in Sessay is hosting its 2026 Pumpkin Festival on selected dates. Take a look at its booking page before travelling: advance booking is essential, and the festival has its own admission charges.

Look out for the Find Maestro poster during your visit. You can also make pumpkin picking into a family challenge: estimate a pumpkin’s weight, compare shapes and colours, or plan what you could cook with it at home.

Meet the animals at Monk Park Farm near Thirsk

Monk Park Farm at Bagby, near Thirsk, is another option for a family day out in nearby North Yorkshire. With animals, play areas and seasonal activities, it offers plenty to explore beyond the local towns. Check the farm’s current opening dates, tickets and activities before booking.

Look out for the Find Maestro poster during your visit and try the challenge together. You could extend the learning with an animal-spotting game: compare the animals’ sizes, describe their markings or find out what they eat.

The Find Maestro challenge is free; farm admission and any additional experiences are charged separately. Check the farm’s own booking information for what your ticket includes.

Enjoy an autumn walk at Albert Park in Middlesbrough

Albert Park, just outside Middlesbrough town centre, is an option for a relaxed outdoor outing. Its open spaces and play equipment give families room to explore, while an autumn walk can become a simple scavenger hunt.

Look for leaves in three different colours, compare their shapes or count what you can spot around the lake. You can also look out for the Find Maestro poster and add a quick school-year challenge to your visit.

Check the live map for the poster location and the council’s information for park and visitor-centre opening hours. The park and indoor facilities have different hours, and some optional activities have separate charges.

Explore Middlesbrough Libraries

A library visit is a useful option for a quieter half-term day. Explore the participating Middlesbrough library and hub locations on the Find Maestro map, then check your chosen branch’s opening hours and activities.

Give each child a reading mission: find a story about an adventure, choose a book set in another country, or discover a fact to share over tea. Look for the Find Maestro poster while you are there and try the question for your school year.

Visit Hemlington Community Hub and Library

Hemlington Community Hub and Library is another local starting point for families. The council lists library services, events and activities, and early years and youth services at the hub. Check what is available on your chosen day rather than assuming every activity runs throughout half-term.

Look locally at Linthorpe Community Centre

If you are near Linthorpe, look out for the Find Maestro poster at Linthorpe Community Centre. Check with the centre before making a special trip for its current activities and when the poster can be accessed. A local community stop can be a welcome alternative to planning a full day away.

Take a café break at Quay Corner in Stockton

You don’t need a big attraction for every half-term outing. Quay Corner in Stockton is one of the local places to look out for Find Maestro, making a café stop an opportunity to try a quick question together.

Build it into a shorter local trip, let your child read the challenge and talk through their thinking. The Find Maestro activity is free; food and drinks are purchased separately. Check the café’s opening hours before you set off.

Combine football and Find Maestro at Thornaby FC

For families connected with local football, Thornaby FC at Teesdale Park is another place to look for Maestro. Check the club’s current fixtures and opening arrangements before visiting; access to a poster does not mean the ground is open all day.

If you are attending a match or visiting when the venue is open, add the challenge to your trip. Afterwards, try a football maths question of your own: how many points would three wins and a draw earn, or how much time remains after the 65th minute?

How the Find Maestro challenge works

Find a poster at a participating venue and scan its QR code. Follow the on-screen steps to select the venue and school year, answer the quick challenge and reveal your Maestro’s rarity. Young people can also vote on features or designs for the upcoming Maestro learning app.

Challenges cover school years from primary through A-Level. You can explore them together as a family, whether your child enjoys a quick puzzle or wants to explain their working.

Plan your half term visit

School holiday dates vary between schools and areas, so check your own calendar. The Find Maestro campaign runs until Friday 13th November, but individual venues and seasonal attractions have their own opening dates.

The challenge is free to take part in. Host venue admission, refreshments and other activities may cost extra. Check the live map, opening hours, booking requirements and accessibility information before making a special journey.

For the prize draw, a parent or guardian aged 18 or over can follow the parent page and entry instructions, subject to the campaign terms. Completing the challenge does not automatically enter you.

Find a Maestro near you

Choose a local stop or build Find Maestro into a bigger day out. The live map is the place to check current participating venues across Teesside and beyond.