Things to do with the kids in Bristol this autumn
And just like that it's Autumn! As the nights are drawing in – it’s time to don your coats and scarves and swap your sandals for wellies. We’ve put together one of our handy Raised in Bristol seasonal guides for some things to do with your little ones in and around Bristol this Autumn – from pumpkin picking to bonfire night celebrations and crunchy leaf walks, we've got you covered!
Picking Patch: Pick your own Pumpkins at Glenavon Farm
The Picking Patch is offering an exciting range of Halloween-themed activities at Genavon Farm this October. You can enjoy pumpkin picking with over 20 varieties available, including unique options like the Polar Bear and Goosebump pumpkins. Entry is free; you only pay for the pumpkins you pick, with prices starting at £1.50.
Other activities include a Halloween maze with both a Junior Sleuth’s trail and a more challenging Detective’s maze. They also host special Twilight evenings on select dates, where you can explore the maze by torchlight from 7 PM. Entry to the mazes is £6 per person (ages 3+), and children under 2 go free.
Just a 30 minute drive and they have free parking or it’s a similar journey time by bus – you can take the 39 or x39 from Bristol Bus station and get off at Copse Road – a two minute walk from the farm.
Where: Glenavon Farm, Bath Rd, Saltford, Bristol BS31 3TJ
When: Saturdays and Sundays from 5th–20th October and every day from Friday 25th until 31st October.
Crunchy leaf Autumnal walk at Snuff Mills
This riverside walk meanders alongside the River Frome in Snuff Mills Park. You can park for free at the Snuff Mills car park where you will also find public toilets and there is also a little cafe/ tearoom. Explore the park at Snuff Mills, on the site of an old mill that you can see still turning the water with its big wheel. The mill was used for cutting and crushing stone from the many quarries along the Frome Valley during the late 19th century and got its name from the miller whose nickname was 'Snuffy Jack' because his smock was always covered in snuff. Wander along the riverside path where you might be lucky enough to spot moorhens, kingfishers, ducks, otters and more!
Suitable for buggies although sometimes can get a little muddy so we advise welly boots now the weather is starting to change. If you want to have a longer walk then head over the bridge and make a left towards Oldbury Court Estate, another beautiful park which is also home to a great children’s play area with a pirate ship play frame, although it's worth noting the walk to Oldbury Park and back to is about 2.3 miles in total which may impact timings with little legs to get to the playground.
When: Perfect for a weekend stroll!
Where: Start at Snuff Mills Car Park, Bristol BS16 1UH
Storytale Festival at MShed
The annual Storytale Festival at MShed celebrates the joy of storytelling for children. Held during the October half-term, it features a variety of creative, interactive, and inspiring activities including workshops, author talks, and book-related crafts. The festival aims to spark imagination and encourage a love of stories for young minds. There is loads for children of all ages but here are a few highlights for children aged 0-5:
Pink Trucks 9.15 –10 am
Author Sam Clarke will take youngsters on a whirlwind journey looking at the common colours of trucks before introducing his new picture book Pink Trucks. Tickets £2 for children and free for accompanying adults.
One Goose, Two Moose! 10.30–11.15 am
Join author Kael Tudor for goosey moosey fun as he reads his book One Goose, Two Moose, and challenges you to a quiz and an interactive drawalong. Tickets £2 for children and free for accompanying adults.
Rock Out With Heavy Metal Badger! 1.30–2.15 pm
Get ready to rock with author-illustrator Duncan Beedie in this head-bangingly brilliant event for kids, featuring brand new picture book Heavy Metal Badger! Tickets £2 for children and free for accompanying adults.
When: 26th October all day (see website for individual event times)
Where: MShed, Princes Wharf, Wapping Rd, Bristol BS1 4RN
The Gingerbread Man at Circomedia
Stuff & Nonsense present The Gingerbread Man in November at Circomedia. Come and join in his epic quest and meet the bravest biscuit of all time! Imagine being born in an oven and the first person you meet wants to dunk you in his tea! Stuff & Nonsense apply their usual brilliance with a mix of puppetry, live action, great music, humour and stunning staging in this exciting and pacey retelling of this well-loved classic tale. Suitable for families of all ages, even if you are three or eighty-three! No scary bits – just don’t turn up hungry! Now run, run, as fast as you can, you need to get tickets to catch this Gingerbread Man! Tickets prices are £15 for over 18s and children and concessions are £10 with 10% off any tickets for groups of 3 or more people. There must be at least one adult per group in attendance.
Where: Circomedia, St Paul’s Church, Portland Square, St Pauls, BS2 8SJ
When: Fri 1 Nov, 11am & 2pm | For ages 3+ and their families
Bonfire night celebration at Clifton Observatory
Looking for a fun and family-friendly way to celebrate Bonfire Night in Bristol? Head to Clifton Observatory on the 5th of November for a magical evening! From the Observatory’s rooftop terrace, you and your little ones can watch the skyline light up with fireworks from all over the city. The event runs from 6 PM until late, and there will be a welcome drink, tasty food from the food stand, and a rooftop bar for the grown-ups. For something cosy, the 360 Café will be serving luxury hot chocolates, tea, and coffee. There’s even an exciting fire performance to keep the little ones entertained! Tickets are free for children under two, £6 for children and £12 for adults—so bundle up, grab your tickets, and get ready for a sparkling night!
Where: Clifton Observatory, Litfield Place, Clifton, Bristol BS8 3LT
When: Tuesday 5th November from 6 pm
Hatching Chicks baby sling ballet for mums at Raised in Bristol at the Greenway Centre
Hatching Chicks is a free baby sling ballet class for mums of disabled babies and/or mums with disabilities themselves from the team at Flamingo Chicks. Pregnancy and post-birth are life-changing experiences for new mothers. Hatching Chicks is a co-supportive, warm and welcoming place where mums and babies can get active for wellbeing. They are running a class in the Baby Room at our wonderful North Bristol nursery Raised in Bristol at the Greenway Centre every Friday morning for six weeks from 8th November until 13th December from 10–11.15 am. To find out more info email bethan@flamingochicks.org.uk
When: Every Friday morning from 8th November–13th December 10–11.15 am
Where: Raised in Bristol at the Greenway Centre, Greenway Business Centre, Doncaster Road, BS10 5PY
Play Fridays at We The Curious
It's playtime every day at We The Curious, but on the last Friday of each month, it's all about sensory play and exploratory learning for the youngest visitors. Drop into the Theatre of Curiosity space for a different mini-adventure each month. At Play Fridays in October, you can discover what fits inside – fun with tubes, tunnels and boxes and in November explore what you see with mirrors, torches, magnifying glasses and yoga poses that help view things differently. These events are included in the general admission ticket pricing.
Little ones under 2 go free, although you still need to book a free day ticket and Planetarium ticket for them. Adult (16+) tickets start at £18.50 or £20.35 with a donation. Children (ages 3-15) start at £12.65 or £13.95 with a donation. They also offer Open Concession tickets if their standard prices are out of reach at the moment with no questions asked. But it’s also worth noting If you go after 3 pm tickets are almost half price with adult tickets starting at £10 and children £7 without donation.
When: Last Friday of the month: 25th October and 29th November 10 am–12 pm
Where: We The Curious, Anchor Road, Harbourside, Bristol, BS1 5LL
Admission and accessibility info is available on their website here.
