October Half Term in Brighton
What Are We Doing With the Kids?
Ah, October half term.
Five days. No school. The clocks are about to change, the weather can't make its bloody mind up, and you've somehow got to entertain the kids without remortgaging the house.
By 9.14am on Monday, someone's already hungry, someone's lost a shoe and someone's asking what we're doing tomorrow.
You've considered the cinema. Then checked the price of tickets, popcorn and drinks for everyone. Suddenly, standing in a muddy field seems rather appealing.
The good news? Living in Brighton and Sussex, we're absolutely spoilt for places to explore. The beach, the Downs, miles of woodland and enough muddy footpaths to guarantee at least one washing machine emergency.
And the even better news? Some of the best things you can do with the kids this October half term won't cost you a penny.
You don't need five days of meticulously planned entertainment, an overflowing wallet or an itinerary that would make a military operation look disorganised.
Sometimes all you need is somewhere to go, something to eat and a few mates to come along.
And if you're working, or just fancy letting someone else take charge of the muddy adventures for a day or two, we've got our October half term woodland holiday club near Brighton, including an overnight campout for the more adventurous.
But whether you're joining us or heading out yourselves, there's plenty to explore.
So, if you're wondering what to do with the kids in Brighton this October half term, here are a few ideas to get them out of the house, away from the screens and hopefully tired enough to go to bed without negotiating a legally binding agreement.
Let's get outside.
1. Get lost in Stanmer Woods (not actually lost, ideally)
Stanmer Park is one of Brighton's best places to let the kids loose for a few hours.
Miles of woodland, enormous trees, fallen branches, muddy tracks and enough space to make a proper adventure out of absolutely nothing.
Our suggestion? Give the kids a mission.
Find the biggest leaf. Build the smallest den. Spot something that looks like a face. Find a stick that's taller than Dad.
Take a flask of hot chocolate, a few snacks and absolutely no expectation of covering a particular distance.
If you've got friends with children, bring them. It's remarkable how far kids will walk when they're chatting rubbish with their mates.
Cost: Free to explore. Parking charges apply.
2. Go rockpooling at Rottingdean
Forget the bucket and spade weather. October is a brilliant excuse to pull on some wellies and go poking around the beach.
Head to Rottingdean at low tide and see what you can find in the rockpools. Tiny crabs, limpets, anemones, strange seaweed and all sorts of things that look suspiciously like alien life forms.
Give everyone a challenge to find five different living things. Look closely, take some photos and leave them where they belong.
And yes, someone will almost certainly get water inside their wellies.
Finish with a hot chocolate and a walk along the Undercliff. Just check the tide and weather first, and steer clear of the cliff bases.
Cost: Free, unless you're buying the hot chocolates.
3. Climb a massive hill and eat something at the top
There's something wonderfully ridiculous about walking up a massive hill just to sit at the top and eat a sandwich.
But that's basically an adventure, isn't it?
Head to Devil's Dyke, pick a route that suits your crew and get those legs moving.
Make the top of the hill your destination. Pack something good to eat, find somewhere out of the wind and enjoy one of the best views in Sussex.
You could even make it a proper expedition. Let the kids carry their own bags, choose the snack stop and help navigate.
And if it's blowing an absolute hoolie? Even better. Just choose a sheltered route and stay well away from steep drops.
Cost: Free to walk. Parking charges may apply.
4. Walk to the sea at Seven Sisters
A little further from Brighton, but absolutely worth the trip.
Head to Seven Sisters Country Park and follow the Cuckmere Valley towards the beach.
There are winding rivers, grazing animals, enormous chalk cliffs and plenty of opportunities to stop and investigate whatever catches the kids' attention.
Our suggestion? Turn it into a mini expedition.
Pack lunch, let the children take turns leading and give them a map. No need to rush, no need to clock up the miles.
The beach makes a cracking destination for a picnic before heading back.
And if somebody finds a particularly impressive stick along the way, congratulations. You're now carrying it home.
Keep back from cliff edges and bases, and give the grazing animals plenty of space.
Cost: Free to explore. Parking charges apply.
Explore Seven Sisters Country Park
5. Have a completely pointless competition on the beach
Not every adventure needs a destination.
Sometimes you just need to get everyone onto the beach and invent a few ridiculous challenges.
Head for Brighton, Ovingdean, Saltdean or whichever stretch of Sussex coastline is closest.
Then let the games begin.
Who can build the tallest pebble tower?
Who can find the roundest stone?
Who can make the longest line of pebbles in five minutes?
Who can find something that looks like a potato?
Who can build a miniature village out of stones, driftwood and seaweed already washed up on the beach?
No prizes. No elaborate equipment. Just a bit of friendly competition and probably a few arguments about whether that stone actually looks like a potato.
The best bit? The kids will almost certainly start inventing their own games.
That's when you can sit down, drink your coffee while it's still hot and pretend this was the plan all along.
Cost: Absolutely nothing.
Just remember to leave your creations behind, not your litter.