Here’s a selection of highlights from the huge range of activities taking place - so wrap up warm and head out to enjoy what’s on offer.

OUTDOORS

There’s just time before the weather turns really nasty to get yourself outdoors, so why not head along to Aldenham Country Park this half term for its range of autumn activities?

Visit the new piglets, sows, calves and cows area and check out the new Bee Observation Zone.

Every weekend there’s tree climbing and the Pony Zone runs during the school holidays from 11am to 5pm, as well as at weekends.

On Saturday and Sunday from noon you can make some crafts in the classroom – materials and guidance are provided free, just bring your imagination.

Guided two hour nature walks start on Friday, October 26 at 10.30. Meet at the refreshments kiosk in the main car park.

  • Details: 020 8953 9602, www.aldenhamcountrypark.co.uk

ART

Artist Carole Smollan will be holding an introduction to collagraph workshop for eight to 12-year-olds and an illuminated lettering workshop for seven to nine-year-olds in Edgware High Street.

  • Collagraph and Printing is at The Studios, The Art Shop, High Street, Edgware from October 29 – 30 and Illuminated Letters is on October 31

Sunday is Big Family Draw Day at artsdepot, part of October’s Big Draw, the world’s biggest celebration of drawing, with events taking place all over the UK.

This bumper fun day features more arty activities than you can shake a pencil at – giant sketchpads, workshops, face painting, games, prizes and loads more with paper, felt tips and crayons, all for ages three and above.

  • Sunday, October 8 from 11am to 5pm at artsdepot, Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley. Details: 020 8369 5454, www.artsdepot.co.uk

The Big Draw is also at the RAF Museum in Hendon, with a week of activities that will fire your kids’ imaginations with its stunning aircraft collection.

The museum’s Milestones of Flight gallery will be turned into a giant art studio and children of all ages will be invited to design an aircraft of the future or a new device to decorate the side of a plane.

Sessions run from 11am to 1pm, and 2pm to 4pm from October 29 to November 2.

Continuing the crafty theme for Halloween at the museum is Witch Weekend, giving you the chance to explore the science behind broomstick flight and the importance of black cats to their operation. Visit the museum’s Aeronautics International display and make your own broomstick and cat.

Sessions run from 11am to 1pm, and 2pm to 4pm on October 27 and 28.

  • Details: 020 8358 4896, www.rafmuseum.org.uk

THEATRE

If you prefer to stay indoors artsdepot in North Finchley is the place for you.

Acclaimed children’s theatre company Hiccup Theatre presents a new version of the classic fairy-tale Rumpelstiltskin. Live music, puppetry and mischievous storytelling are spun into a golden show. Straw turns to gold, and magic and mayhem are in the air.

  • artsdepot, address above, October 28. Details: 020 8369 5454, www.artsdepot.co.uk

The Incredible Book Eating Boy is a very special adaptation of Oliver Jeffers’ much-loved tale of a boy with a voracious appetite for books. Henry loves books, but not like you and I love books. No, Henry loves to eat books. And better still, he realises the more books he eats, the smarter he gets. But a book-eating diet isn’t the healthiest of habits, as Henry soon finds out! Performed for one child and their accompanying grown-up at a time, the book comes to life in front of your eyes in this five-minute wonder of a show.

  • artsdepot, address above, October 31. Details: 020 8369 5454, www.artsdepot.co.uk

The Wyllyotts Theatre in Potters Bar offers up Rapunzel and the Tower of Doom.

Hand carved puppets, an intricate set and props take this Grimm tale right back to its dark roots, teased out the tangles and styled it into a beautifully coiffured hair piece. This enchanting puppet show promises plenty of body, volume and loads of highlights.

  • Wyllyotts Theatre, Wyllyotts Place, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar on October 28 at 11am. Details: 01707 645005, www.wyllyottstheatre.co.uk

Multistory Theatre Company presents Beauty and the Beast at The Ark in Borehamwood, the story of an old woman who claims to be a princess and a reluctant security guard, with music, song, puppetry and projection to play out this much-loved classic.

  • The Ark Theatre, Hertswood Upper Site, Thrift Farm Lane, Borehamwood on October 31 at 2.30pm. Details: 020 8238 7288, www.thearktheatre.co.uk

MUSIC & DANCE 

Get in the Halloween spirit at Talent Time Dance Studio in Potters Bar with its Michael Jackson Thriller dance workshop this half term. Work on this iconic song on the two scariest days of the year and you’ll then have the opportunity to perform the final piece in Legend, the dance group’s production at The Bull Theatre in Barnet in December. Go dressed as a zombie!

  • October 30 and 31. Details: Stuart Glover on 07904 771980 or visit www.talenttimetheatre.com

CULTURE

Discover more about Hampstead and find out what museums really do by participating in the Imagining Hampstead project at Burgh House.

Explore the museum, handle objects from the collection and participate in a creative workshop. Suitable for 11-18-year-olds. All sessions are free. Bring along a photograph of yourself and wear some clothes that may get messy.

  • Burgh House and Hampstead Museum, New End Square, Hampstead on October 31 from 1pm to 5pm. Details: 020 7431 0144, www.burghhouse.org.uk

HALLOWEEN

Entertain your little monsters this Halloween at the fangtastic Burgh House Halloween Party. There will be spooky story-telling, ghostly arts and crafts, a fancy dress competition and a weird and wonderful tea.

  • Burgh House and Hampstead Museum, New End Square, Hampstead on October 30 from 2pm to 5pm. Details: 020 7431 0144, www.burghhouse.org.uk

Every afternoon at 3.30pm, and weekends at noon Halloween Means Pumpkins – pick a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch, carve a scary face and frighten your friends! Come in fancy dress.

  • Details: 020 8953 9602, www.aldenhamcountrypark.co.uk

Head along to the Broadwalk Shopping Centre in Edgware for Halloween Horrors, a terrifying day of creepy creatures and animals in the company of Garg the Wizard. The fun will begin at 11am – come in your scariest costume or just as you are.

  • The Broadwalk Centre, Station Road, Edgware on October 31. Details: 020 8905 6303, www.thebroadwalkcentre.co.uk

There are more haunting happenings at Halloween Night at Avenue House in Finchley. In the stable and gardens, come in costume for the fire-juggling display, face painting, a spooky walk in the woods, Halloween games and lots of hot chocolate.

  • Avenue House, East End Road, Finchley on October 28 from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. Details: info@friendsofavenuehouse.org