The October mid-term break is just around the corner – which means a glorious week where kids are bouncing off the walls with energy and parents are hanging on their last thread of sanity, not literally.
Whether you’re based in Dublin, Cork or Roscommon, we’ve got your ultimate guide to mid-term activities for kids that’ll get your little monsters out of the house and into the great outdoors.
Also, with Halloween creeping in, there’s plenty of spooky fun to be had! So, grab your pumpkin-spiced latte, put on your best, ‘I’m calm’ face and prepare for an adventure-packed, slightly spooky break. Let’s go!
Mid-term break in Dublin: Spooky Forests and City Thrills
- Zipit Forest Adventures: Tibradden Woods
Just outside Dublin city, Zipit Tibradden Woods, turns your average day out into a Halloween adventure and October mid-term break!
Picture this: leaves crunching underfoot, eerie mist drifting through the trees and you’re suspended 20 metres above the ground, zipping between the branches like a vampire bat! (Except, let’s be honest, you’re probably more like a scared bat clinging to a rope). - The Nightmare Realm
Enter Ireland’s most terrifying haunted attraction, where your darkest nightmares come to life.
Live Actors and Chilling Scenes: Expect spine-tingling encounters with live actors and gruesome, blood-curling scenarios that will test your nerves.
Immersive & Interactive Horror: The attraction is known for pushing boundaries, with interactive elements designed to make you feel like you’re living your worst nightmare.
Unforgettable Experience: An ideal activity for Halloween, guaranteed to leave you shaking with terror and delight! - Ghostbus Tours
Climb around Dublin’s spookiest bus for a ghostly journey through the city’s haunted history this Halloween mid-term break.
A Haunting Bus Ride: The Ghostbus takes you on a chilling journey through Dublin’s darkest, most haunted locations.
Sinister Guide and Spooky Tales: A creepy guide entertains you with stories of Dublin’s eerie past, including murder, mystery and the supernatural.
Theatrical Experience: The tour blends history, horror and a touch of humour, delivered with a dramatic flair for a truly immersive experience. - Bram Stoker Festival
Dive into Dublin’s gothic heart with a festival celebrating the eerie legacy of Dracula author, Bram Stoker.
Spooky and Spectacular Events: The festival features an array of chilling events, including outdoor screenings, haunted house tours, pop-up performances, and immersive theatre experiences.
Perfect Halloween Celebration: The festival typically runs over Halloween weekend, making it the ultimate way to get into the spooky spirit with Draculat-inspired thrills across the city.
Mid-term break in Cork: Witches, Wildlife and Wicked Fun
- Zipit, Farran Forest Park
If the kids are already swinging from the furniture at home, get them to Zipit Farran Woods this mid-term break, where they can swing from the actual trees! Not only do you zip through the air, but you do it over meadows and forests while catching stunning views of Inniscara Lake. - Leahy’s Open Farm
Halloween at Leahy’s is a delightful mix of spooky and fun for the entire family. From pumpkin picking and carving to exploring the haunted barn, there’s something for everyone. The farm also offers a Witch’s Forest Walk, where you’ll encounter friendly witches and magical creatures. The kids can enjoy a tractor ride, and a haunted hay maze and get up close to the farm’s adorable animals, ensuring a day filled with Halloween Thrills and farmyard fun! - Cork City Gaol
This Halloween, Cork City Gaol transforms into an eerie, haunted landmark steeped in creepy tales of its past. Wander through the dark, candle-lit corridors as ghostly guides recount chilling stories of former prisoners and supernatural happenings. The spooky atmosphere, combined with the historic setting, guarantees a spine-tingling experience that’s as educational as it is terrifying. - Spike Island: After Dark Tours
The Island’s dark history comes alive at night during these tours! Once a prison and fortress, the island is shrouded in eerie tales of imprisonment and mystery. Explore abandoned cells, hear unsettling ghost stories and discover the island’s shadowy past under the cover of darkness – an experience that promises chills for even the bravest visitors.
Mid-term break in Roscommon: Haunted Forests and Halloween Thrills
- Zipit, Lough Key Forest Park
At Zipit, Lough Key, your Halloween adventure takes you to new heights—literally! Swing through the treetops and zip across high ropes in a stunning autumnal forest setting. With mist rolling through the trees and the occasional rustle of leaves, it feels like something spooky could be watching! Perfect for thrill-seekers, the adrenaline rush will leave your heart racing, even if the ghosts don’t get you first. - Lough Spookey at Lough Key Forest Park
Lough Spookey at Lough Key Forest Park offers a magical mix of spooky and family-friendly activities. Take a Halloween-themed Tree Canopy Walk and explore the woods while watching for ghosts and goblins. Kids can enjoy the enchanted forest trails, complete with spooky surprises and fun Halloween games. It’s a frightfully fun day out in the heart of nature! - Haunted History: King House & Boyle Abbey
Step into the eerie past at King House and Boyle Abbey. At King House, hear tales of the mysterious spirits that are said to roam its halls, while exploring its haunted corridors by candlelight. Over at Boyle Abbey, the medieval ruins take on a ghostly presence, with haunted stories and chilling histories that are perfect for history buffs with a taste for the paranormal.
Final Spooky Thoughts:
Whether your kids are soaring through haunted forests, scaring themselves silly in spooky castles, or bouncing through Halloween-themed dodgeball games, Dublin, Cork and Roscommon are full of freaky fun this October!
