Half Term, Halloween and a House Full of Bored Kids: How to Survive the Last Week of October

It’s Monday morning of half term. You’ve heard “I’m bored” five times already, Halloween is on Saturday, and you’ve suddenly remembered you haven’t sorted the costumes, or bought sweets for the neighbours.

Sound familiar? You want the children to have a lovely week, but it can feel like you’re expected to be entertainer, organiser, costume fixer and the person who somehow knows how many trick-or-treaters will knock. All while the evenings get darker and the household budget is already doing its best.

The good news: a memorable Halloween doesn’t need a packed schedule or a brand-new outfit for everyone. A few simple plans, some reusable decorations and a well-timed top-up of the essentials can make the week feel much more manageable.

Make the run-up feel like part of the fun

Halloween falls on Saturday 31 October in 2026, so there’s a whole day to enjoy before the evening knocks begin. If half term lines up with the last week of October for your family, try giving each day one small “anchor”: a craft in the morning, a walk after lunch, or a film night once it gets dark. Check your own school calendar, as half-term dates can vary.

Keeping the plan modest is a kindness to everyone. The children get something to look forward to, and you’re not trying to invent a full day of entertainment from scratch every morning.

A kitchen-table craft is an easy place to start. Paper, card, paint and a few simple tools can become pumpkin pictures, paper lanterns or decorations for the front window. Let the children choose what to make, and use what you already have before buying anything new. A little bit of paint and a pile of cardboard can keep small hands busy for longer than you might expect.

If you need a few extra basics, Trotters Traders’ mix of craft, paint, decorating, tools and hardware supplies can help turn “I’m bored” into a small project. Think homemade decorations, a painted pumpkin or a den built from things you already have at home, not an expensive list of activities to complete.

Create a Halloween feel without buying it all again next year

When the nights draw in before teatime, a little light can make home feel cosy and festive. Lanterns, pumpkins and autumn decorations help set the scene, whether you’re putting a few things by the front door or making a cosy corner for a Halloween film.

It’s worth choosing pieces you can bring out again next year. A reusable lantern or autumn decoration earns its place in the cupboard long after one evening is over. For pumpkin carving, let an adult handle sharp tools; younger children can join in by painting or decorating pumpkins instead.

Trotters Traders’ autumn essentials bring seasonal ideas together, alongside practical cold-weather items. If Halloween evening turns chilly, cosy throws and blankets are handy for winding down indoors, whether the children are watching a family film or waiting for the next knock at the door.

Be ready for the door, and for hungry half-term appetites

The Saturday night question is always the same: did you buy enough sweets? A bowl ready near the door can make answering it easier, and having a few snacks and drinks in for the family means you’re not trying to feed hungry children between costume changes and doorbell rings.

A simple tea before heading out is another small win. It’s much easier to enjoy a short trick-or-treat walk when everyone isn’t asking what’s for dinner. If you’re staying home to welcome visitors, a bowl of sweets, a warm drink and a comfortable place to sit can make the evening feel relaxed rather than like another job.

Costumes don’t have to mean starting from scratch. A cape, hat, face paint or another accessory can often finish an outfit already in the dressing-up box. If you’re shopping for costume additions, check that anything you choose is suitable for your child’s age and doesn’t block their vision or have loose cords that could catch.

A few simple choices make a safer Halloween

With Halloween on a Saturday, more families may be out and about. Keep younger children with an adult, stick to familiar streets and carry a torch. Reflective details can help children be seen in the dark, and face paint is a better choice than a mask that makes it difficult to see or hear traffic.

Choose homes that are welcoming trick-or-treaters, use pavements and cross roads carefully. At home, keep decorations clear of walkways and away from heat sources. Battery-operated lights can give a pumpkin or lantern a gentle glow without an open flame; keep button batteries and small parts away from young children.

For more guidance, read CAPT’s Halloween safety advice and RoSPA’s Halloween safety tips.

Keep the clean-up small, and the evening warm

Pumpkin, paint and muddy shoes can make a bit of a mess, but you don’t need to let that put you off the fun. Having household cleaning essentials and refuse sacks to hand makes it easier to deal with any spills as they happen. No need to turn the evening into a full clean-up operation: a quick tidy and a proper reset can wait until tomorrow.

And if you’re planning to keep the fire on for Halloween or a November evening at home, Trotters Traders stocks kiln-dried logs at all four stores, as well as smokeless household coal, firelighters and Twizlers. Keep costumes, decorations and anything flammable well away from fires and heaters, and follow the appliance and fuel instructions.

After a muddy half-term walk, dogs are welcome at Trotters Traders too, and the dog wash can be a useful stop before heading home. You can find more about the dog-friendly stores and dog wash.

A little seasonal planning, without the big seasonal bill

When you’re pulling together treats, household bits, costume additions and things to keep the children busy, it helps to be able to pick up more than one kind of essential in one trip. Trotters Traders is a local, family-run discount retailer, with a wide mix for home and family, and a value-focused alternative to larger retailers. We’re often cheaper than the big DIY retailers and supermarkets, and we regularly check prices against Home Bargains and B&M.

You’ll find us in Grimsby, Louth, Scunthorpe and Beverley. Check our stores page for location details before you travel. We’re proud to be the area’s No. 1 discount retailer, and we’re always working to have seasonal essentials ready before customers realise they need them.

A quick half-term Halloween checklist

• Pick one simple activity for each day, rather than filling every hour.
• Check costumes for fit, visibility and age-appropriate accessories.
• Put out reusable decorations and use safe, battery-powered lights.
• Plan a family tea and top up sweets, snacks and drinks before Saturday.
• Set aside a torch and reflective details for going out after dark.
• Keep a throw and blankets ready for a cosy film night.
• Check your winter fuel and follow safe-use instructions for fires and heaters.

What if we don’t want to go trick-or-treating?
Make your own fun at home with a craft, a family film or a small treat trail around the house. Halloween can be just as special without a door-to-door plan.

Do we need a brand-new costume?
Not necessarily. A few well-chosen accessories can refresh something you already have. Check the fit and safety details, especially if your child will be out after dark.

Where can I find Trotters Traders?
We have stores in Grimsby, Louth, Scunthorpe and Beverley. Visit our stores page for addresses and opening hours.

The last week of October can be a lot, but it doesn’t have to be perfect to be lovely. A few crafts, a warm room, a bowl ready by the door and a little planning can turn a house full of “I’m bored” into a Halloween the family will remember.