SCHOOLS will soon be out for the half-term holidays.

It’s that time of year when we bid farewell to what is understood to be one of the hottest summers on record, turn the clocks back for those dark winter nights and prepare for the October break and all things Halloween.

Yes the spooky season will soon be upon us so expect plenty of spookactular half-term entertainment. From trick or treat tea parties to creepy clue solving and ghoulish games, there is something for everyone.

To save parents scratching their heads about what to do and where to go, we’ve checked out a few fearsomely fun events to keep young ones entertained....

Tong Garden Centre, Tong Lane, is hosting a Halloween Tea Party on October 29 and 30. Young guests are encouraged to don fancy dress to dine at this devilish buffet. There will be ghoulish games and frighteningly good fun! Party starts at 3pm.

For more information, or to book, call 0113 2856506 or email: grasshoppers@tonggardencentre.co.uk.

Cleckheaton’s Oxfam shop in Northgate and the Forget-me-Not hospice shop are hosting the annual Halloween Hunt.

Aimed at the under 12s, young ones can scour the town to find witches names with some treats along the way. There is a fancy dress competition too and some flash mob surprises. Proceeds are for the charities.

Check out the ghostly goings-on at Castle Howard, near York. A gang of ghostly pirates and ghoulish zombies take over this stunning stately home and are seeking new recruits. Don your best disguise and join in the fun.

For more information, or to get involved, call 01904 648621 or visit castlehoward.co.uk.

Immerse yourself in the atmospheric ‘Museums at Night’ experience when Lister Park, Bradford, will be lit up with lanterns. The venue comes alive with fire jugglers and musicians during the two sessions taking place from 11am until 1pm and from 3.30 until 5.30pm on Friday October 26.

Visitors can see the stunning giant puppets in the Cellar Gallery by Cecil Green Arts who create Lister’s Lanterns each year.

For more information call 01274 431212 or visit bradfordmuseums.org.

Haworth’s ‘Hawortheen’ features spooky parades along Main Street. The event runs from 10am until 4pm from Saturday October 27 until Sunday October 28.

For more information, or to get involved, call 01535 642329.

From October 20 to November 4 visitors to Bolton Abbey can follow the trail of over-sized pumpkins through Strid Wood and find clues to the witch’s magical spell behind the mystery doors.

Free event but the estate’s £10 car park admission fee applies. Call 01756 718009 or visit boltonabbey.com.

The Great Pumpkin Festival comes to Hebden Bridge. This family focused event hosted by Hebden Royd Town Council in collaboration with professional pumpkin carvers Sand In Your Eye offers a range of activities including professional pumpkin carving, workshops, competitions and plenty of entertainment, Suitable for all ages.

For more information, or to get involved, call 01422 706945 or visit halloweenpumpkinfestival.co.uk.

Thornton Hall Country Park, Thornton-in-Craven near Skipton is hosting a whole host of activities during its Halloween/Pumpkin picking event running from October 13 to 31.

For more information, or to get involved, visit thorntonhallcountrypark.co.uk or call 01282 841148.

From Saturday October 27 to Wednesday October 31 North Yorkshire Moors Railway are running a ‘spook-tacular’ journey from Pickering station to Levisham station.

Expect a cast of spooky storytellers, sing-a-long and sleight of hand tricks from the on-board magician as well as appearances from Wendy the Witch and Vinnie the Vegan Vampire.

Fancy dress is encouraged at this event aimed at children aged five and above. For more information, or to get involved, visit nymr.co.uk/halloween-train or find North Yorkshire Moors Railway on Facebook facebook.com/northyorkshiremoorsrailway and Twitter twitter.com/nymr.

Fancy a break from the fearsome stuff? Artist Sally Torr is leading a tour of the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield, to inspire budding artists to create their own ceramic piece.

Working in the Garden Studio at YSP, young participants can craft their own unique pot which will be fired ready for them to collect at a later date.

The workshop is suitable for children aged six and above. For more information, or to get involved visit ysp.org.uk.