School holidays can become more and more challenging as kids get older, finding things that interest them and that get them out of their rooms! October half term is just around the corner so we’ve put together some suggestions of things for teenagers to do across Hertfordshire, Essex and London. Whether they like the great outdoors or not, here are some no cost and low-cost suggestions to get them out of the house.
Outdoor activities
Geocaching:
Geocaching is the world’s largest treasure hunt. There are thousands of geocaches around Hertfordshire, Essex and London. In essence, geocaching is the process of hiding and locating small containers using only GPS coordinates. Variations on this idea exist, but this is the essential goal. The main point of geocaching is to get more people outside and to introduce them to the world around them.
- Location: Hertfordshire, Essex and London
- Sign up: All you have to do to take part is download the app here
- Day/time: Any
- Cost: FREE
Cedars Nature Centre:
For those teens who love animals, here is a low-cost way for them to be at one with nature. Although it’s small in size, you can expect to see; meerkats, armadillos, owls, scorpions, snakes, spiders and more. Located within the historic grounds of Cedars Park, they can take a stroll around the park as well as visit the well-stocked café whilst there.
- Location: Cedars Nature Centre, Cedars Park, Theobalds Lane, Waltham Cross, EN8 8RU
- Sign up: Entrance fee payable at the venue, pay on the day
- Day/time: 10am – 5pm daily (last entry 4.45pm)
- Cost: £2.40
Broxbourne Woods Sculpture Trail:
The sculpture trail is part of the Broxbourne Woods National Nature Reserve. It is a short 1 km loop with nine sculptures along the way and is mostly flat and easily accessible. Broxbourne Wood is one of four woodlands that make up Hertfordshire’s only National Nature Reserve (NNR). NNRs are nationally important for wildlife. Some of the creatures that you might see on your visit here include: Butterflies – the white admiral, silver-washed fritillary and purple emperor, Birds – the green woodpecker and Reptiles – the common lizard and slow worm.
- Location: Broxbourne Woods, Bencroft Wood East or West Car Park, White Stubbs Lane, Broxbourne EN10 7QN
- Sign up: Follow the sculpture trail map which can be found here
- Day/time: Any
- Cost: FREE
Ashridge Estate:
Go deer spotting at the Ashridge Estate – a 5,000-acre area of the Chiltern Hills AONB with beech and oak woodlands, commons and chalk downlands. These very different landscapes each support a rich variety of wildlife, including carpets of bluebells in spring, rare butterflies in summer and fallow deer that rut (breed) in autumn.
- Location: Ashridge Estate, Moneybury Hill, Ringshall, Near Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, HP4 1LT
- Sign up: Just turn up!
- Day/time: Dawn until dusk, everyday
- Cost: FREE
Indoor activities
London Literature Festival:
Channel your inner bookworm at the London Literature Festival inside the Southbank Centre, taking place from 18 – 29 October 2023. Uniting readers of every age to celebrate the written and spoken word, it’s the longest-running celebration of the written and spoken word of its kind in the capital marking its 16th edition, with prestigious literary names alongside rising stars. This year’s festival features the likes of Jada Pinkett-Smith, George the Poet, Sir Patrick Stuart, Kerry Washington, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and more. Events and activities are running throughout the festival on various days, at various times, ranging from free up to around £75 +booking fee.
- Location: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX
- Sign up: Take a look at what events interest you to plan your visit here.
- Day/time: 18th – 29th October, various times
- Cost: From FREE and up to £75 + booking fee.
The Natural History Museum:
Learn what life was like for the biggest dinosaur, the Titanosaur exhibition will be featured at the museum until mid-January. For the first time ever Patagotitan mayorum will be going on display in Europe. At four times heavier than Dippy the Diplodocus and 12 metres longer than their blue whale Hope, this gigantic creature is a truly spectacular sight! Other seasonal exhibitions include the Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Although entry is free to the museum, if you want to visit these or any other seasonal exhibits there will be an additional charge.
- Location: Natural History Museum, Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD
- Sign up: Book your free entrance ticket and find out more about paid for exhibits here
- Day/time: Monday-Sunday, 10.00-17.50 (last entry 17.30)
- Cost: From FREE and up to £10.50 (for children up to 16 years)
Hilarity Academy Comedy Workshop:
A fun space for young people to learn and engage in the skill of making people laugh. Workshops include lessons on learning how to tell jokes, creating sketches, writing stand up material and clowning. The project is led by comedy professional Alice Devlin who has run workshops for organisations including the BFI, Jackson’s Lane and Haringey Shed. Alice also runs a popular monthly alternative comedy night.
- Location: St. Margaret’s House, 21 Old Ford Road London E2 9PL
- Sign up: Learn more and book your space on Eventbrite.
- Day/time: Monday 23rd October, School Year 7 upwards 1pm – 2pm
- Cost: £3
Have a great half-term, whatever you end up doing!
