Families can enjoy three days of free Halloween-themed activities in Basingstoke’s Top of the Town this October half-term, with creative workshops, science experiments, interactive play and a pumpkin trail taking place across Cross Street, Market Place and the War Memorial Park.

The Love Basingstoke Spooktacular October half-term event, funded by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, will run from Wednesday 28 October to Friday 30 October, between 11am and 3pm each day, offering a packed programme of activities for children of all ages.

On Wednesday 28 October in Cross Street, children can test their lightsaber skills with Little Musketeers, explore themed role-play areas with Pop Up Play Village, create custom slime with Scratch Built and make a flying witch or bat with Fun Science.

Activities continue on Thursday 29 October in Market Place, where visitors can make a wicked wand and spell book with Artful Kids, create a sock puppet with Scratch Built and build a pirate ship with Inventors and Makers. Families can also take part in the Basingstoke Voluntary Action Pumpkin Trail in the War Memorial Park, collecting a free map from The Orchard before setting off to search for hidden pumpkins around the park.

The final day on Friday 30 October will feature a spooky science demonstration from Genie Lab, complete with monster-themed reactions and the chance to make googly-eye slime to take home. There will also be Halloween crafts with Rachel Davis and Jacky Purtill, alongside an opportunity to screen-print a personalised Trick or Treat bag with Berkshire Printmakers.

Children taking part can also join a frightfully fun sticker challenge, collecting a sticker at each activity to add to their Halloween activities programme.

The borough council’s Cabinet Member for Sports, Leisure and Culture Councillor Kerry Morrow said: “Our Spooktacular October half-term programme is packed with fun, free activities that will help families make the most of the school holidays in Basingstoke town centre.

“From crafts and science demonstrations to imaginative play and the pumpkin trail, there is something for everyone to enjoy. We look forward to welcoming residents and visitors for three days of Halloween-themed fun.”

For the latest information and any event updates, visit www.LoveBasingstoke.co.uk and follow Love Basingstoke on social media. Dates, times and activities may be subject to change.