Autumn Activities

The September long weekend sees the start of some special autumn events and activities for youngsters in South Ayrshire, running through the October holidays to Hallowe’en and beyond. Here’s our round-up of what’s happening at venues across South Ayrshire, whether you need the kids kept busy during the day or are looking for family fun.

September Weekend

South Ayrshire Council Sport & Leisure

A group of children in a gym hall sitting on equipement.

Action packed session with gymnastics and fun games for beginners and those with some experience.

Children standing in a field posing for a photograph with a flag.

Exciting activities, friendly games and fun learning experiences.

Promotional graphic for “Culzean’s Autumn Trail.” The design resembles an old treasure map or parchment framed with brass rivets. Large brown text reads: “Culzean’s Autumn Trail” and “Can you help Tom find his home before the first frost arrives?” Decorative vintage items, including a compass and antique keys, appear around the edges in warm autumnal tones of cream, gold, and brown.

Culzean Castle & Country Park

Follow the clues and animal footprints to help Tom Toad find his cosy hibernation home before the first winter frost arrives.

October Holidays

Hallowe'en at Rozelle House - The Tam o' Shanter Experience
Tam o' Shanter Experience at Rozelle House

Hallowe'en at Rozelle House and McKechnie Institute

Back for its second year, the Tam o’ Shanter Experience invites you to see Robert Burns’ fantastical tale brought to life through Alexander Goudie’s magnificent paintings and the spookiest of settings! Take a walk in Tam’s shoes – wander through the market scene, stumble upon the graveyard and make a quick exit and across the ‘Brig o’Doom’, before the ghouls at Alloway Kirk get hold of you!

Open to everyone brave enough!

Hallowe’en Crafts at Rozelle House

Fun, free and family friendly self-led Hallowe’en crafts for all to enjoy. Our Hallowe’en engagement space is a safe spot to hide in if the main Tam o’ Shanter experience is too scary for our younger gallery guests. Try colouring a pumpkin and make your own Tam o’ Shanter bunnet.

Children doing crafts below a Hallowe'en pumpking lantern.

Spooky Stories at Rozelle House

Keep your eyes peeled and pickled for some spooky Hallowe’en story telling sessions within the galleries

Pop out book with spooky haunted house.

Hallowe’en Crafts at McKechnie Institute, Girvan

Fun, free and family friendly self-led Hallowe’en crafts for all ages. 

Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 1pm – 4pm Wednesday 1.30pm – 4.30pm Saturday 10.30am – 4pm 

Room set up for crafts for children.

South Ayrshire Libraries

This autumn, there’s even more reason to visit your local library! Alongside our fantastic programme of over 70 activities every week, we’re bringing some extra-special events and family fun to libraries across South Ayrshire.

The Gruffalo Week Workshops

Gruffalo Week

There’s no such thing as a Gruffalo… or is there?

Join us for a week of Gruffalo-themed fun, with Bookbug sessions, creative crafts, stories and a special Gruffalo film screening. Little ones can step into the deep dark wood, enjoy favourite characters and take part in activities inspired by this much-loved story. Visit your local library or check our website to discover what’s happening near you.

Tam o' Shanter Workshops

Tam o’ Shanter and Hallowe’en Fun

Get ready for some spookily good family fun this Hallowe’en!

Inspired by Robert Burns’ famous poem Tam o’ Shanter, our libraries will be hosting themed activities packed with stories, creativity and a few chills and thrills along the way. Whether you’re a brave witch, curious ghost or fearless adventurer, there’s plenty to enjoy for all ages.

Spooky pumpkins on a dark wooded trail.

Rozelle House and Robert Burns Birthplace Museum - Spooktacular Trail this Hallowe'en

10 October – 8 November

Take a wander through Alloway, between Rozelle House Museum & Galleries, and the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum (RBBM) and discover 12 handcrafted characters inspired by Robert Burns’ famous tale Tam o’ Shanter.  Trail sheets costs £3, available at Rozelle House and RBBM.

For more details call 01292 445 447 or email:  [email protected]

Robert Burns Birthplace Museum

Solve the creepy clues around the museum gardens and collect a spooky reward! Plus find the hidden golden pumpkin to win an additional prize (one per day).

Two people in black witch costumes walk through a sunlit garden, following a trail activity. One carries a sheet of paper while the other stands nearby. A broomstick and a decorative gravestone prop add a spooky Halloween atmosphere among the trees and grassy grounds.

Workshops & Craft Sessions

12 – 16 October, booking required via Eventbrite:

Each option is 45 minutes long
A child reaches out to gently touch a yellow and spotted leopard gecko being held in an adult's hand during an animal encounter workshop. The background is softly blurred, and the Zoolab logo appears in the bottom right corner.
Close-up of a hand holding a paintbrush while painting a colourful canvas on an easel. A paint palette covered in bright mixed colours is blurred in the background, highlighting a creative art workshop or painting class.
Several hand-painted ceramic skull lanterns in silver, gold, blue and white sit on a table during a pottery painting workshop. The decorative skulls feature colourful painted details around the eyes, nose and teeth, with red chairs visible in the background.
A ZooLab presenter carefully holds a patterned snake while children gather around for a close-up animal encounter. One child gently touches the snake as it coils across the presenter's hands. Other attendees are seated in the background, highlighting an interactive wildlife education workshop.
A promotional image for Heads of Ayr Farm Park's pumpkin patch. In the foreground, a young child sits on the back of a blue farm trailer filled with bright orange pumpkins. The child is wearing a light-coloured coat and autumn-themed clothing. Behind the trailer is a pumpkin field with rows of pumpkins and a tractor visible in the background. The sky is overcast, creating a seasonal autumn atmosphere. The Heads of Ayr Farm Park logo appears in the top-right corner with the text "since 1993".

Heads of Ayr Farm Park

Grab a wheelbarrow and your wellies for a fun-filled day out at the farm’s pumpkin patch. Access to the pumpkin patch is included with standard Farm Park admission, with an additional charge for pumpkins if you wish to purchase one.

South Ayrshire Council Sport & Leisure

South Ayrshire Council’s Sport & Leisure team has a great October Holiday Programme to keep the kids active while they’re off.

Booking information

Booking is required for all these activities. For more information, latest availability and to book, go to Holiday Programme – South Ayrshire Council.

Action packed sessions with gymnastics and fun games for beginners and those with some experience.

A group of children in a gym hall sitting on equipement.

Exciting activities, friendly games and fun learning experiences.

Children standing in a field posing for a photograph with a flag.
Boy swimming
Young girl using float noodle to help swim.

Hallowe'en Fun

In addition to those listed under October holidays, here’s more Hallowe’en events to look forward to.

Monster Ball at Dundonald Castle. Annual Hallowe'en Event.

Join us for a family-friendly Hallowe’en adventure packed with fun challenges, creative activities, and spooky surprises. Collect your Monster Score Card on arrival and complete six fiendishly fun challenges to earn your stamps and become an official Monster Mash Champion!

Timed entry slots available every 15 minutes. Advance booking recommended. Tickets on sale soon, keep an eye on our social media and website for updates.

Nightime parade. Families holding lit lanterns.

Pop into one of the drop in Lantern Making sessions at the Wee School Artspace before the Lantern Parade on 24 October.

Halloween Spooky Fun

Hallowe’en Spooky Fun at the Cutty Sark Centre

Join us for some Hallowe’en Spooky Fun with Moxie Creative Kids at the Cutty Sark Centre. Enjoy an hour long session of dancing, glitter tattoos and a craft item to make and take home.

Sessions are free, but booking is required. Details will be added soon, please check our social channels for info.

Colorful Halloween-themed promotional poster for Heads of Ayr Farm Park. Large purple bubble text at the top reads “Halloweenies” against a bright green background with purple slime drips, stars, confetti, and a cartoon spider. The centre features the Heads of Ayr Farm Park logo. On the left, an orange circle advertises a “Halloween Disco” and “Spooky Characters,” with a photo of a costumed character below. On the right, an orange circle reads “Prizes for Best Costume,” next to a goat dressed in an orange pumpkin costume. Additional text at the bottom includes “Sat 31st Oct +”. The design uses vibrant Halloween colours including purple, orange, green, and black.

Family-friendly tricks, treats, mischief and fun throughout the day, including meet-and-greet spooky characters, mad science lab, themed animal parade, pumpkin hunt and Act About duo performing their Halloween Spooktacularthon Show.

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