Families can unleash their little monsters at Howletts Wild Animal Park this October half term, with a playful Halloween takeover packed with creepy creatures, pumpkin-loving animals and plenty of frightfully good fun – without the frightening price tag.
Running from 23 October to 1 November 2026, Howletts’ Little Monsters Go Free Halloween event has been designed with younger families in mind, swapping jump scares and horror for mischievous Halloween fun, hands-on activities and memorable animal encounters.
Best of all, kids go FREE, giving families an affordable way to enjoy a full day at the wild animal park over the school holidays.
Creepy, crawly and wonderfully wild
Brave little monsters can venture inside the Creepy Cave, where they’ll have the chance to get up close to fascinating reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates – discovering some of the creatures that creep, crawl and slither. Elsewhere around the park, Halloween gets an animal twist with Feast for Beasts. Howletts’ keepers and rangers will create pumpkin treats tailored to different species, from meat-filled pumpkins for the big cats to fruit, seeds and bugs for other residents. Families can watch as the animals investigate, pounce on and tuck into their seasonal enrichment.
There will also be some decidedly cheeky tricks to uncover on the Poo Detectives Trick Trail. Armed with an activity sheet, children can explore the park looking for clues about some of its residents’ more unusual toilet habits and work out which animals have been playing tricks on their keepers.
The park’s Conservation Station will also get a seasonal makeover, with spooky talks and activities hosted by Howletts’ Ranger team.
Calling all little monsters
Families are encouraged to dress for the occasion, with Howletts searching for its Little Monster of the Day. Visitors can share their best costumed – or suitably “spookified” – Howletts photos on social media for the chance to be selected in the competition, giving witches, ghosts, mini monsters and wild animals the perfect excuse to show off their Halloween looks.
The seasonal fun continues at the park’s cafés, where themed hot drinks and snacks will be available from the Pavilion and Elephant Café.
Tony Kelly, Managing Director, Howletts Wild Animal Park said:
“Halloween should be fun for the whole family, so this year we wanted to create an October half-term adventure that delivers all the excitement of the season without being too scary for younger visitors.
“From meeting creepy creatures and discovering some very cheeky animal tricks to watching our residents get stuck into their pumpkin treats, there will be lots happening around the park. And with kids going free, families can enjoy all the Halloween activities alongside a full day exploring Howletts.”
Howletts Wild Animal Park is set in 90 acres of ancient Kent woodland and is home to more than 390 animals across 52 species, including the UK’s largest herd of African elephants, Kent’s only giant anteaters and more gorillas than any other zoo in the country.
Little Monsters Go Free runs from 23 October to 1 November 2026 at Howletts Wild Animal Park, near Canterbury, Kent. Visit Howletts to find out more here.
