Looking for things to do with the kids this October? We've got you covered, with activity camps, swimming, crafts, outdoor adventures and Halloween fun across the Highlands, whatever the weather.
The Highland school October holidays run from Monday 12 October to Friday 23 October 2026. Here's our pick of what's on from High Life Highland.
How to book
Most of our School's Out activities are booked through our School's Out – October 2026 page. To see everything on during the holidays, set the dates from 12 October to 23 October, then use the filters to narrow things down. For example, pop in your postcode and choose a distance to see activities near you.
If you already know which activity you want, type its reference number (for example, SOO000807) into the "Search term or Reference number" box and select "Search activities".
Spaces are limited and some activities are already fully booked, so get booked in soon. We're adding new activities all the time, so keep checking back.
Explore The Inverness Castle Experience
The Inverness Castle Experience has its own School's Out at the Castle programme this October. Young explorers can:
- hunt for hidden LEGO® bricks before building their very own LEGO® castle to take home (Monday 12 and Monday 19 October)
- create a unique story stone in the Saltire Bistro (Thursday 15 and Wednesday 21 October)
- make their own rose window, inspired by the historic rose window featured in the castle (Friday 16 October)
There's also a Mini Highland Games in the Castle Gardens on Thursday 22 October.
Don't miss The One O'Clock Piper every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 1pm. Included with your Experience ticket, this unique lunchtime performance offers a memorable Highland welcome, spectacular views across Inverness, and the opportunity to meet the piper afterwards.
More than a castle, The Inverness Castle Experience is a modern, immersive journey into the stories of our landscape, people and heritage. Discover interactive installations, immersive exhibits and hands-on activities, then refuel in the Saltire Bistro, which serves up wee portions for little visitors.
Castle activities are booked through The Inverness Castle Experience website.
Activity camps across the Highlands
Our activity camps and days are packed with football, dodgeball, rounders, tag games, parachute games, relay races and plenty more. They're led by our Active Schools team and Young Sports Leaders, and most are for P1 to P7 pupils. Remember to bring a snack (no nuts) and a water bottle, plus a packed lunch for full-day camps.
Inverness, Nairn and Culloden
- Inverness Royal Academy Sports Centre, 12 to 16 October (SOO000643)
- Charleston Community Complex, 12 to 15 October (SOO000726)
- Cawdor Primary School, 13 to 15 October (SOO000710)
- Craigmonie Centre, Drumnadrochit, 14 and 15 October (SOO000719)
- Culloden Academy, 20 to 22 October (SOO000725)
Ross-shire
- Dingwall Primary School, 12 October (SOO000704)
- Ben Wyvis Primary School, Conon Bridge, 13 October (SOO000705)
- Strathpeffer Primary School, 14 October (SOO000706)
- Fairburn Memorial Hall, Marybank, 15 October (SOO000707)
- Tarradale Primary School, Muir of Ord, 16 October (SOO000708)
- Dingwall Academy, 19 and 20 October (SOO000709)
- Gairloch Leisure Centre, 20 to 22 October (SOO000789)
Sutherland and Caithness
- Thurso High School, P1 to P4 basketball and football, 12 and 13 October (SOO000818)
- Helmsdale Multi Use Games Area, 19 October (SOO000828)
- Brora Primary School, 19 October (SOO000834)
- Dornoch Community Centre, 22 October (SOO000835)
- Bonar Bridge Community Hall, 23 October (SOO000836)
- Lairg Community Centre, 23 October (SOO000837)
Our activity days at Dingwall Primary, Conon Bridge, Strathpeffer, Marybank and Muir of Ord were made possible thanks to Summer of Sport funding.
Hit the pool!
The holidays are a great time to build confidence in the water. Our intensive swimming lessons help children progress their swimming over a few days in a fun and safe environment. Courses are running at Inverness Leisure, Nairn Leisure Centre, Culloden Academy Leisure Centre and Craig MacLean Leisure Centre in Grantown-on-Spey, for a range of levels.
Looking for something different? Pool Games at Nairn Leisure Centre help 8 to 11-year-olds gain water confidence and team building skills (SOO000636 and SOO000642). Confident swimmers can learn key water safety skills on our Rookie Lifeguard Bronze course at Culloden Academy Leisure Centre (SOO000763).
Sports and active fun
There's lots to keep active kids busy this October. Highlights include:
- trampolining at Inverness Leisure for ages 10 to 15 (SOO000750)
- an afternoon Athletics Camp at Inverness Leisure for ages 8 to 15 (SOO000798)
- indoor climbing at Lochbroom Leisure Centre, Ullapool (SOO000805 and SOO000806)
- Farr Active Girls, a free netball and badminton session for girls from P4 to S6 at Farr High School (SOO000827)
You'll also find team games, badminton, basketball, tennis, teen boxing and dodgeball at venues including Inverness, Culloden, Tain, Alness and Grantown-on-Spey.
Culloden Academy Dance Leaders are running mini dance, commercial, technique and lyrical dance classes at Culloden Academy Leisure Centre.
For little ones, our Inflatable Fun & Soft Play sessions at Inverness Leisure are the perfect opportunity to run around and burn off some energy, with sessions for different age groups from 1 to 10.
Sessions for children with additional support needs
We are trialling sessions specifically for children with Additional Support Needs (ASN) who may find mainstream sessions overwhelming or would benefit from a quieter, more relaxed environment. They run at a reduced capacity, and parents and guardians stay with their child to provide support.
At Inverness Leisure, choose from:
- ASN-friendly Team Games for ages 5 to 12 (SOO000736)
- Inflatable Fun for ages 3 to 10 (SOO000733)
- Intensive Swimming Beginner Lessons for ages 5 to 10 (SOO000685)
Halloween and family fun
Get your costumes ready! Our Halloween discos at Hilton Community Centre on Monday 19 October (SOO000770) and The James Cameron Community Centre on Friday 23 October (SOO000769) have games and dancing, a snack and juice cup included, and a prize for best dressed. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Fusion is back in Alness on Wednesday 21 October (SOO000821), with bouncy castle fun, Bookbug, soft play, crafts, Halloween games, pancake making and face painting. It's suitable for the whole family, so bring everyone.
Get outdoors with our countryside rangers
Join our countryside rangers to explore the natural world this October:
- a drop-in Bat Treasure Trail at Nairn Leisure Park on Wednesday 21 October, with no need to book
- pond dipping at Pefferside Park, Dingwall, on Wednesday 21 October (SOO000800)
- a trial Nature Club in Lil's Garden at Grantown Library on Friday 23 October (SOO000809)
- Nature at the Castle, a nature session in and around Inverness Castle on Wednesday 14 October (SOO000777 and SOO000778)
Family fun at Inverness Museum and Art Gallery
Inverness Museum and Art Gallery has a programme of drop-in activities and hands-on workshops this October. Whether your children love animals, building and making, food history or Vikings, there's something for everyone:
- The Last Wolf and Other Lost Animals, Wednesday 14 October, 10:30am to 3:30pm. Explore stories of animals that have disappeared from our landscapes through hands-on creative activities.
- Make, Build, Play, Thursday 15 October, 1pm to 4pm. A relaxed drop-in session with artist Jan McCormack, packed with chances to create, construct and experiment.
- World Food Day: Help Mrs Rollo!, Friday 16 and Saturday 17 October, 1pm to 2:30pm. A family workshop inspired by food, history and museum collections. Spaces are limited and advance booking is required.
- Meet a Viking!, Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 October, 11am to 3pm. Meet Laeknir Ulfrson the Viking, brought to life by Andrew Newton, and handle replica objects.
There's no charge for these events, but donations are welcomed. While you're there, explore the museum's exhibitions and collections, and stop by the coffee shop.
What's on at your local library?
Our libraries are a great place to spend some time during the October holidays. Many of our libraries run regular sessions like Bookbug, LEGO clubs and zine making, so pop in or check your local library's Facebook page to see what's on near you.
In Gairloch, children and families can collect leaves to make pretty autumn lanterns at Gairloch Community Library on Wednesday 21 October (SOO000802).
Not a member yet? It's free to join, with access to thousands of books, eBooks and more.
Ready for the October holidays?
Whether you're into sport, swimming, crafts, the great outdoors or a spooky Halloween disco, there's something for every family across the Highlands this October. We can't wait to welcome you.
