LITTLE monsters can have a ball at a host of Halloween events across Dorset and the New Forest. Here's your guide to what's on.

1. Hengistbury Head's popular Hallowe'en trail returns on October 26 and 27 between 10am and 3.30pm. Visitors will need solve clues as they go before collecting a small prize. The event starts and finishes at the Visitor Centre. There’s no need to book and entry costs £3 per child.

2. Create your own pumpkin masterpiece at Upton Country Park on October 26 and 27 from 10am until 4pm. Pumpkins and tools will be provided and costs £4 per child. Then on Sunday, October 28, there will be a pumpkin parade in the Walled Garden between 11am and 3pm. There will be prizes for the best pumpkin and fancy-dress for children and adults with themed crafts and activities taking place throughout the day. Entry costs £2.50 per child.

3. Moors Valley Country Park is holding a Hallowe'en party on Saturday, October 27 and Sunday, October 28, between 1.30pm and 4pm. There will be blindfolded apple bobbing, potion making, face painting, Halloween crafts and more. Fancy dress is essential for kids and adults. No need to book, just turn up. Pumpkin carving sessions will take place between 10am and 11am and 11.30am and 12.30pm. Costs £6.50 per pumpkin and booking is required.

4. Metropole Market’s Day of the Dead theme is back for 2018 on Sunday, October 28. There will be street performances, food stalls and music. Dressing up is essential.

5. Highcliffe Castle will be holding a family friendly Hallowe'en event on October 27 and 28 between 2pm and 7pm. There will be a trail and craft activities. No booking required.

6. There will be Halloween fun at Corfe Castle until Sunday, October 28. Activities include an All Hallows Quest, a Trebuchet missile launch, plus youngsters will be able to take their teddy on The Great Escape. This event is free, but normal admission charges apply.

7. Adventure Wonderland will have spooky shows, a scary maze and creepy characters during half-term week. Then, between 6.30pm and 10pm, on October 26 and 27, there will be a Monsters Bash. Booking essential.

8. Southbourne's Frankenfest returns on October 27. Between 10am and 7pm in Southbourne Grove, there will be a Hallowe'en parade, trick or treating, apple bobbing, face painting, rides for children, fancy dress, a pumpkin glow and more. Then from 7pm until 10pm, there will be live music onstage.

9. Avon Tyrell activity centre in Bransgore will be hosting a Halloween trail on Sunday, October 28. Entry costs £5per person and is free for adults. Visitors will have to brave some creepy challenges and gruesome activities. Fancy dress is encouraged and sessions take place between 10am and 12pm, 11am and 1pm and 12pm until 2pm.

10. The Russell-Cotes Museum will have Hallowe'en-themed crafts, trails and a ghoulish treasure hunt during half-term week. Youngsters will be able to make their own Hallowe'en-themed wind chimes, skull tealight holders and wreaths at points throughout the week.

11. Join the National Trust for mulled-cider and sausage casserole at Studland beach on Saturday, October 27, and a nighttime walk under the stars. Costs £12 for adults and £9 or children.

12. A Hallowe'en bat trail takes place at Durlston Country Park until Oxtober 28 from 11am to 3pm. There will be a walk through the woodlands to look for bats and the chance to win a prize. Costs £3.

13. Zombies will be taking over Poole's Falkland Square on Saturday, October 27, from 10am. Poole Zombie Fest is a free, family day with all visitors encouraged to arrive in fancy dress with a special effects team on hand to add finishing touches ahead of a zombie parade with a 'worst dressed zombie' competition. There will also be a pop-up zombie-themes escape room set up in the Square plus craft and food stands in the high street.

14. A Freaky Friday Hallowe'en event comes to Ringwood's Furlong centre on October 26 from 11am. There will be arts and crafts, monster mask making, a Hallowe'en hula display, face painting, a cauldron lucky dip and more. The event is free.

15. New Forest Heritage Centre Museum in Lyndhurst will be open after dark on October 26 between 6pm and 7.30pm. Visitors are invited to dress up in their spookiest outfit and take a torch for the chance to learn about the forest's nocturnal animals with crafts, trails and other drop-in activities. Activities by donation, no booking required.