London half term fun is non stop this October, and most of it is indoors, so no weather worries to spoil the fun. And if you’re up for a few days in the city, we’ve even found you some sweet places to stay.
The Tower of London, half term Halloween trail
The Tower of London owns Halloween
Mix history with horror at the Tower of London this half term with a seriously spooky look into the past. Follow the trail around the Tower to discover ghosts, ghouls and grizzly tales from days gone by. Pick up your Halloween trail guide when you arrive and the trail is included your ticket price.
Tickets: child, £16.80; adult, £33.60.
When: 21 to 29 October 2023
Where: The Tower of London
Book a family hotel near Tower of London
We’re going on a bear hunt, Kew Gardens
Head to Kew Gardens for a half term bear hunt
Little half termers will love their very own bear hunt at Kew Gardens this October. It’s inspired by Michael Rosen’s adored children’s book so kids can splash splosh, swishy swashy, squelch squerch and make marvellous, muddy memories. Entry to the gardens includes the bear hunt.
Tickets: child, £5; adult, £17; 4-person family ticket, £44
When: 21 to 29 October 2023
Where: Kew Gardens, Richmond
Book a family hotel near Kew Gardens
London Literary Festival, Southbank Centre
The best sleepover in the world at Southbank Centre
Jaqueline Wilson is the tween fiction queen and ruling the London Literature Festival this half term with a celebration of her new book. The best sleepover in the world continues the adventures of the Alphabet Club and it’s being read live by the author, accompanied by art drawn on stage, by the illustrator Racheal Dean.
Tickets: child & adult, £12
When: 26 October 2023
Where: Southbank Centre
Book a family hotel in central London
Clown around with Oh No, George!
Naughty dog George is paying a visit to the Polka Theatre this half term, and it’s going to be madcap fun all the way. Adapted from the Chris Haughton book, the show features acrobatics, slapstick comedy, and a lot of laughs. Alongside this, 27 October brings the opportunity to take part in the Clowning Around Comedy Workshop to learn some of the comic capers employed by the Oh No, George actors.
Tickets: show, £10; workshop, £12
When: 19 – 29 October 2023
Where: Polka Theatre, Wimbledon
Book a family hotel in Wimbledon
Turn it up at the Science Museum
The museums are always a sure fire winner for affordable half term fun, and this half term, the Science Museum is adding on a new exhibition that delves into the power of music. Kids will love jumping around on the musical playground, as well as getting hands on with MiMU Gloves (as seen on the hands of Ariana Grande) that can control music-making software live on stage. There’s loads more for music lovers of all ages
Tickets: from £8 and free for under-4s
When: from now until 6 May, 2024
Where: Science Museum, Exhibition Road, South Kensington
Hop on the bus with Peppa Pig
Sightseeing has never been as much fun as on this Peppa Pig Bus Tour, liveried with Peppa Pig decals and all set up for a very British afternoon tea on board. Themed for the Halloween season, the tea features items like Freddy Fox’s Eerie Egg & Cress finger sandwich and George’s Mischievous Pumpkin Pie, with options for vegan, veggie, halal and gluten free diners too. The bus will pass many major London landmarks while passengers sing along to their favourite Peppa Pig songs.
When: 19 – 22 October & 26 – 29 October
Where: Departs from Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA
The Boy and the Heron, Hayao Miyazaki
Marvellous manga at the Young V&A
This half term, the Young V&A opens the doors to a world of Japanese culture in its special exhibition, Japan: Myths to Manga. The exhibition will take families on a wild trip into the world of the Far East, to explore how the ancient and modern stories of Japan have shaped everything from art to design and technology.
Tickets: entry to the Young V&A is free, exhibition tickets, £10
When: now until September 2024
Where: Young V&A, Bethnal Green
Ted’s Space Adventure, Royal Observatory Greenwich
Take a trip to space at Greenwich Planetarium
Explore the wonders of the solar system with Ted’s Space Adventure, a planetarium show that’s perfect for kids aged 3 – 7. Presented by an astronomer from the Royal Observatory, the show brings music, rhyme and interactivity alongside some genuinely educational elements.
Tickets: child, £6; adult, £12
When: 21 to 29 October 2023
Where: Planetarium Royal Observatory Greenwich
Boo at the Zoo is back this October half term
London half term tradition, Boo at the Zoo, is back with tricks and treats galore as well as scarily wild wildlife and some cute babies too. Decorate pumpkins, head to Ghoul School to learn some spells and party heartily in the bubble boogie. There are face painters on hand as well as masks to make, and terrifying talks to learn all about the animals. Included in the regular entry price.
Tickets: child, £28.10; adult, £38
When: 21 to 31 October 2023
Where: London Zoo, Regent’s Park
Coven Garden Trick or Treat Trail, London half term
Join the Covent Garden Trick or Treat Trail
This Halloween, head to Covent Garden to join in with the frightful fun with a wicked Trick or Treat Trail. Put your observation skills to the test, and learn some fun facts along the way, as you fill your basket with treats from the participating market traders. Best of all, the trail is completely free!
When: 27 October 2023, 12 to 5pm
Where: Covent Garden
Book a family hotel in Covent Garden
Drop-in Design: Diva Style, V&A London half term
V&A London half term diva workshops
Get creative and let your inner fashionista shine through at Drop-in Design: Diva Style at the Victoria & Albert Museum this half term. Led by designer Matthew David Andrews, families can try on pieces from the Diva Families Collection to discover fabrics, shapes and colours, and learn what makes them look and feel great. Plus, it’s free.
When: 25 to 27 October 2023
Where: V&A South Kensington, London
Book a family hotel near the V&A
Pop up school of confidence, V&A
Enrol kids at the V&A School of Confidence
Give kids a London half term boost at the Pop Up Performance: School of Confidence! Led by Drag Queen and King, That Girl, and Brent Would, the workshops are all about confidence-boosting through movement, performance and fun. Learn your perfect power pose, how to strut a catwalk and find the accessories that make you feel a million dollars. This is free, but you need to pre-book.
When: 25 to 27 October 2023
Where: V&A South Kensington, London
Brick Dinos, Horniman Museum
Meet dinosaurs with a difference this October
Take a trip into a past with a twist at the Horniman Museum dinosaur exhibition where all the exhibits are crafted from LEGO. Kids can meet models of a Masiakasaurus, a life-size flying pterosaur, and rare Polacanthus, plus there’s digging for fossils too, and plenty of LEGO to play with, of course.
Tickets are £10 adults and £4.50 children, with offers for family bundles.
When: from now until 29 October 2023
Where: Horniman Museum & Gardens
Book a family hotel near the Horniman Museum
Tales from Acorn Wood, Arts Depot
Arts Depot is up to all sorts all half term
Family fun is the name of the game at Arts Depot this half term, with activities to suit all ages. Tales from Acorn Wood dives into Julia Donaldson’s iconic stories for the youngest children, while the 3 day Make Your Own Superhero camp is guaranteed fun for ages 7 – 11.
There’s also a kid-friendly string quartet performance, as well as a pop star workshop, and the return of Olaf Falafel with his Super Stupid Show.
Tickets: find out about great value Arts Depot membership
When: 20 to 28 October 2023
Where: Arts Depot, North Finchley
Feel the magic in 100 years of Disney
As Disney celebrates its 100th year, London ExCel is hosting the most marvellous Disney exhibition ever seen. Disney 100: The Exhibition will showcase everything from sketches of Mickey Mouse to Cinderella’s glass slipper among the more than 250 items of Disney props, art, and costumes. It’s a huge exhibition across 20,000 square feet and a once-in-a-lifetime event for Disney fans in London.
Ticket prices: child, £20; adult £28; family ticket bundles £19.75pp
When: from now until 31 January 2024
Where: London ExCel, Royal Victoria Dock
Book a family hotel near London ExCel
Fill your half term days with discovery at Hyde Park
Free Discovery Days at Hyde Park are another great London half term event returning this October. Families can get up close and personal with a wealth of creepy crawlies at the Hyde Park Learning Centre in London. Visit the Witches Den to see what you discover in the ‘feely boxes,’ look for bats in The Royal Parks, and explore a creepy nature trail to discover the wildlife under our noses. Round it off with a spooky story and it sounds like a great (and completely free) day out.
When: 24 to 26 October 2023
Where: Hyde Park
Book a family hotel near Hyde Park
The Foundling Museum © G G Archard
Get creative with your kids at the Foundling Museum
London half term workshops are running most days at the Foundling Museum this October, offering opportunities for families with kids aged 5 – 12 to express their creative side. Workshops range from making spooky sculptural spiders with artist Laura C Carle to playful printing and weaving workshops.
Tickets: workshops cost £3 for 1 child and 1 adult, other children attend free
When: 24 to 27 October 2023
Where: Foundling Museum, Brunswick Square
English Heritage Halloween 2023
Channelling Halloween for half term at Eltham Palace
Step into a spooky world of fun at Eltham Palace this October. Each day of the half term holiday, the Palace is running kids’ activity programmes, including creating grizzly ghosts, terrifying treasure hunts, spooky storytelling, and more.
Tickets: from £11
When: 21 to 29 October 2023
Where: Eltham Palace and Gardens
Book a family hotel near Eltham Palace and Gardens
Halloween, Hampton Court Palace
Will you dare Hampton Court hauntings?
This half term, families can immerse themselves in the hauntings of Hampton Court, King Henry VIII’s notoriously spooky palace. Atmospheric projections and blood-curdling sound effects will bring the history of the palace to life, letting you get closer to the ghosts that are rumoured to roam the corridors. If you survive the experience, the cafe is open with special Halloween themed treats and spooky storytelling too.
Tickets: from £13.10
When: 21 to 29 October 2023
Where: Hampton Court Palace, Surrey
Book a family hotel near Hampton Court Palace
Weird and wonderful weather at the Royal Albert Hall
A London half term original, Ensonglopedia is bringing The Puddle at the End of the World to the Royal Albert Hall on 24 October. Join Jamie and Nanna as they escape rising sea levels and set out on an adventure to stop climate change in its tracks.
Tickets: £13 for each performance
When: two performance on 24 October 2023
Where: Royal Albert Hall
Book a family hotel near Royal Albert Hall
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