Benefit from autumn within the metropolis earlier than winter begins in earnest, with among the greatest issues to do at October half-term in London with children – and it’s not nearly Halloween. UPDATED FOR 2024
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You’ll discover actions for toddlers and teenagers, in addition to loads of inspiration for days out in London for October half-term, whether or not your children love animals or animation, getting open air or escaping rain at half-term in London.
Should you’re trying particularly for some ghoulishly good concepts for Halloween in London with children, the spooky enjoyable coinciding with October half-term in London this yr, so that you’ll discover some spooktactular days out – I’ve picked out among the greatest beneath.
Room on the Broom at Kew Gardens
It’s time to enterprise right into a magical world of witches, cats and pointy hats at Kew Gardens this half-term, primarily based on the much-loved e book Room on the Broom – and scroll down to take a look at the brand new Halloween at Kew illuminated path too.
The brand new October half-term path will take you thru among the winding paths of Kew, recognizing characters on the story, with some family-friendly actions to attempt to enjoyable installations to assist deliver the story to life – spot the frog hiding on this lily pond, be careful for canine’s muddy paw prints and scare off the dragon collectively.
There’ll be hidden wands to seek out alongside the best way, plus an opportunity to pose on the really magnificent broomstick on the finish of your journey. Runs from October 19-November 3, included with entry to Kew Gardens.
There’s a reduction on tickets for tickets to Kew Gardens if you happen to e book by my hyperlink utilizing code MUMMYTRAVELS6
Discovery Days at Hyde Park: Hair-Elevating Halloween
Wrap up heat and head exterior with the household this half-term for an additional version of Hyde Park’s household discovery days.
The park’s Hair-Elevating Halloween Discovery Days shall be full of loads of enjoyable and academic hands-on actions for youthful youngsters. You’ll be able to discover the eerie nature path, guess the ugly contents of the feely containers, take heed to spooky interactive tales, and be taught in regards to the many bats that decision London’s Royal Parks residence.
Fancy gown can also be inspired if you wish to get away the Halloween costumes a bit early. The free half-term occasion will run every day from October 29-31, between 11am and three.30pm.
Discover the supernatural at WWT London
Head to the London Wetland Centre in Barnes and there’s some spooky enjoyable to get you within the temper for Halloween.
This yr’s theme is ‘Discover the Supernatural‘, to find how tremendous wetland pure will be – head off trying to find fungi, weave a willow wand or craft your personal clay acquainted on the best way. There’s additionally a scavenger hunt card to identify among the hidden wonders of the wetlands.
Add in a 45-minute potion-making workshop, utilizing native crops (takes place at 11.30am) in addition to clay modelling impressed by actual life creatures or one thing from your personal creativeness (additionally 45 minutes, from 2.30pm) and the prospect to make your personal momentary piece of artwork (all day)
Runs from October 26-November 3. Actions are included in entry, no prebooking required (first come, first served),
Birds: Good and Weird on the Pure Historical past Museum
IIt’s time for birds to step into the highlight on the Pure Historical past Museum, with their new exhibition working all through the summer time.
Birds: Good and Weird seems at how birds have advanced over historical past, the secrets and techniques to their success and their stunning (and infrequently surprising) techniques to outlive.
There’s loads of interactive enjoyable, together with swirling round with a murmuration, chirping to the daybreak refrain and sniffing a smelly seabird egg – if you happen to’re courageous sufficient.
You can even meet the oldest fashionable chicken on the earth, discover out what a pigeon has in frequent with T-Rex, and extra about among the 11,000 species alive right this moment – which do all the pieces from present the soundtrack to our mornings to ones which suck blood or bathe in acid…
Runs to January 5, 2025. Tickets value £16.50 for adults and £9.95 for teenagers, together with skip-the-queue entry to the museum. Prebooking is strongly really helpful.
Chilly Battle Spies week at RAF Museum
Be part of Army Intelligence to trace down a secret Chilly Battle Spy on the Royal Air Pressure Museum this October half-term, with a variety of themed actions for Chilly Battle Spies week, aimed toward children aged 4-12.
Unpick the clues within the historic entrance room, or be part of a Lego Berlin Wall workshop to create your personal wall (and mark the anniversary of the autumn of the actual one, ending the Chilly Battle).
You can even check your expertise at piloting a helicopter (no, not an actual one) to drop important provides to east Berlin, construct a rocket and launch it into house, amongst different actions working from October 26-November 3.
You want further tickets for the assorted actions (with a charge of £3-£6.50), and prebooking is strongly really helpful, with some choices solely working on chosen days. Entry to the RAF museum itself is free.
Barbie on the Design Museum
An incredible choice for tweens, teenagers and anybody else who’s ever performed with a Barbie, this new exhibition on the Design Museum is about to be some of the fashionable on this yr, because it marks the model’s sixty fifth birthday.
With greater than 250 reveals, together with uncommon and revolutionary dolls, the exhibition seems on the means Barbie’s design has advanced from 1959 to the current day. Count on all the pieces from one of many very first dolls to the best-selling Barbie of all time, extra numerous and inclusive designs, in addition to her pals – not least Ken, but additionally everybody from Midge to her sister Skipper.
Add in Dreamhouses, autos, furnishings and extra from the Barbie universe and it’s an effective way to get children considering design – realistically this isn’t for little ones who’re nonetheless taking part in with dolls. Barbie®. Journey into the Barbie universe runs till February 2025.
Household actions at HMS Belfast
HMS Belfast has some nice nautical enjoyable once more over October half-term, together with a free household path to assist one unfortunate sailor discover his misplaced equipment – with 10 misplaced objects to trace down, with enjoyable details and tales alongside the best way.
Operating from October 26-November 3, there’ll even be free craft actions, together with an opportunity to design, sew and adorn your personal collar, in addition to dealing with real objects worn and utilized by the ship’s cruise, some courting again to the Nineteen Forties.
There’s additionally a return of its We Have been There household day on November 1. These occasions welcome some particular visitors who will draw upon their private experiences at sea to fascinate children with their wonderful tales.
Get a reduction if you happen to e book by my hyperlink utilizing the code MUMMYTRAVELS6.
Dressed to Ship on the Postal Museum
Channel your internal designed this October half-term on the Postal Museum, with a complete vary of crafts, making and storytelling.
Impressed by the postal uniforms in new exhibition, Dressed to Ship, there are many possibilities to get palms on, whether or not you fancy designing an outfit for a puppet, a very good deed patch, or simply having fun with the storytelling classes.
Included within the normal museum ticket – get a reduction if you happen to e book by my hyperlink utilizing the code MUMMYTRAVELS6. Periods are drop-in, so no must prebook, however it’s first come first served, so make sure to get to the museum early. Exhibition is ongoing.
Dinosaur rEvolution on the Horniman Museum
Among the finest issues to do in London with youthful youngsters is to pay a go to to the Horniman Museum, for the Dinosaur rEvolution exhibition.
Asking questions on what dinosaurs actually regarded like – maybe we must be imagining T-rex with feathers moderately than the standard greens and browns, and asks whether or not they have been higher off having horns, spikes and even quills!
There are 5 massive animatronic fashions, an opportunity to see casts of fossil skeletons and skulls and even some touchable graphics, to not point out dress-up and video games.
Entry to the Horniman Museum is free, however tickets to Dinosaur rEvolution prices £9 for adults, £6 for kids (free for under-threes). Runs to November 3.
The museum’s pure historical past gallery is quickly closed however the aquarium, butterfly home and gardens are additionally open to discover.
Horrible Histories: Horrible Thames Boat Journey
Leap aboard one of many last cruises of the Horrible Thames boat tour for 2024, to listen to the ugly and horrible historical past of some of the well-known rivers on the earth from the individuals behind Horrible Histories.
This immersive Thames boat tour takes you alongside the river to discover among the capital’s most well-known websites whereas listening to fascinating tales from extremely entertaining actors. Tailor-made towards youthful youngsters, the tour brings London’s historical past alive in a enjoyable and fascinating means.
With loads of uncommon details and engrossing tales in regards to the capital that you just received’t hear on different excursions, the Horrible Histories boat journey is a singular exercise your complete household is bound to get pleasure from. From October 26-November 3.
Take a look at what we considered the boat journey in my evaluate of the Horrible Thames tour
Shakespeare’s Globe Household Workshops and Demonstrations
Be part of a household workshop led by one of many Globe’s proficient actors, academics, or administrators and get the little ones within the nation’s most iconic playwright, Shakespeare himself.
Over the October half-term in London, the Globe is working a sequence of sensible Household Workshops on varied dates between October 28 and November 3.
You’ll be able to select between The Winter’s Story, Hamlet, Macbeth and Romeo & Juliet, with devoted classes for 5-8 and 9-12. The workshops will use quite a lot of actions and video games to attract out parts of language, characters, and themes within the performs.
The workshops aren’t the one household occasions happening on the Globe this half-term. You can even get pleasure from household storytelling classes themed round Hamlet, Macbeth and The Winter’s Story on varied dates from October 26-November 3, aimed age age 5-12 as nicely.
Or be part of a Ghosts & Ghouls household tour on varied dates over half-term, in addition to all through October. Some of the academic and strange half-term days out in London for households.
For extra issues to do on the South Financial institution with children, take a look at my ideas
Tales from Acorn Wooden, Finchley Arts Depot
Should you’re on the lookout for methods to entertain toddlers and preschoolers throughout half-term, The Gruffalo is again in London, as Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s much-loved story celebrates its twenty fifth birthday.
As Mouse units off by the deep, darkish wooden, attempting to evade being eaten by Fox, Owl and Snake, everybody’s favorite crafty little creature saves his furry pores and skin many times by telling tales of the Gruffalo – as everybody is aware of, there’s no such factor as a Gruffalo. Or is there?
Takes place on the Pentland Theatre, on the Arts Depot in Finchley, appropriate for ages 3+. Runs from October 26-31.
Kids’s theatre at Polka Theatre, Wimbledon
There are a few beautiful new performs at Wimbledon’s Polka Theatre for half time period, together with one aimed toward little or no theatregoers.
Comfortable Or Spiky is aimed toward children aged 6-18 months, and runs from October 19-November 24, full of shapes, sounds, textures and phrases exploring alternative ways to attach and perceive one another.
For age 4-8, The Storm Whale tells the story of Noi who lives together with his Dad and 6 cats by the ocean, and what occurs when he rescues somewhat whale that washes up on the seashore. From October 25-November 3.
And All the pieces Has Modified is for ages 6-12, all about why change occurs and methods to take care of it – fast-paced enjoyable, it seems on the chaos of the previous few years and the way we deal with it. From October 30-November 3.
The Components 1 Exhibition
F1 followers ought to head to London’s Excel Centre for The Components 1 Exhibition to see memorabilia, photographs and interviews with key F1 figures in an exhibition exploring the game’s previous, current and future.
There are interactive actions in addition to the shows in addition to an opportunity to be wowed by among the iconic vehicles pushed by previous and current F1 legends on the exhibition, which is at the moment working to finish of December.
Youngsters aged 12+ also can uncover what it’s like to take a seat behind the wheel with The Quickest Lap Simulator (have to be prebooked), a 10-minute expertise which is as shut as you will get with out competing your self.
Batman Unmasked
Batman is popping 85 and to assist have a good time the tremendous hero’s anniversary, new expertise Batman Unmasked has opened in London in time for autumn.
Designed to take you on a journey by the Caped Crusader’s historical past in movie, there are authentic props, autos and costumes on show – together with the Batpod from The Darkish Knight Trilogy and the Batmobile from The Batman.
You’ll be able to enterprise contained in the Batcave, in addition to themed rooms to deliver Gotham Metropolis to life, plus there’s an opportunity to see a number of totally different Batsuits worn by actors together with Christian Bale, Robert Pattinson and Michael Keaton, in addition to varied Supervillain fits, props and weapons – Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Mr Freeze go well with is coming to the UK for the primary time.
There’s additionally an opportunity for teenagers to seek out hidden Batman details throughout the exhibition and loads of photograph alternatives (to not point out numerous unique eighty fifth anniversary Batman merch on the finish). At the moment working to November 3 at Wellington St close to Covent Backyard.
MCM Comedian Con London
MCM Comedian Con is again at London’s Excel Centre from October 25-27, with a three-day celebration of all issues popular culture and a improbable option to begin half-term in London with children.
There’s one thing for all ages too. Older youngsters and teenagers can dress up of their greatest cosplay, take heed to stay panels and duties, play on the consoles and retro gaming machines, compete in board video games and RPG tournaments, and even meet a few of their favorite TV and movie stars.
And for youthful youngsters, The Treehouse affords a relaxed household lounge, face portray, workshops, masks making, comedian creation, and different family-friendly actions. Plus, children beneath 10 go without cost!
Halloween enjoyable in London
Should you’re on the lookout for extra Halloween issues to do in London with children at October half-term, I’ve picked among the greatest spooky enjoyable on this publish, devoted to all issues spine-chillingly good.
Or you possibly can take a look at my full listing of Halloween days out in London with children right here.
Halloween Household Quest at Eltham Palace and Gardens
Seize your broomstick and head to English Heritage’s Eltham Palace and Gardens, which is as soon as once more internet hosting one among their nice Halloween household occasions this October half-term.
There’ll be a Halloween Quest with creepy clues to unravel, as you discover the grounds of the lavish historic home. When you’ve accomplished the search, children also can hear unusual and supernatural tales from occasions previous.
Operating from October 26-November 3, tickets are free for English Heritage members, in any other case there’s a reduction for reserving prematurely.
Halloween on the Tower of London
There’s one other spooky Halloween expertise to be discovered at one of many capital’s most well-known sights, the Tower of London, as you comply with within the footsteps of a few of its notorious prisoners.
Halloween on the Tower of London is an exciting family-friendly journey by the landmark’s haunted previous, working from October 26-November 3, promising a hauntingly good time.
As you tour the Tower’s most infamous websites corresponding to Traitors’ Gate and the Bloody Tower, children will come nose to nose with roaming ghosts of characters who spent their last moments inside the partitions (with the assistance of projectors and eerie sound results) – count on stressed spirits starting from Roman troopers to the Wizard Earl.
The ghoulish Halloween Tower Tour is designed to spook not terrify although, and included in common admission, with a path to maintain observe of the ghosts you see. It’s greatest to e book your ticket prematurely to ensure entry in the course of the half-term holidays.
There’s a reduction on tickets for the Tower of London if you happen to e book by my hyperlink utilizing code MUMMYTRAVELS6
The Gunpowder Plot Immersive Expertise
Bear in mind, bear in mind the fifth of November… or moderately than remembering it, how about experiencing it for yourselves?
The Gunpowder Plot is an immersive layered actuality expertise wherein you’ll journey again in time and try and cease the notorious plot to explode the Homes of Parliament.
Appropriate for teenagers aged 12+, the Gunpowder Plot makes use of a mixture of VR expertise, particular results, immersive theatre, and bodily sensations to take you again to London in 1605.
The expertise takes place within the Tower Vaults, beneath the Tower of London, the place Man Fawkes and his fellow trailers have been imprisoned and tortured after their plan was foiled.
And simply to high all of it off, Man Fawkes himself is performed by Harry Potter star Tom Felton.
For extra concepts for Bonfire Evening in London with children take a look at my picks
Halloween at Hampton Courtroom Palace
If one haunted royal residence wasn’t sufficient, head right down to Hampton Courtroom Palace for an additional eerie expertise by Historic Royal Palaces.
At Hampton Courtroom Palace, this Halloween households can uncover the numerous darkish secrets and techniques of Henry VIII’s notoriously haunted palace. With creepy sound results and eerie projections, the palace shall be remodeled with the assistance of some enchantments and there are ghosts to come across round each nook.
There’ll be ghost hunters readily available that will help you search out all of the spine-chilling spirits inside the palace partitions, plus some spooky tales to get pleasure from and Halloween-themed treats within the cafe.
Ths hair-raisingly enjoyable expertise is appropriate for all ages, and runs from October 26-November 3.
There’s a reduction on tickets for Hampton Courtroom Palace if you happen to e book by my hyperlink utilizing code MUMMYTRAVELS6
Halloween at Kew Gardens
The Royal Botanic Gardens have been well-known for the Christmas gentle path for years, and now there’s an added deal with to begin winter off with a shiver, with this yr’s new Halloween at Kew Gardens occasion.
Observe the path because it leads you previous flickering flames in a fiendish fireplace backyard the place fireplace artists will depart you open-mouthed, and enterprise into the haunted woods, illuminatd with creepy cobwebs, depraved witches and beastly creatures.
Spy grinning pumpkins as they glow within the nightfall, be careful for ghastly ghouls and be prepared for a couple of extra stunned alongside the path, created by the identical individuals who design Christmas at Kew. There’s additionally marshmallows to toast, and scorching chocolate and scorching toddies to drink.
Timed entry slot on dates from October 18-November 3, excellent in case your children have an earlier half-term than most London faculties. Christmas at Kew, which has an extended run, all the time sells out so e book early for this.
Tips and Treats at Sea Life Aquarium
Enterprise into Sea Life London Aquarium for some Tips and Treats this Halloweeen, and also you’ll discover a string of creatures to provide the amazed shivers too.
In addition to the UK’s greatest assortment of piranhas, you possibly can be part of Serafina the Sea Witch who’s set some magical problem to seek out those that are worthy to hitch her military of ocean defenders.
As you be taught in regards to the methods some sea creatures can pull, fill within the exercise sheets and tackle the duties, you can additionally earn your self some Halloween treats. Runs from October 19-November 3, included in entry. There a reduction on prebooked tickets (which can also be really helpful throughout half-term).
Scared Shrekless at Shrek’s Journey
Look out for methods and treats at Shrek’s Journey this October half-term, as a part of Scared Shrekless.
Operating from October 26-November 3, you’ll discover a witch alongside the standard inhabitants of Far Far Away, able to shock guests with some methods (and treats). There’ll be an opportunity to snap a photograph earlier than she flies away, in addition to some enjoyable frights to get pleasure from – in addition to assembly the principle ogre himself, encountering Princess Fiona and Donkey and an journey on the 4D flying bus.
Included in normal entry, most particular occasions happen after the principle Shrek meet and greet of the expertise. Prebooking really helpful.
Ghoulish tales on the Cutty Sark
Greenwich’s iconic Cutty Sark is internet hosting a variety of family-friendly occasions to assist hold children entertained this October half-term – together with an opportunity to satisfy Nannie the witch, and learn the way the historic clipper ship obtained its title, one of many characters on the Cutty Sark.
Plus older children (12+) can get their hearts racing one other means, by climbing the ship’s well-known masts within the thrilling Cutty Sark Rig Climb Expertise.
There’s a reduction on tickets for the Cutty Sark if you happen to e book by my hyperlink utilizing code MUMMYTRAVELS6
Extra days out with children in London: ongoing
Science museum
The massively fashionable Energy Up can also be giving children (and massive children) the prospect to lose themselves in 5 many years of gaming once more this October half-term.
With 160 consoles, and the very best video video games of the previous 50 years, you possibly can tackle your loved ones at MarioKart, play retro favourites like Pong and Pacman, or showcase your Minecraft strikes. You’ll additionally want a day go (or annual go) to go to Energy Up.
Frameless
The UK’s largest, everlasting digital artwork exhibition opened in Marble Arch, Frameless lets children – and massive children – expertise artworks like by no means earlier than.
Set inside a 30,000 sq. foot house, with 4 separate galleries, guests can uncover key moments in artwork historical past, with state-of-the-art projection and movement sensor expertise to deliver to life work from artists together with Cezanne, Kandinsky, Monet, Canaletto, Rembrandt and Klimt.
With the prospect to the touch, transfer and work together with the work, it couldn’t be farther from a conventional gallery and the right means to assist households uncover the world of artwork.
Twist Museum of Illusions
There are some new reveals becoming a member of the illusions at Twist Museum – excellent for a wet day throughout October half-term in London with children (or a sunny one for that matter).
With over 60 reveals displaying totally different illusions and shows to trick all of your totally different senses, the interactive expertise is enjoyable for all ages. Prebook tickets right here.
Take a look at our evaluate of a go to to Twist Museum London with children
Paradox Museum
The brand new Paradox Museum London opened simply in time for the summer time holidays and there’s nonetheless likelihood to defy gravity and play with the boundaries of house.
The museum guarantees to take you into an inexplicable and extraordinary world, the place nothing appears logical – count on all the pieces from optical illusions to difficult paradoxes.
Excellent for teenagers who’re curious in regards to the world – and loads of enjoyable for the entire household. Visits final round 90 minutes, and Paradox Museum relies at 90 Brompton Street. Free for teenagers beneath 4.
Bubble Planet
Head to Wembley for some of the enjoyable actions in London this October half-term, at Bubble Planet.
Within the immersive expertise, now prolonged to the tip of October, you’ll go by themed rooms, fantastical landscapes and even attempt a scorching air balloon flight simulator, in addition to utilizing VR expertise to take you to a different planet – with all 10 rooms having the frequent theme of bubbles.
For extra issues to do at Wembley Park with children, take a look at my high picks
Take an open-top bus tour
Should you get a transparent October day, wrap up and profit from it on one among London’s open-top bus sightseeing excursions to select from, with totally different choices relying which routes and occasions you need.
Tootbus (beforehand referred to as The Authentic Tour) has a particular 45-minute London Youngsters tour in addition to the London Discovery hop-on hop-off choice.
There’s at the moment 20% off if you happen to e book on-line prematurely
Or the hop-on hop-off route from London Huge Bus Excursions additionally takes you previous most key landmarks, with some reductions on-line if you happen to purchase prematurely.
Observe a Treasure Map Path
These beautiful vibrant treasure hunt-style maps embrace three routes in central London – and there’s 10% off is you utilize the code MUMMYTRAVELS.
A enjoyable option to discover London with children, the hunts problem you to identify all types of quirky sights, from indicators and statues to carvings, all enlivened with a enjoyable fantasy design to remodel the actual life streets.
There’s additionally lots extra to entertain children throughout October half-term in London on the normal household sights – take a look at my decide of the very best 59 issues to do in London with children
Disclosure: This publish accommodates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee
Fundamental picture/Globe Theatre/HMS Belfast/Components 1 vehicles courtesy of Depositphotos, all different photos copyright MummyTravels
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