October half term in London is upon us and I’ve listed 40+ fabulous things to do with kids of all ages. There’s a storytelling festival in Battersea, a kid’s history of hip hop in Hoxton, 2 monster Halloween raves, engaging family theatre, creative workshops for mini makers + live music (classical, pop and African) for babies, toddlers AND grownups. Phew. In your face, boredom!!!
Have a brilliant break, m’lovelies.
BABES CHOICE
Storystock at Battersea Power Station, The Village Hall, 188 Kirtling St, London SW8 5BN (Battersea Park/Queenstown Rd rail/Sloane Sq or Vauxhall tube)
The circus of stories rolls back into Battersea Power Station for October half term. This season, you can catch a mix of author/illustrator talks and workshops, live shows including actual trapeze and irucs, and more family fun. Programme includes: Dr Seuss’s storytelling, the Harry Potter Show, Peter Rabbit and Friends, Julia Donaldson’s Monkey Puzzle, The Greatest Showman Singing Workshop and loads more! All ages welcome, some sessions best for 4+. Varying times and prices, £8-£20 – NB: some events take place at Battersea Arts Centre, check ahead with venue (Oct 22-24)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkhaban: Live Orchestra (PG) at Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP (South Kensington/High St Kensington tube)
Enjoy the magic of JK Rowling at this special feature of one of the most exciting instalments in the Harry Potter legend. The Prisoner of Azkhabhan sees Harry, Hermione, Ron and friends battling all manner of evil, while also encountering escaped inmate Sirius Black, shape-shifting Boggarts and a Hippogriff. The Royal Albert Hall screening includes musical accompaniment from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Best for ages 5+. 7.30pm (Tue), 1pm & 7.30pm (Wed) + 25 minute interval; from £28 + booking fees (Oct 23-24)
Shakespeare’s Globe: October Half Term at the Globe Theatre, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, SE1 9DT (Blackfriars/Mansion House tube)
There are some fantastic sounding events at the Globe theatre this October half term in London. Take part in Macbeth storytelling for ages 5+, and Macbeth workshops for ages 5 to 8 and ages 9 to 12 (Oct 23, 25 & 27, storytelling £10/workshops £7); go on a fangtastic adventure with Laura Ellen Anderson, author/illustrator of Amelia Fang, for ages 7+ (Oct 23, 11am-12pm, £8); there’s a puppetry workshop (Oct 23, 2.45pm, £7), prop and prosthetics workshop for ages 8+ (Oct 25, 2.45pm, £15); magical storytelling for ages 8+ with Vanessa Woolf (Oct 27, 11am, £10); and kids ages 6+ can celebrate Beano’s 80th anniversary in Beano Meets the Bard (Oct 27, 4.15pm, £8). Varying times and prices, confirm with venue ahead of visit (Oct 23-27)
Fun DMC: A Kid’s History of Hip Hop (pictured) at Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen, Hoxton Square, N1 6NU (Old St tube)
We LOVE the sound of this show. A historic hip hop tour from old school to present day, with DMC Champ DJ Matman and award-winning dancers Roxy & Marvel. MC Prankster will take you from block parties to stadium shows, DJ Kool Herc to Drake, showing how hip hop culture has boomed since its inception. The interactive family show is created by DJ Rod ’Spin Doctor’ Gilmore, founder of Fun DMC hip hop parties for kids and their grownups. All ages welcome. 2pm (doors 1pm); adult £8/child £5/babes-in-arms FREE (Oct 28)
A World Inside a Book: Gruffalos, Dragons & Other Creatures, at Discover Children’s Story Centre, 383-387 High Street Stratford, E15 4QZ (Stratford tube/overground/DLR)
Enter the 3D technicolour world of Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler, in the UK’s first immersive exhibition of their beloved tales for children. Lounge in the sitting room of Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book. Look out for the Gruffalo, or try and Squash and Squeeze around a large cow, hop through a Monkey Puzzle jungle, go underwater with Tiddler and the Snail and the Whale, and fly to new heights with Room on the Broom. Best for ages 0-8 (older kids and adults welcome too). 12pm, 3pm & 4pm (Mon-Thu term time); 10:15am, 11:05am, 11:55am, 12:45pm, 1:35pm, 2:25pm, 3:15pm, 4:05pm (Fri-Sun, or daily during school holidays); additional £1.50 per person + regular admission fee £6.50 adult/child, £22 family, child age 1 £2, under 1s FREE (extended until Jan 2019)
HALLOWEEN FUN
Royal Gunpowder Mills: Dr Gore’s Spooky Mad Lab, Waltham Abbey, Essex, EN9 1JY (Waltham Cross rail)
Spend October half term at Dr Gore’s Spooky Mad Lab, where you can get gooey at the slime station, create wacky experiments, make your own witches’ hats and miniature broomsticks or perhaps a rocket instead! Kids can also look around the famous Armoury and blow off steam in the play space. Ages 3+. Doors open 10am, last entry 3pm; adult from £10.50/child 3-15 from £8.50/family of 4 from £34.20/single parent family £24.75 (1 adult and 2 kids) (Oct 20-28)
Sea Life London: Ascarium, Sea Life London Aquarium, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7PB (Waterloo/Embankment tube/rail)
Taking the prize for worst puns, the Ascarium (ahem) is open this Halloween, inviting you to meet the Sea Witch, and follow the clues to unlock her treasure chest. Come face to face with razor-sharp teeth, deadly piranhas, and broomsticks hidden in the rainforest. Open daily from 10am-6pm (Mon-Fri, last entry 5pm), weekend 9.30am-7pm (Sat-Sun, last entry 6pm); adult from £21/child from £17/under 3s FREE (online prices, higher at door) (Oct 21-31)
Museum of London Dockland’s Night Owls Halloween Sleepover at No 1 Warehouse, West India Quay, London E14 4AL (West India Quay DLR/Canary Wharf tube)
Get goosebumps all over on a secret, behind the scenes tour of the Museum of London Docklands, helping solve crimes by torchlight. You can also hear spooky tales after dark, or go trick or treating around the galleries. Kids ages 7 to 11 (and at least 1 adult carer) are invited to the creepy night at the museum, which is followed by breakfast and a family film in the morning. 6pm-overnight (16 hours duration), £60 per person (Oct 26)
Ride the Steam or Diesel Halloween Ghost Train Epping Ongar Railway, North Weald CM16 6BT (Epping tube zone 6, bus to North Weald)
All aboard for another terrifying (but not too scary for tots) trip back in time, riding a real steam or diesel train that’s been pimped for Halloween. Journey through Epping Forest and North Weald (aka North Weird) and keep an eye out for some spooky surprises e.g. live magic, silent disco, ghost hunting, a bar for adults, and pop-ins by owls from Epping Forest Hawk and Owl Sanctuary. All ages. Train departures between 11.30am-8.45pm from North Weald and 12.05pm-8pm from Ongar (earlier trains best for younger passengers). Buses leave every half hour from 11am-7pm at Epping Station. Train and bus fare: adult £15 (Fri-Sat) & £13 (Sun)/child £12 (Fri-Sat) & £10 (Sun)/under 3s FREE (Oct 26-28)
Big Fish Little Fish: Halloween Spooktacular Family Raves (pictured) at Fire & Lightbox, 39 Parry Street, SW8 1RT (Vauxhall tube/rail) & at Hangar, Sidworth Street, London Fields, E8 (Hackney overground/London Bridge rail)
Ready for another monster rave session with the world-famous BFLF party animals? Well, this Halloween they’ll be terrorising the spot at two London venues. Head to the Spooktacular rave in Vauxhall at Fire & Lightbox (Sat Oct 27), where 3 rooms of live DJs will be dropping killer tunes for all ages. Over in Hackney at Hangar (Sun Oct 28), it’s DJ Barry Ashworth (Dub Pistols) inspiring mental moves for dance floor mayhem. Both venues feature the usual BFLF extras (with a Halloween twist) – e.g. glowstick and transfer tattoos, parachute dance finale, licensed bar, crafts with Captain Cookie and the Villa Pia baby chill out zone. For ages 0-8 and their grown ups. 2pm-4.30pm, tickets are adult £10, child £7 and pre-walkers go free (Oct 27 & 28)
Look out for the Halloween Kids Scoop coming next week. Boo!
SPECIAL EVENTS
Bloomsbury Festival, in and around Russell Square and Bedford Square, WC2 (Russell Square tube)
The brilliant Bloomsbury Festival launches with a street party to remember, celebrating 250 years of circus at Store Street (Oct 19, 6pm-9.30pm), with live acrobats, have-a-go hula hooping, music, food and more. Other family friendly events include free drawing with illustrator Sally Kindber (Oct 20, 2pm-4pm), young architects workshops (Oct 20, 11am-1pm & 1pm-4pm), a family art day at October Gallery (Oct 20, 10am-11.30am), and the Sunday Funday Festival Hub finale (Oct 21, 11am-4pm), a day of play, performance and crafting in Brunswick Square Gardens. Multiple venues and times from around 10am-7pm daily (check website), all FREE (Oct 18-21)
Kidtropolis at ExCel London, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, E16 1XL (Prince Regent (for ExCel) DLR)
This is one of those events that often has kids leaping for joy, and parents running for the hills. But if you don’t mind the inevitable queues and crowds, Kidtropolis is the ultimate jamboree for families this October half term. Watch Aliens Love Underpants, meet YouTube stars, hang with The Lorax, My Little Pony and others, play with kinetic sand and bumper cars, bounce on multiple inflatables, see Robots Live battles and dozens more activities on offer. 9.30am-1.30pm and 2.30pm-6.30pm); adult/child £13.20 or £19.20 discount for am & pm sessions, babies 12 months and under FREE (Oct 20-22)
Kings Cross October Half Term for Kids, multiple locations including The Crossing, the Granary Building, Granary Square, N1C (King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
There’s tons of free fun planned for kids of all ages at various King’s Cross venues. At The Crossing in the Granary Building, Granary Square, you can enter the King’s Cross Play Hub (Oct 20-28, not on Sundays, 11am-5pm, FREE) where play leaders will use props and toys to bring your child’s inner world to life; get creative with The Big Draw (Oct 20-28, 11am-5pm, FREE); start early on some Christmas decorations in a crafty workshop with Ilona Valkonen (Oct 25-26, 11am-5pm, FREE). Over at the Francis Crick Institute (1Miland Rd, NW1 1AT) you can get stuck in with Microscopic Marbling (Oct 20-28, all ages) plus Science on Screen presentations for older kids ages 14+. House of Illustration hosts a family art workshop themed ‘Our Bodies in Space’ (Oct 27, 2pm-5pm, ticketed). All other activities are FREE (Oct 20-28)
Children’s Afternoon Tea with Daunt Books: Launch Event with Emma Chichester Clark (pictured) at The Langham Hotel, 1c Portland Place, Regent Street, W1B 1JA (Bond St/Oxford Circus tube)
Celebrating the launch of a new Children’s Afternoon Tea with Daunt Books, author/illustrator Emma Chichester Clark will be on hand to meet kids and families at the Langham on Oct 22. Book worms of all ages will enjoy picking up a new book from a curated library, then trying out the tea with jigsaw puzzle sandwiches, and an assemble-your-own dog cake! Children’s Afternoon Tea is for ages 12 and under. The Launch Event begins 12pm (Sun Oct 22); afternoon tea for kids is 12pm-5.30pm daily, £29 per child (from Oct 22)
Institute of Imagination: October Half Term in London, at the Imagination Lab, The Workshop, 26 Lambeth High Street, SE1 7JS (Lambeth North tube)
Get into some STEM stimulation with the fabulous Institute of Imagination. Kids ages 7 to 12 can be dropped off for Lab Liftoff: Monster Robots with U Can Too, a two-day robot coding workshop to get you in gear for Halloween (Oct 22-23, 10am-4pm, £120 x 2 days). Kids ages 7 to 12 can also be dropped off for one or two-day coding workshops with Lab Liftoff: Coding Camp with Fuze (Oct 25-26, 9.30am-3.30pm, £45 per day, packed lunch essential).
FAMILY CONCERTS
David Gibb & Brady Rymer: Songs Across the Pond at Half Moon Young People’s Theatre, 43 White Horse Road, London E1 0ND (Limehouse DLR)
Award-winning singer songwriter David Gibb and three time Grammy nominee (Best Children’s Album) Brady Rymer have put together a stomping live show, crammed with toe-tapping tunes. Songs Across the Pond blends a range of instruments and musical genres, inviting the whole family to move and groove along. Ages 3+. 11am & 2pm; £7 (Oct 20)
Aurora Orchestra Family Concert: Bach and the Noisy Night Time at Kings Place, 90 York Way, London, N1 9AG (Kings Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
The wonderful Aurora Orchestra are back with another storytelling concert for kids at Kings Place. It’s way past bedtime, but who can sleep when there’s splashy rain, jumpy sheep, and twinkly stars keeping you up? Bach’s music weaves into an original story from Kate Wakeling (Aurora Writer-in-Residence) in a multi-sensory show for ages 0 to 5 and families. 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm (Oct 20) & 10am, 11am, 12pm & 1.30pm (Oct 21, Oct 27 & Oct 28); £6.50-8.50/family of 4 £23.50 – hurry, last remaining tickets available! (Oct 20-21 & Oct 27-28)
Mwalimu Express Family Party at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA (Shoreditch High St overground)
It’s no secret that Mwalimu Express is one of our favourite family affairs. The monthly African-infused party presents a live band every week, along with African games, DJ sets from Rita Ray and Max Reinhardt, delicious food, parent and toddler dance sessions, clothing and crafts stalls, and wraps up with an African film. This month, 90-year-old genius piano player and le grand maitre of PianOrienta, Maurice El Medioni hits the stage with the El Medioni Quartet. You can also watch the stunning new documentary Maurice El Medioni: The Birth of PianOriental. All ages. 2pm-6pm; FREE (Oct 21)
Also see: Africa on the Square, a massive party for all the family at Trafalgar Square (Oct 27)
Southbank Sinfonia Family Concert, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube/rail)
Go on a time-travelling adventure with the Southbank Sinfonia, with 33 musicians unboxing the secrets of classical music. Learn why an overture is to opera as a trailer is to a blockbuster movie, and discover the many characters of the orchestra. After the show, you can meet the musicians, have a go at their instruments or just ask questions. For ages 5 to 11 + grownups. 11.30am; adult £8/child £4 (Oct 27)
Wake Up Gigs: Amaroun + Owen Duff (pictured) at the Ace Hotel, Shoreditch E1 6JQ (Shoreditch High St overground/Old St tube)
The brilliant Wake Up Gigs combines live bands and baby makers for a groovy afternoon of music, dancing and play. Husband and wife creators Adam and Sarada present another session, this time with rising star Amaroun and support act Owen Duff at the lovely Ace Hotel. Bring ear defenders (for little ones) and dancing shoes (for all). The pop-up event also offers soft play, arts and crafts, baby changing, buggy space, licensed bar and refreshments. All ages from babies upwards. 1pm-5pm; adult £5/child FREE (Oct 28)
MUSEUMS & WORKSHOPS
Big Draw at Tower Bridge, Tower Bridge Exhibition, Tower Bridge Road, SE1 2UP (Tower Hill/London Bridge tube/rail, Tower Gateway DLR)
Artist in Residence, Imogen Piper leads another Big Draw workshop, down in the Victorian Engine Rooms. Come and try your hand at sketching your own engines and making fascinating patterns using the power of pneumatics. All ages welcome. 10am-4pm; FREE (Oct 20)
October half Term at The Postal Museum (pictured), 15-20 Phoenix Place, WC1X 0DA (Farringdon, Russell Square, Chancery Lane tube; King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
The Postal Museum joins forces with Bloomsbury Festival to celebrate 100 years of Votes for Women (this year’s festival theme). Hear suffragettes Miss Solomon and Miss McLellan (Oct 20) talking about their campaign to get to 10 Downing Street. Throughout the school break, kids can also take part in calligraphy workshops, create their own storybook characters and watch pop-up performances bringing the exhibits to life. And of course, you can book in to ride the Mail Rail train! Regular admission 10am-5pm; adult £11.05 (exhibitions only) or £17.05 (+ Mail Rail)/child £10.45 (£11.95 + Sorted! play space ticket), child with Sorted! only £5, child exhibitions only and under 1s FREE. (Oct 20-28)
Tate Modern: Half Term Family Workshops, Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1 9TG (Southwark/Blackfriars tube)
Join in a series of free, creative workshops at Tate Modern this October half term in London. Mark Nicholas leads a creative workshop around friendship and the power of dreaming (Oct 21, ages 3+/all ages welcome); award-winning illustrator Marion Deuchars hosts a drawing workshop for ages 3 to 7 (Oct 25); create your own superhero in drawing and collage with illustrator Jason Ford, for ages 6+/ younger ones welcome (Oct 26); or take part in a storytelling and drawing workshop with Tate author/illustrator Emily Rand, ages 3+/all ages welcome (Oct 28). Workshops take place in the Terrace Shop at 2.30pm-3.30pm, all FREE (Oct 21-28)
A Pirate’s Life for Me at V&A Museum of Childhood, Cambridge Heath Rd, E2 9PA (Bethnal Green Tube)
Ahoy mateys. The Museum of Childhood’s major Autumn show all about fictional pirates opens for October half term in London, with a pirate ship at its centre. You can look at Captain Hook’s original costume designs along with other treasures. And throughout the school break, you can Party like a Pirate in a series of workshops for different ages, and a pop-up pirates show. Varying times and prices for performance and workshops (check web site ahead of booking). Pirates exhibition and regular museum entry from 10am-5.45pm, FREE (Oct 20-Apr 22, 2019)
Celebrating the Circus (main picture) at Museum of London, 150 London Wall, EC2Y 5HN (Barbican/St Paul’s tube)
Celebrate 250 years of tumbling, juggling, rope-swinging and clowning at the Museum of London’s tribute to circus acts. Take a 25 minute trip through circus history and science, help make a spring-loaded cannon and be prepared for a bed of nails! Before the shows on Fri Oct 26, you can see a real costume worn by famous clown Joseph Grimaldi. There’s also a special circus science show for under 5s (Oct 24, 11am, 12pm & 1pm) and a chance to meet a real Circus Family (Oct 24, 10.30am). Celebrating the Circus is for ages 6+, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm & 3pm; FREE (advanced booking recommended) (Oct 20-28)
Geffrye Museum October Half Term: The Big Draw, Geffrye Museum, 136 Kingsland Rd, E2 8EA (Hoxton overground)
The museum is still closed for redevelopment, but families can take part in the Big Draw activities in the gorgeous Geffrye gardens. Make cool audio drawings with your mobile phones, explore a ‘play at home trail’ and send in your artworks to be part of the big audio drawing game. Ages 5 to 16, younger ones welcome. Game from 10am-4pm (Oct 26-28); family trail from 10am-4.30pm (Mon-Fri Oct 1-28, Sat Oct 13, 20 & 27 and Sun Oct 28)
FAMILY THEATRE
Arts Depot: Autumn Half Term Family Shows, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA (Finchley Central/West Finchley/Woodside Park tube)
Loads on at Arts Depot: A loveable adaptation of the classic picture book Guess How Much I Love You, for ages 3+ (Oct 20, 2pm & 4pm/Oct 21, 11am & 2pm, £11-£14); puppetry, music and trapeze come together in The Musicians of Bremen, ages 3-10 (Oct 21, 12pm & 3pm, £9 limited tickets left); The Big Draw celebrates a whole range of arty fun, all ages (Oct 22, 11am-4pm, £4); join a singing workshop for ages 7-11 (Oct 23, 1pm, £8); there’s mischief and mystery with the Moomins, for ages 3-7 (Oct 24-25, 11am, 1pm & 3pm, £10); Julia Donaldson’s Stick Man is on the loose again in this hilarious family theatre show for ages 3+ (Oct 25-26, 11am & 2pm, £8-£14); and don’t miss the award-winning inTarsi acrobats, ages 5+ (Oct 27, 7pm & Oct 28, 2pm, £12-£15)
Dein Perry’s Tap Dogs, Peacock Theatre, Portugal Street,Holborn, WC2A 2HT (Holborn tube)
Do the pitter patter of tiny feet sound a lot more like the thump thump of elephants these days? Inspire your mini movers with the rhythm and grace of Tap Dogs, the world-famous tap show that’s set to bring the roof down at Peacock Theatre. Fierce, heart-pumping, foot-stomping good times for ages 5+. 7.30pm (Tue-Sat), 2.30pm (Sat), 2pm & 6pm (Sun); £15-£45 (Oct 23-Nov 10)
Under the Rainbow (pictured) at Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1SB (South Wimbledon tube)
If you’ve never been to the charming Polka Theatre in south London, this October half term in London is a wonderful time to go. Here you can see the return of Under the Rainbow, a gentle and transformative tale following one woman’s courageous journey across land and sea. Enter the intimate Adventure Theatre and feel a part of the performance, and meet a colourful bird of paradise and a friendly turtle along the way. Ages 3 to 6. 11.05am & 2.35pm (Wed-Sun, Oct 24-28), 10.30am & 1pm (Wed-Fri, Oct 31-Nov 2), 12.30pm & 2.30pm (Sat Nov 3); £12.50/concs. £9 (Oct 24-Nov 3)
Little Angel Theatre: Hey Diddle Diddle, at Little Angel Studios, Sebbon Street Community Centre, Sebbon St, N1 2EH (Highbury & Islington tube/overground, Angel tube, Essex Rd rail)
Goblin Theatre presents a jazzy new take on the famous nursery rhyme. The full moon’s out, there’s magic in the air, and a host of animals and instruments — from flying cows to runaway crockery — are out for mischief and mayhem. If you’ve ever wondered why the dish ran off with the spoon, come check out this funny, musical show with brilliant puppetry and plenty of imagination boosters. Ages 3 to 8 and families. 10.30am, 1.30pm & 2.30pm (Thu), 11.30am, 2.30pm (Fri), 11am & 2pm (Sat-Sun); adult £13/child 1-15 £11 (Oct 25-28)
Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves at Cockpit Theatre, Gateforth Street, NW8 8EH (Marylebone tube/rail)
Open Sesame! When Ali Baba discovers a secret cave crammed with treasure, it looks like all his problems are over. Until the Robber King and his 40 thieves plan their revenge on whoever stole his loot. Wizard Theatre and the award-winning Illyria present an entertaining, swashbuckling take on the legend, filled with live music and fun for all ages. 2pm; £7 / family of 4 £24 (discounts for locals in Church Street Ward postcodes) (Oct 27)
NATURE AND OUTDOORS
London Zoo: Gruesome Nature Live, Regent’s Park, NW1 4RY (Camden Town/Regent’s Park tube)
Fresh from its Camp Bestival success, this interactive musical show thrusts you into a truly stomach-churning experience of the animal kingdom. Find out who’s got the slimiest eyeball, which species can endure fire, ice and radiation, what lizard squirts blood out of its eyes, and other monstrous facts. Perfect for October half term in London and a creepy warm-up to Halloween! Show included in regular zoo admission: 10am-4pm entry (5pm close); adult £24.30 online (book ahead), £29.75 gate/child £18 online (book ahead), £22 gate/family £75.80/child under 3 FREE (Oct 20-28)
Natural History Museum Family Festival: Explorers and Discoveries, Cromwell Rd, SW7 5BD (South Kensington tube)
Drop in at this free family festival where you can build giant skeletons, meet a Victorian fossil hunter, handle deep sea specimens, watch environmental science shows in the Attenborough studio, meet scientists and become a wildlife detective. Don’t forget to check out the Life After Dark exhibition (ongoing). 11am-4.30pm, FREE (Oct 23-25)
And ready or not… the ice rink at Natural History Museum opens for skating! (Oct 25-Jan 6)
Kew Gardens: Siyanda Protector of Plants (pictured), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE (Kew Gardens tube/Kew Bridge rail, overground)
Visit the world’s greatest glasshouse and learn all about Siyanda, the protector of plants. Enter the Africa zone of the Temperate House and meet Siyanda, who will unearth the secrets of the plants in her care and show why their protection is so vital. Gardens open 10am-4.15pm; Siyanda 30 minute performances at 11am, 12pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm (no 3.30pm show on Sun Oct 28); included in regular admission adult £17/child 4+ £4/under 4s FREE (Oct 20-28)
The Magic Garden at Hampton Court Palace (main pic), East Molesey, Surrey KT8 9AU (Hampton Court rail)
Why not take a mini adventure to a magic garden, before it closes for winter? Hampton Court Palace’s play space The Magic Garden is a realm of mythical beasts, fortresses, towers and a secret grotto. Inspired by the fairytale feel of the Tudor Palace, the Magic Garden is an extra attraction for families out to explore the palace, gardens and maze. All ages. Open daily 10am-6pm until Oct 30. Maze and Magic Garden only: adult £7, child under 16 £5.50; Magic Garden entry free with regular entry to Hampton Court Palace, adult £21/child under 16 £10-50/under 5s FREE (daily until Oct 28)
Kentish Town City Farm: Apple Day, 1 Cressfield Close, off Grafton Road, NW5 4BN (Kentish Town tube/rail, Gospel Oak overground)
Join the ‘Apple-lympics’, take part in welly wanging, sack races, egg and spoon and other fun and games. There’s an apple-themed cafe, a traditional apple press to make your own juices, goat-grooming and of course animal residents and pony rides (extra rides added throughout the holidays). 12pm-4pm, FREE (Oct 28)
LONDON KIDS CINEMA
A selection of movies from some of our favourite family friendly cinemas in London.
Barbican Cinema Framed Family Film Club, Cinema 1, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS (Barbican tube)
ABSolutely Amazing Shorts ( U) at 11am; Child £2.50/Adult £3.50 (Oct 20)
The Nightmare Before Christmas (PG) + Sugar Skulls Workshop at 10am workshop, 11am film; Child £2.50/Adult £3.50 (Oct 27)
Electric Cinema Kids Club, 191 Portobello Rd, W11 2ED (Notting Hill tube)
Bedknobs & Broomsticks at 9.30am; adult/child £5 (Oct 13)
Hotel Transylvania 3 + Halloween Party at 9.30am; adult/child £5 (Oct 27)
Clapham Picturehouse, 76 Venn St, London SW4 0AT (Clapham Common tube)
Hopster Showtime: Halloween (Toddler Time) at 11am; adult £0/child £3 (Oct 20)
The Big Bad Fox & Other Tales at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Oct 20)
Hotel Transylvania 3 at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Oct 27)
Crouch End Picturehouse, Crouch End Picturehouse, 65 Tottenham Lane, Crouch End, N8 9BY (Hornsey/Harringay/Crouch Hill rail)
The Big Bad Fox & Other Tales at 11am; adult/child £2 (Oct 20)
Scratch ’n Sniff: Wallace & Gromit – The Curse of the Were Rabbit at 11.15am; adult/child £2 (Oct 25)
East Dulwich Picturehouse, 116A Lordship Lane, SE22 8HD (East Dulwich rail)
The Big Bad Fox & Other Tales at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Oct 20)
Scratch ’n Sniff: Wallace & Gromit – The Curse of the Were Rabbit at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Oct 25)
Gate Picturehouse, 87 Notting Hill Gate, W11 3JZ (Notting Hill tube)
The Big Bad Fox & Other Tales at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Oct 20)
Hotel Transylvania 3 at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Oct 27)
Greenwich Picturehouse, 180 Greenwich High Road, Greenwich SE10 8NN (Greenwich Rail)
The Big Bad Fox & Other Tales at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Oct 20)
Hotel Transylvania 3 at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Oct 27)
Hackney Picturehouse, 270 Mare Street, E8 1HE (Hackney Central overground)
The Big Bad Fox & Other Tales at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Oct 20)
Scratch & Sniff: Wallace & Gromit – Curse of the Were-Rabbit at 11am; adult/child £2 (Oct 23)
Hotel Transylvania 3 at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Oct 27)
Odeon Kids, at Odeon Holloway and multiple locations (some films may vary by venue)
Disney’s Christopher Robin at 10am; adult/child £2 (Oct 20-25)
Phoenix Cinema Kids Club, 52 High Rd, East Finchley N2 9PJ (East Finchley tube)
The Big Bad Fox & Other Tales at 12pm; adult/child £2 (Oct 20)
Regent St Cinema Kids Kino Club, 309 Regent St, W1B 2UW (Oxford Circus tube)
Luis and the Aliens at 11.30am; £1.75 (Oct 20)
ET the Extra Terrestrial at 11.30am; £1.75 (Oct 27)
Ritzy Picturehouse, Brixton Oval, Coldharbour Lane, SW2 1JG (Brixton tube)
The Big Bad Fox & Other Tales at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Oct 20)
Hotel Transylvania 3 at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Oct 27)
Stratford Picturehouse, Stratford Picturehouse, Salway Road, London E15 1BX (Stratford tube/DLR/overground/rail)
The Big Bad Fox & Other Tales at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Oct 20)
Hotel Transylvania 3 at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Oct 27)
Vue: Mini Mornings, at Vue Islington and other locations (some films may vary by venue)
Disney’s Christopher Robin at 10am; adult/child £2 (Oct 20-25)
BFI Southbank: BFI Families, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XT (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday (Jacques Tati) at 1.30pm; adult £8/child £4 (Oct 28)
NB: BFI also runs a number of interesting Half Term Holiday film workshops for kids – still places available!
Prince Charles Cinema: Studio Ghibli Forever, 7 Leicester Pl, WC2H 7BY (Leicester Square tube)
Tales from Earthsea at 3.15pm; non-member£8.50/member £6/child £4 (Oct 28)
Soho Hotel Children’s Film Club, 4 Richmond Mews, W1D 3DH (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Luis and the Aliens at 10.30am (10am brunch); £10 (film only), or £20 (includes buffet brunch at 10am + popcorn and drinks for film) (Oct 28)
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