Top 20 Half Term Fun in London (February, 2013)

There’s something fun to do with kids in London every single day over the next 10 days of February half-term. Here’s our top 20, by date order (roughly):

1. Imaginary Worlds Family Festival at National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, WC2 (Charing Cross tube)
The National Gallery’s first ever family festival is a two-day feast of film screenings including The Wizard of Oz, puppet showings e.g. Arthur’s Dreamboat, pram tours of the exhibitions, art workshops, pop-up orchestras, book signing and more. 10.30am-5pm (event times vary), max charge £3/mostly FREE (Feb 17-18)

2. Imagine Children’s Festival at Southbank Centre, SE1 (Embankment/Waterloo tube)
One of the best events of the year, the Imagine Children’s Festival is non-stop fun throughout half-term. This week’s highlights include comedy theatre The Queen’s Knickers (18-22), Dinosaur Petting Zoo (18-20), Fun with Spot (22) and Peter Rabbit Puppet Show (22). Top free events include Bicycle Powered Disco (18), Where’s Wally, Imagine Big Sing (18) and Boom Boom’s Bow jazz for kids (Feb 22). Times and prices vary, many events are FREE (Feb 11-24)

3. There’s a Rabbit on the Moon at Barbican Centre, the Pit Theatre, Silk St, EC2 (Barbican tube)
Enter the nocturnal world of the Night Collector, as French theatre Velo creates a magical, poetic adventure with stories and quirky toys to help kids put their fears of the dark to bed for good. Ages 4+. 11am, 1pm & 3pm; £8.50 (Feb 15-21)

4. Zippo’s Circus at Brent Cross Shopping Centre, Car Park, Prince Charles Drive, NW4 (Hendon Central tube)
Back for another outing, the popular circus features high-flying acts, daring stunts, crazy clowns and twisted acrobatics. 12pm, 3pm, 6pm & 7pm (dates and times vary); adult £8-£21/child £6-£17 (Feb 15-24)

5. Journey to Space at Discover Story Centre, 383-387 Stratford High St, E15 (Stratford overground/tube)
Brand new for half-term, this interactive exhibition takes kids on a rocket-ship adventure to explore mysterious planets and strange beings. Prepare for blast off! ; 12-1pm & 3-5pm (Tue-Fri); 11am-5pm (Sat-Sun); £4.50/family £16 (opens Feb 16, ongoing)

6. February Half Term at Museum of London, 150 London Wall, EC2 (Barbican tube)
Come and hear the funny tales of first clown Grimaldi, join in music sessions, play Victorian games, explore the Pleasure Gardens, make inspirational masks and go on a family adventure trail. Times vary (opening hours 10am-6pm), all activities FREE (Feb 16-22) Also check out Museum of London Docklands

7. Time Travellers at London Transport Museum, Covent Garden, WC2 (Covent Garden tube)
All aboard for story time on the time-travelling tube for ages 3-7 (11am & 2pm) and join the Make & Take craft sessions to design a futuristic version of a poster in the Poster Art 150 exhibition, celebration 150 years of posters on the London Underground (11.30am & 2.30pm), all FREE with entry adult £15 (for 1 year)/under 16s FREE (Feb 16-24)

8. Beauty & the Beast at V&A Museum, Hochhauser Auditorium, Cromwell Rd, SW7 (South Kensington tube)
Disney’s magical musical animation featuring Belle, the bookish heroine who falls for the beastly charms of a prince in disguise, should capture the imagination of all the family. 12pm & 2pm, FREE (first come first served) (Feb 16-24)

9. New Wave Kids at V&A Museum of Childhood, Cambridge Heath Rd, E2 (Bethnal Green tube)
It’s as much fun for big kids as little ones at this retro-themed event for half-term. Try your hands at making a Pac Man or Care Bears badge, go on a Where’s Wally trail and play with the Rubiks Cube. 10.30am-4pm, FREE (Feb 18-22)

10. Fantastic Fossils at Grant Museum of Zoology, UCL, University St, WC1 (Euston tube)
Get touchy feely with ancient artefacts in the museum’s collection. Rub the bones of an Iguanadon, touch the teeth of a shark and more fossil fun. 1-5pm, drop-in, FREE (Feb 18-23)

11. Pig Day at Battersea Park Zoo, SW11 (Sloane Square tube)
It’s a great day for Babes at Battersea Zoo with pigs taking centre stage. Hear piggy tales and rhymes, make a pig badge or portrait and meet the zoo’s pig residents. 11am-1pm & 2-3.30pm, regular zoo entry adult £6.95/child £5.50/family £22 (Feb 19)

12. Discover Circus at Royal Albert Hall, SW7 (South Kensington)
Explore the RAH’s collection of circus images and artefacts, then make your own photo collage or circus poster. For ages 5+. 10.30am & 1pm, call box office for ticket availability 0845 401 5034 (Feb 19)

13. Sensacional at Unicorn Theatre, Tooley St, SE1 (London Bridge tube)
Perfect for toddlers, this immersive sound and light show lets babes become part of a digital floors cape of dancing ladybugs, flowers, squiggles and colours. Fun interactive theatre from ImaginArt, for ages 18 months to 4 years. Also catch a free toddler workshop Tippee Toes. 30 min shows starting 10am to around 4pm (varying times); £10 (1 child + 2 adults), tickets selling out fast! (Feb 19-24)

14. Design Through the Decades (top pic) at Geffrye Museum, Kingsland Rd, E2 (Hoxton overground)
Go back to a different decade every day, from Tudors to Georgians to Victorians through to early 20th century. There are daily workshops to make wacky wigs, terrific top hats, stylish silhouettes, fridge magnets, funky ’50s artworks and more. 10.30am-12.30pm and 2-4pm, FREE (first come, first served) (Feb 19-22)

15. How to Catch a Star at Lyric Theatre, Lyric Square, King St, W6 (Hammersmith tube)
On a dark night, a little boy decides to grab a constellation in this whimsical tale based on the Oliver Jeffers modern classic. For ages 3-7. 11am & 1pm; £8/£11 (with messy play) (Feb 19-23)

16. Dogs Don’tDo Ballet at Jacksons Lane, 269a Archway Rd, N6 (Highgate tube)
Don’t miss this hilarious adaptation of the popular book about Biff, the pup who thinks he’s a ballerina. Fun show for ages 2-6, in collaboration with the Little Angel Theatre. 12pm & 3pm (Wed-Thu), 10.30am, 12pm & 3pm (Fri-Sat); £9.95 (Feb 20-23)

17. Why the Lion Danced at Polka Theatre, 240 Wimbledon Broadway, SW19 (Wimbledon tube)
Learn the story of the ancient Chinese lion dance in this folk tale about a scary monster that terrifies a village. Bursting with colourful costumes, songs and dance for ages 5+. Watch with Baby show 11am (Feb 21). Wed-Sat, 11am & 2.30pm; £12/concs. £8 (until Mar 2)

18. Big and Small Family Day at Tate Britain, Millbank, SW1 (Pimlico tube)
Explore the art and architecture of the museum in this special family event where you can make cardboard sculptures, create music with musicians, unearth the hidden soundtracks of art works and bring your paintings to life. 10am-3pm, FREE (Feb 22)

19. Baby Loves Disco: Mardi Gras at Sway, 61-65 Great Queen St, WC2 (Covent Garden)
Get on down to this family disco with a Carnival theme for February half-term. There’s DJs spinning funky tunes, baby chill out corner and dress up box. 1-4pm, £9 all walking humans/non-walkers FREE (Feb 23)

20. The Boy who Sat on the Dragon Throne at V&A Museum, Cromwell Rd, SW7 (South Kensington tube)
Hear the legend of the boy emperor Pu Yi and his giant throne in this special dramatisation for Chinese New Year celebrations. 11am, 1pm & 3pm, FREE (Feb 23-24)

Photo via Geffrye Museum