Seven days can seem so long when you have minions to entertain, but here are Top 20 Half Term Activities for Kids in London to give you plenty of inspiration for outdoor fun and rainy forecasts.
Whatever you do, have a great one and remember not to sweat the little people!
1. FEATURED: Watch Oliver Jeffers’ penguin go Up and Down at Phoenix Cinema, 52 High Rd, N2 9PJ (East Finchley) in Ga Ga Theatre Company’s warm-hearted and interactive show for ages 0-5. 10.30am (Tue-Fri), 10am & 11.30am (Sat-Sun), £12/under 2s FREE (May 27-Jun 1)
2. Bare your teeth for Shark Weeks at Sea Life London Aquarium with Shakey the Shark and his fearsome friends. 10am-7pm (Mon-Sun), adult from £18.36 online/child from £13.52 online/under 3s FREE (May 19-31)
3. Arm yourself for Wand Week at The Making of Harry Potter Studio Tour, Leavesden, WD25 7LS (Euston to Watford Junction rail), where you can play with props and duel with Death Eaters. adult £30/child £22.50/family of 4 £89/under 5s FREE (May 23-Jun 2)
4. See the Mammoths at Natural History Museum, Cromwell Rd, SW7 5BD (South Kensington tube) and come face to face with the awesome beasts that dominated the Ice Age. 10am-5.50pm daily, adult £10/child £6/family of 4 £28 (May 23-Sep 7)
5. Wander through Plantasia at Kew Gardens Summer Festival, Richmond TW9 3AB (Kew Gardens overground) for a Barefoot Walk, plant family croquet and more kid-friendly activities. Open from 9am daily, activity times vary; adult £15/child under 17 FREE (May 24-Sep 7)
6. Enjoy May Half Term Fun at Fulham Palace (pictured above), Bishop’s Avenue, SW6 6EA (Putney Bridge tube) with a Bank Holiday Wild Capital Road Show, puppet making workshop (Tue), a day of dressing-up and crafts in the Fun Day (Wed) and mudlarking on the Thames foreshore (Fri). 1-4pm, FREE (Mon), 1-3.30pm, £10 per child (Tue), 10am-12pm & 1-3pm, FREE (Wed), 9.30am-11.30am, FREE (Fri) (May 26-30)
7. Head to Horniman Museum: Family Art Fun, 100 London Rd, Forest Hill, SE23 3PA (Forest Hill overground) for making paper flowers and nature nests inspired by the Chelsea Fringe. A great opportunity to explore the Horniman Aquarium and the ongoing Extremes exhibition. Opening hours 10.30am-5.30pm, activities 11am-2.45pm, FREE with admission but tickets required (May 26-30)
8. Tuck into May Half-Term at Nancy’s Pantry (pictured below), Labyrinth Tower, Dalston Square, E8 3GP (Dalston Junction overground). The east London hangout for families where kids can play and craft, while you enjoy munchies and drinks. Open daily, activities from around 10am (times and prices vary), some FREE (May 26-31)
9. Climb to dizzying heights at The View from the Shard, Joiner St, SE1 9SG (London Bridge tube) where Kids Go Free throughout half-term (2 kids per 1 paying adult). 10am-8.30pm, adult £29.95/2 KIDS GO FREE/extra child from £18.95/under 3s FREE (May 26-Jun 1)
10. If you’re local to Islington, don’t miss out on Soul in the City the annual neighbourhood festival at St Mary’s Church, Upper St, N1 2TX (Angel/Highbury & Islington tube). There are Kids Clubs and Street Dance for older kids (Wed, ages 7-10 and 11+), Crafts (Fri, 11am-3pm, all ages) and Play in a Day workshops with Almeida Theatre for ages 5-8, 9-12 and 13-14 (Fri, 10am-5pm). More events through the week include a Talent Show and a Family Fun Day. All activities are FREE but pre registration essential (May 26-Jun 2)
11. Go on a treasure trail at London Canal Museum, N1 9RT (King’s Cross tube) with kids activities including ice-cream making and a short boat trip on the canal. Ages 6-12, siblings welcome. 10.30 and 1.30pm, £4 per child (May 27)
12. Come for a Housewarming at House of Illustration a their new permanent home in Granary Square, N1C 4BH (King’s Cross tube). They’re hosting FREE family workshops to make your own illustrations combining words and pictures. 2-5pm, arrive at least 1 hour before event, FREE (May 27-31)
13. Explore Ideal Homes at the Geffrye Museum (pictured above) with wacky wallpapers, funky fabrics and activities for ages 5+ (younger siblings welcome). 10.30am-12.30pm and 2-4pm (first come, first served, arrive at least 30 mins before workshop), FREE (May 27-30)
14. Gawp at Ravenous Reptiles at the Grant Museum of Zoology, UCL, WC1E 6DE (Euston tube), where teeny chameleons and scary specimens of crocodile and dinosaur fossils are on display. 1-4.30pm, FREE (May 27-31)
15. Make Paper Boats at Foundling Museum, 40 Brunswick Square, WC1N 1AZ (Russell Square tube). Fill your paper vessels with words and ideas inspired by founder Thomas Coram and the museum’s seaside paintings. Then float along to nearby Coram’s Fields for an afternoon of play. 10.30am-1pm and 2-4.30pm, drop-in, FREE (May 28)
16. Watch out for the next big thing at Primetime Plays at Royal Court Theatre, a series of short plays written for children by children ages 8-11. 3.30pm (Wed-Thu), 11am & 3.30pm (Fri-Sat) NB limited availability, some showings already SOLD OUT; adult £10/child £5 (May 28-31)
17. We also love the sound of I, Peaseblossom and I, Caliban at Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, SW19 1SB (South Wimbledon tube) two one-hour shows offering a fun introduction to Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Tempest, for ages 8+. 11.30am & 2pm (alternating shows), £12.50 per show or £18 for both shows; baby-friendly performances on Thursdays for both shows (May 28-31)
18. Get lost in A-MAZE-In at Stratford Circus, a tactile playground with spring-themed activities and performances for kids ages 0-8. 10am (ages 1-3), 12pm (ages 1-5) and 5pm (ages 4-8); £8/£6 concs per child/£2 accompanying adult (May 29-31)
19. Go Far Far Away with Pepper the Monkey and the extraordinary Rainbow Circus at the Aurora Orchestra Family Concerts at King’s Place, Hall Two, 90 York Way, N1 9AG (King’s Cross tube). Hugely fun, immersive performances for ages 0-5 and carers, plus a later concert for older kids. 10.15am, 11am and 11.45am (ages 0-5) and 1.30pm (ages 6+); from £4.50, book early to avoid disappointment (May 31)
20. Ride the ghost train and bumper cars at Ally Pally Funfair at Alexandra Palace Way, N22 (Wood Green tube). Daily, 12-7pm, £1 child entry (until Jun 1)
Pictures via Ga Ga Theatre Company, Fulham Palace, Nancy’s Pantry and Geffrye Museum
