Half term is upon us! Hooray… or HELP, as the case may be! What to do with the kids?
We’ve found the best activities for you and your family in our October Half Term London Kids Scoop. Have a great one and maybe catch you with your babes about town, or see you on the other side!
BABES CHOICE
We Are Aliens (with Rupert Grint) at Royal Observatory, Blackheath Avenue, Greenwich, SE10 8XJ (Cutty Sark DLR/Greenwich rail)
Are we alone in the universe? Narrator Rupert Grint takes us on an epic investigation for life outside earth, blending recent discoveries, science fact, education and fun in an immersive family show. Recommended for ages 7+. 11.45am, 2pm, 4.15pm (weekends and holiday weekdays Oct 26-30); 4.15pm (regular weekdays); adult £7.50/concs £6.50/child £5.50/family £20 (ongoing)
Why? What’s Happening for the Young at Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Inspired by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Southbank Centre brings back the festival that gets children to stand up for their rights. There’s spoken word, music and lots of debate. Highlights include forums on What Makes a Good Childhood, a Kapow! workshop for super kids, and Songs of Change from emerging musicians. Events between 10am-7pm daily; tickets from £5-£14, most events are FREE (Oct 22-25)
Bloomsbury Festival, in and around Russell Square and Bedford Square, WC2 (Russell Square tube)
We love this local festival of arts and culture celebrating one of London’s richest scenes, with this year’s theme marking the International Year of Light. You’ll find family activities at Cartoon Museum and Foundling Museum, John Hegley Animal Alphaboat at Grant Museum of Zoology, The Tempest for children with autism and families at Bloomsbury Theatre, pop-up performances and activities in various corners. All ages. From around 10am-7pm daily (event times vary), FREE (Oct 22-25)
Into the Hoods Remixed at Sadler’s Wells, Peacock Theatre, Portugal Street, Holborn, WC2A 2HT (Holborn tube)
Back in 2008, Zoo Nation dance company dazzled audiences with their hip hop fairytale Into the Hoods. Now they’re back with a revamped version, new choreography and designs as they showcase the journey of two lost schoolkids from Ruff Endz estate who follow a trail of rap, rhythm and rhyme. Wicked production for ages 5+ (younger ones will not be admitted). 7.30pm (Tue-Sat),
2.30pm (Sat), 2pm & 6pm (Sun), no show on Wed 4 Nov; £15-£38/under 16s half price (Oct 23-Nov 14)
StoryStock Festival at Bush Theatre, 7 Uxbridge Rd, W12 8LJ (Shepherd’s Bush Market/Shepherd’s Bush tube)
Angels & Urchin’s travelling story circus returns to the Bush Theatre for readings, performances and meet and greets. The line-up features Chris Riddell in a series of live-drawing Q&As, also Judith Kerr, Cerrie Burnell, Jamila Gavin, Kristina Stevenson, Sarah McIntyre and Philip Reeve, The Music House for Children, Hip Hop Shakespeare and The Harry Potter Show. For ages 0-11. Daily activities from 9.30am, price range £4-£18 (plus some FREE), pre-booking advised. (Oct 28-30)
Fun DMC at Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP (South Kensington tube)
Real hip hop comes to the Royal Albert Hall this weekend in an exciting afternoon, brought to you by Charlie Dark (Attica Blues/Run Dem Crew) and Spin Doctor (The Doctor’s Orders). Fun DMC is a daytime dance party for hip heads, old and young, giving you a chance to bust a move and wave your hands in the air, like you just don’t care. Get ready for 3 hours+ of child-friendly hip hop, funk, disco and block party anthems, plus hip hop inspired fancy dress, graffiti wall and more! 12-4pm Party, adult £13/walking kid £7/non-walkers FREE (Oct 31)
We also like
The Baby Show takes over Olympia London (Oct 23-25); zip along to the The Hot Wheels Epic Race at Westfield London (Oct 24-Nov 1); and reach for the skies as Kids Go Free at the View from the Shard, all half term (Oct 26-Nov 1)
FAMILY THEATRE
The Bear at Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway
Wimbledon, SW19 1SB (South Wimbledon tube)
Charming tale of a snowy white bear who climbs into a girl named Tilly’s bedroom, the beginning of a wonderful friendship. Music, puppetry and drama for ages 4-7. Special baby friendly All Ages Welcome performances over half term at 11am on Sat & Sun (Oct 24-25 & Oct 31-Nov 1). All other shows 11.30am & 2.30pm (Tue-Sat), some performance times vary in November; £13 (Oct 23-Nov 8)
The Magic of Music Hall Family Weekender, Graces Alley, E1 8JB (Aldgate East/Tower Hill tube)
Travel down memory lane and beyond at this weekend of tributes to music hall and Wilton’s heritage. There are arts and crafty activities, a Victorian hit list to sing along to, hear tales from Wilton’s past, share your own in memory booths, catch magic shows and music performances, and soak up the East End vibe. 10am-6pm, FREE (Oct 24-25)
The Door at Stratford Circus, Stratford Circus Arts Centre, Theatre Square, Stratford, E15 1BX (Stratford tube/DLR/overground)
Explore space and time, dive into new worlds and familiar experiences in a playful show that celebrates the wondrous life force of children. Music, dance and fun for ages 2-6 and their adults. 11am, £6.50-£8.50 (Oct 26)
Shakespeare’s Globe: Shakespeare Untold at the Globe Theatre, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, SE1 9DT (Blackfriars/Mansion House tube)
Catch a reworking of the classic ‘rom com’, a Midsummer Night’s Dream (aka The Convict’s Tale, Oct 26-28) or tragedy Othello (The Doctor’s Tale, Oct 29-31) at the Globe in the popular Shakespeare Untold series. Ages 6+. 11am & 2pm; adult + child £15, additional child £8 (Oct 26-31)
The Journey Home at Little Angel Theatre, 14 Dagmar Passage, N1 2DN (Angel tube)
Little Angel Theatre is always a treat and this half term you can catch their adaptation of The Journey Home, with polar bear and his friends in search of a new home as the ice caps start melting. Great way to educate about the environment, and entertain with puppetry, music and design. Don’t miss the popular Crafty Kids workshops themed around this show (see website for details). For ages 4-11, ages 3+ welcome, babies only at baby friendly performances (Thu 10:30 and Sun 11:00, plus 10:30 Wed 7 Oct). 11am & 2pm (most shows selling out, check for returns); adult £11/child £9/Friday Fives £5 for shows from 5pm on Fri (until Oct 28)
Bedtime Stories at The Albany, Douglas Way, Deptford, SE8 4AG (Deptford/New Cross overground)
After the witching hour, comes that magical time when the kids are tucked up and the bedtime stories begin. Snuggle up with your little ones in a bedroom installation for a dazzling performance filled with aerial theatre, circus, dance, projections and of course storytelling. Viewers can also join Upswing in a Bedtime Stories Family Circus Workshop (£14 per person/£12 concs – call box office to book 0208 6924446). Ages 5+. 11am & 2pm (circus workshops 3.30pm), £9/concs £7 (Oct 29-30)
We also like
Leap into action with
Peter Pan: a Musical Adventure at the Adelphi Theatre (Oct 25) or another ‘musical adventure’ with
Hubbub from the Aurora Orchestra at Kings Place (Oct 28); stretch your vocal chords at a
Pram Jam singing workshop at Southbank Centre (Oct 28); see magical African dance, theatre and storytelling for ages 4-7 in When King Gogo Met the Chameleon at Deptford Lounge, SE8 (Oct 28??); creep along to Where Caterpillars Go at Half Moon Theatre (Oct 24); clown around in workshops for adults and kids ages 8+ at Family Workshop: The Comedy of Errors Explored at
National Theatre (Oct 24 & 27-31); and toot toot — The Railway Children is almost steaming out of town, don’t miss this highly rated family show with a real train making an appearance! (ongoing until Jan 3)
MUSEUMS & WORKSHOPS
Museum of London Free Half Term Family Fun, 150 London Wall, EC2Y 5HN (Barbican/St Paul’s tube)
There’s a World War 2 theme at Museum of London over half term, with war playtime storytelling, wartime songs and sing alongs, patchwork and recycling, make do and mend sessions, peg doll playmate crafting and more fun. Varying times and ages, museum opening hours 10am-5pm, all activities FREE (Oct 23-Nov 1)
Also see Museum of London Docklands Half Term Events
The Big Draw Family Day at Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street Tally Ho Corner North Finchley London N12 0GA (Finchley Central tube)
Back for another full day of creativity, The Big Draw Family Day takes over Arts Depot for a session of dress up portraits, giant sketchpad, colours and drama workshop, mask making, cardboard story land, stick puppets workshop and more. 11am-4pm, £3 entry (some additional fees for certain activities) (Oct 25)
Arts Depot also has a fabulous mix of family theatre on this half term including Akram Khan Company, Michael Morpurgo’s I Believe in Unicorns, a special show for babies 16 Singers and an adaptation of the picture book What the Ladybird Heard. Visit What’s On at Arts Depot for more details!
V&A Museum of Childhood: Every Drawing Tells a Story, Cambridge Heath Road, E2 9PA (Bethnal Green tube)
The Museum of Childhood always holds fabulous events and this half term they’re pairing up with The Big Draw for activities that encourage your imagination to run wild. Meet authors and illustrators like Salvatore Rubbion, try drawing and collage, post designs on Mr Gerald the bow tie giraffe, create your own entry in the Enchanted Forest Toy Theatre. Varying times between 10.30am-4pm daily; £5, several events FREE (Oct 26-30)
Half Term at British Museum & Day of the Dead Family Festival, The British Museum, Great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG (Russell Square tube)
Explore the World of the Celts all week with storytelling, make and take crafts and contributing to a giant installation. And don’t miss the Day of the Dead Family Festival on Halloween weekend (Oct 31-Nov 1), where you can remember your loved ones who have moved on to the great beyond in fine Mexican tradition. There’ll be film, music, dance and digital workshops in the Samsung Digital Discovery Centre. 11am-4pm, FREE (Oct 26-Nov 1)
Geffrye Museum Half Term Family Activities, 136 Kingsland Road, London, E2 8EA (Hoxton overground)
Geffrye Museum hosts a range of half term workshops inspired by autumn, including a chance to paint hot chocolate mugs, print cushion covers, make your own candles, and other cosy items. Workshops are split into ages 5+, 8+ and 11+ but there are daily activities for all ages. 10.30am-12.30pm & 2pm-4pm; FREE (arrive 30 minutes before workshops as it’s first come, first served) (Oct 27-30)
BP Family Festival and Half Term at Tate Britain, Millbank, SW1P 4RG (Pimlico/Vauxhall tube)
In the build up to another BP Festival, Tate Britain hosts a number of exciting activities. Book for Ida Barr’s Intergenerational Mash Up Choir (Wed 2.30pm-3.30pm & Thu 10.30am-11.30am), when old and young are invited to dance, sing and rap to the music hall ‘comedienne’s’ mix of tunes. It’s all in preparation for a live performance at BP Festival (Sat & Sun 1-3pm). There’s also a Digital Drawing: Robots session, all part of a joyous weekend of live electronic music, digital installations, team games and more. For ages 8-14 and carers, younger siblings welcome. 11am-4pm, FREE (Oct 28-Nov 1)
We also like
Experience Life Under the Waves at Grant Museum of Zoology (Oct 26-27); brave the crowds for Icy Cool Adventure Storytelling, Red Arrows 3D simulators, Little Lab of Horrors and more at Science Museum Half Term (Oct 24-Nov 1); catch the Wildliife Photographer of the Year and hear Wolf Tales at Natural History Museum (Oct 26-27, 30); explore Michael Rosen’s Bear Hunt, Chocolate Cake & Bad Things at Discover in Stratford (ongoing)
FAMILY FILM & WORKSHOPS
Soho Hotel Children’s Film Club, 4 Richmond Mews, W1D 3DH (Oxford Circus/Tottenham Court Rd tube)
Don’t miss the wonderful Stuart Little, all about a plucky little mouse, and the quietly tear jerking Frankenweenie, a fur-fect choice for Halloween. Did I really just say fur-fect? Enjoy your movie with prosecco (for grown-ups) and popcorn and ice cream for all, plus brunch buffet before the film if you’re feeling flush (or hungry). 1pm (buffet), 1.30pm (film); £20 all food and drinks inclusive/£10 film only (Oct 24 & Oct 31)
BFI Half Term Workshops and Screenings at BFI Southbank, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XT (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
The popular workshops for older kids ages 8-14 feature The Sound of Cinderella (Oct 27) with screening of the classic animation, preceded by workshops in stop-motion animation and sound effects. You can also see the live action Cinderella with more workshops (Oct 29), both days from 10am-2.30pm; screenings from 2.30pm-4pm approx; £27.50/£20.50 siblings (includes workshops and screening). NB: Bring a packed lunch. Younger children 6+ (and their carers) can enjoy a Funday Workshop with Cartoon Network (Oct 28, 11am in foyer, FREE) and a screening of new work from the channel, plus a meet and greet with the talents behind them. Workshops 11am; screening 1pm; £4 siblings. NB: Bring a packed lunch or you can sample the kids’ menu at in-house Benugo restaurant. (Oct 27-29)
Ratatouille Live in Concert, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP (South Kensington tube)
A rat with gastro skills? Ratatouille sets the ’tail’ of Remy the rat chef and his kitchen adventures to a live score. Watch the brilliant Disney movie accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Royal Albert Hall. 25% discounts for kids, under 2s FREE on parent’s lap. Doors 1.15pm & 5.15pm, shows 2pm & 6pm; £22.90-£68.80 (Oct 28)
The Quick Brown Fox Filming Workshops for ages 8 to 12, The Old School Club, Unit 141, Battersea Business Centre, 99-109 Lavender Hill, SW11 5QL (Clapham Junction rail/Sloane Square tube)
Drop your budding George Lucas or Ava DuVernay off at the Old School Club for an afternoon session of hands on filmmaking taught by real professionals, the Quick Brown Fox team. They’ll be filming on smart phones and tablets, editing their own works and capturing stories they can remember. 1.30pm-4.30pm; £35/1 session, £70/2 sessions, £105/3 sessions, price includes snacks but bring packed lunch
Film Africa 2015 Family Day Rich Mix, Bethnal Green Rd, E1 6LA (Shoreditch High St overground)
Head to Rich Mix for a brilliant day out for the family, a wonderful escape from Halloween if all the witching and wizardry ain’t quite your bag! There will be arts, crafts, stalls, yummy African food, screening of the animated flick Zarafa (warning: Ezra sobbed through this when he was little), drumming workshops and more showcases from the best of African Cinema by Film Africa. 11am-3pm, FREE (Oct 31)
We also like
Pocket money cinema at Vue Cinemas Kids AM screenings all week; other family film options at Rio Cinema in Dalston; or the luxurious Electric Cinema (think deep sofas and front row beds!) on Portobello Rd; the sequel to one of our surprise family favourites, Hotel Transylvania 2 is out in time for Halloween!
NATURE & ADVENTURE
Boo at the Zoo (pic), London Zoo, Regent’s Park, NW1 (Regent’s Park tube)
It’s rather frightful at the zoo, as the creepies and crawlies take centre stage for the scary season. Join in with Halloween arts and crafts, and hear hair-raising animal tales for under 5s. 11am-3.30pm daily; activities free with regular entry: adult £23.50/child £17/under 3s FREE (online discounts available) (Oct 24-Nov 1)
The Great Spice Heist at Kew Gardens, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB (Kew Gardens tube/overground)
Grab your map and your adventurous spirit and follow Pirate Pepperbeard’s trail around the gorgeous gardens, to discover some spicy treasure stored away. Create your own pirate hat and see real maps from Kew’s archives. Free with entry to gardens adult £15 adult, child £3.50 child (Oct 24-Nov 1)
Turtle Fest at London Aquarium, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7PB (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Dive into the land of the chilled out shellback (aka Doris in Finding Nemo) and learn interesting things about turtle on a trail around the aquarium. First 50 kids dressed as turtles get free entry! From 10am daily; from adult £18.36/child £13.52 child, prebooking advised (discounts available online) (Oct 24-Nov 1)
Family Travel Show, Olympia, London, W14 8UX (Olympia tube)
The premier event bringing the best specialist operators and family holiday providers under one roof. The Family Travel Show covers everything from around-the-world cruise voyages, to all-inclusive luxury packages, adventure holidays, wildlife safaris and family friendly villas. Hear tips and travel stories from travel experts, play in the Around the World Theatre or the Explorers’ Corner and pick up some fab deals! 10am-5pm (Sat), 10am-4pm (Sun); £8 in advance or £12 on the door, under 16s are free (Oct 31-Nov 1)
COMING SOON
Ski & Snowboard Show at Battersea Evolution, Battersea Park, London, SW11 4NJ (Clapham Junction rail/Sloane Square tube)
Rad dude! The festival for icy cool athletes and aspirational boarders and skiers returns to Earl’s Court. There’s loads on for kids and families, with a children’s slide, Burton Riglet park where little ones can get snowboarding, and 20,000 free lift passes for resorts around the UK and Europe. Don’t miss out on the apres ski activities once the babes have gone to bed. 11am-9.30pm (Thu), 10am-9.30pm (Fri), 10am-6pm (Sat-Sun); tickets from child £11 and adult £26/under 11s FREE (Nov 5-8)
We also like
Half Term fun at Isis Education Centre Discovery Days in Hyde Park; Ally Pally Ice Skating at Alexandra Palace; discover frogs, ducks and giant LEGO bricks at London Wetland Centre in Barnes
