February Half Term in London Kids Scoop (Feb 12-21, 2015)

 

 
Half Term is here! Panic not, good people. As usual I’ve got you covered with the top things to do with kids over the holiday break. My February Half Term in London Kids Scoop features cool festivals, family friendly parties, museum workshops, outdoor fun and loads more to keep you entertained (and your little ones too). Have a great one!

BABES CHOICE

 
Imagine Children’s Festival at Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, Se1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Back for another glorious year at Southbank Centre, the Imagine Children’s Festival celebrates literature, live performance, theatre, arts workshops and music for ages 0-12. Run by kids, for kids, highlights for 2016 include: the launch of the Wondercrump World of Roald Dahl exhibition (pic) in celebration of his 100th birthday, Groove Baby jazz workshops, author and illustrator meet and greets (Judith Kerr, Cressida Crowell amongst others), rap battling for under 12s, Giant Storytelling Bed, FUN DMC daytime hip hop party (see Special Events), Mrs H & her Singalong Band and tons more! 10.30am-4.30pm daily, various prices, many events are FREE (Feb 10-24)

Mini Vault Festival at Waterloo, The Vaults, Leake St, London SE1 7NN (Waterloo tube/rail)
After a hugely successful launch last year, the Vault Festival returns to Waterloo’s hidden tunnels, along with the Mini Vault programme just for nippers. We had loads of fun at the Out of this World Rave last weekend, and coming up over half term you can catch: Assembly of Animals’ ‘performance sculpture’, Comedy Club 4 Kids, and an Under the Sea Mini Rumpus (Mar 5) with breathtaking circus acts including Marawa the Amazing hooping up a storm. From 10am, parties/shows £8-£15, many activities FREE! (Half Term dates Feb 13/14, more dates upcoming)

Festival of Imagination, Chats Palace Arts Centre, 42-44 Brooksby’s Walk, E9 6DF GB (Homerton overground)
The Institute of Imagination presents a free day of child friendly activities to stimulate your creative side. Get stuck in with crafting forests with cardboard and fabric, look into the development of vision with neuroscientists, make interactive musical drawings leading to an orchestral performance, and more amazing sounding workshops. Aimed at ages 5 to 11, there will be activities for younger siblings and it’s suitable for all ages. From 10am, FREE but tickets must be booked in advance (Feb 13-14)

Rave-a-Roo at Ministry of Sound, 103 Gaunt Street, SE1 6DP (Elephant & Castle/Borough tube)
Kids, Play, Rave, Repeat. Rave-A-Roo launches this half-term, described as a “clubbing mash-up of festival fun for the whole family”. One of London’s coolest clubbing venues hosts this holiday party featuring guest appearance from family ravers Big Fish Little Fish, along with top DJs, LIVE stage performances, confetti mayhem, neon craft, Glow Chill Room, PlayGlow toys, UV tattoo station and Rave-A-Roo resident artists Go! Go! Go! (Dance Set) as seen on Nick Jr. 1pm-3pm & 4pm-6pm; £11/family of 4 £38/babies in arms go FREE but require ticket (Feb 19)

Magical Lantern Festival at Chiswick House, Chiswick, W4 2QN (Gunnersbury overground/Turnham Green tube/Chiswick rail)
After a somewhat disappointing Lumiere Festival (too crowded, not enough spectacle), we have high hopes for this month-long event in west London. For the first time in its illustrious history, the Magical Lantern Festival lights up Chiswick House and Gardens, just in time to celebrate Chinese New Year. Soak up the festive atmosphere, surrounded by gorgeously sculpted lanterns of animals, birds, buildings and abstract shapes. There’s live music and performances and delicious Chinese food to fuel your experience. All ages. 5pm-8.45pm (Tue-Sun); adult £16-£18/child £10-£12/family £48-£56 (until Mar 6)

 

 

SPECIAL EVENTS

 
London Children’s Book Swap at Discover Children’s Story Centre (Stratford overground/tube) and participating venues across London
It’s the 5th annual London Children’s Book Swap, a chance to share your favourite reads, discover new kid lit and take part in a host of storytelling and activities at multiple venues. Find events at Barbican Centre, Southbank Centre, House of Illustration, Arts Depot, Jacksons Lane, Rich Mix, V&A Museum of Childhood, Polka Theatre, Unicorn Theatre and more. Visit the London Children’s Book Swap Facebook page for full venue details and times. (Feb 13)

Kung Hei Fat Choy! The Year of the Monkey has already started, but there’s still time to celebrate. Go along for Chinese opera mask and lantern making, costume and calligraphy workshops for Chinese New Year at V&A Museum of Childhood (Sat Feb 13, 10am-4pm, FREE). There’s also a full day of family activities at Chinese New Year at Rich Mix (Sat Feb 13, 12pm-4pm, FREE). And don’t miss the annual Chinese New Year in London festival with Lion Dance and Dragon Parade, martial arts and music demos, tasty street food and tons more fun taking place around Charing Cross Rd, Shaftesbury Avenue and Chinatown. (Sun Feb 14, 10am-6pm, FREE)

Kids Go Free at The View from the Shard, Joiner St, SE1 9SG (London Bridge tube/rail)
Scale the tallest building in Western Europe for a dizzying game of I Spy, with 360 views of London. Up to two children go free with every paying adult. Daily from 10am-10pm; adult £24.95 adv/£29.95 door + up to 2 children and under 3s FREE (Feb 15-21)

Fun DMC (pic) at The Clore Ballroom at Royal Festival Hall,
Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road London SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Charlie Dark (Attica Blues/Run Dem Crew) and Spin Doctor (The Doctor’s Orders) get the party started with a FREE daytime block party for old school hip hop heads and young MCs. Wave your hands in the air to a child-friendly playlist, wear hip hop fancy dress, spray on a graffiti wall, and bust a move. All ages. 12.30pm-3.30pm, FREE but get there early to be guaranteed entry (Feb 21)

Mwalimu Express at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA (Shoreditch High St overground)
This is such a warm and wonderful affair, an African centred family friendly gathering every third Sunday of the month. Browse African fabric and arts stalls, hear the latest tunes from DJs Rita Ray and Max Einhardt, eat delicious African food, enjoy live performances from rotating musicians, play games with the Oware Society, join in Parent and Toddler dance sessions, and round it all off with an African film. 2pm-6pm, FREE (Feb 21)

We also like
Storystock children’s literature festival is back at Shepherd’s Bush (Feb 17-19); The Baby Show at ExCel London (Feb 19-21); buckle up for The Golden Hinde II: Tudor Battle Experience & Pirate Fun Days (Feb 20)

 

 

MUSEUMS & WORKSHOPS

 
Half Term at the Science Museum, Exhibition Rd, South Kensington, SW7 2DD (South Kensington tube)
It does get rather rammed over the holidays, but it’s always worth a visit to the Science Museum. Especially with the launch of huge exhibition Leonardo da Vinci: The Mechanics of Genius (from Feb 10). This half term there is tons to do with the kids: see volcanoes erupt in Iceland, learn about life in space, watch Star Wars: The Force Awakes in IMAX 70mm 2D; ride with the Red Arrows; explore the Information Age gallery and loads more. All ages. Open from 10am-7pm late closing for half term (last entry 6.15pm); FREE (Feb 13-21)

February Half Term Fun at Kensington Palace, Kensington Gardens, W8 4PX (High St Kensington/Queensway tube)
Visit the historical palace and gardens for a week of fun and games including craft activities, Victorian games, storytelling and more from Princess Victoria’s childhood. 11am-4pm; admission adult £16.50/child under 16 FREE (Feb 14-20)

Family Workshops: In Style (pic) at National Portrait Gallery, WC2H 0HE (Charing Cross tube)
Design a hat, construct wearable accessories, create stunning printed fabric and more in a series of workshops inspired by the fabulous Vogue 100 exhibition. Some activities are ticketed, others just turn up, and all are FREE. For ages 3+, younger ones welcome. Varying times between 11am-4pm, FREE (Feb 15-19)

February Half Term at V&A Museum of Childhood, Cambridge Heath Rd, E2 9PA (Bethnal Green tube)
Do you still love Play Doh? That smell just takes me back and I’m digging the sound of this all-week long affair, where the sensory and creative properties of Play Doh are celebrated in a variety of activities. All ages welcome. 10.30am-4pm, drop-in, child £5/adult FREE (Feb 15-19)

Geffrye Museum: Four Centuries in One Week (pic), 136 Kingsland Road, London, E2 8EA (Hoxton overground)
There’s always a series of brilliant workshops at Geffrye and this half term you’re invited to explore 4 centuries in just one week! Tour the museum, travelling daily through Tudors, Stuarts, Georgians, Victorians and finally 20th century and beyond. You can make clay candlesticks, canvas bags and more. 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) (Feb 16-19)

We also like
There are lots of free make and take sessions at Cutty Sark and National Maritime Museum; explore Zoology specimens at Grant Museum of Zoology (Feb 13); there’s storytelling and craft activities for ages 0 and up at London Transport Museum: The Mysterious Midnight Bus (Feb 13-21);
take part in Mini Engineers LEGO building workshops in St John’s Wood (Feb 15-16); make a First World War albatross using an Airfix kit at RAF Museum in Colindale (Feb 15-19); design a Beano cover at Cartoon Museum, for ages 8-12 (Feb 17); Going Marbles! at Islington Museum, build giant marble run, make Roman marbles, play fun games (Feb 19); there’s a Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Interactive Cinema and Crafternoon at JW3 in NW3, for ages 2+ (Feb 21)

 

 

FAMILY SHOWS

 
The Cat in the Hat at Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street Tally Ho Corner North Finchley London N12 0GA (Finchley Central)
Two kids are having a perfectly ordinary day until a feline in a tall stripy hat turns their world upside down. See what happens when the Cat in the Hat appears at Arts Depot, in this lively adaptation of the best-loved picture book by Dr Seuss. For ages 3+. Book ahead for craft workshops before the show (Sat-Tue, £6). Shows at 11am & 2pm, £8-£13 (Feb 13-17)

Goldilocks and the Three Bears at Jacksons Lane, 269a Archway Rd, N6 5AA (Highgate tube)
We fell in love with the Insect Circus at Camp Bestival 2014, but they’ve been doing the rounds for years. Watch human creepy crawlies perform awe-inspiring stunts in this fantastic and funny show for all ages. 12pm & 3pm, £12.95/concs £10/family ticket £10 per person (Feb 17-22)

Old Mother Hubbard at Little Angel Theatre, 14 Dagmar Passage, N1 2DN (Angel tube)
Remember that old mama who went to the cupboard and found it bare? This production at Little Angel Theatre takes the nursery rhyme and runs with it, presenting the tale of Old Mother Hubbard and dancing dog Oscar who get invited to a party in the deep dark woods. What will they find there? Puppets, storytelling and song to enchant little ones age 3-7, baby-friendly performances on Mon & Wed at 11am. Shows 11am & 2pm; adult £10/child £8. (Feb 15-17)

Also see Half Term Fun Days at Little Angel Theatre (Feb 17-18)

Cirque Beserk at Peacock Theatre, Portugal St, WC2A 2HT (Holborn tube)
Zippo’s Circus presents their knuckle-gnawing Cirque Beserk combining traditional circus thrills and clowning, with spectacular live theatre, including the jaw-dropping Wall of Death motorcycle stunts. Good laugh (and gasps) for ages 5+ (younger ones not admitted). 11am, 1.30pm, 3pm, 3.30pm, 5pm, 7pm, 7.30pm, 8pm (times and dates vary); adult £15-£38/child half-price (Feb 8-24)

Jeramee, Hatleby & Ooglemore at Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley Street, Southwark, SE1 2HZ (London Bridge tube)
Three performers, three words, but plenty of expression in this clever piece of live theatre aimed at the very young, that blends clowning with the surreal. Ages 3+. 10.30am, 1.30pm & 7pm (times and dates vary, see web site); adult £16/child £10 (Feb 6-Mar 15)

We also like
Not Now, Bernard for ages 3-8 at Polka Theatre (Feb 12-21); Mini Maestro family concert introduces opera for kids at St Martin in the Fields (Feb 13); the brilliantly funny sounding Slightly Fat Features at Leicester Square Theatre, comedy and cabaret for all ages, shapes and sizes (Feb 15-19); a new take on The Sorcerer’s Apprentice at Lyric Hammersmith (Feb 16-20); Joey’s Fireworks on the Puppet Barge theatre (until Mar 13)

 

 

FAMILY CINEMA

 
Catch the rather sweet, space adventure starring three plucky kids on a journey to the moon and back in Capture the Flag (pic) on general release

See the incredible animation of Disney’s The Good Dinosaur (Feb 13, 11am) or the charming Snoopy and Charlie Brown: The Peanuts Movie at Half Term Matinees at Rio Cinema in Dalston, adult £6/child £5/family £20, 1pm (Feb 15-19)

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the adorable, spaghetti sharing Lady and the Tramp take centre stage at Barbican Centre’s Framed Family Film Club (Feb 13, 11am, adult £3.50/child £2.50) and you can catch Disney’s The Good Dinosaur the following Saturday (Feb 20)

BFI February Half Term Workshops and Screenings at BFI Southbank, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XT (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Younger ones ages 0-7 can watch Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit and take part in fun crafting and animation workshops before the screening. 12.30pm-2.30pm workshops, 2.30pm-4pm screening, £5/£4 siblings (Tue Feb 18). For older kids ages 8-14, there are screenings and workshops trying out stop-motion animation, green screen technology, props and horror techniques. See The Great Escape (Mon Feb 16); Chicken Run (Wed Feb 18) and The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (Thu Feb 19); 10am-2.30pm workshops, 2.30pm-4pm screenings; £27.50/£18.50 siblings, bring a packed lunch (Feb 16-19)

Disney Matinees at Prince Charles Cinema also features Lady and the Tramp, one of our favourites too. £1, £3 & £7.50 (Feb 13)

You can enjoy ice cream, movie and popcorn (+ prosecco for grown-ups) in the comforts of Soho Hotel Children’s Film Club where the absolutely wonderful Snoopy and Charlie Brown: The Peanuts Movie screens this Saturday (Feb 13), with Johnny Depp in Alice in Wonderland next weekend (Feb 20), both at 12.30pm.

We also like
Mini Mornings at Vue playing The Good Dinosaur at pocket money prices (Feb 13-18); Winnie the Pooh, Tangled, The Princess & the Frog and Wreck it Ralph showing at BFI Southbank plus their BFIHalf Term Fun Days with screenings and craft activities (Feb 15-18); My Neighbour Totoro at Regent Street Cinema Kino Kids Club (Feb 20); Ghosthunters on Icy Trails at Phoenix Cinema (Feb 20)

 

 
NATURE & OUTDOORS
 
WWT’s Big Splash: National Puddle Jumping Championships at London Wetland Centre, Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, Barnes, SW13 9WT (Hammersmith tube)
Pull on your wellies and your wet weather gear and prepare to make a BIG splash at these puddle jumping contests held at Wetland centres across the country. There will be prizes handed out daily and stickers for all participants. Come and do your part for London! Puddle jumping 2.30pm daily, free with regular admission, opening hours 10.30am-12.30pm and 2pm-4pm; adult £12.75/child £7/family £35.55/under 4s FREE (Feb 13-21)

Vets Live at London Zoo, Regent’s Park NW1 4RY (Regent’s Park/Camden Town tube)
This February half term only, celebrate the work that London Zoo’s vets carry out, including microchipping meerkats and checking tiger’s teeth (eek!). There’s also a teddy bear clinic for little ones and of course the chance to explore the zoo and meet its many inhabitants including the new walk-through lemurs exhibit. Vets live 11am-3pm; zoo opening hours 10am-5pm (last entry 4pm); adult from £19.80-£23/child £14.85-£17.50/under 3s FREE (Feb 13-21)

Isis Education Centre Discovery Days & Nature Explorers at The Lookout, Hyde Park, W2 2UH (Hyde Park Corner tube)
Go bird watching with binoculars, make bird feeders, paint birds or make birdie crafts in the half term Discovery Day activities for all the family (Wed Feb 17 & Thu Feb 16, 11am-3pm, FREE but donations welcome). Also come along to the London Bird Club event and hear about tree sparrow conservation (Feb 18, 7pm-8.30pm, £2/under 18s FREE). Nature Explorers is sadly sold out this year. (Feb 17-18)

We also like
Go on a Love Heart Hunt at Battersea Park Zoo (Feb 13-21); spectacular scenes at the return of Orchids at Kew Garden (Feb 6-Mar 6); meet farm animals and enjoy tasty veggie nosh at Freightliners Farm in Islington (Tue-Sun); or go on a day trip to Willows Farm

Looking for more ideas? Check out the official guide to London for visitors, Visit London’s helpful page on Half Term in London