Half term begins. Panic not, me hearties. Our October Half Term London Kids Scoop is packed with 30+ activities to stave off the dreaded ‘mummy, I’m bored’ cries. Dinosaurs, museums, free family days, film workshops and more. Enjoy and keep an eye out for our Halloween guide out soon!
October Half Term London 2016
BABES CHOICE
Wilton’s Music Hall Family Weekender: Gateway to the World, Graces Alley, E1 8JB (Aldgate East/Tower Hill tube)
It’s the third instalment of Wilton’s Music Hall’s Scene in Time free family weekenders. Go back through history and the heritage of the venue, exploring the impact of trade and immigration on local culture and Wilton’s. Try magic, film, arts and crafts, live music and performances, face painting and balloon stalls. Chickenshed’s Tales from the Shed and Lucky Dog Picturehouse Silent Cinema programme all add to the mix. All ages. 10am-6pm, FREE (Oct 22-23)
Kidtropolis, ExCel London, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, E16 1DR (Prince Regent DLR)
We’re looking forward to this giant event taking place for the first time over October half term. Perfect for kids ages 12 and under, an all-inclusive ticket allows access to an astonishing range of live shows, activities and fun. Meet the Optimus Prime big rig and play with Transformers, hop on the My Little Pony double decker bus, catch up with the Angry Birds, swim with a virtual reality Whale, play in a 40 player Minecraft hub, get creative with Playdoh and Playmobil, hang with Youtubers Ethan GamerTV, Tiana from Toys AndMe and Gorgeous Movies. There are trampolines, Nerf guns, Zombie Strike, inflatable Helter Skelter, Scalextric racing, Parkour workshops and much much more. What’s more your kids will love travelling to ExCel London via the DLR and the Emirates Cable Car! Ages 0-12 and families. Morning sessions 9.30am-1.30pm, afternoon sessions from 2pm-6pm; £13.50 adv/£15.50 door/under 2s FREE (Oct 25-27)
Shakespeare’s Globe: Tales for Winter at the Globe Theatre, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, SE1 9DT (Blackfriars/Mansion House tube)
This October half term head to the famous Globe theatre for their Tales for Winter (top picture) series. Classic dramas Macbeth, Henry V and of course The Winter’s Tale are brought to life through engaging storytelling, workshops and author appearances. Ages 4+. From 10am (times vary for storytelling, workshops and authors); adult £6-£10/child £5-£8 (Oct 25-29)
Royal Albert Hall: Michael Morpurgo’s War Horse with Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP (South Kensington/High St Kensington tube)
Hurry and book for this special concert event featuring an emotionally-charged reading of War Horse by author Michael Morpurgo and co-narrator Joanna Lumley, with musical accompaniment by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra. The event includes a specially-arranged score by Adrian Sutton and John Tams, inspired by the soundtrack for the National Theatre production of War Horse. Olivier, Tony and OBIE award-winning British designer Rae Smith will also create animated illustrations of Morpurgo’s book live on stage. 6.45pm doors open/7.30pm-9.30pm show; £19.90-£70 (Oct 27)
Shoreditch Townhall Takeover, 380 Old Street, London EC1V 9LT (Old St tube)
Boom bap, it’s a takeover of Shoreditch Town Hall for babies, big kids and your whole brood. This bumper programme of dance, art, music and fun features Guiness World Record holder Marawa the Amazing (pictured) hula hooping up a storm, East London Dance showcase, Landsky storytelling, Hackney Playbus soft play, Baby Loves Disco (tickets £4 per entry), Kazzum interactive theatre, Make Your Own Radio Show with Cultivaters and tons more. All ages welcome. 10am onwards, only pay what you can at the door (Oct 29)
Science Museum Wonderlab: The Statoil Gallery, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, SW7 2DD (South Kensington tube)
The world’s most spectacular interactive gallery has just opened to the public, with 7 different zones and 50 mind-blowing marvels to discover. Wonderlab reveals the beauty of science and maths as it shapes our everyday lives, and features daily shows including Flash Bang Wallop (think explosions!) and The Rocket Show. You can watch lightning strike before your very eyes, order up a concoction from the Chemistry Bar, or whizz down the giant slides… and that’s just for starters! We weren’t too chuffed about Science Museum charging for its discovery space, but the Wonderlab sounds amazing and you can buy an annual pass to visit again and again and again. All ages. 10am-6pm, day pass from £6 /annual pass from £10 or £39 per family (ongoing)
FAMILY THEATRE
Sadler’s Wells: Pinocchio, Rosebery Avenue, EC1R 4TN (Angel tube)
Jasmin Vardimon Company present Pinocchio, an enchanting balletic take on the classic fable of a little wooden puppet who wishes desperately to be a real boy. Experience the company’s trademark theatrical style filled with sharp observations and clever humour. For ages 7+. 7.30pm (Mon), 11.30am & 2pm (Tue); adult £18/child £12 (Oct 24-25)
Arts Depot: Monstersaurus, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA (Finchley Central/West Finchley/Woodside Park tube)
Grrrrr. Monty is an inventor whose crazy concoctions sometimes come to life! But what will he do with these monstrous beings now that they’re out of his imagination and causing havoc in the real world. From the creators of Aliens Love Underpants comes this enjoyable ‘tail’ filled with mayhem, spills and thrills. For ages 3+. 11am & 2pm; £8/£10/£12.50 (Oct 25-28)
Polka Theatre: Around the World in 80 Days, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1SB (South Wimbledon tube)
4 continents, 5 trains, 6 ships! Navigate the globe with Phileas Fogg, armed only with a pocket watch, a bag full of money, and a wager to win. This Jules Verne novel adaptation combines music, storytelling and a multi-talented cast of actors in a high-speed adventure for ages 6-11.
11.30am & 2.30pm (Tue-Sat), £13.50 (until Oct 30)
Stratford Circus presents Bedtime Stories at Stratford Circus Arts Centre, Theatre Square, Stratford, E15 1BX (Stratford tube/DLR/overground)
We caught this enchanting show at Edinburgh Fringe festival over summer and loved it. Bedtime Stories by Upswing Theatre follows a young girl, her imaginary friend and her workaholic mum, borrowing elements from The Emperor’s Nightingale. Snuggle up on a beanbag to watch this touching tale, that weaves storytelling, circus, dance and shadow projections. Ages 3+. 11.30am & 3pm; £8-£10 (Oct 28-29)
Little Angel Theatre: Emily Rising, 14 Dagmar Passage, N1 2DN (Angel tube)
On a bright autumn morning, Emily wakes to find her feet no longer touch the ground, and she keeps on rising. Join Emily on her journey from sleeping on her ceiling to flying across London, to discover a world that looks totally new from up high. This warmly received puppet theatre explores fairly advanced themes and is not recommended for kids any younger than 7. 11am, 2pm & 4pm; adult £12/child £10/Friday Fives £5 for shows from 5pm on Fri (until Nov 20)
We also like
Gaga Theatre’s adaptation of Quentin Blake’s Mrs Armitage and the Big Wave, playing at multiple locations across London (until Oct 30); Peter Pan Goes Wrong flying high at Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue (Oct 21-Jan 29); limited availability for Unicorn Theatre: Tetris, the dance piece inspired by the classic video game (Oct 22); settle in for White at Battersea Arts Centre, a playful show for ages 2-4 (Oct 27-29); and also at Arts Depot this October half term, a quirky urban spin on The Magic Paintbrush for ages 3+ (Oct 30)
SPECIAL EVENTS
Why? What’s Happening for the Young at Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Southbank Centre’s festival inspired by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child returns with a feast of activities, including debating, dance, spoken word, music and more. spoken word, music and lots of debate. Special picks include: Beyond the Bassline singing for men and boys, Comedy Club 4 Kids, Pram Jam, a world record attempt to create a Giant Human Knot and much more. Events between 10am-7pm daily; tickets from £5-£14, most events are FREE (Oct 19-23)
Bloomsbury Festival, in and around Russell Square and Bedford Square, WC2 (Russell Square tube)
It’s coming up to the end of this brilliant local festival celebrating one of London’s most evocative neighbourhoods. Come for pop-up theatre and live music stages, kids crafting, food and more. Highlights this weekend are family days at British Museum, British Library, October Gallery (Sat), SOAS World Music Stage (Sat); Tchaikovsky for kids at Musica Nova Academy (Sun), a sci-fi treasure hunt at Great Ormond St Hospital (Sun). All ages. From around 10am-7pm daily (event times vary), FREE (Oct 19-23)
Shrek’s Adventure! Half term with the Trolls, Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7PB (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls are trollifying Shrek’s Adventure! London for October half term. Special guests Poppy and Branch bring their rainbow colours and feel-good songs into the murky swamp. Shake off those Halloween cobwebs and find your happy inside the interactive play zone with special effects and 4D fun. 10am-5pm (Sun-Fri), 10am-6pm (Sat); advance online tickets from £23.40 (Oct 22-31)
Dishoom does Diwali, West Handyside Canopy, off Granary Square, Kings Cross, N1C 4AA (Kings Cross St Pancras tube)
Celebrate Diwali at Dishoom, the fabulous Indian restaurant that will be shining out on King’s Cross for the festival of lights. Come for a free afternoon and evening of free Indian snacks and drinks (chai, mithai, Thums up etc) from Dishoom, plus Rangoli (pavement art), henna and face painting, and music from Shammi Pithai, Vibs Bhatia and Vik, Sabiyha Rasheed, Alisha Nadir among others. If you’re extra hungry, you can feast on tasty grub from street food vendors (bring cash for these). All ages. 3.30pm-8pm, FREE (Oct 23)
StoryStock Festival at Bush Theatre, 7 Uxbridge Rd, W12 8LJ (Shepherd’s Bush Market/Shepherd’s Bush tube)
Angels & Urchin’s travelling story circus heads to Lyric Theatre for October half term, with a mix of author and illustrator talks and workshops, performances and readings. This year’s line-up: 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 27-28)
MUSEUMS & WORKSHOPS
British Library Family Day, The British Library, 96 Euston Road, NW1 2DB (Euston/King’s Cross St Pancras tube)
Explore the British Library’s cabinet of curiosities, ancient manuscripts, enormous stamp collection and treasure trove of books at this special day for all the family. There’s also interactive storytelling, magic lanterns, theatrical family trails and more kid-friendly action. Great excuse to (re)discover this wonderful venue. Part of Bloomsbury Festival. All ages. 11am-4pm, FREE (Oct 22)
Natural History Museum: Questival Family Day, Cromwell Rd, SW7 5BD (South Kensington tube)
Love the Natural History Museum? Then join in for their first ever festival of questions aka Questival. Go on a quest as a dino detective, exercising your powers of observation, complete a hive of answers in a bug-themed bingo, borrow a real live expert from the Lending Library of Museum Scientists and more curious fun. 11am-5pm, FREE (Oct 26)
V&A Museum of Childhood: Board Game Fun, Cambridge Heath Road, E2 9PA (Bethnal Green tube)
Scrabble, Snakes and Ladders, Chess, Ludo and other board games are the centrepiece of the museum’s October half term activities. Play games, become part of a giant board game, upcycle game pieces into fashion accessories, redesign a popular board game or invent your own. All inspired by the exhibition Board Games. Workshops from ages 5+, the museum is entertaining for all ages. Varying times between 10am-4pm daily; £5 per activity, several events FREE (Oct 24-30)
Geffrye Museum Half Term Family Activities, 136 Kingsland Road, London, E2 8EA (Hoxton overground)
Geffrye Museum October half term workshops are all about the autumn season again, offering visitors a chase to bake seasonal treats, make light festival decorations and colourful leaf crowns. 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 25-28)
Institute of Imagination: Digital Make, Digital Do at Imagination Lab at The Workshop, Lambeth High Street, Albert Embankment, SE1 7SP (Vauxhall tube/rail)
Come to this open house event (pictured) to help let the Institute understand how you would like their Imagination Lab to develop. Activities planned include experimenting with art, sound and storytelling such as animating stories, building robotic sound orchestra and working with Kano computers to make and code art. Ages 5-12. 10am & 1.30pm, FREE (Oct 28-29)
We also like
Try coding, Ice Age animation and other digital activities at British Museum (Oct 22-30); there’s lots of fiery action (games, storytelling, crafting) inspired by their Great Fire of London exhibition at Museum of London this October Half Term (Oct 22-30); have a go at Digital Makers: Glitch, Crackle & Pop for ages 8-14 at Tate Britain (Oct 25); make shadow puppets, smart phone animations and more at Whitechapel Gallery Family Day (Oct 29)
FAMILY FILM
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)
The BFG (Oct 22) & Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween Movie (Oct 30) both playing at 11am, 10am workshop for Pooh movie; Child £2.50/Adult £3.50 (Oct 22 & 30)
Electric Cinema Kids Club, 191 Portobello Rd, W11 2ED (Notting Hill tube)
Kubo and the Two Strings at 9.30am; adult/child £5 (Oct 15)
Phoenix Cinema Kids Club, 52 High Rd, East Finchley N2 9PJ (East Finchley tube)
Ice Age: Collision Course (U) at 12pm; Adult/Child £3 (Oct 22)
Regent St Cinema Kids Kino Club, 309 Regent St, W1B 2UW (Oxford Circus tube)
Maleficent at 11.30am; £1.75 (Oct 22)
Rich Mix Kids Cine Time, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA (Shoreditch High St overground)
Finding Dory at 12pm; £1.75 (Oct 22)
BFI Southbank: BFI Families, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XT (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Half Term Programme: Like Mike (PG) at 12.30pm (Oct 23) & 2pm (Oct 24) and Annie at 2.30pm (Oct 25) & 1pm (Oct 30); adult £11.75/child £4; also kids movie and animation workshops (Wed-Thu) see Half Term at BFI
(Oct 23-Oct 30)
Soho Hotel Children’s Film Club, 4 Richmond Mews, W1D 3DH (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Kubo and the Two Strings at 10.30am (10am brunch); £10 (film only), or £20 (includes buffet brunch at 10am + popcorn and drinks for film) (Oct 30)
NATURE & ADVENTURE
Half Term at Sea Life London Aquarium, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7PB (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Dive underwater with the sharks, turtles and penguins at London Aquarium this half term. See your favourite sea creatures up close, look for Dory, Nemo and friends in the tanks and take part in a fun trail. From 10am daily; from adult £19.50 online/child discounts available, prebooking advised (Oct 22-30)
Grant Museum of Zoology: Marvellous Mammals, Rockefeller Building, University College London, University Street, WC1E 6DE (Euston tube)
Discover the museum’s most marvellous mammals, from rhinos to wombats, and handle specimens including gorilla bones and elephant tusks. Celebrate the marvellous world of marsupials with fun, specimen-based activities. 1pm-4.30pm, FREE, drop in (Oct 25-28)
Ski & Snowboard Show at at Battersea Evolution, Battersea Park, London, SW11 4NJ (Clapham Junction rail/Sloane Square tube)
Gnarly kid! The festival skiers, snowboarders and other chilled out children and their families is back at Earl’s Court. So much happening for all ages, try boarding in Burton Riglet park, meet Santa on the snow, experience a pop-up version of Kidzania London, watch some pro-riders in action, or scoop some of the 10,000 free lift passes for the Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead. Don’t miss out on the apres ski activities once the babes have gone to bed. 11am-7pm (Thu), 10am-10pm (Fri), 10am-8pm (Sat), 10am-5pm (Sun); tickets from adult £20 adv, £22 door/under 11s FREE (Oct 27-30)
Dinosaur Days at London Wetland Centre, Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, Barnes, SW13 9WT (Hammersmith tube)
In West London this Half Term you can see a life size Stegosaurus, view real dinosaur bones, spot (or buy) rocks, minerals and fossils, hear dino experts speak, learn how dinosaurs, wetlands and dinosaurs are linked and loads more. Don’t miss the walking, talking T Rex making appearances throughout the day. 10.30am-12.30pm and 2pm-4pm; adult from £11.91/child from £6.55/family from £33.27/under 4s FREE (Oct 29-30)
The Magic Garden at Hampton Court Palace (main pic), East Molesey, Surrey KT8 9AU (Hampton Court rail)
Last chance to enjoy the interactive play space before it closes for the season. The Magic Garden is filled with mythical beasts, battlements to storm, towers to besiege and a secret grotto to explore. Inspired by the fairytale like quality of the Tudor Palace, the Magic Garden adds a layer of fun for the kids on a family visit to the historic palace, gardens and maze. All ages. Open daily 10am-6pm until Oct 30. Maze and Magic Garden 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, ongoing)
We also like
Head to Hyde Park for the Isis Education Centre Discovery Days; there’s more outdoors action at Holland Park Ecology Centre (Oct 24-28); enjoy the glorious greenery and colours of Kew Gardens in October (ongoing)
Snack Time for Hungry Kids (+ their Adults)
