Can you believe it’s February Half Term already? Our guide is here to save the day with tons of child friendly activities, family festivals, children’s theatre, kids cinema and more. Drop us a line if we’ve missed anything, I’m always on the look out for wonderful things to do in London!
BABES CHOICE: FEBRUARY HALF TERM 2017
Science Museum Robots (pic), Exhibition Road, South Kensington, SW7 2DD (South Kensington tube)
A truly groundbreaking exhibition at the fantastic Science Museum, taking us on a conceptual journey from people’s first attempts to make men out of machines, to the latest cutting edge innovations in robot technology. Focusing on the why rather than the how, this show features some stunning humanoid inventions and explores what it means to be human. Also a chance to visit the exciting interactive exhibition Wonderlab. Robots from 10am-10pm daily; adult £15/child age 7+ £13/child under 7 FREE (charges apply for Wonderlab) – advance booking strongly recommended (Feb 8-Sep 3)
Imagine Children’s Festival at Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, Se1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Probably the biggest date on the calendar for kids ages 0-12 in London, the Imagine Children’s Festival is an annual celebration of arts, culture and the power of the imagination. This year’s highlights include a screening of The Little Mermaid powered entirely by bicycling; a double bill of Julia Donaldson with The Gruffalo and Room on the Broom told to the accompaniment of orchestral music; experimental bedtime story workshop with School of Noise; afternoon clubbing with Rave-a-Roo; and Why the Whales Came plus Q&A with author Michael Morpurgo. Tickets and times vary, many activities are FREE (Feb 9-19)
Pirates of Penzance at London Coliseum, St Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4ES (Covent Garden tube)
Pitiful pirates, blundering bobbies and a fully grown 5 year old, Pirates of Penzance is a swashbuckling musical revival of award winning filmmaker Mike Leigh’s hit production. From the Police Sergeant’s patter to the tongue-twisting model of a modern Major General, the Gilbert & Sullivan mock opera is crammed with catchy songs, zany humour and enough spectacle to thrill old and young. For ages 5+ (younger visitors will not be admitted). 3pm & 7.30pm (Sat), 7.30pm (Thu & select Tue); tickets from £12/under 16s half price (Feb 9-Mar 25)
Trolls Dance Party at Shrek’s Adventure, Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7PB (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
We love the Trolls and had fun partying with them at Shrek’s Adventure before Christmas. For February half term you hang out with Poppy and Branch at Shrek’s Adventure, show off your best moves and score some points as you wander through the interactive journey, including 4D ride and stinky swamp. 10am-5pm (Sun-Fri), 10am-6pm (Sat); tickets from adult £19-£27.50/child £15-£22/family £31 per person (Feb 10-18)
Epping Ongar Railway Half Term: Kids for a Quid, Epping-Ongar Railway, North Weald, CM16 6BT and Ongar, CM5 9AB (vintage bus ride via Epping tube to North Weald station)
There’s something so exciting about going back in time via a quick stop off the tube, to board a heritage steam or diesel train and ride along the Epping Ongar railway line. You can stop off in Epping Forest briefly and make a day of it, and for their Half Term Specials kids can travel for just £1 (up to 4 kids per 1 fee paying adult)! All ages welcome. From 9.30am; adult £13/child £1 (Feb 11, 12, 15, 18 & 19)
Directing Dobby at WB Studio Tour, Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, Aerodrome Way, Leavesden, Hertfordshire, WD25 7GS (Watford Junction rail)
My boy Ezra was heartbroken when Dobby died in the Harry Potter movies, so he’ll be thrilled to see the sweet house-elf brought back to life in this interactive event at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London offers visitors a chance to try motion capture with a display that allows them to see Dobby reflecting their own movements in real time. You can also see the artistry that went into the creation of Dobby’s model used in CGI shooting scenes (he was hand-painted down to the veins in his eyes!). Look up and you’ll also spot Dobby in the window of No. 4 Privet Drive, Harry’s childhood home that will be reopened specially for the occasion. Magical fun for your whole brood. All ages. 9am-10am first tours, last tour 4-6.30pm (closing time 3 hours after last tour); adult from £37-£39/child from £29-£31/family £118-£126/under 4s FREE but require tickets. Pre-booking essential. (until Mar 31)
SPECIAL EVENTS
Discover London Children’s Book Swap at Discover Children’s Story Centre (Stratford overground/tube) and participating venues across London
The 6th annual London Children’s Book Swap gives readers young and old an opportunity to (re)discover and exchange their favourite books, join in with story adventures and author/illustrator meet and greets and celebrate the power of storytelling at multiple venues around London. Find events at Barbican Centre, Southbank Centre, The Cartoon Museum, House of Illustration, Arts Depot, Jacksons Lane, Rich Mix, V&A Museum of Childhood, Polka Theatre, Unicorn Theatre, Vauxhall City Farm and other spots. Visit the London Children’s Book Swap Facebook page for full venue details, map and times. (Feb 11)
Institute of Imagination Lab Live: Recode (pic), The Imagination Lab at The Workshop, Lambeth High Street, SE1 7SP (Lambeth Bridge tube)
Come for a day of dance, movement, numbers, language, crafting and engineering as the Institute of Imagination demystifies ‘code’ for families, asking kids and their adults to ‘recode’. Using a mix of words, symbols, sketching, sound and movement, you can explore ideas about coe and how it can be used, for everything including the language of dance to Morse code. Ages 5-12 and adult carers. 10am-5pm, £7 (Feb 11)
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park: Half Term at the Slide & Aqua Splash!, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford, E20 2ST (Stratford tube/overground/DLR)
Half term antics at the Olympic park range from whizzing down the world’s tallest slide at the ArcelorMittal Orbit to going from ‘wipe-out’ to ‘extreme’ at the Aqua Splash inflatable obstacle course in London Aquatics Centre. There’s also a funfair with dodgems, carousels and roller coaster, along with the usual on-site attractions plus Westfield Stratford nearby for shopping and a range of foodie treats. Open daily from around 9am; varying fees and times (Feb 11-19)
Rave-a-Roo at Ministry of Sound, 103 Gaunt Street, SE1 6DP (Elephant & Castle/Borough tube)
The “clubbing mash-up of festival fun for the whole family” returns for February half term, offering a daytime dance party at top London clubbing venue Ministry of Sound. Celebrate Rave-a-Roo’s first anniversary with DJ Cuddles and Mr Ben, hosts Dick & Dom, LIVE stage performances, confetti fun, neon crafting, Glow Chill Room, Funky Soft Play room, Old Skool Rave Room, UV tattoo station and Rave-A-Roo resident artists Go! Go! Go! (Dance Set) as seen on Nick Jr. 1pm-3pm & 4pm-6pm; £10.50 early bird, £13.50 adv, £20 door/group discounts available/babies in arms go FREE but require ticket (Feb 18 & Mar 4)
Magical Lantern Festival, Chiswick House and Gardens, Chiswick, W4 2QN (Gunnersbury overground/Turnham Green tube/Chiswick rail)
Following on from a hugely successful run in 2017, Magical Lantern Festival returns to illuminate Chiswick House and Gardens. Stroll through the magical setting, enchanted by light sculptures of birds, animals, and striking scenes. For Chinese New Year of the Rooster 2017 there’s a special theme – ‘Explore the Silk Road’ – featuring oversized lantern scenes highlighting this significant trade and culture route from Europe to Ancient China. Throughout the festival you can tuck into yummy food and enjoy live music, virtual reality gaming, Chinese bamboo lantern riddles, ice rink, mini funfair and more. All ages. 5pm-10pm (Thu-Sun) & daily during Feb half-term; adult £16.50-£20/child £10.50-£14/family £50-£64 (daily, ends Feb 26)
MUSEUMS & WORKSHOPS
Robot Zoo at the Horniman Museum, 100 London Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3PQ (Forest Hill overground)
After its popular debut in 2009, Robot Zoo at the Horniman Museum returns with larger-than-life animals recreated with everyday machine parts and gadgets to show how their real life counterparts see, eat, hide and hunt. Discover a housefly’s lightning reactions or even design your own mutant robot beast. The hands-on exhibition lets you fire a chameleon’s ‘tongue-gun’ or try jet-propelled squid racing, as well as figure out why chameleons colour-shift, how bats see in the dark and what makes grasshoppers leap so high. Educational fun for all ages. Daily; adult £7/child £4/family £17 (Feb 11-Oct 29)
Play the Museum Game, V&A Museum of Childhood, Cambridge Heath Road, E2 9PA (Bethnal Green tube)
Play the Museum like a giant board game, inspired by the major ongoing exhibition Game Plan: Board Games Rediscovered. The playful series of activities and workshops includes a card game workshop, designing and creating your own board game, immersive adventure The Lost Room, giant chess game Check Mate!, and a Magical Games Worlds workshop to design your own gaming character. Varying times between 10am-4pm daily; £5-£12 per activity, several events FREE (Feb 13-17)
House of Illustration: The Tale of Kitty-in-Boots (pic), Two 2 Granary Square, N1C 4BH (Kings Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
Head to House of Illustration in King’s Cross to experience the 2nd major exhibition in the new Quentin Blake Gallery showcasing original artwork by Quentin Blake. After the recent rediscovery of the Beatrix Potter manuscript, the exhibition features Blake’s 50 illustrations for the book, plus a sketchbook and reference material. You can also see the original Beatrix Potter manuscript and one of Potter’s only two illustrations for the book, on loan from the V&A. 10am-6pm; £4-£8.25 (until Feb 26)
Cutty Sark STEAMFest, Cutty Sark, King William Walk, London SE10 9HT (Cutty Sark DLR/Greenwich rail)
Over February half term, you can take part in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and maths) activities on the historic clipper ship. Take part in a big build project to create a giant ship using unlikely materials; make a balloon-powered vehicle, a small compass or a weather vane; and learn why Cutty Sark was one of the fastest ships of her age, among other ship-related questions. Ages 5+, all ages welcome. 11.30am-3.45pm; adult £13.50/child £7 (Feb 13-18)
We also like
One of Britain’s most influential artists on show in David Hockney at Tate Britain (Feb 9-May 29); learn green screen and coding techniques at British Museum Family Workshops (Feb 10-12, 18-19); visit National Portrait Gallery Family Workshops for drop-in sessions on portraiture in different media (Feb 11-17 & Feb 19); V&A Museum February Half Term Fun includes Pop Up Performances and their ever popular Imagination Station make and play sessions (Feb 11-19); make and take your own Airfix model at Royal Air Force Museum in Colindale (Feb 13-17); build a model cable car at Museum of London Docklands (Feb 13); take part in crafty activities to explore how people make A Place of their Own at Geffrye Museum (Feb 14-17); and there are always fantastic sounding events on at Museum of London and
Museum of Brands over the holidays.
FAMILY THEATRE & WORKSHOPS
Vault Festival: A Night at the Theatre (pic), The Vaults, Leake St, London SE1 7NN (Waterloo tube/rail)
Go underground with Waterloo’s Vault Festival and let your imagination dance free. This playful show from Casson & Friends that investigates all the magic and wonder of the theatre. When three friends get trapped in an abandoned theatre, it’s not long before their thespian talents burst free and the audience is invited to join along. Help make a dance in this show combining theatre, audio-description and storytelling for ages 4+. 1.45pm; £12 (Feb 12)
Arts Depot: The Tin Soldier, Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA (Finchley Central tube)
Dance, live music and inventive storytelling are at the heart of this charming love story, about a newly minted tin soldier and a paper ballerina. Peut Etre Theatre bring another inspired production for young audiences to the stage at Arts Depot. For ages 4+. The show is accompanied by a series of fun workshops involving storytelling, circus, dance and music — NB: all workshops currently SOLD OUT so check for returns. Shows at 11am & 2pm (Wed-Sun), £10 (Feb 15-19)
Fantastic Mr Fox at Lyric Hammersmith, Lyric Square, King St W6 0QL (Hammersmith tube)
He’s smart, sassy and more than a little bit fantastic, but not everybody loves Mr Fox — least of all the foul farmers Boggis, Bunce and Bean. They’re out to ensnare him and his loved ones, but Mr Fox is clever enough to come up with a plan that will save the day. But will Rabbit give the game away? Fantastic Mr Fox is a flagship musical adaptation set to delight audiences at Lyric Hammersmith, bringing Dahl’s beloved characters to the stage in gloriumptious fashion. For ages 5+. 1pm, 1.30pm & 2.30pmmatinees; 7pm (Tue, Fri & Sat), 7.30pm (Wed, Thu) – NB dates and times vary, check site. Extra matinees available in half-term. Tickets £15-£40. (until Feb 19)
Romeo & Juliet at National Theatre, National Theatre, South Bank, SE1 9PX (Embankment/Waterloo tube)
A fun and funky twist on Shakespeare’s tragic love story, Romeo & Juliet at National Theatre brings the star-crossed lovers’ plight bang into the 21st century with an urban, multicultural cast. The show is SOLD OUT (check for returns) but kids can get involved in several workshops over half term. In Romeo & Juliet Explored you can learn about the ancient grudge between Montagues & Capulets, stage a street fight and brush up on your Shakespearean disses (Mon Feb 13 & Tue Feb 14, 11am, £5); in Stage Fighting: Capulet Combat vs Montague Moves you can pick up stylised stage fighting techniques (Mon Feb 13 1pm & 3pm; Tue Feb 14/Wed Feb 15, 1pm, £5). Ages 7-12, younger ones not admitted. Read my Romeo & Juliet at National Theatre review (workshops Feb 13-15, show until Feb 24)
The Iron Man at Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley Street, Southwark, SE1 2HZ (London Bridge tube)
The brilliant and beloved tale by Ted Hughes that has captured the imaginations not only of readers, but animators who turned the story into the Iron Giant movies, comes to Unicorn Theatre in a vibrant new adaptation. An alien machine drops into a field and struggles to make sense of the foreign environment, while chewing up tractors and other mechanical ‘food’. Under threat from those that don’t understand him, he’s befriended by a boy who might just be the answer to his uncertain future in the weird place we call earth. Thoughtful, funny and moving, The Iron Man is brought to life with stop-motion animation, puppets and paper-cut silhouettes. For ages 8+ and families. 11am & 2.30pm (Sat), 2pm (Sun); adult £12/child £8 (until Mar 5)
FAMILY CONCERTS
Aurora Orchestra Family Concerts: Far, Far Away at Kings Place 90 York Way, London, N1 9AG (Kings Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
Aurora Orchestra’s programme of family friendly concerts weaves together live performances, beautiful sets and an original story from Writer-in-Residence Kate Wakeling. Audiences as young as babes-in-arms are invited to immerse themselves in the music and stories with games and props. In Debussy and the Snow Elephant, enter a wintry world with hero Jimbo the elephant as he learns to shuffle like a penguin, hop like a toad, sparkle like fireflies and realise his dream to be a dancer. For ages 0-4 and adult carers. 12.30pm (Feb 10); 10.30am, 11.30am and 12.30pm (Feb 11); 10am, 11am and 12pm (Feb 12); 10am, 11am and 12pm (Feb 18 & Feb 19); all tickets £5.50 children, adult £7.50, child £5.50, family of 4 £17.50, family of 5 £20.50 (Feb 10-12, Feb 18-19)
Mini Maestro Family Concert: Mozart Eine kleine Nachtmusik at St Martin in the Fields, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 4JJ (Charing Cross tube)
Tuneful tots and mini music fans are invited to this popular series of family friendly concerts led by the London Symphony Orchestra. Over February half term you can listen to one of Mozart’s most famous compositions, bursting with joy and vitality, plus a chance for kids to get up close with the instrumentalists. 4.30pm; adult £10/child £8 (Feb 18)
Max the Brave at Barbican Centre (pic), Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS (Barbican tube)
Britten Sinfonia take on the popular picture book by Ed Vere in this exciting musical showcase, bringing the best of children’s literature and family friendly concerts together. Brave kitty Max is in search of a mouse, but to be successful in his question he needs to first discover what a mouse actually is. Author and illustrator Ed Vere is on hand to take you on this delightful musical odyssey. For ages 3-7 and upwards. 2pm & 4pm; adult £12/child £6 (Feb 19)
FAMILY CINEMA
We’re excited for the LEGO Batman Movie (PG, on general release Friday Feb 10), already gaining bigger buzz than The LEGO Movie; also recommended are animated musical hit Sing (PG), the multiple Oscar nominated La La Land (12A), and Lion (PG-13) starring Dev Patel.
Here’s a selection of pocket-friendly 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)
Framed Film Club: Storks (U, Feb 11) & Tangled (PG, Feb 18) both at 11am; Child £2.50/Adult £3.50 (Feb 11 & Feb 18)
Electric Cinema Kids Club, 191 Portobello Rd, W11 2ED (Notting Hill tube)
The Adventures of Huck Finn at 9.30am; adult/child £5 (Feb 11)
Moana at 9.30am; adult/child £5 (Feb 18)
Phoenix Cinema Kids Club, 52 High Rd, East Finchley N2 9PJ (East Finchley tube)
Pete’s Dragon at 12pm; Adult/Child £3 (Feb 11)
Trolls at 12pm; Adult/Child £3 (Feb 18)
Regent St Cinema Kids Kino Club, 309 Regent St, W1B 2UW (Oxford Circus tube)
The Eagle Huntress at 11.30am; £1.75 (Feb 11)
Ballerina at 11.30am; £1.75 (Feb 18)
Prince Charles Cinema: Studio Ghibli Forever Season, 7 Leicester Pl, WC2H 7BY (Leicester Square tube)
My Neighbour Totoro at 12.30pm; £7.50 non-member/£5 member (Feb 12)
Only Yesterda at 3.35pm; £7.50 non-member/£5 member (Feb 18)
BFI Southbank: BFI Families, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XT (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Little Fugitive from 1.30pm; adult £11.75/child £4 (Feb 12)
BFI Half Term Workshop: Fairytales vs Superhero Mash Up for ages 8-12; 11am-4pm, £30 (siblings £20) (Feb 16)
COMING SOON
Soho Hotel Children’s Film Club, 4 Richmond Mews, W1D 3DH (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Moana at 10.30am (10am brunch); £10 (film only), or £20 (includes buffet brunch at 10am + popcorn and drinks for film) (Feb 26)
NATURE & OUTDOORS
The Snail and the Whale at London Aquarium, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7PB (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Love going underwater with the sea creatures at Sea Life London Aquarium? Here’s one more reason to visit this top attraction over half term — you can take part in the new interactive trail inspired by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler’s The Snail and The Whale. Meet a Giant African Land snail and decorate your own ‘Snail Rock’ with a ‘Save The Whale’ message for display in our centre. All activities in support of marine wildlife conservation. From 10am daily; adult from £20.40 online/child discounts available, prebooking advised (Feb 10-28)
London Zoo: Vets in Action (pic), Regent’s Park NW1 4RY (Regent’s Park/Camden Town tube)
Half term gets busy at the zoo but it’s worth a stop this February half term holiday to check out the Vets in Action. Meet trained animal healthcare professionals and find out what they get up to at the zoo, during an action packed week of events. Also a brilliant time to discover the recently reopened enclosure Land of the Lions. Vets live 11am-3pm; zoo opening hours 10am-5pm (last entry 4pm); adult from £24.30-£29.75/child £18-£22/family £75.80/under 3s FREE (Feb 13-21)
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)
Isis Education Centre Discovery Days & Nature Explorers at The Lookout, Hyde Park, W2 2UH (Hyde Park Corner tube)
Go exploring around Hyde Park with magnifying glasses to discover hidden habitats and help make a natural sculpture. Nature Explorers all day workshop for ages 8-12 lasts from 10am-3pm (Feb 14, £15); there are Brilliant Bird discovery days for all the family involving bird watching, making bird feeders, painting birds or making bird crafts (Wed Feb 15 & Thu Feb 16, 11am-3pm, FREE but donations welcome). (Feb 14-16)