Halloween in London with Kids 2017

 

 
Jeepers creepers. Babes about Town is back with another ghastly guide to the best things to do over Halloween in London with kids. As usual, I’ve dug up (mwa haha) some spine-chilling activities bound to give your tiny creatures a scare, without leaving them terrified out of their wits. After all, they’re only little! From ghost train rides to haunted house parties, it’s set to be another monster Halloween in the capital. Watch your back…

 

 

 
Dark Arts at Hogwarts, Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, Aerodrome Way, Leavesden, Hertfordshire, WD25 7GS (Watford Junction rail)
Feast your eyes on the Great Hall adorned with 100 handcrafted floating pumpkins. Join in wand combat training with choreographer Paul Harris, and a live duel against Death Eaters in the Studio Tour’s backlot. Original Death Eater costumes are on display, including masks worn by He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named’s followers. All ages welcome. First tours from 9am, last tours from 6.30-6.45pm (closing time 3 hours after last tour); adult from £37-£39/child from £29-31//family from £118-£115/ages 4 and under FREE but require ticket. Advanced booking only. (Oct 1-Nov 12)

Halloween Pumpkin Carving at Eltham Palace, Court Yard, Eltham, Greenwich, London, SE9 5QE (Mottingham rail)
Creepy crafts, spooktacular costumes, pumpkin carving and more are on the menu for Eltham Palace’s Shocktober event. Don’t miss a chance to make your own witch or wizard hat to fly away home with. Prizes for costumes that terrify the staff! 11am, 12pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm; adult £14.50/child £8.60/concs £13/family £37.40 (Oct 23-27)

Halloween at Greenwich Market, SE10 9HZ (Cutty Sark DLR/Greenwich rail)
It’s baaaack, Jack! Come down to Greenwich Market for Halloween fun including Jack-o-lantern carving, making creepy costumes with Miss Libby Rose, spider web knitting with Natty Peeps, freaky face painting, monster mash dancing and more. All ages, 10am-6pm, FREE (Oct 23-27)

Museum of London Halloween Night Owls Sleepover at 150 London Wall, EC2Y 5HN (Barbican/St Paul’s tube)
Spend a night at the museum at the annual Halloween Sleepover. Hear eerie tales from Victorian London, trick or treat around the galleries and solve a creepy crime by torchlight. It’s lights out in the museum galleries until morning, when you can recover with brekkie and a family friendly movie. Ages 7+ and an adult. From 6pm-overnight (16 hrs duration), tickets £60 per person (Oct 27)

King’s Cross Halloween Parade and Party at Bird Cage, Kings’ Cross and Granary Square, King’s Cross, N1C 4BH (King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
Put on your creepiest costume and meet at the Bird Cage outside the station for a Halloween party and light parade. Look out for fake smoke, stilt walkers, acrobatics and pop-up magic. The party continues at Granary Square with performances from London Youth Circus, Circumference and members of the Magic Circle. 6pm meet up (at the Birdcage at Battle Bridge Place, between Kings Cross and St Pancras stations). Party ongoing 6.30pm-8pm at Granary Square; FREE (Oct 31)

 

 

 
Ragged School Museum: Hitchcock for Kids!, 46-50 Copperfield Road, E3 4RR (Mile End tube, Limehouse DLR)
He’s the master of suspense and this Halloween in London, the Ragged School Museum is hosting family art fun inspired by the movies of local boy Alfred Hitchcock. Along with the usual Halloween madness around the museum, your little psychos can have a go at crafts and activities referencing films like Vertigo and The Birds. 10am-5pm, FREE (Oct 25-26)

The Addams Family in Concert at Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP (South Kensington/High St Kensington tube)
Da da da da, click click! Wig out and snap your fingers to a classic family movie, as Barry Sonnenfeld’s enjoyably gothic kids’ show turned movie The Addams Family hits the Royal Albert Hall for its Festival of Film. Enjoy seeing Morticia (Angelica Huston), Gomez (Raúl Juliá), Wednesday (Christina Ricci) and Uncle Fester (Christopher Lloyd) on the big screen with live orchestral accompaniment. 5.30pm (bars and restaurants), 6pm (boxes), 6.30pm (auditorium), 7pm (film starts); standard fees £25-£55 (Oct 26)

Chickenshed presents Little Shed of Horrors, Chickenshed Theatre, Chase Side, Southgate, N14 4PE (Cockfosters/Oakwood tube)
A nerdy florist discovers a talking plant with a thirst for human flesh. Chickenshed and Talkies Community Cinema join forces for an evening of Halloween entertainment, with live music from Chickenshed Youth Band, followed by a screening of cult classic Little Shop of Horrors (PG). Come in your best fancy dress. Doors from 6.30pm with live music in the bar from 7p, movie 7.30pm in the Dance Studio; £10 (Oct 31)

 

 

 
National Maritime Museum Halloween Party: Lost in the Ice, National Maritime Museum, Park Row, Greenwich, SE10 9NF (Cutty Sark DLR/Greenwich rail)
This Halloween in London with kids is a great time to investigate a submerged ghost ship, go on tricky trails, meet ghosts and ghouls around the museum, join in a musical spooky story parade, and make your own spine-chilling art piece to take home. 11am-4pm; £8/member £5 (Oct 27)

Burgh House Halloween Party, New End Square, NW3 1LT (Hampstead tube/Hampstead Heath overground)
The fabulously frightful Halloween Party is baaaack at Burgh House. Creep in for a bubbling mix of fancy dress costumes (prizes for best one), murky museum trail, crafty activities, terrifying storytelling and more. Advance booking essential. Ages 0-8. 1pm-3pm, child £10/accompanying adult FREE (Oct 27)

Eddie Catz Annual Family Halloween Party at Eddie Catz Putney, 68-70 Putney High Street, 1st Floor, SW15 1SF (Putney Bridge/East Putney tube)
Funky Moves dance crew lead activities from Find the Skeleton/Spiders to Dress Like an Egyptian Mummy. Party on with face painting, magic, fancy dress catwalk and more. Ages 2-10 and their families. 5.30pm-7.30pm; adult £4.50 (includes drink and entry into fancy dress contest); child £15.50 (includes kids’ meal & drink, all entertainment & face painting, Halloween goodie bag); £1 tickets for under 1s, early booking recommended email info@eddiecatz.com to book spot. Also find Halloween parties at Eddie Catz Wimbledon, Earlsfield and Newbury (dates and times vary) (Oct 27 & 28)

Halloween Night with Highbury Roundhouse, Sotheby Mews Day Centre, Sotheby Road, N5 2UT (Highbury & Islington tube)
Your Halloween in London with kids isn’t complete until the freaks come out at night for this lucky dip mix of disco (parents and kids), Boojito for parents, photo booth, face painting, tricks and treats. BBQ & drinks on sale. All ages. 5pm-8pm, adult £5/child £2 (Oct 28)

Big Fish Little Fish: Halloween Spooktacular at Proud Camden, Chalk Farm Rd, London NW1 8AH (Chalk Farm/Camden Town tube, Camden Rd overground)
London’s top family ravers are back at Proud Camden for another monster mashup. Slither into your scariest costume (face painting can be provided) and tear up the dance floor to a live DJ mix. Go on and shake what your Mummy (or Frankenstein, Dracula etc) gave you. Creepy crafts room, free glowstick and transfer tattoos, licensed bar and parachute dance finale all included. For ages 0-8 and their grown ups. 2pm-4.30pm, Tickets are adult £9, child £6 and pre-walkers go free (Oct 29)

Baby Loves Disco’s Big Halloween Bash at Zebrano, 14-16 Ganton St, Carnaby, W1F 7BT (Oxford Circus tube)
Thriller moves and monster grooves are the order of the day at these baby and parent discos, aimed at ages 0-7 and their carers. Work your furry feet to tantalising tunes spun by live DJs. Costumes welcome but keep it toddler-friendly, and there’s karaoke and photo booth action, chill out area and licensed bar for your skeleton crew. 1pm & 3.30pm; £9.95 per walking human; family £32.95; non-walkers FREE (Oct 29)

Disco Kids: Spooktacular, at The Albany, Douglas Way, Deptford SE8 4AG (New Cross/Deptford overground)
Dust off your dancing shoes for another monster boogie at The Albany’s popular Sunday disco. DJ Jean Genie throws down the spooky tunes to make your hairy toes tap and your tails wiggle. Ages 0-7 and their families. 2pm-5pm, £6/family £20 (Oct 29)

Culpeper Garden Halloween Party, 1 Cloudesley Rd, N1 0EG (Angel tube)
The wonderful Culpeper Garden throws one of the best parties every Halloween in London with kids, with apple bobbing and other classic party games, a Halloween trail, treats and prizes for best costumes. All ages welcome. 4.30pm-6pm, FREE (date tbc, check via info@culpeper.org)

 

 

 
London Zoo: Boo at the Zoo, Regent’s Park, NW1 (Regent’s Park tube)
Head to London Zoo for a brilliant Halloween in London with kids. There’s pumpkin carving, a Pumpkin Party, mask making in the Bat Cave, spellbinding experiments in the Ghoul School, Grimm Curiosity Shop and more. If that’s not scary enough, why not take part in one of the Ghost Tours at London Zoo? 11am-3.30pm daily; activities free with regular entry (pumpkin carving £3/£5 for 2 pumpkins for paying entrants); admission from adult £24.30/child under 16 £18/under 3s FREE/family £75.80 (online discounts, higher prices at the gate) (Oct 21-31)

Pet Cemetery and Hair-Raising Halloween at Isis Education Centre, Hyde Park, W2 2UH (Hyde Park Corner tube)
Grave diggers old and young can embark on a Walking Tour of the Secret Pet Cemetery at Hyde Park. 11am-12pm, £15 (Oct 21 & 28). Or join in with Halloween activities like potion making, bat mask making, nature trails, and making a bat box to take home. All ages. 11am-3pm, FREE (Oct 26-27)

Riverside Cares: Teenie Halloweenie at Stepney City Farm, Stepney Way, E1 3DG (Stepney Green tube/Limehouse DLR)
Riverside Cares presents more fang-tastic Halloween events for kids ages 7 and under. Pick up bite-sized tips for parents, show off your dangerous dance moves, create your own Halloween crafts, parade in your weirdest outfit and more. Ages 0-7. 10.45am-12.45pm, FREE (Oct 27)

Horniman Halloween Fair, 100 London Rd, Forest Hill SE23 3PQ (Forest Hill overground)
Creep into Wild Fangs creature cave to meet a tarantula and other terrifying things on multiple legs, all part of the annual fair at Horniman Museum, one of our favourite spots to spend Halloween in London with kids. Make your own pumpkin headdress, join the spooky trail, hear scary stories, play on tea cup rides and bouncy castle, and show off your togs in the freaky fashion parade. 10.30am-4.30pm, £0-£5, most activities are FREE (Oct 28-29)

Halloween Dog Walk, Spaniards Rd, NW3 7JJ (Hampstead tube/East Finchley tube/Hampstead Heath overground)
Bow, wow, woah there! The hugely popular pooch parade returns for another Halloween outing. Spot costumed dogs (and owners), spooky stalls, treats and more to make you bare your gnashers. Proceeds to charity. Registration from 10.30am, walk from 11am; entrance fee per dog £5 (Oct 29)

 

 

 
London Museum of Water and Steam: Halloween Spookfest, Green Dragon Lane, Brentford, London TW8 0EN (Kew Bridge rail, Kew Gardens/Gunnersbury tube)
Climb aboard the haunted train, go on a gruesome trail, brave encounters with ghoulish creatures and cackle your way through the witches’ garden. Kids in spooky outfits go FREE with each paying adult. All ages. 11am-4pm; adult £12.50/child £5.50 (or FREE if in costume)/ family of 3 £18/family of 4 £30.50 (NB: discounted tickets available)/under 5s FREE (Oct 22-29)

London Eye: Halloween Rides, Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7PB (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Fly over the city sights in a London Eye capsule, after taking a selfie by the pumpkin display in front of the attraction. Includes free entry to London Eye 4D experience. London Eye open from 10am to 8.30pm; online prices adult from £21.90/child from £16.95/under 3s FREE (walk up prices higher) (Oct 21-31)

London Canal Museum Halloween Boat Rides, 12-13 New Wharf Rd, N1 9RT (King’s Cross tube)
It’s another top event for Halloween in London with kids, offering a haunting trip through Islington tunnel, with treats and glow sticks for young ones. Plus an opportunity to explore the museum before or after your journey. Boats depart every 20 mins from 3pm-9pm; adult £11-£12/child ages 0-15 £8.50-£9 (Oct 28-29)

Ghost Train on the Epping Ongar Railway, North Weald CM16 6BT (Epping tube zone 6, bus to North Weald)
Ride the Epping Ongar vintage steam or diesel Ghost Train through eerie Epping Forest and North ‘Weird’. Watch out for pop up magicians, silent disco, face painting, treats, a bar for adults, and special visits by the owls from Epping Forest Hawk and Owl Sanctuary! All ages. Train departures between 11.30am-8.45pm from North Weald and 12.05pm-8pm from Ongar (earlier trains best for younger passengers). Buses leave every half hour from 11am-7pm at Epping Station. Train and bus fare: adult £13-£15/child £10-£12/under 3s FREE (Oct 28-31)

 

 

 
BKD Haunted Houses Baking Workshop, Home and Kids, 121 Lee Road, SE3 9DS (Blackheath tube)
The baking wizards at BKD are back for another session of kitchen sorcery, inspiring mini makers to design the cake house of their dreams (or nightmares). Freshly baked chocolate biccie slabs, edible googly eyes and other goodies are available. Aprons provided, fancy dress highly encouraged. For ages 3+. 11am-12.30pm, £25 per child (includes 1 adult plus booking fee) (Oct 23)

Le Pain Quotidien Halloween Cookie Decorating Workshops, multiple venues
Little monsters are invited for a cookery class with a twist. Each child must be accompanied by a grownup and RSVP at your local branch as spaces are limited. Make cookies for Halloween in Wimbledon (3pm, 4pm & 5pm, Oct 25), Hampstead (4pm & 5.30pm, Oct 27), Highgate (3pm & 4pm, Oct 28), Chiswick (4pm & 5pm, Oct 30), and Notting Hill (4pm, Oct 31) branches. All FREE. Booking 020 3657 6929 (Oct 27-31)

Angel Central Halloween Pumpkin Rescue Squad, 21 Parkfield Street, Islington, N1 0PS (Angel tube)
Angel Central’s Pumpkin Rescue squad are back in the piazza for another communal cook-up featuring pumpkin leftovers. Chefs will be on hand to offer demos and cookery tips, plus there’s food waste feely boxes, face painting etc. Part of the London wide #PumpkinRescue. All ages. 11am-3pm, FREE (Oct 31)

Don’t miss Babes about Town’s October Half Term guide out soon!