February Half Term London Kids Scoop (February 9-18, 2018)

 

 
February half term is here, and there is a crazy amount of things to do with kids in London this month. This school holiday, there’s Pancake Day, Valentine’s Day, Chinese New Year all squeezed into one incredible week of fun. Our February half term kids scoop is packed with ideas for all ages, no matter the weather. Enjoy!

 

FEBRUARY HALF TERM: BABES CHOICE

 

 
Imagine Children’s Festival at Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, Se1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Crawlers, strollers and scooters align for one of the biggest and most entertaining family events on the London calendar. Ben Shire of Match of the Day Kickabout hosts, along with comedian Harry Hill presenting a special show, author Jacqueline Wilson doing readings and signings, plus loads more activities. Highlights to look out for include Greg James and Chris Smith’s superhero mashup, Screaming with Laughter comedy with the irrepressible Scummy Mummies, the ever popular Aurora Orchestra family concerts, Fun DMC hip hop daytime party, and finishing off with Bedtime Stories in the Clore Ballroom. Times and prices vary, many activities FREE (Feb 7-18)

Harry Potter Studio Tour: Introducing the Art Department at WB Studio Tour, Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, Aerodrome Way, Leavesden, Hertfordshire, WD25 7GS (Watford Junction rail)
If it’s your first time visiting the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, then you’re in for a treat. This February half-term, you can go behind the scenes of the Harry Potter movies, in the company of their incredible art department. Learn about the detail that went into creating the world of Hogwarts and beyond, with live wand-making demos, white card models, prop-making, concept art and more. Magical entertainment for you and your minis. All ages. 9am-10am first tours, last tour 4-6.30pm (closing time 3 hours after last tour); adult from £39-£41/child from £31-£33/family £124-£132/ages 0-4 FREE but require tickets. Pre-booking essential. (Feb 9-19)

Storystock at Battersea Power Station, 188 Kirtling St, London SW8 5BN (Battersea Park/Queenstown Rd rail/Sloane Sq or Vauxhall tube)
The storytelling circus rolls up at Battersea Power Station for the very first time this February half term. The programme features Judith Kerr, Roald Dahl’s The Enormous Crocodile, The Secret Garden live, The Cat in the Hat, the Owl who was Afraid of the Dark, Charlie and Lola storytelling and a whole heap of other workshops, artists talks and performances. Oh, and there might be dragons! All ages welcome, some sessions best for 4+. Varying times and prices, £5-£20 (Feb 12-14)

Shrove Tuesday aka Pancake Day!, multiple locations
Coming a little earlier than normal this year, Shrove Tuesday offers an opportunity to watch pancake races, try out new pancake recipes and of course stuff yourself with crepes, galettes and other delicacies. Take a look at our London pancake guide (updated annually) for inspiration! (Feb 13)

Chinese New Year in London, multiple locations
Kung Hei Fat Choy! We’ll be heading into the Year of the Dog from February 16, although the celebrations last through half-term, culminating in the massive Chinese New Year festival on the final Sunday. From this weekend, there’s Chinese mask making, calligraphy and performances for Chinese New Year at V&A Museum of Childhood (Sat Feb 10, 11.30-4.30pm, FREE). Then brave the crowds next Sunday (Feb 18) to experience the best of Chinese dining, from restaurants to street food, plus live music and martial arts, traditional Lion Dance and Dragon Parade, and loads more around Chinatown. (Sun Feb 18, 10am-6pm, FREE)

Don’t miss our guide to the Best Dim Sum spots in Chinatown and beyond

 

SPECIAL EVENTS

 

 
Discover London Children’s Book Swap at Discover Children’s Story Centre (Stratford overground/tube) and participating venues across London
Discover is an awesome centre to visit with the kids at any time of year. Every February half term, they also host the London Children’s Book Swap, allowing budding bookworms to discover and share their favourite reads. You can take part in storytelling adventures, meet and greet authors and illustrators, and celebrate a love of books at multiple venues across London. Find more London Children’s Book Swap events at Arts Depot, Barbican Centre, The Cartoon Museum, House of Illustration, Jacksons Lane, Polka Theatre, Rich Mix, Southbank Centre, V&A Museum of Childhood, Unicorn Theatre, Vauxhall City Farm and other locations. Visit London Children’s Book Swap on Facebook to download a map, get full venue details and times. (Feb 10)

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)
Here’s an idea: hop on the tube to Epping and then journey back in time, via heritage bus and onto a real steam or diesel train, riding along the Epping Ongar railway line. This is such a fun experience for a little ones and a relaxing escape for grownups, as you chug along they tracks through Epping Forest and back. You can make a day of it in the wilds, stopping off for a winter picnic, or tuck into the North Weald buffet or cakes from the shop at Ongar. Once again, their Half Term Specials are offering children the chance to travel all day for just £1 (up to 4 kids per 1 fee paying adult)! All ages welcome. From 9.30am; adult £14/child £1 (Feb 10, 11, 14, 17 & 18)

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park: Half Term at the Slide & Aqua Splash!, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford, E20 2ST (Stratford tube/overground/DLR)
It’s a fun-packed February half term at the Olympic Park, where the team from PAW Patrol will be popping up at the world’s biggest tunnel slide, ArcelorMittal Orbit. You can whizz down it yourself, if you dare! Or head to the London Aquatics Centre for their Ultimate Aqua Splash and Extreme Aqua Splash (hugely popular, early booking advised). Over at Lee Valley VeloPark, there’s BMX Thrills and MTB Skills sessions for ages 7-12, plus tamer bike training for younger riders ages 7 and under. Don’t miss the funfair with dodgems, carousels and roller coaster, Tumbling Bay Playground along with other on-site attractions. And of course, you’re just a stroll away from shopping and yummy dining at Westfield Stratford. Open daily from around 9am; varying fees and times (Feb 10-18)

Mango Spice Caribbean Workshop and Family Jamboree at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA (Shoreditch High St overground)
Well this sounds like one helluva partay! Join Cherise Adams-Burnett and friends to jam, whine, soca, conga and calypso your way through the Caribbean’s rich heritage of music and dance. You’ll journey across Jamaica, Trinidad, Cuba and New Orleans with traditional folk song, call and response games and ring dances, and discovering the stories that drive the rhythms. Stick around afterwards for a live jazz performance from Tomorrow’s Warriors (1pm). Mango Spice is a a new monthly party at Rich Mix for ages 1 to 100 (best for 3 to 14 and their grownups). Get involved. Also don’t miss the Mwalimu Express African family party (Sun Feb 18). Mango Spice is from 11am, FREE (Feb 11)

Fun DMC FREE Half Term Special at Clore Ballroom, Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, SE1 8XX (Embankment/Waterloo tube)
London’s daytime block party for big poppas, hip mamas and their l’il people is throwing a free jam at Southbank Centre for the February Half Term Imagine Festival. Fun DMC was created by Charlie Dark (Attica Blues/Run Dem Crew) and Spin Doctor (The Doctor’s Orders) for hip hop fans, from old school heads to new kidz on the block. Spin Doctor and special guest DJs work the decks, and there’s hip hop fancy dress, balloons, basketball and a friendly attitude! 1pm-3.45pm; FREE (Feb 13)

 

MUSEUMS & WORKSHOPS

 

 
Postal Museum: February Half Term, 15-20 Phoenix Place, WC1X 0DA (Farringdon, Russell Square, Chancery Lane tube; King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
It’s Britain’s first social network and if you haven’t been yet, this February half term provides the perfect excuse to go behind the scenes of the Postal Museum. Visitors with young kids can enjoy a range of activities from drop-in arts and crafts, to storytelling by characters from the past. And of course you can ride deep under London on the Mail Rail! Younger ones will love the Sorted! play space, and there’s loads to explore throughout the museum’s galleries. All ages welcome, perfect for ages 3+. 10am-5pm; adult £17.50/child £10.45/under 1s FREE (Feb 12-17 and ongoing)

Colour: The Rainbow Revealed + Carnival Fun at Horniman Museum, 100 London Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3PQ (Forest Hill overground)
It’s the start of Carnival season, so come join the party at Horniman Museum, as February half term brings a touch of Rio to south London. There’s Carnival Drumming workshops (Mon & Tue, varying sessions from 10am-4.30pm), Big Wednesday (Wed, 10.30am-3.30pm, FREE) with colourful storytelling, animation, arts and crafts, and a Carnival Dance (Thu & Fri, varying sessions 10am-4.30pm) to wrap things up. The festive vibe is in celebration of the Horniman Museum’s awe-inspiring new exhibition, Colour: The Rainbow Revealed (Feb 10-Oct 28) that explores the endless ways colour shapes our planet. All ages. Horniman Museum is open daily, activities vary from £0-£5 per person (Feb 11-Oct 29)

Cutty Sark: Make It Go!, Cutty Sark, King William Walk, London SE10 9HT (Cutty Sark DLR/Greenwich rail)
Over February half term, you can explore the historic tea clipper (perfect trip for Chinese New Year), and take part in a fun family activity where you make and race your own machines. Go beneath the hull of one of the fastest ship’s of the Victorian era, and join in a workshop to design a vehicle of your own imagining. Then try it out by racing against other workshop participants! On Feb 12-14, Tate Harmer architects, alongside RIBA’s Young People’s Forum, will build a track specially designed for racing. Ages 5+, all ages welcome. 11.30am-4pm; included in regular ticket: adult £13.50/child £7 (Feb 12-17)

While you’re in the neighbourhood, why not take a virtual stroll on the moon at the Royal Observatory Greenwich out of this world exhibition (Feb 12-13)

February Half Term: Off the Page, Onto the Stage, V&A Museum of Childhood, Cambridge Heath Road, E2 9PA (Bethnal Green tube)
Marking the last days of Michael Morpurgo’s A Life Time in Stories exhibition, there’s a bunch of activities for February half term designed to engage young readers and dramatists. Go for creative writing, set design and puppetry workshops for ages 8+ (£10 each); a staging of the Music of War Horse (Sun & Mon, 6pm-7.30pm) with members of the cast including the original Joey the puppet; literature screenings including Fantastic Mr Fox; plus drop-in fun for all ages. Varying times from 10am daily; £0-£10 per activity, several events FREE (Feb 13-17)

Winnie the Pooh at V&A Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington, SW7 (South Kensington tube)
We’ve heard terrific feedback about the V&A Museum’s huge, multi-sensory tribute to the world’s favourite bear, Winnie-the-Pooh. The sprawling show features 230 works with sketches and cartoons, ceramics and fashion, a collector’s item Steiff bear, and pencil drawings by E.H. Shephard. Throughout its run, you can take part in free family activities inspired by the exhibition. All ages welcome, suitable for younger ones and their grownups. 10.30am-5pm; FREE (until Apr 8)

We also like
Hear the adventures of Toad at Bank of England Museum (Mon Feb 12); create your own poem mobile at the Foundling Museum, ages 5+ (Tue Feb 13); go on a Valentine’s Day quest for love hearts around Victoria Park (Tue Feb 13); join the family takeover at Camden Arts Centre (every Sun); try your hand at crazy claymation, manga for beginners, or say Happy Birthday to Beano at the Cartoon Museum, ages 8-12 (Wed 14); build Roman Britain in Minecraft at British Museum, ages 7+ (Sat Feb 17); this could be your last chance to catch Harry Potter: A History of Magic at British Library (until Feb 28); and there are always amazing events on at Museum of London and Museum of Brands and V&A Museum over the holidays; and of course Science Museum’s amazing Wonderlab is open daily, throughout the holidays and beyond (ongoing)

 

FAMILY THEATRE & WORKSHOPS

 

 
One Duck Down at Vault Festival, The Vaults, Leake Street, Waterloo, London, SE1 7NN (Waterloo tube/rail)
Hot off the success of their sell-out show, The Service at the Old Red Lion in Islington, FacePlant Theatre is back with another buzzy new production for families. One Duck Down is based on a real life event that saw 7000 rubber ducks adrift in the ocean (as featured on Blue Planet II). Unlikely but loveable hero Billy goes off on a discovery quest to win his true love’s heart, only to find himself searching for elusive nautical treasure. Soon he’s swept up in an eco-friendly adventure, from the shores of Pebbleton Village to the icy North Pole. This frolicsome tale uses a set and props all recycled from rubbish lost and found on land and sea! All ages welcome. 2.45pm; £9.50. Family tickets come with a 20% discount with the code word QUACK (Feb 11 & 17-18)

The Polar Bears Go Up at Jacksons Lane, 269a Archway Road, N6 5AA (Highgate tube)
This February half term, go up, up and away with the Polar Bear explorers at Jacksons Lane. The bears have lost their balloon, so they’re going up in the world on a quest to get it back. The intrepid explorers will be climbing trees, leaping onto clouds and reaching for the stars. Join them on their race to space, and yes there will be sandwich stops along the way! A non-verbal and deaf-friendly performance, suitable for young children ages 2-5 and their families. 11am & 2pm, £12.95 (Feb 13-17)

Othello at Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley Street, Southwark, SE1 2HZ (London Bridge tube)
Belgian playwright Ignace Cornelissen puts a refreshing spin on the classical tragedy by old William Shakespeare, retold for younger audiences. When soldier Othello falls for Desdemona, the Senator’s daughter, it’s the start of a roller coaster journey exploring prejudice, jealousy and the feelings that blind us to the truth. Othello at Unicorn Theatre
is suitable for ages 8-12, tickets £8-£18 (until Mar 3)

I Believe in Unicorns at Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1SB (South Wimbledon tube)
He’s one of the best loved children’s authors and the adaptation of his book, I Believe in Unicorns, is a smash hit. Catch this enchanting production all about the power of books and one boy’s bravery. Tomas is a lad who hates reading and the academic world. But one day he encounters the Unicorn Lady in his local library and it sets him off on a storytelling adventure, that totally rocks his world. Best for ages 6-12. 11am & 2pm; £13.50/concs £10 (Feb 14-18)

Pinocchio, National Theatre, South Bank, SE1 9PX (Embankment/Waterloo tube)
Desperate to be a real boy, Pinocchio leaves Geppetto’s workshop with Jiminy Cricket. They embark on an exciting journey through alpine forests to the ocean floor. The director of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and the writer of Matilda the Musical create a fantastic adaptation of the much-loved tale, with songs from the Walt Disney film. For ages 8+. 2pm & 7pm; £15-£62/child half price (until Apr 10)

We also like
Enjoy a Feast of Handel at a Mini Maestro family concert for ages 5+ (Feb 10); catch Tea Dance for Little People in their enchanting new show The Story of the Little Tree, ages 3-8 at Stratford Circus (Feb 13); see who’s fastest between Hare & Tortoise, for ages 3-7 at Lyric Hammersmith (Feb 13-17); discover What the Ladybird Heard, for ages 3+ at Arts Depot in N12 (Feb 14-17); make some noise for Kid Carpet & the Noisy Animals in Noisy Holiday at Battersea Arts Centre (Feb 15-17); dance the Sunday afternoon away at a Family Barn Dance in Camden, for all ages (Feb 18)

 

FAMILY CINEMA

 

 
We just can’t wait for Black Panther (12A, on general release Friday Feb 13). Also hot at the box office are Coco (PG), the new Pixar animation and Early Man (U) by Nick Park.

Here’s our pick 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)
Winnie the Pooh Valentine’s Double Bill, 11am; Child £2.50/Adult £3.50 (Feb 10)
Paddington 2 (Feb 17)

Electric Cinema Kids Club, 191 Portobello Rd, W11 2ED (Notting Hill tube)
Tangled at 9.30am; adult/child £5 (Feb 10)
Chicken Run (Feb 17)

Clapham Picturehouse, 76 Venn St, London SW4 0AT (Clapham Common tube)
Paddington 2 at 11.45am; adult/child £2 (Feb 10)
Bolt (Feb 17)

Crouch End Picturehouse, Crouch End Picturehouse, 65 Tottenham Lane,cr Crouch End, N8 9BY (Hornsey/Harringay/Crouch Hill rail)
Paddington 2 at 11am; adult/child £2 (Feb 10)
Bolt (Feb 17)

East Dulwich Picturehouse, 116A Lordship Lane, SE22 8HD (East Dulwich rail)
Paddington 2 at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Feb 10)
Bolt (Feb 17)

Gate Picturehouse, 87 Notting Hill Gate, W11 3JZ (Notting Hill tube)
Paddington 2 at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Feb 10)
Bolt (Feb 17)

Greenwich Picturehouse, 180 Greenwich High Road, Greenwich SE10 8NN (Greenwich Rail)
Bolt at 10.30am: adult/child £2 (Feb 17)

Hackney Picturehouse, 270 Mare Street, E8 1HE (Hackney Central overground)
Paddington 2 at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Feb 10)
Bolt (Feb 17)

Phoenix Cinema Kids Club, 52 High Rd, East Finchley N2 9PJ (East Finchley tube)
Paddington 2 at 12pm; Adult/Child £3 (Feb 10)
Bolt (Feb 17)

Prince Charles Cinema: Studio Ghibli Forever, 7 Leicester Pl, WC2H 7BY (Leicester Square tube)
Spirited Away (PG) at 3.25pm; non-member£8.50/member £6/child £4 (Feb 17)

Regent St Cinema Kids Kino Club, 309 Regent St, W1B 2UW (Oxford Circus tube)
Ferdinand at 11.30am; £1.75 (Feb 10)
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Feb 17)

Ritzy Picturehouse, Brixton Oval, Coldharbour Lane, SW2 1JG (Brixton tube)
Paddington 2 at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Feb 10)
Bolt (Feb 17)

Stratford Picturehouse, Stratford Picturehouse, Salway Road, London E15 1BX (Stratford tube/DLR/overground/rail)
Paddington 2 at 11am; adult/child £2 (Feb 10)
Bolt (Feb 17)

BFI Southbank: BFI Families, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XT (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Shaun the Sheep Movie at 1pm; adult £11.75/child £4 (Feb 11)
Shaun the Sheep Movie at 2.30pm; adult £11.75/child £4 (Feb 12)
Chicken Run at 2.30pm; adult £11.75/child £4 (Feb 13)

Coming Soon

BFI Southbank: BFI Families, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XT (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Sunday Funday: Paddington 2: adult £11.75/child £4 (Feb 25)

Soho Hotel Children’s Film Club, 4 Richmond Mews, W1D 3DH (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Coco at 10.30am (10am brunch); £10 (film only), or £20 (includes buffet brunch at 10am + popcorn and drinks for film) (Feb 25)

 

ADVENTURE & OUTDOORS

 

 
Vets in Action at London Zoo, Regent’s Park NW1 4RY (Regent’s Park/Camden Town tube)
Over February half term, children and their carers are invited to become vets-in-training at London Zoo. With face masks and hairnets on, kids can enter the interactive zone to examine X-rays and carry out treatments in the teddy bear clinic. Then meet the real stars of the zoo’s veterinary force, and see them in action — doing everything from microchipping penguins to tiger tooth checks! A great day to visit the zoo, and meet its lively mix of residents. London Zoo is open daily to all ages, from 10am-5pm (last entry 4pm); adult from £24.30-£29.75/child £18-£22/ages 0-3 FREE. Vets in Action runs from 10.30am-12.30pm & 1.30pm-3.30pm and is recommended for ages 5-10. Activities included in regular admission fee (Feb 10-18)

Dusty’s Puddle Jumping Championships at London Wetland Centre, Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, Barnes, SW13 9WT (Hammersmith tube)
News splash! The puddle jumping competition is back, with numerous contests held at different centres all across the UK. Tug on your welly boots and be prepared to throw some shapes, for daily prizes and a sticker for everyone who enters. You can also learn more about owls and how they create pellets from their prey in a special workshop (extra charges apply)! Puddle jumping 11.30am-12.30pm & 2.30pm-3.30pm daily, included in regular admission fee; adult £12.50/child £7.65/family £34.43/under 4s FREE (Feb 10-18)

Isis Education Centre Discovery Days & Nature Explorers at The Lookout, Hyde Park, W2 2UH (Hyde Park Corner tube)
Explore the wilds of Hyde Park in the popular Nature Explorers (Tue Feb 13, 10am-3pm, £20, ages 8-11), sculpting clay habitats and building a giant outdoor ground sculpture. Then join in the Brilliant Birds Discovery Day activities that include making bird feeders, bird-inspired crafting and bird watching with binoculars (Wed Feb 14 & Thu Feb 15, 11am-3pm, FREE but donations welcome) (Feb 13-15)

February Half Term at Walthamstow Wetlands, 2 Forest Road, London N17 9NH (Blackhorse Rd tube/overground)
Take the kids along to these free, drop-in family activities at Walthamstow Wetlands, the amazing nature reserve opened in October last year. Make your own nest, decorate eggs, design birds to race each other, try pond-dipping and hunt for mini beasts. Other daily activities include angling and bird watching, or seeing London from the heights of the viewing platform at the Grade II-listed Coppermill Tower. Grab a cuppa and a bite afterwards in their cafe. Open daily 9.30am-4pm; no need to book for activities; FREE entry (family days on Feb 12-14 & Feb 18)

We also like
Go for nature trails and mini beast hunting, for ages 4-8 and 8-12, at (Feb 12-16); swing through the treetops at Go Ape in Battersea Park (ongoing); stop them climbing the walls at home, send them to Clip ’n’ Climb in Chelsea instead (ongoing); or let them bounce off that extra energy at Oxygen Freejumping in Acton, West London or Flip Out Trampoline Park in Brent Cross, Barking or Wandsworth (ongoing)

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