May Half Term London Kids Guide 2024

The May Half Term London Kids Guide is live! As always, I’ve packed it with 30+ ideas for family fun in London over the next 11 days, from raving at Horniman Gardens to juggling shows, crafty workshops, market stalls, a romp around a palace, a birthday party for Spot and some record breaking reptiles! Yes, all the exclamation marks today! Dive in and get out! 

Over the half term, I’ll also be marking one year since Raising Boys Who Do Better was published with a special giveaway for subscribers and followers. So stay tuned to my social media and sign up to my mailing list here: https://www.subscribepage.com/babesabouttown

Have a good break, peeps.

May Half Term London Kids Guide: 30+ Things To Do for All Ages

BABES CHOICE

Big Fish Little Fish Family Rave at Horniman Museum Gardens, 100 London Rd, SE23 3PQ (Forest Hill overground)
For the May half term London holiday, bring your family along to Horniman Museum Gardens for another brilliant outdoor rave with the Glastonbury-slaying, award-winning Big Fish Little Fish. Along with dancing to live DJs in the sunshine (Aphrodite, Aston Harvey and Charlie Wright on the decks), there are food and drinks stalls, face painting, bubbleology, picture book readings, Bring Your Baby Pub Quiz, arts and crafts, and parachute dance finale. Best for kids ages 0-8 and their families. 2pm-6pm; adult £20/child £15/pre-walkers FREE (May 25)

Family Flight Night at Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road SW7 5BD (South Kensington tube)
Visit Natural History Museum after hours for a chance to get up close with real animals (think snakes, stick insects and giant snails), go behind the scenes of a Science Station, uncover the bones of flying creatures, decorate your own zipper pouch, and swan around the most popular galleries without daytime crowds. As part of your ticket you’ll get to visit the new Birds: Brilliant and Bizarre exhibition and the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition. Best for ages 5+. 6.30pm-9.30pm; adult £25/child £25/member £22.50 (May 31)

Gandini Juggling at Peacock Theatre, Portugal St, WC2A 2HT (Holborn tube)
Welcome to the party, it’s going to be a tea party to remember! This May half term London spectacular explores the theme of forbidden fruit with a troupe of juggling masters, 100 apples, cinematic scenes and an afternoon tea. Having wowed crowds around the world, Gandini Juggling dazzles to a soundtrack ranging from Bach to Tammy Wynette. Ages 5+ (under 5s not admitted). 7.30pm; from £18 (May 31-Jun 1)

Pied Piper: A Hip Hop Family Musical at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube/rail)
Following their hit show and BBC film, Frankenstein: How to Make a Monster, the BAC Beatbox Academy returns to Southbank Centre for a blockbusting good time. It’s the eve of a mayoral election in Hamelin, can a mysterious rat catcher help local kids find their voices and rid the town of vermin? See the classic fairytale remixed with a talented cast of beatboxers, musicians and special guests. All ages welcome, best for 6+. 11am, 2.30pm & 6pm; from £14 (May 31-Jun 2)

It Begins in Darkness at Brixton House, 385 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton SW9 8GL (Brixton tube)
Five dancers, one stage, many stories told through a series of movements, calls, whispers and wails. Conceived and directed by Seke Chimutengwende, this is a ghost story told through movement, reckoning with the histories of slavery and colonialism in an attempt to process a legacy of fear, confusion and rage. The trailer looks incredible. Ages 12+, PG/content warning for themes of horror and colonial violence. 7.30pm; from £22/concs £18/balcony £16 (Jun 1)

FAMILY THEATRE

Handa’s Surprise at Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1SB (South Wimbledon tube)
Track Handa’s footsteps all the way from her home in Kenya to meet her best friend Akeyo in the neighbouring village. She’s got 7 tempting fruits in her basket… perhaps a little too tempting! This inviting show features puppets, live music and song, physical performance and audience participation. Sit on a cushion, get involved and join the dancing at the end. Ages 2-5 and grownups. Various times from 10am; from £15 (May 22-Jun 23)

Spot’s Birthday Party at Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA (Finchley Central tube)
The sweet little puppy is having a very special birthday party and everyone’s invited. Come along for an interactive show filled with songs, dancing, party hats and games. You’ll join Tom the Crocodile, Steve the monkey and Helen the Hippo to say a very big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Spot. Inspired by the beloved Eric Hill picture book. For ages 2-5 and their grown ups. 2pm (Sat), 11am & 2pm (Sun-Mon) & 11am (Tue); from £12 (May 25-29)

Princess Smartypants at Lyric Hammersmith, Lyric Square, King St, W6 0QL (Hammersmith tube/overground)
Have you heard of Princess Smartypants? She’s the star of Babette Cole’s million-selling picture book and a feminist icon. She’s not interested in marriage but the King and Queen have other plans… See how she fights for her independence in this smart and funny fairytale with a twist. Songs, madcap comedy and an inspirational message. For ages 4+. 11am (Tue), 11am & 1pm (Wed-Fri), 11am, 1pm & 3pm (Sat); from £12 (May 28-Jun 1)

Open Air Theatre: The Enormous Crocodile and Twelfth Night, at Queen Mary’s Garden within Regent’s Park, NW1 4NU (Baker St tube)
There are two brilliant family shows on the May half term London programme at Open Air Theatre. A lively adaptation of Roald Dahl’s picture book The Enormous Crocodile filled with puppets and catchy tunes. Shows at 10.15am & 1.45pm (Mon, Wed, Fri & Sun) & 10am (Sat); adult £15-£25/child £18-£23. Also see Shakespeare’s riotous comedy of mistaken identity, Twelfth Night, in a production for ages 12+. 7.30pm (Mon-Sat) & 2pm (Thu & Sat); from £15 (until Jun 8)

The Princess and the Pea at Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley St, SE1 2HZ (London Bridge tube/rail)
A Princess lives in a palace where she’s pampered night and day. Until everything changes on a dark and stormy night where she dares to venture beyond the Palace walls. This co-production between Unicorn, New Vic Theatre and circus company Upswing is a mix of fairytale, clowning and hair-tingling acrobatics. Ages 2+. 11am & 2pm (Wed, Sat & Sun), 11am (Thu & Fri) – timings might vary, check at booking; adult £10-£26.50/child £7-£18.50 (until Jun 16)

We also like
Family Theatre and Sword Fighting Demos at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre (from May 25); Zog and the Flying Doctors at Rose Theatre, Kingston (May 28-Jun 2); Let’s All Dance: Goldilocks the Ballet at Sadler’s Wells (May 29-30); Grand Soft Day (for ages 2-6) at Southbank Centre (Jun 1 & 2); Prince Charming at Little Angel Theatre (until Jul 27)

SPECIAL EVENTS

Kids Rule! at Eltham Palace and Gardens, Court Yard, Eltham, Greenwich SE9 5QE (Mottingham rail)
Head to the historic grounds for another family day out in the fresh air. Hang out with Anne and George Boleyn and learn all about Anne’s rise in the Tudor Court. Try your hand at writing poetry or Tudor dancing or let off steam in the wooden outdoor play area. Indoors, you can check out Virginia Courtaulds’ wardrobe, take shelter in the wartime basement bunker and see the home of Mah-Jong, the Courtaulds’ pet lemur.  This beautiful art deco palace is definitely worth a snoop around — with or without the kids! 10am-5pm; online tickets adult from £14.50/child from £8.60/family of 4 from £37.60/under 5s FREE (May 25-Jun 2)

The Paddington Bear Experience at Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7PB (Waterloo/Charing Cross tube/rail, Westminster tube)
NB: May half term London dates are now SOLD OUT but it’s worth putting this on your radar to book ahead! Join the friendly bear from Peru on his first immersive adventure, that will take you into the Brown’s house all the way to a Marmalade Day Festival at Windsor Gardens. There will be a train carriage ride, multiple rooms to explore, a trip to Peru, dancing, munching on marmalade sandwiches, gift shop, and photo ops! This experience blends video, live performance and multi-sensory design. Best for ages 4+ and families. Entry times 10am-3.30pm (Mon-Fri & Sun), 10am-4.45pm (Sat); adult £34/child £24/under 2s FREE (opens May 31, best availability from Jun 10)

Black Culture Market, The Department Store (Downstairs), 248 Ferndale Road, Brixton SW9 8FR (Brixton tube)
This popular weekend market has a mission that includes supporting emerging Black businesses, inspiring more owners and helping to close the wealth gap. Invest in two days of shopping, cultural and social connection in Brixton. Browse stalls with books, gifts, prints, jewellery, food, clothes, interiors, accessories, natural hair and skincare.  All ages welcome. Register for a FREE ticket! 11am-5pm; FREE (Jun 1-2)

Bring Your Baby Guided London Walks and Pub Quizzes, various London locations
Looking for a unique May half term London activity for families? Go on a Bring Your Baby London walk (open to families with kids of all ages).  Over the May half term break, themed walking routes include: Life, Death & Beyond in East Bloomsbury (May 24) or Women from Dalston’s History (May 30). Or if you prefer staying indoors, why not try the Bring Your Baby Pub Quizzes, which take place in bottle, breastfeeding, baby-changing and pushchair-friendly venues around London. Prizes for 1st, 2nd & 3rd places and free sweet treats for each table. Team sizes max 6 (baby-free friends welcome too). Guided walks 11am-2pm/£20; pub quizzes 12pm-2.30pm/from £10 pp (ongoing)

Summer Screens Canary Wharf in Canada Square Park, Canary Wharf E14 5AB (Canary Wharf tube/DLR/rail)
Get ready for a summer of sport as Summer Screens returns with a glorious programme. Pack a picnic blanket and some snacks and settle in to watch the French Open this May half term. It kicks off a range of screenings including Wimbledon, F1, cricket, Ascot, the Olympics and Paralympic Games, as well as movies and matinees for kids. All ages welcome. From 11am; FREE (May 30-Sep 8)

We also like
Family Concert: Sing a Story at Wigmore Hall (May 25); Dunkirks at the Docks: Classic Boat Festival at St Katharine Docks (May 25); Big Penny Social’s Summer Fete in Walthamstow (May 27); Meet the Crew at The Golden Hinde (May 27-Jun 2); Mish Mash Family Trail at Southbank Centre (May 29-Jun 2)

MUSEUMS AND WORKSHOPS

UNIQLO Tate Play Holiday Make Studio: Kinetic at Tate Modern (Turbine Hall entrance), Bankside, SE1 9TG (Southwark/Blackfriars tube)
The South Tank has been transformed into a giant May half term London playground for all ages. Get hands on with sturdy objects, squishy materials and other bits and bobs. You can connect, hang, swing, twist, attach, stack and balance your creations. All works will be on display in the large open space. All ages welcome. Relaxed Hour on May 28 at 10.30am-11.30am. Drop in from 10.30am-6pm (last entry 5.15pm); FREE but ticket required (May 25-Jun 2)

Family Day: Fun with Faces at National Portrait Gallery, St Martin’s Place (off Trafalgar Square), WC2H 0HE (Charing Cross tube)Families are invited to bring faces to life in a series of hands-on activities. You can mould with clay and animate your creation, paint your own memorabilia mug, make a giant cardboard mask, or cut, stick and piece together a portrait using faces from the gallery’s collection. There’s also a new History Detectives family trail to discover. All ages welcome. 11am-4pm; FREE – limited availability, first come first served (May 28)

Foundling Museum Family Workshops, 40 Brunswick Square, WC1N 1AZ (Russell Square tube)
Get crafty with the kids at these artist-led family workshops. All the materials are provided, all you need is curiosity and imagination! Make plaster figure sculptures and giant postcards, puppet animations and nature cyanotypes. No experience necessary, but come prepared for messy play (aprons provided). If the weather’s nice, head to nearby Coram’s Fields playground before or after your trip. All ages welcome. 10am-5pm (Tue-Sun); adult £5/child £5/family of 4 £15. All event tickets include entry to museum and collections. (May 28-31)

May Family Day: Sow, Press, Fly! at Museum of the Home, 136 Kingsland Road, E2 8EA (Hoxton overground)
Calling all guerrilla gardeners to this one-day event where you can hone your skills and learn about sustainable building. In the Adobe brick making lab with MATT+FIONA, you’ll create and use mini clay bricks to build architectural models. You can also create seed bomb sculptures, cyanotype garden flags, or make a photographic style print without a camera, just with natural materials and the sun’s UV rays! All ages welcome. 10.30am-4pm; FREE (May 29)

Family Fun at Cutty Sark, King William Walk, West Greenwich, SE10 9HT (Cutty Sark DLR, Greenwich rail)
Climb aboard the historic tea clipper with other May half term London adventurers and discover stories from the past. Meet sea folk from Cutty Sark history, play games, listen to sea shanties, try dressing up, design your own watercraft, take part in workshops and more. 10am-5pm (last entry 4.15pm); activities free with Cutty Sark entry: adult £20/child under 16 £10/under 4s FREE (May 29-Jun 2)

We also like
Zimingzhong 凝时聚珍: Clockwork Treasures from China’s Forbidden City at Science Museum (until Jun 2); Legion: Life in the Roman Army at British Museum (until Jun 23); Japan: Myths to Manga at Young V&A (until Sep 8); Dinosaur rEvolution at Horniman Museum (until Nov 3); Fragile Beauty at V&A (until Jan 5, 2025)

NATURE AND OUTDOORS

Reptile Record Breakers at London Zoo, Regent’s Park NW1 4RY (Regent’s Park/Camden Town tube)
Get scampering to the Zoo for a May half term London escape to celebrate the opening of The Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians. To test out the record breaking strengths of some of their residents, London Zoo challenges you to a match. The games will run on the main lawn behind the exhibit, so go and test your skills then check out the animals in action. All ages. All sessions are first come, first served and included in regular zoo admission (unless otherwise stated).  10am-5pm daily (closes 6pm, until Sep 1); adult £27-£33/child 3-15 £18.90-£23.10/under 3s FREE (May 25-Jun 2)

Come and See Bluey on the Epping Ongar Railway, Ongar station CM5 9AB or North Weald station CM16 6BT (via Epping tube)
Meet kids’ favourite, Bluey on a heritage steam train ride from North Weald to Ongar, where Bluey will be coming to say hello. Resident magician John Clayton will also perform magic and you can follow clues to find pictures of animals hidden around Ongar station. Start your journey on a vintage London bus service from Epping station to North Weald. The trip will take you through Epping Forest and back on a diesel multiple unit which offers drivers’ eye views. All ages welcome, delightful for little Bluey fans. Trains depart 10.50am, 12pm, 1.10pm & 2.20pm; adult £15-£18/child £6-£8/child under 18 months FREE on parent or carer’s lap (Mar 27)

Bing’s Nature Explorers at WWT London Wetland Centre, Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, Barnes, SW13 9WT (Barnes rail/Hammersmith tube and overground)
Go on a wild adventure with Bing and Flop over the May half term. As well as activity trails and storytelling, this school holiday there’s also pond dipping, otter talks, wild walk, adventure playground and mud kitchen. Activities included in entry ticket. 10am-5.30 daily (until Oct), last entry 1hr before closing; adult from £15.40/junior 4-11 from £10/family from £43.10/under 4s FREE (May 25-Jun 2)

Horrible Histories Boat Tours: Terrible Thames, Tower Bridge Quay (in front of the Tower Hotel), E1Q 1LD (Tower Hill tube/rail)
Book fast to nab your spot on these popular boat tours of the Thames. Discover why it’s the world’s most notorious river and what happened to the likes of King Henry VIII, Julius Caesar, Queen Boudicca and Jack the Ripper. It’s gruesome but fun. All ages welcome. 45 minutes tours starting from 10.45am (check times and availability online); adult ages 15+ £25/child 3-15 £15/family £60-£70/under 3s FREE on parent/carer’s lap (until Sep 1) 

StreetHunt Games, across London (start locations in Gunpowder Square, off Fleet St or Sicilian Avenue, Holborn)
Tweens and teens might enjoy a self-guided scavenger hunt over the May half term London school break. Use an interactive map to unlock clues in two mystery games: The Case of Colombia’s Finest (recommended for ages 13+) or Will Breaker (recommended for ages 10+). All you need is a smartphone, comfy footwear and an eye for detail! Available times: 9am-8pm (depending on time of year). Each hunt takes 1-2 hours and costs £18.15pp (incl. booking fee) with individual team sizes of 2 to 5 players. NB: Kids under 12 (who will not require a separate device) are FREE. If children do join a Hunt they must be supervised at all times. (ongoing)

We also like
Greenwich Dog Show at Old Royal Naval College, SE10 (May 26); Chelsea in Bloom (until May 26); Royal Parks Nature Roadshows in St James Park and Kensington Gardens (May 29 & 31); Gardening Together at Chiswick House and Gardens (May 29-31)

**NB: Please note that all event timings and prices are subject to change/cancellation at short notice, so always check ahead with the venue (or the latest government guidelines) before making a trip!**