October London Kids Half Term Guide: 30+ Things To Do

Hello lovely Londoner (and lover of London)! As always, the October London kids half term holiday guide is stacked with family fun from Black History Month to Halloween and everything in between. Enjoy the break.

October London Kids Half Term Guide: 30+ Things To Do

BABES CHOICE

Larger than Life: Aardman at Lightroom, 12 Lewis Cubitt Square, N1C 4DY (King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
Get a behind the scenes look into the Aardman studio magic and discover the origin story of popular creations like Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep and more. 50 minutes. All ages. Entry slots 10am (9am Sat)-4.30pm (Mon-Sun); adult from £25/child from £15/under 3s FREE/family discounts available (Oct 14-Jan 4)

Alice in Wonderland: Let’s All Dance at Jacksons Lane, 269a Archway Road, N6 5AA (Highgate tube)
Follow Alice down the rabbit hole into the curiouser and curiouser world of Lewis Caroll’s imagination. The Let’s All Dance Ballet Company are back with another magical adaptation featuring colourful costumes, well-loved characters, and stunning dance theatre. All ages, best for ages 2-12. 11am & 2pm; £10-£20 (Oct 18)

London Literature Festival at Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube/rail)
Come for talks, workshops, festival book swap and more curated by singer Dua Lipa, founder of Service95 Book Club. Hear from Malorie Blackman (Noughts & Crosses at 25, Oct 28, 8pm) and Open Water author Caleb Azumah Nelson on Rewriting Male Tenderness (Oct 31, 8pm). More big names: Ta-Nehisi Coates, Hanif Kureishi, Zadie Smith, Michael Douglas, and Patti Smith. For younger kids, drop in for Search for a Story storytelling (Oct 29-Nov 1) or Cardboard Citizens art workshop (Oct 30, 10.30am). Various ages, times and prices – many activities are FREE (Oct 20-Nov 1)

Agatha Christie: A World of Mystery at British Library, 96 Euston Road, NW1 2DB (Euston tube/rail, King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
Learn all about the Queen of Crime in this comprehensive exhibition that explores her personal life and the imagination that sparked so many unforgettable mysteries. See her 1937 typewriter, handwritten notes, photographs, early manuscripts, and objects on display for the first time. Aspiring sleuths can hunt for hidden clues dotted around the exhibition. Time slots from 9.30am-4.30pm (daily times vary, check website); from £25 peak/£20-£23 off-peak/under 16 discounts available/members FREE (Oct 30-Jun 20)

Winnie-the-Pooh at London Zoo, Regent’s Park NW1 4RY (Regent’s Park/Camden Town tube)
Celebrate 100 years of Winnie-the-Pooh and 200 years of ZSL with this brand new storybook trail. It follows Pooh and Eeyore on an unforgettable night-time adventure through London Zoo, based on a tale by AA Milne and EH Shephard. You can also hear daily talks about Winnipeg, the real bear who inspired the literary character. All ages. Included with regular zoo entry. 10am-5pm (last entry 4pm);  adult entry tickets from £27.70 (online/weekday/off peak)-£40 (at gate/weekend/peak)/child from £19.40 (online/weekday/off peak)-£28(at gate/weekend/peak)/under 3s FREE (until Nov 1)

We also like
See Quentin Blake: The Southbank Parade, a new installation around the centre marking its 75th year (Oct 15-Nov 8); see breathtaking anime with live orchestra in Attack on Titan: Symphony from Paradis at Royal Albert Hall (Oct 17); don’t miss the next ticket release for the Bayeaux Tapestry at British Museum (from Oct 21); settle in for Sunday Papers Live at B&H Buildings in Angel (Oct 25); see Olympian Tom Daley’s handiwork on the giant Baa-Ewe Tapestry at Natural History Museum, a FREE display inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry and the newShaun the Sheep film (until Nov 1); there’s still time to visit Inside Aardman at Young V&A Museum (until Nov 15); see master of illusion Derren Brown: Only Human at Apollo Theatre (until Jan 30); and The 90s has taken over Tate Britain (until Feb 15)

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair at Somerset House, The Strand, WC2R 1LA (Charing Cross tube)
Somerset House hosts the 14th consecutive edition of leading African art fair, 1-54. This year, there’s a spotlight on Modernist artists from Africa and its diaspora, along with another monumental installation in the Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court. 11am-7pm (Thu-Sat); 11am-6pm (Sun); £32/£18 concs/under 12s FREE (Oct 15-18)

Black British Folk Takeover at Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regent’s Park Rd, NW1 (Camden Town/Chalk Farm tube)
A hit last year, the Black British Folk Takeover is back with another festival style all day celebration of traditional and modern folk sounds.  Curator Angeline Morrison and friends join Dundee singer-songwriter Andrew Baird, fiddler Hamilton Gross, British-Ugandan singer-songwriter Daudi Matsiko, carnival legend Linett Kamala (in conversation), traditional Jamaican Maypole Dance and more! Doors 1.45pm/event 2.15pm-10.15pm; £12.50-£35.50 (Oct 17)

The World As We See It at Hackney Empire, 291 Mare St, E8 1EJ (Hackney Central overground)
Come for an exciting dance double bill from ACE. ‘Echoes of Dust’, choreographed by Serge Aimé Coulibaly, with creative contributions from Sigué Sayouba, finds hope in a shattered world; while ‘LETLALO’ – choreographed by Vincent Mantsoe Letlalo (meaning “Skin” in Mantsoe’s native tongue ‘Sotho’) shares a deep connection between humanity and the earth, drawing on African, Indigenous, and contemporary dance. Ages 7+. 7.30pm; £15-£32 (Oct 20)

Black Book Festival and Education Expo at Goldsmiths University, 8 Lewisham Way, SE14 6NW (New Cross rail/overground)
Don’t miss this vibrant grassroots festival that showcases authors, publishers and booksellers, and raises funds for schools in Africa and the Caribbean through Simon Education’s SEADS Project. Authors include David Simon, Sista Shanice, Tyrone Smith and Kandace Chimbiri Paige Lewin, Sandra A. Agard, Evadne Bygrave and pioneer publisher Margaret Busby. Come for talks, stalls and more! 11am-6pm; £0-£12 (Oct 24)

Eshu at the Crossroads at The Albany (Deptford), Brixton House (Brixton) & The Place (Bloomsbury)
Afro-Cuban choreographer and puppet company Theatre-Rites combines Yoruba myth, culture and storytelling in this playful dance theatre piece about Eshu, the trickster spirit, and a traveller at a crossroads. Ages 5+. Part of Dance Umbrella festival. Playing at The Albany at 10.30am & 1pm (Oct 24); Casa at Brixton House 2pm & 5pm (Oct 25); The Place at 11am & 2pm (Oct 27); ticket range £10-£12pp (Oct 24-27) 

We also like
Catch a lively interpretation of the gorgeously inclusive picture book Julian is a Mermaid at Discover Children’s Story Centre (until Oct 18); enjoy delicious storytelling with Selina Brown and her picture book My Rice Is Best at Discover Children’s Story Centre (Oct 24); discover Harlem in Mayfair with Black History Walks (Oct 25)

HALLOWEEN

October Half-Term and Halloween at Eltham Palace, Court Yard, Greenwich SE9 5QE (Mottingham rail)
Monsters of all sizes are welcome at the Great Pumpkin Party, with spooky games and storytelling, plus a themed trail in the gorgeous grounds of Eltham Palace. Come dressed for the occasion and you might pick up a prize. For kids of all ages. 10am-4pm; included in admission: adult from £18.10/child from £9/family £27.20-£45.40/membership from £44 (includes 6 kids for free per adult) (Oct 24-31)

Super Spooky Cabaret for Kids at Jacksons Lane, 269a Archway Road, N6 5AA (Highgate tube)
Witches, wizards, phantoms and other freaky family characters are invited for a wonderfully wacky cabaret. Expect an hour of jaw-dropping juggling, spine-tingling circus skills, mischief and magic. Suitable for kids ages 4+ and their grown ups. 11am, 2pm & 5pm; £10-£22.50 (Oct 27-Nov 1) 

Half-Term Pumpkin Carving at Morden Hall Park, Morden Hall Road, Morden, SM4 5JD (Morden tube)
Visit the spooky Stableyard over October half term and make a crazy pumpkin carving for Halloween.  They’ll provide all the tools required and clean up all the mess! Kids must be supervised by an adult. Ages 3+. 10am-3pm; £5 per pumpkin (Oct 29-30)

Big Fish Little Fish Halloween Raves, in Hackney, Deptford and Ealing (multiple locations)
Glam up or go for ghoul in a Spooktacular Family Rave with DJ Louise at Night Tales in Hackney (Oct31, 1pm-3pm); or party with DJ Ben Archbold at Fulham Pier for another Big Fish Little Fish Halloween family fiesta (Oct 31, 2pm-4pm). BFLF raves come with baby chill out area, craft tables, licensed bar and stalls, bubbles, balloons, glitter and a parachute dance finale. Fancy dress encouraged! All ages, best for ages 0 to 8. Night Tales at 1pm-3pm; adult £12.91/child £9.75/pre-walking infant FREE | Fulham Pier at 2pm-4pm; adult £15.02/child £11.86/pre-walking infant FREE (Oct 31)

How Does It Feel to be Loved Children’s Disco at The Phoenix, 37 Cavendish Square, W1G 0PP (Oxford Circus tube)
Spend Halloween grooving into the afternoon with the popular HDIF Kids Disco monthly affair. Get down to the sounds of The Stones, The Ramons and other indie, rock, soul and pop classics. All ages welcome, from babies upwards (no admission without at least 1 child in your party). 12pm-4pm; adult £7 (15 plus), child £3 (14 and under) (Oct 31)

Supa Dupa Fly Family Halloween: West LDN at UNDR House of Flavaz, 3 Thorpe Cl, W10 5XL (Ladbroke Grove tube)
Supa Dupa Fly kids and grownups are planning a Thriller of an event in West London for Halloween. Join DJ Emily Rawson and the Supa Dupa Fly crew for a  Halloween themed day party with costumes, refreshments on offer, entertainment, and DJs spinning hip hop, old school and floor fillers. Open to families with kids and babies of all ages. 12pm-3pm; adult from £11/child from £6/family from £29.90/babies under 1 FREE (Nov 1)

We also like
There are tricks and treats for Halloween at the Paddington Bear Experience (Oct 17-Nov 1); Bring Your Baby on Halloween Walks around Hampstead and other locations (Oct 21-30); or find creepy goings on for Halloween at Tower of London (Oct 24-Nov 1); get your fingers tingling at the Halloween Piano Party – A Family Concert at Kings Place (Oct 31); and catch Halloween family screenings of The Addams Family (31 Oct), Hocus Pocus (31 Oct) and for Día de Los Muertos, Coco (1 Nov) at Rooftop Cinema, Peckham (Oct 31-Nov 1)

FAMILY THEATRE

High School Musical at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, 3 Fulton Road, Wembley HA9 0SP (Wembley Park tube)
Catch up with Troy, Gabriella and the rest of the East High students, 20 years since the Disney films became a worldwide sensation. The hit musical returns to the stage with its catchy numbers and tales of first love, friendships, and self-discovery. Ages 6+. 7.30pm (Tue-Sat), select 2.30pm matinees (Wed/Thu); from £29 (Oct 12-Jan 3)

James Campbell’s Comedy 4 Kids: Reducks at Museum of Comedy, The Undercroft,St Georges Church, Bloomsbury Way, WC1A 2SR (Holborn/Tottenham Court Rd tube)
Catch a live comedy tour de force from the man who invented stand-up for kids in 2001. James is back on the festival circuit with a show that offers songs, gags, and giggles for kids and grownups, with the odd exploding penguin. Ages 6+. 3.30pm; £14.25 (Oct 24-25)

October Family Theatre at Arts Depot,  5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA (Finchley Central tube)
Rod Campbell’s millions-selling lift the flap book on stage in Dear Zoo (Oct 23-27); experience paper magic with Club Origami (Oct 25); pick up new reads with Book Buzz (Oct 25); marvel at The Amazing Bubble Man (Oct 29); or see The Magic Flute dance show (Nov 1). There are also holiday camps for Minecraft coding, robotics with LEGO, yoga and art, and a Spooktacular show in a day. Various ages, times and prices (Oct 23-Nov 1)

The Dark by Peut-Être Theatre at Battersea Arts Centre,  Lavender Hill, SW11 5TN (Clapham Junction rail/overground)
Follow Lazslo as he befriends the dark in this empowering show about facing your fears. Adapted from Lemony Snicket’s picture book, it blends physicality with live music. Accessible for blind and visually impaired children through integrated audio-description and touch tours. Ages 4+. 11am & 2.30pm; Pay What You Can – suggested £15 + £2 booking fee (Oct 27-31)

The Smeds and the Smoos at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube/rail)
Tall Stories are back with their delightful adaptation of the bestselling picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. The Smeds and Smoos are rivals until a pair of star-crossed aliens (one Smed, one Smoo) fall for each other. What will their families do? Ages 3+. 11am & 2pm (Wed-Thu), 10.30am, 1.30pm & 3.30pm (Fri-Sat), 10.30am & 1.30pm (Sun); from £22 (Oct 28-Nov 1)

OperaUpClose: Flotsam at 12 S Norwood Hill, SE25 6AB & Half Moon, 93 Lower Richmond Road, SW15 1EU 
OperaUpClose tours their new opera for young children. Adapted from David Wiesner’s best selling picture book, this show follows Pip who discovers a mysterious camera that opens up his world. Ages 2-5. Playing at Stanley Arts Centre: 11am & 2pm; £11-£40. (Oct 30) Also at Half Moon: 11am, 1pm & 3pm: £9-£12.50 (Oct 31)

We also like
Kids ages 3-7 can come and Meet the Instruments with Aurora Orchestra at Kings Place (Oct 17); Surinderella at Stratford Theatre puts a Bollywood spin on the Cinderella story (Oct 20-31); Tom Fletcher’s There’s a Monster In Your Show is at Woolwich Works (Oct 24); there’s still time to see Thelma and Louise at the Young Vic (until Oct 24); Shakespeare meets Radiohead in Hamlet Hail to the Thief (ages 14+) at Barbican Theatre (Oct 31-Jan 23); and tickets are on sale for NannyMcPheeTheMusical.com (opening in Nov) 

MUSEUMS AND WORKSHOPS

Family Workshops at Foundling Museum, 40 Brunswick Square, WC1N 1AZ (Russell Square tube)
Take part in artist-led family workshops over October half term. Create Trick or Treat Totes (Oct 27); design Mysterious Mobiles (Oct 28); make stop-motion Freaky Films (Oct 29, ages 8-12); or build your own Giant Haunted Hands (Oct 30). Kids can take their creations home with them. Ages 5-12. 11am-1pm & 2pm-4pm; adult £5/child £7/concs FREE – all tickets include free entry to the museum. (Oct 27-30)

Tots at the Docks at London Museum Docklands, No. 1 Warehouse, West India Quay E14 4AL (Canary Wharf tube/DLR, West India Quay DLR)
Bring your wee ones along for these free monthly play sessions inspired by the local history. Swim in a sequin sea, drive a digger, meet soft sea creatures, or put on a puppet show! Sessions are typically every last Wednesday, with themed events on select dates. This autumn it’s Fairy Tales (Oct 26) and River Thames (Nov 11). 10.30am-3pm; FREE (Oct 26)

Playing with Colour at National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN (Charing Cross tube/rail)
Enter the colourful world of Renoir and get creative with watercolour, blending, and creating Impressionist effects. Artists Daisy Luck and Kevin Christensen lead these family friendly workshops. Make your own Renoir-inspired umbrella to take home. All ages. 11am-1pm & 2pm-4pm (first come, first served); FREE (Oct 27-29)

Family Workshop: Clay Character at Young V&A, Cambridge Heath Rd, Bethnal Green, E2 9PA (Bethnal Green tube/Cambridge Heath overground)
Come and design your own clay character with help from clay artist Nanami Takeuchi. Pick up tips for working with air-dry clay, then shape a 3D clay character to take home, inspired by the playful style of Aardman Studios. Ages 5-11 and grownups (no unaccompanied kids or adults). 11am-1pm & 2pm-4pm; £15pp (Oct 29-31)

British Museum Sleepover: Korea at British Museum, Great Russell St, WC1B 3DG (Russell Square tube)
Visit the museum after dark and discover more about Korea’s history. Pick up dance moves, make traditional crafts, listen to spooky stories, and sleep with Mummies in the Egyptian, Greek and Assyrian galleries. Then wake up for brekkie and a chance to explore the Korea exhibition with a special trail. Ages 8-15 + accompanying adult. 6.15pm-9am; £79 (Oct 31-Nov 1)

Voyage to the Deep – Underwater Adventures at Horniman Museum, 100 London Road, Forest Hill SE23 3PQ (Forest Hill overground)
LAST CHANCE: Explore the ‘Nautilus’ submarine, play Captain Nemo’s Bubbly Pipe Organ, and more in this exhibition inspired by Jules Verne’s ‘20,000 Leagues Under the Seas’. All ages. 10am-5.30pm daily; adult from £9.80/child from £7/family from £20.20/under 3s FREE (until Nov 1) 

We also like
Hurry, not long left for Anish Kapoor at Hayward Gallery, Southbank Centre (until Oct 18); mark 120 years of the Piccadilly Line with London Transport Museum’s family activities (Oct 24-29); see The Jolly Postman exhibition and more at Postal Museum (ongoing)

SUPER NATURAL AND OUTDOORS

Halloween at Kew, Kew Gardens, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE (Kew Gardens tube/Kew Bridge rail, overground)
Back for a third year, this spooky night time trail is chock-full of Jack o’Lanterns, bats, neon cobwebs and surprises. Also tuck into freaky fries, hot toddies and monster marshmallows with hot chocolate. 6pm-10pm (Oct 16-24) & 4pm-10pm (Oct 25-Nov 1); tickets (not incl. in regular admission) from adult £19.50 off peak, £24 peak/under 4s FREE/child, family and member discounts available (Oct 16-Nov 1)

Diwali on the Square, Trafalgar Square, WC2 (Charing Cross tube/rail)
Celebrate the season of light, hope, and unity at this annual celebration in the heart of London. You’ll watch 200 dazzling dancers in an opening sequence, then see more artists on the main stage. Family fun includes sari and turban tying, puppet shows, dance workshops, meditation, and delicious food stalls. 1pm-7pm; FREE (Oct 25)

Fright Week at Epping Ongar Railway, North Weald station, CM16 6BT (Epping tube, then heritage bus ride to North Weald station)
Pop on your most petrifying outfit and hop on the Ghost Train riding from North Weird through Epping Forest. There’ll be living dead lurking along with a Manic Magician, glitter tattoos and refreshments on board. All ages. Departure times from 11.40am; adult from £24/child from £14/under 3s FREE (Oct 24-25 & 29-31)

Diwali on the Square, Trafalgar Square, WC2 (Charing Cross tube/rail)
Celebrate the season of light, hope, and unity at this annual celebration in the heart of London. You’ll watch 200 dazzling dancers in an opening sequence, then see more artists on the main stage. Family fun includes sari and turban tying, puppet shows, dance workshops, meditation, and delicious food stalls. 1pm-7pm; FREE (Oct 25)

Halloween Discovery Days at Hyde Park Learning Centre, Hyde Park, W2 2UH (Hyde Park Corner tube)
You can still register for these hair-raising Hyde Park family events including nature trails, spooky stories, ‘feely boxes’ in the Witches Den’, and discovering all about bats in the Royal Parks. Fancy dress encouraged. All ages welcome, best for ages 3+. 11am-3.30pm, storytelling at 12pm, 1pm & 2pm; FREE – NB: free tickets are sold out online but the event is still open to all, however expect some queueing (Oct 28-30)

We also like
Immerse yourself in glowing diyas and colourful garlands in Diwali at London Zoo (Oct 17); families can get crafty with half term in October workshops at Spitalfields City Farm (Oct 28-30); don’t miss Richmond Fireworks night (Nov 1)

**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!**