Take advantage of autumn within the metropolis earlier than winter begins in earnest, with a few of the greatest issues to do at October half-term in London with youngsters – and it’s not nearly Halloween.
You’ll discover actions for toddlers and teenagers, in addition to loads of inspiration for days out in London for October half-term, whether or not your youngsters love animals or animation, getting outdoor or escaping rain at half-term in London.
For those who’re wanting particularly for some ghoulishly good concepts for Halloween in London with youngsters, I’ve acquired a separate publish with a few of the greatest concepts, together with some which run all through October half-term in London.
Japan: Myths to Manga on the Younger V&A
An amazing choice for teenagers, the brand new exhibition on the Younger V&A – Japan: Myths to Manga – takes guests on a visit by Japanese historical past.
Opening on October 14, in time for half-term, the exhibition explores how Japan’s folklore and panorama have influenced every part from tradition and design to expertise.
That includes every part from My Neighbour Totoro and the well-known print, Within the Hole of a Wave off the Coast at Kanagawa, to quirky style and gaming, it’s one of many first main exhibitions on show because the Younger V&A reopened in July.
Prebooking is extremely advisable. Tickets price £10 for adults and kids aged 4+, concessions obtainable.
We’re occurring a bear hunt at Kew Gardens
It’s time for an journey of discovery at Kew Gardens this half-term, primarily based on the much-loved guide We’re Going On A Bear Hunt.
Wander by the swishy swashy grass, squelch squelch within the mud, and splash splosh by rivers to see if you will discover a bear as effectively.
Passing the lake and taking you into the arboretum at Kew Gardens, there’s an opportunity to identify large timber, uncover wildlife and let your imaginations run free. Wellies suggested!
Runs from October 21-29, included with entry to Kew Gardens.
There’s a reduction on tickets for tickets to Kew Gardens in the event you guide by my hyperlink utilizing code MUMMYTRAVELS6
Dressed to Ship on the Postal Museum
Channel your internal designed this October half-term on the Postal Museum, with an entire vary of crafts, making and storytelling.
Impressed by the postal uniforms in new exhibition, Dressed to Ship, there are many possibilities to get fingers on, whether or not you fancy designing an outfit for a puppet, an excellent deed patch, or simply having fun with the storytelling periods.
Included within the commonplace museum ticket – get a reduction in the event you guide by my hyperlink utilizing the code MUMMYTRAVELS6. Periods are drop-in, so no have to prebook, but it surely’s first come first served, so you should definitely get to the museum early. Chosen dates and instances from October 21-27,
Half-Time period enjoyable on the Cutty Sark
Greenwich’s iconic Cutty Sark is internet hosting quite a lot of family-friendly occasions to assist hold youngsters entertained this October half-term.
Households can meet vibrant character actors from Cutty Sark’s previous, together with Nannie the witch, to find out how the historic clipper ship acquired its identify, one in all a number of characters on the Cutty Sark who’ll be making an look on chosen dates throughout half-term.
Plus older youngsters (12+) can get their hearts racing one other method, by climbing the ship’s well-known masts within the thrilling Cutty Sark Rig Climb Expertise.
There’s a reduction on tickets for the Cutty Sark in the event you guide by my hyperlink utilizing code MUMMYTRAVELS6
Discovery Days at Hyde Park: Hair-Elevating Halloween
Wrap up heat and head exterior with the household this half-term for an additional version of Hyde Park’s household discovery days.
The park’s Hair-Elevating Halloween Discovery Day shall be filled with loads of enjoyable and academic hands-on actions for youthful kids. You may discover the eerie nature path, guess the ugly contents of the feely bins, take heed to spooky interactive tales, and study in regards to the many bats that decision London’s Royal Parks residence.
Fancy gown can be inspired if you wish to get away the Halloween costumes a bit early. The free half-term occasion will run each day from October 24-26, between 11am and 3pm.
Drawn to Water: Quentin Blake at WWT London
Gather an illustrated information filled with Quentin Blake’s drawings to see nature by completely different eyes as you journey across the wetlands – one in all a set of recent seasonal trails being launched, every with a distinct illustrated information to gather and hold.
In addition to having fun with the gorgeous wetlands and the play areas, there are additionally a string of artwork and illustration actions, nature-inspired inventive challenges and extra household enjoyable deliberate.
Drawn to Water: Quentin Blake at WWT is included in entry – tickets could be prebooked on-line but it surely’s not important. Runs to January 1, 2024.
For half-term, you may also get pleasure from some spooky enjoyable with the return of Eek!Week – the interactive path runs from October 21-29, together with potion making and nature artwork workshops.
Comply with the Dodger path, Museum of London Docklands
The Dodger household path remains to be working on the Museum of London Docklands this half-term, primarily based on the adventures of Dodger (plus Fagin and the gang) from the BBC collection of the identical identify.
The story is impressed by the occasions of Charles Dicken’s basic Oliver Twist however set earlier than the novel’s story, with the free path map taking you across the museum’s galleries, serving to Dodger keep one step forward of the police, who’re chasing him for against the law he didn’t commit.
In addition to heading into the immersive Sailortown gallery, a recreation of a ramshackle London district from the time that Dickens printed his personal novel, you’ll uncover extra items linked to town’s previous as a significant port.
There are additionally a string of workshops and performances going down on the museum from April 1-16, housed in a nineteenth century sugar warehouse on West India Quay. Entry and the actions are all free.
Try our overview of a earlier time out on the Museum of London Docklands with youngsters
Science Museum: Flip it Up
There’s an thrilling new exhibition coming to the Science Museum this half-term, exploring music’s mysterious maintain over us.
Flip It Up: The ability of music has loads of fingers on enjoyable, so youngsters can uncover their internal musician in a musical playground, or you possibly can monitor your dance strikes within the identify of science.
Alongside the interactive installations, there will even be some distinctive devices on show, together with some utilized by artists like Ariana Grande, and first-hand accounts from everybody from Elton John to Motsi Mabuse.
This hands-on exhibition explores how music drives us to create, carry out, really feel and share. Come uncover your internal music-maker in a musical playground, or monitor your dance strikes within the identify of science.
Runs from October 19 till Might 2024. Entry to the museum is free however tickets for Flip It Up price £10 for adults, £8 for youths, with household reductions obtainable. Ages 4 and beneath go free.
The massively common Energy Up can be giving youngsters (and massive youngsters) the possibility to lose themselves in 5 a long time of gaming once more this October half-term. With 160 consoles, and the very best video video games of the previous 50 years, you possibly can tackle your loved ones at MarioKart, play retro favourites like Pong and Pacman, or exhibit your Minecraft strikes. You’ll additionally want a day cross (or annual cross) to go to Energy Up.
MCM Comedian Con London
MCM Comedian Con is again at London’s Excel Centre from October 27-29, with a three-day celebration of all issues popular culture and a implausible approach to spherical off half-term in London with youngsters.
There’s one thing for all ages too. Older kids and teenagers can dress up of their greatest cosplay, take heed to reside panels and duties, play on the consoles and retro gaming machines, compete in board video games and RPG tournaments, and even meet a few of their favorite TV and movie stars.
And for youthful kids, The Treehouse gives a relaxed household lounge, face portray, workshops, masks making, comedian creation, and different family-friendly actions. Plus, youngsters beneath 10 go without cost!
Shakespeare’s Globe Household Workshops and Demonstrations
Be a part of a household workshop led by one of many Globe’s proficient actors, academics, or administrators and get the little ones within the nation’s most iconic playwright, Shakespeare himself.
Over the October half-term in London, the Globe is working a collection of sensible Household Workshops on numerous dates between October 21 and 28.
You may select between The Winter’s Story, Macbeth, or Romeo & Juliet, with devoted periods for 5-8, 9-12, and 12+ 12 months olds. The workshops will use a wide range of actions and video games to attract out parts of language, characters, and themes within the performs.
The workshops aren’t the one household occasions going down on the Globe this half-term. You can even get pleasure from particular guided household excursions in addition to some particular workshops for older teenagers. One of the crucial academic and strange half-term days out in London for households.
For extra issues to do on the South Financial institution with youngsters, try my ideas
Tales from Acorn Wooden, Finchley Arts Depot
For those who’re on the lookout for methods to entertain toddlers and preschoolers throughout half-term, Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Tales from Acorn Wooden are being dropped at life for the primary time.
Stuffed with catchy songs, puppetry and all of the beloved characters from Acorn Wooden – Fox together with his misplaced socks, Postman Bear, poor drained Rabbit – plus possibilities to get entangled, together with becoming a member of in Pig and Hen’s sport of cover and search.
Takes place on the Pentland Theatre, on the Arts Depot in Finchley, appropriate for ages 1+. Runs from October 21-25.
Halloween Household Quest at Eltham Palace and Gardens
Seize your broomstick and head to English Heritage’s Eltham Palace and Gardens, which is as soon as once more internet hosting one in all their nice Halloween household occasions this October half-term.
There’ll be a Halloween Quest with creepy clues to unravel, as you discover the grounds of the lavish historic home.
When you’ve accomplished the hunt, youngsters can meet costumed performers and listen to unusual and supernatural tales from instances previous.
Operating from October 21-29, tickets are free for English Heritage members, in any other case there’s a reduction for reserving upfront.
Horrible Histories: Horrible Thames Boat Journey
Leap aboard one of many ultimate cruises of the Horrible Thames boat tour for 2023, to listen to the ugly and horrible historical past of one of the crucial well-known rivers on the planet from the folks behind Horrible Histories.
This immersive Thames boat tour takes you alongside the river to discover a few of the capital’s most well-known websites whereas listening to fascinating tales from extremely entertaining actors. Tailor-made towards youthful kids, the tour brings London’s historical past alive in a enjoyable and fascinating method.
With loads of uncommon information and engrossing tales in regards to the capital that you just gained’t hear on different excursions, the Horrible Histories boat journey is a novel exercise your complete household is certain to get pleasure from. Ebook tickets right here.
Try what we considered the boat journey in my overview of the Horrible Thames tour
The Gunpowder Plot Immersive Expertise
Bear in mind, keep in mind the fifth of November… or moderately than remembering it, how about experiencing it for yourselves?
The Gunpowder Plot is an immersive layered actuality expertise through which you’ll journey again in time and try and cease the notorious plot to explode the Homes of Parliament.
Appropriate for youths aged 12+, the Gunpowder Plot makes use of a mixture of VR expertise, particular results, immersive theatre, and bodily sensations to take you again to London in 1605.
The expertise takes place within the Tower Vaults, beneath the Tower of London, the place Man Fawkes and his fellow trailers had been imprisoned and tortured after their plan was foiled.
And simply to high all of it off, Man Fawkes himself is performed by Harry Potter star Tom Felton.
For extra concepts for Bonfire Evening in London with youngsters try my picks
Halloween on the Tower of London
There’s one other spooky Halloween expertise to be discovered at one of many capital’s most well-known sights, the Tower of London, as you comply with within the footsteps of a few of its notorious prisoners.
Halloween on the Tower of London is an exciting family-friendly journey by the landmark’s haunted previous, working from October 21-29.
As you tour the Tower’s most infamous websites comparable to Traitors’ Gate and the Bloody Tower, youngsters will come nose to nose with roaming ghosts of characters who spent their ultimate moments inside the partitions (with the assistance of projectors and eerie sound results), from Roman troopers to the Wizard Earl.
The ghoulish Halloween Tower Tour is designed to spook not terrify although, and included in common admission. It’s greatest to guide your ticket upfront to ensure entry in the course of the half-term holidays.
There’s a reduction on tickets for the Tower of London in the event you guide by my hyperlink utilizing code MUMMYTRAVELS6
Halloween at Hampton Court docket Palace
If one haunted royal residence wasn’t sufficient, head right down to Hampton Court docket Palace for an additional eerie expertise by Historic Royal Palaces.
At Hampton Court docket Palace, this Halloween households can uncover the various darkish secrets and techniques of Henry VIII’s notoriously haunted palace. Children can meet the palace’s ghosts, see portraits come to life within the Gallery of the Damned, and even take part in a séance to listen to voices from past the grave.
With witches and alchemists infesting components of the palace, and intricately carved pumpkins within the Haunted Backyard, there’s additionally the possibility to take heed to spooky tales and revel in just a few Halloween treats.
The spooky and academic expertise is appropriate for all ages, and runs from October 21-29.
There’s a reduction on tickets for Hampton Court docket Palace in the event you guide by my hyperlink utilizing code MUMMYTRAVELS6
Boo on the Zoo at London Zoo
Boo on the Zoo is again at London Zoo once more to maintain the youngsters entertained this October half-term and Halloween.
With every part from hair-raising animal information to some conventional Halloween crafts, there’s even an opportunity to get pleasure from a session in sorcery this 12 months.
Some actions are perfect for little ones, together with being reworked right into a black cat or different creepy creature by the zoo’s fearsome face painters (for a payment), whereas older youngsters can really feel a real shiver as they navigate the extinct species graveyard.
Plus there a pumpkins to brighten, menacing masks to craft and loads of devilish demonstrations as effectively. Free with zoo entry, the occasions run from October 21-31.
Methods and Treats at Sea Life Aquarium
Enterprise into Sea Life London Aquarium and also you’ll discover a string of creatures to provide the shivers this Halloween.
In addition to the UK’s largest assortment of piranhas, this October sees a give attention to the spooky creatures hiding beneath the waves from the fearsome Wolf Fish to the mysterious Octopus.
Add in challenges, fill within the exercise sheets and you could possibly earn some Halloween treats too. Runs from October 21-31, included in entry. There a reduction on prebooked tickets (which can be advisable throughout half-term).
Scared Shrekless at Shrek’s Journey
Look out for methods and treats at Shrek’s Journey this October half-term, as a part of Scared Shrekless.
Extra particulars nonetheless to be revealed, however it is going to be working from October 27-November 5, simply in time for the top of half-term.
Count on the additional actions and likelihood to pose for pictures as a part of the go to, in addition to the same old enjoyable for Shrek followers, to discover the world of Far Far Away, encountering Princess Fiona and Donkey and an journey on the 4D flying bus.
Included in commonplace entry, most particular occasions happen after the primary Shrek meet and greet of the expertise. Prebooking advisable.
Household actions at HMS Belfast
HMS Belfast has some nice nautical enjoyable once more over October half-term, together with a return of its We Had been There household day on October 27.
These occasions welcome some particular friends who will draw upon their private experiences at sea to fascinate youngsters with their wonderful tales.
Get a reduction in the event you guide by my hyperlink utilizing the code MUMMYTRAVELS6.
Spies, Lies and Deception at IWM London
There’s a significant new exhibition at London’s Imperial Struggle Museum wanting on the methods, instruments and elaborate plots which have made up the key world of spying during the last 100 years or so – good for any wannabe 007 or Alex Rider.
Spies, Lies and Deception, which opens on September 29 (runs to April 2024) contains over 150 objects, together with devices, official paperwork, artwork and newly digitised movie and pictures from the First World Struggle to at this time.
The museum, and its exhibition, are each free to go to.
Jet and House week at RAF Museum
Wannabe astronauts ought to made a date for the Royal Air Pressure Museum this October half-term, with a spread of themed actions for Jet and House week, aimed toward youngsters aged 4-12.
In addition to spying some iconic plane, there shall be challenges, crafts, puzzles and actions to get pleasure from, the place you possibly can problem your science expertise and discover out extra in regards to the universe – with every part from cosmic robotic races to a paper jet designing content material and an ‘out-of-this-world’ planetarium.
Happening on choose dates from October 21-29, some actions are included in admission, others have a payment of £3-5. Prebooking suggested. Entry to the RAF museum itself is free.
Mini Monsters at London Museum of Water & Steam
For one of the crucial uncommon summer time days out in London with youngsters, head to the little Museum of Water & Steam in Brentford, west London, the place the Mini Monsters shall be invading on October 21.
Particularly the monster micro organism as soon as discovered within the River Thames, with an opportunity to find the science behind cleansing up the water in a Soggy Science present.
There may be additionally storytelling, crafts, and a neighborhood artwork undertaking, for an opportunity to study whereas having a number of enjoyable.
The actions are included in admission and don’t should be prebooked, though you possibly can guide entry to the museum, together with annual passes. The museum is strolling distance from Kew Bridge station.
World Poster Gallery on the London Transport Museum
The London Transport Museum is opening a brand new gallery simply in time for October half-term, devoted to the historical past of poster artwork and design.
Becoming a member of the various different basic designs on show, not least the long-lasting tube map itself, the World Poster gallery will function a few of the highlights of the museum’s huge assortment of twentieth century graphic artwork and design, together with 30,000 posters usually housed on the Museum Depot.
As a part of the launch, there’ll be a brand new exhibition, The best way to Make a Poster, together with a string of household actions from making your individual poster to puppet theatre and a path to trace down a secret art work by the opposite galleries.
Entry to the gallery is included with museum admission. Get a reduction on tickets in the event you guide by my hyperlink, utilizing the code MUMMYTRAVELS6.
Disney 100: The Exhibition
The most recent celebrations of Disney’s a centesimal birthday are unmissable for followers, with the Walt Disney Archives placing a string of authentic artworks, costumes, props, memorabilia and extra from its vault of treasures for Disney 100: The Exhibition.
With 10 themed galleries, together with shows from the earliest classics comparable to Snow White and the seven Dwarfs to fashionable releases together with Encanto, it additionally options Pixar, Star Wars and Marvel.
The 20,000 sq. foot exhibition additionally guarantees loads of interactive enjoyable for households, and opens on October 13 at ExCel London, in time for October half-term. Prebooking suggested.
Halloween enjoyable in London
For those who’re on the lookout for extra Halloween issues to do in London with youngsters at October half-term, I’ve picked a few of the greatest spooky enjoyable on this publish, devoted to all issues spine-chillingly good.
Extra days out with youngsters in London: ongoing
Monet: The Immersive Expertise
The most recent in a succession of art-themed immersive experiences, permitting you to step inside a portray, this time it’s the flip of Monet, following within the super-successful footsteps of Van Gogh.
Monet: The Immersive Expertise is at the moment attributable to shut in late November, with restricted availability for many dates in October, so it’s price snapping up tickets shortly.
Primarily based in Brick Lane, in east London, the expertise takes round 60-75 minutes and is appropriate for all ages.
Frameless
The UK’s largest, everlasting digital artwork exhibition opened in Marble Arch, Frameless lets youngsters – and massive youngsters – expertise artworks like by no means earlier than.
Set inside a 30,000 sq. foot area, with 4 separate galleries, guests can uncover key moments in artwork historical past, with state-of-the-art projection and movement sensor expertise to carry to life work from artists together with Cezanne, Kandinsky, Monet, Canaletto, Rembrandt and Klimt.
With the possibility to the touch, transfer and work together with the work, it couldn’t be farther from a standard gallery and the proper method to assist households uncover the world of artwork.
Twist Museum of Illusions
There are some new displays becoming a member of the illusions at Twist Museum – good for a wet day throughout October half-term in London with youngsters (or a sunny one for that matter).
With over 60 displays exhibiting completely different illusions and shows to trick all of your completely different senses, the interactive expertise is enjoyable for all ages. Prebook tickets right here.
Try our overview of a go to to Twist Museum London with youngsters
Dopamine Land
Don’t miss the possibility to enterprise into Dopamine Land, earlier than it closes in London – now prolonged to November 12 (closed on Mondays and a few Tuesdays).
The multisensory expertise combines media, expertise and play, with a collection of vibrant installations to assist all ages get in contact with their internal baby – and all designed to boost a smile on a gray day.
Meet Titanosaur on the Pure Historical past Museum
Come nose to nose (nearly) with one of many largest creatures that ever lived, on the ongoing exhibition on the colossal titanosaur, becoming a member of the much-loved dinosaurs of the Pure Historical past Museum.
4 instances heavier than Dippy the Diplodocus and 12 metres longer than Hope the blue whale, who hangs within the Hintze Corridor, the interactive exhibition offers guests the possibility to see this gigantic dinosaur shut up as you comply with its life from football-sized egg to completely grown grownup.
Children can get fingers on dealing with a few of the specimens within the shows in addition to studying simply how a behemoth this measurement might have survived (and thrived) on earth – measure your self towards its thigh bone, peer into its huge cranium… and you may even odor its poo.
On show in Europe for the primary time, the exhibition runs to January 2024. Tickets embody Museum entry and prebooking is strongly advisable.
Brick Dinos on the Horniman Museum
It’s the final likelihood to see Brick Dinos on the Horniman Museum, probably the greatest issues to do in London at October half-term with youthful kids.
At Brick Dinos at Horniman Museum, there’s the possibility to see a string of different prehistoric giants in addition to different dinosaur fashions created from Lego – fortuitously recreated in miniature type. Look out for the life-sized flying pterosaur, in addition to different not often seen specimens from the Horniman’s assortment.
There are alternatives for youths to get fingers on too, together with constructing your individual dinosaur and digging for fossils.
Entry to the Horniman Museum is free, however tickets to Brick Dinos prices £9 for adults, £4.50 for kids (free for under-threes). Runs to October 29.
The museum’s standard galleries, together with the pure historical past part, plus the aquarium, butterfly home and gardens are additionally open to discover.
Crown to Couture at Kensington Palace
In case your youngsters are extra interested by ballgowns than Lego bricks, the spectacular Crown to Couture exhibition at Kensington Palace combines style and royalty to take guests from the glittering world of the royal Georgian court docket to at this time’s crimson carpet.
With over 200 objects on show – from the well-known Silver Tissue Robe worn on the court docket of Charles II proper by to Woman Gaga’s luminous inexperienced MTV Awards gown, the exhibition additionally appears at how 18th century aristocrats are nonetheless influencing at this time’s excessive style.
Included with admission, prebooking is advisable. The exhibition runs to October 29.
Try my overview of the Crown to Couture exhibition with youngsters
Re:imagining Musicals on the V&A
Theatre-loving youngsters and teenagers shall be fascinated by the Re:imagining Musicals exhibition on the V&A in South Kensington, nonetheless working over half-term.
Wanting on the method musical theatre has advanced and a few of the craftsmanship involving in iconic reveals, it’s a celebration in addition to an opportunity to find extra – anticipate every part from Miss Saigon and My Truthful Woman to fashionable classics SIX the Musical, and All people’s Speaking About Jamie.
Free to go to.
Take an open-top bus tour
For those who get a transparent October day, wrap up and take advantage of it on one in all London’s open-top bus sightseeing excursions to select from, with completely different choices relying which routes and instances you need.
Tootbus (beforehand known as The Authentic Tour) has a particular 45-minute London Children tour in addition to the London Discovery hop-on hop-off choice.
There’s at the moment 10% off in the event you guide on-line upfront
Or the hop-on hop-off route from London Massive Bus Excursions additionally takes you previous most key landmarks, with some reductions on-line in the event you purchase upfront.
Comply with a Treasure Map Path
These pretty vibrant treasure hunt-style maps embody three routes in central London – and there’s 10% off is you utilize the code MUMMYTRAVELS.
A enjoyable approach to discover London with youngsters, the hunts problem you to identify all types of quirky sights, from indicators and statues to carvings, all enlivened with a enjoyable fantasy design to remodel the actual life streets.
There’s additionally loads extra to entertain youngsters throughout October half-term in London on the standard household sights – try my choose of the very best 59 issues to do in London with youngsters
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Major picture/Globe Theatre/HMS Belfast courtesy of Depositphotos, all different photographs copyright MummyTravels