What to do in London during October Half-term 2023

Hope you and your little one are settled in school days by now. Feels like the summer has just finished, but it’s already half-term around the corner!

I’ve put together a fantastic list of family-friendly events happening at some of London’s finest museums and cultural spots.

Some of these events require advance booking! So, why not take a peek and discover the ones that attract your interest for a fun and educational day out with your little ones next month? Get ready for some family fun in the heart of London! 🌟🏛️👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

And for your convenience, it is listed by region!

[CENTRAL]

1. British Museum WC1B 3DG (FREE drop-in | 5+)

• 21 Oct 10am-4pm | Impossible images: Japan
• 26 Oct 10am-4pm | Masterpieces in Minecraft: Rome
• 28 Oct 10am-4pm | Making masks: Aztecs

2. Bank of England Museum EC2R 8AH (FREE drop-in)

Many people would not know Bank of England has a museum and that it is very child-friendly! They host family events every half-term and it is very educative and you will want to visit one of their sessions if you are thinking of teaching your children about money and saving!

• 23-27 Oct, 10am-5pm | Data Detectives: Solving a forgery crime as a little detective!

3. Postal Museum | WC1X 0DA (Free with entry ticket | 5-11 yo)

Crafts, making, and storytelling with a theme of Dressed to Deliver exhibition

• 21 & 22 Oct 10am-4pm | Mini Designers: Create your own postal uniform

• 24 & 26 Oct 10am-4pm | Mini Makers: Design your own good deed patch

• 25 & 27 Oct 11:30am, 1:30pm, 2:30pm (45 minute long) | A Postal Journey Through Time: Storytelling Session 

4. National Gallery WC2N 5DN (FREE drop-in)

• 24 & 25 Oct 12:00-12:45pm, 2:00-2:45pm | Shared storytelling (all ages)
• 25 & 26 Oct 11:00am-12:15pm, 1:00-2:15pm | Drawn together (all ages)

5. London Transport Museum WC2E 7BB (Free with entry ticket)

• 21 -29 Oct All day | Perfect Posters: Designing a perfect transport poster, lively puppet theatre show, and a trail to find a secret artwork

6. Museum of the Order St John EC1M 4DA (FREE | 3-10 yo)

Family activities below take place in their Learning Centre (EC1V 4JJ), which is over the road from the museum. Both are recommended for 3-10 yo, but siblings & babies are welcome.

• 24 Oct 11am-3:30pm | Seacole Sessions Family Activity: Slimy Dragons (Booking essential)
  • Includes Storytelling at 12pm and 1pm (30 min long)
• 25 Oct 11am-3:30pm | Secrets of Crypt (Drop in)

7. Westminster Abbey SW1P 3PA (Free with entry ticket, suitable for 3+ and younger children are welcome.)

• 21 Oct 10am-2pm | Family Day: Living Memory – Dress up
• 24 Oct 10am-2pm | Family Day: Monumental Memories: including dress up, family tour, and storytelling

[EAST]

1. Young V&A E2 9PA (FREE drop-in | all ages)

• 25-27 Oct 12-4pm | Contribute to a Origami Sculpture and create & dress up as a character

2. Museum of London Docklands E14 4AL (FREE, some require sign-up on arrival)

There are so many events prepared for children over the week of half-term (21-29 Oct ), so check out the specific dates on their websites if you like any from the list below!

• Cookery creations workshop (Sign-up required on arrival)
• Story of an East End champion boxer (Sign-up required on arrival)
• Ilana Banana toddler party
• Digital fashion design
• Button it! Stich it! Dress it!
• Decorate our succah
• Song and dance performances from Jewish schools
• Zingt: Yiddish family sing-along!
• Jewish schools art installation
• Jewish Museum object handling
• Migration stories
• Who Jew Think You Are?
• Object handling
• Cover your heads!
• Tots at the Docks – Little Fashion City
• Clay charity pot making

[SOUTHEAST]

1. Old Naval College SE10 9NN

• 24 Oct 11am, 1:30pm, 3pm (50 mins long), 25 Oct 11am, 1:30pm (50 mins long) | Mambo Jambo’s Spooktacular Halloween Session (£2, booking in advance, for 3-7 yo)

2. Royal Observatory SE10 8XJ

• 26 Oct 10:30am-12:00pm | Holiday to Space (£5, booking in advance, recommended for 3-6 yo)

[SOUTHWEST]

1. Natural History Museum SW7 5BD (Booking in advance)

• 25 Oct 11am, 12pm, 13:15pm, 14:15pm (45 mins long) | Jurassic Encounters: Animal Show (£8)

• 24 Oct 11am, 1:30pm, 4pm (1.5h long) T. Rex Show with Teach Rex (£10, suitable for 3+ yo)

2. National Army Museum SW3 4HT (FREE drop-in, suitable for 5+ yo)

• 24-26 Oct 10:30am-12:30pm & 1:45pm-3:30pm | Army Animal Crafts
• 24-26 Oct 11am, 11:45am, 1:30pm, 2:15pm, 3pm (30 mins long) | Marching Orders: Amazing Animals

3. Mosaic Rooms SW5 0SW

• Until 5 Nov | Tools for Solidarity: RESOLVE Collective (play installation/outdoor play commission)

4. Tate Britain SW1P 4RG

• 21 Oct 2pm | Read Alouds by Flavia Z. Drago in Story Space (Recommended for 5-12 yo, but all ages are welcome)
• Every day during school holidays (and every weekend and Thursdays during term-time) | Story Space

• Every day during school holidays (and every weekend and Fridays during term-time) | Play Studio

5. Polka Theatre SW19 1SB

• 27 Oct 10am, 1pm, 3:15pm (45 mins long) | Clowning Around Comedy Workshop (£12 Adult & child, £6 for each additional person, 3+, booking in advance)

• 25 Oct 10am-12pm & 2-4pm | Spooky Halloween Character Workshop (£25 child only, 4-7 yo, booking in advance)

• 26 Oct 10am-4pm | Halloween Hair and Make-Up Masterclass (£50 child, 8-12 yo, booking in advance)

6. Kew Garden TW9 3AB

• 21-20 Oct all day | We’re Going on a Bear Hunt (Free with entry ticket)

7. Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery W5 5EQ

27 Oct 10am-12pm, 12pm-2pm | Mini Makers (£5, Booking in advance, 6 mths – 8 yo)

[NORTH]

1. Chickenshed Theatre N14 4PE

• 22 Oct 11am & 2pm (35 mins long) | OperaUpClose present Peace at Last (£5, 3-5 yo, FREE to under 12 months, booking in advance)

• 28 Oct 10am, 11:30am, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm (1h long) | The Brick People (LEGO activity tables and self and monitored building activities) (£5, 3+ yo, booking in advance)

2. Little Angel Studios N1 2EH

• 21-22 Oct 10am, 1pm, 3pm* (1h long) | Family Workshops – Big Bad Me (£8.50, for 6-11 yo, *3pm session only on 21 Oct)
• 24-26 Oct 10am (6h long) | Puppet Playcation – Let’s Make Halloween Town! (£48 full price, £25 sibling, 5-9 yo, booking in advance, children supervised by staff throughout the day, need to bring a packed lunch)
• 28-29 Oct 10am, 1pm, 3pm (1h long) | Family Workshops – Create a Creepy Costume (£8.50, 5-9 yo, booking in advance)

Hope you guys have a lovely half-term and for more information on what to do with kids in London, please visit our Instagram account, instagram.com/londonful_kids!