We’ve rounded up some of the things to do in London this half term, to keep the kids entertained this half term
With Halloween round the corner there are plenty of ghoulish fun to be had, but if that’s not your thing, then there’s lots more to do in and out of the city.
- ROALD DAHL MUSEUM
After a flood in May, the Museum is re-opening for October half term, offering a week brimful of Twits’ Tricks and Matilda Magic, including Twizzling Tricks for Budding Illustrators, Wonka’s Wondercrump Contraptions, Twits’ Disgusterous Dinner Plates, Wigglish Witches’ Masks, and Crodswoggling Clay Critters. There are also guided walks which give an insight into Dahl’s life and daily routine in Great Missenden.
Aimed at 5-12 year olds.
22 to 28 October
www.roalddahl.com/museum
- NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM ICE RINK
If this is usually a Christmas activity for you and the family, then it will have come a bit early. But from 25th you can skate outside one of London’s most iconic landmarks.
www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/exhibitions/ice-rink.html - A PIRATE’S LIFE FOR ME
This is the V&A Museum of Childhood’s first major exhibition to focus on fictional pirates in popular culture including Captain Pugwash and Captain Cook. Visitors have the chance to walk the plank, discover a treasure island as well as a large scale pirate ship. Dressing up and singing sea shanties is positively encouraged.
www.vam.ac.uk - THE TOWN MOUSE AND THE COUNTRY MOUSE
Head to The Puppet Barge in Little Venice for these unique performances. The story’s told using rod puppets, music and sing-alongs.
20-28 October
www.puppetbarge.com
- MEET SIYANDA, PROTECTOR OF PLANTS
Kew teams up with Theatre-Rites to bring the story of the Temperate House and plants to life through a theatrical experience using live music, puppetry and performance.
20 to 28 October
www.kew.org - CYPHER CODERS CAMP
Creatively themed coding camps run all week at various locations, with pick-ups in some areas.
22 to 26 October
www.cyphercoders.com - THE MUSICIANS OF BREMEN
This visually stunning adaptation from French company, Compagnie Animotion, for 3 to 10 years and their families, tells the tale of four animals put to pasture; a donkey, a cat, a cockerel and a dog.
24 to 26 October
www.watermans.org.uk
- LITTLE GRAND TOUR
Learn about Pre-Raphaelite art and their imaginary & inspiring world from Knights of the Round Table to Sleeping Beauty at Tate Britain.
25 & 26 October
www.thelittlegrandtour.co.uk - MUSIC HOUSE FOR CHILDREN
Featuring activities for children as young as 1, this hidden gem in Shepherds Bush will be putting on a Gingerbread Man Storytale, an all-day workshop recreating the musical Wicked!, and hosting a Music and Movement Extravaganza for under threes.
22 to 27 October
www.musichouseforchildren.com - KINGSTON CHILDREN’S LITERARY FESTIVAL
Over three days, kids are invited to attend readings of some of their favourite books, read by some of the authors themselves. Opening the event series is Adam Hargreaves, best known for writing and illustrating the Mr Men and Little Miss books, since taking over from his father and Mr Men creator, Roger Hargreaves.
www.inkingston.co.uk/kidslitfest
25 to 27 October
- DIVERTIMENTI PARENT & TEEN CLASSES
You and your teen can learn a complete menu, and some cookery skills for life, with a spooky touch during a class led by farmer, chef and food campaigner Rachel Green.
31 October
www.divertimenti.co.uk/cookery-school - TELEGRAPH SKI AND SNOWBOARD FESTIVAL
As well as the obvious reference to winter sports, children can enjoy the Kids Arts, Crafts & Entertainment zone in the Neilson’s Lodge where they’ll be joined by Tootles & Nibs for winter sports themed games and activities, a winter selfie station, arts & crafts and face painting. If that’s not enough there’s a climbing wall and Dog sledding. And if you’re sans kids, there’s apres ski fun. Battersea’s where it’s at.
25 to 28 October
skiandsnowboard.co.uk - GOOD GRIEF, CHARLIE BROWN!
This long-awaited exhibition finally opens at Somerset House celebrating Snoopy and his friends. It brings together work by Charles M. Schulz and artists who have been influenced by this famous comic strip over the years.
From 25 October
www.somersethouse.org.uk
(c) Peanuts - HALLOWEEN AT THE HORNIMAN MUSEUM
Dress up and get down to the Horniman for a day of frightening fun and games. Little ones can meet creepy crawlies in the Wild Fangs cave, while adult witches and wizards browse arts and craft markets and try devilishly delicious food and drink from a variety of stalls.
27 & 28 October
www.horniman.ac.uk - FIT FOR SPORT
With camps all over London this half-term, why not use our 10% discount and get the kids active this half term.
Use CKOHT2018.
www.fitforsport.co.uk - OXYGEN FREEJUMPING
Instead of the kids bouncing off the walls, take them trampolining to burn off some of that excess energy. Using the code CITYKIDS10 will give you 10% off jumping too! Win, win.
oxygenfreejumping.co.uk
- NIGHT OWLS HALLOWEEN SLEEPOVER
In celebration of all things spooky, the Museum of London Docklands is opening its doors after dark for Halloween for all families brave enough to spend a night at the museum. Grab a flashlight and tiptoe your way through the museum, before nestling down for the night in the galleries. If you survive, there’ll be a film and some breakfast in the morning.
26 October
www.museumoflondon.org.uk - THE HALLOWEEN FOOD MARKET CHISWICK
Free for everyone, the market will be putting on arts and crafts throughout the day for young children.
28 October
www.thefoodmarketchiswick.com - WIZARDS & WITCHES WEEK
At Bocketts Farm enjoy a spooktacular day out with animal encounters, a reptile roadshow, heated play barn and loads of other seasonal fun.
20 to 28 October
www.bockettsfarm.co.uk - HALLOWEEN JUNIOR SOCIAL TOURNAMENT
Make no mistake, this is a tennis tournament for different age groups, but dressing up is encouraged and there will be prizes, food and plenty of fun. This event is in addition to the half-term camps running on a daily basis for kids aged four and over.
28 October
www.willtowin.co.uk/chiswick-house-gardens