Looking for fun, creative, and memory making activities to keep the kids busy this May half term? We have a selection of top family days out from immersive theatre and magical railways to hands on LEGO workshops and nature trails, there’s something for every family across London and beyond. Whether your little ones love storytelling, building, getting muddy, or exploring their wild side, here’s your go to guide for what’s on this half term.
THE PADDINGTON BEAR™ EXPERIENCE
Who: Families, children aged 4+ and Paddington fans of all ages
What: The Paddington Bear™ Experience – an interactive, multi-sensory journey through Paddington’s world
Where: County Hall, Southbank, London SE1 7PB
When: Various time slots available daily
Step into the world of Paddington with a fun-filled immersive experience at County Hall. Join the Brown family, explore iconic locations like Paddington Station and Windsor Gardens, and help prepare for a very special day in London. With interactive activities, themed environments, and storytelling, it’s a must for fans young and old.
MATILDA THE MUSICAL
Who: Families, children aged 6+, theatre lovers
What: Matilda The Musical, the award-winning stage adaptation of Roald Dahl’s beloved book
Where: Cambridge Theatre, Earlham Street, London WC2H 9HU
When: matinee and evening shows available daily
Winner of over 100 international awards, Matilda The Musical is a dazzling and witty production packed with unforgettable songs, clever choreography, and a heartfelt story. Follow the extraordinary Matilda as she stands up for what’s right with courage, brains, and a touch of magic. A West End must-see for all ages.
SOUTHBANK CENTRE LEGO REPLAY
Who: Families with kids aged 6+
What: LEGO Replay Workshop: Imaging New Things
Where: Level 2 Display Space, Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre
When: 27-28 May 2025, Venue open 10am-11pm, Activities 10.30am-5.30pm
Southbank Centre x LEGO Replay will be brought to life with workshops to help kids explore their imagination with LEGO Bricks, encouraging them to reuse LEGO bricks whilst also letting their creativity run wild.
BUCKLAND PARK LAKE MINI ROVERS
Who: Families with kids (specific age for Mini Rovers not specified, but typically 4-10 years old)
What: Mini Rovers (miniature off-road driving experience) and other outdoor activities
Where: Buckland Park Lake, Reigate, Surrey RH2 8RE
When: Open daily, 9 AM – 5 PM (check website for specific Mini Rovers availability as it can vary)
Mini Rovers are the star attraction at Buckland Park Lake, offering young adventurers the chance to drive their own miniature off-road vehicles. It’s a fantastic way for kids to experience the thrill of navigating challenging terrain in a safe and supervised environment. Beyond the Rovers, Buckland Park Lake also provides a variety of other activities, including paddleboarding, open water swimming, and lakeside walks, making it a great day out for the whole family.
LEGOLAND’s LEGO FESTIVAL
Who: Children under 0.9 metres get free entry
What: Lego festival
Where: Legoland, Windsor
When: until June 8th
Power up your May half term with the LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort’s biggest family celebration of play
Spark imaginations at five interactive Festival zones, including Music, Dance, Creative and Chill Out Zones, as well as the Gaming Zone featuring LEGO® Fortnite®
The festival is running every weekend until 8th June and daily over the Spring half term
UNICORN THEATRE I SEE YOU LIKE THIS EXHIBITION
Who: Families with kids aged 3+
What: I see you like this
Where: Unicorn Theatre London SE1
When: 24th May – 31st July
What happens when kids take creative control and their parents become the canvas? Opening 24th May, I See You Like This is an extraordinary new exhibition at the Unicorn Theatre, crafted by internationally acclaimed participatory artist Jessica Wilson alongside local children. Inverting the typical photo dynamic, this playful, poignant project invites children to direct, style, and visually reinvent their parent or carer.
MORDEN HALL PARK BUSY BUMBLEBEE TRAIL
Who: Families with kids aged 3+
What: Busy Bumblebees
Where: Morden Hall park
When: 24th May – 31st August
Follow this fun, self-led trail through the rose garden to learn about Britain’s bees. With flaps to lift, facts to find, and bonus bee challenges, it’s a brilliant way for families to explore nature together.
AUDLEY END MINIATURE RAILWAY
Who: Families and kids under 1 years go free
What: may half term fun
Where: Audley end miniature railway
When: 26th may – 30th may
Hop aboard the magical train and journey through enchanted woods filled with fairytale scenes and nursery rhymes. Afterwards, your little ones can get creative in the Craft Lodge, making nature crowns and magical wands. Wander the Fairy and Elf Walk, visit the sensory nature corner, and enjoy hourly Dragon Discos and storytelling in the Stage Tent. Let the kids burn off energy in the adventure playground, and don’t forget to refuel with delicious homemade food at the Woodland Café.
WWT LONDON WETLAND CENTRE: MAY HALF TERM ACTIVITIES
Who: Families with children of all ages, including those with sensory needs
What: Nature-inspired activities including bug trails, pond dipping, otter talks, and sensory experiences
Where: WWT London Wetland Centre, Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, Barnes, London SW13 9WT
When: 24 May – 1 June 2025, Activities daily from 10:15am–3:00pm
This May half term, the London Wetland Centre invites families to explore the wonders of nature with hands-on, outdoor fun. Join Lloyd and Dart from Aardman’s Lloyd of the Flies for a wetland bug hunt, get your hands wet with pond dipping, search for mini beasts, and meet the otters during daily talks. Quiet and Calm sessions and a dedicated SEND Family Room
GORILLA CIRCUS
Who: Children aged 8 and over and adults
What: Circus skills
Where and When: Regent’s Park from 18th April 2025 and Kensington Gardens from 16th May 2025
Anyone can come and learn to fly in one of Gorilla Circus’ two hour classes, youngest students are 8, our oldest (so far) 78! Students start with a warm up then move on to practice a simple trick on our low bar. They then attempt the trick on the Flying Trapeze and towards the end of the class get caught by an instructor on a separate swinging bar.
Mixture of drop in classes and courses, the more classes you take the more advanced tricks you can perform!
Classes are released in blocks of four weeks, so don’t worry if it looks like there aren’t any free spots.
SURPRISING SCIENCE
Who: This event is particularly suitable for those aged 7+.
What: Mini investigations from your theatre seat and demonstrations. Join Dr Jo to discover how a single piece of paper can explain multiple scientific concepts.
Where: The Royal Institution of Great Britain, 21 Albemarle Street London W1S 4BS
When: 28 May, 2pm
Join Dr Jo to explore the wonder of paper and how it can help explain scientific phenomena: from chromatography and capillary action to static electricity, from shadow puppets to optical illusions, from engineering structures to maths problems.
POPCORN!
Who: All ages
What: Participatory exhibition by artist Jenny Pengilly inviting audiences of all ages to explore the sonic world through our voices, bodies, and props.
Where: Whitechapel Gallery, 77-82 Whitechapel High St, London, E1 7QX
When: Until 21 September
This exhibition is inspired by Foley artists, sound designers who produce the sounds we hear in films, television programmes and video games that can’t be recorded live on set. They often use surprising objects and inventive methods such as bubble wrap in place of popcorn, shaking leather gloves to mimic flapping wings, and snapping celery to replicate the sound of breaking bones.
SHUCKED
Who: Most suitable for ages 8+
What: Musical comedy based on the book by Robert Horn
Where: Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, The Regent’s Park, Inner Circle, London NW1 4NU
When: Until 14 June
Maizy and Beau are getting hitched, when the corn that protects their small community starts to die. The town needs answers. But who will dare to venture beyond the borders of Cob County?
Tony Award-winning musical comedy Shucked makes its much-anticipated UK premiere, landing at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre for 5 weeks only, following an acclaimed run on Broadway and a US tour.
Featuring a book by Tony Award winner Robert Horn (Tootsie), a score by the Grammy Award-winning songwriting team of Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, and directed by Tony Award winner Jack O’Brien (Hairspray), this corn-fed, corn-bred American musical is sure to satisfy your appetite!
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, The Regent’s Park, Inner Cir, London NW1 4NUs
ILLUSIONARIES LATENT SPACES
Who: All ages
What: Experiential art hub
Where: Illusionaries, Crossrail Pl, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5AR
When: Until 8 June
Embark on a mesmerising journey with our pioneering immersive art experiences that combine the creative illusions of art and the profound aspects of our emotional and spiritual selves.
Our multisensory art exhibitions are the culmination of tireless experimentation and collaboration, weaving together elements of light, sound, and movement in innovative ways never seen before. Prepare to be left breathless by dazzling, thought-provoking imagery that challenges your narrative of reality.
As you explore your inner worlds and connect with the magic surrounding us all, our exhibition aims to inspire a deeper understanding of the nature of reality, consciousness, and our unconscious.
Delve into the heart of what is real and what is an illusion, and spark fundamental questions that redefine your worldview. Join us on this thrilling, transformative adventure as we push the boundaries of art and illusion and transcend the limits of the ordinary.
THE SMEDS AND THE SMOOS
Who: All ages, also with relaxed performances
What: Play adapted from Julia Donaldson’s much loved book
Where: 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, London N12 0GA
When: Until 1 June
Soar into space with this Olivier Award-nominated adaptation of the much-loved book by superstar duo Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.
On a far-off planet, Smeds and Smoos can’t be friends. So when a young Smed and Smoo fall in love and zoom off into space together, how will their families get them back?
Music, laughs and interplanetary adventures for everyone aged 3 and up, from Tall Stories – the company who brought you The Gruffalo , Room on the Broom and The Gruffalo’s Child live on stage.
JAPAN HOUSE FAMILY WORKSHOPS
Who: 6+
What: Explore the cultures of Japan this half term with a series of free family-friendly activity workshops at Japan House London.
Where: 101-111 Kensington High Street, London, W8 5SA
When: Until 1 June
Make your own origami spinning top
Spinning tops, known as koma in Japanese, are one of the oldest and most richly varied toys in the world.
Monday 26 May 2025, 14:30–16:30
Thursday 29 May 2025, 14:30–16:30
Design your own paper kokeshi
Kokeshi are painted wooden dolls from Japan’s northeastern Tōhoku region. It is thought they were first made in the late Edo period (1603-1868) by local craftspeople as toys for children and souvenirs for visitors to hot spring towns.
Wednesday 28 May 2025, 14:30–16:30
Sunday 1 June 2025, 14:30–16:30
DIGITAL KIDS: CREATE STORIES WITH CLAY
Who: Families with children 5+
What: Dive into stop-motion animation, storytelling and hand-building.
Where: V&A South Kensington, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL
When: 27th to 30 May
Create shapes or words with clay, before animating them into a short video.
This drop-in activity is for all ages, whether you’re happy building with clay, or taking things one step further to animate stories with your creations.
This is a free, drop-in activity for families to enjoy together. Suitable for ages 5+, and no child can be left unattended. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing time, no booking is required.
HIDDEN TREASURE TRAIL
Who: Aimed at 12 and under
What: Free Trail around London Museum Docklands inspired by Hidden Treasure by Jessie Burton
Where: London Museum Docklands, No 1, West India Quay, Hertsmere Rd, London E14 4AL
When: Ongoing
A brand-new family trail inspired by Hidden Treasure, the new children’s book by internationally bestselling author Jessie Burton (The Miniaturist). Inspired by the tale of two young mudlarks, the trail takes families on a journey around the museum’s galleries to learn more about centuries of life by the river. The trail is aimed at children under 12yrs, who also get free entry into the museum’s new mudlarking exhibition, Secrets of the Thames.
Hidden Treasure is a tale of two children, whose lives collide when they find an ancient treasure in the Thames. Billy is an orphan. Bo’s dad died when she was small and now her brother is off to war. Both children are poor, but through mudlarking, they have each found half of a priceless treasure given up by the river. Together they embark on an adventure to discover more about this mysterious object which holds the power to give back to one of them the most precious thing they have ever lost.
CHILLIE KIDS CLUB
Who: 5+
What: Upcycling workshops are designed to teach kids about sustainability, to not throw their clothes away
Where: Chats Palace, 42–44 Brooksby’s Walk London E9 6DF
When: 28th May
Lydia McNeill and Natalie Hartley have over 20 years experience in the fashion industry. Natalie has worked at magazines ELLE, Sunday Times Style and Glamour and Lydia in retail and personal shopping. They opened their first shop on Portobello Road selling vintage clothes. Their own kids have followed their journey and on the back of this sustainable education they thought it was important to teach their kids the value of not throwing their old clothes away and introduce them to up-cycling. The Chillie Kids Club was created on the back of that. ‘We wanted to teach kids about this, showing them in fun and creative ways, how to recycle their old clothes.
The workshops are designed to teach kids about sustainability, to not throw their clothes away. We teach the kids skills like sewing and cutting fabrics to allow them to upcycle their old clothes and make them new again.
MOOMIN 80: THE DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN
Who: All ages
What: Explore the building of a special Moomin House
Where: Southbank Centre, Riverside Terrace,
When: 27th May to 1st June
To celebrate 80 years of the Moomins, Counterpoints Arts and Moomin Characters Ltd have joined forces to commission the building of a very special house.
Tove Jansson’s Moomin stories are beloved for their inclusive and welcoming spirit, with themes of safety, love and family at their heart.
The first Moomin story is 1945’s The Moomins and the Great Flood, which mirrors the wartime reality of many displaced people seeking refuge. Today it can be read as a parable of the climate crisis.
At the end of the story, the family settles in the Moominhouse, where the door is always open to those who need shelter. It is that special place that is reinterpreted here for the anniversary.
