Half-Term is here and we know holidays can get expensive so we have searched far and wide to bring you the best of London’s free family events and activities so every age and interest is catered for.
From outdoor active fun to museums festivals, crafts and music through to educational fun – all for free this February!
Natural History Museum Mysteries of the Dark is a free family festival taking place from 19-21 Feb. There are games, shows and events which will inspire and entertain little ones and grown-ups alike. Kids can shine a light on creatures that live in the dark and get hands on with real ocean specimens, dissect owl pellets or become mystery detectives. More info here
Make a Hedgehog from recycled books and learn the art of book folding at Gayton Library on Monday 18 Feb . Starts at 11am and is suitable for ages 6-11.
Flower Craft create a vase filled with colourful flowers from recycled material at Wealdstone Library on Monday 18 Feb 2-3pm. Suitable for ages 5+
Design Your Own Picture Frame at Gayton Library on Tuesday 19 February from 2:30. Suitable for ages 5-10.
Little Soldiers at National Army Museum features a giant board game where kids and adults can jump on, play against each other and complete first world war challenges. Running from 16-24 February.
Mother and Baby Elephant Craft Activity at Roxeth Library on Thursday 21 Feb have fun crafting and colouring mother and baby African elephants against a jungle background. Places are limited and available on a first come, first served basis. Takes place between 2.15 – 3pm and is suitable for ages 3-8.
Salt, Science and Secrets at Salters Hall on February 20th where families must work as a team to discover the science, the secrets and the stories of The Salters’ Company. February half term features an Early Years area where smaller scientists can enjoy storytelling at set times throughout the day followed up by mini experiments for tiny hands with big brains. 11am til 3pm – free but booking advised
Tuesday Feb 19th at 10am Superhero Wildlife at Lloyd Park Design your own superhero animal outfit and follow a trail of animal superheroes to discover how you can help save wildlife. 10am til 1pm
Fun with Phonics What do the words bat, hat and rat all have in common?Investigate rhyming words and why they rhyme, use phonics to help little ones pronounce words accurately. Admission: free – advance booking required. Stanmore Library on Thursday 21 Feb from 11am. For ages 4-6.
Be a Maths Sorcerer at Pinner Library on Thursday 21 Feb as your children become masters of the 3, 4, 6 & 8 times tables. 3:30-4:30 suitable for ages 7-9.
Improve Your Drawing Skills With a Young Artist at Wealdstone Library on Friday 22nd February. Join modern acrylics artist Mark Ross as he introduces you to the basics of drawing.Starts at 11am and is suitable for ages 7-11.
Out at Sea at the National Maritime Museum celebrates LGBT History Month and what it means to be a hero or role model with a day of adventures and crafts and performances on Saturday 23 Feb from 11am
Imagination Hub Family Day – Digital Storytelling Workshops at Pinner Library on Saturday 23 February. Explore and tinker with the art of digital storytelling. Create a trailer for your favourite book using stop frame animation software, plus code your own story sounds using Scratch and Makey Makey micro components. See here for more details. Suitable for ages 6-11.
Harry Potter Book Night at Kensington Central Library on Tuesday 19 Feb from 4:30 In collusion with ‘Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry’, come and witness the transformation of the library under the cover of night henceforth known as ‘Inkentongs’ Library for Aspiring Magical Individuals. We are excitedly preparing a host of activities and games inspired by Hogwarts and a day in the life of Harry and his classmates. Come in costume if you can. Free tickets can be booked on Eventbrite
Under 5s music audio stories with Anna-Christina Friday 22 February, 10.30am – 11.15am at Hammersmith Library. This story time session, based on ‘Billy Joins the Circus’ is a mix of listening, drawing and drama. The children will learn about the circus, create their own drawings and enjoy singing and dancing along with the story.
Family Learning: Make a puppet with your 5-11 year old and enter a world of stories and imagination. Saturday 16 Feb from 11am at Willesden Green Library.
A Pirate’s Life is an exhibition focusing on pirates and their influence in popular culture running at the Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green from 16-24 Feb
Foresters Sash Craft Learn about the Foresters Friendly Society who worked together to help those in need and make your own sash to take home! Ages 3+. Drop in on Monday 18 Feb at Wembley Library 2-4pm
Join Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson on Wed 20 Feb as they investigate the curse of the Baskerville family, a glowing hound that haunts the moors. Open Book Theatre return with a brand-new adaptation of this spooky tale. Come and become part of this family-friendly adventure. Suitable for ages 4+ The Library at Willesden Green Library. 11.30am-12.30pm and Wembley Library 2.30-3.30pm
Code Club Learn to code and make games, visuals and programmes at Wembley Library on Thursday 21 Feb. Reserve your place at the library now as space is limited. For children aged 8-11 from 2:30-4pm.
Clay Creatures: Let your imagination run wild and create your own clay creature at Redbridge Central Library on Thursday 21st Feb from 2:30 til 3:30. Suitable for under 8’s
Wii Gaming fun – come and have some fun playing games on the Wii at Gants Hill Library on 21st February 2:30 til 3:30. Suitable for 5+ years. Book in advance.
Paper Mache Madness Come to Redbridge Central Library and get those creative juices flowing with papier mache on Tuesday 19 Feb, let it dry and then return on Friday 22 Feb to decorate. 2:30 – 3:30 on both days. Suitable for 8+ years.
Angular Architecture at Pimlico Library on Monday 18 Feb from 1pm. Join in this workshop to become architects by learning all about areas and angles of shapes. Suitable for kids aged 7-9. Free but booking essential – contact Pimlico Library here.
Myths and Legends at Museum of London Docklands Museum combines music and dance performances from folklore from around the world. 16 and 17 Feb.
Sugar Swaps storytime at Pimlico Library on Wednesday 20 Feb from 10am encourages families with children to choose lower sugar alternatives. Join in the fun and get a free sticker pack to take home. Suitable for children aged 1-6 years.
Join in with a free drama workshop (Jack and the Wonder Beans) at Maida Vale Library on Monday 18 Feb, 2:30 to 3:30pm. Suitable for kids aged 7 to 12 years old. Free but booking advised.
Robots from Rubbish encourages kids to make their own robot from recycled materials. Suitable for kids of all ages on Wednesday 20th Feb 2:30 – 4pm at Maida Vale Library.
More Half-Term inspiration for fun with the family here.