Blink and it’s here. Another holiday to entertain the kids – add two weekends either side and a couple of inset days and presto that’s two weeks of activities to keep young Londoners entertained. But not to worry for we have searched far and wide through our metropolis to bring you the best that London has to offer.
Imagine Children’s Festival
Feed and interact with dinosaurs, see the Very Hungry Caterpillar, celebrate the Harry Potter books and go on adventures with Pippi Longstocking. Imagine Children’s Festival is dedicated to families enjoying art and culture together (and so up our street!). There is a jam packed programme of events for the whole family with loads of free stuff too.
When: 12 – 23 Feb 2020
Where: Southbank Centre
How much: Varies depending on event – more info and booking here.
The Wolves in the Walls
When Lucy hears noises from behind the walls, she tries to warn her family that there are wolves lurking inside their house, but her family doesn’t believe her. Then one day, Lucy’s fears come true when a pack of wolves comes bursting out of the walls, forcing Lucy and her family to live at the bottom of the garden. But the story is far from over – Lucy must gather her courage, as her battle against the wolves is only just beginning. Suitable for ages 7 and above.
When: 14 feb – 26 April 2020
Where: Little Angel Theatre
How much: £15 for adults and £13 Children (age 1 – 15). More info and bookings here.
Signs and Symbols
London’s transport system is one of the most recognisable in the world. Your mission is to find out why signs and symbols are so important to London. Pick up a Museum Mission from the Family Desk and take part in the family friendly activities including role play, games and dressing up.
When: 15 Feb – 23 Feb 2020
Where: London Transport Museum
How much: Free with general admission which is £16.50 with kids going free and your ticket is valid for 12 months. More info and booking here.
Half-Term Tales
Get into Shakespeare with Tales at the Globe. There are storytelling sessions where you can explore the exquisitely creative language of Shakespeare or workshops where you can immerse yourself in the stories and learn about the characters and the plot. Join in with Kate Pankhurst (suffragette descendant) and learn all about the great women dedicating their lives to saving the planet or join Joseph Coelho in a magical sttorytelling session from his latest poetry collection. Age suitability differs depending on activity.
When: 15-23 Feb 2020
Where: Globe Theatre
How much: Dependant on activity – check their website here.
The Bird Show
Follow Henry the Heron and Sally the House Sparrow on a zany journey to become friends. With frolics and foraging, flitting, flying and two unusual feathery friends, this is a madcap and touching show about birds facing changes to their habitat. Using live music, puppetry and lots of silly bird jokes, The Bird Show is a heart-fluttering physical comedy that gently explores the impact of humans on nature and asks the question – what can we do differently?
When: 15 Feb at 11am and 2pm
Where: Half Moon Theatre
How much: £7 each more info and booking here.
Junior Lawyers Club workshop
Learn transferable skills through fast paced activities like a ‘dragons den’ style pitch, or a newsnight panel debate, teamwork challenges to design a robot, setting up a new art gallery or publicity event, debating and devising a new law, conducting a negotiation, creating a trailer for a film or running for election as Prime Minister. Every workshop is different, keeping participants engaged and stimulated.
When: 15 Feb 2 – 3:30
Where: Mansel Road, Wimbledon
How much: £22 more info and booking here.
Making studio: Collections of people
A family friendly workshop devised in collaboration with artists Abigain Hunt and Ania Bas that will explore photography and portraits, collage and performance inspired by Steve McQueen Year 3 exhibition. The exhibition features a group portrait of 76,000 of London’s 7–8 year olds with over 3,000 London schools taking part in the project.
When: 15 – 23 Feb 2020
Where: Tate Britain
How much: free more info here.
Vets in action at ZSL London Zoo
Young Londoners can step role of a vet at ZSL London Zoo, during a packed week of interactive family events celebrating their incredible work. After reporting for duty at the hospital’s reception, junior vets will pop on their white coats and pick up their schedules before joining the team in the Zoo’s specially-recreated zoo vet clinics. Children will help experts examine, x-ray and carry out treatments on toys, experiencing first-hand the huge variety of work carried out by the Zoo’s vets, vet nurses and zookeepers – from microchipping meerkats to removing plastic from the tummy of a sea turtle.
When: 15 -23 Feb 2020
Where: ZSL London Zoo
How much: Included in your entry ticket which is from £23 per adult more info and booking here.
Mr Men & Little Miss
Mr. Men and Little Misses have brought joy to millions of children all over the world through self-expression, colour, simplicity and humour. Featuring Mr. Bump, Little Miss Splendid, Mr. Tickle, Little Miss Inventor and many more, Happyland bursts to life in a series of colourful and timeless stories told through puppetry and music.
When: 15 – 18 Feb 2020
Where: Arts Depot Finchley
How much: from £9 more info and bookings here.
Knight School
Enrol into Knight School at the Tower of London this half term! The year is 1471, the Wars of the Roses rage on and the Tower garrison is looking for new recruits. Put yourself through your paces as you find out what it takes to become a Knight of the Tower. Learn the art of the sword, charge at a quintain, handle armour, dress up, design your own flag and much more. Suitable for children aged 5 and above.
When: 15 -23 Feb 2020 from 11 until 4pm
Where: Tower of London
How much: included in the price of admission which are £24.70 for and adult and £11.70 for a child. More info and booking here.
Rainbow Week
Every February the National Maritime Museum celebrates LGBT History Month with an array of special themed workshops and events, all designed to explore LGBTQ+ stories in the Museum’s collection. Create your own rainbow ship and celebrate the inclusive nature of the Royal Navy, create your own woven marperson or take part in the Out at Sea family festival on Saturday.
When: 15 – 23 February
Where: National Maritime Museum
How much: free more info here.
Designing Duggee
The exhibition is returning to the design museum and there are accompanying workshops for little people. Young Londoners can learn how to design new characters in 2D and 3D, under 2s can roll around and explore shapes, colours and textures in the Duggee themed soft play and there is a stage where characters can come alive.
When: 15- 23 Feb 2020
Where: Design Museum
How much: Exhibition is free but workshops are £7 for an adult and £7 for a child. More info and booking here.
Cars, Carriages and Crafts
A storyteller will lead families through the Royal Mews, revealing the hidden histories of the spectacular royal carriages. Families will then be invited to work together to design their own royal coach or car, drawing inspiration from those they have seen.
When: 17 & 18 Feb 2020 11 – 3
Where: Royal Mews
How much: Included into the price of entry where tickets are £12 for an adult, £6.80 for under 17s and under 5s are free but you can turn your ticket into a donation and enjoy unlimited entry for a year (which is worth doing if you are local). Book here.
Studio Play
Investigate installations and sensory materials selected to encourage collaboration and child-led exploration through open-ended play. This half-term transform the studio through line and colour. Discover a new take on Old Master paintings through the eyes of a modern artist.
When: 17 Feb at 11am -12:30 and 2-3:30
Where: National Gallery
How much: free more info here.
London Bridge is falling down
Can you help rebuild the iconic London Bridge? Be inspired by the original Roman crossing and learn about weights and measures from Londinium. Then construct your own bridge from craft materials and test it out! Recommended for ages 5 and above.
When: 17 & 18 Feb
Where: Museum of London Docklands
How much: free more info and booking here.
Martian Garden
Inspired by the Moving to Mars exhibition this workshop will get you thinking about how we will grow food in another atmosphere and the challenges that will bring, as well as how this might change the kind of things we eat. Using paper, recycled containers and cardboard, join this collaborative make and build activity.
When: 17 -21 Feb 2020 1pm until 4pm
Where: Design Museum
How much: free no booking required. More info here.
Half- Term at the Charterhouse
The Charterhouse has been living in the nation’s history since 1348 and has served as a monastery, private mansion, boys school and an almshouse, which it remains to this day. During half-term families are invited to visit and take part in drawing and colouring, dressing up in Tudor outfits and monk’s habits, family trails and more! There’s space to run around and it’s around the corner from the Barbican Centre and Museum of London so you can make it a cultural day.
When: 18 -22 Feb 2020
Where: The Charterhouse
How much: free more info here and their website.
Family Friendly Truffle Making class
In this workshop you shape different fillings like ganache and fudge, you learn how to temper melted chocolate and dip and decorate in order to create delicious hand-made truffles.And you get to take home everything you can’t eat. Yum.
When: 18 and 20th Feb 2020
Where: The CHocolate Museum
How much: £14.50 more info and booking here.
Why the crocodile can’t smile
Why can’t the crocodile smile? In this hands-on workshop learn about the processes of evolution and natural selection that allow different species to eat a variety of food – and, in some cases, even chew gum. Ideally suited to children ages 11 to 14.
When: 19 Feb 2020 11am until 12:30 and 1:30 until 3pm
Where: Museum of Life Sciences, King’s College London
How much: free more info and booking here.
Crowns and Coronations
Inspired by George IV’s spectacular coronation regalia currently on display, budding designers can create their own glittering crown and decorate a commemorative medal. Handling sessions with replica objects will give children the chance to discover how heavy the crown worn by Her Majesty The Queen is.
When: 20 Feb and 21 Feb 2020 11 until 3pm
Where: The Queen’s Gallery Buckingham Palace
How much: Adults are £13.50 and children under 5 go free. More info and booking here.
Imperial College presents: The Science of the Thames!
Join students from Imperial College London as they take over the museum to explore the amazing world of science and technology in the River Thames! Be intrigued and inspired as you investigate your way round the galleries at various stalls run by the students. This event is drop in between 11am-4pm, but some stalls will have specific timings (see programme of events on the day).
When: 20 Feb 2020 11am til 4pm
Where: Museum of London Docklands
How much: free.