As we edge towards warmer weather, there are countless activities to enjoy. From outdoor adventures and creative art gallery and museum activities to family-friendly exhibitions, theatre, dance, and cinema, there’s something for kids of all ages to enjoy, rain or shine. Start the month celebrating the New Chinese Year of the Snake through lots of interactive, educational free events for the whole family then have fun during the half term with theatre shows, craft activities and plenty of outdoor fun.
Out and about
Chinese Year of the Snake celebrations will take place in Chinatown and West End on 1 and 2 February with lively activities and foodie treats, lion dance performances and the colourful Chinese New Year Parade.
The Lunar New Year of the Snake at the Greenwich Peninsula on 1 February: dragon and lion dances, traditional craft workshops like bamboo weaving and Chinese knot-making, live music, Pan-Asian market with delicious food, unique crafts and community traders.
Chinese festivities taking place in Covent Garden from 29 January to 12 February has parades, performances and traditional Chinese food.
Lunar New Year Festival a mix of free and ticketed events at the London Museum.
Celebrate Chinese New Year of the Snake at Duke of York Square on 1st February from 10am–4pm. New Year decorations and entertainment and a special Chinese-edition of the weekly Fine Food Market.
Battersea Power Station Light Festival: In it’s fifth edition, this free event runs between 23 January and 23 February.
Here We Glow at Westfield in Shepherds Bush is the longest running free winter lights attraction, running until 2 March.
Orchids Festival at Kew Gardens this year is inspired b y the beauty of Peru. From 1 February to 2 March with after hours visiting times available.
February Nature Roadshow. Free event for nature lovers in Greenwich Park and Kensington Gardens!
Mudfest 2025. Make it, mix it, jump in it at the London Wetland Centre. From £10.72
Gorgeous Georgians: Step back in time with Osterley Park and House’s Horrible Histories trail, featuring 10 fun and educational activities about Georgian life. Runs 17 February–31 August from £12 for adults and £6 for children.
After Dark Festival 2025: UEL’s After Dark returns 27 February, 5pm–8pm, at Docklands campus with a Fire & Circus theme. Enjoy fire displays, acrobatics, parades, and workshops. Free and open to all.
The Brick People return to artsdepot with fun, hands-on LEGO® activities! Enjoy speed builds, a raceway, mosaics, timed towers, and a DUPLO play area, plus incredible LEGO® creations on display. Tickets from £6 (adults and children require a ticket). Ages 3-12.
Arts, Crafts, Song and Dance
Makers Club at Young V&A Free Saturday event where all kids aged 11 to 14 kids are invited to work alongside designers and makers to create a masterpiece.
Imagine Festival at the Southbank Centre. Family fun with theatre, comedy, music and dance, this event has plenty of free and ticketed activities to delight and entertain the whole family this half term.
Art Sundays at Dulwich Picture Gallery is a free monthly event aimed at the creative 7 – 12 year olds and their families on 23 February.
Family Freestyle Dance at Saddler’s Wells Angel. Workshops 2-4 year olds and their carers led by professional dance artists from £4.
Family workshop for children with SEND: modernist collage. This very popular free event at the Royal Academy of Arts is on 9 February and requires booking.
Winter Wonders. Family Under 5s Workshop at the British Library. Free event on 7 February. Needs Booking.
Life Drawing for Families at the King’s Gallery is the family friendly activity inspired by the current Drawing the Italian Renaissance exhibition. Free with exhibition ticket on Saturday, 15 and Sunday, 16 February
Make it: Fashion. Monthly hands-on workshops for families at the V&A. £20 on 25January, 15February and 25 February.
Brasil! Brasil! The Birth of Modernism a rare exploration of Brazilian art from 1910 to 1970 at the Royal Academy of Art opens on 28 January, until 21 April. Tickets from £23.50
Saturday Sessions with Club Origami is on at Southbank Centre enjoy an interactive dance show and magical paper-folding workshop, followed by a freestyle Ballroom Boogie with Lyvonne the Don.
BeWell Family Dance Festival at artsdepot, where families can enjoy performances, workshops, and fun activities for all ages and abilities. Presented by Dare2Dance, it’s the perfect chance for children, parents, and grandparents to move, groove, and celebrate together. Workshops from £3, Showcase from £3.
The Carnival of the Animals is a playful family concert featuring dancing tortoises, waltzing elephants, and more! Conducted by Tess Jackson, this fun-filled performance introduces kids to live orchestra sounds. Giggles guaranteed! Tickets from £12.
Pracer the Dancer on 19 February and and Early Weaves on 22 February are two charming theatre dance performances aimed at the very young theatre goers aged 2 to 5/8 (and their parents) taking place at The Place Theatre. Tickets from £10.
At the Museums
Behind the Poster and London Transport Museum: Celebrates London’s iconic transport posters. A must see between 15 to 20 February if you are a Londoner. Kids go free and an adult ticket offers free day-time returns for a year.
SOIL: The World at Our Feet at Somerset House explores the wonder of soil and the role it plays to our life and the planet’s future. Featuring works of more than 50 artists, writers, and scientists. Tickets from £15.
Ted’s Space Adventure at Royal Museums Greenwich. A special live planetarium show for under-7s on weekends and school holidays. Tickets from £6.
The Robot Zoo at Horniman Museum. Family-friendly exhibition features larger-than-life animals made of machine parts. Tickets from £9.75.
Campfire Adventures at the Discover Children’s Story Centre. An after-hours scavenger hunt for supper and a visit to a Monster Funfair and hot chocolate and stories by the campfire is on 8 February. Tickets £31.
Vital Signs: another world is possible the new and free exhibition that explores how the health of nature is connected to our own health and well being, is at the Science Gallery in London
Tots at the Docks. Free monthly play sessions inspired by the history of London’s Docklands.
A tour for the curious at Fulham Palace. Indoors/outdoors fun. Tickets £10.50
Family Day: picture yourself. Free event on 18 February at the National Portrait Gallery.
Digital Kids: Listening Garden at the V&A Museum. Free play and experiment with sounds.
Dressed to Deliver is a family friendly exhibition at the Postal Museum where you can explore the evolution of postal uniforms from the Victorian era to today, complete with a chance for kids to dress up. On until 23 February. Included with entry to the museum which is £17.50 for adults and £10 for kids aged 3 -15.
Making Egypt: The Young V&A’s second major exhibition explores Egypt’s history from Ancient times to today. Highlights include a 3,000-year-old funerary boat and a Lego model of the Great Pyramids. Opens 15 February, just in time for half term. Tickets: Free.
Magic Lantern Show a unique 19th-century lantern show at the Florence Nightingale Museum on Monday, 17th February! Jeremy and Carolyn Brooker present a captivating display using original glass slides and a triple magic lantern, showcasing Victorian technology. After the 30-minute show, explore the museum for an hour. Tickets from £7.50, book in advance.
Theatre
There’s a Bear on My Chair at the Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre on 18 to 22 February. Tickets from £14.
Birdboy. An all-ages tribute to all the weird kids left on the sideline is at Saddlers Wells 20 – 22 February. Tickets from £15
Home Song at Unicorn Theatre is a theatrical experience for you and your baby to enjoy from 7 February to 9 March. Tickets from £6
Back to the Future at Adelphi Theatre. Tickets from £23.50
The Pea and the Princess at Polka Theatre tell the real story with huge twists and new fairytale endings between 15 February to 30 March. Tickets from £10.
A Squash and a Squeeze at Little Angel Theatre is based on the book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler. 1 February to 27 April. Tickets from £13.
Mrs Doubtfire at Shaftesbury Theatre. Tickets from £27
Colonel Blood and the Theft of the Crown Jewels at The Tower of London. Fun family-friendly costume performance. Access included in Palace admission.
The Very Hungry Catterpillar is bringing four beloved Eric Carle stories to life with 75 vibrant puppets! Perfect for ages 1+, this 50-minute show is a colorful introduction to live theatre. Tickets from £14.
For further recommendations for theatre and shows to see in London for children and families please visit our Theatre & Dance page.
Cinema
Family Film Club at the Barbican screens family films from £2.50 on Saturday mornings with show and tell introductions and free monthly workshops.
Tom Hanks narrates The Moonwalkers at The Lightroom in Kings Cross from 14 February. Tickets are from £5.
Family blockbusters at Vue Cinemas. Checkout your local Vue for best family movies screening for only £2.49 (when booked online) late mornings at the weekend and during school holidays.
Up to 40% off cinema tickets at Cineworld with a £1 Kids Pass Trial.
Magical Mischief. Discover filmmaking trickery used in the Harry Potter film series. Opens on 25 January at WB Studios £56.
Food and Drink
Celebrate the Chinese New Year of the Snake with a special and unique sushi snake at inamo.
Enjoy the best hot-pot Chinese dining at Haidilao in Piccadilly Circus.
Kids Science Afternoon Tea at the Science Museum. Tuck into imaginative treats from petri dish jelly to Earl-grey soaked scones and use chemistry to create your own fizzy drink!
Family Chocolate Making Workshop at Chelsea Physic Garden is on 17 and 19 February. Tickets from £15. This popular event requires early booking.
For the latest updates and recommendations follow us on Instagram. For more ideas of things to do with the kids in London, visit our events and activities area which provides details of free events and special offers in London’s finest venues.