We’ve made it through January and we are a month closer to warm weather, flowering trees and more outdoorsy fun. February in London is packed with family friendly outdoor adventures and creative activities at art galleries and museums, theatre, dance, and cinema. Start the month celebrating the New Chinese Year of the Horse then make the most of half term holidays with theatre shows, craft activities and plenty of outdoor exploratory fun.
Chinese New Year in London
Chinese Year of the Horse celebrations will take place in Chinatown and West End on 21 and 22 February with the traditional New Year parade, lively activities and lots of foodie treats.
Chinese festivities in Covent Garden take place from 17 February to 3 March.
The Lunar New Year of the Horse at the Greenwich Peninsula on 21 February has dragon and lion dances, traditional craft workshops, lantern installations, live music and a Pan-Asian food market.
Lunar New Year Family Festival at the London Museum is a mix of free and ticketed events.
Lunar New Year celebrations at Duke of York Square is on Saturday 21 February from 11am to 4pm, with a special edition of Food Market and lion and dragon dances .
Mundo Pixar Experience is making its highly anticipated UK debut at Wembley Park on 13 February, transforming a massive 3,500-square-metre purpose-built venue into a portal for the imagination. Tickets from £28.
Bubble Planet is a fun place that celebrates bubbles! VR technology, themed rooms, fantastical landscapes, and even a hot air balloon flight simulator is guaranteed to provide plenty of family frothy fun!
Magical Brunch: The Experience
Be wowed by a dazzling magic performance from the resident host, magician and mind reader. Enjoy your choice of mouth-watering brunch and 100 minutes of bottomless concoctions and cocktails. Relax in the intimate ambience of The Last Talisman. Tickets £49.
Out and about
Orchids Festival at Kew Gardens takes place between 7 February and 8 March and is inspired by the biodiversity of China this year. This event is included in the usual admission to the garden with after hours visiting times available.
The Ramadan Lights will shine bright throughout February in central London.
Mudfest 2026. Make it, mix it, jump in it at the London Wetland Centre between 14 and 22 Feb. From £11.75
The half-term creative days at Chelsea Physic Gardens include Painting from plants on 16 February, Rainbow soap making on 16 and 19 February and the delicious Chocolate making workshop on 17 and 20 February. Be quick to book as these events sell out fast.
Arts, crafts, song and dance
Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends is this year’s major exhibition at the YoungV&A that celebrates Aardman’s 50th anniversary. Created primarily for kids, this exciting event starts on 12 February and invites the next generation of story makers to be inspired by Aardman’s enduring legacy. Expect plenty of hands-on activities including creating your own stop motion film masterpiece. Makers Club is the free Saturday event where all kids aged 11 to 14 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 from 11 to 21 February.
Mini Masterpieces at Dulwich Picture Gallery are pointed art-making playful activities for under 5s inspired from the Gallery’s beautiful paintings. Tickets £16/child includes 2 adults. The Chicos Mambo TUTU at Saddlers Wells between 11 and 21 February is a hilarious journey, where incredible dance skills and inventive parody intertwine. Tickets from £18.
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.
Family Station is a free, family led and informal creative space at the British Library open to all during the February half-term.
BeWell Family Dance Festival is at artsdepot on 22 February, where families can enjoy free 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 and groove together.
The selfish giant at Royal Albert Hall on 18 February is the new musical opera adaptation of the famous children’s story by Oscar Wilde.
At the Museums
Get active at the London Transport museum is about family fun inspired by the active travel. The programme of daily activities is packed with crafts, music activities that prove how moving in different ways make London a healthier and happier city.
Family friendly tours at Somerset House are a great opportunity to learn about this impressive London city landmark. They take place every Saturday. Tickets from £6.
February half term at the Royal Museums Greenwich has plenty of free activities and stories to warm all young hearts. From storytelling and singing workshops to maritime crafts there is something for everyone.
Voyage to the Deep – Underwater Adventures opens at the Horniman Museum on 13 February and is inspired by the world of Jules Verne. This interactive exhibition offers a wonder-filled journey beneath the waves for explorers of all ages. Hop on board of the legendary Nautilus to explore uncharted depths filled with fantastic sea creatures, play Captain Nemo’s “Bubbly Pipe Organ,” and discover a galley of bizarre deep-sea delicacies. Tickets £9.80.
Theatre
Beano Mischief at The Tower of London. Fun family-friendly time travel performances throughout the February half term. Access included in Palace admission.
Who Let The Gods Out is the brand new stage musical at Polka Theatre from 7 February until 22 March; perfect for young adventurers aged 9 to 13 and their families. Tickets from £10.
The Princess and The Pea at the Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre on 14 to 20 February. Tickets from £16.
Tales from the Shed is back at Chickenshed Theatre packed with vibrant theatre shows that are perfect for young theatre goers (under 6). Tickets from £7.
The Everywhere Bear performances start on 7 February at Little Angel Theatre. Ages 3 – 8. Tickets from £13.50.
By Trial and Error at the Unicorn Theatre is a hilarious acrobatics show for the whole family on 11 to 22 February. Tickets from £15.50
Back to the Future at Adelphi Theatre. Tickets from £23.50
Ruby’s Worry at Polka Theatre (11 – 22 February) is a live music, song, puppetry and physical theatre that takes the audience on a delightful adventure based on the much-loved book by Tom Percival. Tickets £14.
For further recommendations for theatre and shows to see in London for children and families please visit our Theatre & Dance page.
Cinema
Planetarium GO! at Battersea Power Station is an immersive journey aimed at universe explorers of all ages. This pop-up planetarium experience is housed inside a large spherical dome equipped with a 360º screen that brings short astronomy and science films to life, creating an unforgettable experience. From 30 January to 1 March. Tickets £15.
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 until 8 March. Tickets 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 at WB Studios. Tickets £56.
Eating out
Shrove Tuesday falls on 17 February 2026 and London makes the most of this unmissable experience that blends historic tradition with the city’s world-class culinary innovation. From the famous Pancake Race at Leadenhallmarket to the sophisticated dining rooms of the West End, the capital transforms into a haven for foodies every February. Check out our list of pancake friendly places in London where you and yours could enjoy a delicious pancake and crêpe deal.
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.