Make the most of autumn in the city before winter starts in earnest, with some of the best things to do at October half-term in London with kids – and it’s not just about Halloween.
You’ll find activities for toddlers and teens, as well as plenty of inspiration for days out in London for October half-term, whether your kids love animals or animation, getting outdoors or escaping rain at half-term in London.
If you’re looking specifically for some ghoulishly good ideas for Halloween in London with kids, I’ve got a separate post with some of the best ideas, including some which run throughout October half-term in London and others taking place on the final weekend of the month.
Half-Term fun at the Cutty Sark
Greenwich’s iconic Cutty Sark is hosting a number of family-friendly events to help keep kids entertained this October half-term.
Families can meet colourful character actors from Cutty Sark’s past (on October 22-24 and 28-30). Or embark on a Halloween-themed adventure with musical storyteller Paul Rubinstein (on October 25-27) to explore the more creepy and disgusting stories from the ship’s history.
Watch out for another immersive option taking place over October half-term too, with the Cutty Sark’s Ice Survival event (October 23-27), where guests of all ages can discover how sailors once survived the freezing temperatures of the Antarctic.
Plus older kids (12+) can still climb the ship’s famous masts in the thrilling Cutty Sark Rig Climb Experience.
There’s a discount on tickets for the Cutty Sark if you book through my link using code MUMMYTRAVELS6
Top Trumps Trail at London Zoo
Check out ZSL London Zoo’s Halloween Top Trumps trail – a new trail to keep kids entertained this October half-term.
To take part in the challenge, all you need to do is grab a tournament card when you enter the zoo, then head off to find the giant Halloween Top Trumps cards around the enclosures.
Once you’ve found a card, choose your animal and category and start the battle. You can compete with the zoo to see if your animal is the cutest, fastest, longest living, or highest rated.
Plus, don’t forget to visit the Terrace Restaurant where kids can have a go at designing their own animal Top Trumps card.
Mexico Family Fiesta at Kew Gardens
Halloween isn’t the only big holiday taking place over October half-term in London. You can also head to Kew Gardens to celebrate Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) at their Mexico Family Fiesta.
From October 22 to 31, the Temperate House at Kew Gardens will put on a whole host of fun family activities themed around the traditional Mexican holiday. You’ll get to enjoy colourful parades, dress-up stations, carnival dance workshops, art installations celebrating Mexican culture, and more.
Tickets to the Day of the Dead family event are included with entry to Kew Gardens.
There’s a discount on tickets for tickets to Kew Gardens if you book through my link using code MUMMYTRAVELS6
ELMER and Friends at the Horniman Museum
One of the best things to do in London for October half-term with younger children is to pay a visit to the Horniman Museum and explore the brand new ELMER and Friends exhibition.
Opening on October 21, the exhibition – ELMER and Friends: The Colourful World of David McKee – celebrates 30+ years of one of the most widely read children’s book series of all time.
Little ones can fully immerse themselves in the world of Elmer the Patchwork Elephant as they wander through Elmer’s jungle, encountering colourful characters and exciting stories along the way.
The exhibition features many of McKee’s striking illustrations, themed Elmer games, reading areas, dressing up stations, and plenty of fun family photo opportunities. Entry to the Horniman Museum is free, but there’s a charge for the exhibition of £5 for adults, £2.50 for children.
Discovery Days at Hyde Park: Hair-Raising Halloween
Wrap up warm and head outside with the family this half-term for another edition of Hyde Park’s family discovery days.
The park’s Hair-Raising Halloween Discovery Day will be packed with plenty of fun and educational hands-on activities for younger children. You can explore the eerie nature trail, guess the gruesome contents of the feely boxes, listen to spooky interactive stories, and learn about the many bats that call London’s Royal Parks home.
Dressing up is also encouraged. The free half-term event will run daily from October 25 to 27, between 11am and 3pm.
EEK! Weeks at WWT London
Enjoy an eek!citing (their words not mine) day out at London Wetlands Centre in Barnes this half-term with their EEK! Weeks family activities between October 15-30 – handy if your kids’ school starts its October half-term earlier.
Embrace London’s amazing wetland nature on the interactive trail and take on the centre’s many spooky interactive activities. Littles ones can put their hand in a snake box, get a photo with a real bat, and create natural potions in the mud kitchen. It’s also your final chance to go pond dipping in 2022.
EEK! Week activities are completely free to enjoy. But if you’re not a WWT member, you will need to purchase an entry ticket to the centre.
Play the Game family trail at the Museum of London
Keep the kids active this October half-term in London with the Museum of London’s free family games trail.
‘Play the Game’ is an interactive trail in which you explore the museum galleries searching for sporting objects from London’s past. Once you find the objects, kids are encouraged to complete fun sporting challenges and play themed games to earn the skills necessary to become a sports superstar.
The trail is completely free for families – just pick up a trail guide when entering the museum.
Secrets of the City at the London Transport Museum
The London Transport Museum in Covent Garden also has a variety of fun family activities taking place this October half-term in London.
The museum’s Secrets of the City event will include a family trail that reveals ‘hidden jobs’ on the transport network, mystery object handling, dance and movement workshops, and arts and crafts stations.
Plus, don’t miss the museum’s current ‘Hidden London’ exhibition, where kids can learn some of London’s best kept secrets, such as the protected bat colony at the disused Highgate station, along with a chance to make bat masks.
There’s a discount on tickets for tickets to the London Transport Museum if you book through my link using code MUMMYTRAVELS6
Science Fiction: Voyage to the Edge of Imagination at the Science Museum
October sees the start of a brand new exhibition at the Science Museum – Science Fiction: Voyage to the Edge of Imagination, running throughout half-term (from October 6 to May 4, 2023).
Aimed at kids aged 8+, the immersive event takes you on your own science fiction adventure as you board a spaceship, scout an unknown planet and investigate how both scientists and the creators of science fiction have imagined and built new worlds.
Along the way, you can see objects from film, TV, and books, along with artwork and photography.
There’s a separate charge for this event (from £18 for adults, £16.20 for kids) with 10% off if you book in advance: entry to the main museum is still free, prebooking advised during half-term.
Games include everything from Pong to Pacman, Mario Kart to Minecraft, and Power Up is recommended for ages 5+.
There’s a separate charge for this event (from £8) which should be booked in advance: entry to the main museum is still free, prebooking advised during half-term.
MCM Comic Con London
MCM Comic Con is back at London’s Excel Centre from October 28-30, with a three-day celebration of all things pop culture and a fantastic way to round off half-term in London with kids.
There’s something for all ages too. Older children and teens can get dressed up in their best cosplay, listen to live panels and tasks, play on the consoles and retro gaming machines, compete in board games and RPG tournaments, and even meet some of their favourite TV and film stars.
And for younger children, The Treehouse offers a relaxed family lounge, face painting, workshops, mask making, comic creation, and other family-friendly activities. Plus, kids under 10 go for free!
BFI Southbank Masters of Suspense Film Making Workshop
Inspiring filmmakers can harness their skills this half-term with an exciting Halloween-themed film making workshop for 12 to 16-year-olds at the British Film Institute (BFI) on Southbank, one of the BFI’s string of film clubs.
Run by experienced film producer Paul Cotrulia and film educator Sa-Ra Zwarteveen, the workshop will teach students the techniques used for creating suspense on screen. Over four days, the young producers will work together to plan, shoot, and edit their own horror film.
The workshop takes place from October 24 to 27, with each daily session lasting from 10:30 to 16:30. It’s a fun and educational way to fill the school holidays! Tickets cost £105 per student, limited availability.
Shakespeare’s Globe Family Workshops and Demonstrations
Join a family workshop led by one of the Globe’s talented actors, teachers, or directors and get the little ones interested in the country’s most iconic playwright, Shakespeare himself.
Over the October half-term in London, the Globe is running a series of practical Family Workshops. You can choose between The Winter’s Tale, Macbeth, or Hamlet, with dedicated sessions for 5-8, 9-12, 12+ and 15+ year olds. The workshops will use a variety of activities and games to draw out elements of language, characters, and themes in the plays.
The workshops aren’t the only family events taking place at the Globe this half-term. You can also enjoy special guided family tours, sword fighting demonstrations, dressing demonstrations, and storytelling sessions. One of the most educational and unusual half-term days out in London for families.
Family Quest at Eltham Palace and Gardens
English Heritage’s Eltham Palace and Gardens is once again hosting one of their great family quests this October half-term. This year, you can join Dennis the Menace, Gnasher, and friends on a spooky Halloween adventure.
Running from October 22-30, the family trail will have creepy clues that you’ll need to solve and follow around the grounds of the lavish historic house.
Once you’ve completed the quest, kids can meet costumed performers and hear strange and supernatural stories from times past. Tickets are free for members, otherwise there’s a discount for booking in advance.
Tree Treasure Hunt Workshop at Morden Hall Park
Another great way for younger kids to connect with the natural world and get creative this half-term at Morden Hall Park’s Tree Treasure Hunt Workshop.
Aimed at children aged 2-6 years old, the workshop encourages little ones to embrace the seasonal changes of autumn by going on a treasure hunt around the park to find natural materials such as twigs and colourful leaves. Kids will then use their finds (along with string, glue, tape, and crayons) to create their own autumn story kit.
The treasure hunt and workshop are taking place on October 24 and 25 between 10am and 4pm. While entry to the site itself is free, there is a £10 charge for the workshop.
Horrible Histories: Terrible Thames Boat Trip
Jump aboard one of the final cruises of the Terrible Thames boat tour for 2022, to hear the gruesome and horrible history of one of the most famous rivers in the world from the people behind Horrible Histories.
This immersive Thames boat tour takes you along the river to explore some of the capital’s most famous sites while hearing fascinating stories from highly entertaining actors. Tailored toward younger children, the tour brings London’s history alive in a fun and engaging way.
With plenty of unusual facts and engrossing stories about the capital that you won’t hear on other tours, the Horrible Histories boat trip is a unique activity the entire family is sure to enjoy. Book tickets here.
Check out what we thought of the boat trip in my review of the Terrible Thames tour
The Gunpowder Plot Immersive Experience
Remember, remember the 5th of November… or rather than remembering it, how about experiencing it for yourselves?
The Gunpowder Plot is an immersive layered reality experience in which you’ll journey back in time and attempt to stop the infamous plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament.
Suitable for kids aged 12+, the Gunpowder Plot uses a mix of VR technology, special effects, immersive theatre, and physical sensations to take you back to London in 1605.
The experience takes place in the Tower Vaults, beneath the Tower of London, where Guy Fawkes and his fellow trailers were imprisoned and tortured after their plan was foiled.
And just to top it all off, Guy Fawkes himself is played by Harry Potter star Tom Felton.
For more October half-term events at the Tower of London, check out the Halloween fun taking place – plus more ideas for Bonfire Night in London with kids
Puss in Boots at Shrek’s Adventure
En garde! Puss in Boots is back at Shrek’s Adventure for October half-term, with the chance to meet the swashbuckling hero and show off your own sword-fighting poses, enjoy some extra activities and pose for photos as part of the visit.
There’s also the usual fun for Shrek fans, to explore the world of Far Far Away, encountering Princess Fiona and Donkey and an adventure on the 4D flying bus.
Running from October 21-31, it’s included in standard entry and takes place after the main Shrek meet and greet of the experience. Prebooking recommended
Family activities at HMS Belfast
HMS Belfast has some great nautical fun again over October half-term with a string of family activities.
From October 22-30, kids can earn their Sea Legs in an interactive activity that involves them completing fun tasks around the ship.
Plus don’t miss HMS Belfast’s dedicated family day on October 28. These events welcome some special guests who will draw upon their personal experiences at sea to fascinate kids with their amazing stories.
Halloween fun in London
If you’re looking for more Halloween things to do in London with kids at October half-term, I’ve picked some of the best spooky fun in this post, dedicated to all things spine-chillingly good.
More days out with kids in London: ongoing
Jurassic World: The Exhibition
Watch out for dinosaurs in the Docklands this summer – Jurassic World: The Exhibition, a 20,000-square-foot immersive experience is still running at ExCeL London over October half-term.
Based on the blockbuster movies, you’ll be greeted by a velociraptor, T-rex and a brachiosaurus, before encountering life-size dinosaurs roaming through the site – not to mention some baby dinos.
Designed to mimic earth’s environment back in the days when these prehistoric creatures did stalk the globe, it’s a fantastically fearsome summer day out in London with kids.
Prebook tickets here – best for age 8+ although open to all, it’s accessible via the new Elizabeth Line from central London. Allow around 45 minutes to one hour, although you can stay as long as you want.
Dippy at the Natural History Museum
After touring the country, Dippy the diplodocus is back at the Natural History Museum in time for half-term, appearing until December.
As well as a chance to see the famous dinosaur again, there’ll be an exhibition on the UK landscape and a few of Dippy’s memories from the tour.
You don’t need separate tickets but prebooking entry to the museum is highly recommended during school holidays.
Beatrix Potter: Drawn to Nature at the V&A
Looking far beyond Peter Rabbit and Mrs Tiggywinkle, this family-friendly exhibition at the Victoria & Albert museum takes visitors on a journey to discover Beatrix Potter’s life as a scientist and conservationist.
There’s plenty on her famous characters too, including the places and animals which inspired them, as well as some truly beautiful illustrations to inspire young artists and animal lovers alike.
Prebooking is highly recommended, with tickets already getting snapped up for May half-term. Adult tickets cost from £14, with children under 11 entering free: family tickets are also available. Runs to January 2023.
There’s also plenty more to entertain kids during October half-term in London at the usual family attractions – check out my pick of the best 59 things to do in London with kids
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission
Cutty Sark/London Wetland Centre/Transport Museum/Terrible Thames copyright Mummytravels, all other images courtesy of Depositphotos
