The best things to do for October half-term in London

The Horniman Museum's Robot Zoo is open until the end of October half-term, and it's basically a dream day out for curious kids. Giant animatronic creatures whirr, blink, and move around, turning the museum into a futuristic playground where science and tech meet pure fun. Little ones can press buttons, get hands-on, and watch these larger-than-life robotic animals come to life.

Battersea's iconic brick landmark has been redeveloped as South London's premier leisure and entertainment destination, featuring a wide range of family-friendly experiences. Half-term highlights at Battersea Power Station include mini-golf fun for all ages, ping pong, spooky storytelling, Halloween Lego hunts, and more, complemented by child-friendly dining with special kids' menus and half-term deals. Plus, attractions like Lift 109 offer panoramic views of London, and VR adventures at DNA VR provide immersive experiences for all ages

The Go Ape treetop and high rope course, found at several parks in London, are hosting special sundown sessions for a limited time from mid-October to mid-November. You can expect all the adrenaline-pumping thrills found at Go Ape, with the added atmosphere of a night-time adventure beneath the stars. There are courses for kids of all ages and skill levels so no one is left out, and everyone gets a thorough safety briefing.

At Hackney City Farm, families can meet cute farmyard animals like pigs and donkeys, wander through the gardens and grounds, and enjoy a meal at the on-site restaurant. The farm also hosts a variety of activities, including weekly clubs for both under-12s and older children, providing them with the opportunity to work with the animals.

Flip Out is basically a guaranteed way to burn through your kids' half-term energy reserves. With trampoline parks and indoor playgrounds scattered across London, it's a bright, bouncy haven where little ones can jump, climb, and somersault their way through the day. There are trampolines for big leaps, obstacle courses for mini daredevils, and soft-play zones for the smallest adventurers. During the school holidays, they stay open longer too, which means extra time for the kids to go wild.

This immersive pop-up has taken over London, featuring a series of wildly themed rooms packed with optical illusions and plenty of glowing lights. Originally a hit in Milan and LA, it's designed for kids and grown-ups alike (because who doesn't love a giant bubble room?). Expect a 60–90 minute wander through spaces like the dreamy Bubble Getaway, the trippy Infinity Room, and a VR zone, all perfect for curious minds.

Clay Time is a non-profit pottery studio that offers pottery-making, glazing, and ceramic-painting sessions for all ages and abilities, making it ideal for creative parties and group activities. With supportive staff and workshops ranging from beginners to experienced potters, you can try your hand at the pottery wheel or decorate pre-made ceramics. The welcoming studio also offers gift vouchers, volunteer opportunities, and works closely with schools, making it a perfect spot for both adults and kids to explore their artistic side.

Fuel half-term adrenaline at the Hot Wheels Stunt Show at Wembley Arena, where epic jumps, tricks, and full-throttle thrills, plus appearances from fan-favourite stunt drivers like GT Scorcher and Rodger Dodger, are the norm. Kids will be glued to the action, while adults will marvel at the daring stunts.

For older kids and teens, 'The Hunger Games: On Stage' at Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre is where it's at. Watch Katniss Everdeen, played by Mia Carragher, battle her way through the dystopian arena in a thrilling live adaptation. With a top-notch creative team and in-the-round staging, it's a must-see for fans of the books or films, and a dramatic introduction for newcomers. Age advice is 12+, and tickets start at £35. 

This October half-term, the National Gallery is a playground for curious kids and families. Step into the Roden Centre Social Space, where you can eat, play, and get creative with pencils, bright colours, and bold shapes. Explore 'made by children, for children' activities, dress up as a painting, investigate gold with light, or build from architectural forms. Upstairs, relax and enjoy your lunch on fun beanbags. With play boxes, drawing prompts, and family-friendly facilities, it's a free, interactive experience that's perfect for seeing art from a whole new perspective.

Half-term gets a cosmic twist at the Science Museum's new Space gallery, opening 20 November. It's free, educational, and even has two real spacecraft for kids to marvel at. The gallery will help young explorers understand our universe while learning hands-on science, making it perfect for aspiring astronauts or curious little minds. With interactive exhibits and up-to-date space tech, this is a chance for families to get up close to the cosmos without leaving London. 

Step back into the roaring twenties this October half-term at the London Transport Museum. Families can join in hands-on arts and crafts, take family-friendly tours, and discover the fascinating vehicles that shaped London in this iconic decade. Learn the stories of the people who rode them, explore how Art Deco influenced transport design, and enjoy a mix of interactive exhibits and playful activities.

This October half-term, the Southbank Centre is basically calling all mini bookworms and their grown-ups for the London Literature Festival (21 Oct–2 Nov). Think interactive fun with Alphabet Soup, where kids can whip up poems and stories inspired by food, or join Frank Cottrell-Boyce's laugh-out-loud 'The Blockbusters! 'adventure. Little ones will also adore Judith Kerr's Mog the Forgetful Cat, brought to life on stage.

Coram's Fields in Bloomsbury has been a beloved spot for children in London since before WW2. Open to all under-16s, it provides an energetic and fun environment with multiple play areas spread across seven acres, including a sensory zone, an adventure playground featuring a zip wire, and a paddling pool. When the weather's right, it's a great place for kids to enjoy an active day out.

Why stay at home playing board games when you could instead supersize the experience? Monopoly Lifesized is a one-of-a-kind activity lets you move across a massive game board, bringing out your competitive spirit. With multiple boards to choose from, it offers something for everyone. Suitable for children aged nine and up, the venue also features an on-site restaurant where the whole family can grab a conciliatory meal afterwards.

This October half-term, kids can dive into a series of hands-on creative workshops at the Design Museum, each crafted to inspire imagination and skill. Young artists can experiment with digital illustration in Photoshop, learning visual design principles to create artworks inspired by the museum's striking architecture. Fans of paper craft can join Peter Ayres to turn simple sheets into elegant, curving paper sculptures. Meanwhile, budding fashion designers can work with Sadie Williams to craft patches and badges on upcycled fabrics using metallic foils and heat-transfer inks.

The Biscuiteers shops in West London let visitors buy beautifully decorated biscuits in creative designs, learn the art of biscuit icing, or simply enjoy a hot drink with a sweet treat. Different icing classes are available, including ones for kids. Participants can choose from a variety of biscuits to decorate and take their creations home in a lovely box. The tasty biscuits are unlikely to last a long time, but the memories just might.

This October half-term, London Zoo unveils ZooTown, a 45-minute roleplay adventure for kids aged three to eight. Set inside the former Reptile House, little explorers can dress up as zookeepers, vets, scientists, or conservationists, running their own mini zoo. It's an adorable way for younger children to get hands-on fun while giving them a break from watching the animals. Tickets are just £1 to reserve your timeslot (zoo entry extra), making it a playful and budget-friendly.

This October half-term, step back in time and get crafty with the French Revolution at the Museum. From Saturday, 25 October, to Sunday, 2 November, families can enjoy daily activities that are fun for both big kids and little ones. Create your own hand-painted fan, inspired by Mary Horsley's beautiful piece, or fold delicate origami flowers, like those featured in Sophia Kingdom, the “paper garden” spy of France. All workshops are included in the price of admission, so you can get your revolutionary craft on without spending a penny extra.

Queens is one of those rare London spots that keeps both kids and adults happy. This retro-meets-modern playground has an ice rink at its heart, where you can glide around, show off your spins, or just cling to the edge with a hot chocolate afterwards. There's also bowling under neon lights, a nostalgic arcade for a bit of button-bashing, and even the chance to give curling a go if you're feeling adventurous. With food and drinks on hand all day, it's the kind of place that works just as well for a half-term family outing as it does for a big group hangout.

This October half term, set sail into the past aboard the Cutty Sark in Greenwich. From 25 October to 1 November, the ship transforms into a hub of family fun, where you can meet characters from its seafaring history, such as Captain Woodget and Nannie the Figurehead, who bring tales of life at sea to life. Join in hands-on activities like crafting your own maritime creations and singing along with sea shanty performances. For the tiniest sailors, Toddler Time offers interactive storytelling sessions designed for under-5s, fostering social skills through play. All activities are included with your ship entry.

Lightroom is a state-of-the-art immersive gallery in King's Cross, designed to host spectacular artist-led shows and experiences. Their current highlight is “The Moonwalkers”, where you join Hollywood A-lister Tom Hanks on a walk on the Moon. There's also the “Prehistoric Planet: Discovering Dinosaurs”, which takes you on an unforgettable journey as you explore the extraordinary story of dinosaurs. Sometimes during half-term, the experience is available at a discounted rate for families of three or more.

Step into a world of wizardry this autumn as the Studio Tour transforms for Halloween. Experience the Great Hall adorned with 100 floating pumpkins, tables laden with sweets, and the Dark Mark projected throughout the tour. Don't miss the chance to learn wand combat moves in a live duel with Death Eaters.

Kew Gardens gets a glow-up for October half-term with its Halloween light trail, where you can wander through the botanical gardens transformed with illuminated trees, spooky installations, fire performers, and interactive actors delivering gentle frights. It's thrilling yet still family-friendly, combining Kew's natural beauty with a touch of seasonal magic. Tickets start at £13 for kids, £18.50 for adults, with family deals available. 

Take a day trip to Windsor Castle, the official residence of His Majesty The King, and explore its lavish State Rooms this half-term. Kids will love spotting royal history come to life, while adults admire the centuries of architecture and art. Visit St George's Chapel, the final resting place of Queen Elizabeth II, and stroll the castle grounds for a full-on royal experience.

Extended through Christmas, Jurassic World: The Experience at NEON, Battersea, is one for the littluns who are crazy about dinosaurs. Kids experience 45 minutes of prehistoric thrills, featuring captivating animatronics and immersive scenes from Isla Nublar. It's a mix of adventure and just enough scare factor to make October half-term feel epic without leaving anyone traumatised.

Kenwood House's brand-new Halloween trail is creeping into October half-term with ghouls, skeletons, and eerie surprises. Navigate the spider tunnel, slime web, warped laser garden, and a lit trail packed with family-friendly frights. It's one of London's few alternative Halloween experiences, perfect for kids who love a little thrill without it being terrifying.

Half-term history fans should not miss the Young V&A's Making Egypt exhibition, showing until 2 November. Explore Ancient Egyptian culture through stunning artefacts, interactive displays, and clever modern connections. Kids can see how the past influences contemporary life, while adults admire millennia-old treasures.

The British Library's Story Explorers exhibition is a free half-term hit for ages 2–9. Explore four themed zones: library, jungle, outer space, and the ocean floor, all designed to spark curiosity through play and storytelling. From animal sounds in the Victorian Sound Archive to 16th-century maps featuring sea monsters, this is history and imagination rolled into one. Booking is advised. 

The Natural History Museum's half-term exhibition asks the big question: 'Could Life Exist Beyond Earth?' Kids can touch a fragment of the Moon, pose with a piece of Mars, and see the Allende meteorite, older than Earth itself. Interactive exhibits let young astronomers experiment, explore, and imagine.

Bring the children to Kensington Gardens and explore the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Playground, inspired by Peter Pan. This supervised play area is extremely popular, attracting over a million young visitors annually. Kids can discover the pirate ship, teepees, totem pole, and a sensory trail, all within an enchanting setting. The playground was thoughtfully designed to ensure children of all abilities can enjoy playing together.