London’s half term is upon us, and the capital is primed to keep restless kids, culture-hungry teens and frazzled adults equally entertained. From blockbuster museum exhibitions and hands-on science workshops to outdoor adventures and budget-friendly days out, the city’s calendar is packed with ways to make the most of a week off school. Whether you’re a local plotting staycation ideas or visiting with the family in tow, we’ve rounded up the best things to do in London this half term – spanning all boroughs, all weathers and a wide range of budgets.
Family friendly museums and interactive exhibitions beyond the usual landmarks
Half term is the ideal moment to duck into the city’s smaller, more hands-on cultural spaces, where kids are encouraged to press buttons, pull levers and ask questions. At London Transport Museum Depot in Acton (check ahead for open days), families can clamber aboard vintage Tube carriages and peer into driver cabs, while the Postal Museum offers a whistlestop ride on the old underground Mail Rail – a genuine subterranean train journey that doesn’t involve a commute. One stop away,Museum of London Docklands runs storytelling sessions amid its atmospheric warehouses,turning tales of pirates,sugar and spice into something children can smell,touch and piece together for themselves.
- Young V&A,Bethnal Green – design-your-own-toy workshops and tactile galleries
- Discover Children’s Story Center,Stratford – immersive story worlds and outdoor play areas
- Science Museum Wonderlab,South Kensington – live demos,slides and experiment stations
- London Canal Museum,King’s Cross – narrowboat cabins,ice wells and towpath trails
| Museum | Best For | Top Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Postal Museum | Under-10s | Book Mail Rail slots in advance |
| Young V&A | Design-mad tweens | Time your visit for free drop-in workshops |
| Wonderlab | Future scientists | Arrive early; sessions can sell out |
Seasonal outdoor adventures from royal parks to riverside walks
Plan a day that meanders from palace gates to towpaths,swapping buses and Tube trains for crunching gravel and riverside breeze. Younger Londoners can burn off energy charging around the Broad Walk in Kensington Gardens, spotting the Peter Pan statue, or timing their sprint between the fountains of the Diana Memorial Playground. Over in Richmond Park, herds of deer become the unexpected headliners of the school break, while Greenwich’s high hill offers families a panoramic reward for the short climb – plus a chance to trace the Prime Meridian straight through the middle of a picnic blanket. Pack a football, a frisbee or simply a good snack supply; the capital’s green lungs do the rest.
- Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens: Combine boating on the Serpentine with a wander to the Italian Gardens.
- Greenwich Park: Climb to the Royal Observatory, then roll back down towards the river.
- Richmond Park: Woodland trails, distant city views and quietly observing deer from marked paths.
- Regent’s Canal: Family-friendly towpath from Little Venice to Camden, with cafés as refuelling stops.
- South Bank stroll: Follow the Thames from Westminster Bridge to Tower Bridge,ticking off landmarks as you go.
| Area | Best For | Kid-Friendly Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Greenwich | Hilly park + riverside walk | Meridian line & ship-spotting |
| Richmond | Wild-feel escape | Deer-spotting from a distance |
| South Bank | Iconic views | Street performers & book stalls |
Affordable theatre cinema and live events that keep kids entertained
London’s stages aren’t just for grown-up theatregoers; they’re bursting with pocket-friendly shows that understand short attention spans and sticky fingers. From West End adaptations of favorite books to fringe spaces experimenting with puppetry, you’ll find matinees trimmed to under an hour, relaxed performances with gentler lighting and sound, and family deals that don’t require a standing ovation from your bank account. Keep an eye on day-seat schemes, Kids Week-style promotions and local theatre newsletters for discounted tickets, and look beyond the big-name venues – church halls, libraries and community centres often host touring productions that cost little more than a bus fare.
- Children’s theatre at off-West End venues with family bundles and weekday matinees
- Cinema family clubs offering reduced-price morning screenings and snack deals
- Live storytelling in libraries, bookshops and museums, often free or pay-what-you-can
- Street performance around Covent Garden and the South Bank, perfect for drop-in entertainment
| Type | Typical Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Family theatre matinee | £8-£15 per child | Primary school kids |
| Kids’ cinema club | £2-£5 per ticket | Rainy afternoons |
| Festival street acts | Free / donations | Mixed-age groups |
Creative workshops markets and foodie spots for memorable half term treats
Fill those midweek afternoons with hands-on fun at London’s galleries and maker hubs, where kids can swap screens for sketchbooks and glue sticks. Many museums roll out drop-in craft sessions over half term: fashion your own Tudor ruff at the Museum of London Docklands, collage your dream cityscape at the Tate’s family studio, or print bold posters at the V&A’s design labs. Independent studios in Peckham, Hackney and Camden are also offering ceramics tasters, coding-for-kids labs and family zine workshops, all led by artists who know how to keep little attention spans fizzing. Book ahead where you can-smaller venues often include materials, aprons and a hot drink for supervising adults in the ticket price.
When the paint’s drying and the glitter’s settled, refuel at one of the capital’s pop-up markets or street food halls, many of which lean into the school-holiday buzz with mini menus and live entertainment. Under the glass canopy at Mercato Metropolitano,families can graze on wood-fired pizza,plant-based burgers and gelato without arguing over one restaurant. Borough Market’s traders line up bite-sized tasters and hot chocolate stops ideal for chilly days, while Coal Drops Yard offers churros, bao and small-batch doughnuts just steps from bookshops and toy stores. For a quick snapshot of where to snack between workshops, keep this simple guide handy:
| Area | Family-Friendly Spot | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| South Bank | Southbank Centre food market | Global street food & river views |
| Elephant & Castle | Mercato Metropolitano | Casual shared tables & gelato |
| London Bridge | Borough Market | Snacks between museum visits |
| King’s Cross | Coal Drops Yard kiosks | Quick treats & people-watching |
- Top tip: many markets open earlier in half term – arrive before noon for shorter queues and easier buggy parking.
- Look out for: stalls with kids’ portions and cash-free payments to keep things moving when everyone’s hungry.
Wrapping Up
However you plan to spend the break, London isn’t short of ways to fill a free day – or even just an afternoon. From blockbuster exhibitions and one-off family workshops to free museums, parks and pop-ups, the city’s half-term offering stretches well beyond the usual tourist trail.
Do check opening times, age guidance and booking requirements before you set out, as many events sell out or operate timed entry during school holidays. And remember that plenty of what’s on is either low-cost or wholly free, if you know where to look.
Half term might be brief, but with a bit of planning you can pack it with new discoveries – whether you’re entertaining children, visiting relatives, or just taking advantage of a quieter commute. London will be busy, but it will also be buzzing.
