Things to do in London for half term: How to have your best school break yet

School’s out! Which means that half term diary needs filling, sharpish. Luckily, London has it covered when it comes to keeping youngsters entertained (and preventing them from scrolling TikTok for 16 hours a day).

With activities aimed at toddlers through to teens, there’s plenty for the adults to enjoy too. And with Halloween weekend on the horizon, we’ve pulled together another guide dedicated to ghoulish goings on — look out next week for that.

For the rest of half term though, read on for everything from crazy golf to craft workshops. And be sure to check the parameters when it comes to tickets. Age ranges vary from place to place, as does the definition of a “family” ticket; unless stated otherwise below, it covers two adults and two children.

Ice Rink Canary Wharf

Many ice rinks in London wait until Noddy Holder has started blaring out of radio speakers (i.e. mid November) before opening, but this one in Canary Wharf is getting its skates on early. It’s fully covered, so rain won’t spoil the fun, and there’s a rink-side bar with a view of the action for any parents in need of refreshment.

From October 22, £17.95 adults for 50 minutes, £13.50 kids, £53.95 family, E14, icerinkcanarywharf.co.uk

UrbanCrazy Golf

Perfect putters and nervous newbies alike will enjoy this crazy golf course at the Horniman Gardens. Aside from the nine holes (one with a big walrus statue), there’s all sorts of family fun to be had in the grounds and museum, from the aquarium and butterfly house to an artist-led workshop inspired by black comic book characters.

Various prices and times, SE23, horniman.ac.uk

Family Film Week

Physically unable to rewatch Frozen 2 for the umpteenth time? This generously priced film week at the Barbican will screen movies suitable for all the family, but largely avoids the usual suspects in favour of a rather more intriguing programme: the likes of South American fantasy adventure Nahuel and the Magic Book, or the Whoopi Goldberg-starring animation My Father’s Dragon.

October 22-29, £3.50 adults, £2.50 kids, EC2Y, barbican.org.uk

Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Possibly one for older kids, but sure to delight anyone with a fascination with wildlife, this hugely popular exhibition returns to the Natural History Museum. This year’s selection, as always, is amusing, poignant and pretty awe-inspiring, with short videos and quotes from photographers giving the story behind the snaps.

Every day, £17 adults, £10.25 kids, from £29.95 for families, SW7, nhm.ac.uk

Mexico Family Fiesta

Temperate House at Kew Gardens has been celebrating Mexico throughout October with arty installations, mariachi bands, food takeovers and more. During half term, it’ll be the site of daily fiestas, with dress-up stations, parades and carnival dance workshops. Vamos!

October 22-31, free with admission (£15 adult, £8.50 16-29 year olds, £5 kids), TW9, kew.org

Radio Nonsense Live

Radio Nonsense, the podcast run by the funny people behind Comedy Club 4 Kids, is hopping out of the studio and onto the stage. Hosted by comedian Tiernan Douieb, the matinee show promises “lots of silliness, definitely no rude words”. It’s part of the London Literature Festival at the Southbank Centre, which has lots going on for creative youngsters: story-telling, poetry workshops, nursery rhymes and beyond.

October 26, £12 adults, £9 kids, SE1, southbankcentre.co.uk

Science Fiction: Voyage to the Edge of Imagination

Budding astronauts (or any kids with a love of sci-fi) should enjoy this new immersive exhibition at the Science Museum. The action takes place inside an intergalactic spaceship and pulls together both fiction (there’s a model of the creature from Alien) and fact, delving into subjects from AI to cyborgs.

Every day, £20 adults, £18 kids (free for ages seven and under), sciencemuseum.org.uk

Re:Imagining Musicals

Musical theatre nuts — especially those with a love of the wonderful costumes — should head to this new exhibition at the V&A. Covering classics old and new, from My Fair Lady to Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, a family-friendly trail will help you explore the display, with some drop-in creative workshops on the schedule too.

Every day, free, SW7, vam.ac.uk

Shakespeare’s Globe

Getting the kids to engage with Shakespeare outside of their English classes might feel like a hard ask, but the events here will help you add some Bard action into your half term. Practical and interactive workshops, tailored for different age ranges, will delve into all the hits (Macbeth, Othello et al) with demonstrations on stage dressing and, erm, sword fighting.

Various prices and dates, SE1, shakespearesglobe.com

Tree Treasure Hunt Workshop

Get crafty in the great outdoors with this workshop in Morden Hall Park, aimed at kids aged two to six (and their parents). Head out into the park on a treasure hunt, picking up all sorts of natural materials as you go. Once collected, a “workshop chef” will show the kids how to create garments, tree models and more with all they’ve collected.

October 24-25, £10 for one child accompanied by up to two adults, SM4, nationaltrust.org.uk

Story Space

Normally open only on Wednesdays and weekends, this Tate Britain initiative runs daily in the October break. It’s a library full of books by black and indigenous authors, and authors of colour, that centre children of colour, as well as telling stories about queer and disabled children and families. Kids can read by themselves, out loud, or with adults.

Every day, free, SW1P, tate.org.uk

MCM Comic Con

A pop culture extravaganza lands in ExCeL London over the Halloween weekend. There’s so much going — photo ops with film and TV stars, cosplay dress-ups, comics stalls, free-to-play consoles and retro machines, tabletop board games, merch stands, and plenty else besides — that you’d be well advised to plan your itinerary beforehand.

October 28-30, from £22 for day tickets (weekend sold out), E16, mcmcomiccon.com

Room on the Broom

Arts Depot in North Finchley is hosting this Olivier Award-nominated stage adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s award-winning picture book, Room on the Broom. There are 11 performances — featuring witches, dragons, dogs, frogs and more — for half term, running twice daily at 11am and 2pm, and the show itself is suitable for anyone aged three and above.

October 22-27, from £12, N12, artsdepot.co.uk

Frieze Sculpture 2022

This public exhibition is a new arrival in Regent’s Park, with 19 large-scale works by internationally renowned artists dotted around the area. Free and open to all, a wander around the installations would be a great addition to your itinerary if you’ve already got plans in the area (and a sneaky way of squeezing in some exercise and fresh air if your other activities are all indoors).

Every day, free, NW1, frieze.com

Foundling Museum

The Foundling Museum charts the history of the UK’s first children’s charity, and so it seems like as good a place as any for youngsters to spend time during half term. It’s running a series of workshops throughout the week, from a sculpture class to Halloween lantern-making sessions. Tickets include free entry to the museum, too.

October 24-28, £3 for child with an accompanying adult (£3 extra for an additional adult), WC1N, foundlingmuseum.org.uk