In a city of nine million people, you can guarantee that you’ll find something for everyone to enjoy. And that counts just as much for the kids as the adults. In fact, there are so many things to do in London with kids that it was hard to whittle this list down.
From exploring some of the best museums in the city to traversing London’s largest adventure playground, Hobbledown Heath, here’s the Secret London lowdown on what to do in London with kids this half-term.
Dance with dragons at these Lunar New Year festivities
Catch vibrant dancing dragons and family-friendly Lunar New Year festivities across London venues like the Museum of the Home, Maritime Museum, and Museum of London Docklands during February half term 2026.
These free events on dates such as Feb 17 at Museum of the Home, Feb 21 at Maritime Museum, and Feb 21-22 at Museum of London Docklands let kids try hands-on activities from coil pot making to ribbon dancing – just book your free spots in advance to join the cultural celebrations.
If you’re looking for a special half-term treat, experience the enchanting Ballet of Lights in London, where magical fairytales come alive through stunning illuminated costumes and original choreography. This 60-minute show, perfect for families and newcomers alike, reimagines classic fairy tales in a vibrant performance. It promises a dazzling evening of imagination and wonder, celebrating the city’s rich ballet tradition.
Scribble on a giant chalkboard at Southbank Centre
Head to the Southbank Centre for a massive interactive chalkboard where kids can scribble, draw, or even climb during the Imagine Festival.
Pair it with free special events like the ‘Wonder Gig’ dance session on Feb 12, ‘Dream, Design, Do!’ craft day on Feb 17, or ‘Big Laughs For Little Bellies’ comedy show on Feb 18!
Candlelight concerts are live music performances hosted in stunning, historic London venues illuminated by thousands of flameless candles to create an intimate atmosphere. These concerts are tributes to famous musicians, featuring professional string quartets and pianists who perform, honouring everything from classical legends like Vivaldi to modern icons such as Taylor Swift. It’s a perfect way to introduce your little ones to music.
From €30
If you’re after a half-term activity that works just as well on a rainy London day, head to Babylon Park, tucked beneath Camden. This indoor theme park serves up a whimsical escape packed with arcade games, fairground attractions, and London’s only indoor rollercoaster. Whether you’re reliving childhood memories or introducing the kids to the fun, there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained — and with options for unlimited access, you can dive into everything from VR games to bumper cars.
This immersive adventure lets you compete in a thrilling city-wide race, mirroring all the excitement of the TV show. If your half-term plans call for something a bit more high-energy, get ready for ‘Race Across The World: The Experience London.’
This immersive adventure lets you compete in a thrilling city-wide race, mirroring all the excitement of the TV show. Over 2-3 hours, you’ll explore hidden treasures, solve puzzles, and race against the clock, all while managing your budget and strategy.
From €0
Scenes in the Square is a free art trail celebrating some of the most recognisable film characters and actors. If you fancy an easy half-term activity with the kids, head to Leicester Square for Scenes in the Square, a free outdoor art trail featuring bronze statues of iconic film characters and actors, from Gene Kelly and Laurel & Hardy to Harry Potter, Batman, and Paddington Bear. The trail also includes recent additions such as Daniel Kaluuya and Bridget Jones, plus a free Spotify audio tour narrated by Alex Zane.
Ride Britain’s last scenic railway above the Norfolk seafront. If you fancy a classic seaside day out this half term, the historic wooden Roller Coaster at Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach is the UK’s last operating scenic railway.
Dating from the late 1920s and rebuilt in Great Yarmouth in 1932, it’s Grade II‑listed and still operated with a traditional brakeman.
Enjoy a calm, sensory-friendly hour in Tate’s creative studio
Holiday Make Studio: Beauty – Relaxed Hours at Tate Modern invites families into a gentle, sensory-friendly art space where kids can experiment with colours, textures and materials to explore what beauty means to them through playful making.
With fewer people in the room, smaller groups and resources like ear defenders, a quiet breakout area and an access station, the session is designed especially for neurodivergent children and adults or anyone who prefers a softer, less overwhelming environment, while still getting properly stuck into paints, patterns and hands-on art.
From £11
Step into the magical world of stop-motion animation at Young V&A in Bethnal Green with Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends, running from February 12 to November 15, 2026, where families can explore over 150 rare items like unseen puppets, storyboards from The Wrong Trousers, and the motorbike sidecar from Vengeance Most Fowl to celebrate Aardman’s 50th anniversary.
Kids aged eight to 14 (and all ages welcome) get hands-on with interactive fun like creating 20-frame stop-motion films using Playmobil, adjusting lighting on Feathers McGraw setups, crafting soundtracks from everyday objects such as coconuts and drumsticks, and modelling clay characters in a studio-like experience that reveals how clay comes alive.
For £11 per ticket, enjoy repeat visits throughout the run, making it a cracking half-term adventure blending creativity, humour, and behind-the-scenes secrets from Wallace, Gromit, Shaun the Sheep, Morph, and Chicken Run.
When you’re exploring London with the little ones, dining can sometimes feel like a balancing act – pleasing both discerning palates and picky eaters. Good news: the Michelin Guide has curated a stellar list of family-friendly restaurants in the capital. From bustling Borough Market to riverside vistas, these top picks serve up delicious meals and welcoming atmospheres that suit the whole family:
🇬🇷 Agora (Borough Market) – A lively Greek souvla bar serving skewers, flatbreads, and mezze in a walk-in, market-side setting.
🍝 Bancone (Covent Garden) – Casual, stylish pasta spot with handmade dishes perfect for both adults and adventurous kids.
🇫🇷 Le Pont de la Tour (Tower Bridge) – Elegant riverside brasserie with French classics, children’s menus, and sweeping Thames views.
🍃 Apricity (Mayfair) – Sustainable fine-dining restaurant offering a playful “Culinary Kids” tasting menu.
🍜 Farang (Highbury) – Vibrant Thai eatery balancing bold flavours with kid-friendly options.
🥩 Hawksmoor (Spitalfields) – Celebrated British steakhouse with hearty dishes and a relaxed, family-welcoming atmosphere.
🥘 Langan’s Brasserie (Mayfair) – Glamorous yet approachable institution serving British comfort food near Buckingham Palace.
Take on a challenging prison-themed action game at Prison Island London. Perfect for families looking for something a bit different this half term, Prison Island is an escape-room-style attraction with over 30 unique physical, mental and technical challenges where teams compete to earn points across themed cells.
London’s museums are going all out for families this autumn, as several have been shortlisted for prestigious family-friendly awards. These museums stand out for their engaging, interactive exhibits, creative workshops, and welcoming atmospheres that cater to kids of all ages. From hands-on science experiments and immersive history displays to art activities and sensory play zones, these institutions make learning genuinely fun.
⭐️ London Transport Museum
⭐️ Horniman Museum and Gardens
⭐️ Black Cultural Archives
Jump into a real-life video game at Boom Lab and test your reflexes. Perfect for an energy-burning half-term activity with kids, Boom Lab is a six-room, real-life video game experience where teams jump across platforms, dodge lasers and tackle fast-paced physical and puzzle challenges.
Many restaurants in London offer deals where kids eat free, often with the purchase of an adult meal, during school holidays and year-round.
🍽️ Barbican Centre: Children under 10 eat free from the kids’ menu with an adult meal over £10.
🍴Gordon Ramsay Restaurants: Kids under 8 eat free at select locations (Heddon Street Kitchen, Bread Street Kitchen & Bars, Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill, and Pizza East) on weekdays.
🍽️ Pizza East, Shoreditch: Kids eat free every weekday, with options like lasagne and pizza.
🍴Bella Italia: Kids eat free every Thursday and for £1 between 4-6pm, Sunday to Wednesday.
🍽️ Bill’s: Up to two kids (10 and under) eat free with each adult meal, any day except Saturday and Sunday.
🍴Franco Manca: At selected locations, kids 12 and under get a free pizza with a full-priced adult meal.
🍽️ Las Iguanas: Kids eat free year-round with a loyalty program signup.
🍴The Hoxton Hotel: Free meals for kids under 10 on Saturdays and Sundays between 12pm-5pm with a dining adult.
🍽️ Harvey Nichols: Kids under 12 eat free on Sundays, or every day with a REWARDS program membership.
🍴The Real Greek: One free child’s meal for every £10 spent by an adult on Sundays.
🍽️ Club Mexicana: One free kids’ meal with every adult meal purchased available every school holiday at their Soho branch.
🍴 Big Easy: Children under 10 can dine for £9.90 with every adult meal purchased.
🍽️ Sea Containers: Two courses for £10 for children.
🍴 Kricket: During school holidays, all of their locations Brixton, Soho, Canary Wharf, and Shoreditch, are offering free meals for children under 12 from 12pm to 5pm every day.
If you’re looking for a family-friendly day out that’ll keep the kids entertained this half term, the Paradox Museum in London is a vibrant escape filled with over 50 optical illusions and interactive experiences.
Upgrade your visit with Love Your Brain – The Paradox Path, a self-guided group challenge that uses selected exhibits to spark fun and learning. Work together to answer short questions, test your assumptions, and discover how easily the brain can be fooled. Designed for families, friends and mixed-age groups, this engaging experience encourages conversation, curiosity and shared moments – all without screens.
£5 per group (one card per group), recommended for all ages.
Who doesn’t love a musical, hey? We’re lucky here in London with a musical theatre scene that’s the envy of the world. Mormons, witches, lions, genies – you name it, there’s a musical with basically everything here.
Kid-friendly options in town include the Tim Minchin-helmed ‘Matilda’ and ‘Disney’s The Lion King’ – an award-winning show which follows Simba on his journey from wide-eyed cub to his destined role as King of the Pridelands. Hakuna Matata!