10 Things To Do In London This October Half Term

October half term is almost here, with kids out of school from 28 October until 3 November 2024. In need of some activities? Here’s our guide to the action in the capital, plus a bonus activity for days that you don’t feel like leaving the house.

London Activities For October Half Term 2024

Fleet Street Quarter’s Out Of School Club

In partnership with social enterprise Class of Your Own, this October half term, Fleet Street Quarter is inviting kids aged 9 to 14 to take part in a four-day course at The Fleot. Offering a unique opportunity to inspire young minds to build a greener world, Out of School Club will look at ways to design, engineer and construct net-zero buildings with the help of industry professionals, perfect for aspiring architects, engineers and construction workers.

Details: 9am to 5pm from 21–24 October or 29 October–1 November 2024 at The Fleot (8-12 New Bridge St, London EC4V 6AL), priced at £25 per day per child (£100 total). To book, email [email protected] or click here.

Children’s Adventures With Alexander Armstrong

Ignite your children’s sense of adventure at London’s Haymarket Hotel this half term as Alexander Armstrong as he unveils his captivating children’s fiction debut, Evenfall: The Golden Linnet. Inspired by his childhood and the history of the ancient North, this thrilling tale will take young readers on an unforgettable journey. At the event, there will be puzzles to solve as well as tips on writing your own thrilling story.

Details: 2–3.30pm on Saturday 2 November at Haymarket Hotel (1 Suffolk Pl, London SW1Y 4HX). Tickets are £15 per child (free for adults) and can be booked here.

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Ghosts & Ghouls Family Tour

Get into the spooky spirit at Shakespeare’s Globe this half term with the Ghosts & Ghouls Family Tour, bringing to life the ghosts, spirits and scary happenings of Shakespeare’s most chilling plays. Think the Three Witches and their crafty spells, Hamlet’s ghosts and folktales of London’s mysterious Thames River Monster.

Details: Daily at Shakespeare’s Globe (21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London SE1 9DT). Tickets start at £18pp and can be booked at shakespearesglobe.com

The Natural History Museum’s newly transformed gardens will provide visitors with a new outdoor space to rest, relax and connect with nature. © The Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London

Natural History Museum

For rainy days and inquisitive minds, the Natural History Museum has a stellar line up of events this October half term, including meeting the animals that lived alongside dinosaurs, hearing stories from a life-like T.rex, taking guided tours and visiting the Museum out-of-hours. While you’re there, have a wander around the newly transformed gardens.

Details: See what’s on at nhm.ac.uk

© rukayacesar

Matilda The Musical

If you haven’t seen this musical yet, now is the time to do so. A fantastic adaptation of the Roald Dahl book, the original story is transformed into a vibrant and electric production bursting with energy. The cast is impressive, the script packed with humour and nostalgia, and you won’t be able to get the songs out of your head for weeks.

Details: Performed at the Cambridge Theatre (Earlham St, London WC2H 9HU). Tickets can be booked at matildathemusical.com

Pawsitive Cafe

Gather the whole family – four legged friends included – at Notting Hill’s Pawsitive Cafe, where brunch treats and seasonal DIY await.

Details: Find it at 52 Westbourne Grove, London W2 5SH. pawsitivecafe.com

© Thierry Bal

Wildlife & Wellbeing Trail

Barking Riverside invites intrepid explorers to its unique ecosystem this half term, to discover its endangered, protected and often hidden wildlife tucked by the waterside. The new 5km trail takes you to Oystercatcher Park, as well as the Thames Foreshore, where you might see seals sunbathe on the shoreline while overlooking the historical trade and transport route for London. Meanwhile, graphics and artworks are scattered along the route, introducing little ones to water voles, bats, snakes and the rich bird life beside the river. Plus, there are two sound artworks made by artist Joseph June Bond and residents.

Details: Find out more and download the map at thewildsbarkingriverside.london

Peter Pan Afternoon Tea At Aqua Shard

Transport yourself to Neverland this October half term via aqua shard’s child-friendly afternoon tea, inspired by J.M Barrie’s legendary novel. Think Tinker Bell-shaped cookies and crocodile jellies served on a pirate ship-inspired tea stand, alongside Fairy Dust cocktails – all enjoyed alongside panoramic city views. And, for each tea sold, £2 will be donated to the Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity.

Details: Level 31, The Shard, 31 St Thomas St, London SE1 9RY. Book your table at aquashard.co.uk

Tulleys Farm, West Sussex

Pick Your Own Pumpkins

With October half term comes Halloween celebrations, so why not take the kids pumpkin picking? Here are our favourite PYO farms near London.

(© Emli Bendixen)

Borde Hill Day Trip

Fancy a day trip? Head to Borde Hill, the Grade II* listed Garden in West Sussex set within 383 acres of heritage parkland, only 45 mins away from London. With an abundance of horticultural interest, it’s worth the trip year-round, but October half term comes bearing a bounty of family fun. The ‘Halloween Whodunnit’ kids trail promises spooky excitement, while special activities span reptile encounters, explosive experiments, slime making, magic shows and a monster party that will delight and thrill.

Details: See more half term details at bordehill.co.uk

Bonus At-Home Half Term Activity

LEGO At Home Creativity Workshop

LEGO’s Creativity at Home workshops offer free, engaging sessions for kids, led by creative experts including dancing sensation Dianne Buswell, Space Communicator Alexandra Doten (aka Astro Alexandra), artist and illustrator Amy Jones (aka Studio Jonesie) and gaming pioneer Kennedy (aka Cozy K). Participants can join from anywhere and explore themes like “Celebrate Your Star Power,” where kids can build custom photo frames, and “Out of This World,” focusing on space adventures. These workshops encourage imaginative play without any right or wrong ways to build, aiming to foster creativity and confidence among young builders. There are also more in-person sessions at selected LEGO stores coming in 2025.

Details: lego.com/CreativityWorkshops