If you take a moment to think back to when you were a child, you’ll remember half term as one of the things you looked forward to most during term time. The freedom from lessons, time to just chill out with a game or meet friends in town, or to get up to some kind of mischief in the garden - it was bliss. But as a parent, half term can be one of the most dreaded times in the calendar. Without the structure of a school schedule, you find yourself trying to conjure up activities that will keep your children happy, entertained and far away from covering the house in homemade slime.
To save you the added stress of planning activities over the school break, we’ve rounded up some of London’s best offerings to keep your little ones busy over the February half-term; with both indoor and outdoor options to suit the (let’s face it) dreary British weather, and varying budgets!
INDOOR
Theatre - prices vary per show and seating area.
Head into the heart of the city and enjoy the experience and novelty of some of the best shows on London’s West End. There’s plenty to choose from but here’s some inspiration: The Lion King, Mousetrap, Cirque du Soleil, Matilda, Harry Potter Cursed Child.
Warner Bros Studio Tour - from £47.50
This one’s not quite in London but it’s not far outside the M25, and makes for a magical day out (pun intended). During and after half term, the studios’ Magical Mischief tour will be open, revealing the filmmaking trickery behind the Harry Potter film series and shining a spotlight on magical pranks and mishaps. During your visit, you can learn how your favourite mischievous moments from the films were brought to the screen in this exciting feature.
Word to the wise - studio tours sell out quickly, especially during school breaks so book sooner than later so you don’t miss out!
Science Museum - Free
From Helen Sharman’s iconic space suit to Amy Johnson’s marvellous Gipsy Moth aeroplane, the Science Museum tells the stories of the extraordinary human achievement and technological advances that have helped humanity overcome challenges throughout history. With lots of interactive exhibits to get stuck into, this museum makes for a full day out and is definitely better than a day of bingeing Netflix or PS4 games!
At-home Cinema screening - Though if you are going to indulge in screen time at home , make it a little special but hosting an at home cinema experience. The kids can pick out their favourite snack or drinks in advance and, with the help of a projector, you can screen a brilliant film from the comfort of your home. Haven’t seen Encanto yet? We 10/10 recommend, though be ready to be humming the soundtrack a while after.
Natural History Museum - Free entry
The Natural History Museum is always a win as far as we’re concerned.
If the permanent exhibitions alone don’t quite tickle your fancy, then we also recommend the Dinotours - a 45 minute tour with one of the NHM’s knowledgeable guides before the museum opens to the public. This gives you a chance to get up close and personal with all the main characters in the world-famous Dinosaurs gallery. (Children £20, Adults £30).
And for children over eight, go behind the scenes with NHM’s knowledgeable science educators for a look at the Museum's fascinating zoology collections preserved in spirit. (Tickets - £25)
Note: Events like their Dino-snore experience - staying overnight for a Night-At-The-Museum-Eqsue experience with breakfast included. This sleepover for kids aged 7 to 11 gives budding explorers the chance to discover the Museum after dark with added activities thrown in the mix. Great fun but they also sell out long in advance. Sadly they look to be full this half term but one to have on your radar for future!
Cinema Trip - from £5.99
Half term could be an opportunity for a Tom Holland overload. If you’ve not yet seen Spiderman: No Way Home, then that’s definitely worth a trip to the cinema. If you have then fear not, he has another film coming out - Uncharted (12).
The storyline focuses on treasure hunter Nick Drake, a descendent of explorer Sir Francis Drake, searching for the fabled South American golden city, El Dorado. Oh, and as a bonus for the Mums, it also features Mark Wahlberg!
Roller Disco (Family Session) - £10
This one will have your kids talking about it for a while after. Roller Nation’s ‘Family Jam’ sessions are for ages 5-14 (and parents) only, so you needn’t worry about show offs throwing your balance off. Skates are available to rent as part of your ticket price and food and drinks are available throughout, so all you have to do is enjoy the music and have fun!
OUTDOOR
Richmond Park Walk - totally free
Nothing beats some old-fashioned fresh air and a walk.
Hampton Court Palace & Maze - from £12.60
For a change of scenery, why not venture to Hampton Court Palace? Plenty to explore in the palace itself, as well as opportunities for some Henry VIII role play. And as an added bonus, entry to the Maze is included in a normal admission ticket. The Hampton Court Palace Maze is the UK's oldest surviving hedge maze and covers a third of an acre. It’s known for its many twists, turns and dead ends so you won’t be short on fun and adventure.
Go Ape - from £22
Unleash your adventurous side at Go Ape in Battersea, Alexandra Palace or Cockfosters. Whether you are looking to climb high up the trees to tackle Treetop Challenge or zoom across the forest floor on the Forest Segway , this is the ultimate action-packed adventure to fill your half term.
ZSL London Zoo - prices vary dependent on experience
There’s something magical about a trip to the zoo and seeing wild animals up close but you can also take that experience to the next level at ZSL London Zoo this half term with activities including:
Vets in Action is an award-winning role-playing experience for budding veterinarians to help experts examine, diagnose and carry out treatments on soft toys - from microchipping meerkats to ultrasounding pregnant sloths. Best for pre-school age.
Junior Keeper for a Day gives you the opportunity to get up close with some of the animals at ZSL London Zoo and get a taster of what life is like as a Zookeeper! (Age 11-15) £170.
Meerkat Experience - Go inside the meerkats' home and watch as they scamper around you on their search for food. This one is a 20 minute experience as part of your day out. (Age 5+) £54pp.