How is it the October half term already? I have no idea?! We’ve been blessed (chucked) with a 2-week half term – yay #LOL. But really, I know we have NOTHING to complain about with London on our doorstep. Here are a few things to do in London this October half time with kids!
When: 22nd – 31st October 2022
Where: Kew Gardens, Kew, Richmond, London, TW9 3AE
Celebrate the Day of the Dead in style over at Kew Gardens. This family day out includes dress-up pit stops, parades, beautiful art installations and carnival dance workshops.
When: 22nd – 30th October
Where: Hampton Court Palace
For a spooktastic family friendly adventure, head over to Hampton Court to explore Henry VIII’s haunted palace! Projections, creepy sounds effects and dark winding corridors will keep everyone on their toes! You can also download a Halloween trail to enhance your visit.
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When: October half term 2022
Where: Tower Bridge Quay, north bank of the Thames, E1W 1LD
Enjoy a wickedly horrible boat tour up the Thames, with gruesome tales about King Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, Julius Caesar, the Duke of Wellington, Queen Boudicca, Jack the Ripper and Captain Kidd. All aboard!!! Ekk!!!
When: 11am – 6pm on Tuesday – Friday AND Friday – Monday Halloween weekend
Where: 159 Hoxton Street, London N1 6PJ
Voted No. 1 Kids’ Shop in London’ by Time Out Magazine, Hoxton Street Monster Supplies is the perfect place to pop into for some gruesome supplies. Think edible compacted ear wax, rats brains, wands, broomstick pencils and more! Spooky!!
When: 6.30pm – 8pm, Wednesday 12th, 19th, 26th October and 2nd November
Where: Leadenhall, Market, Gracechurch St, London EC3V 1LT
Led by City of London Tours, this family friendly walking tour is a fab way to round off a spooktastic afternoon at Leadenhall Market. Think witchcraft and murder. Yikes!
When: 20th – 23rd October and 28th – 31st October
Where: Departing from Somerset House
A scrummy, yummy Halloween treat by Brigit’s Bakery! We’ve not done this ourselves (yet!), but I’ve heard SO many brilliant things about it. Hop on board the Peppa Pig bus for a tour of London landmarks, whilst enjoying a Peppa Pig themed afternoon tea. Littles will also be able to view a fun Peppa Pig guided animation of the London tour, complete with sing-a-long songs! Yay.
When: Hobbledown Heath, Staines Road, Hounslow, TW14 0HH
Where: 22nd – 30th October
There’s a huge amount fun and games over at Hobbledown Heath this Halloween half term! Potion making, bug brunch challenge, spooky storytelling sessions, a hidden letter hunt and a fancy dress monster ball! See you there! 25% off day tickets with code: HALL04876 (valid until 21st October for visits till the end of November 22).
When: Monday 24th – Sunday 30th October
Where: Capel Manor Gardens, Bullsmoor Lane, Enfield, Middlesex, EN1 4RQ
Spook yourself silly with a ghostly pirate trail through Capel Manor Gardens. Then, tip-toe through the bewitching forest, and join in with pumpkin picking, face painting and creepy crafts! *This is a super popular event so booking is strongly recommended.
When: Ongoing
Where: 8-12 Tower Hill Vaults, London, EC3N 4EE
A chilling, immerse theatrical experience which combines live theatre and digital technology to take you back to London 1605. Surrounded by ‘traitors’, be prepared to be part of the story! Recommended for 12 years plus.
When: Saturday 22nd October 11.30am
Where: The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall
Enjoy a family friendly day of storytelling, performance and workshops including stories from the rainforest, singing and even a bedtime story!
When: Tuesday 25th – Thursday 27th October 11am-3pm
Where: The look out centre in Hyde Park
Creepy crawly fun for the littles, including an eerie nature trail, spooky interactive story, feely boxes and a chance to learn more about the Royal Parks bats! Dressing up is encouraged!
When: 22nd – 30th October 2022
Where: TATE Modern, South Landscape, Blavatnik Building, Bankside, London SE1 9TG
Get your creativity pumping by joining in with a hands-on lively abstract artwork by Agnes Marten, Cy Twombly and Huguette Caland. Littles can get messy by shooting, splashing and squelching paint to add to the masterpiece.
When: Saturday 22nd – Sunday 30th October
Where: London Transport Museum, Covent Garden Piazza, London, WC2E 7BB
Discover the secret lives of city residents through a family trail about the museum’s galleries. Join in with a dance and movement workshop, bat themed crafts and learn more about the protected bat colony at Highgate station in the hidden London exhibition.
When: Booking until mid-January 2023
Where: Excel London, Royal Victoria Dock, E16 1XL
*Runs in – it’s Jurassic World!! A roarsome, interactive exhibition of dinosaurs, perfect for the whole family.
When: 29th – 31st October
Where: Convent Garden Market Building, Central London
If pumpkins are your thing, how about checking out the Covent Garden pumpkin market! Expect to see a feast for the eyes.
When: 22nd – 29th October
Where: Shakespeare’s Globe, London
Does it get any more eye-popping than a retelling of Macbeth? Possibly not! This seated storytelling event is perfect for little ones aged 5 to 12 years old, and a great opportunity to visit the Globe too.
When: Saturday 22nd October
Where: Pickled pepper books, 10 Middle Lane, Crouch End, N8 8PL
A lovey meet the author event for children aged 2 to 7 years old with Gabby Dawnay. Includes a special storytime and drawing.
When: 10am, 22nd – 30th October
Where: Discover Children’s Story Centre, 383-387 High Street, Stratford, London, E15 4QZ
Follow a magical Halloween trail around the gorgeous Story Worlds of the Story Centre, aimed at littles aged 0-11 years old. *If you get the chance, why not pop into The 100 Story Hotel, an immersive world of play and storytelling, created by award-winning author/illustrator Rob Biddulph at the Story Centre (10.05am-10.50am extra £3).
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When: 10th – 30th October
Where: 26 Greek Street, Soho, London, W1D 5DE
For a magical hands-on experience, this fab interactive afternoon tea will tickle big and little witches and wizards. Tea sand-witches, elven scones and wizard sweets, complete with traditional tea with a Halloween twist. Yummmmm!
When: Friday 28th – 30th October
Where: Cineworld, The O2 Greenwich
Any Harry Potter fans? This is for you. Enjoy a thrilling 4DX cinema experience complete with motion, water, wind and scent effects, taking Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 20th anniversary screening to a whole new level.
When: Ongoing
Where: The Apollo Victoria Theatre (opposite Victoria underground station)
This was my little ones first ever BIG musical many years ago and we cannot recommend it enough. It’s fun, frothy and gut wrenching (defying gravity towards the end of the first half -wow!) all in one go. But essentially a beautiful tale of friendship and celebrating differences. Recommended for children aged 7 years plus.
When: October
Where: Hatter’s Farm, Takeley, Bishop’s Stortford, CM22 6NP
Have fun picking your own pumpkins, then venture onto the maize maze if you dare! Hatter’s Farm are also running pumpkin NIGHTS! So you can go pumpkin picking in the twilight hours (the maze will also be open!!! Ekkkk!!!!!!!) #SOEXCITED
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This post is part of #Blogtober22
WILD is now out in Spanish!
WILD – Our debut children’s picture book
Dad blogger Ross Good from The Stented Papa is the official storyteller for WILD!
Happy book birthday WILD!
Oh! That’s not fair, we only get a week off for half term. hehehe
It sounds like there is so much going on in London! What fantastic ideas for things to do. x
Looks like so many great activities to choose from!
We have a 2 week half term as well. I never knew there was so much to do for halloween
What a fun list. There is lots to do for kids of a variety of ages!
Oh wow! We only have one week but sure we make up for it somewhere lol. There is so much to do in London! We live far away but love to visit. We went in the Summer Holidays and can’t wait to go back again xx
fantastic detailed list, I live near London but I’m going to be up north for half term!
It’s years since I last visited London, Annette, I can see from your post that there’s loads to do over half term#dreamteam
OMG. I’d love to do the gunpowder plot. How fun!!! #Dreamteam