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Issues to do at February half-term in London with youngsters


With out the great climate or the festivals of different college holidays, this time of yr can show a tough one for households, so I’ve rounded up a number of the greatest issues to do in February half-term in London with youngsters to maintain everybody entertained.

View of Tower Bridge against a pale blue sky - my pick of the best things to do at February half-term in London with kids
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There are free occasions, some beautiful exhibitions geared toward youthful youngsters, artistic enjoyable, probabilities to get open air and loads of concepts for a wet day at February half-term in London.

February half time period dates for London faculties runs from February 13-17, 2023 however with different UK faculties having their half-term later, it’s price figuring out that only a few of the particular half-term actions will likely be going down the next week so try a number of the ongoing exhibitions and attraction if you happen to’re visiting London in February with youngsters.

Think about Kids’s Pageant at Southbank Centre

Think about Kids’s Pageant is London Southbank Centre’s thrilling annual competition for kids aged 0 to 11 – now in its twenty first yr (although it guarantees to not develop up!)

Operating throughout 11 days from February 8-18, the competition is all about unlocking youngsters’ creativity and sparking creativeness, with 100 (principally free) actions and workshops spanning throughout theatre, comedy, music, literature, poetry, dance, and extra.

With every little thing from talks by well-known kids’s authors to a daytime rave with the world’s youngest DJ, the competition guarantees to be a fun-filled and academic expertise for the entire household. 

As a part of the competition, there’s additionally a free household exercise path impressed by Sam Winston’s ebook One & Every thing, geared toward ages 2-11, working from February 8-17.

Stik street art figures against a yellow background at Hungerford Bridge - head to the South Bank this February half-term for the annual Imagine Festival

Vets in Motion at London Zoo

For teenagers who love animals, London Zoo’s Vets in Motion occasion is a enjoyable and academic alternative for teenagers to study animal care and wildlife conservation by means of a sequence of interactive household occasions throughout February half-term.

Through the free (with a zoo ticket) occasion, youngsters will get to fulfill with the zoo’s vets ​​and zookeepers and watch dwell demonstrations, together with vet examinations and coaching periods. 

Kids aged three to 11 will even have the chance to step into the position of vet themselves on the specially-recreated zoo vet centre. After placing on their hairnets and masks, Junior vets will assist the specialists look at, diagnose, and carry out remedies on delicate toys.

Discover, Construct, and Play on the Nationwide Gallery

The Nationwide Gallery is celebrating its upcoming constructing redesign (forward of its two hundredth anniversary in 2024) by inspiring younger architects at their half-term ‘discover, construct, play’ occasion from February 14-16.

On the occasion, households will work with artists James and Eva to look past the work and search out architectural and ornamental particulars all through the magnificent Gallery, from ground mosaics to the constructing’s design.

Little ones will then have the ability to get artistic themselves and play with scale, shapes, and sensory supplies to create new thrilling buildings that may be explored, each inside and outside. The drop-in periods happen from 11am-4pm.

Shakespeare's Globe on the South Bank in London, a recreation of the original Elizabethan theatre - there are various workshops and events taking place this February half-term for kids in London

Shakespeare’s Globe Household Workshops

For an interactive and academic technique to get your youngsters within the works of William Shakespeare, be a part of the Globe’s Household Workshops this February half-term in London! 

Led by a number of the theatre’s proficient actors, academics, and administrators, these sensible workshops will discover the language, characters, and themes of the performs in quite a lot of participating actions and video games. They’re the right technique to introduce little ones to one of many world’s most iconic playwrights.

With a number of performs to select from – together with Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, and Hamlet – and 4 age teams (5-8, 9-12, 12+, and 15+ yr olds), there’s a workshop for everybody. 

Or for one thing rather less interactive, the Globe’s household storytelling periods are one other nice half-term exercise in London for teenagers. Should be pre-booked, tickets value from £10.

Make Historical past at Eltham Palace

Eltham Palace and Gardens by no means fails to impress with its schedule of enjoyable household occasions. And this February’s ‘Make Historical past this Half Time period’ occasion is definitely no exception! 

Going down each day over the varsity holidays, youngsters can be a part of characters from the previous for historic hi-jinks and hands-on shenanigans all through the historic palace and it’s intensive gardens.

Character performers will enthrall you with tales of Victorian London, whereas youngsters also can uncover what life was like in a Victorian college and have a go at writing their very own journey novel. 

Runs from February 11-19, admission to the household half-term occasion is included within the normal admission ticket worth.

My daughter points up at the White Tower in the Tower of London with blue skies in the background - the family activities this February half-term involve Isaac Newton

Isaac Newton and the Thriller on the Mint on the Tower of London

The Tower of London all the time has nice household occasions on throughout holidays and this February half-term is not any exception, with an opportunity to assist Isaac Newton, the brand new Warden of the Royal Mint.

Newly appointed to his put up on the Tower in 1696, his activity is to root out corruption and crack down on the fraudsters – with a bit assist from his younger allies, who’re requested to report any suspicious goings-on and helpful info again to him.

From February 11-19, maintain a watch out for him on the South Garden at 11am, 1pm and a pair of.30pm (if the climate is dry) or if it’s raining and at different occasions, you’ll discover him in his new workplace within the Decrease Bowyer Tower. And don’t miss The Tower’s Mint interactive exhibition as you discover too.

Get discounted entry to the Tower of London utilizing my code MUMMYTRAVELS6 if you happen to ebook by means of this hyperlink

Interactive Mars Workshop on the Royal Observatory Greenwich

Younger area lovers can’t miss the Royal Observatory’s half-term occasion ‘Out of this World: Mars’. Beginning within the planetarium, friends will journey throughout the photo voltaic system earlier than ending up at our closest neighbour, Mars. 

You may then be a part of an interactive workshop the place you’ll be taught all there’s to know in regards to the fascinating Purple Planet that was as soon as not that completely different to our personal.

The family-friendly science session is appropriate for teenagers 7+ and can happen twice over the half-term; on Tuesday February 14 and Wednesday February 15 at 10:30am.

For concepts of extra issues to do in Greenwich with youngsters, try my prime picks

Two generations of red doubledecker Routemaster buses at the London Transport Museum where the family activities this February half-term are themed on Making Connections

Making Connections on the London Transport Museum

The London Transport Museum is marking the a hundred and sixtieth anniversary of the London Underground this half-term with a busy schedule of family-friendly video games and craft actions that commemorate the town’s well-known Tube community.

From February 11-19, youngsters can design their very own Join 4 counter for an enormous recreation with a transport twist, or add a heart-shaped love observe to the #LoveTheTube wall (will probably be Valentine’s Day in spite of everything) – all on the theme of Making Connections.

Plus, households can discover the favored London museum on a particular themed path that can have you ever fixing puzzles and answering quiz questions on London Underground stations at every cease. For every puzzle solved, you’ll accumulate a letter. And these letters will finally uncover a hidden phrase!

Included in entry to the museum – get a reduction on tickets for tickets to the London Transport Museum if you happen to ebook by means of my hyperlink utilizing code MUMMYTRAVELS6

Discovery Days in Hyde Park

Hyde Park’s common Discovery Days are again as soon as once more for extra free family-friendly enjoyable amongst nature this February half-term in London.

The Good Birds Discovery Days will likely be full of loads of enjoyable and academic hands-on actions for youthful kids. Children can construct their very own chicken feeder to take dwelling with them, craft a birds nest utilizing pure supplies, go chicken watching within the Lookout backyard, and be taught fascinating details about our feathered buddies.

As regular, the Spring Discovery Days are utterly free to attend. This yr, they’ll happen between 11am and 3pm on February 14-16 – no prebooking required, simply drop in any time.

My daughter walks across the wild walk ropes course at the London Wetland Centre in Barnes - the family activities this February half-term are focused on the reserve's birds

The Huge Conceal Out at WWT London

For much more bird-themed enjoyable this half-term, head to the London Wetland Centre in Barnes for his or her Huge Conceal Out

Children can disguise out within the chicken hides and use the centre’s binoculars and telescopes to identify chicken life and different wetland wildlife, whereas different family-friendly actions embody making nests, constructing a chicken disguise, and cooking up a (messy) storm within the mud kitchen.

The actions are included in the usual entry ticket, plus there’s additionally a particular chicken path across the wetland centre which prices £1 for the path map.

Crusing Out on the Nationwide Maritime Museum

Greenwich’s Nationwide Maritime Museum is internet hosting a sequence of artistic workshops for households to rejoice LGBTQ+ Historical past Month.

From setting up costume hats impressed by Queen Elizabeth I to creating your personal rainbow merfolk and vibrant sea creatures utilizing the colors of the Satisfaction flag, there are many enjoyable hands-on actions for teenagers of all ages.

The entire household also can study heroes from the LGBTQ+ maritime group within the immersive studying area and throughout the fascinating galleries. The free drop-in periods happen from 11am-1pm and 2-4pm from February 12-19 – entry to the museum can also be free.

Facade of the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich - one of the best places to visit at February half-term in London with kids

Brick Dinos on the Horniman Museum

Among the best issues to do in London for February half-term with youthful kids is to pay a go to to the Horniman Museum, which is dwelling to an exhibition of dinosaur fashions created from Lego.

Brick Dinos at Horniman Museum is opening simply in time for half-term, working from February 10 (till October 29), with the prospect to see a string of different prehistoric giants as nicely – happily recreated in miniature kind.

Look out for the life-sized flying pterosaur although, in addition to different hardly ever seen specimens from the Horniman’s assortment. There are additionally alternatives for teenagers to get fingers on, together with constructing your personal dinosaur and digging for fossils.

Entry to the Horniman Museum is free, however tickets to Brick Dinos prices £9 for adults, £4.50 for kids (free for under-threes).

For one more cause to go to the museum, the Elmer and Pals exhibition can also be nonetheless working till April – scroll down for extra particulars

Design workshops on the V&A

The V&A is working a number of workshops for households throughout February half-term, impressed by its Hallyu! The Korean Wave exhibition.

On February 13 and 14, there’s an opportunity to experiment with Korean calligraphy, together with making an attempt your hand at mastering the Korean alphabet (Hangeul) utilizing conventional brushes and inks, and creating your personal bookmark.

There are two periods every day: the ten.30am workshop is really useful for ages 7-10, whereas the 2pm occasion is geared toward ages 10-13. Tickets value £15 and should be prebooked.

Or from February 15-17, there’s a free drop-in workshop, Digital Talnori, created by Seoul-based digital and design studio, Commoners, the place you’ll be able to design a standard Korean masks often known as Tal-nori.

In addition to studying about conventional and fashionable Korean tradition, you should use augmented actuality to work together along with your masks. Geared toward ages 5+.

Sign at the corner of the Victoria and Albert Museum - the V&A has several Korean-inspired family activities this February half-term in London for kids

STEM Week on the Royal Air Drive Museum

Problem your science abilities and check your tech abilities, together with a spot of engineering and maths enjoyable on the RAF Museum London from February 11-19.

There will likely be a variety of family-friendly actions and workshops working as a part of STEM Week throughout February half-term, together with enjoyable occasions like a robotic coding workshop, an plane design problem and a radar maths problem.

All of the workshops happen in Hanger 6 and are free however locations are restricted, so ebook on-line prematurely. There’s additionally the chance to have entry to the cockpit of the Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer which flew in service in the course of the Gulf Battle (tickets value £5 every).

Extra February days out with youngsters in London: ongoing

There are many different concepts if you happen to’re seeking to entertain youngsters throughout February half-term in London on the regular household points of interest – try my decide of one of the best 59 issues to do in London with youngsters plus a number of the different highlights under.

Twist Museum of Illusions

New in London final November, the illusions at Twist Museum are excellent for a wet day throughout February half-term in London with youngsters – or a sunny one for that matter.

With over 60 displays exhibiting completely different illusions and shows to trick all of your completely different senses, the interactive expertise is enjoyable for all ages. Take a look at our evaluation of a go to to Twist Museum London with youngsters.

My daughter inside a room with apparently warped floors and walls at the London Museum of Illusions - visiting Twist Museum with kids

Dopamine Land

Don’t miss one of many final adjustments to enterprise into Dopamine Land, prolonged to February 26 earlier than it closes in London.

The multisensory expertise combines media, expertise and play, with a sequence of vibrant installations to assist all ages get in contact with their internal baby – and all designed to lift a smile on a gray February day.

Frameless

The UK’s largest, everlasting digital artwork exhibition in Marble Arch, Frameless lets youngsters – and massive youngsters – expertise artworks like by no means earlier than.

Set inside a 30,000 sq. foot area, with 4 separate galleries, guests can uncover key moments in artwork historical past, with state-of-the-art projection and movement sensor expertise to convey to life work from artists together with Cezanne, Kandinsky, Monet, Canaletto, Rembrandt and Klimt.

With the prospect to the touch, transfer and work together with the work, it couldn’t be farther from a standard gallery and the right means to assist households uncover the world of artwork.

The Inexperienced Planet

Spring won’t but have sprung in London however you’ll be able to immerse your self in The Inexperienced Planet at Piccadilly Circus this February half time period.

Utilizing augmented actuality to assist households uncover extra about our world’s flowers, you’ll be able to uncover what life on earth appears to be like like from their perspective – together with how they battle for survival and work together with animals.

There are 5 digitally enhanced worlds to discover, from Rainforest and Desert to Freshwater and Saltwater, together with Seasonal, all narrated by David Attenborough. Lasting round 40-60 minutes, it’s free to go to, and runs from February 11 till March 9.

For concepts of extra issues to do close by in Leicester Sq., try my prime picks

Puss in Boots and woman in historic dress in a bar under a sign reading Viva el Gato - the special event at Shrek's Adventure is running during February half-term in London with kids

Puss in Boots at Shrek’s Journey

En garde! Puss in Boots is again as soon as extra at Shrek’s Journey for February half-term, with the prospect to fulfill the swashbuckling hero (and his good friend, Kitty Softpaws) and showcase your personal sword-fighting poses, get pleasure from some further actions and pose for photographs as a part of the go to.

There’s additionally the standard enjoyable for Shrek followers, to discover the world of Far Far Away, encountering Princess Fiona and Donkey and an journey on the 4D flying bus.

Included in normal entry and takes place after the primary Shrek meet and greet of the expertise. Prebooking really useful.

Science Fiction: Voyage to the Fringe of Creativeness on the Science Museum

When you didn’t have probability to see it final yr, Science Fiction: Voyage to the Fringe of Creativeness, continues to be working till Might 4, geared toward youngsters aged 8+.

The immersive occasion takes you by yourself science fiction journey as you board a spaceship, scout an unknown planet and examine how each scientists and the creators of science fiction have imagined and constructed new worlds, together with objects from movie, TV, and books, paintings and pictures.

There’s a separate cost for this occasion (from £18 for adults, £16.20 for teenagers) with 10% off if you happen to ebook prematurely: entry to the primary museum continues to be free, prebooking suggested throughout half-term.

ELMER and Pals on the Horniman Museum

In addition to the brand new Brick Dinos exhibition, you’ll be able to nonetheless go to ELMER and Pals on the Horniman Museum, wandering by means of the world of the colorful patchwork elephant.

Opened in October, ELMER and Pals: The Vibrant World of David McKee – celebrates 30+ years of one of the crucial extensively learn kids’s ebook sequence of all time, with themed video games, dressing up stations and McKee’s hanging illustrations.

View of the Cutty Sark clipper ship in Greenwich - some of the fun events taking place at February half-term in London for kids

Meet the characters on the Cutty Sark in Greenwich

Greenwich’s iconic Cutty Sark is internet hosting a variety of family-friendly occasions to assist maintain youngsters entertained this February half-term. 

Households can meet vibrant character actors from Cutty Sark’s previous all through the week, in addition to at weekends, whereas older youngsters (12+) can nonetheless climb the ship’s well-known masts within the thrilling Cutty Sark Rig Climb Expertise.

There’s a reduction on tickets for the Cutty Sark if you happen to ebook by means of my hyperlink utilizing code MUMMYTRAVELS6

Household actions at HMS Belfast

HMS Belfast has some nice nautical enjoyable once more over February half-term with their regular string of household actions.

From February 11-19, youngsters can earn their Sea Legs in an interactive exercise that entails them finishing enjoyable duties across the ship, plus there’s the devoted ‘We have been there’ household day on February 17 with particular friends sharing their private experiences at sea.

View of HMS Belfast warship museum on the Thames with Tower Bridge just seen in the background - a visit is one of the best things to do at February half-term in London with kids

Magical Mischief on the Harry Potter studio tour

There’s Magical Mischief again as soon as once more on the Warner Bros studio tour in Leavesden, on the outskirts of London, returning to the Harry Potter world for a second yr.

Operating till April 18, it focuses on magical pranks and wizarding mishaps but in addition the filmmaking trickery concerned in turning them into actuality – every little thing from simply how the Invisibility Cloak labored to Harry’s flood of flying acceptance letters, plus an opportunity to make your personal origami Howler. Tickets should be prebooked.

Comply with a Treasure Map Path

These beautiful vibrant treasure hunt-style maps embody three routes in central London – and there’s 10% off is you employ the code MUMMYTRAVELS.

A enjoyable technique to discover London with youngsters, the hunts problem you to identify all types of quirky sights, from indicators and statues to carvings, all enlivened with a enjoyable fantasy design to remodel the actual life streets.

Disclosure: This put up accommodates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee

Stik Avenue artwork/Tower of London/London Transport Museum/London Wetland Centre/V&A/Twist Museum/Cutty Sark copyright MummyTravels, Puss in Boots courtesy Shrek Journey, all others courtesy of Depositphotos

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