The 6 best free activities and things to do with kids in London in May half term 2026

Photograph: Tartezy / Shutterstock.com

Half-term is upon us and the odds are you have some plans to keep the little ones occupied already. But with nine days to amuse them (or 10 for those with a cheeky June 1 inset day) and cossie lives always rearing its despicable little head, you could surely do with some free options that (for the most part) don’t require booking. 

If you want our pick of the absolute top things to do at half-term, see our best of half-term list, which largely – albeit not exclusively – covers attractions that you need to pay to see. This, however, is the free stuff.

The best free things to do with kids in London in May half term 2026

1. Check out the all-new Horniman outdoor play area

The family-friendly Horniman Museum in Forest Hill has been going through some changes of late, with most of them thus far fairly inconvenient, eg the gallery with its iconic overstuffed walrus is closed until next year. But the upgrade works are finally yielding fruit, which comes this term in the form of its new nature-themed play area, cafe, interactive trail and community garden. 

Photograph: Feilden Fowles ArchitectsNew Horniman play area

 

 

2. Get lost in the British Museum’s medieval wood

Photograph: British MuseumMedieval woodland on the Bayeux Tapestry

This autumn sees the British Museum’s biggest exhibition of the decade, if not the century, if not since 1066, as the actual Bayeux Tapestry is put on display. As a lil’ warm up this half term, there’s an installation by garden designer Andy Sturgeon in the courtyard outside called Tapestry of Trees that’s designed to recreate the medieval wood depicted in the tapestry itself. Is it a thing to visit in and of itself? No! But it’s a nice little bonus if you’re visiting the BM, which is of course itself free.

British Museum, until Jun 2.

3. Celebrate Marmalade Day at Paddington Station

As you have presumably noticed, there’s a massive great Paddington musical currently tearing up the West End. It has a cast recording soundtrack album out this week and to celebrate there will be a special programme of free events at the Paddington Store in Paddington Station on Sunday May 24 – running 10am to 4pm, activities run the gamut from face painting to a ‘marmalade tasting experience’.

Paddington Store, Paddington Station, May 24.

Photo: HamleysJedi bears

4. Feel the Force at Hamleys

Photograph: Alex Segre / Shutterstock.comHamley’s London shop on Regent Street

Beloved historic toy shop Hamleys will be pepping up its offering this half term with a new pop-up Disney zone that will, inevitably, focus on all things Star Wars and Marvel. While the object is clearly to sell you some toys, there’s a whole round of free events that should bring some joy into the average small window shopper’s life, ranging from a Jedi training academy to bounty hunting sessions.

Hamleys Regent St.

5. Have a monster May at the Natural History Museum

Photograph: Mariano Gaspar / Shutterstock.comThe Natural History Museum, London

The NHM is always a good shout, and if you’re looking to spend a little it has a fine-looking new temporary exhibition in the form of its newie Monsters of the Deep. If you’re on a budget there’s still plenty for you to enjoy in the form of its Monster May Festival, where the usual exhibits are pepped up by such fun drop in activities as Jurassic Jaws (workshops to identify prehistoric marine creatures from their teeth) and Ocean Tales, a sensory storytelling session for ages four-plus.

Natural History Museum, May 23-31.

6. Experience a new London park

Photograph: RAW-films / Shutterstock.comHyde Park, London

It’s going to be hot this London half-term. Like properly actually sunny, late twenties, early thirties, summer-is-here type hot. At the risk of pointing out the obviously, London has loads of awesome free outdoor spaces they you’ve probably never been to, that will probably blow your kids’ minds, from the awesome deer-filled grandeur of Richmond Park to the urban oasis that is Camley Street Natural Park near King’s Cross. Find a full guide to the city’s best parks here.

The 50 best things to do with kids in London.

Plus: check out our roundup of the best London museums for kids.

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