Half-term is almost upon us and as ever the delight of spending more time with our little ones is tempered by the fact that this is going to cost us money. We’ve got plenty of advice for you on the best things to do at October half-term and the best kids Halloween activities in London, but what if you wanted to amuse the little ones without spending any actual currency?
As ever there are some really fun new things to do in London that go beyond ‘going to the park again’. From a Pokémon trail to Bayeux Tapestry-themed fun, here’s our round-up of the five best.
The best free things to do in London this October half-term
1. Explore the Natural History Museum’s newest gallery
The Natural History Museum is always an incredibly safe bet during the school holidays as aside from all the pre-existing cool stuff there are also special ‘Ocean October’ bonus half-term activities (Oct 26-Nov 1). This half-term it’s even cooler than usual thanks to the fact this is the first holiday since its brand new, totally free Nature and Us gallery. It’s not huge, but it’s very atmospheric and certainly worth a look as part of your visit.
Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD. Oct 26-Nov 1.
2. Fly off into space with Pikachu at the Science Museum
Again, the Science Museum is a stone cold holiday classic thanks to being massive and free and having some bonus half-term activities including a self-guided Halloween trail. The real gem though is a space-themed collaboration with Pokemon: get down between now and January for a free Pokemon trail throughout the museum, and a Pokemon shop where you can get limited edition Pokemon x European Space Agency merch. You have to book in advance for the shop (it’s free though) while popular and there is currently availability in half-term week (not weekends).
Science Museum, Exhibition Rd, SW7 2DD. Until Jan 3.
3. Score some sweets on a free Halloween trail
How many Halloween trails are there through London’s neighbourhoods? In all honesty, we don’t really know as many of them don’t heavily advertise in advance. As an inhabitant of London’s deep south east, I can tell you that the glorious Penge Halloween Trail will happen on the early evening of Halloween itself and will be another colossal blowout where around 20 local businesses will dole out sweets to all comers. Kensington High Street’s trail is less concentrated – it lasts all week, Oct 23-31 – and isn’t such a mad orgy of sweets, but if you complete the trail there’s a treat bag waiting for you in Bone Daddies.
Various locations. Until Oct 31.
4. Bayeux Tapestry kids’ festival at the British Museum
To be clear: unless you have a ticket already you’re not getting in to see the Bayeux Tapestry itself either free or for money this half-term. Still, the British Museum has helpfully offered some Tapestry adjacent fun for free. On October 20 (so Bromley halt-term only tbf) there’s two sessions of Bayeux Boppers, a kids plus grown-ups dance class inspired by the Tapestry (book online in advance). But the main event is Stories Stitched in Time (Oct 28-30), a three day festival that takes in film-making workshops, a guide to embroidering and a fun looking session about all the weird little beasts in it – and more!
44 Great Russell St, WC1B 3DG. Oct 20-30.
5. The Big Story Festival at the Imperial War Museum
The IWM (as it prefers to be called these days) kicks off its half-term with its two-day The Big Story storytelling festival (Oct 25 and 26) based loosely (but not exclusively) around war. Several of the fancier events do require paid admission but there are lots of free workshops based around storytelling and illustration that don’t require booking.
Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Rd, SE1 6HZ. Oct 25-26.
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