London In The Easter Holidays

Laura Reynolds
By Laura Reynolds Last edited 119 months ago
London In The Easter Holidays

The Fantastical Story Factory at Southbank Centre. Details below.

Ongoing Events

Why not take a look at our Museums and Galleries page for some inspiration? Or if it's food your after, take a look at our list of child-friendly restaurants.

VICTORIAN EASTER: Experience Easter Victorian style at The Gilbert Scott on Euston Road.  The Victorian Afternoon Tea has sandwiches and sweet snacks such as simnel cake and, of course, hot cross buns. There are colouring activities for children. 3-21 April

CHARLIE & LOLA: Arts Depot in North Finchley has kids favourites Charlie & Lola in its Extremely New Play, a stage show about friendship and adventures. Various prices, prebook, 4-9 April

MINOTAUR: Polka Theatre's Minotaur is an adaptation of the well-known Greek myth, recommended for 8-14 year olds. There is also a writing competition — see website for information. £13.50/£9, prebook, 4 April-24 May

SCIENCE CAMP: Aspiring scientists will love these Science Holiday Camps, which take place at various locations across London and cover topics such as the science of magic. Various prices and dates, prebook

WILLY WONKA: Kew Botanical Gardens hosts Charlie's Chocolate Adventure, a Roald Dahl themed fortnight. Join in with the Whipple-scrumptious Plant Hunt, step on board the Great Glass Lift, or create your own chocolate bar. Activity prices vary, prebook online, 5-21 April

SURVIVAL COURSE: The Bear Grylls Survival Academy launches a series of Kids Survival Day Courses. They can learn how to make a fire, construct a shelter, and navigate through wilderness. It certainly makes a change from computer games. £99, prebook, 7-11 April

MAKE A BOOK: The V&A Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green offers children a chance to make their own picture book at a workshop led by David Lucas. £5, prebook, 7-11 and 14-18 April

FREE CRAFTS: Every weekday, Horniman Museum hosts art activities to make various Easter-themed items, such as springtime masks and chicks in nests. Free, just turn up for banded entry, 7-18 April

EGGSCURSION: Sooner or later, egg-related puns were going to ruin their heads. The Museum of Brands in Notting Hill has hidden eggs amongst its exhibits, and children are tasked with finding them. Included in admission price, just turn up, 5-21 April

EGGS: The Grant Museum of Zoology looks at all things eggy at Easter egg-laying animals. The specially-themed activities look at penguins, platypuses, snails, and more. Free, just turn up, 1-4pm, 8-16 April

TUBE TOURS: London Transport Museum Acton Depot holds family tours, giving you a chance to see behind the scenes. Board a 75-year-old tube train, and see a train once driven by the Queen. £3, prebook, 14-21 April. At the Transport Museum in Covent Garden, family activities include storytime and a construct-a-bus challenge. Free, just turn up, 12-21 April

1877 IN FOCUS: The Ragged School Museum in Mile End focuses on the year 1877, with activities centred around the sporting and technological advances of the year. Free, just turn up, 9-10 and 16-17 April

CALLING ALL HEROES: Firepower, The Royal Artillery Museum, is Calling All Heroes to have their faces painted in camo, have a go at firing a gun, take a tour of the museum and make a medal at the craft table. £4.50+regular admission price, just turn up, 8-12 and 15-19 April

CIRCUS WORKSHOPS: Airborne Circus holds Circus Skills Workshops for kids and teenagers in Finchley, with parents invited to watch a showcase on the final day. £150/£140, prebook, 14-17 April

VICTORIAN PUPPETS: Shakespeare: The Puppet Show at the V&A is a 30-minute show aimed at children, exhibiting many of the puppets held in the museum's collection. £5, prebook, 14-19 April

Saturday 5 April

STEAM FAIR: This weekend, Carter's Steam Fair brings its vintage travelling fair to Battersea Park with fairground rides and attractions. Free (charge for rides), just turn up, until tomorrow

Sunday 6 April

SINGING WORKSHOP: Head to Southbank Centre for this family singing workshop, aimed at under-5s and their families. £5, prebook, 10.45am/11.45am

RIO KARAOKE: Westfield Stratford hosts a kids karaoke party with a chance to meet characters from upcoming animated film Rio 2. Free, just turn up, 12pm.

Monday 7 April

MEET THE OTTERS: Head to London Wetland Centre in Barnes to Meet the Otters. The Asian short-clawed otters are among the most lively species of otter, so there's always something going on. Plus, if you turn up the right time, you can see the otters being fed. Free with admission price, just turn up, feeds at 11am and 2pm

Tuesday 8 April

Pond-dipping at Horniman Museum

ENJOY NATURE: Go pond-dipping at Horniman Museum's Nature Trail pond. All equipment is provided and an expert will be on hand to help you identify your findings. £2 pre child (accompanying adults free),  just turn up, various times (also on 15 April)

PARROT DAY: Battersea Park Zoo holds a Parrot Day to coincide with the release of film Rio 2. Activities include puppet-making, and making enrichment toys for the animals. Included in admission price, just turn up, 11am

TRANSFORMERS: The National Gallery hosts a free children's craft workshop, encouraging them to make a transforming object form paper, using old-fashioned animation techniques. Free, just turn up, 11am/2pm

Wednesday 9 April

CITY FARM: For one day only, the area outside Canary Wharf station will be turned into a farm, bringing a taste of the countryside to the centre of the financial district. The event celebrates a new mobile game, Farm Heroes Sage, which is from the makers of the addictive Candy Crush Saga. Free, just turn up, 11.30am-3pm

BEAUTIFUL BUNNIES: The Horniman Museum hosts a rabbit themed afternoon. Find out about the different rabbits from the animal keepers, make a hay feeder for them (rabbits not keepers), or take part in the rabbit quiz trail. Free, ticketed (available on the day), 12.30pm (also on 16 April)

CELEBRITY PUPPETS: Head to the Foundling Museum to make a character hand puppet inspired by famous people of the Foundling Hospital: Handel, Coram, Hogarth or Hetty Feather. Free, just turn up, 10.30am/2pm

Thursday 10 April

MINIBEAST SAFARI: Go on a minibeast safari at The Horniman Museum, and discover the insect life of London. £2 pre child (accompanying adults free),  just turn up, various times (also on 17 April)

Friday 11 April

Science Museum Live: The Energy Show

Today is the last chance to catch Science Museum Live: The Energy Show until it returns in July. It's an exciting theatre show, with explosions and loud noises, perfect for getting kids interested in science. Prebook, 11.30am/1.30pm

STORYTIME: David Walliams reads from his new children's book, The Slightly Annoying Elephant, at Foyles in White City. Followed by games and activities. Free, prebook, 3pm

Saturday 12 April

VINTAGE BUS RIDES: For one day only, London Bus Museum runs a special RT buses between Piccadilly Circus and Homerton to celebrate 75 years since RT1 entered service on route 22. Various times and prices, details here

FILM CLUB: Moshi Monsters The Movie screens at Everyman Cinemas in Belsize Park, Maida Vale and Islington (Screen on the Green) today. £5 prebook, 10am

Sunday 13 April

ANIMATION FILM: Birds Eye View Film Festival gets children involved today at an animation workshop and screening at BFI. Various prices, prebook, 1pm

STORY MAKING: The Fantastical Story Factory is a performance where the audience choose the content. Have your say in where the story is set, who the characters are, and more. £15/£10, prebook, 2.30pm

Monday 14 April

HAMLEY'S FARM: Vauxhall City Farm takes up residency is Hamley's, with animals to pet and feed. Free, just turn up, until tomorrow

Tuesday 15 April

ROCKET BUNNIES: Younger children can learn all about space at Science Museum's Rocket Bunnies workshop, which gives them a chance to make their own rocket bunny. Free, just turn, 11am/1pm

Wednesday 16 April

TREASURE HUNT: If they can't wait until the weekend for an egg hunt, take them along to Foyles bookshop in White City to help find the bunnies hidden around the shop in an Easter-themed treasure hunt, followed by story time. Free, prebook, 3pm

Thursday 17 April

DISNEY ON ICE: Disney On Ice's Worlds Of Fantasy show comes to Wembley, with characters from some of Disney and Disney Pixar's best-known films. Prices vary, prebook, until 20 April

Friday 18 April

CRAFTS AT HAMLEY'S: Head to Hamley's on Regent Street for an Easter bonnet decorating workshop. Free, just turn up, 1pm

EGG TRAIL: Fenton House in Hampstead hosts the Cadbury Easter Egg Trail. Follow the trail around the garden to find a surprise at the end. Included in admission price, just turn up, until 21 April

Saturday 19 April

MUSIC BADGES: Drop in to the Foundling Museum to make a Handel-inspired 3D badge. Free, just turn up, 10.30am/2pm

FAMILY WEEKEND: Sadlers Wells' Family Weekend focuses on Rapunzel, with games and activities happening after the show. Various prices, prebook, 2.30pm

Sunday 20 April

HARD ROCK EASTER: Have breakfast with the Easter bunny at Hard Rock Cafe, and take part in Easter games, crafts, and the obligatory egg hunt. £11.95/£7.95, prebook, 10am

KEW HUNT: On top of the Willy Wonka themed activities, Kew hosts an Easter Egg hunt. Collect tokens from around the garden and swap them for eggs. Free with entry to gardens, prebook, 9.30am

ADULTS ONLY: Most things on this list are for kids, but adults need to have fun too! The Book Club in Shoreditch is hosting an Easter Bunny Rave in a car park just around the corner from the bar. Onesie-up and get into the spirit with DJs, eggs hunts and space hopper races. £10, prebook, 2pm-9pm

Monday 21 April

SHAKESPEARE CELEBRATIONS: Predictably, the Globe is celebrating the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare's birth in a big way. It's hosting a free family fun day, with a bouncy castle, Punch and Judy shows, and performances on stage. Free, just turn up, 12pm-5pm

ST GEORGE: The Mayor of London’s Feast of St George takes place in Trafalgar Square, with a farmer's market, food stalls, live music and children's activities. Free, just turn up, 12pm-6pm

Last Updated 01 April 2014