Stuff To Do In Half Term: 15-23 February 2014

Laura Reynolds
By Laura Reynolds Last edited 121 months ago
Stuff To Do In Half Term: 15-23 February 2014

Amazing Animals at The Geffrye Museum. See below for details.

All Week

WILDLIFE EDUCATION: ZSL London Zoo's Nothing To Declare is a week of events about the illegal wildlife trade. Children receive a passport on which they can collect stamps once they have taken part in different activities. Included in entry fee, just turn up, 15-23 February

ZIPPO'S CIRCUS: From Wednesday 19 February, Zippo's Circus takes over Brent Cross car park for eight days of circus fun, including clowning dynasty The Rastellis, strongman Hercules and various acts of contortion, juggling, and aerial displays. £7-£25, prebook, various times

KNIT FOR BRITAIN: The RAF Museum's Knit For Britain From Above lets visitors knit parts of a pilot's scarf, all of which will be joined up to cover a replica life-size model of a De Havilland 9b biplane. Free, prebook, 17-21 February, various time slots. RAF Museum also has Make and Take activities throughout half term — make a WW1 Airfix model. From £2, prebook, 17-23 February, various time slots

THE TIN SOLDIER: Jacksons Lane puts on a performance of classic tale The Tin Soldier aimed at children age 3+. £10.95+bf, prebook, 12pm/2.30pm, 18-22 February

ICE SKATING: Just when you'd recovered from Christmas, the Canary Wharf Ice Rink season has been extended until 23 February. The rink has London's only 'skate path', which takes skaters through a forest of twinkling trees. £13.50/£9, prebook, various time slots

OUTER SPACE: The Museum of Childhood has a science-fiction thing going on this half term. Children can design a spaceship, and take part in games and art activities with an It Came From Outer Space theme. Free, just turn up, 17-21 February

IMAGINE FESTIVAL: The Imagine Children's Festival takes place at Southbank Festival on 10-23 February. Events include storytelling, author talks, writing workshops, craft days, and illustration classes. Click here for full list of events.

CHOCOLATE HISTORY: Half Term at Hampton Court Palace has a distinctly cocoa-based theme, thanks to the recent rediscovery and opening of George I's chocolate kitchen. Activities include making your own hot chocolate and decorating a chocolate cup. Included in admission price, check with Information Centre for availability, 15-23 February

AMAZING ANIMALS: The Geffrye Museum has several activities around the theme of the animal kingdom going on this half term. Make animal puppets, paint your pet, print a bag and more. Free, 18-21 February, see website from individual activities and times

Saturday 15 February

SECRET AGENTS: Discover Children’s Story Centre in Stratford launches its new season, Secret Agents, today. Children attend the Secret Agent Training Academy, learning to crack codes and read clues to stop an international treasure thief. We're told this isn't part of the Metropolitan Police's cost-saving plans. Age 6+,Prebook, various time slots, until 31 August

EXTREME EXHIBITION: Horniman Museum's new exhibition, Extremes, opens at lunchtime today. It uses films, games and exhibits to show how plants and animals survive in some of the most extreme conditions on the planet. £3.30/£6.60, prebook, until 2 November

BOOK SWAP: Prepare for a rainy week by taking your children along to Polka Theatre's Book Swap. Various venues, just turn up, 10am-4pm

Sunday 16 February

INDIAN DANCING: Children can learn Indian dancing at the Shared City Dance Workshop. Age 5+, £15+bf, prebook, 10.30am

PIRATES: Rowan Gibson, author of children's book Pirates Don't Play Cricket, will be reading extracts and signing copies at Waterstone's in Orpington. Free, just turn up, 10.30am

Monday 17 February

COMEDY CLUB 4 KIDS: A comedy show for all the family at East Wintergarden, Canary Wharf. Age 7+. £24/£7+bf, prebook, 6.30pm. The Comedy Academy 4 Kids, is also at East Wintergarden. The 90 minute sessions give children a chance to take part in sketch-based comedy, and (clean) versions of panel show games. Age 7-15, £10/£5, prebook, 12.30pm or 3pm

BREAK A LEG: Learn about 19th century amputation procedures at the Old Operating Theatre Museum. Included in admission price, prebook, 2pm (repeated on 21 February)

DRAWING WORKSHOP: The Campaign For Drawing hosts a Family Drawing Workshop at Two Temple Place. Draw your favourite object or invent a new one. Free, just turn up, 12pm

Tuesday 18 February

VICTORIAN A&E: Would you have survived Victorian London? This talk at the Old Operating Theatre Museum about St Thomas' Hospital in Victorian times will be of interest to adults and children alike. £6.50/£3.50, prebook, 11am and 2pm

STORY OF TEA: An interactive storytelling experience with Yellow Earth Theatre at The National Maritime Museum tells the story of how tea came to Britain. Free, just turn up, 11.30am, 1.30pm, 3.30pm

DICKENS PLAYTIME: Learn about the sorts of toys that were around when Charles Dickens was a child, and make some to take home. Age 5-12, at John Harvard Library, Southwark. Free, just turn up, 2.30pm

Wednesday 19 February

ECCENTRIC INVENTIONS: The Ragged School Museum encourages children to learn about some of the useless inventions of the 19th century (moustache protector, anyone?) and come up with their own inventions. Free, just turn up, 10am-5pm

STORYTIME: The Fantastical Story Factory is a theatrical storytelling event at the Royal Albert Hall, where the audience get to choose components of the story — such is where it is set and who the characters are. The story is then made up on the spot for them. £11.20/£14.77, prebook, 11am/1.30pm

Thursday 20 February

HERBAL LESSONS: Lotions and Potions at Chelsea Physic Garden offers an introduction into plant power. Children can learn how to make ointments and syrups, plus something to take away. Prebook, 10.30am

CHILDREN'S TOUR: The Hunterian Museum puts on a tour of its exhibits aimed at children age 7-14. Free, but turn up early as numbers are limited, 11am/2pm

VICTORIAN WALK: Following on from Tuesday's talk about healthcare in Victorian times, the Old Operating Theatre Museum has this time incorporated a walk into its history of St Thomas' Hospital. £13.95/£8.50, prebook, 2pm

CANDLELIT STORYTELLING: Children can hear the story of The Lion Who Discovered His Roar read by candlelight at Two Temple Place. £3, prebook, 4.30pm/5.30pm

Friday 21 February

GAMES DESIGN: Drop in at the V&A to meet resident games designer Sophia George, and play some classic computer games. Free, just turn up, 1pm

Saturday 22 February

SAVING TIME: Make your own time capsule to take home at the Museum of London's drop-in art session. Age 3-11. Free, just turn up, 11.30am/2pm

CODE BREAKERS: The British Museum hosts a digital workshop, using mobile technology to create a secret code. Ages 7+. Free, prebook, 11.30am

GHOST TOUR: Get spooked out at Hampton Court Palace with the Family Ghost Tour, which covers some of the more haunted parts of the Tudor palace. £14/£7, prebook, 6.30pm

SHIP SLEEPOVER: The replica Golden Hinde at Bankside is hosting a Tudor-themed family sleepover, where children can dress as sailors, and be trained in navigation, barber surgery and gunning. Tudor-style dinner included. Age 6+. £21.50, prebook, 5pm

Sunday 23 February

MUSEUM EXPLORED: Learn all about the exhibits at the Museum of London with this family-oriented tour, and take part in hands-on activities. Free, just turn up, 12pm

Look out for our guide to child-friendly restaurants for half term, coming on Friday.

Last Updated 12 February 2014