All Week
WHERE TO EAT: No doubt they'll need refuelling at some point. These child-friendly restaurants across the London offer a wealth of options, from pizza to Cuban cuisine.
TECHNOPOP: Technopop is an exciting pop-up Science, Technology and Innovation Festival aimed at six- to 19-year-olds, taking place in Stratford. Consists of workshops, demos and more on topics such as nutrition, the environment and rocket science. Prebook, 8 October-2 November
KIDS THEATRE: In That Catherine Bennett Show at Southbank Centre, an artist and her nine-year-old niece want to invent a new kind of pop star. A show about family activism, children’s rights and believing in your own power to change the world… even if you’re nine. £10/£5, prebook, 25-28 October
FLYING STORIES: The RAF Museum in Colindale hosts special storytelling sessions about Alan Cobham's amazing life and adventures in flight, aimed at four- to 11-year-olds and their families. Free, just turn up, 11.15am and 3.25pm, 25-28 October. Alternatively, have a go at building your own First World War Albatros or Sopwith Pup using an Airfix kit (yeah, remember them?). £3, just turn up, 25-31 October
BEAR HUNT: Artsdepot in North Finchley has a week of performances of Michael Rosen's book, We're Going On A Bear Hunt. Aimed at children aged two to six, who are encouraged to bring along a cuddly toy to join in the fun. £10/£9, prebook, 25 October-2 November
BOO AT THE ZOO: London Zoo in Regent's Park runs Halloween activities. Meet rats, bats, spiders and owls and get your activity passport stamped as you go. Included in usual admission price, just turn up, 25 October-2 November
TRANSPORT MUSEUM: The Covent Garden hub of London Transport Museum has a week of family activities along the theme of Buses In Disguise. Storytime is an adventure through Victorian London, and there's a chance to make your own bus and take it home. Included in admission price, just turn up, 27-31 October
MARVELLOUS MAMMALS: Come face-to-face with all manner of furry animals at the Grant Museum of Zoology's Marvellous Mammals week. Handle specimens such as elephant tusks and tiger skulls. 27 October- 1 November
THE SHARD: Up to two kids aged four to 15 can go up The Shard for free, with a full price adult. As well as the views, there's now a chance to see what London will look like in 2030 through a futuristic graphic on the interactive telescopes. Prebook, 27 October-2 November
EXTREMES: It's your last chance to see Horniman Museum's family-friendly Extremes exhibition. See how animals and plants survive in extreme heat, cold, dryness and constant darkness or with little oxygen. £3.30/£6.60, prebook, until 2 November
JACQUELINE WILSON: Is your child a fan of Wilson's books? It's their last chance to visit the Daydreams and Diaries exhibition at the V&A Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green. Learn all about the author's childhood and what inspires her to write. Until 2 November
LEGO ART: If you're looking for something that all the family can enjoy, look no further than Art of the Brick at Truman Brewery, which exhibits sculptures made from Lego. Once you've got past the cliché-riddled introductory video, the exhibition itself is impressive (read our review here). Kids can enjoy the Lego dinosaur, whilst adults can reflect on the sculptures designed to portray the human condition. Such depth from our favourite childhood toy. Prebook, until 4 January
Saturday 25 October
PUMPKIN TRAIL: Halloween starts early at Battersea Park Zoo. As well as seeing the animals, buy a quiz sheet on the way in and use the clues to track down the pumpkins. £1 (in addition to usual entry fees), just turn up, 10am
TUDOR DAY: The Golden Hinde II, a full-sized reconstruction of Sir Francis Drake's ship, hosts a Tudor-themed family day, aimed at children who are studying the Tudor period at school. Two eccentric 16th century characters lead gruesome stories, crazy games and fun activities. Ages six and over. £7/£5, prebook, 11am-1pm
Sunday 26 October
HALLOWEEN COUTURE: The Design Museum next to Tower Bridge gives children a chance to create their own Halloween accessories, from witches wands to bat necklaces. Free with museum entry, just turn up, 1pm-4pm
Monday 27 October
FOLK DANCE: Cecil Sharp House in Camden hosts a two-day course (continues tomorrow), introducing youngsters to folk songs and dancing. For six to nine-year-olds. £15/£12, prebook, 10am
ARCHITECTURE WORKSHOPS: Learn new skills at the RIBA with a range of workshops for ages 7-18 led by professional educators. From building magical miniature cities to creating a gothic comic, there’s something for every child. £30 per workshop, prebook, until 31 October
Tuesday 28 October
MICHAEL MORPURGO: The three-day Storystock Festival begins at Bush Theatre in Shepherd's Bush today. The programme today consists of individual events such as a musical storytelling, drama workshops and more, all celebrating Michael Morpurgo's work. Various prices, prebook, 9.30am-6.15pm
WAR HORSE: Go behind the scenes of West End show War Horse at this workshop. Associate Puppetry Director Jimmy Grimes demonstrates how the horses work and talks about how the show was developed. Takes place at the Imperial War Museum. £10, prebook, 3pm
FAMILY FILM:The Grant Museum of Zoology hosts a free screening of the appropriate Night At The Museum. The whole family are invited (children must be accompanied by an adult) to find out what may or may not happen when the doors to the museum close for the night. Free, prebook, 6pm
Wednesday 29 October
COMIC BOOKS: As part of Dulwich Literary Festival, Dulwich Books is inviting children to have a go at making their own comics, under the guidance of Neill Cameron, whose work has regularly appeared in the weekly children’s comic The Phoenix since 2011. £15, prebook, 10am/12pm/2.30pm
MEDICINE KIT: Got a budding doctor in the family? Get them along to the Foundling Museum near Russell Square where they can make their own 18th century medicine kit inspired by Dr Mead. Create labels and fill boxes and bottles with potions and herbs to cure everything from the pox to the plague. Free, just turn up, 10.30am/2pm
Thursday 30 October
PUMPKIN CARVING: Kids keen on having a go, but you can't face the mess at home? Book them onto Bluebird Chelsea's Pumpkin Carving afternoon. All tools are provided and the class is aimed at children aged four and over. £20, prebook, 4pm
DEADLY DISEASES: Centre of the Cell in Whitechapel hosts a family workshop covering all manner of scientific revelations, such as how vampire bats are able to suck your blood, how many teeth a werewolf has, how to spot disease-causing bacteria and viruses, and how Dr Frankenstein could build a monster out of cells. £7/£5, prebook, 11am/1pm
RAGGED GHOUL: The Ragged School Museum in Mile End becomes the Ragged GHOUL Museum, with Halloween-themed arts and crafts, face-painting and dressing-up for primary school aged children. Free, just turn up, 10am-5pm
Friday 31 October
WAR WORDS: The sombre topic of war poetry is made accessible to children aged seven and up at the V&A Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green. Poets Roger Stevens and Brian Moses will be on hand. Free, just turn up, 12pm-4pm
HALLOWEEN: Today is Halloween and if you haven’t planned anything yet, take a look at our suggestions and find out what to do in London during the scariest day of the year. Many of the events are free as well.
FAMILY FUN: Celebrate Halloween at the RIBA with a fun day out for the whole family. Design and build your own haunted house and get spooked out by the storytelling performances throughout the day. £2 per child/£8 per family, just turn up, 11am-4pm
Saturday 1 November
TUDOR DAY: The Golden Hinde II hosts a Pirate Fun Day, where children can raise the anchor and fire the cannons before trying to find the hidden treasure somewhere aboard the ship. Age six and up.£7/£5, prebook, 11am-1pm
WOOLLY MAMMOTH: The Natural History Museum in South Kensington lets the public learn all about the ice age and mammoths by handling real mammoth specimens. Free, just turn up, 11am/2pm
Sunday 2 November
CIRCUS: It's the last day of Billy Smart's Circus' residency on Ealing Common. See trapeze acts, weapon throwers, a foot juggler and more, and send your children back to school with something to talk about. From £7/£9, prebook, 12pm/3pm
BIG DRAW: The Big Draw is the world's largest drawing festival, taking place throughout October and finishing today. Lots of locations across London have arty-themed events, but artsdepot in North Finchley combines the celebrations with the venue's own 10th birthday party. The whole family can take part drawing related activities for all ages based around the theme of It's Our World, and piñata bashing. £3, prebook, 11am-4.30pm
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