October half term 2026 runs Saturday 24 October-Sunday 1 November 2026 for most London schools. We've selected some family-friendly autumnal events and things to do in London — however old your kids are, and whatever your budget. Of course, Halloween 2026 falls within this period, so expect to see plenty of spooky goings-on.
Half term events in London: October 2026
WINNIE THE POOH: AA Milne's Winnie the Pooh was inspired by a bear at London Zoo. This autumn, the zoo marks both 100 years of the ursine character and 200 years of ZSL with a Winnie the Pooh storybook trail, which is included in zoo admission. Retrace Pooh and Eeyore's journey as depicted in new-release book A Boy And His Bear, visiting the zoo's animals and learning about the real Winnie as you go. 2 October-1 November 2026
HALLOWEEN AT KEW: For the third time, Kew Gardens marks spooky season with family-friendly trail Halloween at Kew. Visit the botanical gardens after dark for a wander through the trees past legendary creatures and haunting scenes. Choose between Daylight, Twilight or Moonlight sessions — things get slightly scarier as it gets darker, but all timeslots are suitable for all ages. 16 October-1 November 2026
MCM COMIC CON: Dust off your cape — MCM Comic Con is back at Excel London for a weekend og guest meet-and-greets, costume competitions and hands-on activities. The MCM Comic Con website offers a page of tips for attending the event with children, pointing you towards family-friendly ;hings to see and do.23-25 October 2026
SPOOKY SCIENCE: Take the whole family along to the Royal Institution for a day of spooky science. Tricks and treats are available across the building in the form of interactive shows and demonstrations and hands-on experiments designed for under-12s and their families. 24 October 2026
ALONG THE PICCADILLY LINE: The London Transport Museum's October half term activities celebrate the 120th anniversary of the Piccadilly line, so look out for family-friendly activities around the museum on that theme. 24 October-1 November 2026
JET & SPACE WEEK: Prepare for lift-off at the RAF Museum in Hendon, which hosts a Jet & Space Week for age three+. Watch a 45-minute space show inside a mobile planetarium, dodge inflatable obstacles to play laser tag, or search out special characters throughout the museum. 24 October-1 November 2026
Family-friendly exhibitions in London for October half term
WALLACE & GROMIT: We suspect parents will enjoy this one as much as kids: The Young V&A in Bethnal Green celebrates 50 years of stop-motion studio Aardman with an exhibition dedicated to Wallace & Gromit, plus other Aardman characters. Cracking! Until 15 November 2026
VOYAGE TO THE DEEP: The Horniman Museum's current exhibition, Voyage to the Deep, is inspired by Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas, and invites you to command the Nautilus submarine, meet deep-sea creatures, and test your submariner skills. Until November 2026
THE JOLLY POSTMAN: Take the kids inside the world of Janet and Allan Ahlberg's children's book The Jolly Postman, at the Postal Museum. The interactive exhibition has visitors following his delivery rounds, through the woods to the Three Bears' cottage, to Cinderella at the palace, and the Wicked Witch's gingerbread bungalow. Original artwork from the book is on display too. Until January 2027
JURASSIC OCEANS: Get to know the marine reptiles that once ruled the seas — pliosaurs, ichthyosaurs and the mosasaur — through fossils, hands-on objects and interactive displays at the Natural History Museum's current exhibition, Jurassic Oceans: Monsters of the Deep. Touch a mosasaur tooth, feel a replica shark's skin and explore bite-sized science. Until January 2027
Family-friendly London theatre shows: October 2026
Have a look at our guide to family-friendly theatre shows in London right now for long-running shows, including beloved musicals for all the family.
SPOOKY KIDS' CABARET: Jaw-dropping juggling, bewitching circus skills, and plenty of Halloween mischief are promised at Super Spooky Cabaret For Kids at Jacksons Lane in Archway. Aimed at age four+, the show errs on the side of spooky rather than scary, and the audience are encouraged to wear their best Halloween costumes for the occasion. 27 October-1 November 2026
SMEDS AND SMOOS: Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's children's book about a pair of star-crossed aliens comes to life on stage at Southbank Centre. The Smeds and the Smoos is set on a far-off planet where the two groups can't be friends, in a show for ages three+. 28 October-1 November 2026
BUBBLE MAN: Louis Pearl, also known as The Amazing Bubble Man, brings his touring show to Artsdepot in Finchley. Watch in amazement as he produces square bubbles, bubbles inside bubbles, fog-filled bubbles, giant bubbles, bubble volcanoes, tornadoes and trampolines, and even people inside bubbles. Probably worth reiterating a "don't try this at home" message to your kids, or you'll be whizzing through bottles of Fairy Liquid like nobody's business. 29 October 2026
Free things to do in London in October 2026 half term
FORENSIC SCIENCE: Bloomsbury Festival runs throughout October, with a huge programme of events, predominantly for adults with a few family treats thrown in. Kickstart half term at St George the Martyr in Holborn honing your CSI skills and learning about forensic science, including the story of Elizae Fenning who experienced a miscarriage of justice in the 19th century. FREE, 24 October 2026
BOOK BUZZ: Kids big into books? Swing by Artsdepot on the first Sunday of October half term for Book Buzz, a book swap event where they can take along their old tomes and come away with some new reads. There's also a book stall where you can but new books, and dressing as your favourite book character is encouraged. FREE, 25 October 2026
BIG STORY FESTIVAL: Lambeth's Imperial War Museum holds its first ever Big Story Festival, with hopes of it becoming an annual event. Explore the Childhood in War literary trail — inspired by the current exhibition of the same name — for a programme of author talks, creative workshops and interactive family activities. Note that although entry is free, there is a charge for some of the events and activities. FREE ENTRY, 25-26 October 2026
PLAYGROUNDS: If the weather's playing nice, few things bring a smile to children's faces like a playground — and they're usually free, so it's a win for parents and carers too. Check out our map of playgrounds in central London — there are more than you might think, and many are located handily near tourist attractions so you can burn off excess energy on a day out.
MUSEUMS: Plenty of London's museums are free entry all year round, and while you may have to pay for temporary exhibitions, there's generally plenty to entertain all ages in the permanent collections. Try the Science Museum for aeroplanes, Natural History Museum for animals, and London Museum Docklands for the Mudlarks interactive gallery. Do book ahead in the school holidays though, otherwise you might find yourselves in a very long queue!
FREE MAZE: Ever been to the Brent Lodge Park Millennium Maze? The labyrinth is constructed of 2,000 yew trees, has been around for more than two decades, and is free to visit. It's a 10-minute walk from Hanwell station on the Elizabeth line, and there's a free playground, plus Hanwell Zoo (small entry fee) next door.
Family-friendly activities in London in October half term
ICE SKATING: Christmas may still be a little way off, but London has year-round ice skating rinks, including one slap bang in the middle of the Central line.
SWIMMING: We'll be honest: London in October could go either way, especially given the summer we've had. If the sun's shining, book a slot at one of the capital's magnificent outdoor swimming pools and lidos. If that's too optimistic, there are plenty of excellent indoor pools where you can splash around.
FARMS: City farms, zoos, wildlife reserves, aquariums... London is a great place to see animals, and we've mapped them all, to help you plan your next day out. Come face-to-face with lions, tigers and gorillas; stroke and feed goats, sheep and rabbits; or go looking for native wildlife at a nature reserve.
BEYOND ZONE ONE: Exhausted everything central London has to offer? Fancy exploring a new corner of the capital? Our guide to London's best attractions in the outer boroughs has loads of ideas (plus a handy map). Head north for sprawling gardens, aeroplanes and wetlands; south for caves, palaces and castles; east for Dr Who, David Bowie and neon art; or west for little-known museums (including one with its own railway), a secret underground bunker and a magnificent royal palace.
DAY TRIPS: Fancy getting out of London for a day or two? Take a gander at our Beyond London section for inspiration. Particularly child-friendly is a visit to the real-life Hundred Acre Wood, as featured in AA Milne's Winnie the Pooh books. Wellington Country Park is also an excellent bet for energetic kids. Otherwise, wear them out by sending them searching for the dozens of frogs hidden down this back street, or the entire solar system within sight of the M25.
AUTISTIC KIDS: Looking for things to do over the school holidays with autistic children? Check out our guide, which includes museums, theatres, sensory rooms and more.
TEENAGERS: Older kids and teenagers can be trickier to entertain, so have a read of our things to do in London with teenagers, covering everything from museums and exhibitions to shopping trips, a little-known neon art gallery, street art and more adventurous days out.
