
February half term 2025 runs Saturday 15-Sunday 23 February 2025 for most London schools. We've selected some family-friendly events and things to do in London — however old your kids are and whatever your budget
Family-friendly exhibitions in February half term

THE ROBOT ZOO: A robotic rhino, a squid with 18-foot tentacles and a huge housefly with a vacuum cleaner for a mouth are among the oversized, mechanical animals on display at Horniman Museum's Robot Zoo. The animals are made from familiar machine parts and gadgets, to show how animals are adapted to live their lives, such as how a chameleon changes colour, what makes grasshoppers leap so high, and why a platypus looks so strange. 14 February-2 November
MAKING EGYPT: The Young V&A's second major exhibition is Making Egypt, telling the story of the north African country from Ancient Egypt to the modern day. Objects on display range from a 3,000-year-old wooden funerary boat to a Lego model of the Great Pyramids of Giza. Naturally given its location, it's child-friendly — and opens just in time for February half term. From 15 February
BARBIE: Museum curators have worked in partnership with Mattel Inc, and were given special access to the Barbie archives in California to put together Barbie: The Exhibition at Design Museum. 180 dolls feature, including a rare first edition Barbie from 1959, and the first Black, Hispanic and Asian dolls to bear the Barbie name, as well as the first Barbie with Down syndrome, and the first to use a wheelchair. Until 23 February
DRESSED TO DELIVER: The Postal Museum's Dressed To Deliver exhibition is a family-friendly look at the uniforms worn by postal workers from the Victorian era to the modern day. Plus, kids get a chance to dress up in some of the uniforms, which is always a win. Until 23 February
WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY: Older kids and teenagers, especially those who love animals or are handy with a camera, might enjoy Natural History Museum's Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition. It's one of our annual favourites, and the latest incarnation opens in mid-October, just in time for half term. Until summer 2025
February half term events in London

FAMILY FESTIVAL: The Family Festival at Dulwich Picture Gallery invites families to explore the art of play through various creative workshops tied to the Tirzah Garwood exhibition. Activities include marbling, badge making, toy theatre performances by Pollock's Toy Theatre, and storytelling for under-fives. 15 February
MAGIC LANTERN SHOW: The Florence Nightingale Museum hosts Jeremy and Carolyn Brooker for a unique Magic Lantern Show, featuring original glass slides and a triple magic lantern to deliver spectacular effects. This family-friendly event highlights Victorian technological advancements and includes time to explore the museum afterwards. 17 February
GORGEOUS GEORGIANS: Osterley Park and House opens a Gorgeous Georgians trail, in collaboration with Horrible Histories. Wander through the house, garden and parkland, taking part in 10 activities which are both fun and educational, offering an insight into how the Georgians lived. 17 February-31 August

IMAGINE FESTIVAL: Once again Imagine Festival takes over Southbank Centre for February half term, with performances and free activities themed on children's literature, aimed at ages 0-11. Highlights include a stage adaptation of There's A Bear On My Chair, a prehistoric science pop music show, writing, reading and drawing workshops, and a giant chalkboard which anyone's welcome to doodle on. 18-23 February
FAMILY CONCERT: The Carnival of the Animals is a family concert at Battersea Arts Centre designed to spark imagination in the young audience. Conducted by Tess Jackson and presented by Jessie Maryon Davies, it introduces children to classical music through interactive elements and fun music like Camille Saint-Saëns’s famous suite The Carnival of the Animals. Children can take part in creative activities, such as making their own animal masks before the music begins. 19 February
PALACE TOUR: Join a family-friendly interactive tour of Fulham Palace, exploring the house and its historic rooms. Discover secrets, complete challenges and use a costume collection for dress-up. The tour features regular interactive stops both indoors and outdoors. Age 2-12. 19 February
FAMILY DANCE FESTIVAL: The BeWell Family Dance Festival at Artsdepot celebrates dance with a variety of activities for children and adults, including dance showcases and workshops for all abilities, spanning genres including hip-hop and Bollywood. 22 February
HIEROGLYPHS: Egyptologist and author Hugo D. Cook swings by Leighton House for a family-friendly session where you can learn about how the hieroglyphs were decoded, and how doing so has changed our lives. Age 5-10. 22 February
FAMILY FUN DAY: Join the Royal Institution for a day of activities centred around food and science. Engage with volunteers, scientists, and researchers exploring topics such as the chemistry of cooking and the effects of food on the human body. Enjoy a variety of activities while also finding out how food impacts our lives and the world around us. Age 7-12. 22 February
LEGO DAY: Head to Artsdepot for The Brick People, a day of Lego-themed events and activities. Try a speed-build challenge, construct your own race track, create a brick mosaic and view Lego creations built by other people. Age 3-12. 23 February
Family-friendly London theatre shows in February half term

MUSICALS: A few of London's long-running musicals are great for family theatre trips, including The Lion King and Matilda. Older kids and teenagers might enjoy Mamma Mia!, Wicked, and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
PIG HEART BOY: Malorie Blackman's novel Pig Heart Boy comes to the stage at Unicorn Theatre, telling the story of a 13-year-old boy who needs a heart transplant in order to live a normal life, but is faced with a tricky decision. Ages 9-13. 26 January-22 February
THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR: Beloved children's book The Very Hungry Caterpillar is another one coming to the London stage in half term, this time at Artsdepot. Watch Eric Carle's story come to life through an impressive 75 puppets. Age 1+. 15-20 February
CIRCUS CABARET: Acrobatics, jaw-dropping aerial feats, mind-bending juggling and tricksters who walk on their hands all feature in Circus Cabaret for Kids at Jacksons Lane... just make sure they don't try it at home! 18-22 February
BALLET SHOES: There's still just about time to catch the first major stage adaptation of Noel Streatfeild's bestselling book Ballet Shoes at the National Theatre. It's the story of three adopted sisters who fight to pursue their individual passions in a world which doesn't encourage ambitious women. Age 7+. Until 22 February
Free things to do in London in February half term

OUT AT SEA: Cutty Sark, the National Maritime Museum and Queen's House team up for a week of family-friendly Out at Sea events to celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month. Browse the schedule for storytelling, talks and creative workshops. FREE, 15-23 February
THE LION KING: Battersea Power Station celebrates the 10,000th performance and 20 millionth guest of Disney's The Lion King musical with a free pop-up running through half term week. Get a close look at some of the masks, puppets and costumes which have been used in the show. FREE, 17-23 February
LUNAR NEW YEAR: The Museum of the Home celebrates Lunar New Year with a free family day to welcome to Year of the Snake. Take part in craft activities and musical storytelling. FREE, 18 February
HOW FOOD SHAPES US: Focus is on food at the V&A Museum's half term creative activities for various ages, spanning collage, drawing and sewing. Have a go at creating posters and food labels, or watch films such as The Very Hungry Caterpillar and The Tiger Who Came To Tea. FREE, 19-21 February

ART SUNDAYS: Once a month, Dulwich Picture Gallery holds Art Sundays, a day of creative activities inspired by the Tirzah Garwood: Beyond Ravilious exhibition. Though it's free you do need a ticket, and they tend to sell out quite a bit in advance, so plan ahead. Age 7-12. FREE, 23 February
PLAYGROUNDS: If the weather's playing nice, few things bring a smile to young 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 handily located near tourist attractions, so little 'uns 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 and space, Natural History Museum for animals, and London Museum Docklands for the Mudlarks interactive gallery. Check booking requirements before you go, and be aware that you may have to queue during school holidays.
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 and Hanwell Zoo (small entry fee) right next door. Goes without saying that this one is best left for a day when the weather's decent, which is not always a guarantee in February.
Family-friendly activities in London in February half term

SWIMMING: A kiddie favourite, London has plenty of options for swimming, whatever the weather. From an Olympic venue to local leisure centres, these are some of London's best indoor pools.
ICE SKATING: London also has year-round ice rinks, including one slap bang in the middle of the Central line. And though you may think it's too early for festive ice rinks, Canary Wharf's winter pop-up rink opens on 26 October, just in time for half term.
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 half term 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, but 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.