May half term 2025 runs Saturday 24 May-Sunday 1 June 2025 for most London schools (which also includes the May bank holiday on Monday 26 May!). We've selected some family-friendly events and things to do in London — however old your kids are, and whatever your budget.
May half term events in London
THE BIG BAHOOEY: Try juggling, plate spinning or wire walking, dance at a silent disco, or belt out a tune at a singalong — just some of the entertainment on offer at the family-friendly Big Bahooey festival in the grounds of Hampton Court Palace over the late May bank holiday weekend. It's included in palace admission. 24-26 May
FAMILY TAKEOVER DAY: Kids' comedy, Bach for toddlers, and a daytime party are among the events on the schedule at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre's Family Takeover Day. One ticket includes access to all of the events and activities. 25 May
CIRCUS CAMP: Are your kids more into being the show than watching it? Jacksons Lane in Highgate runs a Circus Camp for 8-14 year olds, where they can pick up skills including juggling, diabolo, acrobatics and balancing. 27-29 May
SURPRISING SCIENCE: Aimed at ages seven+, Surprising Science at the Royal Institution explores the wonder of paper. Dr Jo leads an interactive show looking at how it can be used to explain certain scientific phenomena. Expect demonstrations with volunteers from the audience, and mini experiments to do at your seat. 28 May. The RI also holds a Family Fun Day for 7-12 year-olds on 31 May, themed on theatre and film.
RECYCLED PLAYGROUND: Materials left from previous productions at Hull's Head Theatre make up REPLAY, a recycled playground at Southbank Centre. It's designed for parents/carers and children to be able to play together over an hour-long self-led session, and even better, it's indoors so no need to worry about the weather. Until 1 June
GORGEOUS GEORGIANS: Osterley Park and House has 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. Until 31 August
Family-friendly exhibitions in May half term
POPCORN!: Whitechapel Gallery opens Popcorn!, a free multisensory exhibition by artist Jenny Pengilly, inviting you to explore the concept of sound through voices, bodies and props. Find out how sound designers use objects including bubble wrap, leather gloves and celery to create sound effects for video games, film and TV. FREE, 15 May-21 September
NEW SPACE EXHIBITION: Natural History Museum launches (and 'launches' is a fitting word here) a new exhibition all about space just in time for half term. It asks whether there could be life beyond Earth, gives you the opportunity to touch a piece of Mars, wrap your hands around a fragment of the Moon and snap a selfie with the Allende meteorite — which is older than Earth itself. Recommended age eight+. From 16 May
WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY: Older kids and teenagers — especially those who love animals or are handy with a camera — should enjoy Natural History Museum's Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition. It's one of our annual favourites, and this latest incarnation is open until the summer. Until 29 June
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. Until 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. Until 2 November
PIRATES: Get ye to the National Maritime Museum for an exhibition about pirates, and sail through their depictions in pop culture (Long John Silver, Captain Jack Sparrow...) before getting stuck into the story of real-life pirates. It's recommended ages seven+, and with few real artefacts to view and some tough issues such as the slave trade tackled, it might be more suitable for older kids and teenagers. Until January 2026
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Go Ape in these incredible London parks
Fancy making memories in the great outdoors this half-term? Enjoy treetop fun for the whole family at Go Ape! They offer zip line and high ropes hijinks at 37 of the UK's best parks, woodlands and forests. And they've got three fantastic locations right here in London…
If you like the sound of combining high-flying thrills with exceptional city views, head for Go Ape Alexandra Palace. Their high rope courses look out over north London and beyond, with activities for kids as young as four. Prefer something more central? Go Ape Battersea Park is located in one of London's most iconic green spaces, with a Treetop Challenge that soars twice as high as most Go Ape locations (yep, a head for heights is a must!). Looking for even more of a challenge? Try Go Ape Cockfosters — offering canopy-high tree-to-tree crossings, free-fall Tarzan Swings and super-fast, ultra-long zip wires in the heart of Trent Park. Ideal for teens who enjoy an adrenaline rush!
Whichever location you choose, each is a self-led adventure, preceded by a thorough safety briefing, so you can climb, leap and glide with confidence. Plan your visit today and prepare to unleash your family's adventurous side.
Family-friendly London theatre shows in May 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.
OPEN AIR THEATRE: The Open Air Theatre in Regent's Park begins its 2025 season with musical comedy Shucked, set in the USA about a community whose corn starts to die. Suitable for ages eight+. 10 May-14 June
THE KOALA WHO COULD: Perennial family favourite the Unicorn Theatre tackles The Koala Who Could, the bestselling picture book by Rachel Bright and Jim Field, about Kevin the Koala who's keen to stay still, while his friends kangaroo and wombat lead livelier lives. 20 May-1 June
SMEDS AND SMOOS: Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's beloved characters the Smeds and the Smoos comes to live on stage at Artsdepot. Find out what happens on a far-off planet when a young Smed and a young Smoo fall in love, despite the fact that the two groups aren't allowed to be friends. 27 May-1 June
Free things to do in London in May half term
STORY EXPLORERS: The British Library opens a new experience designed for two-nine year-olds and their families. Story Explorers takes you through three imaginary worlds while you learn more about some of the objects in the Library's collection and why they're important. FREE, 16 May-January 2026
GREENWICH DOG SHOW: All dogs, big and small, well-behaved or wonderfully mischievous are welcome to take part in the family-friendly Greenwich Dog Show in the grounds of the Old Royal Naval College. Competition categories include waggiest tail, best Bridgerton lookalike and cutest pup. Just be warned, your kids may come home VERY keen to get a family dog. FREE, 25 May
LONDON CYCLING FESTIVAL: RideLondon isn't happening this year, but there's a new, free, family-friendly event pedalling into town. The London Cycling Festival programmes include 30 family-friendly rides happening all over the capital, on safe routes including closed roads, as well as BMX displays and other events. FREE, 25 May
REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE: The current mudlarking exhibition inspires London Museum Docklands' May half term activities, which have a focusing on reducing, reusing and recycling rubbish so it doesn't end up in the Thames. Character performances, craft activities and a litter-picking day on the foreshore are all on the schedule. FREE, 27-30 May
MOOMIN 80: Tove Jansson's Moomin characters turn 80 this year, and Southbank Centre is celebrating with some free activities. The Moominhouse is being recreated alongside the river, and is free to visit, and there's a huge party with music and storytelling. Full programme here. 27 May-1 June
BROCKWELL BOUNCE: Apparently London's biggest free kids' festival, Brockwell Bounce takes over Brockwell Park for a day of music, dance, workshops and creative arts and crafts. Britain’s Got Talent winners Twist & Pulse will be dancing on the main stage, along with Paradise Circus Performance. Take part in instrument lessons in the Music Making Zone, or get twisting at hula hoop workshops. Alternatively, head for the Adrenaline Zone and let the kids trampoline, parkour and skateboard off all that extra energy. FREE ENTRY, 28 May
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.
FILM STATUES: If you find yourself in central London, and need something free to entertain the family, head to Leicester Square and let them hunt out these bronze sculptures of film stars. You might have to explain Gene Kelly and Laurel and Hardy to younger members of the family, but Paddington, Bugs Bunny and Mary Poppins will surely charm them.
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 Science Museum for aeroplanes and space, Natural History Museum for animals, and London Museum Docklands for the Mudlarks interactive gallery.
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) right next door.
Family-friendly activities in London in May half term
SWIMMING: 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 (we also have our pick of London's outdoor pools and lidos — but maybe save that one for the summer holidays).
ICE SKATING: Forget waiting until Christmas — London has year-round ice skating rinks, including one slap bang in the middle of the Central line.
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, 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.
DAY TRIPS: If your plan for half term in London is to flee the capital for a bit, we've got a whole section dedicated to day trips and weekends away from the capital, with plenty of ideas. Particularly popular with children are Wellington Country Park, a trip to the real Hundred Acre Wood from Winnie the Pooh, and you can't go wrong with a castle... or two.
