With out the nice climate or the festivals of different faculty holidays, this time of yr can show a difficult one for households, so I’ve rounded up a few of the finest issues to do in February half-term in London with children to maintain everybody entertained.
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There are free occasions, some pretty exhibitions aimed toward youthful children, artistic enjoyable, probabilities to get open air and loads of concepts for a wet day at February half-term in London.
February half time period dates for London faculties runs from February 13-17, 2023 however with different UK faculties having their half-term later, it’s price figuring out that only a few of the particular half-term actions might be happening the next week so try a few of the ongoing exhibitions and attraction for those who’re visiting London in February with children.
Think about Youngsters’s Competition at Southbank Centre
Think about Youngsters’s Competition is London Southbank Centre’s thrilling annual competition for youngsters aged 0 to 11 – now in its twenty first yr (although it guarantees to not develop up!)
Operating throughout 11 days from February 8-18, the competition is all about unlocking children’ creativity and sparking creativeness, with 100 (principally free) actions and workshops spanning throughout theatre, comedy, music, literature, poetry, dance, and extra.
With all the pieces from talks by well-known youngsters’s authors to a daytime rave with the world’s youngest DJ, the competition guarantees to be a fun-filled and academic expertise for the entire household.
As a part of the competition, there’s additionally a free household exercise path impressed by Sam Winston’s guide One & Every thing, aimed toward ages 2-11, operating from February 8-17.
Vets in Motion at London Zoo
For teenagers who love animals, London Zoo’s Vets in Motion occasion is a enjoyable and academic alternative for teenagers to find out about animal care and wildlife conservation by way of a sequence of interactive household occasions throughout February half-term.
Throughout the free (with a zoo ticket) occasion, children will get to satisfy with the zoo’s vets and zookeepers and watch dwell demonstrations, together with vet examinations and coaching classes.
Youngsters aged three to 11 will even have the chance to step into the function of vet themselves on the specially-recreated zoo vet centre. After placing on their hairnets and masks, Junior vets will assist the specialists study, diagnose, and carry out remedies on delicate toys.
Discover, Construct, and Play on the Nationwide Gallery
The Nationwide Gallery is celebrating its upcoming constructing redesign (forward of its two hundredth anniversary in 2024) by inspiring younger architects at their half-term ‘discover, construct, play’ occasion from February 14-16.
On the occasion, households will work with artists James and Eva to look past the work and search out architectural and ornamental particulars all through the magnificent Gallery, from flooring mosaics to the constructing’s design.
Little ones will then have the ability to get artistic themselves and play with scale, shapes, and sensory supplies to create new thrilling constructions that may be explored, each inside and outside. The drop-in classes happen from 11am-4pm.
Shakespeare’s Globe Household Workshops
For an interactive and academic solution to get your children within the works of William Shakespeare, be a part of the Globe’s Household Workshops this February half-term in London!
Led by a few of the theatre’s gifted actors, academics, and administrators, these sensible workshops will discover the language, characters, and themes of the performs in quite a lot of participating actions and video games. They’re the right solution to introduce little ones to one of many world’s most iconic playwrights.
With a number of performs to select from – together with Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, and Hamlet – and 4 age teams (5-8, 9-12, 12+, and 15+ yr olds), there’s a workshop for everybody.
Or for one thing rather less interactive, the Globe’s household storytelling classes are one other nice half-term exercise in London for teenagers. Have to be pre-booked, tickets value from £10.
Make Historical past at Eltham Palace
Eltham Palace and Gardens by no means fails to impress with its schedule of enjoyable household occasions. And this February’s ‘Make Historical past this Half Time period’ occasion is actually no exception!
Going down day by day over the varsity holidays, children can be a part of characters from the previous for historic hi-jinks and hands-on shenanigans all through the historic palace and it’s intensive gardens.
Character performers will enthrall you with tales of Victorian London, whereas children can even uncover what life was like in a Victorian faculty and have a go at writing their very own journey novel.
Runs from February 11-19, admission to the household half-term occasion is included within the commonplace admission ticket worth.
Isaac Newton and the Thriller on the Mint on the Tower of London
The Tower of London all the time has nice household occasions on throughout holidays and this February half-term is not any exception, with an opportunity to assist Isaac Newton, the brand new Warden of the Royal Mint.
Newly appointed to his put up on the Tower in 1696, his process is to root out corruption and crack down on the fraudsters – with a little bit assist from his younger allies, who’re requested to report any suspicious goings-on and helpful data again to him.
From February 11-19, preserve a watch out for him on the South Garden at 11am, 1pm and a pair of.30pm (if the climate is dry) or if it’s raining and at different instances, you’ll discover him in his new workplace within the Decrease Bowyer Tower. And don’t miss The Tower’s Mint interactive exhibition as you discover too.
Get discounted entry to the Tower of London utilizing my code MUMMYTRAVELS6 for those who guide by way of this hyperlink
Interactive Mars Workshop on the Royal Observatory Greenwich
Younger house lovers can’t miss the Royal Observatory’s half-term occasion ‘Out of this World: Mars’. Beginning within the planetarium, visitors will journey throughout the photo voltaic system earlier than ending up at our closest neighbour, Mars.
You possibly can then be a part of an interactive workshop the place you’ll be taught all there’s to know concerning the fascinating Purple Planet that was as soon as not that completely different to our personal.
The family-friendly science session is appropriate for teenagers 7+ and can happen twice over the half-term; on Tuesday February 14 and Wednesday February 15 at 10:30am.
For concepts of extra issues to do in Greenwich with children, try my prime picks
Making Connections on the London Transport Museum
The London Transport Museum is marking the a hundred and sixtieth anniversary of the London Underground this half-term with a busy schedule of family-friendly video games and craft actions that commemorate the town’s well-known Tube community.
From February 11-19, children can design their very own Join 4 counter for a large recreation with a transport twist, or add a heart-shaped love notice to the #LoveTheTube wall (it will likely be Valentine’s Day in any case) – all on the theme of Making Connections.
Plus, households can discover the favored London museum on a particular themed path that may have you ever fixing puzzles and answering quiz questions on London Underground stations at every cease. For every puzzle solved, you’ll accumulate a letter. And these letters will finally uncover a hidden phrase!
Included in entry to the museum – get a reduction on tickets for tickets to the London Transport Museum for those who guide by way of my hyperlink utilizing code MUMMYTRAVELS6
Discovery Days in Hyde Park
Hyde Park’s well-liked Discovery Days are again as soon as once more for extra free family-friendly enjoyable amongst nature this February half-term in London.
The Good Birds Discovery Days might be filled with loads of enjoyable and academic hands-on actions for youthful youngsters. Children can construct their very own fowl feeder to take house with them, craft a birds nest utilizing pure supplies, go fowl watching within the Lookout backyard, and be taught fascinating information about our feathered associates.
As regular, the Spring Discovery Days are utterly free to attend. This yr, they’ll happen between 11am and 3pm on February 14-16 – no prebooking required, simply drop in any time.
The Huge Disguise Out at WWT London
For much more bird-themed enjoyable this half-term, head to the London Wetland Centre in Barnes for his or her Huge Disguise Out.
Children can disguise out within the fowl hides and use the centre’s binoculars and telescopes to identify fowl life and different wetland wildlife, whereas different family-friendly actions embrace making nests, constructing a fowl disguise, and cooking up a (messy) storm within the mud kitchen.
The actions are included in the usual entry ticket, plus there’s additionally a particular fowl path across the wetland centre which prices £1 for the path map.
Crusing Out on the Nationwide Maritime Museum
Greenwich’s Nationwide Maritime Museum is internet hosting a sequence of artistic workshops for households to have a good time LGBTQ+ Historical past Month.
From setting up costume hats impressed by Queen Elizabeth I to creating your personal rainbow merfolk and vibrant sea creatures utilizing the colors of the Delight flag, there are many enjoyable hands-on actions for teenagers of all ages.
The entire household can even find out about heroes from the LGBTQ+ maritime neighborhood within the immersive studying house and throughout the fascinating galleries. The free drop-in classes happen from 11am-1pm and 2-4pm from February 12-19 – entry to the museum can be free.
Brick Dinos on the Horniman Museum
Probably the greatest issues to do in London for February half-term with youthful youngsters is to pay a go to to the Horniman Museum, which is house to an exhibition of dinosaur fashions created from Lego.
Brick Dinos at Horniman Museum is opening simply in time for half-term, operating from February 10 (till October 29), with the possibility to see a string of different prehistoric giants as effectively – fortuitously recreated in miniature kind.
Look out for the life-sized flying pterosaur although, in addition to different not often seen specimens from the Horniman’s assortment. There are additionally alternatives for teenagers to get fingers on, together with constructing your personal dinosaur and digging for fossils.
Entry to the Horniman Museum is free, however tickets to Brick Dinos prices £9 for adults, £4.50 for youngsters (free for under-threes).
For one more motive to go to the museum, the Elmer and Buddies exhibition can be nonetheless operating till April – scroll down for extra particulars
Design workshops on the V&A
The V&A is operating a number of workshops for households throughout February half-term, impressed by its Hallyu! The Korean Wave exhibition.
On February 13 and 14, there’s an opportunity to experiment with Korean calligraphy, together with making an attempt your hand at mastering the Korean alphabet (Hangeul) utilizing conventional brushes and inks, and creating your personal bookmark.
There are two classes every day: the ten.30am workshop is really useful for ages 7-10, whereas the 2pm occasion is aimed toward ages 10-13. Tickets value £15 and have to be prebooked.
Or from February 15-17, there’s a free drop-in workshop, Digital Talnori, created by Seoul-based digital and design studio, Commoners, the place you possibly can design a standard Korean masks often known as Tal-nori.
In addition to studying about conventional and trendy Korean tradition, you need to use augmented actuality to work together along with your masks. Geared toward ages 5+.
STEM Week on the Royal Air Drive Museum
Problem your science abilities and check your tech abilities, together with a spot of engineering and maths enjoyable on the RAF Museum London from February 11-19.
There might be a variety of family-friendly actions and workshops operating as a part of STEM Week throughout February half-term, together with enjoyable occasions like a robotic coding workshop, an plane design problem and a radar maths problem.
All of the workshops happen in Hanger 6 and are free however locations are restricted, so guide on-line upfront. There’s additionally the chance to have entry to the cockpit of the Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer which flew in service throughout the Gulf Battle (tickets value £5 every).
Extra February days out with children in London: ongoing
There are many different concepts for those who’re trying to entertain children throughout February half-term in London on the regular household points of interest – try my decide of the perfect 59 issues to do in London with children plus a few of the different highlights beneath.
Twist Museum of Illusions
New in London final November, the illusions at Twist Museum are excellent for a wet day throughout February half-term in London with children – or a sunny one for that matter.
With over 60 displays displaying completely different illusions and shows to trick all of your completely different senses, the interactive expertise is enjoyable for all ages. Try our evaluation of a go to to Twist Museum London with children.
Dopamine Land
Don’t miss one of many final modifications to enterprise into Dopamine Land, prolonged to February 26 earlier than it closes in London.
The multisensory expertise combines media, expertise and play, with a sequence of vibrant installations to assist all ages get in contact with their inside baby – and all designed to lift a smile on a gray February day.
Frameless
The UK’s largest, everlasting digital artwork exhibition in Marble Arch, Frameless lets children – and massive children – expertise artworks like by no means earlier than.
Set inside a 30,000 sq. foot house, with 4 separate galleries, guests can uncover key moments in artwork historical past, with state-of-the-art projection and movement sensor expertise to convey to life work from artists together with Cezanne, Kandinsky, Monet, Canaletto, Rembrandt and Klimt.
With the possibility to the touch, transfer and work together with the work, it couldn’t be farther from a standard gallery and the right approach to assist households uncover the world of artwork.
The Inexperienced Planet
Spring won’t but have sprung in London however you possibly can immerse your self in The Inexperienced Planet at Piccadilly Circus this February half time period.
Utilizing augmented actuality to assist households uncover extra about our world’s flowers, you possibly can uncover what life on earth appears like from their standpoint – together with how they battle for survival and work together with animals.
There are 5 digitally enhanced worlds to discover, from Rainforest and Desert to Freshwater and Saltwater, together with Seasonal, all narrated by David Attenborough. Lasting round 40-60 minutes, it’s free to go to, and runs from February 11 till March 9.
For concepts of extra issues to do close by in Leicester Sq., try my prime picks
Puss in Boots at Shrek’s Journey
En garde! Puss in Boots is again as soon as extra at Shrek’s Journey for February half-term, with the possibility to satisfy the swashbuckling hero (and his buddy, Kitty Softpaws) and showcase your personal sword-fighting poses, take pleasure in some additional actions and pose for images as a part of the go to.
There’s additionally the same old enjoyable for Shrek followers, to discover the world of Far Far Away, encountering Princess Fiona and Donkey and an journey on the 4D flying bus.
Included in commonplace entry and takes place after the primary Shrek meet and greet of the expertise. Prebooking really useful.
Science Fiction: Voyage to the Fringe of Creativeness on the Science Museum
Should you didn’t have likelihood to see it final yr, Science Fiction: Voyage to the Fringe of Creativeness, continues to be operating till Might 4, aimed toward children aged 8+.
The immersive occasion takes you by yourself science fiction journey as you board a spaceship, scout an unknown planet and examine how each scientists and the creators of science fiction have imagined and constructed new worlds, together with objects from movie, TV, and books, paintings and pictures.
There’s a separate cost for this occasion (from £18 for adults, £16.20 for teenagers) with 10% off for those who guide upfront: entry to the primary museum continues to be free, prebooking suggested throughout half-term.
ELMER and Buddies on the Horniman Museum
In addition to the brand new Brick Dinos exhibition, you possibly can nonetheless go to ELMER and Buddies on the Horniman Museum, wandering by way of the world of the colorful patchwork elephant.
Opened in October, ELMER and Buddies: The Vibrant World of David McKee – celebrates 30+ years of probably the most extensively learn youngsters’s guide sequence of all time, with themed video games, dressing up stations and McKee’s putting illustrations.
Meet the characters on the Cutty Sark in Greenwich
Greenwich’s iconic Cutty Sark is internet hosting a lot of family-friendly occasions to assist preserve children entertained this February half-term.
Households can meet vibrant character actors from Cutty Sark’s previous all through the week, in addition to at weekends, whereas older children (12+) can nonetheless climb the ship’s well-known masts within the thrilling Cutty Sark Rig Climb Expertise.
There’s a reduction on tickets for the Cutty Sark for those who guide by way of my hyperlink utilizing code MUMMYTRAVELS6
Household actions at HMS Belfast
HMS Belfast has some nice nautical enjoyable once more over February half-term with their regular string of household actions.
From February 11-19, children can earn their Sea Legs in an interactive exercise that includes them finishing enjoyable duties across the ship, plus there’s the devoted ‘We had been there’ household day on February 17 with particular visitors sharing their private experiences at sea.
Magical Mischief on the Harry Potter studio tour
There’s Magical Mischief again as soon as once more on the Warner Bros studio tour in Leavesden, on the outskirts of London, returning to the Harry Potter world for a second yr.
Operating till April 18, it focuses on magical pranks and wizarding mishaps but additionally the filmmaking trickery concerned in turning them into actuality – all the pieces from simply how the Invisibility Cloak labored to Harry’s flood of flying acceptance letters, plus an opportunity to make your personal origami Howler. Tickets have to be prebooked.
Comply with a Treasure Map Path
These pretty vibrant treasure hunt-style maps embrace three routes in central London – and there’s 10% off is you utilize the code MUMMYTRAVELS.
A enjoyable solution to discover London with children, the hunts problem you to identify every kind of quirky sights, from indicators and statues to carvings, all enlivened with a enjoyable fantasy design to remodel the true life streets.
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Stik Road artwork/Tower of London/London Transport Museum/London Wetland Centre/V&A/Twist Museum/Cutty Sark copyright MummyTravels, Puss in Boots courtesy Shrek Journey, all others courtesy of Depositphotos