Free activities to do with the kids this half term in London

From discovery days to playing with clay, here's the best family events and things to do for kids during February half term in London.

The National Gallery

From floor mosaics to colourful motifs, take another look at the building behind the paintings. Play with scale, shapes and sensory materials to create new structures, under the magnificent domed interior at the centre of the Gallery. This activity has been created in collaboration with families and staff from the Cardinal Hume Centre.

Dates: 14, 15 and 16 February 11 am - 4 pm 

Find out more: February half-term: Explore, build, play | Events container | National Gallery, London

London Transport Museum

The London Transport Museum is putting on a host of games and craft events throughout half term. It's free entry for the kids for the school holidays, and giant games of Connect 4, cryptic trails, and a stack of activities celebrating the Tube's history once inside.  

​Dates: 11 – 19 February

Kids go free with adult tickets ( London transport Museum offers concessions for local residents and recipients of universal credit)

Find out more: February half term | London Transport Museum (ltmuseum.co.uk)

Imagine Children's Festival

One of London's best children's festivals returns this week in Southbank, full of creative fun and entertainment for young minds.  Imagine Children's Festival has plenty of workshops, shows and events across theatre, visual arts, dance and music so there are plenty of ways for children to get involved. 11 days jam-packed with more than 100 events, 50% of which are completely free.

Dates: February 8-18

Find out more: Imagine Children's Festival | Southbank Centre

The British Museum

With artifacts dating back 2 million years, there's a lot to see and discover at this supreme museum. There are many free exhibitions currently happening, including the Hamish Parker collection and drawings from an Australian Internment.

Find out more: Exhibitions and events | British Museum

TATE

On every day throughout the school holidays, TATE Britain's play studio is free, and will get your child making connections between the stories and images in the galleries' paintings through craft, dress ups, drawing and reading. 

Dates: every day during half term

Find out more: Play Studio | Tate Britain

Hyde Park

Join on the day for FREE Discovery Day this Spring half-term at The LookOut, Hyde Park. Shake off any winter blues and register your interest for our free bird-inspired interactive activities that will have you and the family enjoying the fresh air. Take part in a host of exciting activities including crafting an intricate bird’s nest and following a discovery trail to learn fascinating facts about our feathered friends.

Dates: 14 – 16 February 11am – 3pm

Find out more: February Discovery Days: Brilliant Birds - Hyde Park - The Royal Parks

Arts Depot

Come along to see this fun, bold and playful collection of 26 giant handmade matchboxes. Each one is uniquely illustrated with a colourful character performing a circus act. Based on a collection of real people with specific animal qualities and characteristics resembling that of their inner animal.

Dates: 12 – 18 February 10am – 4pm

Find out more: The Last Match | artsdepot

Museum of the Home

Join Museum of the Home for a day of learning about the material importance of clay in Vietnamese homes, playing with clay, object handling and storytelling with artist Chery Nguyen.

Dates: 14 February 10.30 – 4pm

Find out more: Viet Family Clay & Play Day | Half term | Family day | Museum of the Home

Harry Potter Tour

Join on the day for a Harry Potter walking tour to see iconic buildings, streets, and neighbourhoods which inspired the books and appeared in the films. You will take a stroll down Diagon Alley and check out some shops selling unique and one-of-a-kind Potter-related merchandise that you won’t find anywhere else! And you might even accidentally end up in Knockturn Alley.

Dates: every day at 11am and 3.30pm

Find out more: FREE Harry Potter Tour London | 10.45 & 15.30 | Strawberry Tours

National Maritime Museum

LGBTQ+ History Month is the focus of the National Maritime Museum's February Half Term activities in Greenwich. The programme includes a workshop where you can construct your own hat to show your identity, make a rainbow fish inspired by the Pride flag, and a focus on heroes from the LGBTQ+ maritime community. 

Dates: 12-18 February

Find out more: February Half Term: Sailing Out | Royal Museums Greenwich (rmg.co.uk)

We thought we’d include a few paid half term activities which we think are a great value for money!

Foundling Museum

Join our creative family workshops this February half-term. From creating a huge pocket mirror and experimenting with natural inks and dyes to create a wearable masterpiece to tracing the outlines of your face with wire to make a 3D self-portrait.

Price: £3 per child – adults go free

Dates: 14 – 17 February 11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm

Find out more: Half-Term Family Workshops - Foundling Museum

Mudchute Farm and Park

The largest urban farm in the London area with 34 acres (14 hectares) of open parkland, in the heart of the Isle of Dogs. Features include horse riding, a tea shop, educational facilities, farm animals. This half term there’s a range of activities, including animal petting, donkey rides and art & crafts.

Dates: 13 – 17 February 10.30am – 12pm and 1pm – 2.30 pm

Prices: £2 - £4

Find out more: February Half Term at Mudchute | Mudchute Park and Farm

Horniman Museum

Step back in time with Brick Dinos! Discover the Jurassic and Cretaceous Periods like never before and meet dinosaurs and other prehistoric giants face to face, each one masterfully built using LEGO® bricks.
Incredible models include the raptor-like Masiakasaurus, a life-sized flying pterosaur, the swamp-dwelling, crocodile-like Sarcosuchus, and a new Polacanthus model on display for the first time.

Dates: 10 February – 29 October 

Price: £9 adults, £5 kids

Find out more: Brick Dinos - Horniman Museum and Gardens

We hope you have a great time this half term!