Looking for some family-friendly fun? Look no further! Our guide to the best things for kids in London this weekend has got you covered. From outdoor adventures to cultural experiences, there’s something for everyone in this exciting city. Get ready to make some unforgettable memories with your little ones!
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Halloween events in London
As the leaves turn crimson and the nights grow longer, London embraces the eerie enchantment of Halloween like no other city. From spine-tingling haunted houses to family-friendly pumpkin patches and macabre masquerades, the British capital offers an array of Halloween events to suit every ghoul and ghost enthusiast. In this comprehensive article, we unveil 30 bewitching Halloween events taking place across London this October. Check our list of 30 Halloween events for families in London!
20 Events for Families in London in October 2023
October is not all about Halloween. Check out these 20 great family events:
Delight: Media Art Exhibition
Date: Starting from October 13th
Venue: Borough Yards
Description: Immerse yourself in this exhibition exploring Seoul’s heritage and culture through 25 digital art installations. It’s a captivating experience, and it’s paid.
El Anatsui’s Hyundai Commission
Date: Starting from October 10th
Venue: Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall
Description: This exhibition pushes the boundaries of sculpture with monumental metal hangings that are both large in scale and flexible in structure. It’s a must-see, and it’s free!
Museum of the Home: Playhouse & Puppetry: On Railton Road Family Day
Date: October 24th
Venue: Museum of the Home
Description: Make puppets inspired by the real-life stories of queer activism, and build your own squat-inspired den and stage before performing to each other. It’s a free family day event.
Disney100: The Exhibition
Date: Starting from October 13th
Venue: Excel Centre
Description: Embark on a journey through Disney’s 100-year history with imaginatively themed galleries, interactive installations, and exciting background information. This exhibition is paid.
Fantasy: Realms of Imagination
Date: Starting from the 27th
Venue: British Library
Description: Journey from fairy tales and folklore to the fantastical worlds of Studio Ghibli, and discover how the oldest forms of literature continue to inspire fantasy authors today. It’s a paid event.
toooB for ages 6-24 months
Date: October 4th
Venue: The Albany
Description: Designed as a perfect introduction to theatre and dance for very young children, this gentle sensory adventure is followed by a stay-and-play session with the performer. Please note that this event is paid.
Little Feet: Visit the Qing Court
Date: October 2nd
Venue: British Museum
Description: This event is inspired by the Museum’s China’s Hidden Century exhibition. It’s a creative and multi-sensory experience for children under 5, featuring elements inspired by the opera, theatre, and drama of the Qing Court. Best of all, it’s free!
The Design Museum’s Skateboard Exhibition
Date: Starting from October 20th
Venue: The Design Museum
Description: Mapping the design evolution of the skateboard from the 1950s to today, the exhibition will showcase innovative boards and track how skateboarders have taken over sidewalks, pools, and skate parks. Paid admission.
Foundling Museum: Half-Term Workshops
Date: Starting from October 23rd
Venue: Foundling Museum
Description: Enjoy a series of half-term workshops inspired by the new The Mother & The Weaver: Art from the Ursula Hauser Collection exhibition. Details for workshops will be available soon, and they are paid.
Japan: Myths to Manga
Date: Starting from October 14th
Venue: Young V&A
Description: Explore Japanese history and its cultural influences in this exhibition. Additionally, there will be a Japan-themed half-term program from the 25th to the 27th. Some parts are paid, while others are free.
Barbican’s Family Film Week
Date: October 21st-28th
Venue: Barbican
Description: Enjoy family-friendly film screenings, including Dutch stop-motion picture “Oink” and a preview of “Chicken Run: the Dawn of the Nugget,” along with free workshops with Aardman and a Spiderman draw-along. Some events are paid, and some are free.
The Soane Museum: Beastly Board Games Workshop
Date: October 26th
Venue: The Soane Museum
Description: Taking inspiration from the curious creatures in the museum collection, this drop-in session encourages children aged 4+ and their families to invent spooky games together. It’s a free workshop.
Daisy Collingridge’s Solo Show: Splanchnic
Date: Starting from October 6th
Venue: TJ Boulting
Description: This exhibition features new wall-based sculptures and a giant head that viewers can crawl inside, enveloping them in a habitat of color and tactility. It’s free.
Turn it Up: The Power of Music
Date: Starting from October 19th
Venue: Science Museum
Description: In this fun, family-friendly experience, you’ll get a chance to hear, interact with, and even make your own music, with chances to explore a musical playground and meet a musical robot. Paid admission.
Gucci Cosmos and UVA’s Synchronicity Exhibitions
Date: Starting from October 11th
Venue: 180 Studios
Description: “Gucci Cosmos” features design by Es Devlin, while “UVA’s Synchronicity” showcases large-scale immersive works designed to challenge our perception of reality. These exhibitions are paid.
The Cult of Beauty
Date: Starting from October 24th
Venue: The Wellcome Collection
Description: The exhibition will explore notions of beauty across time and cultures, featuring more than 200 items, including historical objects, artworks, films, and new commissions. It’s free.
Pericles for Autistic Individuals
Date: October 23rd-27th
Venue: Riverside Studios
Description: With two performances designed for 0-10s and ages 11+ respectively, this totally interactive theatrical experience is designed to put the sense of play back into Shakespeare. Paid admission.
One Click Away
Date: October 21st
Venue: Half Moon
Description: This visually engaging immersive dance show invites families to actively participate by building new structures and learning about waste production, inspiring a new generation of eco-consciousness. Paid admission.
The RA Events at the Royal Academy
Date: Various Dates in October
Venue: Royal Academy
Description: The RA has a range of events this month, including a family day on the 8th, an Early Years Studio on the 18th, and a Hand Portraits Family Studio on the 29th. All of these events are free and offer a fun and creative experience for families.
The British Museum: Little Feet: Visit the Qing Court
Date: October 2nd
Venue: British Museum
Description: This event is inspired by the Museum’s China’s Hidden Century exhibition. It’s a creative and multi-sensory experience for children under 5, featuring elements inspired by the opera, theatre, and drama of the Qing Court. Best of all, it’s free!
Feel free to explore these events at your convenience!
Check out the brand-new Young V&A Museum
- 👧 Age guide: 0+
- 📍 Where: Bethnal Green
After seven years of planning and design, Young V&A (formerly called Museum of Childhood), will open its doors in Bethnal Green on July 1, just in time for the summer holidays! Read our full review of Young V&A here.
Young V&A is a free national museum co-designed with children and young people, showcasing the power of creativity in their lives. It aims to foster new skills and creative confidence, preparing them for a rapidly changing world.
The museum will be a vibrant and joyful space, emphasizing design and creativity. Visitors can look forward to immersive experiences such as sensory playscapes, a finger skateboard park, an ‘Imagination Playground’ construction zone, a performance and storytelling stage, and an open design studio. These interactive elements will promote playful learning and create multigenerational activities.
The three permanent galleries – Imagine, Play, and Design – will feature around 2,000 objects from the V&A’s extensive collection. The museum’s offerings include a sensory environment for pre-walkers, new commissions, co-designed projects, live programming, and engaging exhibitions. One of the first exhibitions, “Japan: Myths to Manga,” will explore the influence of Japanese history, landscape, and folklore on popular culture, technology, and design.
In preparation for the opening, the Young V&A team has been actively involved in community outreach programs and has engaged with over 12,000 children, young people, and families. The museum aims to inspire creativity, empower educators, and influence child-centred museum practices across the sector.
- 📘 Description: Museum of toys through the centuries
- 📅 When: From July 1
- 🎫 How much: Free
- 🔗 More info: https://www.vam.ac.uk/young
Meet the gigantic Titanosaur in the Natural History Museum
- 👧 Age guide: 5+
- 📍 Where: Natural History Museum, South Kensington
Prepare to embark on an extraordinary adventure as children and families are invited to delve into the remarkable realm of the titanosaur, Patagotitan mayorum. This monumental dinosaur will be showcased in Europe for the very first time, making it a must-see spectacle. Towering four times heavier than Dippy the Diplodocus and stretching 12 meters longer than our majestic blue whale, Hope, this awe-inspiring creature promises an unforgettable experience.
Immerse yourselves in a fun and interactive exhibition that transports you back to the age of the titanosaur. Surrounded by breathtaking illustrations depicting Cretaceous plants and animals, visitors will trace the life of the titanosaur from a football-sized egg carefully plucked from its nest to a fully-grown adult. Witness the marks of a ferocious predator’s encounter, leaving a memorable bite on its tail.
Explore the gallery and engage with a range of captivating activities. Handle genuine specimens, navigate through interactive displays, and discover the secrets behind the survival and triumph of a creature of such colossal size. Uncover how Patagotitan thrived, finding safety, sustenance, and growing to tower above its Cretaceous counterparts. Brace yourselves to measure up against its massive thigh bone, gaze into the depths of its gigantic sauropod skull, and even catch a whiff of its preserved fossilized dung!
Having gained insight into the life of the largest dinosaur, extend your knowledge to the giants that share our planet today. Learn about their existence, the challenges they confront, and the importance of their protection.
This captivating event warmly welcomes visitors of all ages, with content thoughtfully designed for children aged 5 and above. Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to witness the colossal world of the Titanosaur at the Natural History Museum in London.
- 📘 Description: Dinosaur exhibition
- 📅 When: Open now until 7 January 2024
- 🎫 How much: Adult tickets from £16
- 🔗 More info: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/exhibitions/titanosaur.html
Get the English Heritage Family Pack
Calling all history-loving families! Are you ready for an extraordinary journey through time? Joining English Heritage unlocks a world of enchantment, where you and your loved ones can explore magnificent castles, mysterious ruins, and breathtaking historical sites scattered across England.
Become a member to receive:
- UNLIMITED ACCESS to over 400 historic places
- Free MEMBERS’ HANDBOOK to plan days out
- Free or reduced-price entry to our EVENTS
- FREE ENTRY for up to six children
- Exclusive MEMBERS’ MAGAZINE
- FREE PARKING at English Heritage sites
- MEMBERS’ REWARDS offers great brands
Discover London’s Wild Side: A Family Adventure
- 👧 Age guide: 0+
- 📍 Where: London’s green spaces
In a recent blog post, we summarized the wildlife you can expect to see around London. There is a surprising array of parks and woodlands teeming with fascinating creatures and breathtaking natural beauty. So why not take the opportunity to enjoy London’s wildlife this weekend?
London’s wildlife is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of nature. By preserving and nurturing the city’s parks and woodlands, we not only provide habitats for these creatures but also offer opportunities for people of all ages to connect with and appreciate the wonders of the natural world, right in the heart of the capital.
So, pack your picnic basket, grab your camera, and set off on your own journey to uncover the wild side of London’s green spaces.
- 📘 Description: Explore the capital’s wildlife
- 📅 When: Whenever you want
- 🎫 How much: Free
- 🔗 More info: https://londonducklings.co.uk/wildlife-in-london/
East London – Check out a buzzing market
- 👧 Age guide: 1+
- 📍 Where: East London
The East End is one of the city’s most vibrant and multicultural areas, and the markets reflect this diversity. You’ll find an incredible array of food, clothing, jewellery, and other goods from all over the world.
3 great markets for a relaxed family Sunday in East London:
Not only are these markets a great place to shop, but they’re also a hub of community activity. You’ll find street performers, musicians, and other entertainment to keep the whole family entertained. Kids will love the fun activities and games that are often available, and there’s always something new and exciting to discover.
The East End markets are also a great place to introduce your family to new cuisines and flavours. You can sample food from all over the world, from Indian curries to Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, and everything in between. Plus, the prices at these markets are often more affordable than you’ll find in restaurants, so you can try a wider variety of dishes without breaking the bank.
The markets in the East End are also an important part of the area’s history and culture. Many of them have been operating for decades and are an integral part of the local community. By visiting these markets, you’ll get a sense of the area’s rich heritage and the people who call it home.
- ✨ What’s on now: East London Sunday Markets
- 📅 When: Sundays
- 🎫 How much: Free
London cycle trip – Go on a family bike ride
- 👧 Age guide: 6+
- 📍 Where: Safe cycle routes in London
You can choose from a variety of routes, whether you want to ride through the parks or along the River Thames. And the best part is, you can take your time and stop whenever you want to take in the sights.
While London is not as bike-friendly as other European capitals like Amsterdam and Copenhagen, there is an increasing number of cycle routes for families in London. LondonDucklings has been working hard to map these out, to make it easier for families to plan for safe rides.
Here are 3 recommended cycle routes for families:
Cycling is also a great way to see parts of the city that you might not otherwise visit. You can ride through the quieter residential streets, discover hidden parks and gardens, and explore the lesser-known neighbourhoods of London.
And if you don’t have your own bike, there are plenty of options for renting one. You’ll find several options such as Santander Bikes (known by Londoners as “Boris Bikes), Lime Bikes, TIER, Human Forest and Dott.
Not only is cycling a great way to bond with your family, but it’s also an eco-friendly way to travel around the city. You’ll be reducing your carbon footprint while enjoying the outdoors and getting some exercise.
And let’s not forget the fun factor! Cycling is a great way to inject some excitement into your family’s day out. Kids will love the feeling of riding on their own bikes, and you can make a game of spotting landmarks or racing each other to the next destination.
- ✨ What’s on now: Beautiful cycle rides through London
- 📅 When: Every day
- 🎫 How much: From £1.65 for 30 minutes (Santander Cycle)
- 🔗 Web: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/