Solidarity to any parent thinking “what do you mean, half-term already?”
But, yes, school’s out for a break that tends to be characterised by falling leaves, pumpkins and endless demands for hot chocolate. This year there’s plenty to do in London, whether you're a family of Halloween-obsessed thrill seekers or not.
A wealth of exciting new shows and exhibitions are opening up in the capital, outdoor activities with a spooky edge are in abundance as are events and workshops which promote being together as a family. From making music to munching cakes, hunting ghosts to hand portraiture — London families are spoilt for choice this half-term.
Delight
Inspired by the lights of Seoul, South Korea’s vibrant, innovative capital, this exhibition – suitable for children aged four and older – is a sensory journey during which visitors are immersed in sound, visuals and art across 12 zones. It is a moving monument to urban city life, and following a successful run in Seoul itself, is guaranteed to thrill in London. Guests will step into the city and explore its past and present via ancient mythology, real life stories from more than 60 of the city’s residences and a host of nostalgic signage. Part-love letter, part-history lesson, Delight is a surreal homage to Seoul.
Children’s tickets from £15.60; Until January 2024; Borough Yards, Unit 219-221, SE1 9DG, delightexhibit.com
Halloween Trail at Hampton Court Palace
Famously haunted, Henry VIII’s former home, Hampton Court Palace is made for chilling Halloween celebrations. Visitors winding through cobwebbed corridors and exploring nooks and crannies - each heighted by spooky sound effects and petrifying projections – are all following in the footsteps of the resident ghosts, who are, if legend is to be believed, two of King Henry’s wives. If the trail hasn’t satisfied cravings for all thing creepy, there’s also a spooky storytelling session to hunker down to. Horrible histories, indeed!
Tickets from £13.10 for children; 21 to 29 October; Hampton Court Way, Molesey, East Molesey KT8 9AU, hrp.org.uk
Turn it up: The Power of Music
This brand spanking new show at The Science Museum promises to lay bare the secrets of song and sound via a wealth of interactive exhibits including Haile a musical robot whose superpower is being able to play and improvise alongside human musicians or the the Pyrophone, an organ powered by flames. A standout moment for any pop fans will be the MiMU Gloves, which are used by the likes of Ariana Grande to make gestures that control music-making software live on stage. In what is essentially a musical playground, visitors can make their own tunes, all the while understanding more about how melodies and beats impact our emotions.
From £8 for children; Until May 24; Exhibition Road, South Kensington, SW7 2DD, sciencemuseum.org.uk
London Literature Festival at Southbank Centre
Young book worms will be in their element at this year’s London Literature Festival which runs over the entire half term break and is packed with author talks, storytelling and live music. We wager that Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse will draw a big crowd of little people as she celebrates her new picture book Dance With Oti: The Lion Samba, which will involve practising plenty of animal movements! Meanwhile children aged 7 and older will no doubt be hanging off every word of Jacqueline Wilson as she introduces the sequel to her top-selling title Sleepovers after 22 years. The former Children’s Laureate will present The Best Sleepover in the World alongside the book’s illustrator Rachael Dean who will treat audiences to a demonstration of her drawings livefrom the stage.
Some events free; 18 to 29 October; Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX, southbankcentre.co.uk
The Common Room at Cutter & Squidge
When it comes to reimagining Afternoon Tea the team at Cutter & Squidge, London’s only all-natural bakery in the heart of Soho are absolute masters. Their latest offering is essentially a high end, bottomless buffet of scones, cakes and sourdough sandwiches paired with tea, gin or fizz. The Common Room is a cosy space beneath the main bakery where everything is inventive and playful – forget formality and fill your boots, sweets first if you like! There are no rules which makes it manna from heaven for children. It is also the perfect treat to break up a shopping trip or as a pre-theatre feast.
From £34.99 for children; 20 Brewer Street, Soho, London, W1F 0SJ, cutterandsquidge.com
Camden Market’s Halloween celebrations
Vibrant at the best of times Camden Market is, for over a week, going to be home to a multi-sensory celebration of all things Halloween, carnival and Day of the Dead. Immersive actors will weave through the crowds at The Quay which is also set to display an intrigue-inducing vast sugar skull. Later in the week visitors can have their faces painted and get crafty at various artsy workshops as well as taking in traditional Dia de los Muertos parade in partnership with The Somers Gallery, formerly known as the UK Mexican Arts Society.
Free; From 23 October to 2 November; 54-56 Camden Lock Pl, London NW1 8AF, camdenmarket.com
Festival of the Girl
Girls aged between seven and 11 years old are invited to stand up to gender stereotypes at Festival of The Girl, a not-for-profit initiative that coincides with UN's International Day of the Girl Child. Girls will have a chance to try new activities, sports, hobbies and crafts including coding, rugby and industrial design as well as learning more about body positivity, racism and sustainability. Its emphasis is on empowerment and fun, and if the last few years are anything to go by, it delivers in spades for the women of tomorrow.
Ticket price dependent on circumstances; The Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street, N1 0QH, festivalofthegirl.com
Family studio: hand portraits
Getting creative in one of the world’s most eminent art establishments is the stuff of dreams for plenty of children – and parents. This ‘drop in’ family studio workshop at the Royal Academy of Art is a chance for families – particularly those who include budding photographers in their number - to make art together, under the expert guidance of artist Eva Jonas. The focus here is on how to stage and create hand portraits– with the help of props and lighting – inspired by photographer Catherine Opie’s current exhibition Portraits of Artists. Children of all ages will be able to make a personal portrait that reflects who they are and what makes them tick.
29 October from 11am-1pm and 2-4pm; Clore Learning Centre, Royal Academy of Art, Burlington Gardens, royalacademy.org.uk
Hyde Park Discovery Days
The largest park in central London offering a host of free Halloween-themed but nature-focused activities for any young ghost or monster (dressing up optional but very much encouraged) brave enough to face a Witches’ Den and reach into the ‘feely boxes’ within or learning about the bats who come out at night in the park. There’s also a nature trail and the chance to be scared silly by a spooky story.
Free; 24 to 26 October, drop in between 11am and 3:30pm; Hyde Park Learning Centre, Hyde Park, W Carriage Drive, W2 2UH, royalparks.org.uk
Wildlife Photographer of the Year at Natural History Museum
Nubian ibex goats battling it out high on a rocky terrain, spiders camouflaged against ancient monuments or jellyfish silhouettes in the deep sea – these are just some of the visual treasures found in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition. Plenty of urban landscapes have been captured too including an aerial shot of Ciliwung River which bends through Jakarta and a derelict, graffiti daubed building with two barn owls perched in a glassless window. No doubt a big draw will be ‘The golden horseshoe’, an image of a tri-spine horseshoe crab accompanied by a trio of golden trevallies which saw French underwater photographer and marine biologist Laurent Ballesta scoop the top prize of Wildlife Photographer of the Year for the second time. The show is a much-needed celebration of the wonder and beauty of nature – and a sobering reminder that we need to do much more to protect it.
