Looking for things to do during May half term in London with kids? In this guide, you’ll find a list of 2024 events and activities for kids in London coming up during the half term holidays.
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When are the May half term school holidays?
This year the May half term school holidays in London are from Monday, 27 May to Friday, 31 May 2024. Monday, 27 May is the spring bank holiday.
What’s On May Half Term in London with Kids
Plan your May half term break with this list of things to do with kids in London during May half term 2024.
Return to Azkaban at WB Studio Tour London
1 May – 4 September 2024
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, with a brand new special feature.
The Divination classroom set will be on display at the Studio Tour, as seen when when Harry, Ron and Hermione attended their first lesson with Professor Trelawney. Discover the classroom details up close and look out for the original Grim teacup!
Related: Dark Arts at Harry Potter Studio Tour
During the Return to Azkaban feature, there will be a new section of the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom to see, complete with the Boggart wardrobe and sinister Boggart jack-in-the-box.
Book tickets to visit WB Studio Tour London
The Moat in Bloom at Tower of London
23 May – 9 September 2024
Experience the Tower of London Moat from a fresh perspective this summer as this unique and historic space blooms into life once more.
Access to the moat will be included in your Tower of London ticket between May and September.
Book tickets to visit Tower of London
Horrible Histories Live on Stage at Hampton Court Palace
25 May – 1 June 2024
Experience Rotten Royal Live in the Palace Gardens at Hampton Court Palace this May half term. Horrible Histories are back for one week only, with monstrous monarchs and revolting rulers from Britain’s barmy past!
Tickets cost £15 for adults (16 years+) and £9 for children (ages 2 – 15 years). The show is suitable for ages 5+. Horrible Histories tickets do not include palace entry but discounted tickets can be purchased.
Book tickets for Horrible Histories at Hampton Court Palace
Routes and Roundels at the London Transport Museum
25 May – 2 June 2024
Celebrate the iconic London transport Roundel this May half term break at the London Transport Museum. Take part in fun activities exploring the long history of the Roundel and how the use of the striking symbol helped people easily spot stations as they navigated the city.
Related: London Transport Museum with Kids
There will be family activities on during May half term to design your own Roundel, to hunt for historic Roundels around the LTM’s galleries and to join in on an interactive storytelling session.
See the full programme and book tickets to visit the London Transport Museum
Reptile Record Breakers at London Zoo
25 May – 2 June 2024
London Zoo are celebrating the opening of their brand new exhibit, The Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians over May half term with record breaker games located on the lawn behind the exhibit.
Related: Family Days Out at London Zoo
Test our your own skills on the lawn and then visit the Reptiles and Amphibians exhibit to see the animals’ skills in action.
All activities are included in the zoo admission price and suitable for children of all ages.
Book tickets to visit ZSL London Zoo
Kids Rule at Eltham Palace and Gardens
25 May – 2 June 2024
Enjoy hands-on activities and family fun in the fresh air this May half-term at Eltham Palace and Gardens.
There’s plenty to see and do at Eltham Palace, from learning about Anne’s rise in the Tudor Court and having a go at Tudor dancing to trying on 1930’s clothes and taking shelter in the wartime basement bunker.
Book tickets to visit Eltham Palace and Gardens
Textile and Weaving at Young V&A
29 – 31 May 2024
Visit Young V&A in Bethnal Green this May half term for hands-on activities around the theme of textiles and weaving.
Free workshops include experimental paper weaving in Open Studio (29 – 31 May), a large-scale weaving activity with sculpture Matt Shaw (25 – 26 May) and abstract costume design in the Stage (31 May).
Additional family workshops in the learning studios include making denim bags (30 May) and exploring natural dye (29 – 30 May).
Read more about May half term at Young V&A
Creative Sessions at the National Gallery
29 and 30 May 2024
This May half term, help the National Gallery test new ideas and materials as part of an ongoing projeect with artists, children and community groups.
There will be two free drop-in sessions for families, Sensory Connections on 29 May and Gold Reflections on 30 May. The sessions are open from 11am to 4pm and suitable for all ages.
Learn more and book a free entry ticket at the National Gallery
Eco Adventures at Greenwich Park
29 May 2024
Explore the local area with the Field Study Council at their Greenwich Park centre to discover a variety of minibeasts. Look closer to these creatures, learn to identify them and find out some fun facts.
There is a morning session from 10am to 12pm and an afternoon session from 1pm to 3pm. Suitable for children of any age and children must be accompanied by an adult. Events are free to attend but please book your place in advance.
Book your free ticket at Field Studies Council
Robin Hood: Interactive Theatre at Morden Hall Park
29 – 31 May 2024
The evil Sir Guy of Gisborne has the much-loved fugitive and friend of the poor, Robin Hood – once Robin of Loxley, Earl of Huntingdon – in chains at last. It won’t be long until the jealous Gisborne is finally able to put his rival to death and be rid of him forever. Unless, of course, you can work together with some of the Merry Men to save him!
Join in on the exciting new adventure at Morden Hall Park that will lead its participants on a thrilling trail to interact with Robin’s friends, take on challenges and solve a variety of riddles and puzzles.
Tickets cost £12.50 per child and £3.50 per adult. Booking in advance is essential. Please choose your preferred entry time and be sure to arrive in the Far Side of Rose Garden at the appointed hour.
Book your tickets for Robin Hood at Morden Hall Park
D-Day 80 Family Weekend at the Royal Air Force Museum
1 – 2 June 2024
Come and see history brought to life with Second World War Week over May half term at the Royal Air Force Museum, culminating in their D-Day 80 Family Weekend.
The RAF Museum London will be marking the 80th anniversary of the Normany D-Day landings with a free weekend long celebration of 1940s-themed music and outdoor fun. Family activities over the RAF D-Day 80 Family Weekend include making your own parachute, building your own paper glider and swing dancing workshops.
Related: Royal Air Force Museum London with kids
For the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day Landing , the RAF Museum will also be offering a tour telling the story of the role of the RAF during the D-Day Operations. Tickets cost £10 per person and tours are at 11am and 2pm.
Plan your visit to the Royal Air Force Museum
Discovery Day: Time Travellers at Hyde Park Learning Centre
28 – 30 May 2024
Take part in a variety of free family activities and travel back in time through the Royal Park’s history at the Hyde Park Learning Centre.
Activities include creating a plant print with Hapa zome, trying your hand at calligraphy and a meet and greet with Queen Victoria.
Drop in anytime between 11am to 3pm. Activities are suitable for the whole family to enjoy.
Register your interest for the Discovery Days at The Hyde Park Learning Centre
May Half-Term Kids Theatre Shows in London
Here’s a list of what’s on for kids at London Theatres during the May half-term break.
The Colour of Dinosaurs at the Polka Theatre
11 May – 9 June 2024
Join five amazing musicians and famous paleontologist Dr Jakob Vinther as they enter the multi-coloured world of the dinosaurs with soaring music, catchy songs and mind-blowing science.
Running time: approximately 60 minutes. Tickets from £10. Suitable for ages 6+
Book tickets at the Polka Theatre
Handa’s Surprise at the Polka Theatre
22 May – 23 June 2024
Travel to Kenya and follow in Handa’s footsteps as she journeys to see her best friend Akeyo, in the next village. Handa is taking seven delicious fruits as a surprise – but seven different animals have seven very different ideas…
A blend of physical performance, puppetry, live music and song combine to create an intimate, magical production with audience participation. The audience sit on cushions and mats around the stage for an intimate experience.
Running time: 35 minutes. Tickets from £15 for adults and children, £1 for children under 12 months. Suitable for ages 2 – 5.
Book tickets at the Polka Theatre
Zog and the Flying Doctors at Rose Theatre Kingston
28 May – 2 June 2024
Based on Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s bestselling sequel, Freckle Productions (Zog, Stick Man, Tiddler & Other Terrific Tales) are back, with music and lyrics by Joe Stilgoe (Zog), for this truly modern take on the classic fairy tale.
Zog, super keen student turned air-ambulance, still lands with a bang-crash-thump. Together with his Flying Doctor crew, Princess Pearl and Sir Gadabout, they tend to a sunburnt mermaid, a unicorn with one too many horns and a lion with the flu. However, Pearl’s uncle, the King, has other ideas about whether princesses should be doctors, and she’s soon locked up in the castle back in a crown and a silly frilly dress!
With a bit of help from some friends and half a pound of cheese, can Pearl make her uncle better and prove princesses can be doctors too?
Book tickets at Rose Theatre Kingston
Museums in London for Kids
Top Museums in London for Kids – plan a visit to one of London’s top family-friendly museums
Read on for more family days out inspiration with our reviews on top museums in London for kids;
Family Day Out at the British Museum
Visiting the Horniman Museum and Gardens with Kids
Wonderlab at the Science Museum London
London Transport Museum with Kids
Day Out at the National Maritime Museum
Dino Snores for Kids at the Natural History Museum
Royal Air Force Museum London with Kids
Cutty Sark Activities for Kids
London Museum of Water and Steam with Kids
National Portrait Gallery London with Kids
London Museum Exhibitions
Here’s a list of the exhibitions that are on at the top London museums for kids during the May half term break;
Dinosaur rEvolution at the Horniman Museum
10 February – 3 November 2024
Explore the relationship between dinosaurs and birds at the first UK showing of Dinosaur rEvolution at Horniman Museum and Gardens.
This fascinating, family-friendly exhibition will feature five large animatronic models, many accurate cast fossil skeletons and skulls – some touchable, detailed graphics by the acclaimed artist Luis V Rey, dress up, games, and more.
Exhibition tickets cost £9 for adults, £4.50 for children. Free for under 3s.
Book exhibition tickets at the Horniman Museum
May Half Term in London for Kids 2024 Map
I am pinning the top places in London for things to do during the summer half term in my “May Half Term in London with Kids 2024” Google Map Guide. For a direct link to the map to bookmark, click here. To explore the map, click on the door sign with an arrow just before the map title.
This post was updated on 24 May 2024 with London family events and activities coming up over May half term break.
