Looking for things to do during May half term in London with kids? In this guide, you’ll find a list of 2023 events and activities for kids in London coming up during the school 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, 29 May to Friday, 2 June 2023. Monday, 29 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 2023. I will continue to add to this list as more events and activities are announced, so do check back for more updates over the coming weeks.
Discovering Hogwarts at WB Studio Tour London
2 May – 4 September 2023
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London has a new feature running this summer that explores Harry’s early years at Hogwarts and brings several favourite scenes to life.
Over 400 floating candles will adorn the enchanted ceiling of the Great Hall – for the first time since filming – giving visitors the chance to step into the set just as the cast would have seen it during Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone!
Interactive experiences throughout the feature will tell the story of Harry’s first experiences in the Wizarding World, including a live demonstration of Wingdarium Leviosa and a look into the methods filmmakers used to achieve half-giant Hagrid’s towering height in the movies.
Book tickets to visit WB Studio Tour London
Dodger: A Family Adventure at Museum of London Docklands
27 May – 4 June 2023
Go on a journey around the collections at the Museum of London Docklands as part of their new family trail based on the BAFTA-winning BBC TV series, Dodger.
Help Dodger, Fagin and the gang stay one step ahead of the police in an immersive, self-paced experience, set against a converted 19th-century sugar warehouse.
Recommended for ages 7+. Pick up a free trail map on arrival or download the digital PDF map in advance.
Plan your visit to the Museum of London Docklands
Festival of Curiosity at the London Transport Museum
27 May – 4 June 2023
Enjoy curious and creative problem-solving challenges and meet real-world engineers this May half-term at the LTM’s Festival of Curiosity.
Related: London Transport Museum with Kids
Follow in the footsteps of the people who have kept the capital moving over the last 200 years, through family activities that include a STEAM-inspired trail, hands-on workshops and storytelling sessions.
See the full programme and book tickets to visit the London Transport Museum
Spring Family Festival at London Zoo
27 May – 4 June 2023
Step into the season with a Spring Family Festival at ZSL London Zoo. The festival programme is packed with animal talks, colourful arts and crafts, interactive gameshows, wellbeing sessions and much more.
Related: Family Days Out at London Zoo
Kids aged 10+ can test out their bushcraft skills at the Foxglove Fortress, learning how to make an animal-inspired shelter and hot to identify animal tracks and trails.
All activities are included in the zoo admission price and suitable for children of all ages.
Book tickets to visit ZSL London Zoo
1940s Week at the Royal Air Force Museum
27 May – 4 June 2023
Come and see history brought to life with 1940s week at the Royal Air Force Museum. Learn about the Second World War, immerse yourself in the “War in the Air” and come explore their brand new Bomber Command exhibition.
There will be a combination of free and charged for activities at 1940s week, along with a range of arts and crafts for the whole family in Hanger 5.
Charged for activities over half term include getting a closer look into the cockpit of the de Haviland Mosquito (suitable for 7+, costs £5) and the popular Airfix: Make and Take Workshop (advance booking recommended, costs £5).
Book 1940s Week activity tickets and plan your visit at the Royal Air Force Museum
Horrible Histories Live on Stage at Hampton Court Palace
27 May – 3 June 2023
Experience the world of the Barmy Britains with outdoor performances taking place at Hampton Court Palace over May half-term. Performances last 1 hour and are at 12pm and 3pm daily.
Tickets do not include palace entry and cost £15 for adults and £9 for children ages 2 – 15 years old.
Book tickets to visit Hampton Court Palace
Making Maps at the National Maritime Museum
27 May – 4 June 2023
Explore the maps in the National Maritime Museum’s collections and discover forms of navigation at the family activities planned this May half-term.
There are different learning experiences and activities each day, with free kids’ activities that include creating your own passport and stamps and making your own maps.
Related: Day Out at the National Maritime Museum
Also, as part of the Museum’s SEAson of Drawing, there is a drawing session on 3 June, where families can discover the collaborative process between father and son that defines the work of the Van de Veldes, and create their own artwork! Suitable for all ages and abilities.
See the full programme and plan your visit to the National Maritime Museum
Play Through Time at the Imperial War Musuem
27 May – 4 June 2023
Learn about the homemade toys children created during the Second World War and make your own small paper toy to bring home in a free, drop-in workshop.
Families will have a chance to play some original wartime games over May half-term, including ha’penny shove board, ‘giant’ airplane SNAP! and dominoes.
Suitable for ages 5+
Plan your visit to the Imperial War Museum
Family Workshops at Shakespeare Globe
27 May – 3 June 2023, selected dates
Shakespeare Globe are running a series of family workshops and storytelling sessions over the May half-term.
Explore Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream through fun and practical workshops for 5-8 year olds, 9-12 year olds and ages 12+, or join in on a storytelling session for the whole family.
Workshop tickets cost £10. Storytelling session tickets cost £15.
See the full programme and book tickets at the Shakespeare Globe
Be a Palaeontologist at Natural History Museum
29 May – 4 June 2023
To celebrate the opening of the Natural History Museum’s newest exhibition, Titanosaur: Life as the Biggest Dinosaur (scroll down for more details), families are invited to take part in a series of free activities over the May half-term.
Explore prehistoric life through fossils and engage with palaeontological activities and talks with the NHM’s friendly learning team members.
The activities will be held in the Darwin Centre and Darwin Centre Atrium in the Orange Zone, between 11am to 4pm daily.
See the full programme and plan your visit to the Natural History Museum
Coronation Crown Making at Westminster Abbey
29 May – 3 June 2023
Walk in royal footsteps this May half-term and celebrate the Coronation right where it happened. Make your own sparking crown inspired by the Crown Jewels, find out the names of the different crowns and learn how they’re used in a coronation ceremony.
The drop-in family craft sessions are between 10am to 2pm and included in the admission price. Suitable for ages 3+ and younger children are welcome.
Buy tickets to visit Westminster Abbey
The Tales of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny Live Show at Greenwich Park
29 May – 3 June 2023
Quantum Theatre are performing an enchanting new adaptation of two of Beatrix Potter’s best-loved tales this half-term at the Royal Observatory Gardens in Greenwich Park.
Grab a blanket and a picnic and join Peter and Benjamin for a magical afternoon of fun for all the family.
Tickets cost £11 per person. Performances will be daily at 11:30am and 2:30pm.
Marvellous May’Hem at Hobbledown Heath
29 May – 2 June 2023
Hobbledown Heath are hosting a week of science, slime and animal antics for May half-term. Come meet their animals at must-see animal walks, walks and events.
Slime-making sessions will be running throughout the day, along with twice-daily Science Workshops featuring bubbles, rockets, colour explosions and more.
Book tickets to visit Hobbledown Heath
Celebration Wall Art Workshop at V&A Museum
30 May 2023
Create your own wall art using fabric and sewing in this free, hands-on workshop that celebrates Caribbean culture.
Families can explore embroidery and create symbols inspired by objects from West Indian living rooms and objects from the Museum’s collection.
This Drop-in Design workshop will be running between 11am to 4pm in the John Madejski Garden and is suitable for ages 5+.
Read more details and plan your visit to V&A South Kensington
Decoding Pictures Family Tour at the National Gallery
30 May – 1 June 2023
Tour the National Gallery with a friendly Educator and learn fun tips and tricks to unlock secrets hidden in plain sight. Discover how to decode pictures by looking, questioning and discussing together in this interactive session.
Family tour sessions are 11am to 11:45am and 1pm to 1:45pm. Places for the event are limited and available on a first come, first served basis. Suitable for ages 5+
Book a free entry ticket at the National Gallery
Minibeast Safari and Pond Dipping at Gunnersbury Park
30 May and 1 June 2023
Discover the hidden world of insects in the Minibeast Safari and Pond Dipping workshop at Gunnersbury Park. Basic equipment will be provided, including magnifying glasses, trays and nets.
Workshop tickets cost £7 per child, adults go free. The workshops are running at 11am to 1230pm and 1:30pm to 3pm.
Book workshop tickets at Gunnersbury Park
Adventures in Pompeii Workshop at Sir John Soane’s Museum
31 May 2023
Discover the amazing history of the ancient Roman city of Pompeii and hear the story of how Pompeii was destroyed when the volcano Mount Vesuvius erupted.
Workshop activities include building mini-models of the city and baking Roman loaves. Tickets cost £10 per person.
This workshop lasts 4 hours (11am to 3pm) and is suitable for ages 7 to 11 years old. Children will be expected to attend the workshop independently.
Book workshop tickets at the Sir John Soane’s Museum
Giffords Circus: ‘Les Enfants du Paris’ at Chiswick House
2 – 19 June 2023
Giffords Circus will return for an extended three-week run at Chiswick House and Gardens this summer, starting at the end of May half term. The brand-new show ‘Les Enfants du Paris’ will take inspiration from French Romanticism in the mid-19th century.
Tickets cost from £20 for adults and £10 for children. Children under 3 enter free.
Book tickets for Giffords Circus at Chiswick House
Kids Rule at Eltham Palace and Gardens
27 May – 4 June 2023
Celebrate King Charles III’s coronation at Eltham Palace and Gardens this May half-term, with their Kid Rule events, hands-on activities and fresh-air family fun.
Book tickets to visit Eltham Palace and Gardens
St George’s Quest at Morden Hall Park
30 May – 1 June 2023
Join in on an exciting adventure through the Rose Garden at Morden Hall Park. St George’s Quest is an interactive play, where challengers will be interacting with several characters, solving puzzles and defeating a dragon to be Knighted by St George himself!
The one hour interactive play starts every half hour between 11am to 3:30pm. Tickets cost £2.50 for adults and £12.50 for children. Suitable for ages 4+. Booking in advance is required.
Discovery Day: Time Travellers at LookOut Hyde Park
30 May – 1 June 2023
Take part in a variety of free family activities and travel back in time through the Royal Park’s history at the LookOut Centre in Hyde Park. 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 LookOut Hyde Park
Family Art and Tales: Persia and Greece at the British Museum
1 – 2 June 2023
Explore themes from the British Museum’s current special exhibition, Luxury and power: Persia to Greece, through drop-in craft and storytelling sessions.
Related: Visiting the British Museum with kids
There will be plenty to get involved for all the family, including helping to create a wall of mythical animals and making a luxurious art piece to take home.
Plan your visit to the British Museum
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 Extraordinary Time-Travelling Adventures of Baron Munchausen at New Wimbledon Theatre
5 March – 1 October 2023
Winner of the “Best Children’s Show on the Fringe” at Manchester last year, this exciting new concept show features award-winning comedians and improvisers who are challenged by one another to invent outrageously exaggerated swashbuckling stories based on the The Adventures of Baron Munchausen.
Discover how the Baron invented Morris dancing, how his actions saved the Isle of Skye from sinking beneath the waves, why every fourth child in Bruges is named after him and other fantastically delightful stories.
Running time: 60 minutes. Tickets from £11. Suitable for ages 7+
Book tickets at the New Wimbledon Theatre
The Invisible Man at Unicorn Theatre
28 May – 18 June 2023
Imagine how much fun you can have when no one can see you. Now The Invisible Man invites you to take a seat and watch… well no-one really.
Created in the Netherlands by highly acclaimed, mischievous theatre-makers Theatre Artemis, this surreal and hilarious show is all about everything you don’t see.
Running time: 65 minutes. Tickets from £15 – £25.50 for adults, from £9 – £17 for under 18s. Suitable for ages 5 – 11.
Book tickets at the Unicorn Theatre
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;
Brick Dinos at the Horniman Museum
10 February – 29 October 2023
Step back in time with Brick Dinos, the new family-friendly exhibition at the Horniman Museum and Gardens. See dinosaurs and other prehistoric giants – including the raptor-like Masiakasaurus and a life-sized flying pterosaur – recreated in miniature form by artist Warren Elsmore and his team.
The Brick Dinos exhibition will also feature rarely seen specimens from the Horniman’s stores, and a range of hands-on activities for children to enjoy including build your own dinosaur and digging for fossils.
Tickets cost £9 for adults, £4.50 for children. Free for under 3s.
Book exhibition tickets at the Horniman Museum
Titanosaur: Life as the Biggest Dinosaur at the Natural History Museum
31 March 2023 – 7 January 2024
Step into the world of the colossal titanosaur Patagotitan mayorum, one of the the largest known creatures to have ever walked our planet, at an exciting new, interactive exhibition at the NHM. This is the first time the Patagotitan mayorum has been on display in Europe; don’t miss your chance to see this extraordinary dinosaur up close!
Related: Dino Snores for Kids at the Natural History Museum
Follow the life of a titanosaur around a gallery, where you can handle specimens, explore interactives and learn how a creature of this colossal size could have survived on Earth. After discovering what life was like as the biggest dinosaur, get to know the giants we share our planet with today, learn about their lives, the challenges they face and how we can protect them.
Tickets cost £16 for adults and £9 for children. Advance bookings are recommended especially for visits during the school holidays and weekends. Recommended for ages 5+.
Book tickets at the Natural History Museum
May Half Term in London for Kids 2023 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 2023” 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 9 May 2023 with more London family events and activities coming up over May half term break.
