Looking for things to do in London during the October half term break? In this guide, you’ll find a list of activities and events to help plan the upcoming October half term in London with kids.
Table of Contents
When are the October half term school holidays?
The October half term school break for most schools in London is from Monday, 28 October to Friday, 1 November 2024. Some London schools start the October half term break earlier and have two weeks off, from Monday, 21 October to Friday, 1 November.
What’s On October Half Term in London with Kids
Plan your October family days out with this list of things to do with kids in London during October half term break 2024. Since many London attractions are running Halloween-themed activities and events during October half-term, there is some overlap with my post of things to do for Halloween in London with kids.
Find more autumn days out inspiration in my post on Pumpkin Picking near London.
This list is currently being updated with October half term activities in London for 2024. I will continue to add to the list as more family events and activities are announced in the coming weeks.
Dinosaur rEvolution at Horniman Museum
10 February – 3 November 2024
Last chance to see the Dinosaur rEvolution exhibition this October half term at Horniman Museum and Gardens.
Dinosaur rEvolution explores the relationship between dinosaurs and birds, featuring five large animatronic models, many accurate cast fossil skeletons and skulls, dress up, games and more. Tickets cost £9 per adult and £6 per child.
Book tickets for Dinosaur rEvolution at Horniman Museum and Gardens
Discover the Dark Arts at WB Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter
13 September – 10 November 2024
The Making of Harry Potter studio tour is an amazing experience going behind the scenes of the work that went into filming the Harry Potter movies. In celebration for Halloween, there will be 100 floating pumpkins in the magnificent Great Hall and tables laden with sweets, cakes and pies, as seen in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
The WB Studio Tours London are also featuring the Dark Arts this autumn. Keep an eye out for the Dark Mark projected in various parts of the tour and learn the moves behind a wand combat scene, just like the Battle of Hogwarts, in a live duel with Death Eaters.
Read more: Dark Arts at Harry Potter Studio Tour London
Book tickets for Warner Bros. Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter
Hobble’ween at Hobbledown Heath
12 – 13, 19 – 20, 26 October – 3 November 2024
Hobbledown Adventure Park are running a special Hobble’ween line up at both their Hobbledown Heath and Epsom locations on October weekends and during the October half term break.
Enjoy Halloween-themed activities, a fancy dress monster ball, costume parade and more. Any tickets purchased for the dates above include all Hobble’ween celebrations, free of cost.
New for this year, Hobbledown Heath will also have a pumpkin patch open on selected dates from 27 September. Tickets are available to combine your pumpkin patch visit with entry to Hobbledown Heath.
Book tickets for Hobbledown Heath
Room on the Broom at Kew Gardens
19 October – 3 November 2024
Explore Kew Gardens this autumn with a free drop-in event based on the bestselling picture book, Room on the Broom. The journey will take you across the stunning autumn landscape at Kew Gardens. Discover familiar characters, playful installations and family activities along the way that bring the magic of the book to life.
Combine with the Kew Gardens Children’s Garden playground, which no longer requires pre-booking, for a fun family day out. Read our post on Autumn in Kew Gardens for tips on best spots to see the beautiful fall foliage.
Book tickets to visit Kew Gardens
Halloween Family Fun at London Zoo
19 October – 3 November 2024
Visit the London Zoo for a fun family adventure this Halloween this October half term. Halloween-themed activities include spooky animal talks, crafting a menacing mask and an extinct species graveyard.
Explore the Boo at the Zoo pumpkin patch, where you can choose your own pumpkin and capture photos. Additional charges apply for pumpkin decorating and face painting.
Book tickets to visit London Zoo
Halloween Family Fun – High Street Kensington
25 October – 31 October 2024
High Street Kensington have a packed line-up of family activities and events over October half-term! From 25 October, there will be a giant inflatable looming over the tube station and a free ‘win-a-treat’ Halloween hunt through the streets.
On 27 October, explore the family-inspired Farmers’ Market filled with autumnal food and take part in crafts, pumpkin decorating and face painting from 11am to 2pm.
And stop by on 31 October, Hallow’s Eve itself, for a free extravaganza of spooky street theatre with entertainers and trick-or-treating, from 5pm to 7pm.
Combine with nearby must-sees, such as “The World of Tim Burton” exhibition opening at the Design Museum on 25 October or artist Yayoi Kusama’s striking yellow and black polka dot “Pumpkin” installation by the Round Pond at Kensingston Gardens until 3 November.
Read more about Halloween at High Street Kensington
Pumpkin by Yayoi Kusama – Kensington Gardens
now until 3 November 2024
Pumpkin (2024) is a sculpture by artist Yayoi Kusama currently installed near the Round Pound in Kensington Gardens. Kusama is known for her immersive installations, large-scale sculptures and intricate paintings, and she often features kabocha, or pumpkin, in her work.
The Pumpkin sculpture is Kusama’s tallest bronze sculpture to date, standing at 6 metres tall and 5.5 metres in diameter.
Read more about Yayoi Kusama: Pumpkin at Serpentine Galleries
October Half-Term Activities at HMS Belfast
26 October – 3 November 2024
This October half term, help an unlucky sailor at HMS Belfast find his lost kit. Pick up a free family trail guide and search around the ship to see if you can find all 10 lost laundry items.
From 26 October to 3 November, families can also join in with free craft activities. Sew, design and decorate your own unique collar or handle real items worn and used by the ship’s crew.
Book tickets to visit HMS Belfast
Cold War Spies Week at the Royal Air Force Museum
26 October – 3 November 2024
The Royal Air Force Museum London will have a fun range of family activities this October half term. Familiar favourites are back on including Robot Races and RC Helicopters, along with a new LEGO Berlin Wall workshop (£5 per person) and spy-themed activities.
Read more: Royal Air Force Museum London with Kids
Activities with an additional charge this October half term include a Zoom Through History spy-themed mystery hunt (£7.50 per person) and Cold War rocket launchers (£3 per person). Due to limited numbers, participants are required to book a place for some workshops and activities.
Book workshop tickets for Cold War Spies Week at the Royal Air Force Museum
Halloween Half Term at Eltham Palace & Gardens
26 October – 3 November 2024
Enjoy a ghoulishly good day out at Eltham Palace and Gardens this half term. Follow the trail to solve creepy clues and gather round to listen to spooky stories.
Free for English Heritage members. For non-members, tickets cost from £14.50 for adults and £8.60 for children ages 5 – 17. Under 5s enter free. Book online and save 15%.
Book tickets for Eltham Palace & Gardens
Ice Skating at Canary Wharf Ice Rink
26 October 2024 – 23 February 2025
Canary Wharf Ice Rink will be opening for the season in time for October half-term! Enjoy a magical experience in the heart of Canary Wharf when London’s longest running seasonal ice rink returns to Canada Square Park.
Plus, join in on family fun the evening of Halloween, with a children’s facepainter, spooky surprises and ice skating to thrilling sounds of ghoulish Halloween tunes!
Book tickets for the Canary Wharf Ice Rink
October Half Term Activities at WWT London Wetland Centre
26 October – 3 November 2024
The London Wetland Centre in Barnes are running an exciting programme of October half-term activities. Discover activities that show just how super wetland nature can be, from weaving a willow wand to hunting for fungi.
Free October half term family activities at the London Wetland Centre Barnes also include potion making sessions, pond dipping, clay modelling and a mud kitchen.
Book tickets to visit the WWT London Wetland Centre
Halloween Trail at Hampton Court Palace
26 October – 3 November 2024
Explore Henry VIII’s notoriously haunted palace along a spooky, family-friendly Halloween trail with atmospheric projections and creepy sound effects.
Work with ghost hunters to seek out all of Hampton Court Palace’s spirits, and afterwards, cosy down to hear some spooky stories and enjoy a Halloween-themed treat from the café.
Book tickets to visit Hampton Court Palace
October Half Term Activities at London Transport Museum
26 October – 3 November 2024
Families visiting the London Transport Museum over October half-term can meet time-travelling passengers from Victorian London and step into the shoes of Edwardian engineers. Suitable for children 7+.
Read more: Visiting the London Transport Museum with kids
Explore what it is like to travel through the darkness and the engineering that makes it possible. Free drop-in activities include building your own Night bus and are free with your entry ticket.
Book tickets to visit the London Transport Museum
Halloween Trail at Tower of London
26 October – 3 November 2024
Follow in the footsteps of infamous prisoners as you wander the Tower grounds at the spookiest time of the year. This is a family-friendly adventure designed to spook, but not to terrify.
Pick up a trail when you arrive and keep track of the ghosts that you spot on your visit.
Book tickets to visit the Tower of London
London Museum of Water & Steam – October Half-Term
26 October – 3 November 2024
Join in on ghost hunts, haunted tours and ghost crafts this October half-term at London Museum of Water and Steam.
Family tours will be on during October half-term, directed at children ages 3 and up, from 1pm to 1:30pm. Explore the Waterworks past, along with local legends and oddities.
Book tickets for London Museum of Water & Steam
Halloween Family Workshops at Chelsea Physic Garden
27 -31 October 2024
Over the October half term, Chelsea Physic Garden will be running several great Halloween activities for kids. Listen to spooky tales at the Enchanted Cottage, take part in Halloween crafts and paint or carve your own pumpkin or enjoy a fun costume party and mask making afternoon. Halloween workshop tickets range from £10 to £15 per child and £15 to £20 per adult.
Stories from the Enchanted Cottage (27-31 October): Wander through the Magic Forest to the cosy Enchanted Cottage, where Magical Storyteller Emily will tell fun, spooky tales.
Paint a Pumpkin (28, 30 October): Paint your very own pumpkin and enjoy a spooky tour of Chelsea Physic Garden.
Pumpkin Carving (28, 30 October): Participants will learn about pumpkin plants and explore the Garden through autumn. All materials and tools will be provided, and each participant will take home their own jack-0-lantern creation.
Make Your Own Broomstick (29 October): Craft your own broomstick using plant materials foraged at the Chelsea Physic Garden. Each participant will leave with a unique broomstick which will complement your costumes, home, or garden for the upcoming holiday season.
Cookie Decorating (29 October): Join in on a fun Halloween cookie decorating session and explore autumnal colours and creatures. Enjoy a wander through the autumn garden after the workshop.
Potions and Bubbles (31 October): Enjoy a Halloween potion making session and brew a special bubbling bath soap. All tools and materials are provided, and each participant will take home their own personal potion mixture.
Costume Party and Mask Making (31 October): Get ready for a spooktacular Halloween adventure at Chelsea Physic Garden London! Take part in a fun costume party and leaf mask making session.
Book family workshop tickets at the Chelsea Physic Garden
Creative Sessions at the National Gallery
29 – 30 October 2024
Explore the National Gallery this October half term in one of their family sessions: Decoding Pictures (29 October) and The Sound of Paintings (30 October)
There will also be Musical Lute Tours on 29 October, at 12pm and at 2pm. Join lute player, Andrew Maginley, and Gallery educator and storyteller, Fiona Alderton, for a musical adventure through the National Gallery.
Learn more and book a free entry ticket at the National Gallery
Halloween Pumpkin Market at Covent Garden
October 2024 Dates TBA
The Halloween Pumpkin Market will return to the iconic Covent Garden Market Building throughout October. The display will feature over two hundred pumpkins, squashes and gourds available to purchase in various shapes and sizes.
Read latest updates about Halloween in Covent Garden
October Half-Term Kids Theatre Shows in London
FUNharmonics Family Concert: Stan and Mabel at the Southbank Centre
29 October 2024
Stan and Mabel love listening to their neighbour practising her musical instruments. When she disappears to judge a competition to find the Greatest Orchestra in the World, there’s only one thing for it – they’re going to have to audition! But who will join their orchestra?
Find out as the London Philharmonic Orchestra and presenter Polly Ives tell the lively story of Stan and Mabel, based on the book by Jason Chapman with music by Paul Rissmann.
With plenty of audience interaction throughout, as well as a selection of exciting orchestral pieces your family will love, this is sure to be an unforgettable first concert experience for young music-lovers aged 5 and above.
Tickets from £16. Suitable for ages 5+. Running time: 1 hour
Book tickets for the FUNharmonics Family Concert at Southbank Centre
Pumpkin Picking near London
One of the top things to do in London with kids during October is picking pumpkins at the pumpkin patch for carving, decorating and baking. There are several pumpkin patches near London in Surrey, Sussex, Kent and Hertfordshire which I have listed and will keep updating for Halloween 2024 in the Pumpkin Patches Near London post.
In previous years, we have been to Tulleys Pumpkin Farm, Cammas Hall Farm, Crockford Bridge Farm and Garsons Farm for pumpkin picking and family fall activities.
Halloween for Kids in London 2024 Map
I am also pinning the top places around London for Halloween family events, activities and workshops as well as pumpkin picking near London in my “Halloween 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.
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
Autumn in London with Kids
Autumn is a wonderful time of year to explore London with kids. Discover the best parks, gardens and unique spots to see the autumn leaves in London in my recently updated post: Best Places to See Autumn Colours in London.
Read on for more inspiration for family days out in London’s beautiful parks, gardens and outdoor attractions;
Children’s Garden at Kew Gardens
Magic Garden at Hampton Court Palace
Visiting Osterley Park National Trust with Kids
Gruffalo Adventure Trail at Horsenden Hill
Dinosaur Adventure Golf West London
Things to Do in St James’s Park London with Kids
If you are looking for places to visit outside of London to see the fall foliage, I can also recommend these National Trust sites which are beautiful to visit in autumn;
Autumn Colours at Winkworth Arboretum Surrey
Day Trip to Scotney Castle Kent
This post was updated on 17 September 2024 with more family events, activities and theatre shows coming up over London October half term.
Pin for Later – October Half Term in London with Kids 2024
