Looking for things to do in London during the October half term break? In this guide, you’ll find a list of 2022 October half term events and activities for kids that are coming up in London.
When are the October half term school holidays?
The October half term school break for most schools in England is the last full week of October, from Monday, 24 October to Friday, 28 October 2022. Some schools start the October half term holidays earlier, from Monday, 17 October and also ending on Friday, 28 October.
While the majority of half term family activities and events will be on during the last week of October, I will also include any London family activities from mid-October. 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.
What’s On October Half Term in London with Kids
Plan your days out with this list of things to do with kids in London during October half term break 2022. There is some overlap with my post of things to do on Halloween in London with kids, since there are several Halloween themed activities and events running during the half term break.
Spooky Halloween Trail at Chiswick House & Gardens
14 – 31 October 2022
New for 2022, Chiswick House & Gardens will have a spooky illuminated Halloween trail featuring fire artists, haunted woods filled with neon cobwebs, ghastly ghouls and wicked witches. There will be hot chocolate, marshmallows to taste and other decadent treats on offer along the trail.
Limited capacity with timed entry. Tickets on sale now – Adult £16.50, Child (3 – 16) £12 and Family £54
Book tickets for Chiswick House & Gardens Halloween
eek! Weeks at WWT London Wetland Centre
15 – 30 October 2022
The London Wetland Centre in Barnes are running an exciting programme of interactive family activities over October half term. Discover a mysterious world of wetland nature on the interactive trail and put your spookometer to the test.
Will you dare to put your hand in a snake box, grab a photo op with a bat or get up close and personal with a toad? Free family activities over October half term also include pond dipping sessions, Otter Talks (11am and 2pm) natural potions and a mud kitchen.
Book tickets to visit WWT London Wetland Centre
Great Fire of London Family Walk at Museum of London
15, 22, 29 October 2022
Join the Museum of London in the great outdoors on a fun, safe family walk exploring The Great Fire of 1666. Was the baker of Pudding Lane to blame? What did Samuel Pepys bury in his garden? Find out on a 60 minute interactive walk exploring how the Great Fire started, spread and was finally stopped.
This walk is intended for children of Primary school (recommended age 5+) and their families. Tickets are available for 15, 22 and 29 October, at 1030am each day, and cost £8 for adults and £6 for children.
Book tickets at the Museum of London
Halloween Trail at Hampton Court Palace
22 – 30 October 2022
Explore Henry VIII’s notoriously haunted palace along a spooky, family-friendly Halloween trail with atmospheric projections and creepy sound effects.
Head to the Gallery of the Damned and see eerie portraits come to life, or stop by the Council Chamber to take part in a spine-tingling séance.
Book tickets for Hampton Court Palace
Guiding Lights Activities at National Maritime Museum
22 – 30 October 2022
This half term, the National Maritime Museum are running free family activities inspired by light, starting with an amazing programme of arts and performances to celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Light, on 22 October. From 23 – 30 October, take part in a drop-in workshops to explore and play with light.
Free activities include creating your own displays inspired by shadow puppetry from across Asia (23 October), creating colourful rangoli inspired by Diwali (24 October), creating your own model ship and playing around with different materials to make them glow (25 October) and creating your own stained glass window and discovering the colourful patterns it creates when light shines through (30 October).
See the full programme of free October Half Term Activities at National Maritime Museum.
Halloween Trail at Tower of London
22 – 31 October 2022
Follow in the footsteps of infamous prisoners as you wander the Tower grounds at the spookiest time of the year. The Tower of London are bringing the spirit world closer than ever before, with mystical projections and eerie sound effects.
As you explore notorious sites such as Traitors’ Gate, the Scaffold Site and the Bloody Tower, you’ll come face to face with the roaming ghosts of the Tower’s legendary inmates. You may even bump into the lost soul of Anne Boleyn, stuck in the moment that changed her life (and death) forever.
Book tickets for the Tower of London
Mexico Family Fiesta at Kew Gardens
22 – 30 October 2022
Celebrate Day of the Dead with all the family at Kew Gardens during October Half Term. Immerse yourself in the vibrancy of Mexican culture with a whole day of fun, family activities, from dress-up stations, carnival dance workshops, parades, through to their unique art installations in the Temperate House that bring Mexico to life.
Book tickets for Kew Gardens
Halloween Half Term at Eltham Palace & Gardens
22 – 30 October 2022
Enjoy a ghoulishly good day out at Eltham Palace and Gardens this half term. Follow Dennis, Gnasher and friends to solve creepy clues on a fun family quest around the gardens. Then, meet costumed performers to hear tall tales of the strange, the supernatural and the downright silly.
Free for English Heritage members. For non-members, tickets cost £17.60 for adults and £10.60 for children ages 5 – 17.
Eltham Palace & Gardens will also have pumpkin carving workshops, on a first come, first served basis. Purchase a pumpkin and carving kit at their shop and collect at the house. You’ll be given a wristband with a timeslot to join the workshop in the volunteers’ room. Timeslots will be at 1030, 1145, 1300, 1415, 1530 and last 45 minutes. The pumpkin and pumpkin carving kit cost £4.
Book tickets for Eltham Palace & Gardens Halloween Half Term
Find Your Sea Legs at HMS Belfast
22 – 30 October 2022
Take charge of HMS Belfast in the interactive family activity, Find Your Sea Legs, and complete fun tasks around the ship. Get to grips with the science and skills needed to survive on HMS Belfast, solve nautical puzzles and discover for yourself what life was like for the ship’s company during the Second World War.
Over the October half term, there are also Kit Bags available to collect to take part in the D-Day Family Mission activities at HMS Belfast. Find hidden messages in the kit bag, predict the weather for sailing, discover ship life and crack Morse code.
Both drop-in activities are recommended for families with children aged 7+ and included in general admission. Each activity directs you around different areas of the ship and lasts approximately 45 mins to 1 hour. Tickets to visit HMS Belfast cost from £23.60 for adults, £11.80 for children ages 5 – 15 and free for children under 5.
Book tickets to visit the HMS Belfast
Secrets of the City at London Transport Museum
22 – 30 October 2022
Plan a day out at the London Transport Museum over the October half-term and discover another side to the capital through family activities inspired by the secret lives of some of the city’s residents.
Discover London’s nocturnal wildlife and weird and wonderful jobs on the transport network through movement workshops, a ‘make and take’ craft activity celebrating London’s bat population and a family trail around the Museum’s galleries.
Book tickets to visit the London Transport Museum
Monster Soup! at London Museum of Water & Steam
22 – 30 October 2022
This October half term, discover the monster bacteria that lurked in the River Thames in the past at the London Museum of Water & Steam in Brentford. Learn the science behind where our water comes from and how our city’s water is cleaned in a Soggy Science Show. With music, crafts, and the museum’s community art project, there is plenty for the whole family to enjoy.
Book tickets for London Museum of Water & Steam
Top Trumps Halloween Trail at ZSL London Zoo
22 – 31 October 2022
This October half term, the London Zoo will have a Halloween challenge featuring Top Trumps. Grab a tournament card at the entrance, then head off around ZSL London Zoo in search of the zoo’s most impressive residents and their giant Halloween Top Trumps cards.
Choose which animal you want to play and pick a category, then battle it out to see which animal is the speediest, cutest, greediest, longest living, highest rated or has the highest EDGE score. Beat London Zoo on three or more cards to win! Plus, have a go at designing your own Top Trumps card in the Terrace Restaurant.
Book tickets for ZSL London Zoo
London Symphony Orchestra Family Concert at Barbican Hall
23 October 2022
Venture through the looking-glass with the London Symphony Orchestra for the premiere performance of Paul Rissmann’s brand-new concert suite. Presented in a fun and informative way, this LSO Family Concert will feature music based on Alice Through the Looking Glass along with some other hits including the Star Wars theme included in the repertoire.
London Symphony Orchestra Family Concerts offer the chance for everyone to get involved by singing along with the audience participation piece. Recommended for ages 7 to 12 years old. Tickets cost £10 – £16 for adults and £5 for under-18s.
There will also be singing, music and craft workshops happening at the Barbican before the event, at 12pm, 12.35pm, 1.10pm, 1.45pm. These activities are first come-first served. Please sign up on the sheet on the door.
Book tickets for the London Symphony Orchestra Family Concert
Lets Get Creative at Orleans House Gallery
23 October 2022
Let’s Get Creative at the Orleans House Gallery in Twickenham is aimed at families with children aged 4-11 years. On 23 October, the free session will be from 2pm to 4pm. Further details for this event, including whether you need to book and how to do this, will become available closer to the time.
Read the latest workshop updates at Orleans House Gallery
Terrific Torches Workshop at Museum of London
24 October 2022
Make and design your own Olympic torch inspired by the 2012 games in a fun family craft session at the Museum of London. Make sure to visit their London 2012 and World City galleries afterwards to see a real torch, the 2012 cauldron and other memorabilia on display.
This is an unticketed drop-in session, open between 10.30-12.30 or 2-4pm on 24 October. Numbers may be limited at busy times.
Read latest workshop information at Museum of London
Tree Treasure Hunt Workshop at Morden Hall Park
24 – 25 October 2022
Go on a treasure hunt in National Trust Morden Hall Park for natural materials to make an autumn story kit. After finding your treasures, spend time with the autumn flavours “workshop chef” to craft your own little tree or other garments and seasonal adornments using natural materials, string, glue, tape and crayons.
This event is for children aged 2-6 years old and their parents/carers. Booking only required for children and tickets cost £10. The child must be accompanied by at least one adult and no more than two.
Book tickets for the Tree Treasure Hunt Workshop at Morden Hall Park
Halloween Pumpkin Carving at Chelsea Physic Garden
24, 25, 27 October 2022
Prepare for the Halloween season with a visit to Chelsea Physic Garden for a pumpkin carving session. Sessions are from 1pm to 3pm on 24, 25 and 27 October and recommended for ages 6+. Participants will learn about pumpkin plants and explore the Garden through autumn.
All materials and tools will be provided (note that pumpkin carving involves using sharp tools), and each participant will get one pumpkin to take home. Each child must be accompanied by an adult who will work together with the child to create their jack-o-lantern masterpiece.
Tickets are £20 Adult and £15 Child and includes your entry to the Garden that day. Every person attending the workshop must have a ticket and children must be accompanied by an event ticket-holding adult.
Book workshop tickets at the Chelsea Physic Garden
Out of This World: Mars at the Royal Observatory
24, 26 October 2022
Out of This World: Mars begins with travelling across the solar system in the planetarium with a special focus on our neighbour, the planet Mars, followed by an interactive workshop to discover more about this fascinating world that at one time was not so different from our own.
Recommended for ages 7+. Tickets are £5 per child and will be available to purchase online soon. The workshops are from 10.30am to 12pm on 24 and 26 October.
Find latest workshop updates at the Royal Observatory
Hair-Raising Halloween at LookOut Discovery Centre Hyde Park
25 – 27 October 2022
Celebrate Halloween with the little ones at a free drop-in Halloween-themed Discovery Day at the LookOut Centre in Hyde Park. Take part in a host of free creepy crawly activities including guessing the gruesome contents of feely boxes, explroing an eerie nature trail and learning about the bats in the Royal Parks.
Drop in to this free event between 11am and 3pm. Dressing up is encouraged and everyone is welcome – their grounds are fully accessible. The LookOut Centre do ask for no more than 3 children per adult. Only assistance dogs are allowed.
Register your interest for the Royal Parks Discovery Day
Spooky Stained Glass Workshop at the Museum of Richmond
25 – 28 October 2022
Create your own spooky ‘stained glass’ decorations inspired by the tales of ghosts and ghouls who haunt the ruins of Richmond Palace. Workshops are from 10am to 12pm on 25 – 28 October. Workshops are aimed at children aged 5-11 years old. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Tickets cost £6 per child.
If younger siblings (under 5s) are coming as well and not taking part in the main craft activity, the museum can provide colouring materials for them free of charge, as the workshop charges are to help them cover the cost of craft materials. When booking, please book free places for adults and under 5s so they know how many chairs to provide.
Book workshop tickets at the Museum of Richmond
Horrible Histories at Cutty Sark
25 – 27 October 2022
Join musical storyteller Paul Rubinstein on a fun, Halloween-themed storytelling adventure on board the Cutty Sark, exploring the more creepy, disgusting elements of the ship’s history. Sing a revolting sea shanty, befriend the ship’s rats and weevils, and hear the spooky tale of Cutty Sark’s figurehead, Nanny the witch.
Storytelling times are at 11am, 1pm and 2.30pm, on 25 – 27 October and included in general admission.
Book tickets for Cutty Sark
Halloween Broomstick Workshop at Chelsea Physic Garden
25 October 2022
Over the October half term, Chelsea Physic Garden will also be running some great Halloween themed family workshops. The first workshop is on 25 October, 10am – 11am, and recommended for ages 4+. Craft your own broomstick using plant materials foraged at the Chelsea Physic Garden. Learn about the craft of broomstick-making from around the world.
Join the Chelsea Physic Garden team for a broomstick ride around the garden at the end of the workshop to learn about some of the plants in the garden. Each participant will leave with a unique broomstick which will complement your costumes, home, or garden for the upcoming holiday season.
Tickets are £15 Adult and £10 Child and includes your entry to the Garden that day. Note that every person attending the workshop must have a ticket and children must be accompanied by an event ticket-holding adult.
Book tickets at the Chelsea Physic Garden
Make-it Fashion: Textiles & Accessories at the V&A Museum
25 October 2022
Take part in this creative workshop and get inspired by the V&A’s collection and Re:Imagining Musicals display. Led by artist Scott Ramsay Kyle, you’ll explore mixed media collage techniques and experiment with textures, prints and embroidery. Work as a family as you get your creativity flowing and turn drawings, colour play and collage into 3D garments and accessories.
The workshop will be from 11am to 3pm and there will be time for lunch and comfort breaks. Tickets are £15 per child, children must be accompanied by an adult. Please book a free ticket for each accompanying adults. Adults will be able to attend only if they’ve booked a child ticket too.
Book tickets for the workshop at the V&A Museum
Trick-or-Trapped! at Charles Dickens Museum
26 – 28 October 2022
Trick-or-Trapped! is an escape room-style activity running at the Charles Dickens Museum during October half term. Families will have up to 45-minutes to complete a series of ghostly tasks before exploring the historic house at their own pace. The tasks are strongly literacy-based, making it the perfect challenge for avid readers and word puzzle lovers! Recommend for children aged 10+.
Individual tickets cost £15 for adults, £10 for children under 16. Group ticket options include Double Trouble (1 adult, 1 child) for £20, Fab Four (4 people, as long as there is at least 1 adult and 1 child) for £40 and Six is Tricks! (6 people, as long as there is at least 1 adult and 1 child) – £60. If you are in a group with fewer than 6 people, you might be placed in a group with other families.
Book tickets for Trick-or-Trapped! at Charles Dickens Museum
Dream House: Holiday Workshop at Sir John Soane’s Museum
26 October 2022
Explore and discover architect Sir John Soane’s vision for his dream house, his museum at No.13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, which he created for himself and his family, including their dog. Children will attend this four-hour workshop independently with artist educator Lizzie Kendall and get to design, draw and building their own scale models of dream houses to take home.
This workshop is for children ages 7 to 10 years old and tickets cost £10 each. Please note that children must be of the advertised age to attend this event. Children will be expected to attend independently on the day.
Book tickets for the Dream House: Holiday Workshop at Sir John Soane’s Museum
Fearsome Family Fun Day at Royal Institute of British Architects
26 October 2022
Join RIBA for a free Halloween themed family fun day of stories, building and making. Family activities include a Haunted House pop-up model making workshop and spooky story sessions at 11.30, 1pm and 3pm.
All activities will be on the 4th floor of 66 Portland Place, W1B 1AD. Free, please book a timeslot.
Book a free timeslot for RIBA Fearsome Family Fun Day
Drop-in Design: Build a Prop! at the V&A
26 – 28 October 2022
Inspired by the Re:Imagining Musicals display, design and create your own giant cardboard prop to add to a large-scale stage designed by prop maker Isobel Irwin in this free, drop-in workshop at the Victober & Albert Museum. Think like a designer and transform ordinary material into a magical setting for your story.
This is a families event for adults to do with children; no child can be left unattended. Suitable for ages 5+.
Read more information at the V&A Museum
Halloween Spooktacular Fun at Syon House
26 – 30 October 2022
Visit Syon House in West London during October half term for spooky tales about Syon’s past, with costumed guides and hair-raising stories. There will be tours in the House, with guided tours on 26 – 29 October and a self-guided trail for 30 October, and trails to follow in the gardens.
Book tickets for Syon House
Amigo’s Magic at Charles Dickens Museum
28 October 2022
Take part in a fun-filled, live magic show at the Charles Dickens Museum this October half term. Amigo the Magician’s one-hour, interactive show is full of tricks, with plenty of opportunities for the audience to participate. Amigo, played by Magic Circle magician Simon Rosselli, has over 25-years’ experience and is renowned for his family-friendly shows.
Suitable for ages 5 to 11 years old. Tickets cost £15 for adults, £10 for child. The show will start at 11am on Friday, 28 October. Price of ticket includes 1-hour magic show admission and entry to the Charles Dickens Museum. You may explore the museum before or after the show. The museum opens from 10am with last entry and 4pm.
Book tickets for Amigo’s Magic at Charles Dickens Museum
Diwali Workshops at Marble Hill
29 October 2022
Through a series of free workshops, Marble Hill in Twickenham invite visitors and community groups to create their own Diwali lanterns made from wallpaper and silk patterns. Exploration of the festival will conclude in lantern parades to the Thames.
All workshops will take place on Saturday 29 October at the Coach House Café within the grounds of Marble Hill. Workshop times are at 12pm – 1pm and 2pm – 3pm.
Book tickets at Marble Hill
Halloween Fair at Horniman Museum & Gardens
29 October 2022
Enjoy some fiendish fun at the Horniman Museum & Gardens Halloween Fair: a scary, slimy and spooky day out for all the family. You can expect scary magicians, slime-making workshops, spooky arts and crafts activities and the fancy dress parade. Tickets are £5 per person and will be available to purchase soon at https://www.horniman.ac.uk/event/halloween-fair
Find the latest updates at Horniman Museum & Gardens
Halloween Pumpkin Market at Covent Garden
29 – 31 October 2022
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
Family Theatre October Half Term in London
Tutankhamun’s Shoes at Polka Wimbledon
19 – 23 October 2022
English Touring Opera takes families on a new adventure to Ancient Egypt and the Roaring Twenties. The opera will be an interactive and participatory experience where children will get to meet Tutankhamun himself, and other surprising characters along the way while learning about the ancient world, archaeology, mummification and more.
Recommended for ages 7 – 11. Ticket prices from £12.
Book tickets at Polka Wimbledon
Demon Dentist at New Wimbledon Theatre
20 – 22 October 2022
Strange things are happening in Alfie’s town. Children are leaving their teeth for the tooth fairy and waking up to find odd things under their pillow. Alfie and his friend Gabz are determined to get to the bottom of the mystery – but no-one could have dreamed what they’ll discover, when they come face to face with the demon dentist herself in this amazing children’s adventure!
Hilarious adventure by David Walliams is brought to life on stage by the West End producers of Gangsta Granny and Billionaire Boy, which were both nominated for an Olivier Award. Ticket prices range from £13 – £34 (package seats).
Book tickets at New Wimbledon Theatre
Little Manfred at Polka Wimbledon
22 – 30 October 2022
With stunning puppetry and original storytelling, Little Manfred is an unmissable production adapted from Michael Morpurgo’s much loved book. It is the summer of 1966. Charley and her little brother Alex are walking their dog Manfred on the beach when they notice two older men staring out to sea. A chance encounter brings them together.
Slowly, Charley and Alex learn of their mother’s past, and of the friendships that can be formed in difficult circumstances. In 1945, their farmstead home was a posting for German prisoners of war, and their mother Grace was just a little girl. The cast for this production includes serving and veteran military personnel and their family members.
Recommended for ages 7 – 12. Ticket prices from £10.
Book tickets at Polka Wimbledon
Hunt for the Lost Dragon Egg at Chelsea Physic Garden
24 – 31 October 2022 (excluding 29 October)
Join Z as she battles the wilderness and defies death in pursuit of tracking down the very last dragons egg known to exist. Adventure through the Garden and move fast through the bush to solve puzzles, crack codes and take-on tasks to hunt down the mythical prize. But beware, poxy poachers are lurking and if they reach the egg before you do – the world could be in deep dragon danger!
Showings will last approximately one hour and will be located throughout Chelsea Physic Garden. Tickets are £15 per child and £20 per adult, free for under 1s. All people watching the theatre show must purchase a ticket in advance (under 1s free). Children must be always accompanied by a ticket-holding adult.
Book tickets at Chelsea Physic Garden
Magical Merlin at Fortune Theatre
24 – 30 October 2022
In Ancient Britain, Magical Merlin is the most miraculous wizard ever. So when the baby King Arthur is born and jealous older sister, Morgan Le Fay, starts turning people into animals, it’s down to Merlin to save the day.
Teaming up with brave Sir Lancelot and beautiful Princess Guinevere, the adventurers ride a fire-breathing dragon to The Lady Of The Lake to discover where true power lies. With a spellbinding mix of magic, songs and dancing, and uplifting themes of friendship and self-belief, Magical Merlin promises a fun and memorable half-term family day out.
Suitable for ages 3+. Tickets from £17.50.
Book tickets at Fortune Theatre
Oldilocks and the 3 Bears at Polka Wimbledon
25 – 30 October 2022
A wonderfully funny and warm-hearted celebration of the classic story starring a naughty old lady who looks very familiar… and 3 funny bears who love their breakfast. Garlic Theatre hold their young audience spellbound with lovingly crafted puppets, music and some steaming bowls of porridge.
Recommended for ages 3 – 7. Tickets from £12.
Book tickets at Polka Wimbledon
The Addams Family at Richmond Theatre
26 – 29 October 2022
The Addams Family is a fun filled musical that’s perfect on the run up to Halloween! BROS Theatre Company present a fabulous, whacky musical comedy with toe tapping numbers, plenty of laughs and glorious, larger than life characters who are just hoping for ‘One Normal Night.’
Recommended for ages 8+. Tickets from £14.90.
Book tickets at Richmond Theatre
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 2022 in the Pumpkin Patches Near London post.
In previous years, we have been to Cammas Hall Farm, Crockford Bridge Farm and Garsons Farm for pumpkin picking and family fall activities.
This post was updated on 14 October 2022 with more family events, activities and theatre shows coming up over October half term.
Pin for Later – October Half Term in London with Kids 2022
