London half term activities

The February half-term will be upon us before we know it. If you want to surprise your children with a dazzler rather than a drizzler, start planning now. From magic carpet storytelling to puppet-making, London has so much to offer kids, but you adults have to do your bit – that is, book. 

Don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be a dumbed-down affair: be creative and combine a trip to the Turner at Sea exhibition at the National Maritime Museum with a trip on Cutty Sark and everyone will be happy. We have an extensive range of previews which you can browse. Below are some of the highlights.

You can’t just rock up to the Imagine Children’s Festival (10th -23rd February) – believe it or not, even the free drop-in events need booking. There are events for all ages at this, London's biggest event for kids this half-term, and everyone can soak up the festival atmosphere on the Southbank.

For something gentler, book your tickets for Sleeping Beauty in the Woods at Islington’s Little Angel puppet theatre. If you haven’t discovered this gem of a place, it’s time you did. If you want to go the whole hog, book tickets for the Funday when the children (ages 5-11) will watch the show, and then spend the day making puppets and learning how to use them.

Your children may sigh when you suggest going to an art gallery. If so, it’s just that you haven’t got the formula right yet. Our previews tip you off about where to get a great hot chocolate or have a good romp around afterwards, so that the little ones don’t suffer from ‘museum legs’.

Both The National Gallery and the Portrait Gallery are ideally located for sitting on the lions and watching the jugglers and mime artists in Trafalgar Square (read one of James Mayhew’s ‘Katie’ series to get you in the mood – ‘Katie in London’ or ‘Katie and the Sunflowers’ perhaps). Then step inside the National Gallery and aboard its storytelling magic carpet. The Saatchi Gallery in Sloane Square is another great destination, with plenty of outside space. Among its workshops is How to Make a Book in a Day. The Royal Academy’s Sensing Spaces immersive architecture exhibition has a children’s programme, too. 

Have you thought of combining a trip to a gallery with an activity, thereby ensuring there’s something for everyone. Take the Turner at Sea exhibition at the National Maritime Museum, in Greenwich, for example, which is perfectly situated for a tie-in trip to the Cutty Sark (again, remember to pre-book your ticket to the Cutty Sark to jump the inevitably hideous half-term queue).

The Royal Observatory is jaw-dropping and the Planetarium has regular shows with Space Safari for under 5s. The Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition is no less than humbling. Greenwich itself is a wonderful breath of fresh air for urban dwellers and gives a real sense of the scope and variety that London can offer. All the Royal Museums in Greenwich are blissfully family friendly and have a great line-up of workshops, events and fun for half-term. Don’t miss out.

If you are looking for something more earthy to fill the time in Central London check out the Chelsea Physic Gardens that reopen in February in time for the half-term. Their Snowdrop extravaganza runs from the 8th -16th February, and the whole experience of the gardens is somehow very good for the soul. Perhaps the plants manage to extend their healing properties into the air you breathe there. The workshops for children are brilliant, too, but again you will need to book. There’s Chocolate Tuesday on the 18th, Creepy Crawling on 19th and Lotions & Potions: an introduction to Herbal Medicine on 20th, , all 10.30am to 2.30pm. Once again, an essential for happy times, the café is lovely with proper big pots of tea and delicious cake.

Other highlights include The Big & Small Family day at Tate Britain on 22nd February from 10am to 3pm. This is a free day, which ‘explores the art and architecture of Tate Britain through sound, sculpture and performance’. Check out the new multi-million pound revamp of the building itself with its strikingly modern lower level entrance and light-filled rotunda floating above the sweeping Art Deco staircase in the main hall. Inspiring Stuff.

There is always lots on at the South Kensington Museums: the National History, Science Museum and V&A. Get there early to avoid queues and afterwards wander down the semi-pedestrianised stretch of café’s and shops back towards the tube station. Head for Le Comptoir Libanais for a hopefully harmonious family lunch. If it’s unseasonally warm, sit outside. It’s perfect food for the children to gorge on: chicken Taouke wraps, halloumi, endless pitta breads, homemade lemonade and banana and honey frozen yogurt. Keep in mind Jeremy Paxman’s top tip for a happy family holiday: Feed the kids lots - and often.