February Half Term 2026 – what to do with kids & teens in London

Imagine Festival at the Southbank Centre

Now in its 24th year, the Imagine Festival remains one of the best cultural line-ups for children in the UK. Alongside ticketed highlights like Horrible Histories Live and family sleepovers, there’s a huge programme of free daily events – from architecture workshops to lip-sync battles. You could visit more than once and still find something new to do.

Find the full schedule on the Southbank Centre website.
11 – 21 February.

Young V&A – Aardman Exhibition

The Young V&A is always a safe bet in half term, and the Aardman exhibition makes it even more tempting. There are models, sets and storyboards you won’t have seen before, and it’s been designed with kids firmly in mind. Older children and teens will get really absorbed in how the films are actually made.
12 February–15 November. Under 3s free. £11 per ticket.

Museums & Attractions

Family Day at Palace of Westminster

This doesn’t come around often, and it’s a genuinely good way to explore Westminster with kids. Expect storytelling, crafts, role play and a family-friendly multimedia guide (available all year) that explains what Parliament actually does without talking down to anyone. Most families spend a couple of hours here, and the fact there’s food and baby-changing on site makes it feel doable rather than stressful.
14 February. £27 adults, £20 concessions. Children up to 15 go free.

London Museum of Water & Steam – Trains, Trains, Trains

14–22 February. From £12 adults, £4 kids. Under 5s free. Train rides £1.

The Postal Museum

Half term at The Postal Museum is a reliable indoor option for families with mixed-age kids. Younger children can enjoy daily Jolly Postman arts and crafts, plus a storytelling session on 19 February. Activities include drawing, making fairy-tale deliveries and posting letters to favourite characters. Older kids and teens won’t feel left out. Interactive galleries explore how post and communication shape everyday life. The underground Mail Rail train ride is always a hit and adds a bit of excitement. The whole visit takes around 2–3 hours, making it easy to slot into a February Half Term day.
14 – 20 February

Household Cavalry Museum

Quick Inspiration

Museum of London Docklands

As well as the brilliant Mudlarking exhibition, the Museum of London Docklands is packed with hands-on family activities this half term. Kids can get stuck in making a Roman clay pot, decorating a biscuit shield, creating digital patterns or crafting their own Viking brooch.

There’s plenty to explore beyond the workshops too, including the atmospheric Victorian street in Sailortown, plus galleries covering Docklands at War and London, Sugar & Slavery. It’s a great balance of hands-on bits and thoughtful wandering – perfect for keeping different ages interested under one roof.

National Maritime Museum

This February half term, the National Maritime Museum is running a lovely programme of free, drop-in family activities inspired by love, fashion and LGBTQ+ History Month. Across the week there are storytelling sessions, music and singing, and hands-on crafts exploring identity and self-expression. Younger children can enjoy colourful, playful activities, while older kids will get more from creative workshops focused on history, language and design. Everything is family-friendly, easy to dip in and out of, and designed to fit around a relaxed museum visit.
All sessions are free with no need to book in advance.
15 – 20 February 11am – 4pm

London Transport Museum

February Half term at the London Transport Museum offers plenty for younger kids and families. Let’s Get Moving (14–16 Feb) is a 30-minute music and movement session for Under-5s. It explores different ways to travel.

Children aged 3+ can drop into Build a Boat (14–17 Feb), plus Cycling Crafts and Walking and Wheeling Adventures (18–22 Feb). These hands-on activities focus on travel, creativity and life in London. On 17 Feb, families can also meet the London Ambulance Service and learn simple lifesaving skills. Most sessions are drop-in, making this an easy February Half Term visit in central London.
14 – 22 February

Guided Walking Tour with Dan Mudford

Dan’s family-friendly walking tours are a great way to explore London without anyone switching off. The pace is relaxed. The groups are mixed-age friendly. Kids, parents and grandparents are all welcome. Routes combine well-known landmarks with lesser-known stories that actually stick. It feels more like being shown around by a local than following a formal tour. Everyone learns something, without it feeling like a history lesson.

Street art tours are especially popular with teens. They suit kids who think museums aren’t their thing. Expect bold murals, hidden corners and an ever-changing outdoor gallery. Guides explain the artists and the neighbourhoods they’ve shaped. It’s colourful. Slightly edgy. Very Instagram-friendly. A brilliant way to spark interest in London’s creative side.

Combine a Trip to Sea Life London Aquarium with Shrek’s Adventure

SEA LIFE London Aquarium is a reliable February Half Term crowd-pleaser. It sits right in the centre of London. Inside, families can explore a full underwater world. Expect everything from giant sand tiger sharks to tiny clownfish. It works well for kids of all ages. Grown-ups usually enjoy it too.

The route moves through the Atlantic zone first. This is where you’ll come face to fin with some impressive residents. From there, you’ll pass colourful reef habitats and finish in the Polar zone. That’s home to the much-loved Gentoo penguins. For learning without the groans, drop into one of the regular keeper talks. These run throughout the day in the penguin, rainforest, ocean and shark zones.

And don’t forget you that once you’ve completed your visit, head next door for a fairy-tale experience at Shrek’s Adventure! London. If you’re planning on visiting both, then it might be worth checking out a Merlin Pass.

Cutty Sark – All Hands On Deck

Step aboard Cutty Sark and explore the story of the record-breaking tea clipper that sailed the globe and docked in ports all over the world. It’s a brilliant day out in its own right – and even better if you turn it into a mini adventure by arriving via Uber Boat to Greenwich.

Once on board, there’s loads to keep families entertained, from interactive games and hands-on exhibits to character actors, displays and family-friendly performances. Add in the famous Cutty Sark afternoon tea and you’ve got a proper all-rounder – interesting, interactive and well worth making a day of.

ZSL London Zoo – Vets in Action

Young animal lovers can get properly stuck in at ZSL London Zoo this half term, with an immersive experience that brings the work of vets, veterinary nurses and keepers to life. Through role-play and hands-on activities, kids can try out real animal-care skills and learn what it actually takes to look after the animals — not just admire them from the path.

The fun continues in the brand-new ZooTown attraction, a colourful mini town where younger visitors can step into some of the roles that keep the zoo running. It’s a brilliant option for children who love animals and want to do something, not just walk around. Booking required.
14 – 22 February

Wonderlab at The Science Museum

Wonderlab is a permanent exhibition at The Science Museum. It’s hands-on, extremely interactive and has the feel and fun of an educational playground. Kids will love getting stuck into all it has to offer and highlights include an explosive chemistry bar, daily shows and demonstrations. The Science Museum has extended opening hours for half term – perfect for early risers and to avoid the crowds.
Open from 9am 14 – 20 February.

The Arts

Family Events at Shakespeare’s Globe

Family Globe Theatre Guided Tour runs all year round with Workshops running throughout the holidays. What’s great about this attraction is they separate the age groups in the workshops (5 to 8 & 9 to 12 years old). So older kids don’t have to be grouped  with their younger siblings. This half term younger kids can join a Hamlet or Twelfth Night family workshop, while older kids can take part in a Twelfth Night workshop or a Macbeth on stage workshop.

 Make sure you book your tickets via KidRated for the best show prices.

Storytelling at  Discover Children’s Story Centre, Stratford

Discover Children’s Story Centre in Stratford is a brilliant spot for kids aged 0–11 to play, learn and make up stories together. Spread across several levels, it includes a cosy storytelling room upstairs with sessions running at set times throughout the day.

Downstairs, immersive exhibitions (which change every few months) bring much-loved books and characters to life, letting kids explore, play and interact with the story world before hearing the full tale at the end. This half term visit Little Red Riding Hood’s Grandma in her cottage in the woods in Story World, or make a fairytale costume with London College of Fashion. For more details check their website.

Half Term | Ages 0–11

Matilda the Musical

Matilda The Musical is the hugely popular, multi-award-winning show from the Royal Shakespeare Company, based on Roald Dahl’s much-loved book. With over 99 international awards, including 24 for Best Musical, it’s a proper family favourite with Londoners and visitors alike.

Packed with clever, funny songs by Tim Minchin, it tells the story of a brilliantly sharp young girl with a big imagination. If your kids loved the 1996 film, this is an easy yes – especially for kids and teens. You can also save a few quid by booking tickets with us.

Oh and remember, if you book through us via our exclusive partnership with TodayTix you’ll get some amazing deals.

For Active Kids

Swingers – West End

Indoor crazy golf with attitude. Families with older kids and teens will love the neon vibes, fast-paced courses, and delicious food from the likes of Pizza Pilgrims and Breddos Tacos. Plus, the fancy soft drinks and mocktails make everyone feel a bit grown-up, in a good way.

Kids aged 7+ are welcome every day in the school holidays, except Saturdays, before 6pm at the West End venue. There are also Sunday Family Sessions the rest of the year.

VRXtra (Watford & Kingston)

VRXtra Watford and Kingston are a brilliant intro to virtual reality for families, whether it’s your first go or you’ve got confident gamers in tow. Kids can jump into free-roam adventures, tackle VR escape rooms (for 2–6 players, up to an hour), or dip in and out of a huge library of 60+ quick games. Everything is clearly age-rated (minimum 7+), and the team are great at steering you towards experiences that suit your group. There’s also an on-site café and a handy VR Meal Deal, which makes it easy to turn it into a proper outing rather than a quick stop.

Learn to Cycle at Lee Valley VeloPark

If your lot need to burn off serious energy this February Half Term, the Learn to Cycle sessions at Lee Valley VeloPark are a proper win. From toddlers finding their balance to teens mastering BMX, track or road skills, these coach-led sessions build confidence, coordination and independence. Small groups, expert coaches and genuinely impressive cycling spaces keep older kids engaged while still being fun for younger ones. A brilliant option if you want something active that teens won’t roll their eyes at.

Learn to Skate at Lee Valley Ice Centre

If your kids fancy trying something a bit different this February Half Term, Lee Valley Ice Centre is a brilliant place to start. Their Learn to Skate sessions are suitable for ages 5+ and welcome everyone from total beginners to confident skaters looking to level up. Led by qualified instructors and following the nationally recognised British Ice Skating programme, lessons focus on balance, confidence and proper technique – all while keeping things fun and supportive. Skate hire is included, so there’s no faff with kit, just lace up and get moving. A great option for active kids and teens who enjoy learning a new skill (and showing it off).

Up at the O2

If your kids (or teens) want something that genuinely feels epic this February Half Term, Up at The O2 absolutely delivers. Harnessed up and guided by expert instructors, families climb over the roof of The O2 for panoramic views across London. It’s thrilling without being scary, brilliantly run, and perfect for older kids and teens who want an experience. Expect adrenaline, selfies, and a serious sense of achievement at the top.

Summit at Ally Pally

If Greenwich isn’t on your list this half term, then you could head to Alexandra Palace instead. The highest roof walk in the UK has just opened, with 360 degree views that stretch 25 miles across the capital (on a good day). Not for the faint-hearted, but it’s a memorable experience for confident older kids. Expect big views, a bit of adrenaline and lots of photos.
From 14 February. Ages 8+. From £22.

Holiday Clubs

Bizzy Buddies Half term Camp – Chiswick

If you’re juggling work, childcare and half-term energy levels, these February Half Term camps are a solid option to have up your sleeve. There are two clear choices this time around, running at different venues, so kids stick with one activity for the day. For energetic kids, the Multisport & Football Camp at Chiswick School keeps things moving with football, tennis, dodgeball, archery, rugby and plenty of running about – plus indoor space if the weather’s grim. It’s open to ages 3–12 (3–4 year olds must be toilet trained and attend half-day sessions). If your child leans more to the creative, the Arts & Crafts Camp at Chiswick House and Gardens offers painting, drawing, clay modelling and craft projects in a calm, contained setting. You can book by the day, which makes planning the week much easier.
16 – 20 February. From 9am. Pre-booking essential.