Last updated on January 3rd, 2020
Believe it or not, the February half term is coming up already. Don’t panic. Here’s a roundup of some fun activities for the kids over the half term in London, including museum events for budding scientists, architects and eco-warriors, Valentine’s activities, some arty entertainment, Shakespeare for younger audiences and opera for the teens. Hopefully, this should keep your busy bees even busier.
It’s Hot it’s Not at the Unicorn Theatre
Contents
- It’s Hot it’s Not at the Unicorn Theatre
- Winter’s Tale at the National Theatre
- Go back in time for a Victorian Valentine at the Dickens Museum
- Off the Wall at the Dulwich Picture Gallery
- Southbank Centre’s Imagine Children’s Festival
- Florence Nightingale’s Victorian World at the Florence Nightingale Museum
- Brick Wonders at the Horniman Museum
- Rubbish Animating at the BFI
- Sonic Trail at Tate Britain
- We Were There at Imperial War Museum
- The Big Top at the Royal Albert Hall
- Adventure to the Deep at the Natural History Museum
- Lego Workshop at the Soane Museum
- The Monstrous Child, Linbury Theatre
Why is it that sometimes I’m hot but you’re cold? Why are there puddles and sometimes not? How can it be sunny and rainy all at once and also not at all? And if it’s summer here, why is it winter there? This surreal, funny and carefully crafted physical performance explores the weather in all its forms and takes delight in discovering the world anew and how we experience it differently. To 10 March. Book here.
Winter’s Tale at the National Theatre
An exciting version of Shakespeare’s play returns to the National Theatre in February, the perfect introduction to Shakespeare for younger audiences. Warning: watch out for pursuing bears. 6 to 21 February.
Go back in time for a Victorian Valentine at the Dickens Museum
Step back in time with the education team at the Charles Dickens Museum, and find out what a Victorian Valentine’s Day was like in Dickens’s home. Have a go at the games people played to predict their future spouses, rifle through the trousseau box of one of Dickens’s most heartbroken characters, read what Dickens had to say about the pressure the love-struck put on the postal service, and demonstrate your best romantic crafting by making your very own Victorian Valentine to give to someone you love. Suitable for children aged 7-12. 9 and 16 February.
Off the Wall at the Dulwich Picture Gallery
A monthly workshop where 11 to 18-year-olds can visit the Gallery and experiment with different art techniques. Join the gallery to discuss, debate and have your say – you do not need to be fantastic at art for this workshop. Check the website for many more family activities. 9 February to 11 May 2020, 13.00 to 15.00.
Southbank Centre’s Imagine Children’s Festival
The popular festival returns for 12 jam-packed days of fun. Dive into the best children’s theatre, literature and music, with plenty of workshops and free events for everyone. With over 50% of the programme free and loads to do for ages 0 – 12, Southbank has your half term sorted.
Florence Nightingale’s Victorian World at the Florence Nightingale Museum
This February half term, learn all about the Victorian era and meet Florence Nightingale and hear her story. Learn about the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic in the exhibition, play the Germ Detectives “Symptoms Game,” and make some slimey snot to take home. Various events, 16 February to 23 February.
Brick Wonders at the Horniman Museum

Photo Warren Elsmore
Featuring amazing wonders from around the world made entirely from LEGO bricks – from the natural wonder of a coral reef to the modern marvel of the international space station – the exhibition also includes interactive play areas and two models of Horniman icons created especially for the show. 16 February to 27 October.
Rubbish Animating at the BFI
This workshop will explore eco issues in an accessible way, leading to children making animations that spark hope for the future. Taking inspiration from children’s books to help on the journey of discovery about this important topic, young ones will be getting creative and crafty with a range of animation approaches… serious but fun! 17 February 10.30.
Sonic Trail at Tate Britain
Families from Pimlico Primary have worked together to develop, perform and record a tour that takes the form of a story about a flooded village where multiple languages are spoken. Connecting artworks in the 1910 gallery, this sonic trail includes the voices and words of families as well as a soundscape inspired by the group. 16 to 24 February. Free entry.
We Were There at Imperial War Museum
This half term, families have a very special opportunity to meet war veterans and eyewitnesses, including those who lived through the Second World War and the Cold War, to hear their personal stories of conflict. On selected days over February half term, veterans and eye witnesses will recount tales of their wartime life, giving families first-hand insights into the impact of war on people’s lives. 19 and 21 February, 11.00 to 13.00
The Big Top at the Royal Albert Hall
Join the Royal Albert Hall’s colourful troupe of musicians from Albert’s Band for some musical acrobatics on an action-packed trip to the circus. Led by ringmaster Kevin Hathway, this promises to be a musical extravaganza for all the family. Buggies, babies and budding musicians all welcome! 20 February.
Adventure to the Deep at the Natural History Museum
Dive down on an adventure thousands of metres below the waves to help scientist explore life in the oceans. This immersive show highlights the importance of the oceans and demonstrates why it’s never been more vital to help protect this amazing habitat. Free entry.
Lego Workshop at the Soane Museum
Drop in to the Soane for a Lego and Duplo workshop – perfect for budding architects. Drop in any time, stay as long as you want. 21 February, 11.00 to 15.00. Free entry.
The Monstrous Child, Linbury Theatre
In this new opera by composer Gavin Higgins and best-selling author Francesca Simon, the teenage daughter of the Norse god, Loki tries to find her place in the mythical world. (Suitable for ages 12+).
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17 Comments
Megan - Truly Madly Kids
February 14, 2019 at 7:10 pmThis is the best list EVER! My son and his school went to see Winter’s tale, and he loved it, which I think is a real accolade for an 11 year old watching Shakespeare! Brick Wonders and We were there sound really good too #culturedkids
Scarlett
February 15, 2019 at 9:25 amThanks Megan! I think Brick Wonders is going to be great fun for young ones.
Nicky@ Go Live Young
February 10, 2019 at 4:43 pmA great list of things to do in the capital over half term. There’s always so much to do in London #CulturedKids
Scarlett
February 11, 2019 at 6:39 amThe kids are culturally spoilt in the capital!
Laura
February 10, 2019 at 4:11 pmSo many great things to do for the little ones!
Louise
February 10, 2019 at 11:46 amI cant wait for Clara to be old enough to attend some of these events! They look like so much fun! I might bring her to the Childrens festival at Southbank centre!
Louise x
Scarlett
February 11, 2019 at 6:40 amCan’t wait to do some of these things with both of you!
Baby Loves Travel
February 10, 2019 at 10:33 amWhat a great round up – a shame we are not in London much any more to try some of these out! #CulturedKids
Scarlett
February 12, 2019 at 6:52 amThank you! Hope you make it over soon.
Nancy | MapandFamily
February 9, 2019 at 5:07 pmHalf term already! I’d love to see the lego Brick Wonders exhibition at the Horniman and drop in on Mr Dickens too. He wasn’t responsible for Valentine’s Day as well as Christmas was he? ?
Scarlett
February 10, 2019 at 10:33 amI’m sure he would love us to believe that, Nancy!
Catherine Cultural Wednesdays
February 8, 2019 at 7:15 pmWhat a fantastic selection, I would choose the twolego events at the Horniman and John Soane’s Museum. #CulturedKids
Scarlett
February 9, 2019 at 12:33 pmThey do look fun, great for aspiring architects!
Grand Adventure Story
February 8, 2019 at 5:05 pmGreat round up of what’s on. We’ll be in London for a couple of days this half-term, so thanks for the inspiration #CulturedKids
Scarlett
February 9, 2019 at 12:33 pmHave fun Debbie!
Zenbabytravel
February 8, 2019 at 12:07 pmSuch a great list, than you so much Scarlett! We are skiing again February half term but would love to go back to the Unicorn theatre, they have such fabulous shows for young kids #culturedkids
Scarlett
February 9, 2019 at 12:34 pmThey do Ioana, it’s a great theatre. Have fun skiing!