Half-term activities in London in February 2024
London is brimming with exciting activities to keep the kids entertained during the upcoming half-term holidays. From the Southbank Centre's annual Imagine Children's Festival to the Kew Gardens Orchid Festival and a celebration of women in STEM at the Florence Nightingale Museum. Here is our round-up of excellent half term activities in February.
Orchid Festival 2024
Orchids at Kew Gardens, celebrating the remarkable biodiversity of Madagascar. © RBG Kew.
#FLODown: The 28th annual Orchid Festival at Kew Gardens is an ideal outing for the whole family. Taking place in the Princess of Wales Conservatory, this year's festival draws inspiration from the captivating beauty and rich biodiversity of Madagascar, home to over 1,000 orchid species. With flowers cascading over walls, adorning bridges, and fashioned into magnificent towers and arches, the spectacle promises to delight, entertain, and educate visitors of all ages. However, please note that buggies are not permitted within the exhibition.
Date: 3 February - 3 March 2024. Time: from 10:00am daily. Location: Princes of Wales Conservatory, Kew, Richmond, London, TW9 3AE. Price: Entry to the festival is free with a ticket to Kew Gardens. From adult £20, child: £4.50. Book now.
Imagine Children’s Festival
The Southbank Centre's Imagine Children's Festival is back this February half term.
#FLODown: The Southbank Centre's Imagine Children's Festival is back this February half term, offering a variety of art experiences for kids aged 0-11 and their families. With theatre, comedy, music, literature, poetry, dance, and family-friendly activities, its a fun-filled time for children. The festival features over 130 events, with more than half of them being free. They also focus on accessibility, with BSL-interpreted events and non-verbal performances, ensuring everyone can participate.
Click here for our top pick of events at Imagine.
Date: 7 - 17 February 2024. Location: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, South Bank, London SE1 8XX. Website: southbankcentre.co.uk.
Chamber Tots: Celebrations at Wigmore Hall
Photo by Rachel Loughman.
#FLODown: Join interactive music sessions tailored for children aged 1 to 5 and their parents or carers. Led by experienced music leaders and emerging musicians, these sessions offer a chance to explore instruments, songs, and stories together. Enjoy playful activities and movement, creating fun and engaging musical experiences for everyone involved.
Date: 16 February 2024. Time: 10.15am Location: Wigmore Hall, 36 Wigmore St, London W1U 2BP. Price: Adults £8, Children £6. https://www.wigmore-hall.org.uk/whats-on/202402161015
Dinosaur rEvolution
Dinosaur rEvolution. Photo by Paul Dear Dunedin.
#FLODown: Explore the groundbreaking exhibition, Dinosaur rEvolution, at Forest Hill's Horniman Museum. Featuring animatronic dinosaurs, touchable fossils, and vibrant artworks, it challenges traditional views of dinosaurs. Perfect for the February half term, expect fascinating insight into recent discoveries reshaping our understanding of prehistoric creatures. Whilst at the Horniman Museum, don't miss the chance to bid farewell to the iconic Horniman walrus, as the museum's Natural History Gallery temporarily closes until 2026.
Date: from 10 February 2024. Location: Horniman Museum and Gardens. 100 London Road Forest Hill London SE23 3PQ.Tickets: Adult £10, Child £7, Under-3s free, Family of four £23.50, Family of three £21. Book now.
Super Women in STEM
#FLODown: Super Women in STEM at the Florence Nightingale Museum celebrates four pioneering Victorian women: Ada Lovelace, Mary Anning, Mary Somerville, and Florence Nightingale. Running from 10 - 18 February (closed Mondays), the event offers hands-on activities, crafts, and interactive museum trails for kids to learn about these women's inspiring work in statistics, astronomy, computer programming, and paleontology.
Date: 10 - 18 February 2024. Location: Florence Nightingale Museum, 2 Lambeth Palace Road, London, SE1 7EP. Price: Included with museum admission. From £12. Book now.
Polka Theatre's Tidy
TIDY © Emily Gravett 2016 - Two Hoots, Macmillan Children's Books.
#FLODown: Tidy brings to life the charming tale of Pete the badger, who takes his love for cleanliness to the extreme, inadvertently causing chaos in the forest. Adapted from Emily Gravett's beloved children's book, this delightful story reminds us of the importance of preserving nature and the consequences of over-tidying. With enchanting puppets, original music, and a sprinkle of silliness, "Tidy" captivates young audiences while imparting a valuable lesson about embracing the wild chaos of life.
Date: 10 February - 24 March 2024. Location: Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, London SW19 1SB. Price: £10+ booking fee. Book now.
Barbican Family Film Club
FIlm Club at the Barbican takes place every Saturday morning. Christian Wiediger.
#FLODown: The Barbican hosts the best film club in town every Saturday morning! Families are invited to join the Family Film Club for a wonderful selection of movies aimed at young fans. It's a rule that adults can only attend if they're accompanied by a child, and likewise, children must be accompanied by an adult. During the February half term, don't miss out on special events like the relaxed viewing of Song of the Sea (PG), accompanied by a drawing demo with Rikin Parekh and Wolfwalkers. Plus, families can pick up their FFC Loyalty Card at the screening and enjoy a free visit after attending five screenings!
Website: barbican.org.uk.
Japan House London Family Workshops
Ainu Stories exhibition at Japan House.
#FLODown: Japan House London is offering free family workshops during February half term, inviting participants to explore Japanese culture and unleash their creativity. The workshops include creating Hina dolls, traditionally displayed on Girls’ Day in Japan, and trying origami, the art of Japanese paper folding. There is also the opportunity for kids to make their own paper Hina doll displays and learn about the colourful kimonos worn by the dolls, as well as craft classic origami designs like folded cranes for peace or paper helmets reminiscent of Japanese warriors.
Date: 12 - 18 February 2024. Location: Japan House London, 101-111 Kensington High St, London W8 5SA. Website: japanhouselondon.uk
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The Great Big Dinosaur Show
The Great Big Dinosaur Show. Photo by Hugo Glendinning.
#FLODown: Join Simon Mole and Gecko for The Great Big Dinosaur Show, hitting three London venues this February! Presented by Rua Arts, catch the show at artsdepot, Half Moon Theatre, and Stanley Arts. Enjoy poems, raps, and songs about dinosaurs, perfect for young fans aged 4-11. It will be an interactive and entertaining exploration of prehistoric creatures!
The Great Big Dinosaur Show will be at artsdepot in North Finchley on 4 February 2024 (11am & 2pm), the Half Moon Theatre in Limehouse on 17 February 2024 (11am & 2pm) and Stanley Arts in South Norwood on 18 February 2024 (12pm and 3pm). Price: from £7.
Children’s Art Trail in Canary Wharf
Simone Brewster, Spirit of Place at Canary Wharf.
#FLODown: The Children’s Art Trail in Canary Wharf has undergone a makeover, inviting families to explore 12 carefully selected artworks scattered throughout the estate. With a downloadable map in hand, parents and children can embark on a creative adventure, completing fun tasks along the way. A highlight of the trail is the Crossrail Place Roof Garden, offering a serene oasis amidst the bustling cityscape, ideal for a refreshing break or relaxed meal. While the trail showcases just a fraction of the estate's vast art collection, it's a perfect way to engross children in London’s huge public art offerings and a great introduction to Canary Wharf's diverse artistic scene.
Website: canarywharf.com.
Half-term at Battersea Power Station
Light Festival at Battersea Power Station until 25 February 2024.
#FLODown: Battersea Power Station is hosting a week-long series of events and workshops for the Light Festival 2024 celebration, taking place during the half term from 10 - 18 February 2024. Whether it's lantern making, crafting a butterfly world, or grooving at the LED Hula Disco, there's plenty of fun to be had during this school break.
Date: 10 - 18 February 2024. Location: Battersea Power Station, London SW11 8BJ. Click here for their workshop calendar.
