From immersive museum takeovers and outdoor adventures to blockbuster attractions and easy-win parks, there’s something happening in every corner of the city May half term.
This year, the break runs from Monday 25 May – Friday 29 May 2026, with plenty of events spilling into the surrounding weekend. So whether you’re planning one big day out or a full week of low-effort fun, here’s your guide to making the most of it.
May Half Term in London 2026: Best Things to Do with Kids
Big ticket days out (the ones worth booking ahead)
If you’re going to splurge on one or two “memory-making” days, this is the week to do it — but book early, as these fill fast in half term.
- Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter (Leavesden) – still one of the ultimate family favourites for film-mad kids
- SEA LIFE London Aquarium – sharks, tunnels and interactive talks make this an easy win for mixed ages
- Madame Tussauds London – celeb selfies, Marvel experiences and surprisingly fun for tweens
- London Transport Museum – hands-on vehicles, play zones and brilliant under-10s energy burner
- Shrek’s Adventure! London – theatrical, silly and very good for younger kids who like immersive storytelling
Museums doing half term properly (hands-on + interactive)
London’s museums really go all in for half term — expect workshops, pop-ups and plenty of “please touch this” energy.
- Science Museum – interactive galleries and seasonal family activities
- Young V&A – design-led play spaces and creative workshops for all ages
- V&A South Kensington – drop-in creative sessions, storytelling and nature-inspired activities (this year’s theme is all things bio-design and imagination)
- Museum of London Docklands – immersive storytelling and hands-on history experiences
Outdoor adventures (because they always burn off energy)
When the sun makes an appearance, London’s parks and outdoor spaces become the easiest — and often best — option.
- Climb to the treetops at Kew Gardens
- Adventure playground magic at Hampton Court Palace (the Magic Garden is a standout for younger kids)
- Tree-top climbing and zip wires at Go Ape Battersea or Alexandra Palace
- Classic boating in Hyde Park or Regent’s Park
- Free roaming in Richmond Park — deer spotting + picnic perfection
Theatre, shows & immersive experiences
Half term is peak “first theatre experience” season — and London delivers.
- The Lion King (Lyceum Theatre)
- Matilda the Musical (Cambridge Theatre)
- Wicked (Apollo Victoria Theatre)
- Immersive family experiences like The Paddington Bear Experience and Monopoly Lifesized
But if you’re looking for theatres that are genuinely built with children in mind (shorter shows, interactive storytelling, relaxed vibes), these are the real gems:
- Unicorn Theatre — right by London Bridge, this is the UK’s leading theatre for young audiences, with beautifully produced shows tailored specifically for children and teenagers. Expect imaginative storytelling that never talks down to its audience.
- Polka Theatre — a much-loved dedicated children’s theatre in South West London, known for its intimate setting, sensory-friendly performances, and productions that are perfectly pitched for early years through to primary school age.
Free & low-cost wins (sanity savers)
Not everything needs to cost a fortune!
- Free workshops and drop-ins at Young V&A and Tate Modern
- Royal Museums Greenwich – often runs seasonal family science and storytelling events
- Nature trails, playgrounds and space rockets at the Horniman Museum and Gardens
- Walk the South Bank and spot street performers + pop-up activities
- Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace (still a classic for first-time visitors)
Where to refuel (without the meltdown)
Half term hunger is real, so plan for easy wins:
- Family-friendly pizza spots and casual dining chains across Soho and Covent Garden
- Borough Market for snack-style grazing
- Museums often have surprisingly decent cafés (and fewer queues mid-morning is your friend)
An easy day trip from london (sea air + creative half term escape)
If you fancy swapping city pavements for sea air, Margate makes an easy and genuinely feel-good half term day trip. Just over an hour from London on the high-speed train, it delivers instant seaside energy, sandy beaches, fish and chips, and that slightly nostalgic “proper British seaside” charm.
Start at Margate Main Sands, where there’s plenty of space for digging, paddling and wind-in-the-hair running around. The old town is a short stroll away and perfect for a slow wander between ice cream stops, vintage shops and low-effort holiday browsing.
For a cultural stop that still works brilliantly for families, head to Turner Contemporary on the seafront. Alongside its exhibitions and sea views, it often runs family-friendly activities during school holidays — including hands-on creative workshops designed to get kids making, moving and experimenting.
This May half term, one of the standout events is the Kinder Collective X Chillie Kids Club upcycling workshop, where children can bring along old clothes (or choose from provided materials) and transform them into something completely new. It’s playful, hands-on and brilliantly aligned with the gallery’s creative, sustainable ethos, a proper “make and take home” activity that keeps kids engaged for hours.
If energy levels still need burning off afterwards, Dreamland Margate is just around the corner, a retro amusement park with rides, arcades and all the classic seaside chaos kids love.
It’s an easy win of a day trip: beach, creativity and a bit of old-school fun, all rolled into one.
Top tip for May half term in London
Don’t overpack the schedule. The sweet spot is usually:
one “big” activity + one park + one spontaneous stop (ice cream, playground, or boat ride).
That’s the version kids actually remember, not the marathon itinerary.
See more parting tips here.
