Things to Do with Kids in London, October 2024
Having spent way too long researching the October version of my answers to my six-year-old’s constant question - what are we doing this weekend? - I figured it would be nice to share my findings here. So, without further ado, here’s a roundup of some fun, family-friendly activities for London parents and kids this October - minus the ones that exploit animals. Have a great start to your autumn!
Paddington Bear Sculpture Trail
📍 Paddington
💬 Statues of Paddington will appear across Paddington station and Westfield London ahead of the new Paddington in Peru movie (released in Nov).
💷 Free
📅 From early Oct
Dinosaur rEvolution
📍 Horniman Museum, Forest Hill
💬 Explores the relationship between dinosaurs and birds in a colourful and fascinating exhibition - last chance to see!
💷 £6-10
📅 Until 3rd Nov
Birds: Brilliant and Bizarre
📍 Natural History Museum
💬 New exhibition, “a hoot for all the family!”
💷 Ticket prices vary
📅 Until 5th Jan
Silk Road Exhibition
📍 British Museum, Bloomsbury
💬 Artefacts and stories of figures involved in the history of the Silk Roads
💷 Adults £22, kids free
📅 Until 23rd Feb
Multi-Sensory Tots
📍 Frameless, Marble Arch
💬 Sensory movement & music classes including bubbles!
💷 Prices vary, booking essential
📅 Fridays from 4th Oct
Pokémaths: The Maths of Pokémon
📍 Royal Institution, near Green Park
💬 Join mathematician Tom Crawford as he explores the maths of one of the world’s favourite video games.💷 £16/10
📅 Saturday 5th Oct
Festival of the Girl
📍 Business Design Centre, N1💬 Educating and opening the minds of 7-11 year old girls - coding, art, sports, activism, engineering, body confidence, friendships + more!💷 Paid (ticket prices vary)
📅 5-6th Oct
Little Feet: Captivating Korea
📍 British Museum, Bloomsbury
💬 Under 5s, with sensory area, a calligraphy wall, pretend pond, and more.
💷 Free
📅 11th Oct
Bear Town Role-Play
📍 NW9 (close to Wembley)
💬 Discover a town made just for little ones! 90-min play sessions.
💷 Prices vary
📅 Throughout Oct
Family workshop for children with SEND: colour block
📍 Royal Academy of Arts, Clore Learning Centre | Burlington Gardens
💬 Make a bold and colourful artwork inspired by the RA’s Michael Craig-Martin exhibition
💷 Free, booking essential
📅 Sunday 13 Oct
Early Years Studio: collage
📍 Royal Academy of Arts, Clore Learning Centre | Burlington Gardens
💬 Under 5s: Rip, stick, cut, arrange and assemble materials in this workshop
💷 Free
📅 16th Oct, three time slots available
Halloween at Kew Gardens
📍 Kew Gardens
💷 Prices vary
💬 Brand-new, after dark Halloween trail full of hidden surprises. Room on the Broom-themed activities also at Kew from 19/10 to 3/11 during the day (free with entry).
📅 From 18th Oct
The World of Tim Burton
📍 Design Museum, Kensington
💬 Major exhibition exploring Burton’s remarkable creations and key collaborations with designers.
💷 Prices vary
📅 From 25th Oct
Ice Skating
📍 Canary Wharf
💷 £13.95
📅 Opens 26th Oct. 45 mins per session.
Diwali at Marble Hill House
📍 Marble Hill House, Twickenham
💬 Includes Bhangra dance workshop + light parade.
💷 Free, drop in
📅 26th Oct
Halloween at Hampton Court Palace
📍 Hampton Court Palace, near Kingston upon Thames
💬 Lose yourself in atmospheric projections and creepy sound effects as the palace is transformed by magical spells, finishing at the café.
💷 Entry prices vary, event free with entry
📅 26 Oct-3 Nov
Family Film Week
📍 Barbican
💬 Films shown include Ultraman, The Imaginary, Kensuke’s Kingdom, and Despicable Me 4.
💷 Prices vary
📅 26th Oct-3rd Nov
Family studio: cut out worlds
📍 Royal Academy of Arts, Clore Learning Centre | Burlington Gardens
💬 Experiment with various construction techniques using cardboard, wooden dowels, and blocks to create models that hold a scene you see regularly - from your bedroom, school, or bus window.
💷 Free
📅 27th Oct, two time slots available
Family Day at National Portrait Gallery
📍 National Portrait Gallery, near Charing Cross
💷 Free, drop in - first come, first served
💬 Discover stories of people who’ve shaped Britain! Explore mark-making through fun, playful activities.
📅 29th Oct
The Elmer Adventure
📍 Southbank
💬 Interactive stage performance with song, aimed at age 3+.
💷 From £16
📅 30th Oct-3rd Nov
