40 Kid-Approved Adventures (14 Free!)
May half term gives us all a breather from school routines and a chance to get out of the house.
This May there’s loads happening across London for families—everything from hands-on science to outdoor theatre.
If you’re looking to save money, we’ve also listed 14 free events at the end of the list.
Here’s a round-up of what’s on offer for kids activities and family days out during May half term.
Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition
Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition at ExCeL London offers a 90-minute journey through ancient Egypt with 360° projections, interactive galleries, and a holographic mummification experience. The exhibition runs only until 29 June 2025.
Date: Thu 22 May – Sun 29 June
Time: 9.00am – 6.45pm | till 6.00pm Sun
Ages: 5 yrs+
Where: ExCeL London, E16
Prices: from £23.50 per person
Neon Brush: Paint in the Dark – Kids Edition
A glow-in-the-dark painting party where kids create under UV lights with neon paints.
Date: Sat 31 May
Time: 10.00am
Ages: 4 yrs+
Where: Glaziers Hall, SE1
Prices: from £30.00 per adult
Feeding Time at the Zoo
Watch animal feeding sessions and meet keepers who’ll share behind-the-scenes insights at London Zoo this half term.
- Date: Sat 24 May – Sun 1 June
- Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm
- Ages: All ages
- Where: London Zoo, NW1
- Prices: From £31.00 per person
Mister Maker & Rebecca Keatley Live Show
Join CBeebies stars for creative fun, live on stage at Whipsnade Zoo.
- Date: Sat 24 May – Sun 1 June
- Time: 10.45am, 1.00pm, 3.00pm
- Ages: 5-11 yrs
- Where: Whipsnade Zoo, LU6
- Prices: From £32.00 per adult
Meet Paw Patrol at Chessington
Meet the PAW Patrol, explore SEA LIFE, and enjoy the full range of rides and attractions.
- Date: Sat 24 May – Sun 1 June
- Time: 10.00am – 6.00pm
- Ages: All ages
- Where: Chessington World of Adventure, KT9
- Prices: From £32.00 per person
Lego Festival
Celebrate all things brick-based at Legoland’s seasonal festival, packed with themed builds, activities, and rides across the park.
- Date: Sat 3 May – Sun 8 June
- Time: 10.00am – 5.00pm
- Ages: All ages
- Where: Legoland Windsor, SL4
- Prices: From £39.00 per person
Christopher Columbus’ Flagship Replica
Tour a life-size replica of the Santa Maria, learn about seafaring, and explore below deck.
Date: Wed 28 May – Sun 8 June
Time: 10.00am – 7.00pm
Ages: all ages
Where: St. Katharine’s Docks, E1W
Prices: from £5.06 per person
A Day at the Royal Mews
Crafts, dress-up, and a chance to care for a wooden pony await at this regal family day.
Date: Sat 24 & Sun 25 May & Sun 1 June
Time: 10.30am – 3.00pm
Ages: all ages
Where: Buckingham Palace, SW1W
Prices: from £17.00 per adult
Peppa Pig Cinema Experience
Enjoy Peppa’s latest adventures on the big screen—perfect for a toddler’s first cinema trip.
Date: Fri 30 May – Sun 15 June
Time: Various times
Ages: all ages
Where: London-wide, incl. Vue Angel, Cineworld Leicester Square, Genesis Whitechapel
Prices: from £3.99 per person
Make a Superhero Costume at Young V&A
Celebrate identity and creativity with drop-in art, craft and storytelling activities.
Date: Sat 24, Wed 28 – Fri 30 May
Time: 11.00am – 4.00pm
Ages: 4–11 yrs
Where: Young V&A, E2
Prices: Free – £15.00 per session
The Elmer Adventure & The Smeds and The Smoos
Choose from a week of family shows at artsdepot including The Elmer Adventure and The Smeds and the Smoos.
- Date: Fri 23 May – Sun 1 Jun
- Time: Various times
- Ages: 3 yrs+
- Where: artsdepot
- Prices: From £12.75
London Transport in the Second World War
Storytelling, singing, and bunting-making bring history to life at this interactive event.
- Date: Sat 24 May – Sun 1 June
- Time: 10.00am – 6.00pm
- Ages: Various ages
- Where: London Transport Museum, WC2E
- Prices: From £25.00 per adult
A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Family Workshop
A hands-on Shakespeare workshop for young theatregoers, diving into the magic and mischief of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Date: Sat 31 May
Time: 11.30am
Ages: 9–11 yrs
Where: Shakespeare’s Globe, SE1
Prices: from £10.00 per person
Half Term in the Historic Kitchens: Soap
Explore how soap was made and used in the past with hands-on activities in Hampton Court’s famous kitchens.
Date: Sat 24 May – Sun 1 June
Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm
Ages: all ages
Where: Hampton Court Palace
Prices: from £28.00 per adult
Wildlife Half Term Activities
Join nature-inspired activities like pond dipping, bug hunts, and otter talks throughout the week.
Date: Sat 24 May – Sun 1 June
Time: 10.00am – 5.30pm
Ages: all ages
Where: WWT London Wetland Centre, SW13
Prices: from £16.29 per adult
Climb aboard the Cutty Sark
Step onto the historic ship and enjoy themed activities from map making to finger weaving.
Date: Sat 24 May – Sun 1 June
Time: 10.00am – 5.00pm
Ages: all ages
Where: Cutty Sark, SE10
Prices: from £22.00 per adult
Mini Creators: Stitching Stories, Weaving Voices
Children can express themselves through textiles in this creative workshop celebrating storytelling and identity.
Date: Mon 26 – Sat 31 May
Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm
Ages: all ages
Where: Postal Museum, WC1X
Prices: from £18.50 per adult
House of Bounce
A pop-up indoor inflatable play park for kids to burn off some half-term energy.
Date: Mon 26 – Fri 30 May
Time: 10.00am – 3.00pm
Ages: all ages
Where: Big Penny Social, E17
Prices: from £7.00 per person
Spring into Half Term
From ping pong and face painting to Minecraft and princess parties—this free family festival has something for everyone.
Date: Mon 26 – Fri 30 May
Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm
Ages: all ages
Where: BrewDog Waterloo, SE1
Prices: Kids go free offers available
Ride a Canal Boat
Enjoy a scenic boat ride through London’s canals, followed by a fun and relaxed craft session.
Date: Tue 27 May
Time: 10.00am – 4.30pm
Ages: all ages
Where: Canal Museum, N1
Prices: from £10.00 per adult
Grooving with Pirates
An energetic theatre show full of music and movement for younger children.
Date: Tue 27 & Wed 28 May
Time: 11.00am & 1.00pm
Ages: 3–7 yrs
Where: Lyric Theatre, W6
Prices: from £10.00 per person
Romeo And Juliet: Family Storytelling
A gentle introduction to Shakespeare’s tragic love story, told through engaging storytelling for younger children.
Date: Wed 28 & Thu 29 May
Time: 12.30am & 3.00pm
Ages: 5–11 yrs
Where: Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, SE1
Prices: from £15.00 per person
Transport Explorers: A Live Show
Take a journey through time and transport in this interactive stage experience.
Date: Tue 27 May – Sun 1 June
Time: 11.00am, 1.00pm, 3.00pm
Ages: all ages
Where: London Transport Museum, WC2E
Prices: from £12.00 per person
Romeo and Juliet: Family Workshop
Older children can explore themes and characters in this interactive workshop based on Shakespeare’s play.
Date: Wed 28 – Sat 31 May
Time: 11.00am & 2.30pm
Ages: 9–11 yrs
Where: Shakespeare’s Globe, SE1
Prices: from £10.00 per person
Outdoor Theatre: The Most Perilous Comedie of Elizabeth I
Enjoy an open-air performance filled with history, humour, and Tudor drama.
Date: Wed 28 May
Time: 7.00pm – 9.50pm
Ages: 10 yrs+
Where: Old Royal Naval College, SE10
Prices: from £20.00 per adult
Free activities in London this May half term
120 Years of Golders Hill Park Zoo
Celebrate the zoo’s anniversary with animal encounters, family activities, and a community fair.
Date: Thu 29 May
Time: 10.00am – 1.00pm
Ages: all ages
Where: Golders Hill Park, NW3
Prices: Free
Moomin 80
Step into the world of the Moomins at this immersive exhibition marking 80 years of these beloved characters.
- Date: Tue 27 May – Sun 1 Jun
- Time: TBC
- Ages: All ages
- Where: Southbank Centre, SE1
- Prices: Free
Vauxhall City Farm: Spring Fair
Meet the animals, enjoy family stalls, and take part in spring-themed games and crafts.
Date: Sat 31 May
Time: 10.00am – 4.30pm
Ages: all ages
Where: Vauxhall City Farm, SE11
Prices: Free
Live T.Rex Show & Into Space
Enjoy space-themed shows, talks, and LEGO builds at the Natural History Museum’s week-long May family festival
- Date: Sat 24 May – Sun 1 June
- Time: 10.00am – 5.50pm
- Ages: 3 yrs+
- Where: Natural History Museum
- Prices: Free
Summer Screens
Catch family-friendly films in this open-air cinema series running all summer long.
Date: Thu 29 May – Sat 27 Sept
Time: Various times
Ages: all ages
Where: Canary Wharf, E14
Prices: Free
Decoding Pictures at the National Gallery
Decoding Pictures and more: Gold reflections workshop | Mark-making workshop | Step into Siena
📅 Tue 27 – Thu 29 May
🕒 11.00am – 4.00pm
👶 Ages: all ages
📍 The Roden
Nature Roadshows
Join nature-themed activities in the park, from wildlife spotting to environmental games.
Date: Tue 27 & Wed 28 May
Time: 11.00am – 3.00pm
Ages: all ages
Where: St James’ Park, SW1A | Kensington Gardens, W2
Prices: Free
Interactive Storytelling: Roman Gods and Myths!
Dive into mythology through interactive stories and games that bring Roman gods to life.
Date: Tue 27 May
Time: 10.00am – 2.30pm
Ages: 4–9 yrs
Where: London Mithraeum Bloomberg SPACE, EC4N
Prices: Free
Gardening Together: May Half-term
A guided gardening workshop designed for young nature lovers and their grown-ups.
Date: Wed 28 May
Time: 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Ages: 7 yrs+
Where: Chiswick House & Gardens, W4
Prices: Free
Maritime Poems & Half Term Fun
Get creative with maritime masks, star maps and more at this drop-in festival for all ages.
- Date: Sat 24 May – Sun 1 June
- Time: 11.00am – 4.00pm
- Ages: All ages
- Where: National Maritime Museum, SE10
- Prices: Free
Step Inside a Historic Villa
Join family-friendly creative workshops inspired by the Queen’s House art and architecture. Activities include crafting your own diorama, character encounters, and more.
Date: Sun 25 May – Sun 1 June
Time: 11.00am – 4.00pm
Ages: all ages
Where: Queen’s House
Prices: Free
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
Family fun focused on sustainability—includes crafts and eco-education activities.
Date: Tue 27 – Fri 30 May
Time: 10.00am – 5.00pm
Ages: all ages
Where: Museum of Docklands
Prices: Free
Family Day: Bold and Bright
Celebrate creativity with hands-on art activities themed around colour and self-expression.
Date: Tue 27 May
Time: 11.00am – 4.00pm
Ages: 3 yrs+
Where: National Portrait Gallery, WC2H
Prices: Free
Family Fun Day: Architecture on the Move
Hands-on design activities and games that explore how cities are built.
Date: Sat 31 May
Time: 11.00am – 4.00pm
Ages: all ages
Where: RIBA, W1B
Prices: Free
May half term in London
There’s a lot happening this May half term, whether you’re after a full-day adventure or something to do one afternoon together.
For younger kids (ages 3–6), options like Peppa Pig Cinema Experience, Grooving with Pirates, and Make a Superhero Costume at Young V&A are ideal.
Older children (ages 9–11) might enjoy hands-on events like the A Midsummer Night’s Dream Workshop at Shakespeare’s Globe or exploring history at the Tutankhamun Immersive Exhibition.
Some events need booking, others are free and easy to pop into—check websites for what the organiser recommends.
We hope this guide helps you find something fun to enjoy with the kids this half term.
If you want more family events in London, subscribe to our newsletter for London parents below.