Things to do in London this weekend with kids
Looking for the best things to do in London this weekend with kids? From spooky Halloween adventures and a mischievous West End musical to free family activities and creative half-term fun, we've found some brilliant ways to spend Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th October.
Halloween is taking over, October half-term is getting underway, and there are plenty of excuses to get everyone out of the house. Whether we're planning a big family adventure, looking for something to entertain younger children or trying to keep the weekend budget under control, there's a great mix of events happening across London and just beyond it.
We've rounded up the events worth knowing about this weekend, including a couple of brilliant Halloween picks, something for theatre fans and a free activity that's perfect for families who love a bargain.
Our super quick top picks this weekend
Best for Halloween magic: Halloween at Kew Gardens
Best for a spooky family day out: Hopefield's Halloween Festival in Brentwood
Best for musical theatre fans: Beetlejuice the Musical at the Prince Edward Theatre
Best free family activity: Orlando-themed mini golf at Westfield Stratford City
Best for creative kids: Young V&A's October Half Term Festival
Best for a proper half-term adventure: MCM Comic Con at ExCeL London
What's on this weekend in London with kids - 24th to 25th October?
Hold on to your hats, people:
Dates: Saturday 24th October – Sunday 1st November 2026
Location: Hopefield Animal Sanctuary, Brentwood, Essex
Price: Adults £10; children £12.50 as a guide. Book online to save £1.50 per person.
Best for: Families who love Halloween, rescued animals and a day out with plenty included.
We're kicking things off with a Halloween event just outside London that's well worth the short trip. Hopefield Animal Sanctuary is transforming into a fangtastic family adventure, with a Pirate Treasure Trail, spooky barn, indoor pumpkin picking, creepy crawlies, Halloween arts and crafts and character walkarounds.
There's a FREE pumpkin for every paying child, a goodie bag containing a free return voucher and, of course, the chance to meet the sanctuary's rescued animals. General admission to the sanctuary is included in the festival ticket, so there's plenty to enjoy beyond the Halloween activities.
The best bit? There are both scary and not-so-scary zones, including a Fright-Free Zone for younger children or anyone who prefers their Halloween without too many nightmares. There are indoor and outdoor activities, too, so the fun continues whatever the weather. Hopefield has also frozen its 2025 prices, which is welcome news when family days out can quickly add up.
Our tip: Book online to save £1.50 per person.
Dates: Saturday 24th October 2026, with afternoon and evening performances
Location: Prince Edward Theatre, Soho
Price: Tickets vary by performance and seat; check the official booking page for current availability.
Best for: Older children, teenagers and families who enjoy a little dark humour.
It's showtime! Beetlejuice the Musical has landed in the West End, bringing Tim Burton's gloriously weird supernatural comedy to the stage. Expect big musical numbers, outrageous characters, spectacular staging and plenty of mischievous mayhem. It's a brilliant option if you're looking for something a little different from the usual family theatre trip, particularly for teens who enjoy their comedy with a spooky twist.
The story follows Lydia Deetz, a teenager who encounters a mischievous demon after moving into a haunted house. Things, as you might imagine, get rather chaotic.
Our tip: This is one for older children rather than little ones. The official guidance is 12+ with adult supervision, and the show contains strong language, adult humour and mature themes. Check the content guidance before booking. We're hoping to check this one out soon so look our for our review!
Dates: Saturday 24th October, 10am–12pm; Sunday 25th October, 12pm–2pm
Location: LEGO Store, Battersea Power Station
Price: FREE, while stocks last.
Best for: LEGO fans aged six and over.
Little builders can head to the LEGO Store at Battersea Power Station and build their very own LEGO Ghost Street model to take home. The activity is available on a first-come, first-served basis, with a limited quantity available each day. It's a fun, free activity to combine with a wander around the Power Station's shops and riverside spaces.
Our tip: Arrive early if this is top of your children's wish list, as the models are available only while stocks last. The activity is Halloween-themed, but it's a handy free addition to your half-term plans.
Dates: Saturday 24th October, 6pm–10pm; Sunday 25th October, 4pm–10pm
Location: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond
Price: Adult tickets from £19.50 off-peak; family and children's tickets are available.
Best for: Families who love atmospheric Halloween trails and spectacular illuminations.
Halloween at Kew is back, transforming the gardens into a wonderfully eerie after-dark adventure. We're talking mysterious creatures, haunting scenes, mesmerising fire performers and the return of the Headless Horseman.
The illuminated trail stretches for around 1.5km, taking visitors through atmospheric gardens filled with spooky surprises. New attractions for 2026 include Dracula's Lair and the Cursed Tomb, so even families who've visited before have fresh frights to discover.
There are different time slots to suit different families. Earlier daylight sessions are best for younger children, while twilight and moonlight sessions gradually ramp up the spooky atmosphere.
Our tip: This is a popular event, so book ahead and choose your entry time carefully. The trail is separately ticketed and is not included in standard daytime admission to Kew Gardens.
Dates: Friday 23rd – Sunday 25th October 2026
Location: The Arena, Westfield Stratford City
Price: FREE
Best for: Families looking for a fun, free activity during the half-term weekend.
Here's a good one for anyone trying to keep the cost of family days out under control. Visit Orlando is bringing a free, five-hole mini golf experience to Westfield Stratford City, with holes inspired by Orlando's famous attractions.
Expect themes celebrating theme parks, space adventures, live sports and natural springs, plus family photo opportunities and the chance to enter a competition to win a family holiday to Orlando.
It's a fun little activity to slot into a shopping trip or combine with lunch, and because it's free, you won't have to worry about the children wanting another go!
Our tip: Saturday's opening hours are 9am–9pm and Sunday's are noon–6pm, so check the timings before heading over. You can also explore the rest of Westfield Stratford while you're there.
Dates: Opens Saturday 24th October 2026, with activities throughout half-term
Location: Young V&A, Bethnal Green
Price: Free museum admission; some workshops later in the week are ticketed.
Best for: Creative children, imaginative play and families looking for affordable activities.
If your children love making things, designing and getting stuck into creative activities, Young V&A is a brilliant choice for the start of half-term.
The museum's October programme includes opportunities to make bird houses inspired by designer Christie Swallow, build clay characters and design film posters inspired by Aardman. There are also special live performances of BBC Musical Storyland later in the week. The museum is all about creativity, childhood and play, making it a lovely option for families who want something a little different from the usual Halloween trail.
Our tip: General admission is free, but some workshops later in the week need tickets and may cost extra. Check the individual activity listings before travelling so you know what's happening on the day of your visit.
Dates: Friday 23rd – Sunday 25th October 2026
Location: ExCeL London, Royal Victoria Dock
Price: Ticketed event; check the official website for current prices and availability.
Best for: Gamers, anime fans, superhero lovers and older children who adore pop culture.
If your children are obsessed with gaming, manga, anime, superheroes or all things pop culture, MCM Comic Con is taking over ExCeL London this weekend.
Expect colourful cosplay, special guests, gaming, merchandise and plenty to explore. It's a brilliant opportunity for fans to see their favourite characters brought to life and spend a day surrounded by people who love the same things they do.
It can be a big, busy event, so it's worth planning ahead rather than turning up without a rough idea of what you want to see.
Our tip: Check the official website for ticket availability, age guidance and the weekend schedule. Allow plenty of time to explore, and agree a meeting point if you're visiting with older children who might want to wander independently.
Dates: Saturday 24th October – Sunday 1st November 2026
Location: London Museum Docklands, West India Quay, London E14 4AL
Price: FREE
Best for: Creative children aged five and over who love making things.
Fancy a free family activity with a creative twist? Head to London Museum Docklands, where children can make their own cat or bat bookmark to save their place in their favourite fairy tales and spooky stories.
It's a lovely little activity to combine with exploring the museum's free galleries, where you can discover the history of London's docks and even handle objects once thought to bring good luck, subject to staff availability.
It's ideal if you're looking for something to do during half-term that doesn't involve spending a fortune, and you can make a day of it with a wander around Canary Wharf afterwards.
Our tip: The bookmark activity is drop-in and takes around 30 minutes. Sessions run daily from 25th October to 1st November, between 10.30am and 1pm and again from 2pm to 4pm. If you're visiting on Saturday 24th October, check the museum's website for the day's arrangements.
Dates: Open year-round; visit this weekend
Location: Leake Street, Waterloo, London SE1 7NN
Price: FREE to explore
Best for: Budding artists, teenagers, photographers and families looking for something a little different.
If your kids love street art, colourful murals and discovering London's hidden corners, Leake Street Arches is well worth a visit. Tucked beneath the railway arches near Waterloo Station, this graffiti tunnel is covered in ever-changing artwork, making it a fascinating place to explore and photograph. The art is constantly evolving, so there's always something new to spot.
It's a great alternative to the usual family attraction and works particularly well for older children who enjoy urban culture and photography. You can combine it with a walk along the South Bank, a stop at the skate park or lunch nearby.
Our tip: Bring your camera or phone and challenge the children to find their favourite piece of street art. The tunnel is a public space rather than a formal attraction, so check access and any individual venue opening times before visiting.
Dates: Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th October, 11.30am–2.30pm
Location: Battersea Power Station, Nine Elms
Price: £2.50 per person; children under eight travel free.
Best for: Younger children and families looking for a relaxed way to explore.
If little legs are getting tired, hop aboard the Battersea Power Station Land Train for a gentle ride around the estate. It's a fun way to take in the striking architecture, shops and restaurants without having to walk everywhere.
It's not a big-ticket attraction, but sometimes a simple activity is exactly what makes a family day out that bit more enjoyable.
Our tip: The train operates subject to availability, weather and site conditions, so check before travelling. It's scheduled to run this weekend, but won't operate from 26th October to 5th November.
Dates: Various dates throughout October 2026
Location: Various farms around Essex and the surrounding counties
Price: Varies by farm; some patches offer free entry, with pumpkins charged separately.
Best for: Families who want fresh air, seasonal photographs and a relaxed autumn outing.
We don't have to head into central London for a brilliant autumn day out. The surrounding counties are packed with pumpkin patches, and this weekend is a good time to get picking before the half-term rush.
Availability, booking requirements and activities can differ, so check each farm's own website before travelling. Free entry doesn't necessarily mean everything on site is free.
Our tip: Wellies, a spare change of clothes and a bag for muddy pumpkins are all sensible additions to the family-day-out kit.
Planning another weekend? Keep checking back with London for Kidz for fresh ideas, seasonal events and family days out worth putting in the diary.
London really is buzzing this weekend!
From Halloween trails and musical theatre to free family activities and creative adventures, there's plenty happening across London and beyond. If none of those float your boat, don't panic – our evergreen guide below is packed with all the usual London for Kidz favourites, from museums and attractions to parks, playgrounds, theatre and rainy-day ideas.
More things to do if you just want a good family day out
Not every weekend needs a huge event. Sometimes you just want to get into London, do something fun and come home without having organised your entire existence around a timetable. These are some of our favourite reliable family attractions that are still worth considering when it comes to things to do in London this weekend with kids.
Young V&A
A particularly good choice for younger children, with lots to explore, play with and interact with.
SEA LIFE London Aquarium
A dependable rainy-day option — and particularly useful when the British weather decides September is actually February.
Shrek's Adventure! London
An interactive attraction aimed at younger families, right on the South Bank.
Madame Tussauds
A classic for families with children of different ages, with plenty of famous faces, superheroes and photo opportunities.
Chessington World of Adventures
For a full day out, Chessington combines rides and animals and works well for families with mixed ages.
LEGOLAND Windsor
If you’re prepared to venture just outside London, LEGOLAND is another easy option for a full family day.
London Dungeon
For a gouhlisly good immersive experience on the South Bank, you can't go wrong with this. Tried, tested and approved by the London for Kidz teens.
London Eye
Why not combine another South Bank experience with a bird's eye view of London? A great pick for all ages.
Psst: if you have an event that you would like featured in our weekly 'things to do in London this weekend with kids' guide then drop us an email at tracytristram@londonfordkidz.com to find out more.
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