Things to do in London this weekend with kids
Updated: 10 minutes ago
Looking for the best things to do in London this weekend with kids? From Halloween adventures and a brand-new Wallace & Gromit experience to free family festivals and pumpkin-picking trips, we’ve found some brilliant ways to spend the weekend.
October is doing what October does best: filling London with pumpkins, spooky surprises and plenty of excuses to get out of the house. Whether we’re planning a big family adventure, looking for something to entertain toddlers or trying to keep the weekend budget under control, there’s plenty happening across the capital and just beyond it.
We’ve rounded up the events worth knowing about this weekend in London - 17th to 18th October, including a few that are brand new, some excellent free options and ideas for families who want Halloween fun without going too heavy on the scares.
Our super quick top picks this weekend
Best for Halloween magic: Halloween at Kew
Best free family day out: Stories, Sign and Shine at the British Library
Best for Wallace & Gromit fans: Larger Than Life at LightroomBest for little ones: Hey Duggee at Kew Gardens
Best for a spooky indoor adventure: Paradox Museum London
Best for pumpkin picking: Willows Activity Farm, Hertfordshire
Best for autumn family photos: A pumpkin patch near London
What's on this weekend in London with kids - 17th to 18th October?
Hold on to your hats, people:
Dates: Friday 16 October – Sunday 1 November 2026
Location: Kew Gardens, Richmond
Price: From £14 for children aged 4–15; under-fours go free. Adult tickets start at £19.50. Family tickets are available.
Best for: Families who love Halloween, magical trails and a little bit of a fright.
Halloween at Kew is back, transforming the gardens into an illuminated after-dark adventure filled with eerie encounters, fire performers, mysterious creatures and the return of the Headless Horseman. This is the sort of Halloween experience that feels like a proper occasion rather than simply another pumpkin trail. We can wander through atmospheric gardens, discover spectacular installations and enjoy the build-up as darkness falls.
The clever bit is that we can choose a time slot to suit our family. Earlier sessions are better for younger children, while later visits ramp up the spooky atmosphere.The trail is approximately 1.5km and takes around an hour to an hour and a half, so sensible footwear is a good idea.
Our tip: If we’re visiting with younger children, we’d opt for an earlier slot rather than assuming every Halloween experience needs to be terrifying. Tickets are timed and availability is limited, so book ahead.
Date: Saturday 17 October 2026
Time: 12pm–4pm
Location: British Library, King's Cross
Price: FREE
Best for: Families looking for an affordable, inclusive afternoon.
If the cost of family days out is starting to make your eyes water, this one deserves a place on the list. The British Library is hosting its Family Festival: Stories, Sign and Shine, an afternoon inspired by real and imaginary stories. The event welcomes all ages and is free to attend, with no tickets required. It’s a lovely opportunity to explore storytelling and creative activities in a cultural setting without committing to expensive attraction tickets. It's also worth considering for families looking for an inclusive activity that welcomes D/deaf visitors.
We’d combine it with a wander around King's Cross, where there are plenty of places to grab lunch or let the children stretch their legs.
Our tip: It’s a drop-in event, so we have some flexibility over when we arrive. Check the library’s event page before setting off for any last-minute programme updates.
Where: Camden, London
When: Now open
Price: Tickets from £20.25
Best for: Adventurous kids and teens aged 8+
Fancy climbing Everest without leaving London? This brand-new immersive VR experience takes us back to 1953, joining Edmund Hillary, Tenzing Norgay and the Sherpas on their historic expedition to the world's highest mountain. We'll experience towering icefalls, treacherous glaciers and the incredible challenges faced by the original climbers, all through immersive virtual reality. Lasting around 40 minutes, it's a brilliant option for older children and teens who love adventure, exploration and trying something a little different.
Our tip: This one is best suited to adventurous older children, and it's worth checking the age restrictions and ticket availability before booking.
Where: Westfield London, Shepherd's Bush
When: Opened 15 October 2026
Price: Check the website for current ticket prices
Best for: Creative kids, curious minds and families who love immersive experiences.
Something a little bit bonkers is arriving in West London! Absurd City is an immersive art adventure from the team behind Wake The Tiger, inviting us to explore a surreal world filled with secret passages, imaginative installations and unexpected discoveries.
With more than 100 spaces to explore across five themed districts, this isn't your usual day out. We'll be wandering through strange environments, uncovering hidden details and seeing just how far our imaginations can take us. It's a great choice for families who enjoy interactive experiences and want something different from the usual museums and attractions.
Our tip: Allow plenty of time to explore rather than rushing through. Check the official website for current opening times, age guidance and ticket options.
Dates: 14 October 2026 – 4 January 2027
Location: Lightroom, King's Cross
Price: Adults from £25; under-18s from £15; under-threes go free in selected sessions.
Best for: Animation fans, creative children and families who love a bit of nostalgia.
Wallace & Gromit fans, this one's for you. Brand new at Lightroom, Larger Than Life: Starring Wallace & Gromit, Shaun and More celebrates the wonderfully inventive world of Aardman Animations, the studio behind some of Britain's most beloved animated characters.
Using spectacular projections across four enormous 11-metre-high walls and the floor, the experience explores how Aardman's films and characters are brought to life, from the handmade details to the animation magic behind the finished films.
Expect iconic moments, behind-the-scenes treasures and a celebration of the creativity that has entertained generations. The experience lasts approximately 50 minutes, making it an appealing option if we're looking for something special without filling an entire day.
Our tip: This is a particularly good choice for mixed-age families, because the adults can enjoy the nostalgia just as much as the children enjoy seeing their favourite characters on a huge scale.
Where: Science Museum, South Kensington
When: Until 3 January 2027
Price: FREE
Best for: All ages
If you haven't discovered this one yet, consider this your nudge! The Science Museum has teamed up with Pokémon for a FREE space-themed trail across nine galleries, combining everyone's favourite pocket monsters with the real science behind our universe.
Children can hunt for Pokémon as they explore the museum, discovering fascinating facts about space along the way. It's a clever way to get them interested in science without them even realising they're learning something.
It's also a particularly good shout if your kids normally respond to the word “museum” by suddenly needing to be absolutely anywhere else!
Our tip: The trail is free, but you'll need to book a free museum entry slot. It's a great option for a family day out that won't cost a fortune.
From: Saturday 17 October 2026
Location: Paradox Museum London
Price: Check current ticket prices when booking.
Best for: Families who enjoy interactive experiences, optical illusions and Halloween fun.
If we fancy something spooky but want to stay indoors, Paradox Museum London is worth a look.
The museum's Halloween takeover combines its mind-bending exhibits with a seasonal trail, interactive storytelling and a Potion Lab packed with colourful experiments.
From Saturday 17 October, families can also drop into Dragon's Nest for an interactive Halloween tale every 15 minutes, included with standard admission. The usual exhibits are designed to challenge what we think we see, with plenty of opportunities for funny family photographs and those wonderfully confusing moments when nobody can work out what's happening.
Our tip: This is a good option for children who enjoy hands-on experiences rather than simply walking around looking at displays. Check the age suitability and ticket availability before booking.
Dates: Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October 2026
Location: Willows Activity Farm, London Colney, Hertfordshire
Price: Day tickets from £14.95, depending on date and ticket type, plus a booking fee.
Best for: Younger children, autumn family days out and pumpkin-picking enthusiasts.
Sometimes the simplest autumn traditions are the ones children remember most, and a trip to choose their own pumpkin is a pretty good example. Willows Activity Farm is hosting its Pumpkin Festival this weekend, with pumpkin picking alongside a full day of family activities.
Depending on the ticket and day's programme, families can enjoy the Pumpkin Hunt, Peter Rabbit Adventure Playground, live shows, character meet-and-greets, tractor rides, funfair rides, adventure golf and farmyard animals. It's a particularly good choice for families with younger children because there's plenty to do beyond picking a pumpkin, so we can easily make a full day of it.
Our tip: Check exactly what's included in the ticket before booking, and remember that pumpkins may cost extra depending on the activity and ticket terms.
Dates: Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 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 really is buzzing this weekend! But 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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