Looking for the best things to do in London with kids this October half term 2026? With Halloween falling right in the middle of the school holidays, there’s so much to do and this is one of my favourite times of year for family days out.
I’m a London mum of two boys (aged 7 and 3) and I’m constantly looking for family days out that are enjoyable for parents as well as children. I’ve personally visited lots of these places and I’ve selected activities that I really think are worth doing and genuinely fun for everyone, rather than just listing everything!
This guide brings together the best family activities in London for October half term 2026, including Halloween activities, pumpkin picking, exhibitions, theatre, free days out and a few selected family activities just outside London. For this guide I’ve focused specifically on events and activities taking place during October half term from 17th October to 1st November 2026, allowing for the variation for different school holidays.
My Top Family-Friendly Picks for October Half Term 2026
Best Overall: Halloween at Kew
Best for Halloween: Tower of London
Best Pumpkin Patch: Willows Activity Farm
Best for preschoolers: Halloween at Battersea Zoo
Best for older kids: Warner Bros Studio Tour – Dark Arts
Best for rainy days: London Transport Museum
Best theatre or show: Wicked
Best free activity: Hyde Park Discover Days
Best special treat: Brigit’s Bakery Halloween Afternoon Tea bus
Best trip outside of London: Legoland
Halloween Things to Do in London With Kids 2026
Kew Gardens – Halloween at Kew is one of London’s most popular and sell-out events. The gardens will transform into a thrilling, illuminated trail packed with scary encounters, surprises and shocking moments for brave visitors of all ages.
Use the code ANGIESILVER10 for 10% off.
Dates: 16 October – 24 October 2026: 6pm to 10pm, 25 October – 1 November 2026: 4pm to 10pm
Best for: 6 + / confident younger children
Price: From £23 per adult / £17 per child
SilverSpoon Tip: I haven’t experienced Halloween at Kew myself, but from the footage I’ve seen it does look genuinely scary in places, I’d recommend parental guidance when booking for young children.
Tower of London – chilling tales and haunting history at the Tower of London this October half term for a Halloween adventure.
The Tower has served not only as a royal palace but also as a formidable fortress and notorious prison. This Halloween, there’s something spooky waiting around every corner. Expect ghostly residents in theatrical costumes, ghoulish make-up and atmospheric sound effects throughout parts of the Tower and there are spirited gatherings at 11.15, 12.45 and 14.45.
Dates: 24 October – 1 November 2026
Best for: Parental guidance. May scare some children.
Price: Included in admission
SilverSpoon Tip: The atmosphere of London’s famous prison is perfect for Halloween and this promises to be something very special!
Hampton Court – Discover Henry VIII‘s notoriously haunted palace this Halloween and October half term with atmospheric projections, eerie sound effects and magical spells. Keep your eyes peeled for restless spirits, you may even spot William Shakespeare. There’s also an autumnal trail filled with pumpkins, scarecrows, and seasonal surprises plus Halloween treats in the cafe.
Dates: 24 October – 1 November 2026
Best for: Parental guidance
Price: Included with entry.
SilverSpoon Tip: Don’t forget to visit the brilliant Magic Garden (children’s playground) and the famous maze.
London Wetland Centre – SUPER Natural family-friendly Halloween adventure. Explore the magical superpowers and folklore of the wetlands. There’s willow wand making, potion brewing and fungi hunting.
Dates: 24 October – 1 November
Best for: 3+
Price: Included with admission
SilverSpoon Tip: A great choice for a less scary Halloween day out, and a great chance for city kids to learn and understand nature.
Spooky Halloween Afternoon Tea Sightseeing Bus Tour with Brigit’s Bakery. A good way of combining sightseeing with a Halloween experience.
Dates: 19 October – 1 November 2026
12:00, 14:30, 17:00
Best for: 5 + , under 5s are not allowed on the bus
Price: £45 adult / £37 child
Best October Half Term Activities for Preschoolers in London
Paddington Bear Experience, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd – Step into Paddington’s world with an adventure through London and Peru! Explore interactive sets with live performances, and themed activities inspired by everyone’s favourite bear.
For Halloween it’s Trick or Treat at Windsor Gardens with autumnal decorations and an exclusive trick-or-treat package including: Paddington Bear Ears, a souvenir pumpkin sweet bucket and a selection of sweets. The experience lasts around 70 minutes.
Dates: Open daily from 10am. 17 October – 1 November for the Halloween special
Best for: Everyone will enjoy a day out with Paddington, even parents!
Price: From £39
SilverSpoon Tip: The experience ends with the Marmalade Day which gives the opportunity for free play and the chance to meet Paddington himself.
Battersea Children’s Zoo – There are mysterious animal encounters and family-friendly Halloween storytime at this little London zoo for half term.
Dates: October half term.
Best for: Toddlers and preschoolers
Price: Approx adult £17.50 / child £13.95
SilverSpoon Tip: This smaller zoo is great for little kids and also contains several playgrounds to burn off energy!
Kew Gardens – Hey Duggee’s Squirrel Club is heading on an autumn adventure. An outdoor trail features interactive challenges that encourage fun, exploration and learning in nature.
Dates: 17 October to 1 November 2026 (times vary)
Best for: Preschoolers
Price: Included with entry to the Gardens. This autumn £10 entry to Kew Gardens every Tuesday.
SilverSpoon Tip: A brilliant way to explore London’s famous gardens with little kids.
The Smeds and the Smoos – On a far-off planet, Smeds and Smoos can’t be friends. So when a young Smed and Smoo fall in love and zoom off into space together, how will their families get them back? We love this book, and the stage adaptation is brilliant for younger children. At the Southbank Centre.
Dates: 28 October – 1 November
Best for: 3 + (but fine for all ages)
Price: £22
SilverSpoon Tip: Tall Stories is brilliant theatre company that always creates amazing family productions.
Peppa Pig Halloween London Sightseeing Bus Tour from Brigit’s Bakery, a spooky afternoon tea experience through London’s most famous landmarks and Peppa-themed spooky treats.
Date: 19 October – 1 November
Best for: Little Peppa fans
Price: From £54
SilverSpoon Tip: We’ve done the original Peppa Bus tour and it was a huge hit, the cakes are also genuinely tasty.
Looking for more? Read my complete guide to the things to do in London for babies and toddlers this September and October.
Special Museum Events during October Half Term
London Transport Museum – October half term – Along the Piccadilly Line. This half term take part in fun family activities celebrating this historic Underground line and the people and places it connects us to.
Dates: Check website for dates in October.
Best for: All ages
Price: Included in museum ticket.
SilverSpoon Tips: One of our favourite museums in London. Don’t forget to visit the cafe for pancakes!
RAF Museum – October half term is Jet and Space Week. From stepping inside a giant planetarium to battling it out in laser tag and helping Percy & Mr Fox solve a museum mystery.
Dates: 24 October – 1 November
Best for: 3 +
Price: From £5
Love museums? Read my complete guide to the best museums with kids.
Free Things to Do This October Half Term
Hyde Park Discovery Days Hair-raising Halloween. Head to the LookOut Discovery Centre in Hyde Park for a free Halloween-themed family day out with nature-inspired activities. It’s a brilliant option if you’re looking for something seasonal without the price tag of many of London’s big Halloween events.
Dates: 29 – 31 October, 11am–3.30pm
Best for: Families with younger children
Price: Free
SilverSpoon Tip: Combine it with an autumn walk through Hyde Park or a visit to the nearby Diana Memorial Playground.
For more budget-friendly ideas, see my guide to the best free things to do in London with kids
Theatre and Shows for October Half Term
Wicked at The Apollo Victoria Theatre – Halloween is a great chance to see one of London’s most ‘Popular’ musicals. I saw it again recently and it’s one of the best in London. It showcases the journey of Elphaba, the infamous green girl who rose to become the Wicked Witch of the West as well as her friendship with Glinda the Good Witch. Here’s the link to book Wicked and use my code ANGIESILVER10 for 10% off.
Dates: Ongoing
Best for: 6 +
Price: Varies
SilverSpoon Tip: One of my favourite musicals in London but it’s definitely not suitable for younger children.
Franky at the Lyric Hammersmith – This Halloween, join Prof Frankenstein and her lovable creation for a monstrously fun family adventure!
Dates: 27 – 31 October
Best for: Ages vary
Price: from £12
October Half Term Day Trips from London 2026
LEGOLAND Windsor – Brick or Treat is LEGOLAND’s ultimate Halloween event, it’s the perfect autumn day out for families. Expect fang-tastic surprises, live entertainment, and over 55 rides and attractions. Buy tickets here.
Returning for 2026, Lord Vampyre’s House Party is a show that’ll have everyone dancing!
Dates: 10 – 11 October, 17 October – 1 November
Best for: There’s something for everyone at this popular attraction in Windsor.
Price: £37
SilverSpoon Tip: Read my full guide to LEGOLAND Windsor.
Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio Tour – Lots going on at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London this autumn. Get ready for Hallowe’en with a visit to Warner Bros. Studio Tour London during the much-loved Dark Arts feature and explore the dark side of the wizarding world
Discover the Great Hall with over 100 floating pumpkins above a sweet feast. Look out for Death Eaters throughout the Studio Tour in authentic costumes with sinister choreography.
Dates: 16 September – 8 November
Best for: Older children
Price: From £58.50
SilverSpoon Tip: Book well in advance as this is one of London’s top attractions. Be aware it is in Watford just outside of London.
Chessington World Of Adventures: HOWL’O’WEEN! There’s spooktacular Halloween entertainment this October with new Halloween shows, Enchanted Hollow – Trick or Treat, theme park rides at dusk and more spooky fun! Book tickets here.
Dates: 3 – 4 , 10 – 11, 17 October – 1 November
Best for: All ages
Price: £34
SilverSpoon Tip: Chessington is surprisingly easy to get to from London.
Another event just outside London and this one sounds brilliant. Halloween at Blenheim Palace is set to return for 2026 with new characters, immersive installations, interactive photo moments.
This autumn, along the 1.3-kilometre after-dark trail set within the historic grounds of the Oxfordshire UNESCO World Heritage Site, among the biggest new arrivals will be an enormous Spider Puppet, energetic Monster Disco and neon coffin selfie installations.
Dates: 22 October – 1 November
Best for: 6 + and brave little ones
Price: Peak: £25 per adult and £19.50 per child / Standard: £23 per adult and £17.50 per child / Off peak: £19 per adult and £13.50 per child
SilverSpoon Tip: The production feels very lifelike and scary so I recommend parental guidance.
For more ideas on days out, I have a full list of ideas for day trips less than two hours from London.
Pumpkin Picking During October Half Term
October half term is also peak pumpkin picking season, and there are several brilliant pumpkin patches within easy reach of London.
Willows Activity Farm, St Albans
Best For: A full family day out
Willows is brilliant with younger children as pumpkin picking is only part of the experience. There’s a full programme of events as well as the pumpkin patch itself such as arts and crafts, a Halloween maze, Character Shows including Patch the Pumpkin, Halloween disco, tractor rides and the chance to meet Peter Rabbit & Friends.
Crockford Bridge Farm, Surrey
Best For: A more traditional pumpkin picking experience
For a more traditional pumpkin-picking experience, Crockford Bridge Farm in Surrey welcomes you into the growing fields to choose your pumpkin directly from the crop.
Bockett’s Farm, Leatherhead, Surrey
Best for toddlers and younger children
Bocketts Farm have Witches and Wizards week with a pumpkin village, a Reptile Roadshow, Science and Slime Shows, crafts, a spooky disco plus all the usual farm activities making it a fun autumn day out.
Tulleys, Crawley, West Sussex
Best for: The perfect Insta shot
Europe’s Largest Pumpkin Festival with 1.5 million pumpkins. It’s best for a more traditional pumpkin experience than a children’s farm day.
For a full comparison read my guide to the best pumpkin patches near London.
October half term is one of my favourite times of year in London with my boys. Between Halloween events, autumn walks, theatre, museums and pumpkin picking, there’s so much to do – whether you want a big-ticket family day out or something free.
I’ve deliberately kept this guide curated rather than including every event taking place in London, focusing on the October half term activities I genuinely think are worth considering for families.
I’ll keep updating this guide throughout October 2026 as new events and activities are announced, so bookmark it and check back before half term.
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