Welcome to my favourite London season… autumn is my absolute favourite time of year in the city. If you’re spending October half term in London with toddlers, there’s so much to do. London locals who haven’t booked a holiday can make the most of staying home, while visitors will be absolutely spoilt for choice.
I’ve come up with a three-day October half term itinerary in London for preschoolers, roughly aged 2–5. There’s a mix of gentle Halloween events, classic London attractions, seasonal family experiences and plenty of activities that work well for younger children. I’m a firm believer in not trying to squeeze too much in, especially with little ones, so don’t feel pressured to follow the full day exactly as suggested, or even do all three days. You can always pick the parts that suit your family best.
Itinerary at a glance
| Day | Morning | Lunch | Afternoon / Evening |
| Autumn Fun at Kew Gardens | Hey Duggee at Kew Gardens | Family Kitchen | Children’s Garden |
| Museums and Villains | At Leisure | Peppa Pig Halloween Afternoon Tea Bus Tour | Embankment Gardens |
| Bears and Scares | Paddington Bear Experience | Lunch on the South Bank | SEALIFE |
Follow all three days or choose your favourite. You can also swap a day for pumpkin picking – see the alternative below.
Travelling with older children? I’ve also put together a 3-day October half-term itinerary in London for primary-school children aged 5–11.
Before you Book
For this three-day itinerary, I’ve focused on seasonal events and activities taking place in London during the October half-term period, from 17 October to 1 November 2026. Some of the Halloween events only begin from 24 October, so check the dates beneath each stop before planning your day.
Planning October half term in London with toddlers is much easier if you keep each day fairly relaxed. Book your main experience in advance, then plan lunch and any optional extras around it rather than trying to fit too much into one day. Leave plenty of time for travelling, snacks and inevitable little delays, particularly on the day you’re heading to Kew Gardens.
The age guidance is only a starting point: you know your child best. Some preschoolers will happily manage a full day out, while others will be done after one main activity, so I’ve kept the afternoons flexible where possible.
October half term with toddlers in London Day 1 – Autumn Magic at Kew
With a pre-schooler we all know the golden rule is keep it simple and absolutely do not cram too much into one day.
Hey Duggee at Kew Gardens
Kew is one of my favourite options for October half term with toddlers because you can make the whole day as relaxed as you need.
Getting there: Take the District line or London Overground to Kew Gardens station. Victoria Gate is the best entrance for this itinerary and is around a 7-minute walk from the station.
Inspired by the hit CBeebies series, Hey Duggee’s Squirrel Club is taking over Kew Gardens for a special autumn adventure. It’s a lovely choice for preschoolers, combining a favourite character with plenty of fresh air, exploring and seasonal fun.
The outdoor trail brings the playful world of Hey Duggee to life through a series of interactive challenges designed to encourage children to explore nature, learn as they go and enjoy the colours and sights of Kew in autumn.
Pick up an activity leaflet when you arrive, which includes a trail map and space to collect special Duggee badge stamps along the way. Children can work their way through the different challenge stations, collecting a new stamp at each one before completing the trail and earning an exclusive Kew Gardens badge stamp. There are also extra activities included in the leaflet to continue the fun at home.
At the end of the trail, little Squirrels can pose for a photo beside a child-sized Duggee sculpture — and, of course, give him a Duggee hug.
Whether your child is already a devoted member of the Squirrel Club or just loves being outdoors, this is a really sweet way to experience Kew Gardens in autumn. I’d allow plenty of time rather than rushing on to another major attraction afterwards, as there’s lots of space for preschoolers to explore and you can easily make this the main event of the day.
Lunch: Eat in the Family Kitchen & Shop
A fun and brightly coloured food hall with stone-baked pizza, salad and sandwich bar, hot counter and ice cream servery. The restaurant is specifically designed for families with child-friendly food and seating. It is also themed around nature, reflecting the botanical garden setting.
Ultimate lunch spot for the whole family. Take away or eat in indoor seating available. Note:
Hot food: 11.30am to 3pm
Pizza counter: 11.30am to 3pm
Afternoon
After the Hey Duggee trail, head to Kew’s Children’s Garden, which is designed for children aged 2–12 and is absolutely perfect for this preschool itinerary. Noah absolutely loved this place when we went and he was 2.5, particularly the sand pit.
It’s a huge natural play space around the size of 40 tennis courts and it’s built around the things plants need to grow: earth, air, sun and water.
There’s loads for younger children to do. In the Earth Garden they can weave through a living bamboo tunnel and slide down ‘worm-hole’ tubes; the Air Garden has colourful windflowers, giant pollen spheres, hammocks, periscopes and trampolines; and the Water Garden has a stream, stepping stones and natural boulders to clamber over. One of the highlights is the 4m-high canopy walk wrapped around a 200-year-old oak tree. There is some play equipment aimed at older children which is best avoided with toddlers.
SilverSpoon Tip: I’d make Kew the main event of the day rather than trying to squeeze in another big attraction afterwards. There’s plenty for preschoolers to explore, and the autumn setting makes this feel much more special than just following the trail.
Best for: Hey Duggee fans, preschoolers and a relaxed autumn day outdoors.
Dates: 17–24 October 2026, 10am–4pm; 25 October–1 November 2026, 10am–3pm
Price: Included with entry to Kew Gardens
Getting there: Kew Gardens, nearest entrance Victoria Gate
Booking: Advance booking for Kew Gardens recommended.
October half term with toddlers in London Day 2 – Peppa and Playgrounds
Head to Temple for the main activity of the day:
Peppa Pig Halloween London Sightseeing Bus Tour
What to expect: Brigit’s Bakery gives its Peppa Pig Afternoon Tea Bus a spooky makeover for Halloween, combining a sightseeing tour past some of London’s most famous landmarks with Peppa-themed Halloween treats. Peppa Pig and Suzy Sheep guide the journey on the built-in screens, with sing-along songs, favourite episode clips and spooky surprises along the way.
There are also Halloween games and activities with the onboard team, activity books for little Peppa fans and a Best Dressed Family competition, so dressing up is very much encouraged. Every guest gets a Peppa Pig travel cup to take home, and there are takeaway boxes for any cakes you don’t manage to finish. Little kids will love their Peppa cup.
The tour is only 90 minutes, but any parent of a small child knows that once you factor in getting there and home again, even a 90-minute activity can be quite enough for the day so this will be your main activity.
SilverSpoon Tip: We’ve done the original Peppa Pig Bus Tour and it was a huge hit, the cakes are genuinely tasty too. If you’re worried about taking a toddler on a 90-minute bus tour, don’t be: Noah was engaged throughout. One important thing to know, though, is that there are no toilets on the bus.
Best for: Peppa Pig fans aged 2+, particularly toddlers and preschoolers.
Dates: 19 October–1 November 2026
Times: Daily at 12.15pm, 2.45pm and 5.30pm
Duration: 90 minutes
Price: From £45 per adult / £37 per child
Getting there: Tours depart from Temple Embankment, Bus Stop N.
Booking: Book here. Use the code SILVERSPOON for 10% off.
Here’s my full review of the Peppa Pig afternoon tea bus.
Afternoon: Embankment Gardens Playground
After an epic bus tour and feeling full from Peppa-based snacks you’ll be wanting a low key afternoon. There is a relatively small playground on Embankment Gardens with a play boat, slides and some balance beams. It’s perfect for toddlers and I would spend an hour or so there.
October half term with toddlers in London Day 3 – Bears and Sea Sorcerers
Morning: Paddington Bear Experience
This day is mainly indoors, just in case the October weather doesn’t play ball. Start with the riverside views before stepping into the Paddington Bear Experience for an adventure through London and Peru.
Explore interactive sets, live performances and themed activities inspired by everyone’s favourite bear. It works really well for toddlers because there’s lots to look at and do rather than lots of sitting still, with the experience moving you through different colourful sets and lots of interactions along the way.
For Halloween, it becomes Trick or Treat at Windsor Gardens, with autumnal decorations and an optional trick-or-treat package including a pumpkin bucket, sweets, Paddington ears, a Paw Biscuit and a Halloween Paddington postcard.
SilverSpoon Tip: The experience ends at Marmalade Day, which is especially good for younger children as there’s time for some free play and the chance to meet Paddington himself. Don’t rush off as soon as the main experience finishes toddlers may enjoy this final section just as much as the main attraction as there’s lots of fun interactive games.
Dates: Open daily from 10am. 17 October – 1 November for the Halloween special
Best for: Paddington fans, especially preschoolers and toddlers although parents will enjoy the nostalgia too.
Duration: Around 70 minutes
Price: From £39. The Halloween Trick or Treat package is an additional £15 per child.
Lunch: Southbank
Stay around the South Bank for an easy lunch. There are plenty of family-friendly restaurants around County Hall and the Southbank Centre. We like Cote Brasserie for a sit-down lunch and Giraffe is a great option for small kids.
Lots of younger children will be tired from a morning at the Paddington Bear experience but older children especially with high stamina might want another activity so this is an optional suggestion.
Halloween at SEA LIFE London Aquarium
What to expect: For Halloween, SEA LIFE London Aquarium is welcoming its brilliant Sea Sorcerers for a frighteningly fun underwater adventure. These magical characters are on a mission to look after their ocean home and keep their fellow sea creatures safe, with Halloween-themed activities woven into your visit.
Alongside the seasonal activities are the aquarium’s usual highlights, from sharks and rays to colourful tropical fish and other fascinating sea creatures. It’s a particularly good half-term idea for younger children because there’s plenty to see at their own pace and it’s completely indoors so you can spend as long as you like moving between the different zones.
SilverSpoon Tip: SEA LIFE is a really easy win with toddlers and preschoolers, especially if the weather is miserable. Be aware though I’ve near spent less that three hours at the aquarium so it is a full afternoon activity.
Dates: Halloween activities run 17 October–1 November 2026
Best for: All ages, but particularly good for toddlers and preschoolers who love animals and interactive attractions. It works well for babies too as there are plenty of sensory elements.
Duration: Allow around 1.5–2 hours
Price: From £36 per adult
Getting there: SEA LIFE London Aquarium, County Hall, South Bank. Nearest stations are Waterloo and Westminster.
Booking: Click here to check availability and pricing.
Swap a day for pumpkin picking
Pumpkin picking is another lovely option for October half term with toddlers, particularly if you want a day outdoors. Nothing cuter than photos of a toddler in a pumpkin patch!
Stay in London
The London Pumpkin Patch is perfect if you don’t fancy leaving London. It’s located in Parsons Green, with more than 10,000 pumpkins, winding pathways, autumnal displays and plenty of photo opportunities bringing a little slice of the countryside into South West London.
As you explore the patch, children can encounter interactive characters along the way, while there are lots of seasonal backdrops for those all-important autumn family photos. Its biggest selling point is the location, particularly if you don’t have a car (and we don’t) or don’t want to spend half the day travelling out of London for a pumpkin!
SilverSpoon Tip: One of the easiest options for London families and a great choice with toddlers if you want the pumpkin patch experience without committing to a full day at a farm. It’s also high on our list to visit this autumn.
Best for: Toddlers and preschoolers, London families and anyone looking for an easy, accessible pumpkin-picking experience without leaving the city.
Dates: 24 October – 1 November 2026
Price: From £6
Getting there: Nearest tube: Parsons Green.
Booking: Book here.
Make a day trip of it
We went to Willows Activity Farm last year for Pumpkin picking and pumpkin carving and it completely changed my mind about pumpkin patches. It was so much more fun than just choosing a pumpkin and leaving!
There’s a full programme alongside the pumpkin patch itself, including arts and crafts, a Halloween maze, character shows such as Patch the Pumpkin, a Halloween disco and tractor rides. Younger children will also love the Peter Rabbit & Friends activities, which make Willows especially good for toddlers and preschoolers.
Preschool bonus: If your dates fall slightly earlier, Willows also runs a dedicated Pre-School Pumpkin Patch on weekdays from 12–22 October. It’s designed specifically for little pumpkin pickers, with pumpkin picking, tractor rides, Peter Rabbit & Friends, funfair rides, farmyard fun and adventure play included. It would be a good way to avoid the weekend crowds.
SilverSpoon Tip: Willows is one of my top choices for pumpkin picking near London, particularly with younger children. There’s enough to keep toddlers and preschoolers entertained for the whole day, which makes the journey from central London feel really worth it.
Best for: Families with younger children, especially toddlers and preschoolers
Dates: 10 – 31 October
Price: £22.95 (includes pumpkin)
Getting there: By public transport, take the Tube to High Barnet, then the 84 bus towards St Albans and get off at The Bull, London Colney. From there it’s a short walk to the farm.
Booking: Book here
For more pumpkin patches in London and further afield, read my full guide to pumpkin picking near London.
Winnie-the-Pooh at London Zoo
What to expect: London Zoo is celebrating two big anniversaries this autumn: 100 years of Winnie-the-Pooh and 200 years of London Zoo. A special storybook trail brings a brand-new Winnie-the-Pooh adventure to life, inspired by the much-loved world of A.A. Milne and E.H. Shepard.
As families make their way around the zoo, little ones can follow the story while spotting familiar characters and enjoying the animals along the way. It works especially well for toddlers and preschoolers because the trail adds an extra layer of fun to a day at the zoo without making the visit feel too structured.
SilverSpoon Tip: Don’t forget to book ZooTown, London Zoo’s brilliant indoor play space. It’s ideal for younger children and makes a really useful break if little legs need a rest from walking around the zoo. It is genuinely good soft play themed around different jobs at the Zoo.
Best for: Toddlers and preschoolers who love Winnie-the-Pooh, animals and gentle story-led activities.
Dates: 2 October–1 November 2026
Price: Included with standard zoo admission
Getting there: London Zoo, Regent’s Park. Nearest Tube stations include Camden Town and Regent’s Park.
Booking: Book London Zoo tickets
More ideas for October Half Term in London
I hope this toddler-friendly itinerary has given you plenty of ideas for October half term in London with toddlers and preschoolers. There’s so much happening across the city at this time of year, but you definitely don’t need to do it all. Pick the days and activities that suit your family best, leave plenty of breathing room, and enjoy London in one of its most atmospheric seasons.
Looking for even more inspiration? I’ve rounded up the best things to do in London with kids this October half term, including seasonal events, shows and family days out. For something spookier, take a look at my Halloween events in London with kids guide, or keep costs down with my guide to the best free things to do in London with kids.
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