London has put on a frightfully fun half-term lineup! This newsletter contains five free things to do every day of the October half term holidays, plus weekend ideas too. There’s pumpkin carving, Diwali celebrations, Day of the Dead lantern parades, Black History Month events, cemetery art trails, hair-raising nature activities, arts making and much more - all for nowt.

Let’s ignore the fact that half term has already arrived in some London boroughs (including my own). Having searched high and low, there wasn’t enough free stuff to fill a newsletter for this week, but keep an eye on my Instagram Stories where I’m sharing any events I do find.

Here’s what we’ve been up to so far this week. Halloween at Kew got us into the spooky spirit - the actors and fire-breathers were fang-tastic!

We’re embracing autumn with outdoor adventures, when weather permits! We were really impressed by the improvements at Hainault Forest - a great playground, small farm, a Thomas Land train ride on Saturdays - and if you follow the Roe’s Well Walk, you’ll stumble upon monster sculptures in the ancient forest! Distinctly more urban in feel, we took the Parkland Walk from Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace, with several stops for playgrounds and cafés along the way.

We’ve had indoor fun too. Museum Girl created some rather bizarre cat stories at Punchdrunk Enrichment Stores's Family Day. More fact than fiction, we descended into the actual 1940s bunker which helped defend Britain from aerial attack at Battle of Britain Bunker - it really is like stepping back in time. Speaking of which, let’s crack on.

If you go somewhere I mention, please do tag, DM or email me. All the feedback helps me choose what to include next time!

Share the fun freely

There are many families in London who can’t afford to do things in the school holidays - and I’d like this guide to reach as many of them as possible. All of the events in this edition have no entry or activity charges, and they’re spread across London.

Please consider forwarding this newsletter to your child’s school or nursery, so they can share it more widely in their own newsletters. It could really make a difference for families looking for fun, budget-friendly options.

FREE October Half Term 2024 Activities

Here’s a sprinkle of magic for your October half term: a lineup of completely FREE family activities in London to enchant little ones and grown-ups alike!

I’ve brewed up to five daily recommendations. Some events run across multiple days, so be sure to check them all. These spots are going fast, so click the links to secure your place.

Need more inspiration? Take a look at my best things to do with kids in London over Halloween and my bumper guide to the October half term, showcasing over 100 activities across London (both paid and free!).

Monday 28 October 2024

1. Uniqlo Tate Play Holiday Make Studio: The Joy of Not Knowing at Tate Modern, SE1: Build secret dens, add to wild projections, and craft quirky costumes from recycled treasures in the East Tank. Drop in. All ages. Runs 26 October-3 November 2024.

2. Dalston Pumpkin Light Up Festival at Dalston Curve Garden, E8: See hundreds of hand-carved pumpkins aglow as night falls. Runs from 28 October 2024 as long as pumpkins last, and no later than 3 November 2024. 18:00-21:30. Drop in.

3. Meet the Lamplighter and London in Lights at London Museum Docklands, E14: Gas lamplighter Albert whisks kids back to Victorian London for an interactive storytelling adventure. Then get crafty with silhouettes and London sights. Drop in. Best ages 5+. Part of October Half term, runs 26 October-3 November 2024 with different events daily.

4. Creepy Crafts at the Bank of England Museum, EC2: Decorate your own spooky money box, inspired by hair-raising finds from the museum. Whilst stocks last! Drop in. Best ages 5+. Runs 28 October-1 November 2024.

5. Magic School at Railway Fields, N4: Make magic wands and broomsticks, mix potions and play quidditch games in the woods. Book.

Tuesday 29 October 2024

1. Family Day at National Portrait Gallery, WC2: Emboss foil portraits, make radical rosettes, remix portraits and incorporate British Sign Language into your own artwork. 29 October 2024. Free, drop in on a first come, first served basis.

2. Discovery Days - Hair raising Halloween at Hyde Park Learning Centre, W2: Brave the ‘feely boxes’ in the Witches’ Den, explore a hair-raising nature trail, learn about the bats in The Royal Parks and listen to a spooky story. Runs 29-31 October 2024.

3. Josephine’s Incredible Journey' puppet theatre experience at National Maritime Museum, SE10: Join in with an interactive musical puppet show about inspiring Black British icons from Roman Britain to today. Followed by a hands-on workshop. Drop in. Also runs 31 October 2024.

4. Exploring the Silk Roads at British Museum, WC1: Design artwork for a giant floor map, follow a Chinese paper-folding trail, and enjoy captivating storytelling in the galleries. Book museum entry.

5. Musical Lute Tour at National Gallery, WC2: Join a musical walking tour that brings paintings to life with stories, tunes, and history. Places allocated on first come, first served basis. Ages 5+.

Wednesday 30 October 2024

1. Bats in the Belfry at Museum of the Order of St John, EC1: Help find the lost bats in the garden, then craft your own bat-themed mobile to take home. Drop in. Best ages 3-10.

2. Tots at the Docks at London Museum Docklands, E14: A light-themed play session. Combine with Dance Party with Playworker Amber. 29-30 October 2024. Both drop in, under 5s.

3. Kaleidoscope Family Day at Guildhall Art Gallery, EC2: Create geometric prints, collages, and kaleidoscopes with artist Lorraine McCourt. Plus interactive storytelling with award-winning poet Shamim Azad. Book. Best ages 3-10.

4. Mummy Masks at Petrie Museum, WC1: Join artist Jaquie Feldman and craft your own mummy mask while exploring the meanings behind colours and designs. Book/drop in. All ages.

5. Nature Roadshow at Brompton Cemetery, SW10: Follow a spooky scavenger trail, explore nature at a mini-museum, create nature crafts, and enjoy interactive games. Also at Bushy Park on 29 October 2024, and The Regent’s Park on 31 October 2024.

Thursday 31 October 2024

1. Covent Garden Mum Trick or Treat trail: One of our favourite free Halloween things to do! Dress up and trick or treat around Covent Garden, exploring hidden spots, collecting treats, and discovering fun facts. Register for trail, treats whilst stocks last!

2. Festival of the Dead at Wanstead Library, E11: Celebrate the Day of the Dead with lantern-making, sugar skull masks, spooky storytelling and mariachi music. Then join the joyous grand lantern parade. Drop in/book. The second day of the festival takes place at Redbridge Central Library on 1 November 2024.

3. Kensington’s Hallows’ Eve at Church Walk, W8: Stroll down the Victorian-esque pathway with ghostly decorations, seasonal lights and a few friendly frights along the way. Drop in. Combine with their Haunted Halloween Hunt (25-31 October 2024) and trick or treat giveaways at Whole Foods (31 October 2024).

4. Arts in the Garden: Light & Colour at the Roof Garden at Southbank Centre, SE1: Craft clay diyas, create community rangoli designs, and enjoy a joyful retelling of the Ramayana to celebrate Diwali. Drop-in.

5. Haunted Houses Family Drop in at Sir John Soane’s Museum, WC2: Build a spooky haunted house with stained-glass windows inspired by the architect extraordinaire! Drop in. Ages 4+.

Friday 1 November 2024

1. Family Design Challenge: Zine Making at Young V&A, E2: Create your own zine using collage and drawing, inspired by playful encounters in the city. Drop in. Runs 31 October-2 November 2024. Part of their Play in the City half term activities.

2. Creative Carnival Spectacular at Hackney Museum, E8: Join Playworker Amber and Gabriel Palmer for inclusive fun play sessions, including a dance party, stories and a play performance. Book/drop in.

3. Altar at Abney Park, N16: Interactive art trail through a cemetery and woodland, featuring secular memorial shrines. Add messages or photos and craft at the printing booth, plus family activities. Book/drop in. Runs 1-3 November 2024. Daytime visits are free, paid evening sessions also available.

4. Drop-in Design: Crafting with Colours and Pop-up Performance: Mindful Movements at V&A South Kensington, SW7: Explore your creativity and inner worlds through craft and movement. Drop in. Runs 30 October-1 November 2024.

5. Gardening Together at Chiswick House and Gardens, W4: Help build insect habitats, plant bulbs, and boost biodiversity as part of a woodland regeneration project. Book. Ages 8+. Runs 30 October & 1 November 2024.

Please do check details before setting out. Events might be subject to short notice changes, or I might have made a mistake.

What’s FREE this weekend: 26-27 October 2024

Looking for more free fun this weekend? Check out these gems - just click the links for all the details, and any booking requirements.

1. Diwali at Marble Hill, TW1. 26 October 2024.

2. Let’s Get Creative - Family artists at Orleans House Gallery, TW1. 26 October 2024.

3. Dance Umbrella Family Weekend at Potters Fields Park, SE1. 26 October 2024.

4. Be Spooky Pumpkin Patch in Richmond, TW9. 26 October 2024.

5. Family Space: The ORIGINALITEES at South London Gallery, SE5. 26 October 2024.

6. Stratford East Open Day, E15. 26 October 2024.

7. Family studio: cut-out worlds at the Royal Academy of Arts, W1. 27 October 2024.

8. Halloween at Brixton Windmill, SW2. 27 October 2024.

See you on the other side (of half term, that is!)

Bye for now,

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