Queen’s Guard at the Tower of London. Copyright Gretta Schifano
There are always tons of great things to do in London with kids and each month I publish a round-up of some of the best. Here’s my pick of what’s on on offer in the capital for families with children this month.
Science Museum
There’s a new exhibition at the Science Museum – Cosmonauts: Birth of the Space Age looks at the dramatic story of how Russia turned the dream of space travel into a reality. In 1957 Russia launched the world’s first artificial satellite, Sputnik, into space and just four years later Yuri Gagarin became the first human to be sent into space.
The exhibition includes Vostok-6, the capsule flown by Valentina Tereshkova, the first ever woman in space, as well as the fascinating gadgets cosmonauts need to live in space, including a space shower, toilet, medical instruments and survival kits for crash landings. The exhibition runs until 13th March, 2016.
Cost: £14 for adults and £12.00 for children (7-16). Under-7s free.
Cosmonauts exhibition Poster, c.Science Museum 2015
YouTube stars at Madame Tussauds
This sounds bizarre to me but….if your kids enjoy watching Zoella and Pointless Blog on YouTube then they will probably like Madame Tussaud’s newest residents. The attraction has opened the doors to a new YouTube themed area, and wax figures of Zoe Sugg and Alfie Deyes (aka Zoella and Pointless Blog) are now on display. Fans can sit beside the couple’s likenesses in an exact replica of their spare bedroom, where both often vlog from.
Cost: Prices start from £24.75 (adult), £21.60 (children) when booked online
Fans grab a selfie with Zoe Sugg and Alfie Deyes’ wax figures in new YouTube themed area at Madame Tussauds London. Copyright Madame Tussauds London.
Diwali
Diwali has religious significance for Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities and is known as the Festival of Lights. Enthusiastically celebrated around the world, Diwali marks new beginnings and a renewal of commitment to family values. Every year, Trafalgar Square hosts a Diwali celebration that attracts thousands of people to Central London. This year’s packed programme includes traditional and contemporary Asian music and dance as well as food stalls and a range of child-friendly activities.
Diwali is timed to coincide with the new moon (the darkest night of the month) in October or November, so the actual date varies from year to year. In 2015, Diwali begins on November 11th but the Trafalgar Square celebration takes place on October 11th.
Cost: Free
Kew Gardens
If you visit Kew Gardens from Saturday 24th October to Sunday 1st November you’ll be able to see Pirate Pepperbeard and the Great Spice Heist. Families are invited on a quest to foil the plot of Pirate Pepperbeard and his dastardly crew, who are planning to plunder the spectacularly valuable spices at Kew. Help the botanist heroine ‘Nutmeg’ by following the trail on Pirate Pepperbeard’s very own secret map to solve the puzzles around the Gardens. Complete the treasure hunt and head for the swashbuckling finale with Nutmeg and Pirate Pepperbeard! The Great Spice Heist adventure will run every day during half term from Saturday 24th October to Sunday 1st November.
Cost: From £14 for adults and from £2.50 for children (4-16) if booked online. Under-4s free.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour
From Friday 16th October until Sunday 1st November, visitors to the fabulous Harry Potter Studio Tour can explore some of the darker aspects of the Harry Potter stories. Fans of Death Eaters, daring duels and Halloween feasts can delve into the Dark Arts. For two weeks only, you’ll be able to try your duelling techniques against a Death Eater after learning wand combat moves in an interactive experience with Paul Harris, the world’s only wand combat choreographer.
Cost: Included in the studio tour ticket price.
American football
The NFL is an American Football league and this Autumn it’s in London for three international matches and some fan events. The matches are at Wembley Stadium on October 4th, October 25th and November 1st. There’s also a free NFL Fan Rally in Trafalgar Square on October 3rd and a vast, free NFL fan Festival on Regent Street on Saturday October 24th from midday until 6pm.
Cost: Fan events are free, match tickets vary according to seat.
Wilton’s Music Hall
Wilton’s is the oldest surviving music hall in the world and was recently restored. On the 24th-25th October there’s a free event: The Magic of Music Hall Family Weekender. All ages are welcome to this tribute to music hall and Wilton’s heritage. Visitors can get involved with community music hall shows, make friends over arts and crafts activities, sing along to a Victorian hit list, listen to memories of music hall and of Wilton’s or contribute their own memories via memory booths.
Cost: Free
Storystock
Storystock is a ‘travelling story circus’ for children and their families and is at the Bush Theatre in Shepherd’s Bush from October 28th – 30th. There are animation workshops, live-literature shows, author talks and storytelling sessions at Storystock. Authors such as Chris Riddell and Judith Kerr will be at the event.
Cost: Varies according to activity.
Halloween
Many London attractions are offering Halloween activities towards the end of the month. Some events which look interesting are Boo at the Zoo at London Zoo, Shrek’s Adventure where Shrek has decorated his home to create a spooky swamp, the London Dungeon which is bringing in a medium to conjure spirits and the Witch Academy at The London Eye.
Cost: Varies according to attraction.
Gift shop toys at Shrek’s Adventure. Copyright Gretta Schifano
Mums do travel reader recommendations:
Horniman Museum
Anna Suznjevic, who blogs at My Well Traveled Friend says: ’When we are in town we absolutely LOVE the Horniman Museum. Their busy bees sessions are super fun for under 5’s.’
Unicorn Theatre
Mrs ATWWAH, who blogs at Around the World With a Highchair says: ‘The Unicorn Theatre always has brilliant productions for little kids up to teens. I often have competitions on my blog to win tickets to them and I really recommend it as a place to introduce kids to theatre.’
Thank you to Anna and to Mrs ATWWAH for sharing these tips – if you have any ideas for great days out in London with kids then do let me know so that I can include them in future posts.
And finally….
Remember that the Family Travel Show is on in London at the end of the month – you can read all about it in my post here, including how to get free tickets to the show.
A great round-up, Gretta. There’s always so much to do in London with kids isn’t there? You might like to check out the post I’ve just written on my family travel blog, http://www.suitcasesandsandcastles.com It’s the Top 10 Museums in London for Children.
http://suitcasesandsandcastles.com/2015/10/21/the-top-10-museums-in-london-for-children/
Thanks Clare, I’ll enjoy reading that.
So many lovely suggestions Gretta. Funnily enough the Horniman used to be local to me – we lived in Honor Oak Park for 10 years! Love the idea of the Science Museum and Kew Gardens, both of which I’ve not seen for ages!
Sounds like there’s some fabulous events going on in London at the moment, hope we can take a trip there again soon
Abi – Angel Eden Blog recently posted…What is there at Drayton Manor if you don’t like rides?
Great tips! Can’t wait to get there to see these sights!
Alison Palmer recently posted…Autumn Yard Maintenance (Part One)
I keep meaning to take the children to London and this has been a very inspirational post!
Lucy Dorrington recently posted…Remembering Jack for National Poetry Day 2015
We are going to do MT, Shrek and the science museum in half term
Gemma recently posted…Halloween Crafts for children
oh what i wouldn’t give to go to London this october! however work is too busy for me to take some time off 🙁
Jaime Oliver recently posted…Best Board Games To Bring The Family Together This Christmas
Gosh somebody must have to be constantly there to straighten and tidy that bed after each wave of visitors sit on it. I have also seen that there are books on Vlogging now (including by these guys) and magazines. It’s really gone BOOM.
Another of my favourite things to do in London as funny as it sounds, is to visit the M&Ms shop – we always do so whenever we are within a sniff’s breath of Leicester Square.
Liska xx
Liska @NewMumOnline recently posted…Pregnancy, Essential Oils and a Relaxing Bath to Relax Unwind and Reset
That’s a good tip, thank you – we’ve not been in there yet.
I have no idea who any of those youtube stars are lol
are you serious Kara? Where have you been? Please tell me you know the Saccone Joly’s and Hannah Maggs? (They are parent ones, so maybe?) xxx
Liska @NewMumOnline recently posted…Pregnancy, Essential Oils and a Relaxing Bath to Relax Unwind and Reset
Now that sounds like some awesome things to do this October.Amazing all the things you can find to do when you just look. x
Sarah Bailey recently posted…Win a three month supply of Hairburst
I keep meaning to get to Kew, I hear so many good things about it. Mich x
Michelle Twin Mum recently posted…Guest Post: Finding My Faith Again
Great that Madame Tussards has immortalised You Tubers in wax!
Penny A Residence recently posted…How to Make Easy Chocolate Waffles
Some great ideas, will keep this handy as we are off to London soon for a few days x
Sonia recently posted…Instagram Weekly 28th Sept – 4th Oct
Have a great time – and do let me know if you find anything fab that I should include in my next round-up!
Something for everyone! My 11 year old would love the cosmonauts exhibition, my eldest would love the youtubers and my youngest would go for Shrek!
Sonya Cisco recently posted…Almond Macaroons
More lovely offerings – thank you Gretta. I’d really recommend Wiltons as it’s so beautiful just to look around there, and has such history. It’s right next to our old offices, so all the leaving dos used to be held there!
Sarah Ebner recently posted…Shrek’s Adventure London, by Robert
Some great suggestions thank you. Will br a big help over half term when thr kids are clamouring for something to do 🙂
Lauren recently posted…Eight Photos of Happiness
My NFL team, Miami Dolphins, were playing on October 4th I would have loved to have been there. We are planning a long weekend in London with the kids (hubby gets discount on the hotel as he works for the chain) London is great for everyone
angela hamilton recently posted…Traces Of Me
As always, these regular to do’s in London always wish we lived closer. The capital is full of fun family things to do
Jen Walshaw (@Mum_TheMadHouse) recently posted…Glue Resist Art Project for Kids – Pumpkin
We’ve been to Madame Tussauds a few times now but I suspect we’ll be back again if there’s a YouTube area now x x
Cass@frugalfamily recently posted…Make sure that you’re fully prepared for Winter….
The space exhibition sounds interesting. We are very used to Diwali been celebrated here in Birmingham, but I hadn’t realised that the celebrations in London were in quite such a central spot as Trafalgar Square.
Erica Price recently posted…Foot Bubbles Review
How funny that Madame Tussauds now features youtube stars. I love the sound of Shrek’s spooky swamp – might give that one a whirl.
Nell@PigeonPairandMe.com recently posted…Catching up with summertime arts
We always go from Buckingham Palace, down the Mall to Whitehall, past Downing Street to Westminster, then up to Embankment and back to Trafalgar Square, takes hours and there is so much to see on route!
Stephen recently posted…Structure Transform Spray Clay
Do you walk all the way? It sounds like a fascinating route.
Nice!!!!