15 Things to Do in London With Kids in October

You’ll find October’s London bursting with spooky adventures perfect for families. Hunt for ghosts at the Tower of London, follow the Room on the Broom trail at Kew Gardens, and explore Hampton Court’s Halloween projections. Kids can stand on the Prime Meridian at Greenwich Observatory, hunt for decorations in Covent Garden’s Halloween wonderland, and cross Millennium Bridge like wizards. Warner Bros Studios features floating pumpkins while Hyde Park offers spooky storytelling sessions. Discover how these magical experiences create unforgettable autumn memories.

Experience Ghostly Adventures at the Tower of London

When October’s crisp air settles over London, the Tower of London transforms into the perfect backdrop for spine-tingling family adventures. You’ll discover London’s most haunted fortress through engaging Yeoman Warder tours that blend dramatic history with age-appropriate ghost stories.

Your kids will be captivated by tales of Anne Boleyn’s headless apparition and the mysterious Princes in the Tower as you explore Traitors’ Gate and the Bloody Tower.

The White Tower’s exhibits combine medieval armor with legends of unexplained occurrences, while the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula provides an atmospheric setting for “restless spirit” tales. Watch for the famous Tower ravens with their clipped wings, protected by Royal Decree as legend claims their departure would threaten the monarchy itself.

October’s shorter days create the perfect mood for these ghostly adventures, and the secure fortress walls assure younger children can enjoy spooky stories without overwhelming scares.

Discover Spooky Secrets at Hampton Court Palace

As October’s half-term approaches, Hampton Court Palace reveals its most spine-chilling transformation of the year from October 25th to November 2nd. You’ll navigate a new outdoor trail featuring atmospheric projections and creepy sound effects while restless spirits roam the historic corridors.

Your kids can participate in storytelling sessions at 12:30, 14:00, and 15:00, hearing tales from wandering ghosts including Henry VIII and Oliver Cromwell.

The palace operates daily from 10:00 to 17:00, with eerie video projections, animatronics, and light installations creating magical transformations throughout the grounds. Located on Hampton Ct Way in East Molesey, this historic venue provides the perfect atmospheric setting for Halloween festivities.

After exploring haunted halls, you can unwind with Halloween treats at the café.

Your £30.90 ticket includes palace entry, the legendary Maze, and Magic Garden playground access, though pre-booking’s recommended for this spell-binding half-term adventure.

Follow the Room on the Broom Trail at Kew Gardens

While autumn leaves crunch beneath your feet, you’ll discover the magical world of Room on the Boom comes alive at Kew Gardens from October 19th to November 3rd.

This family trail brings Julia Donaldson’s beloved characters to life through playful installations scattered across the UNESCO World Heritage gardens.

You’ll follow the kind Witch, Cat, and their friends along winding paths, wandering through tall grasses and peering around trees for hidden surprises.

The daytime adventure runs from 10am-4pm during half-term, perfect for younger children who might find evening events too scary.

Entry’s included with your standard Kew Gardens admission, making it brilliant value for families. Based on the book first published in 2001, this enchanting trail celebrates over two decades of magical storytelling.

The trail emphasizes friendship and family themes while you explore the stunning autumn landscape of this world-famous botanical garden.

Enjoy Halloween Illuminated Walks Through Botanical Wonder

After darkness falls, you’ll discover Kew Gardens transforms into a spine-tingling wonderland during their Halloween Illuminated Walk from October 17th to November 2nd.

Your family will journey along a 1.5km trail featuring the Headless Horseman emerging through mist, Frankenstein’s laboratory with strange experiments, and an eerie cemetery with flickering lanterns.

Kids will gasp at giant spiders in neon cobwebs and explore a haunted circus complete with carousel.

The trail runs 6pm-10pm until October 25th, then 4pm-10pm through November 2nd.

You’ll experience laser light shows through trees, spooky soundscapes, and theatrical fire displays. The event supports Kew’s vital conservation efforts, with proceeds funding research into plant diversity and climate resilience.

Costume wearing is encouraged, and you can warm up with hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows.

Enter through Elizabeth or Brentford Gates only.

Stand on the Prime Meridian at Royal Observatory Greenwich

Where else can your kids literally straddle two hemispheres of the world in a single step? At Royal Observatory Greenwich, they’ll stand on the famous Prime Meridian line that divides east from west. This UNESCO World Heritage site offers serious geek appeal for budding scientists, with the UK’s largest telescope and fascinating astronomy exhibits.

The 15-minute uphill walk through Greenwich Park makes for perfect October exercise, though you can take a taxi if needed. Kids love posing for photos with one foot in each hemisphere, and the audio guide explains time and navigation in kid-friendly terms. Don’t miss Harrison’s clocks, which revolutionized maritime navigation by solving the longitude problem.

At £24 for adults and £12 for children, it’s educational entertainment that’ll spark curiosity about space and time. Book online in advance.

Climb Aboard the Historic Cutty Sark Ship

Just a short walk from the Royal Observatory, the magnificent Cutty Sark awaits your family’s exploration. This legendary tea clipper, launched in 1869, offers kids an incredible hands-on maritime adventure. You’ll climb aboard one of the world’s fastest sailing ships, exploring multiple decks where sailors once lived and worked during epic voyages to China and Australia.

Children love discovering the ship’s impressive stats: 32,000 square feet of sails and rigging stretching 11 miles. The main mast towers 153 feet high, while the copper-zinc hull gleams beneath your feet. Interactive exhibits bring the ship’s 52-year working career to life, from racing rival ships to carrying precious tea cargo. Kids will be fascinated to learn that this remarkable vessel is the only surviving extreme clipper ship in the entire world.

October’s cooler weather makes deck exploration comfortable, and the covered dry dock provides shelter from autumn showers.

Spot Red Deer During Autumn Walks in Richmond Park

When October arrives in Richmond Park, you’ll witness one of nature’s most thrilling spectacles as 630 red and fallow deer roam freely across this ancient royal hunting ground.

October marks the autumn rut season, when majestic stags compete for mates in battles your kids will find absolutely spectacular.

You’ll want to maintain a safe distance during these encounters, as the deer become more active and territorial.

The park’s vast 2,500 acres provide plenty of viewing opportunities while keeping everyone safe.

Plan your visit between 7:30am and 8pm, as the park closes early during winter months for population management. The park management conducts twice-yearly culls to maintain healthy deer populations and protect the habitat from overgrazing.

Pack binoculars for closer observations and teach your children to respect these wild animals.

This free autumn adventure offers unforgettable wildlife viewing right in London’s heart.

Crunch Through Golden Leaves in Greenwich Park

As October paints Greenwich Park’s 3,000 trees in brilliant coppers and golds, you’ll discover one of London’s most enchanting autumn playgrounds spanning 183 acres of historic parkland.

Your kids will love crunching through golden leaves along Blackheath Avenue and Great Cross Avenue, where ancient trees over 400 years old create spectacular foliage displays.

Head to the maritime-themed playground that welcomes nearly half a million children yearly, then explore the Wilderness area for deer spotting adventures.

One Tree Hill offers breathtaking autumn sunsets with London skyline views, while the Flower Garden showcases seasonal colors alongside the city’s longest herbaceous border. While exploring the gardens, seek out the peaceful Herb Garden tucked away as a hidden retreat where families can rest and children can discover aromatic plants.

Time your visit during October half-term for perfect leaf-crunching conditions, and don’t forget the nearby free Frieze Sculpture trail for added family fun.

Explore Hampstead Heath and Kenwood House

For even more spectacular autumn adventures, head north to Hampstead Heath’s 800 acres of rolling hills, ancient woodlands, and open grasslands that transform into a golden wonderland throughout October.

Your kids will love spotting ducks and swans at the ponds while you explore the vibrant foliage-filled trails. Don’t miss Parliament Hill’s panoramic views of London’s skyline – it’s perfect for family photos with autumn colors as your backdrop.

Make Kenwood House your next stop, where this stunning 18th-century mansion offers free entry to world-class art and beautiful gardens. The kids can run freely across open fields while you admire the estate’s fall colors. The estate’s False Bridge adds an extra touch of picturesque charm that makes for perfect family photo opportunities.

Access is easy via Hampstead Tube Station, though trails get muddy after rain, so pack appropriate footwear.

Join Hair-Raising Halloween Discovery Days at Hyde Park

Three spine-tingling days of Halloween fun await your family at Hyde Park’s Discovery Days, running October 28-30 from 11am to 3:30pm at the Hyde Park Learning Centre. Your little ones will investigate mysterious ‘feely boxes’ in the Witches’ Den and explore hair-raising nature trails packed with fascinating wildlife facts.

They’ll learn about bats living in the Royal Parks and enjoy spooky storytelling sessions at 12pm, 1pm, and 2pm. The event features interactive elements similar to those found at other London Halloween attractions, creating an engaging experience for young visitors.

This free half-term event welcomes all ages, though it’s perfectly designed for gentle scares suited to under-8s. You’ll need to pre-book through Eventbrite and can bring up to three children per adult.

Encourage your kids to dress as ghoulish ghosts or spooky spiders for maximum Halloween magic.

Start Your Harry Potter Adventure at Platform 9¾

Where better to begin your family’s magical journey than at the famous Platform 9¾ inside King’s Cross Station? You’ll find this iconic spot between Platforms 4 and 5 in the main concourse, complete with a luggage trolley half-embedded in the brick wall. Your kids can queue for free photos pushing the trolley “through” the wall, creating perfect October adventure memories.

The adjacent Harry Potter Shop offers House-coloured scarves and replica wands that’ll keep little wizards warm during autumn walks. An official photographer’s available for professional shots, though you’re welcome to snap selfies too. Digital copies and physical prints are available for £15, making it an affordable keepsake option.

The platform’s open Monday-Saturday 8AM-10PM, Sunday 9AM-8PM, so you can easily fit this magical stop into your London itinerary without advance booking.

Shop for Magic at Leadenhall Market’s Diagon Alley

Since filming moved the Leaky Cauldron to this stunning Victorian market, your family can walk the exact cobblestones where Harry first discovered the magical world in 2001.

You’ll easily spot the famous blue door at 42 Bull’s Head Passage that served as the entrance, though it was painted black during filming.

October’s cooler weather makes exploring this covered market particularly enjoyable.

The Victorian architecture creates a perfect autumn atmosphere while kids search for filming locations.

Since it’s London’s financial district, weekends offer quieter exploration when offices close.

Take the Underground to Bank Station and follow signs to Exit 3.

GPS-enabled Harry Potter audio tours start here, guiding families through the exact route Harry and Hagrid walked.

Browse the boutiques and grab lunch at market restaurants between magical discoveries. The market was built in 1881, making it one of London’s most beautiful Victorian shopping destinations.

Cross the Millennium Bridge Like a Wizard

After exploring Diagon Alley’s magic, head to the Thames where your kids can walk across the very bridge that Death Eaters destroyed in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. The Millennium Bridge offers a perfect October adventure, connecting St Paul’s Cathedral to Tate Modern via a pedestrian-only crossing that’s completely safe from traffic.

Your children will love spotting filming locations while enjoying spectacular views of London’s skyline. The 325-meter bridge takes just five minutes to cross, and October’s evening light creates magical photo opportunities with St Paul’s Cathedral perfectly framed ahead. The bridge was designed to accommodate 5,000 people at once, so even during busy October half-term crowds, there’s plenty of space for families to enjoy the crossing comfortably.

Originally nicknamed the “Wobbly Bridge” after opening day chaos, it’s now completely stable.

The Illuminated River artwork lights up the bridge at dusk, adding enchanting colors to your wizard walk across the Thames.

Visit Warner Bros Studios for Floating Pumpkins

Over 100 hand-carved pumpkins float magically above your heads at Warner Bros Studio Tour London, creating the ultimate Harry Potter Halloween experience your kids won’t forget. This enchanting autumn feature recreates the iconic scene from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, decorating the Great Hall’s ceiling throughout October.

Your family can witness these floating pumpkins during special Halloween events, though you’ll need to watch for lurking Death Eaters! The Dark Arts features transform the studio tour into a spookier adventure perfect for the season. Visitors can also explore the Forbidden Forest for additional immersive magical encounters during their Halloween visit.

While some events like Nox are for ages 16+ and Hogwarts After Dark for over-18s, the regular studio tour with floating pumpkins welcomes families, making it an ideal October half-term activity.

Hunt for Halloween Decorations in Covent Garden

When October arrives, Covent Garden’s covered market transforms into a festive wonderland that’ll captivate your kids with glowing pumpkins, atmospheric lanterns, and Instagram-worthy Halloween displays. You’ll find photo-ready decorations scattered throughout the piazza at WC2E 8RF, creating perfect backdrops for family snapshots.

The atmosphere strikes the ideal balance—spooky enough to feel seasonal but never too scary for little ones. Your family can wander freely through themed pop-ups while street performers add entertainment with their Halloween flair. Kids will love spotting carved pumpkins and seasonal art installations around every corner.

Don’t miss the limited-edition desserts and warm drinks that’ll keep everyone cozy during your decoration hunt. The market particularly appeals to families and couples looking for a lively but manageable Halloween experience. It’s a quintessential London Halloween experience that guarantees memorable family moments.

The Sum Up

You’ll create magical October memories exploring London’s spookiest spots with your kids. Don’t forget to pack warm layers since autumn weather’s unpredictable, and book popular attractions like Warner Bros Studios ahead of time. Your little ones will love the mix of educational adventures and Halloween thrills. Take plenty of photos at these enchanting locations – they’ll treasure these autumn memories for years to come. London’s October magic awaits your family’s discovery.