From drawing to storytelling, board games to pumpkin carving, there’s a whole heap of family friendly activities to entertain your brood this October half term. Halloween is on Monday 31 October, so the final half term weekend is the time to trick or treat in your neighbourhood.
Drama Queens Workshop
Taught by professional actors, these workshops combine drama, dance, song and fun.
When: 22 -27 October 2016
Where: Malorees Infant School
Age Range: 3-13
Cost: Daily £45 – 3 Days £120 – 6 Days £220
More info: www.dramaqueens.org
What: Sharky & George Adventure Club
Each day will be full of fun games and activities for the children including design your own art masterpiece, den buildling, boat races, nerf gun battles, rocket launching, science madness, t-shirt graffiti making and much more!
When: October 24-28, 2016 | 8:40 – 4pm
Where: Hyde Park
Age Range: 5 – 10 year olds
Cost: £351.00 per child (includes VAT) one week of 5 days OR £78.00 (includes VAT) per child per day. 10% discount applies if you book 5 places or more
More info: www.sharkyandgeorge.com
Game Plan: Board Game Rediscovered
Dress up like a chess piece, create your own snakes and ladders, and make badges, necklaces and cufflinks out of game pieces.
When: Exhibition: from 8 October 2016 to 23 April 2017 | Half Term activities: Monday 24 to Sunday 30 October, 11am-4pm
Where: V&A Museum of Childhood
Age range: all
Cost: FREE
More info: www.vam.ac.uk
What: The Big Draw
Taking STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths – as its theme, The Big Draw events are dotted all over town, from the South London Botanical Institute to artsdepot in north London. Half term highlights include a creative workshop at Kenwood House (25-26 October), drop-in sessions at Pitzhanger Manor (29 October) and the Junk Monster at Victoria Park on 30 October, ending a ‘Halloweek’ of free community events.
When: 1-30 October 2016
Where: All over London
Age range: all
Cost: FREE
More info: www.thebigdraw.org
What: Storystock
Two-day story circus with Roald Dahl’s Imagination Seekers, Judith Kerr & John Burningham in conversation, Michael Morpurgo’s Why the Whales Came and LEGO journalism.
When: Thursday 27 & Friday 28 October 2016
Where: Lyric Hammersmith
Age range: 0-11
Cost: £4-£20
More info: www.storystock.co.uk
What: Mrs Armitage and The Big Wave
This adaptation of Quentin Blake’s book by Gaga Theatre Company is showing at various venues across London including the Royal Albert Hall (on Thursday 27 October), as part of their inaugural Festival of Film which includes Movie Magic with Albert’s Band (28 October) and a family screening of Up on Saturday 29 October.
When: 5-30 October 2016
Where: Venues across London
Age range: up to 8 years (all ages welcome)
Cost: £10-£14
More info: www.gagatheatre.co.uk
What: My Great Orchestral Adventure
Face trolls and mermaids in this half-term family concert, a first introduction to a symphony orchestra for children aged 3 and above in the awe-inspiring main auditorium.
When: Wednesday 26 October 2016, Doors: 12.15pm for 1pm start or doors 3.45pm for 4.30pm start
Where: Royal Albert Hall
Age range: 3+
Cost: £12.70, £17.80, £22.90, £28
More info: www.royalalberthall.com
What: Crafty Pumpkin Fun
Carve a pumpkin, learn how to make a bug hotel or bird box, decorate a spooky mask and listen to story tellers in the Walled Kitchen Garden.
When: Tuesday 25 October 2016, 10am-12.30pm & 1.30pm-4pm
Where: Chiswick House & Gardens
Age range: 4-11 years
Cost: £7 per child, must be accompanied by an adult (free)
More info: www.chgt.org.uk
What: Emily Rising
Dan Rebellato’s “visually dazzling” (The Guardian) play about a 10-year-old girl is set in contemporary London and addresses grown-up issues. Emily’s parents are getting a divorce and, one morning, Emily wakes up and discovers that her feet no longer touch the ground. The Little Angel Theatre is also showing Let’s Fly for younger viewers, aged 2 to 6, and stages Penguinpig, a cautionary tale on internet safety for the under 8s, on 29 & 30 October.
When: 10 September – 20 November 2016
Where: Little Angel Theatre
Age range: 7 – adult
Cost: £12 / £10 children and concessions. All tickets £5 at 5pm on Fridays
More info: littleangeltheatre.com
What: The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark
Jill Tomlinson’s picture book is brought to life. It’s just one of the many half term events at the excellent Unicorn Theatre. It has two Dance Umbrella shows (Saturday 22 October) and a high-energy re-telling of Greek myth Jason and the Argonauts for ages 6 to 12.
When: 13 September to 21 November 2016, 10.30am or 1.30pm
Where: Unicorn Theatre
Age range: 2-6
Cost: £16 (Adults), £10 (Children)
More info: www.unicorntheatre.com
What: Jasmin Vardimon Company – Pinocchio
Brand new family-friendly dance show based on the classic fairytale. And you can book in for a dance workshop with professional dancers from the show between the two performances on Tuesday.
When: Monday 24 October 7.30pm & Tuesday 25 October 2016 11am & 3pm
Where: Sadler’s Wells
Age range: 7+
Cost: £18 (Adults), £12 (Children under 16) | Dance workshop £2
More info: www.sadlerswells.com
What: The Hyundai Commission: Philippe Parreno
We’re promised a “spectacular choreography of acoustics, lighting, flying objects and film” by the French video artist. Prepare to enter a parallel reality.
When: 4 October 2016 to 2 April 2017
Where: Tate Modern, Turbine Hall
Age range: all
Cost: FREE
More info: www.tate.org.uk
