With summer time on the horizon and (hopefully) some solar, you’re at all times spoiled for alternative with issues to do at Might half-term in London with youngsters – and this 12 months’s Coronation celebrations imply there’s some additional enjoyable this month.
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For those who’re in search of methods to have fun the Coronation, particularly over the financial institution vacation weekend from Might 6-8, 2023, try this submit on Coronation days out for extra inspiration.
From the large museums to locations to get open air, particular occasions and exhibitions, I’ve picked among the finest days out at Might half-term in London with youngsters.
For extra inspiration for issues to do in London with youngsters year-round, in addition to concepts for a wet day in London and free issues to do in London, try my prime picks
Restoration at The Tower of London
It’s time to have fun King Charles – however this time it’s Charles II who’s within the highlight, with the particular Restoration on the Tower.
Taking guests again in time to 1661, the brand new occasion will have a look at how preparations have been made for Charles II’s grand coronation procession – and the return of the nation’s first king in a decade.
In addition to discovering the planning which went in to that individual coronation, which noticed the King course of from the Tower to Westminster Abbey, you possibly can meet among the Merry Monarch’s shut buddies, together with diarist Samuel Pepys.
Operating from Might 1 to July 21, it’s included in tickets. Plus you possibly can eye up the Crown Jewels and luxuriate in some extra royal historical past – get discounted tickets utilizing my code MUMMYTRAVELS6.
Spring Household Competition at London Zoo
It’s all concerning the new season with the Spring Household Competition at London Zoo this Might, with a competition programme that includes the whole lot from animal talks to arts and crafts, music, workshops and even interactive gameshows.
The flowers are blooming within the competition hub tents, whereas there’s music, dancing and a celebration ambiance within the Tulip Tent – plus an opportunity to check your expertise and work out who’s making the sound in Animal Noise Bingo.
Or little ones can sit back within the Lilac Lounge, with wellbeing choices together with Child Sensory periods, family-friendly mindfulness and Story Time. In the meantime, the Foxglove Fortress is ideal for youths aged 10+ to check out bushcraft expertise and determine animal tracks.
Add in arts and crafts, together with designing a butterfly within the Daisy Den, and a brand new each day animal discuss masking the whole lot from the tiniest bugs to towering giraffes.
Runs from Might 27 to June 4, included in zoo entry which should be prebooked. Lilac Lounge periods needs to be prebooked on the day as numbers are restricted.
Meet Titanosaur on the Pure Historical past Museum
Come nose to nose (nearly) with one of many greatest creatures that ever lived this Might half-term, because the much-loved dinosaurs of the Pure Historical past Museum are being joined by a brand new exhibition on the colossal titanosaur.
4 instances heavier than Dippy the Diplodocus and 12 metres longer than Hope the blue whale, who hangs within the Hintze Corridor, the interactive exhibition offers guests the possibility to see this gigantic dinosaur shut up as you observe its life from football-sized egg to completely grown grownup.
Children can get palms on dealing with among the specimens within the shows in addition to studying simply how a behemoth this measurement might have survived (and thrived) on earth – measure your self towards its thigh bone, peer into its huge cranium… and you may even odor its poo.
On show in Europe for the primary time, the exhibition opened simply earlier than Easter and runs to January 2024. Tickets embody Museum entry and prebooking is strongly beneficial.
Science Fiction: Voyage to the Fringe of Creativeness on the Science Museum
There’s nonetheless probability to see Science Fiction: Voyage to the Fringe of Creativeness, geared toward youngsters aged 8+, which has been prolonged to August 20.
The immersive occasion takes you by yourself science fiction journey as you board a spaceship, scout an unknown planet and examine how each scientists and the creators of science fiction have imagined and constructed new worlds, together with objects from movie, TV, and books, paintings and pictures.
There’s a separate cost for this occasion (from £18 for adults, £16.20 for youths) with 10% off in the event you e-book prematurely: entry to the primary museum remains to be free, prebooking suggested.
Wonderful Georgians at The Queens Gallery
Head to the Queen’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace for a royally good Might half-term time out, when Wonderful Georgians – A Coronation Celebration can be going down on June 1 and a pair of, the primary time because the Coronation weekend.
With a personality storyteller sharing some fascinating actual tales of coronations previous and current, it’s a enjoyable and interactive method for youths to study concerning the historical past of the British monarchy, with the half-hour household storytelling periods operating at 12:30, 13:30, and 14:30.
The gallery is the primary public artwork gallery of the Palace, exhibiting many artworks from the royal assortment, and the present exhibition, Model and Society: Dressing the Georgians, explores trend in Britain throughout the Georgian period.
Children Rule! quest at Eltham Palace
English Heritage’s Children Rule at Eltham Palace is again once more for Might half-term in London, with a coronation twist and loads of video games and household enjoyable.
Final 12 months’s outside explorer quest took you across the grounds of the lavish home, constructed on the location of former Tudor royal residence with some medieval buildings remaining, to find loads of video games and actions impressed by characters in British royal historical past.
Alongside the best way, there was probability to step into the each day lives of everybody from courageous knights to the family employees. Being the childhood dwelling of King Henry VIII, many actions centre round studying to change into a Prince in Tudor instances, together with a reimagined Royal hunt.
Tail path on the Museum of London Docklands
Try the Tail path on the Museum of London – a enjoyable new addition to maintain youngsters entertained and studying some extra historical past as they discover this half-term.
Operating from Might 27 to June 4, youngsters are requested to assist resident rodent Riley Ratcliffe observe down her ancestors with members of her furry household dotted across the museum.
In addition to finishing her household tree, there’s a lot to find about what life was like previously for little Londoners like these!
The Dodger household path can be nonetheless operating till June 4, based mostly on the adventures of Dodger (plus Fagin and the gang) from the BBC sequence of the identical identify. Impressed by the occasions of Charles Dicken’s traditional Oliver Twist, the path map taking you across the museum’s galleries, serving to Dodger keep one step forward of the police, who’re chasing him for a criminal offense he didn’t commit.
Each entry to the museum and the paths are free – good in the event you’re in search of free issues to do at Might half-term in London with youngsters.
There are a string of different occasions and actions going down over Might half-term on the Museum of London Docklands too – test right here for extra info
Dive In at Sea Life Aquarium
Dive in to the Sea Life London Aquarium this Might to find extra about creatures from the smallest clownfish to large Sand Tiger sharks.
There are fascinating information to study throughout the common keeper talks in our penguin, rainforest, ocean, and shark zones, plus the possibility to find among the secrets and techniques of the reef.
Runs from Might 29 to June 4, included in entry. There a reduction on prebooked tickets (which can be beneficial throughout faculty holidays).
Household actions on the London Transport Museum
There are a string of actions going down on the London Transport Museum in Covent Backyard, as a part of the Competition of Curiosity.
Designed to have fun the innovations and ingenuity concerned in London’s transport, there’s an opportunity to satisfy engineers, take pleasure in problem-solving challenges and give you your personal concepts for the transport for the longer term.
Observe the self-guided interactive STEAM-inspired family-friendly path across the museum galleries, plus there are workshops for various age teams – Failure is your good friend is geared toward youngsters aged 7+, whereas there are storytelling periods for these aged 5 and beneath.
Runs from Might 27-June 4 each day, with drop-in periods.
All palms on deck at Cutty Sark, Greenwich
Discover out what life was like on board the Cutty Sark with the particular household actions this Might half-term in Greenwich, together with the possibility to create a winch and check out your hand at shifting cargo.
Operating from Might 27 to June 4, and included in entry to the ship, you may as well meet characters from the ship’s previous in addition to drawing and singing sea shanties on chosen days.
For older youngsters, the Rig Climb can be nonetheless operating. Youngsters aged 12+ (and adults) can climb the well-known masts of the long-lasting Cutty Sark – launched final 12 months, it’s the primary time that’s been attainable because the tea clipper arrived in Greenwich in 1954.
Making maps on the Nationwide Maritime Museum
The proper Might half-term exercise in London for youths who love journey, the Nationwide Maritime Museum has a string of various themed actions operating from Might 27-June 4.
Exploring maps from the gathering and other ways to navigate across the globe, the free drop-in periods are appropriate for all ages, and vary from creating your personal passport and stamps, to tips on how to navigate within the desert or map the ocean, treasure maps and a few weirdly great inspiration to design your personal sea monster.
When you’re in Greenwich, there are extra free occasions on the Queen’s Home, as a part of the season of drawing
Horrible Histories at Hampton Court docket Palace
Hampton Court docket Palace is stuffed with Barmy Brits this half-term, with a sequence of particular new Horrible Histories performances from Might 27 to June 3.
With impolite rulers, from William the Conqueror to a home looking Henry VIII and extra, to not point out an entire string of different loopy characters from centuries previous, the hour-long open-air performances happen at 12 midday and 3pm every day.
You may rent cushions in the event you don’t wish to sit on the grass (or carry your personal – no folding chairs allowed although), tickets should be prebooked and are separate from palace entry.
Discovery Day at Hyde Park
Get exterior with the household and join with nature this Might half-term on the Royal Park’s Royal Discovery Days – this 12 months, themed round Time Travellers.
Head to Hyde Park between Might 30 and June 1 for the drop-in periods going down between 11am and 3pm, with a wide range of actions to attempt.
You may meet Queen Victoria, design your personal park of the longer term, attempt your hand at calligraphy or create a plant print. Free, no must prebook.
The Wander Mission at Kew Gardens
Head out on an journey this Might at Kew Gardens with 5 new trails that will help you discover, every made up of invites from artists, musicians, and environmental protectors to really feel, hear, transfer, and assume in a different way in nature.
The Adventurer’s path encourages you expertise the world from completely different angles – even the other way up close to the Treetop walkway – whereas wannabe Wanderers can head to the lakeside, Protectors concentrate on sustainability across the Temperate Home, Dreamers may be wowed on the Palm Home and Time Travellers are whisked away within the Redwood Grove.
Included in entry. Prebooking tickets to Kew Gardens is suggested.
For extra recommendations on visiting Kew Gardens with youngsters, try my recommendation right here
Drawn to Water: Quentin Blake at WWT London
Accumulate an illustrated information stuffed with Quentin Blake’s drawings to see nature by completely different eyes as you journey across the wetlands this Might – the primary in a set of latest seasonal trails being launched, every with a distinct illustrated information to gather and hold.
In addition to having fun with the attractive wetlands and the play areas, there are additionally a string of artwork and illustration actions, nature-inspired inventive challenges and extra household enjoyable deliberate.
Drawn to Water: Quentin Blake at WWT is included in entry – tickets may be prebooked on-line nevertheless it’s not important.
St George’s Quest at Morden Corridor Park
Morden Corridor Park has a number of household actions operating over half-term, together with the enjoyable problem of St George’s Quest.
Taking contributors by the Rose Backyard, they’ll want to resolve riddles and puzzles as they meet characters together with the Clever Lady, the Squire and the Shepherd, as they arm themselves to face the dragon.
Victorious Challengers can be knighted by St George – and get a prize. The hour-long interactive play runs from Might 30-June 1, at half hourly intervals from 11am-12.30pm and from 2pm-3.30pm.
Tickets needs to be prebooked. Entry to Morden Corridor Park itself is free.
At sister Nationwide Belief property Osterley Home, there’s additionally Mog’s Imaginative Adventures, a enjoyable path based mostly on Judith Kerr’s traditional tales, operating within the gardens from Might 1-June 30, included in admission.
Chelsea in bloom
With a lot going down in London throughout Might, it will be simple to miss the RHS Chelsea Flower Present, operating over the past week of Might and overlapping with the beginning of half-term.
Free to go to, you possibly can catch the very finish of this competition of flowers on Might 27 and 28, with the retailers, eating places and accommodations in Chelsea all breaking out the blooms to compete within the floral artwork present. This 12 months’s Chelsea in Bloom theme is Flowers on Movie.
Household workshops at Chelsea Physic Backyard
The favored household chocolate workshop is again at Chelsea Physic Backyard this Might half-term, in addition to cleaning soap making and extra household actions.
Appropriate for youngsters 5+, the workshop will train them how cacao beans develop and the way they’re made into chocolate, in addition to letting youngsters design their very own chocolate treats with a collection of herbs, flavourings, and spices.
Have to be prebooked, ticket costs range.
Shakespeare’s Globe Household Workshops
For an interactive and academic technique to get your youngsters within the works of William Shakespeare, be part of the Globe’s Household Workshops this Might half-term in London.
Led by among the theatre’s gifted actors, lecturers, and administrators, these sensible workshops will discover the language, characters, and themes of the performs in a wide range of partaking actions and video games. They’re the right technique to introduce little ones to one of many world’s most iconic playwrights.
With a number of performs to select from – together with Romeo & Juliet, Twelfth Evening and A Midsummer Evening’s Dream – and choices for 3 completely different age teams (3-5, 5-8 and 9-12), it’s simple to tailor to your youngsters.
The Globe’s household storytelling periods are one other nice Might half-term exercise in London for youths, plus there’s a particular CBeebies efficiency of Twelfth Evening operating. Have to be pre-booked, dates range with workshop tickets priced £10.
Shadow puppets on the Golden Hinde
Head aboard The Golden Hinde – the duplicate of Sir Francis Drake’s ship on the Thames close to London Bridge – the place the shadow puppet theatre is again for Might half-term.
With tales of swashbuckling seafarers, it’s a enjoyable additional for youthful youngsters as you discover the Tudor galleon. The 20-minute performances happen at 12 midday and 2pm, included in admission, from Might 29 till June 3.
Or older youngsters will love Escape from The Golden Hinde. The escape room introduces you to the 2 histories of the ship – the unique one which sailed in 1577, and the reconstruction constructed within the Nineteen Seventies.
Gamers have an hour to resolve the puzzles, with half-term periods on Might 27-28 and June 3. Geared toward youngsters aged 10+ though youthful ages may participate.
Try my evaluate of Escape from the Golden Hinde
Brick Dinos on the Horniman Museum
Among the finest issues to do in London for Might half-term with youthful kids is to pay a go to to the Horniman Museum, which is dwelling to an exhibition of dinosaur fashions created from Lego.
At Brick Dinos at Horniman Museum, there’s the possibility to see a string of different prehistoric giants as properly – fortuitously recreated in miniature type. Look out for the life-sized flying pterosaur, in addition to different hardly ever seen specimens from the Horniman’s assortment.
There are alternatives for youths to get palms on too, together with constructing your personal dinosaur and digging for fossils.
Entry to the Horniman Museum is free, however tickets to Brick Dinos prices £9 for adults, £4.50 for youngsters (free for under-threes). Prebooking beneficial.
Crown to Couture at Kensington Palace
In case your youngsters are extra taken with ballgowns than bunting, the spectacular Crown to Couture exhibition at Kensington Palace combines trend and royalty to take guests from the glittering world of the royal Georgian courtroom to right now’s pink carpet.
With over 200 objects on show – from the well-known Silver Tissue Robe worn on the courtroom of Charles II proper by to Girl Gaga’s luminous inexperienced MTV Awards costume, the exhibition additionally appears at how 18th century aristocrats are nonetheless influencing right now’s excessive trend.
Included with admission, prebooking is beneficial. The exhibition runs to October 29.
Try my evaluate of the Crown to Couture exhibition with youngsters
Half-term on the Postal Museum
Maintain an eye fixed out on the Postal Museum this Might and you may uncover some hungry creatures dwelling in sudden locations.
From bugs eager to make a meal out of the museum’s assortment to extra useful beasts, guests can study extra concerning the animals making their dwelling within the museum.
From Munching Moths to Slippery Silverfish, Bothersome Beetles, Snail Mail and extra, you are able to do the whole lot from making ornamental patches to playpots, in addition to studying the story of Tibs, the Publish Workplace cat, as you discover.
With video games, crafts and storytelling going down as a part of The Wild Escape inventive venture celebrating UK wildlife and creativity, the actions are drop-in and first-come first-served. Included in admission to the museum, prebooking beneficial.
Superb Structure on the Financial institution of England Museum
For those who’re in search of free issues to do throughout Might half-term in London, head over to the Financial institution of England Museum the place their household actions are impressed by Superb Structure.
Operating from Might 30-June 2, there’s a free path to assist discover the museum, geared toward youngsters aged 8+ – plus free colouring in the event you’re visiting with youthful youngsters.
As a part of the occasion, on Might 31 and June 1 the museum can be teaming up with St Paul’s Cathedral to have fun Wren 300, trying on the achievements of Christopher Wren, with a separate path on the cathedral itself and a particular stamp and sticker in the event you full each. Entry to the museum is free.
Hallyu! The Korean Wave on the V&A
An important Might half-term time out with teenagers in London, this exhibition on the Victoria & Albert museum focuses at South Korean widespread tradition and its influences.
From Ok-Pop to TV, the exhibition explores the Korean Wave and its affect on cinema, music, magnificence, trend and extra.
The exhibition closes on June 25, prebooking beneficial throughout half-term. Entry to the museum itself is free.
The Followers Strike Again
South Kensington can be dwelling to the Followers Strike Again exhibition containing lots of of official objects from the Star Wars Universe collected by followers and displayed for followers.
There’s the whole lot from pictures and posters to costumes, figures, and fashions, plus the possibility to choose up official merchandise and many picture alternatives – good for Star Wars followers younger and outdated (and wannabe Jedis). Runs to June 18.
Dopamine Land
Don’t miss the possibility to enterprise into Dopamine Land, earlier than it closes in London – now prolonged to June 25.
The multisensory expertise combines media, know-how and play, with a sequence of vibrant installations to assist all ages get in contact with their interior baby – and all designed to lift a smile on a gray day.
Twist Museum of Illusions
New in London final November, the illusions at Twist Museum are good for a wet day throughout Might half-term in London with youngsters – or a sunny one for that matter.
With over 60 displays exhibiting completely different illusions and shows to trick all of your completely different senses, the interactive expertise is enjoyable for all ages.
Try our evaluate of a go to to Twist Museum London with youngsters.
Frameless
The UK’s largest, everlasting digital artwork exhibition in Marble Arch, Frameless lets youngsters – and large youngsters – expertise artworks like by no means earlier than.
Set inside a 30,000 sq. foot house, with 4 separate galleries, guests can uncover key moments in artwork historical past, with state-of-the-art projection and movement sensor know-how to carry to life work from artists together with Cezanne, Kandinsky, Monet, Canaletto, Rembrandt and Klimt.
BBC Earth
For those who’ve ever wished you can be part of David Attenborough on certainly one of his superb nature programmes, there’s an opportunity to benefit from the subsequent smartest thing on the new BBC Earth Expertise.
Operating till July 31, it’s a walk-through model of his TV present Seven Worlds, voiced by the presenter.
With multi-angle screens and the newest digital know-how, you’ll really feel as in the event you’ve been transported to the areas, a forest stuffed with fireflies, the center of a four-tonne elephant seal combat, tiptoeing round a vibrant carpet of starfish and extra.
The hour-long expertise can be operating in a particular new location, the purpose-built Daikin Centre in Earl’s Court docket, not removed from West Brompton and Earl’s Court docket tube stations.
Observe a Treasure Map Path
These beautiful vibrant treasure hunt-style maps embody three routes in central London – and there’s 10% off is you employ the code MUMMYTRAVELS.
A enjoyable technique to discover London with youngsters, the hunts problem you to identify every kind of quirky sights, from indicators and statues to carvings, all enlivened with a enjoyable fantasy design to rework the true life streets.
Time Journey Membership on the Nationwide Archives
An ideal time out for youths who love historical past, the Time Journey Membership on the Nationwide Archives in Kew features a sequence of household actions from crafts to the possibility to see among the assortment’s authentic information. Half-term occasions tbc
Themes for the periods range and there are completely different actions for various ages – earlier occasions have targeted on the Platinum Jubilee and Historic Egypt, with storytelling, writing in hieroglyphics, amulet-making and the possibility to embellish a miniature sarcophagus.
Prebooking often required although there are additionally generally free drop-in occasions.
There’s additionally a lot extra to entertain youngsters throughout Might half-term in London on the typical household sights – try my choose of the perfect 59 issues to do in London with youngsters together with the whole lot from Shrek’s Journey to HMS Belfast, the Sky Backyard to the London Dungeon
*Up to date 2023*
Disclosure: This submit incorporates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee
Fundamental picture/Golden Hinde courtesy of Depositphotos, all others copyright MummyTravels
