What to do in Half-Term in London?
Your Ultimate Guide from February through Summer Holiday
Half-Term in London this year runs roughly as follows (it can vary by borough, but these are the common dates across most London schools in 2026):
Spring Half-Term: Monday 16 February to Friday 20 February 2026 📅
Summer Half-Term: Monday 25 May to Friday 29 May 2026 📅
And then summer break begins Tuesday 21 July 2026 for most London state schools.
Half-term can feel like a wildcard week: too short for a big holiday, too long to just sit at home! Thankfully London has loads going on - from free culture to creative sessions and outdoor animal adventures.
Let’s break it down.
🎨 1. Top 5 Free Museums in London - Perfect for Half-Term Days
London is one of the best cities in the world for free museums. Many of the capital’s most iconic institutions offer free entry to their permanent collections, which is brilliant when kids are off school and you want something fun, educational, and (mostly) indoors 🌧️.
Here are five crowd-pleasers:
British Museum – Ancient history, Egyptian mummies, the Rosetta Stone - and kids always love the artefacts and world cultures.
Natural History Museum – Dinosaurs, volcanoes, oceans and more - a classic half-term favourite.
Science Museum – Hands-on zones in the Wonderlab and loads of interactive fun.
Tate Modern – Big art, big spaces and creative inspiration with free entry to main collections.
Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) – Design, fashion, sculpture and decorative art - all free.
Bonus free stops:
Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology (UCL’s fascinating little museum) - free entry.
Queer Britain Museum in King’s Cross - Britain’s LGBTQ+ history, free.
Whether it’s wet weather or you just want a brain-boosting adventure, these are top picks for half-term outings.
🎨 2. Get Creative and Learn Something New at Art Play Workshops
Half-term is the perfect excuse to get hands-on and do something creative together - not just sit and scroll! London has some great options for kids (and adults who want to join the fun):
👉 Art Play Workshops have a bunch of sessions designed for kids to express themselves and make something memorable. These are brilliant for half-term because they’re interactive, fun, and a little messy (in the best way). Worth booking early as they fill up.
Here are standout options:
🏺 Children’s Hand-Building Pottery Class - little ones can shape their own pots, bowls or creatures and take them home!
🎨 Kids Paint Party - full-on colourful fun with paints and ideas to let creativity run wild.
🌈 Kids UV Painting in the Dark - super cool glowing paint experience under UV light!
🌀 Messy Makers (Kids) - if you’ve got a mini chaos-creator who LOVES messy play, this is for them.
🧩 Mosaic Class - calmer, more detail-focused crafting that results in colourful keepsakes.
These workshops are brilliant half-term distractions - they keep kids entertained for a couple of hours, give them a cool skill to try, and get them away from screens.
🐐 3. Free Farms to Visit in London - Outdoor Fun With Animals
If you want fresh air, friendly animals, and a genuinely unique city experience, London’s city farms are an absolute gift - especially in half-term when kids have energy to burn. Most of these are free to visit (they’re community-run and rely on donations), so you can pop by without breaking the bank.
Here are some fab options:
🌾 Vauxhall City Farm – Right in central London, a great first stop with goats, pigs, alpacas, chickens and horses. Free entry (donations welcome).
🐑 Mudchute Park and Farm – Huge farm on the Isle of Dogs with 32 acres of animals and pasture - perfect for a full-morning adventure.
🐐 Stepney City Farm – Classic East London farm with goats, sheep, pigs, and community garden spaces.
Other free city farms worth checking out (especially if you’re exploring different parts of London):
Surrey Docks Farm - working farm by the Thames.
Hackney City Farm - goats, hens, rabbits and more.
Deen City Farm & Riding School - a lovely urban green space with animals and riding.
Kentish Town City Farm - friendly, community-oriented spot.
Most city farms also have little play areas or picnic spots – ideal for packing a lunch and making a day of it.
🧠 Extra Half-Term Fun: Mix & Match Ideas
Half-term is about variety, so once you’ve ticked off museums, creativity and farm animals, here are bonus ideas you can sprinkle in:
🎭 Public art walks - London’s outdoor art, like the Canary Wharf Art Trail (free), is brilliant for exploration and photography.
🍦 Picnic in a park - grab snacks, a blanket, and let the kids run wild in places like Regent’s Park or Richmond Park.
📚 Library events - many local libraries host free craft sessions, storytelling hours, and workshops during half-term.
🏁 Final Tips for a Smooth Half-Term
Book ahead where you can - those museum free slots and creative workshops fill up quick.
Mix indoor and outdoor plans so you’re ready for rain or shine.
Pack snacks and water - half-term adventures are a lot easier when no one’s hangry!
