Get out and about this Half Term!

October Half Term is just around the corner and with it the conundrum of how to entertain the kids. If you are able to get out and about there are some fantastic exhibitions and day trips that the whole family will love. Here are some of our favourites…

Zoos

London Zoo – Discover Fantastic Beasts (24th October to 1st November) from poison and claws to camouflage and sharp-toothed jaws, there is a great ghoulish side to nature. Face your fears and step into the eight-legged world of ‘In the Spiders’, where giant webs surround you. With over 18,000 fantastic animals at London Zoo there is something for everyone.

Marwell Zoo’s Monster Fun (26th October to 3 November) Free Entry. Track down 12 hidden monsters around the zoo, other complimentary activities include broomstick flying with Marwell’s wizard Lowedolf, where children can earn their level 4 license, and there is spooky story telling with the friendly witch, Esme.

Longleat’s infamous Halloween Spooktacular Festival (19th October to 4th November) Join the Spooky House Tours in search of the mysterious ghosts. For the really fearless there is the all-new after dark Ghoulish Torchlight Tours from 7pm. Get on board the Ghost Train for a spine-tingling trip to the wild woods and lots more.

Museums & Galleries

The Wonder Lab at the Science Museum (normally only open Wed-Sun but opening daily the week of 24 Oct). You have to pre-book a timed slot (£10 adults, £8 kids) but it’s fantastically interactive.

Tate Modern – older kids will enjoy the Andy Warhol show (extended to 15 Nov) and Fri, Sats, Suns you can have an Andy-Warhol inspired lunch (or dinner) in the cafe. The free installation in the Turbine Hall, Fons Americanus, by Kara Walker is a take on the statue outside Buckingham Palace and says lots of important things about slavery and Empire in an engaging way.

(The Roald Dahl Museum in Great Missenden has re-opened for private guided tours only. They are sold out for half term but a good one to book up for a weekend in Nov.)

Gardens and Trails

Treasure Trails – explore towns, cities and villages across the UK. There are over 1,000 self-guided treasure hunts to choose from. Fun for the whole family. The Trails take about 2hours to complete are themed as a Murder Mystery, Spy Misson or Treasure Hunt.

Mayfair Sculpture Trail – download the app and follow the trail! Running all Oct.

Out of town, the lovely Henry Moore Studios and Gardens in Herts are doing Family Tours 28 Oct-1 Nov

Theatre

For very little ones, two ideas for half term The Very Hungry Caterpillar is live at a north London theatre artsdepot 24-27 Oct and The Snail and the Whale is being live streamed 24 Oct–1 Nov.

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