We always enjoy May half term in London. The weather is (usually) warm, the days are long and there are always lots of fun things for the whole family to enjoy from exhibitions and events to new theatre, interactive workshops, creative activities, live music, and more.
The sunny days mean that London’s splash parks turn on their taps too. There are dozens of fun water play areas around town, the perfect place to cool off after a day of sightseeing – make sure to buy an ice cream too!
This year, the May half-term runs from Monday 27 May to Friday 31 May for most schools in London.
If you’re looking for the best things to do in London for the May half term then get your diaries out, it’s going to be a busy week!
Our Highlights for the May half term in London
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The following are some of our favourite things going on during the month of May in London.
- The much anticipated The Paddington Experience, which opens on 31 May.
- The Enormous Crocodile, which has been adapted for stage and will perform at the Open Air Theatre in Regent’s Park.
- The stage adaptation of Hayao Miyazaki’s 2021 ‘Spirited Away’ at the London Coliseum.
- The new exhibition at the Natural History Museum, Birds: Brilliant and Bizarre.
- Reptile Record Breakers at ZSL London Zoo.
- Flower Power Family Rave with Big Fish Little Fish.
- Teens Takeover Day at the London Transport Museum.
- The Colour of Dinosaurs at the Polka Theatre.
- Family workshops at the Sir John Soane’s Museum.
The best things to do in London for the May half term
There’s lots going on over the upcoming half term holiday but if you are not visiting during the school holidays then don’t worry, there are plenty of things happening in central London and beyond throughout the month of May.
Don’t forge that if you want to visit some of the city’s most popular attractions, including the London Eye, Sea Life London Aquarium and Madame Tussauds then you will need to book your tickets in advance.
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Reptile Record Breakers at ZSL London Zoo
To tie in with their brand new exhibition, The Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians, ZSL London Zoo is hosting a Reptile Record Breakers event over the May half term.
Many of the residents reptiles and amphibians have record breaking strengths – now you can see how you match up against them! A series of games will run on the main lawn behind the new exhibit. Test your skills and then see the zoo’s very own reptiles and amphibians’ skills in action.
Reptile Record Breakers runs from 25 May to 2 June and is included in zoo admission.
Half Term activities at the Royal Mews
A fun family trail takes place at the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace this May half term. Pick up a Mews Meander trail and learn all there is to know about the stables and the horses and carriages that call it home.
While you are visiting you can visit the State Stables, get dressed up in livery, sit in a carriage and try tacking up a wooden pony ready for a procession.
Also taking place over the May half term holidays are some fun crafting actvities inspired by the horses housed in the Mews.
The Mews Meander runs from Saturday 25 May – Sunday 2 June. and the arts and crafts activities take place on Sunday 26 May and Monday 27 May from 11am – 3pm. All activities are included in standard admission. You can book a place for the arts and crafts sessions now.
Time Travellers in Hyde Park
Travel back through time through The Royal Park’s history with fun drop-in events taking place on Tuesday 28 to Thursday 30 May. Activities include creating a plant print with Hapa zome, designing a park of the future, trying to master calligraphy and meeting Queen Victoria.
Time Travellers is a free, drop-in event but it’s worth registering your interest in advance.
Medieval Mayhem at the Tower of London
May is the perfect time to head to the Tower of London where fairytales and frolics are taking over the South Lawn. Step back in time and watch medieval Londoners as they tell their stories and get ready to serve the Queen. Expect a mini pageant about the ravens and even a magical giant.
Don’t miss a walking tour with one of the Yeoman warders while here.
Medieval Mayhem runs until June 23. Included in admission tickets.
Horrible Histories – Rotten Royals! Live on Stage at Hampton Court Palace
The Rotten Royals are back, just in time for the May half term. Meet Richard the Lionheart, King Edward I, Mary Queen of Scots and other revolting rulers during these hour-long shows.
The shows take place at 12pm and 3pm daily from 25 May – 1 June. Suitable for ages 5+. Book your tickets now.
Fraternite Family Days at Westminster Abbey
This May half term crafty days at Westminster Abbey have been designed to inspire junior builders.
Budding Builders invites children to be inspired by the beautiful architecture and design of this famous Anglican Church. Children can follow a trail to discover surprises of the Abbey building, work together to create the Abbey out of newspaper, listen to stories, build a mini Westminster Abbey to take home and more.
These events are included in admission but you will need to book your spot for the Budding Builders workshop.
Flower Power Family Rave with Big Fish Little Fish
Taking place at the Horniman Museum is this family-friendly rave festival, held in the museum’s gardens. Big Fish Little Fish have been keeping ravers young and old dancing for years and they are back for a flower-power themed event.
The Flower Power Family Rave takes place from 2pm – 6pm on 25 May. Tickets are £20/15 adult/child. Tickets are available to book now.
Dinosaur rEvolution at the Horiman Museum
Also taking place at the Horniman Museum is Dinosaur rEvolution, that explores the relationship between dinosaurs and birds. On display are five large animatronic models, cast fossil skeletons and skulls, detailed graphics, dress up, games and more.
Dinosaur rEvolution runs until early November.
May half term at the Queen’s House
Become an architect for the day at the Queen’s House when you collaborate with other families to design your own palaces. What would your palace look like? What features would you include? And what kind of activities would take place? Let your imagination run wild during these free, drop-in sessions.
Sessions at the Queen’s House take place 28 May – 2 June at 11am – 2pm and 2pm – 4pm.
May half term family fun at the Southbank Centre
Taking place over the half term holidays are a series of events held as part of the Southbank Centre’s Spring Family Fun programme.
Book a seat for the high energy Pied Piper: A Hip-Hop Family Musical by the BAC Beatbox Academy and join the laughter and surprises of Grand Soft Day, a playful show about always being prepared.
Bring the kids along to the South Bank for the centre’s interactive and colourful Mish Mash Family Trail that weaves across the site and then stay around for a fun-filled (and free) vibrant outdoor performance involving pop-up pictures and a DJ set at The Mughal Miniatures Dance Party.
Check the Southbank Centre’s website for dates, details and booking.
Fragile Beauty at the V&A
A good exhibition for teens and young people in London is the recently opened photography exhibition, Fragile Beauty, at the V&A. Held in partnership with Gucci, the exhibition will present more than 300 rare prints by over 140 photographers. All the prints are on loan from Sir Elton John and David Furnish’s private collection.
Family activities at the V&A
For younger audiences, the V&A is hosting a number of really fun sessions over the May half term.
Options include large-scale weaving with sculptor Matt Shaw (25 and 26 May, free, drop-in); Digital Kids: Crafty Cameras! that invites children to build a paper camera inspired by early photography (29 – 31 May, free, drop-in); Pop up Performance: I am the Camera, a family-friendly workshop that invites all participants to mix performance, photography and sculpture (29 – 31 May, free, drop-in); and Textile and Weaving, hands-on activities around the theme of textiles and weaving (29 – 31 May, free).
Engineering fun at the National Maritime Museum
A range of events are taking place at the National Maritime Museum this May half term around the wonders of engineering.
Craft your own marble run inspired by the navigational stick charges of the Marshall Islands; enjoy an interactive musical storytelling session about the life of Isambard Kingdom Brunel; learn about stone structures around the world from Easter Island to Stonehenge; and more!
These are all free, drop-in events that take place from 26 May – 2 June between 11am – 1pm and 2pm – 4pm. Different events take place on different days.
Kids Rule! At Eltham Palace and Gardens
Anne and George Boleyn are spending time at Eltham Palace this May half term; come along to say hello and learn about Anne’s rise in the Tudor Court. Try your hand at Tudor dancing, see if you can master courtly etiquette, try your hand at writing poetry and more.
Elsewhere in the palace you can step inside Virginia Courtaulds’ wardrobe, take shelter in the wartime basement bunker and see the home of Mah-Jong, the Courtaulds’ pet lemur.
Kids Rule! runs from 25 May to 2 June between 10am and 5pm. Book online and save 15%.
Family Workshops at The Globe Theatre
Have family fun with a Romeo and Juliet-themed storytelling session. Experience the most famous love story of all time in an engaging and accessible way. The storytelling experience is recommended for children aged 5 – 12 years; all kids need to be accompanied by an adult.
Several sessions take place at the Globe Theatre each day on 25 and 26 May.
Paper Den’s at the Design Museum
Get creative with an afternoon of den building at the Design Museum. Colour, collage and construct your very own 3D paper shapes to build the Den brick by brick.
This is a free, drop-in session that takes place between 1pm – 4pm from Tuesday 28 May – Friday 31 May. It’s aimed at children aged 5 – 11 years.
Birds: Brilliant and Bizarre at the Natural History Museum
Opening just in time for May half term is this excellent new exhibition at the Natural History Museum. Birds: Brilliant and Bizarre explores the weird and wonderful world of birds. Meet the wonderchicken, the oldest modern bird in the world, discover what a pigeon has in common with the T.rex and which birds bathe in acid to survive.
Family fun at the Cutty Sark
Set sail on board the Cutty Sark this May half term for fun on the high seas. Meet some of the characters who once lived and worked on boar the ship and hear stories about their life at sea.
You can also take part in a series of workshops, designing and crafting your own watercraft using a range of materials and then see how fast they move on water.
On 1 and 2 June, sea shanty singers will perform.
Activities take place on select dates from 29 May – 2 June and are free with entry to the ship. See more details here.
Sensory Connections at the National Gallery
Join artist Lucy McDonald this May half term at the National Gallery and explore connections between sensory materials and the gallery and its paintings.
Children are invited to help the gallery test new ideas and materials as part of an ongoing project with artists, children and community groups. These collaborations will help shape and mould what the gallery’s new Centre for Creative Learning will look like.
The drop-in session will take place between 11am and 4pm on Wednesday 29 May.
Build a board game at the London Transport Museum’s Depot
The Acton Depot is open for seven days of family fun this May half term. The Depot is where the majority of the Museum’s collections that are not on display are held and it’s only open to the public for special events.
During this half term, families can explore the Depot together and then work as a team to create a board game to play at home.
You can book tickets now.
Teens Takeover Day at the London Transport Museum
Teens rule this May half-term break at the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden. The Museum is inviting all young people aged 12 – 17 years to discover all that the Museum has to offer.
Three bespoke activities have been designed for the day: a photo scavenger hunt, a creating and connecting with clay workshop and a ‘Can you code the Tube?’ Workshop.
These are only open to older kids – no adults allowed!
Teens Takeover Day takes place at the London Transport Museum on Saturday 18 May.
Routes and Roundels at the London Transport Museum
Taking place from Saturday 25 May to Sunday 2 June are a handful of activities themed around the iconic London transport Roundel, the station nameboards seen at every underground stop around London. Discover their history, go on a Roundel hunt around the museum, design your own Roundel and more.
These activités take place throughout the day at the London Transport Museum and are included in the museum admission.
The Paddington Bear Experience
Opening at County Hall at the end of the month, right in the middle of half term, is the much-anticipated The Paddington Bear Experience. Although few details have been released, organisers promise a ‘multi-room, immersive experience’ based on the life and adventures of the world’s most famous bear.
The Paddington Bear Experience opens on 31 May.
Spirited Away
Fans of Studio Ghibli will love this incredible Japanese production of Hayao Miyazaki’s 2021 Spirited Away. The story of Chihiro, a ten-year-old girl who inadvertently enters the world of kami (Japanese spirits). Performed in Japanese with English subtitles and with a live orchestra.
Spirited Away will play at the London Coliseum until 24 August.
The Enormous Crocodile at Regent’s Park Open-Air Theatre
This adaptation of Roald Dahl’s story of the greedy crocodile who tries to trick unsuspecting children into being his lunch is a great introduction to the theatre for younger children and a great way to spend the afternoon.
The Enormous Crocodile is suitable for children age 4+ and takes place at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre from 17 May – 8 June.
The Princess and the Pea at the Unicorn Theatre
Opening on 17 May at the wonderful Unicorn Theatre is this classic fairy tale of the Princess and the Pea, reimagined for today. Enjoy acrobats, clowns and adventure in this funny retelling of the popular tale.
Recommended for ages 2+. The Princess and the Pea runs from 17 May to 16 June.
The Colour of Dinosaurs at the Polka Theatre
Perfect for 6- to 12-year-olds is this lively prehistoric science pop gig that explores what dinosaurs were really like.
If you’ve ever wondered what exactly a dinosaur might do all day and what colours they really were then this show at London’s brilliant Polka Theatre is for you.
Join palaeontologist Dr Jakob Vinther and five musicians as they enter the multi-coloured world of the dinosaurs.
The Colour of Dinosaurs opens on 11 May and runs until 9 June.
Spot’s Birthday Party at the Arts Depot
Performing at North London’s Arts Depot is everyone’s favourite pup, Spot. Join Spot the dog, Steve the Monkey, Tom the crocodile and Helen the hippo to celebrate Spot’s birthday party.
The 50 minute show is aimed at children aged 2 to 5 years. Spot’s Birthday Party runs from 25 – 29 May.
Brilliant Bodies Family Workshops at the Old Operating Theatre
One of our favourite museums in London with kids (and also one of the most unusual) is hosting two separate workshops over the May half term.
On May 27, Brilliant Bodies explores the incredible human body and how doctors of the past worked to keep bodies healthy. There is a dedicated workshop for SEN families at 11am and a second workshop open to all under 16s at 2.30pm.
Taking place on May 28 is the Crafty Cards Family Workshop, where you can learn to create your own cards using prints and materials as the Victorians once did. There are two Crafty Cards sessions taking place, at 10.30am and 2.30pm.
Book your spot in advance here.
Sparkling Spring at the Museum of Brands
Explore the Museum of Brands’ fascinating Time Tunnel that documents 200 years of social change, culture and lifestyle, as you search for items that could be used to clean your home with.
You’ll also get the chance to become a spring cleaning superhero and make your own superhero wrist bands.
The event is aimed at children aged 7+ and runs from 25 May to 2 June.
All Creatures Great and Small at the Charles Dickens Museum
Take a family-friendly tour of the latest exhibition at the Charles Dickens Museum, Faithful Companions. The exhibition, taking place in the house where Dickens lived from 1837-1839, explores the author’s relationship with animals. Apparently, the townhouse was filled with a smorgasbord of animal companions during Dickens’ time including ravens and goldfinches.
The family-friendly tour explores the historic house, the Dickens’ family many pets and other creatures living and working in Victorian London. You’ll get the chance to handle original Victorian objects and find out about life at no.48 below and above stairs.
The themed house tours are aimed at children aged 7-12 and take place on 30 and 31 May at 11am and 2pm each day.
Family workshops at the Sir John Soane’s Museum
One of the most beautiful museums in London has to be inside the museum dedicated to Sir John Soane. The British architect, who was responsible for designing the Holy Trinity Church and the Bank of England, among other buildings, was also a keen collector of art, furniture, architectural paintings and models.
Step inside this May half term for two fun family workshops.
On 29 May, the museum is hosting a one-day Interior Design Workshop inspired by the museum itself. The workshop includes block printing and plaster casting. Aimed at children aged 11 – 14, the workshop costs £8.
On 30 May, the museum is hosting a free event inspired by the Fanciful Figures temporary exhibition. Drop in and learn how to make a Georgian silhouette.
Jason and the Adventure of 254 at the Wellcome Collection
Jason and the Adventure of 254 by artist Jason Wilsher-Mills is “a joyful exploration of the body” that draws on the artist’s experience of becoming disabled as a child.
Held at the Wellcome Collection near Euston Square, the museum spaces are filled with huge sculptures, colourful illustrations and interactive dioramas that explore how society views disability, medicine and the human body.
It’s colourful, engaging and thought-provoking and well worth a visit.
Jason and the Adventure of 254 runs until January 2025 and is free to visit
Beyond the Baseline at The British Library
Charting 500 years of history, Beyond the Baseline is the first major exhibition exploring Black music in Britain. Enjoy over 200 exhibits – from original records and carnival costumes to film footage and photographs, this extensive exhibition celebrates both black music and the places where this music was born.
Beyond the Baseline is open now and runs until 26 August.
Legion: Life in the Roman Army at The British Museum
Ongoing at The British Museum is their major new exhibition, Legion: life in the Roman army. From family life in the fort to the realities of the battlefield, discover if you have what it takes to make it in the Roman army.
Legion: Life in the Roman Army runs until 23 June.
May Half Term at the Postal Museum
The Postal Museum is always a great day out with kids. This half term, the museum is inviting children to channel their inner engineer and to take part in creating a sustainable city that can move the mail. They can also get crafty and create a cardboard invention inspired by postal innovations throughout history.
These drop-in sessions take place 27 May – 2 June and are included in your museum ticket.
Family Activities at the Chelsea Physic Garden
The Chelsea Physic Garden always run fun family events and this May half term holiday is no exception. Choose from a range of hands-on activities to keep younger children entertained.
Take part in a family chocolate workshop, meet some friendly insects, get painting with plants, and explore hairy flowers and fuzzy plants up close.
The activities take place on various dates over half term, check website for details and book your tickets in advance.
Bing’s Nature Explorers at the London Wetland Centre
Have you got what it takes to become a Nature Explorer? Find out this Easter when you join Bing the bunny and his friend Flop.
The London Wetland Centre has a huge number of activities themed around this popular pre-school TV series.
Bing’s Nature Explorers trail is filled with challenges and wildlife facts. There are interactive storytelling sessions as well as mini show all about wildlife and wetlands.
Other fun activities taking place include daily pond dipping sessions, otter talks and the chance to get stuck in to the mud kitchen, plus there’s the adventure playground and the Wild Walk.
All the activities are included in admission tickets. Bing’s Nature Explorers runs until June 2.
Power Up at the Science Museum
The Power Up exhibition at the Science Museum is the perfect opportunity for gamers big and small to keep their hands busy this May half term in London. This interactive exhibit showcases the best video games and consoles from the past 50 years and includes everything from Pong to Pacman and Minecraft to Mario.
Play against friends in multiplayer showdowns, test out new virtual reality experiences, and more.
