Lego Pyramid of Giza, Making Egypt, Young V&A, 2024
Photo: The Lego Group
Photo: The Lego Group

The best February half-term activities in London

Keep the kids busy and entertained this February 2025 half-term with some fantastic activities around London

Andrzej Lukowski
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The Christmas holidays have barely ended, but the march of time is relentless and another school holiday is just around the corner: it’s February half-term.  

The coldest and wettest of the half terms, it’s also one that seems to boast a uniqely large number of things for kids to do, with the mighty Imagine Children’s Festival at the Southbank Centre probably the biggest annual event in the London kids’ calendar.

And even if it didn’t happen: this is London, and there’s a near-infinite number of things for youngsters to do, from enjoying the city’s many kid-friendly museums and galleries that really come into their own when school is out, to taking in one of the many, many children’s theatres that our glorious city and its surrounds have to offer.

I’m Time Out’s lead kids’ writer – because I have to amuse my own children over the holidays – and here are my top suggestions for the half-term, from brand new exhibitions and plays to your last chance to see a couple of excellent attractions for younger audiences.

When is February half-term this year? 

This year, London’s October half-term officially falls between Monday February 17 and Friday February 21 (ie they will continuously be off Saturday February 15 to Sunday February 23). 

Whether you’re after some rainy day fun, outdoor play or some budget-friendly free activities for families, London absolutely has you covered. Here’s our roundup of all the best things to do with your children this February half-term. 

Things to do in February half term with kids in London

  • Things to do
  • Festivals
  • South Bank

What is it? A little shorter than in previous years and with its name for some reason changed from the previous Imagine Children’s Festival,  Southbank Centre’s sprawling celebration of all things kids is nonetheless back back back for 2025.

Why go? It’s no exaggeration to say that there is something for every child at Imagine, from talks with favourite authors – Dog Man creator Dav Pilkey, Billy and the Beast writer Nadia Shireen and Supertato’s Sue Hendra are all on board this year – to a host of children’s plays and numerous fun additional concerts, workshops, activities and other events, many of them free.

  • Things to do
  • Exhibitions
  • Bethnal Green

What is it? Following its excellent inaugural temporary exhibition Japan: Myth to Manga, 2025 sees Young V&A host temporary exhibition number two. Making Egypt will look at creativity in Ancient Egypt and its enduring influence on contemporary society, and will gather together over 200 items from the V&A archives, with the oldest around 5,500 years old, and many never having been displayed before.

Why go? Myth to Manga was a lively, thoughtful and accessible exhibition with something for everyone and Making Egypt looks to be more of the same, combining thousands of years old ancient artifacts with pop cultural works influenced by the long gone civilization, from an ancient sarcophagus to a Lego pyramid of Giza. Although the exhibition is suitable for all (including solo adults) there is an emphasis on children aged eight to 12.

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  • Things to do
  • Festivals
  • Kew

What is it? The Princess of Wales Conservatory at Kew Gardens is getting a Peruvian makeover this February, courtesy of the latest annual mind-bending orchid display that takes over the iconic glasshouse each year. 

Why go? You never need an excuse to take the kids to Kew, but the orchid festival really is a sight to behold, a blaze of astonishing colour that lights up the February gloom. Don’t forget to check out the alpaca sculpture, made entirely of the tropic blooms.

  • Circuses
  • South Kensington

What is it? The latest megabudget spectacle from Cirque du Soleil to hit these shores is Corteo, which takes inspiration from the lost world of Italian traditional circuses.

Why go? The Quebecois giants’ awesome circus spectacles are perfect family shows, with the goofy humour probably more appealing to kids than adults, but the stunning set pieces a delight for all. Running post-Christmas and pre-Easter, half-term is the perfect time to see it. Corteo is set at a clown funeral – but a very fun clow funeral. 

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  • Musicals
  • Soho

What is it? The latest incarnation of Lionel Bart’s all-singing Dickens musical adaptation Oliver! recently arrived in town in a glossy new production that was in previews over Christmas and just formally opened.

Why go? Arguably the great family musical of all time, it’s been 15 years since it was last of the London stage, and while it’s booking through the summer, there’s no telling if your wee ones will get to experience the likes of Food Glorious FoodConsider Yourself and I’d Do Anything live again during their childhoods. 

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