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Having kids is expensive. Living in London is expensive. So it stands to reason that having kids in London can be especially expensive, especially when the half-term holidays roll around and you’re faced with the challenge of keeping them entertained for nine long days.
But family days out in the city don’t have to mean remortgaging your house or selling a vital organ, particularly during the February half term, when London’s museums, galleries and cultural institutions really step up to help London’s harried parents out by staging a plethora of free activities.
Looking for some family-friendly fun on a budget this week? Here are 10 ideas:
Imagine Children’s Festival
A huge programme of family-oriented shows, workshops, play experiences and exhibitions, the Southbank Centre’s annual kids’ festival features over 100 events for everyone from babies to pre-teens, with over half of them completely free. Find out more here.
Southbank Centre, SE1 8XX. Until Sun Feb 23.
Out At Sea
Check out arts and craft workshops, storytelling sessions and live performances suitable for all ages as the National Maritime Museum, the Cutty Sark and Queen’s House come together for this annual LGBT History Month celebration. Find out more here.
Royal Museums Greenwich, SE10 9NF. Until Sun Feb 23.
Lunar New Year Family Day
This family fun day at Hoxton’s Museum of the Home celebrates the arrival of the Year of the Snake via serpent-themed crafts, soft play and musical storytelling. Find out more here.
Museum of the Home, E2 8EA. Tue Feb 18.
Science Museum Object Handling
Get up close to artefacts from the Science’s Museum collections at these hands-on sessions suitable for ages 7+, with expert volunteers on hand to teach you about everything from morse code and the world wide web to clock components to historic timekeeping. Find out more about the Science Museum here.
Science Museum, SW7 2DD. Until Thu Feb 20.
Family Freestyle
Drop by Stratford’s new outpost of Sadler’s Wells to take part in this 45-minute long workshop, in which professional dance artists will introduce 2-4-year-olds and their carers to a wide range of dance styles. Find out more about Sadler’s Wells East here.
Sadler’s Wells East, E20 2AR. Thu Feb 20.
February Family Festival
Lego-building workshops, nature-themed crafts and a chance to meet some of the museum’s resident scientists are just a few of the activities on offer at the Natural History Museum’s half-term festival. Find out more about the Natural History Museum here.
Natural History Museum, SW7 5BD. Until Sun Feb 23.
Visit the Piglets at Hackney City Farm
Haggerston Park’s urban farm announced the arrival of five newborn piglets last week. Pop down for a closer look as they snuggle up in the farm’s newly-renovated pig pen. who can. Find out more about Hackney City Farm here.
Hackney City Farm, E2 8QA. Any time.
Battersea Light Festival
A series of shining light installations designed by international artists can currently be seen illuminating Battersea’s Grade II-listed Power Station when darkness falls, as part of this free annual light trail featuring a variety of interactive works. Find out more here.
Battersea Power Station, SW11 8DD. Until Sun Feb 23.
Dr You’s Case Notes
Join Research Assistance Alex Vector for this interactive adventure around UCL’s Grant Museum of Zoology, where guests of all ages will be invited to listen to stories and complete tasks as part of Dr You’s research team. Find out more about the Grant Museum here.
Grant Museum of Zoology, WC1E 6DE. Thu Feb 20.
Turtle-y Terrific at the London Aquarium
The Sea Life London Aquarium is spotlighting its green sea turtles this half-term with an activity trail themed around these fascinating creatures. Better yet, between first 50 guests to turn up wearing head-to-toe green this week can gain entry to the Aquarium for free. Find out more about the Sea Life London Aquarium here.
Sea Life London Aquarium, SE1 7PB. Until Sun Feb 23.
Looking for more fun on a budget? Here’s our roundup of London’s best free museums and galleries
And here are 50 fun things to do for less than the cost of a pint