Take your family on a perfect half-term outing in London

From festivals to inspire little imaginations to dino-themed mini golf, there’s loads of off-peak family fun to be had in London over the school holiday
by Time Out in association with Transport for London
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Need some ideas for entertaining the little ones during half-term? We’ve selected a bunch of exciting, hands-on activities – many of which are free. You can get to them all during off-peak hours (that’s during the day, evenings and weekends), which means you’ll be saving on travel too. For grown-ups, Transport for London’s off-peak fares start at just £1.50 for a single adult pay as you go fare. All kids under 11 can travel free at any time on buses and trams. Up to four kids under 11 can travel free at any time on Tube, DLR, London Overground, and TfL Rail services when accompanied by an adult.

Remember to check TfL Journey Planner before you travel.

  • 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.

  • 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. 

  • 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. 

Get there for less!

Get there for less!

TfL’s off-peak pay as you go fares mean that you’ll save more pennies this half-term. Off-peak fares apply on all Tube, DLR, London Overground and TfL Rail services. You can tap into the wonderful world of off-peak every weekday before 6.30am, between 9.30am and 3.59pm, and after 7pm. Off-peak fares also apply all day at weekends and on public holidays. Always touch in and out with the same card or device to pay the right fare. Touch in only on buses and trams. To check a fare, visit TfL’s single fare finder.

Kids travel free!
All kids under 11 can travel free at any time on buses and trams. Up to four kids under 11 can travel free at any time on Tube, DLR, London Overground and TfL Rail services when accompanied by an adult. An adult is anyone 16 and over using an adult rate ticket (but not a Group Day Travelcard), pay as you go or travel concession.

Travel in Zones 2-6 for £1.50
Fare shown is for an adult off-peak pay as you go journey not going via Zone 1 on Tube, DLR and most London Overground services.

Travel into Zone 1 from £2.40
Fare shown is for an adult off-peak pay as you go journey from Zone 2 into Zone 1.

Travel by bus and tram for £1.50
TfL’s Hopper fare lets you make unlimited bus and tram journeys within one hour of first touching in for just £1.50.

The Cultural TfL Map is your key to finding more of London's family friendly hidden gems. This interactive map reveals more than 500 Time Out-recommended museums, galleries, street art and more, all within a short walk or bus ride of each station. Many of these experiences are free!

We know that affordable, convenient public transport is the key to accessing the best that London has to offer – and thanks to TfL’s affordable off-peak fares and other discounts across the network, the possibilities for adventure are wider than ever. Here, you'll find plenty more unexpected and exciting off-peak outings.

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