Easter holidays activities for kids in London

What is it? It’s an immersive, family-friendly celebration of our galaxy and all things space, but the undoubted highlight is the pop-up planetarium that will show a variety of films for kids of all ages, ranging from Animals in Space! for the little ones to the more sober The Night Sky for those looking for something a bit more stats heavy.

Where is it? National Maritime Museum.

Why go? Greenwich without a planetarium is like Greenwich without Meantime: against the natural order of things. Fortunately, while the iconic one at the Observatory is closed for a massive makeover for a couple of years, the good old Maritime Museum has stepped into the gap – a valuable service and a fun looking exhibtion. 

What is it? Following in the footsteps of immersive exhibtions dedicated to Tutankhamun, the Titanic and the destruction of Pompeii, here comes a fairly self-explanatory new show that sticks to a tried and true formula of a worthy handful of artefacts augmented by splashy AR, VR and immersive video, plus giant insta-friendly sets.

Where is it? Dock X.

Why go? Because kids love Vikings – at least as an idea – and here they can both actually learn about them while also enjoying the usual fun digital silliness and delve into more lurid mythology. Lest the subject seem intrinsically a bit laddish, it’s actually emphasised that there’s a big focus on ‘the wise Queen Kraka’, who probably didn’t exist but sounds cool anyway.

What is it? The very welcome return of Sam Wilde and Ian Nicholson’s cardboard puppet adaptation of Jon Klassen’s wondrously droll I Want My Hat Back Trilogy of picturebooks about animals scrapping over headwear.

Where is it? Little Angel Studios.

Why go? It’s funny and weird and – as with the books – operates on two extremely different levels depending on what your age is. Because it’s all three books, it also reaches a respectable runtime without needing to be padded out with songs or audience interection (which is fine for some shows but would kill the weird buzz here).

What is it? After a five-year-long world tour, this blockbuster exhibition on the ancient Egyptians is finally arriving in London. Ramses and the Pharaoh’s Gold will display 180 priceless treasures on loan from the Supreme Council of Antiquities, of which the pinnacle is the coffin of Ramses II, giving Londoners the chance to see an original sarcophagus here in the Big Smoke.

Where is it? NEON at Battersea Power Station.

Why go? In a fine holiday for Egyptologists, this isn’t another gimmicky immersive happening but a collectioon of actual millinnea old awe-inspiring artefacts from the zenith of the Old Kingdom.

What is it? This massive new immersive exhibition is inspired by the legendary beauty Cleopatra, and will bring the world of Ancient Egypt to digital life. The show feels like a bit of a follow-up to last year’s Tutankhamun exhibition (which is by the same people), but it'll focus on the end of the Egyptian empire rather than its heyday.

Where is it? ImmerseLDN.

Why go? Because the Tutankhamun exhbition was a lot of fun and Cleopatra is a great subject being one of teh single most famous people to have ever lived. Although she’s the focal point, it’s more about her dynasty than her specifically – it won’t be just nine rooms on her beauty regime.

What is it? Awaken your inner child by delving into enchanted lands, magical creatures and timeless tales at the British Library’s interactive family-friendly exhibition. All the bangers from your childhood will be explored – from Goldilocks, to Aladdin – through books, artworks, interactive displays, theatrical design, story sharing spaces, costumes and activities. 

Where is it? British Libary.

Why go? The British Library’s exhbitions make thoughtful and surpisinghly lively use of its mindboggling collections. Plus: it’s free!

What is it? A cute afternoon tea at this swish Park Lane restaurant, themed around the beloved picturebook Guess How Much I Love You?

Where is it? Lanes of London, Mar 13-Apr 19.

Why go? Costing £65 for an adult and £45 a child it’s a bit of a treat, but that’s generally the deal with afternoon tea. High concept dainties on offer inclide a whisker tip hare biscuit, a miniature wildflower meadow made with rhubarb confit, wild honey panna cotta and cocoa soil and a chocolate orange tree stump with a fluffy lychee rose cloud. The kids’ food is slightly simplified, but they do get a Nutbrown Hare soft toy and a copy of the book.

What is it? Following a successful debut last summer, this spring sees the return of the Tower of London’s Duke and Disorderly strand, essentially a series of playlets staged around the fortress’s grounds that imagine the Duke of Wellington’s efforts to impose order on the building after he was made Constable of the Tower in 1826.

Where is it? Tower of London, Mar 30-May 30.

Why go? Free with admission, it’s a bit of fun to pep up your visit. But it’s also a window into a completely different era of the Tower (and, indeed, the Napoleon-conquering Wellington).