The 22 best October half-term things to do in London

What is it? It’s been a great year for fans of Aardman Animations – the beloved studio’s 50th – and it just keeps getting better. Following the Young V&A’s blockbuster Inside Aardman exhibition and ahead of new film Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom, the latest immersive film from the Lightroom in King’s Cross is Larger Than Life, an immersive documentary that tells the story of the studio from its Morph-era roots to the cuddly cultural supremacy that began with the first Wallace & Gromit film. 

Where is it? Lightroom.

What is it? The renowned annual photography exhibition returns to the Natural History Museum for its 62nd edition. The pictures are always a delight and offer plenty of interest for any young nature lover, as demonstrated by this year’s previews. Pictured is a preview of this year exhibtion: Jen Cullman’s snap of an African bullfrog failing to catch a butterfly. Pictured top is Audun Rikardsen’s snap of a polar bear gazing into a breathing hole in the icy Arctic sea. 

Where is it? Natural History Museum.

What is it? As the weather drops, farms in and around London become gourd wonderlands, littered with bright yellow and flaming orange pumpkins. Often there’ll be photo opportunities, craft workshops and spooky goings on thrown in so you can make a real outing of it. By the time half-term comes around you may no longer be able to literally pick your own pumpkins (ground frost don’t you know) but the patches will be open and selling still.

Where is it? Click through for our top pumpkin patches.

What is it? Having just enjoyed a hit season in Paris, this exhibition attraction comes from the Balloon Museum, an internationally touring series of inflatable art based exhbition that last rocked up a few years back with a show near Tower Hill. Euphoria: Art is in the Air is a completely different show but it would once again appear to be based around tactile, interactive inflatables from the likes of Martin Creed, AA Murakami, Camille Walala, Karina Smigla-Bobinski and Cyril Lancelin. Basically it’s 10 rooms of cool weird inflatable stuff, aimed at all ages, but espeically families.

Where is it? ImmerseLDN.

What is it? London’s Pokémon fans have been totally spoiled this year with the ongoing celebration of the fantastic beasties’ thirtieth anniversary. Now, Pokémon has partnered with London’s Science Museum and the European Space Agency to create an exciting new free trail running until January. Here’s what you can expect. Pick up a free copy of the trail map, then wander the museum’s galleries, looking for Pikachu and co, alongside large-scale installations and real stories of European space science and exploration. Once you’ve completed the trail, head for the dedicated Pokémon gift shop on the museum’s mezzanine level: just make sure you book a free timed ticket in advance. 

Where is it? Science Museum.

What is it? The Natural History Museum has pledged to open a ‘new’ gallery a year for the next five years and the programme has kicked off with the reopening of a space that was sealed off to the public for 83 years. Now it’s back as the Nature and Us gallery, a stylish and intersting space that is absolutely free to visit.

Where is it? Natural History Museum.

What is it? It’s the very belated first ever UK production (there was an American one back in the day) of the stage adaptation of the Grease-alike ’00s Disney phenomenon about the intertwined love lives of jocks and nerds at an American high school. The headline event as far as casting goes is Harry Judd (of McFly fame) as gym teacher Coach Bolton. It’s recommended for ages six and above.

Where is it? Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre.

What is it? London Zoo’s half-term (and indeed, all of October) theme is Winnie-the-Pooh, with AA Milne’s bear of very little brain returning to the place that inspired him: his name was derived from Winnipeg, a bear who lived at the zoo from 1914. For visitors this translates a storytelling trail based around Jane Riordan official ‘new Pooh’ book Winnie-the-Pooh: A Little Boy and His Bear. Plus all the considerable usual fun of the zoo.

Where is it? London Zoo.

What is it? Let’s be honest, your kids probably haven’t quite caught the US at its best, have they? But there were 250 years before the present era and they’re rounded up in this nice new free exhibtion at the Science Museum,  marking 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It tells the story of the nation’s birth in over a hundred objects, including a rare surviving copy of the Declaration. Obviously not one for toddlers, but should be fasicnating for older kids with a taste for world history.

Where is it? Science Museum.

What is it? Replacing Westfield’s huge immersive kids’ experience KidZania, Absurd City is… a huge immersive experience, albeit this time for all ages. It’s the sister venue to Wake the Tiger an ‘amazement park’  from the folks behind Boomtown Festival, that has been a big success down in Bristol. Absurd City will offer a skewed take on a city, divided into five districts, that will straddle the lines between art and storytelling and offer up to three hours of fun. 

Where is it? Westfield London (the Shepherds Bush one).

What is it? This insanely popular exhibition is finally not constantly sold out, although that’s just as well as it’s coming to and end in November. Even if your kids aren’t massive Wallace and Gromit heads, it’s an enchanting and fun trip out, worth it for the hands on stopmotion as much as the Aardman memorabilia. 

Where is it? Young V&A.

How much is it? £11, which gets you free readmission throughout the exhibition’s run.