The best February half-term things to do in London

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.

Where is it? Young V&A. 

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.

What is it? A chance to stroke a capybara – the world’s biggest rodent.

Where is it? Hobbledown Heath, Hounslow.

Why go? The capybara has been knocking around for something like nine million years. What have they been up to all this while? Just sort of hanging out really, grazing away on the vegetation of Latin America. Now Hobbledown Heath is the first place in London to offer a feed-the-capybaras experience. There are five capybaras in the venue’s petting zoo, which you can scratch and feed vegetables. 

What is it? This delightful exhibition explains the wonders the animal world via robots made from household objects. Last seen here in 2017, the Robot Zoo return to the Horniman in a new incarnation, with a new set of robo-animals.

Where is it? Horniman Museum. 

Why go? Because it’s cute, because it’s interactive, because you’ll learn something, and it’s just that perfect way to pep up a trip to the Horniman while the walrus remains oit of bounds for its 2025 refurb. 

What is it? Showing that it’s never too late to teach an old, er, museum new tricks, the venerable Science Museum is launching its first ever afternoon tea, just in time for half-term.

Where is it? Science Museum. 

Why go? Well on the basic level because afternoon teas are yummy, but the Science Museum being the Science Museum it has a few tricks up its sleeve. There is science-based fun literally on the menu, with snacktivities including cupcakes with a ‘blood’ syringe and a test tube rack filled with various sweets like fizzy sherbet, chocolate popping candy, crushed coloured moon rocks and edible soil.  Because what kid doesn’t want to eat mud?