The best half-term activities in London

The Tower of London’s half-term show is a 30-minute fun performance giving youngsters a taste of life as a medieval knight – specifically one in the service of Margaret of Anjou, looking to free her husband Henry VI from the Tower. And there's also all the normal treats of the Tower itself: see the crown jewels, meet the famous ravens and learn some truly gory stories, all in the name of history. Hurrah!

The Maritime Museum’s half-term theme is an uplifting exploration of how sailors kept their spirits up on voyages. Worry not, parents: the answer isn’t ‘grog’, but storytelling and sea shanties. There are four sessions a day May 30, June 1, 3 and 6 – they're free but can be reserved for £1.

From May half-term until mid-July, ZSL is playing host to a series of kids’s activities celebrating Eric Carle’s beloved picturebook ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’. Tackle an assault course of giant fruit and veg, take in a storytelling session in a giant egg, and lots more themed fun, all free with entry.

Up in The Equinor Gallery, on level three of the museum, you’ll find more than 50 exhibits split into seven zones. In this space, visitors will experience the maths and science behind everyday situations. Get hands-on at the chemistry bar, witness a controlled lightning strike and see something go bang in one of four daily demonstrations. £10 adults, £8 children, under-threes free.

Getting there: District, Circle or Piccadilly line to South Kensington.
Local bus routes: 14, 49, 70, 74, 345, 360, 414, 430, C1.