The 8 best free activities and things to do with kids in London in February half term 2026

Of all the holidays in the school calendar, it’s February half term that strikes the deepest dread into the heart of seasoned parents. It’s cold. It’s wet. It doesn’t have a big fun festival in it like Christmas or Easter. And if you’re not careful, you’ll end up escaping the wintry chill in a series of germ-filled soft plays, branded experiences, and other cynical excuses to extract money from desperate parents.

What to do in half term with kids in London?

Fear not, there are other, more pleasant ways to get out and about (and stop your kids from destroying your house into the bargain). London’s cultural institutions are showering families with free, fun activities this month, so that the littles and not-so-littles can explore somewhere new, run around to their hearts’ content, and maybe even learn something. 

The best free things to do with kids in London in February half term 2026

1. Marvel at dancing dragons at a free Lunar New Year party

Kids of all ages will be delighted by the sight of a lucky red dragon snaking its way through London. Chinatown’s annual Lunar New Year Sunday parade is enlivened by giant dragon and lion puppets that wind through the bustling streets. Then head to Leicester Square and you'll find a dedicated family zone, with free craft activities and dressing up. Or wend your way to Trafalgar Square for martial arts and Chinese pop on a big stage.

There are also smaller, more chill family-centric Lunar New Year celebrations taking place at Museum of the Home (Feb 17), Maritime Museum (Feb 21) and Museum of London Docklands (Feb 21-22): book your free spots to try your hand at everything from coil pot making to ribbon dancing. 

Central London. Sun Feb 22. Free.

2. Scribble on a giant chalkboard at Southbank Centre's Imagine Festival

The lovely people at Southbank Centre are forever showering Londoners with wallet-friendly cultural activities, but this largesse of free fun really comes into its own at half term. Its annual kids fest Imagine is brilliantly timed to coincide with the year's bleakest weather, and there's something truly spirit-lifting about the activities on offer. They’ve created a giant chalkboard you can turn up, scribble on or clamber over throughout the fest. Combine a visit with one of the special free events on offer, like the dance sesh ‘Wonder Gig’ (Feb 12), craft day ‘Dream, Design, Do!’ (Feb 17), or comedy show ‘Big Laughs For Little Bellies’ (Feb 18).

Belvedere Road. SE18XX. Feb 11-21. Free.

3. Take on a LEGO building challenge at Natural History Museum

It takes a certain bravery to attempt South Kensington’s wildly popular free museums during the February half term. But book a free spot at Natural History Museum and your courage will be rewarded by both shorter queuing time and a starry galaxy of fun stuff to do. The centrepiece for LEGO-obsessed kids will be a big building challenge, inspired by the possibilities of extraterrestial life. But there’s loads more fun for science-minded kids, including sessions on asteroids and missions to Mars. 

Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD. Feb 14-22. Free.

4. Try some messy textured painting at National Portrait Gallery

If you’ve seen Lucian Freud’s epic, fleshy portrait paintings you’ll know just how effective impasto painting can be, even if you’ve never heard of it. Now, everyone aged over three can have a go at this messy, expressive technique. This drop in family workshop will equip you with paints and paper, and inspiration to depict your family, friends and pets in bold new style.

St Martin's Place, WC2H 0HE. Feb 17. Free. 

5. Make something beautiful at Tate Modern’s playful art seshes

The Tate Modern’s big open spaces and enticingly colourful exhibits means it’s always a great shout for a family day out. But its Holiday Make Studio offers an added incentive this February half term. The theme is beauty, and that means there'll be plenty of artist-led opportunities to consider what makes something lovely to look at. Just drop in, and try new techniques in an experimental, anything-goes space.

The Tanks, SE1 9TG. Feb 14-22. Free.

6. Craft some zany headgear at V&A

The V&A has a big, pricy exhibition about historical fashion legend Marie Antoinette right now. You could take the kids, but if you don’t want them getting expensive ideas about how to dress, then opt for this free drop in activity instead. Designer Hannah Wild will help kids aged five-plus and their adults to make stunning headgear out of balloons, in a sustainable adventure in wearable art.

Cromwell Road, SW7 2RL. Feb 16-20. Free.

7. Try your hand at a cool job at Science Museum’s Technicians gallery

The world of employment can seem pretty daunting when you’ve barely learnt to tie your own shoelaces. But a trip to Science Museum's shiny new and totally free Technicians gallery is sure to inspire kids to try their hands at all sorts of exciting tech-based careers. Try working on a blockbuster Marvel film, on a wind turbine, or in a pharmaceutical lab. Take your teenager and you might just persuade them not to abandon hope on the chemistry GCSE.

Exhibition Road, W7 2DD. Free.

Kids eat free deals at London restaurants

Sometimes the priciest part of a day out can be getting everyone fed in a style they deem acceptable. Fortunately, more and more restaurants are luring families in with kids-eat-free deals over the school holidays, taking the sting out of the bill. As you’d expect, major chains like Bella Italia, Las Iguanas and Frankie & Bennys are offering decent deals.

But why not broaden your kids’ dining horizons? Cocotte serves up French chicken from five London sites including a museum-friendly South Kensington branch: the generous free petit poulet menu includes a starter, main, side and sauce for under-12s.

Introduce the small ones to a bit of spice at southeast Asian spot Banana Tree, which is offering kid-friendly dishes like katsu curry free for under-11s when you order from its adult menu.

Or if you’ve got an under-seven with a taste for culinary adventure, make for Soho's Inko Nito, which is offering a free menu for little ones that includes delights such as cucumber and avocado maki, steamed rice with furikake, and ice cream. 

Various venues. Free with purchase of adult meal.

Find loads more fun things to do with the fam in our February half-term guide.

Plus: check out our roundup of the best London museums for kids.

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