May has sped by and half term is upon us! With a few days left of this mid-term break, see below for our quick round up of London’s best picks for half term activities and fun.
Check out the Natural History Museum’s Sensational Butterflies exhibition and children will get the chance to get up close with exotic butterflies from all over the world – and learn about their habitat and fascinating life cycle. Natural History Museum (South Kensington), £5.85, book ahead, until September 2018
Unicorn Theatre in Southwark runs various holiday workshops for kids and teenagers who might be keen to take to the stage. This week’s options include classes in drama, circus and movement, and making a play in a day. Various dates, ages and prices, 29 May-2 June. Southwark.
Peter Pan at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is an adaptation of the iconic childhood story, set against the backdrop of a WW1 nursing station. This interpretation of the well-loved tale ‘sheds new light on the nature of lost boys and what it is to grow up’. Expect jaw dropping sets and fantastic flying with this hotly-tipped performance. 17 May – 16 June 2018
The Underbelly Tent on the South Bank is bursting with tip-top entertainment for little people. Over half-term week you can catch circus shows ‘Soap’ and ‘The Very Circusy Caterpillar’, comedy from ‘Screaming with Laughter’ and ‘Harry and Chris’, the Belly Theatre’s ‘Aliens Love Underpants’, a special children’s variety show and the spectacle that is ‘The Amazing Bubble Man’. And while their older brothers and sisters are enjoying that little lot, toddlers can hit the dancefloor at Monski Mouse’s Baby Disco Dance Hall.
Take budding writers and journalists along to the National Army Museum where children will be taught to use their tech skills to create a mini-documentary about some of the museum’s artefacts. National Army Museum (Chelsea), free, book on the day, 26 May-3 June
Southbank Centre will be showing The Hunting of the Snark — a nonsensical poem by Alice in Wonderland author Lewis Carroll — to the stage, telling the story of an ‘impossible voyage to hunt an imaginary creature’. Queen Elizabeth Hall, £16/£8, book ahead, various times 26-28 May
Take them along to see David McKee’s picture book, Not Now, Bernard, brought to life on stage for over-3s and their carers. Unicorn Theatre (Southwark), £6-£20, book ahead, 27 May-5 June
Got any top tips for things to do in London or the South East over half term week? Share a link or a list on our Facebook page so your fellow nannies are up to speed! Happy half term!