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It might not feel like the ideal time of year to get out and about, but the kids will need something to keep them busy during the dark, damp February school holidays.
Bring some sunshine to the half-term with great days out in London – it’s just a simple train journey from Kent and these fun, family ideas will keep you ticking over until the summer holidays roll around.
BUBBLE PLANET: It’s been open for just over a year, but this immersive experience is still proving popular with visitors of all ages. The quirky exhibition begins in the LED room, and you can then explore different zones such as the balloon room, ball pool, giant bubble dome and the VR experience. There are lots of fun things for kids to do, including taking photos at the selfie stations, sketching their own bubble designs and watching the robot-led bubble show.
Details: Open daily at Wembley Park, just a short walk from the tube station. Book tickets here.
IMAGINE FESTIVAL: The Southbank’s annual family festival returns with even more creative activities, hands-on workshops and live entertainment. The events are a combination of free and ticketed and are aimed at children aged up to 11 years. The programme is packed, but some of this year’s highlights include a playground made from recycled materials, a musical performance by the BBC Concert Orchestra featuring characters from Hey Duggee, talks from children’s authors such as Nadia Shireen and Sue Hendra, a live adaptation of There’s a Bear in My Chair and a giant chalkboard where kids can draw freely.
Details: Tuesday, February 18 to Sunday, 23 February at the Southbank Centre. Find the full programme online here.
MAKING EGYPT: Explore the rich culture and heritage of Egypt with the latest exhibition from the Young V&A. Making Egypt features a collection of artefacts from the ancient past to the modern day, with a particular focus on how the country has influenced the art, design and popular culture we are familiar with today. The display includes items dating back thousands of years, as well as a Lego model of the Great Pyramid of Giza and comic book posters.
Details: Open from Saturday, February 15 at the Young V&A in Bethnal Green. Book tickets here.
MUDFEST: Be prepared to get muddy with a very messy half-term event. Mudfest is based at London’s wetland reserve and involves getting stuck into mucky games, crafts and challenges. Kids can use the earth to create their own art, cook up some questionable dishes in the mud kitchen, make their own wildflower seed bombs and build bird nests for the reserve’s inhabitants. So, grab your wellies and get ready to have some fun in the great outdoors.
Details: Saturday, February 15 to Sunday, February 23 at WWT London Wetland Centre in Barnes. Book tickets here.
OUT AT SEA: Three London attractions – Cutty Sark, the National Maritime Museum and Queen’s House – are celebrating LGBTQ+ History Month with a week of inclusive activities during the school holidays. There will be storytelling, drag performances, craft workshops, sing-alongs, characters from history and family-friendly talks from local LGBTQ+ activists.
Details: Saturday, February 15 to Sunday, February 23 at Cutty Sark, the National Maritime Museum and Queen’s House in Greenwich. Free entry, but tickets should be booked online in advance.