FREE October Half Term and Halloween Activities 2023

We’re half way through the longest - and definitely most tiring - term of the school year. To save you any additional hassle or expense, this newsletter brings you fun, free things to make the most of the October half term holiday.

With my head aching, I’ll skip quickly through what we’ve been up to since my last newsletter. We’ve had beautiful, bright autumnal days out at Emmetts Garden and Walmer Castle and Gardens.

Indoors, we’ve checked out two new family exhibitions - Japan: Myths to manga at Young V&A and Turn it up: The power of music at Science Museum. And my favourite (child-free) art exhibitions of the season have been Mat Collishaw: Petrichor at Kew Gardens, El Anatsui: Behind the red moon at Tate Modern and Frans Hals at National Gallery.

Let me know how your half term goes - hit reply, post in my Facebook group or tag/DM me on Instagram.

FREE October Half Term 2023 Activities

Here's my pick of completely FREE family activities this week in London!

I’ve shared up to 5 suggestions a day and indicated if they run on other dates. All currently have space or are drop in. For times and any booking information, click the link.

If you need more ideas, paid or free, or have two weeks to fill, take a look at my October Half Term post.

Monday 23 October 2023

1. Create a sculpture that reflects your own unique way of thinking in Budding brains at Royal Society of Sculptors, SW7. Drop in. Also runs 28 October.

2. Make a Day of the Dead-inspired marigold and meet the author in Celebrate! book launch at British Museum, WC1. Drop in.

3. Solve the puzzles to help Detective Glover find the bank forger in Data detectives at the Bank of England Museum, EC2. Drop in. Runs 23-27 October.

4. Hand-sew a fabric pouch, learn cross stitch and decorate a ‘fashionista’ paper figure in Button it! Stitch it! Dress it! at the Museum of London Docklands, E14. Sign up on arrival. Runs 22-27 October. Different free activities run daily.

5. Drop-in Halloween arts and crafts at Westfield Stratford City, E20. Drop in. Runs 23-29 October.

Tuesday 24 October 2023

1. Eerie nature trail, spooky interactive stories and brilliant bats at the Discovery day: Hair-raising Halloween at the LookOut Centre in Hyde Park, W1. Drop in. Runs 24-26 October.

2. Explore tales of strong women from a Paula Rego painting in interactive Shared storytelling at National Gallery, WC2. Sign up on arrival. Runs 24-25 October.

3. Meet a medieval Doctor and plague victim in the Black Death at Charterhouse, EC1. Drop in.

4. Make your own messenger pigeon or horse and soldier at Army animal crafts at National Army Museum, SW3. Drop in. Runs 24-26 October.

5. Make puppets and build your own squat-inspired den in Playhouse and puppetry: On Railton Road family day at Museum of the Home, E2. Drop in.

Wednesday 25 October 2023

1. Golden bead making, shimmering embroidery workshops, garments dolly peg-making, intricate crown decorating, storytelling, tours, costumes and more in Treasures of gold and silver wire half term family day at Guildhall Art Gallery, EC2. Book.

2. Try 3D painting techniques and venture down into the 900-year-old at Secrets of the Crypt at Museum of the Order of St John, EC1. Drop in.

3. Contribute to a growing origami sculpture and create and dress up as a character in Japan at the Young V&A, E2. Drop in. Runs 25-27 October.

4. Enjoy music, party games and traditional rhymes and quirky songs in Ilana Banana toddler party at Museum of London Docklands, E14. Drop in. Also runs 22 & 23 October.

5. Plant bulbs for spring, clear leaves and prepare plant beds for winter in Garden together: Family gardening sessions at Chiswick House, W4. Book, ages 8+. Also runs 27 October.

Thursday 26 October 2023

1. Design and make your own Beastly board games at Sir John Soane’s Museum, WC2. Drop in.

2. Find out if there really are ghosts, sea monsters, and even UFOs in The haunted archive at the National Archives, TW9. Book, best ages 8-11. Plus drop-in crafts for all ages.

3. Print fabric and explore your own identity in Cut from the same cloth at National Maritime Museum, SE10. Drop in. Different free activities run daily.

4. Explore your diva style by dressing up and making fashion items in Drop-in design at V&A Museum, SW7. Runs 25-27 October.

5. Create woven wall hangings, make sensory postcards and take drawing challenges in Family day: The Big Draw at National Portrait Gallery, WC2. Drop in.

Friday 27 October 2023

1. Trick or treat your way around Covent Garden with lots of fang-tastic treats in the Covent Garden Mum Halloween trail. Register.

2. Meet army animals at the National Army Museum, SW3. Drop in.

3. Take a trail through one of London’s hidden architectural gems in Family day at Two Temple Place, WC2. Drop in.

4. Hear tales of Caribbean water witch Mama d’leau and create your own magical potion in Family Fun Friday: Wonderfully Witchy at Society of Antiquaries of London, W1. Drop in.

5. Join workshops with Savile Row tailor and fashion designer Nermin Tan, and artist Tine Bech in The making of home: The Make it all festival at Artizan Street, E1. Drop in.

Daily drop in

1. Play with light and shadows in the Tanks at Tate Modern, SE1 in Uniqlo Tate Play Shadow and light holiday make studio. Runs 21-29 October 2023.

2. Search for spooky displays in the Halloween pumpkin trail in Belgravia. Runs 23-31 October 2023. 

3. Frieze Sculpture at The Regents Park, NW1. Until 29 October 2023.

4. Complete puzzles to win your prize on the The Witches adventure trail at National Theatre, SE1.

5. Play studio at Tate Britain, SW1. Daily in school holidays plus weekends.
   
   

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What’s on this weekend, 21-22 October 2023

Finally, here’s a few ideas for this weekend. Click the link for timings and any booking info before heading out.

1. Story Space: Halloween Read Aloud with Flavia Z. Drago at Tate Britain, SW1. Free, drop in.

2. Telling your story at Southbank Centre, SE1. 21 October, free.

3. Making together at Royal Society of Sculptors, SW7. 21 October, free.

4. Folk mask craft, improvisation and stand up comedy workshops at MyPlace Romford, RM3. 21 October, free.

5. Stories from Japan at Young V&A, E2. 21-22 October, free.

6. Tiger tea time at Waterstones Piccadilly, W1. 22 October, paid.

Have a great half term and let me know if you get up to anything fun!

Bye for now,

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