Free activities to do with the kids during Easter holidays in London

From family workshop: My First Opera Experience, discovery days to playing with clay, here's the best family events and things to do for kids during Easter half term in London.

The National Gallery

Work with artist Dr Sadegh Aleahmad to explore, play and reflect on ideas inspired by the free exhibition, 'Nalini Malani: My Reality is Different'. See paintings in a different way during morning sessions, through play with mirrors and experiments with drawing techniques. Or transform your sketches into 3D drawings to cast performing shadows in afternoon sessions. 

Dates: 6, 11, 12 and 13 April  11am – 3.45pm 
Find out more:  Easter holidays: Reflected and reimagined | Events container | National Gallery, London

London Transport Museum

This easter discover the significant moments in history that have created London’s transport system as we know it today. Meet different characters from different eras of the city’s history, including VE Day and the 2012 Olympics, and then build your very own futuristic time-travelling vehicle. 

​Dates: every day 10.30am – 4pm
Kids go free with adult tickets ( London transport Museum offers concessions for local residents and recipients of universal credit)
Find out more: Easter family fun: Momentous moments | London Transport Museum (ltmuseum.co.uk)

Southbank Centre

Bring your family to Southbank Centre and join the Pedal Power Disco! The entire disco is powered by bicycles. There are no batteries, so when the pedalling stops, the music stops. It’s suitable for all ages, so make sure you attend!

Dates: 8 April - starts at 12pm
Find out more: Pedal Power Disco (southbankcentre.co.uk)

TATE 

Go wild and celebrate nature at Tate Britain this April! There are plenty of activities to choose from, including Clay Studio, where you can Explore, play and create with clay and and join the Story Space where you can pick an animal  from the new collection displays at Tate Britain and use the materials and prompts in Story Space to imagine and tell their story.

Dates: every day during half term
Find out more: What's On | Tate

Hyde Park

Join on the day for FREE Discovery Day: Marvellous Mammals this Spring half-term at The LookOut, Hyde Park. Celebrate the changing of the season with the family and get outdoors to enjoy fun nature-inspired activities suitable for the whole family to enjoy, including learning about mammals and their habitats and searching for mammals and interesting facts in our garden.

Dates: 11 – 13 April 11am – 3pm
Find out more: Discovery Days: Marvellous Mammals - Hyde Park - The Royal Parks

Arts Depot

Come along to Arts Depot this half term and explore their free activities, including The Butterfly Project exhibition, Family Workshop: My First Opera Experience - Storytelling on Stage, Comic Art Masterclass and more!

Dates: various dates and times
Find out more: What's On: Free Events | artsdepot

Museum of the Home

Join Museum of the Home or fun and thought-provoking workshops where we explore future homes. Take part in craft workshops and activities and help us imagine what domestic life might be like in the future.

Dates: 11 April 111am – 4pm
Find out more: Future Homes | Easter Half term | Family day | Museum of the Home
 
Ikea Wembley

Ikea is holding a couple of activities this Easter holidays, including Eggstravaganza Trail, where you can discover the secret location of all 7 Easter eggs hidden amongst the store and Easter dEGGorating where your children can decorate some eggs!

Dates 6 – 14 April – various times

Find out more: All events - IKEA Wembley - IKEA

 
The French Corner

The French Corner will be hosting a free-entry Easter event on Easter Sunday, 9 April, in order to bring together the community on this very important day.
Join  in for a day of egg painting, face painting, live music from a DJ and our Easter egg hunt which will be starting at 3pm on the day.
 
Dates: 9 April 12pm – 5pm
Find out more: FREE: Easter Family Day Event & Egg Hunt, Mercato Metropolitano, London, April 9 2023 | AllEvents.in
 
The Passion of Jesus at Trafalgar Square

Come to Trafalgar Square, where one hundred Wintershall players bring their electric and moving portrayal of the final days of Jesus to this iconic location in the capital. Supported by the Mayor of London, one hundred Wintershall players bring their electric and moving portrayal of the final days of Jesus to this iconic location in the capital.

Dates: 7 April Performance starts at 12pm and 3.15pm
Find out more: The Passion of Jesus | London | Wintershall
 
The Entertainer

Bring your children to meet CoComelon characters, JJ and Cody in London this spring half term with The Entertainer!

Dates: Cody at Romford Mercury shop on 15 April and JJ at Croydon Shop on 8 April.
Find out more: Free Events At Your Local Store | Events Page | The Entertainer (thetoyshop.com)

We thought we’d include a few paid half term activities which we think are a great value for money! 

Mudchute Farm and Park 

The largest urban farm in the London area with 34 acres (14 hectares) of open parkland, in the heart of the Isle of Dogs. Features include horse riding, a tea shop, educational facilities, farm animals. This half term there’s a range of activities, including Easter Egg Hunt, animal petting, donkey rides and art & crafts.

Dates: 3 – 14 April 10.30am – 12pm and 1pm – 2.30 pm
Prices: £1 - £4
Find out more: Mudchute Easter Activities Week 1 | Mudchute Park and Farm
 
Old Royal Naval College

Hop on down to Greenwich this Easter for a host of fun activities for all the family. Explore the grounds of the Old Royal Naval College and Visitor Centre with a special Easter trail booklet. Spot all the sites to win a sweet treat.

Dates: 1 - 16 April 10am – 5pm
Prices: £3
Find out more: Easter Activities - Old Royal Naval College (ornc.org)