February half-term 2025: Brilliant things to do in London
From decadent children's afternoon tea to a family-friendly staycation at a five-star hotel, here’s how to make the most out of half term in the capital
February half-term creeps up on us every year. It feels like you’ve only just got back into your post-Christmas routine before the kids are at home for a week again – leaving you tasked with filling copious amounts of time with non-stop entertainment. If it’s your turn to sort the children’s agenda this half term, you’re in luck. We’ve scoured the capital for the best family-friendly activities for all to enjoy from 17-21 February 2025, ranging from a decadent children’s afternoon tea to a family-friendly staycation at a five-star hotel.
The Twits Afternoon Tea at London Marriott Hotel County Hall, Westminster
If your youngsters are fans of Roald Dahl’s imaginative tales, get down to the London Marriott Hotel County Hall from 15-23 February to enjoy The Twits afternoon tea. Inspired by Dahl’s beloved book, this mischievous tea features sweet treats with a twist, nodding to characters like Mr and Mrs Twit, the Muggle-Wumps, and the Roly-Poly Bird. Menus are presented to guests upside-down, and are decorated with Quentin Blake illustrations and playful quizzes to keep little ones entertained, while foodie favourites include Mrs Twit’s bird pie, Marmite scones, and cucumber ‘worms’ with cream cheese on wholemeal bread, and sweet treats such as Muggle-Wumps Brownie – all washed down with tea or champagne for grown ups, while children can sip Skillywiggler lemonade with frogspawn or Roly Poly berry juice.
From £45 per child, visit thetwitsafternoontea.com
Light festival and The Lion King pop-up at Battersea Power Station
Image: Brinkoff and Mogenburg
This February half-term, Battersea Power Station is hosting an array of exciting activities for all the family, from interactive workshops to unmissable exhibitions. Little ones are invited to unleash their creativity via arts and crafts activities, including a stained glass workshop (15 and 20 February), Northern Lights artwork session (16 February), Spin Me a Suncatcher (17 February) – where they can design and weave a unique dreamcatcher with vibrant yarns, gems, and paint pens – and LED Hoop Disco (21-23 February), inviting all to dance with light-up hula hoops in this high-energy session.
Plus, in celebration of its 10,000th performance, Disney’s award-winning musical The Lion King will be hosting a free pop-up exhibition inside Turbine Hall A from 17-23 February, giving visitors the chance to explore the masks, puppets and costumes, and learn about the inspiration behind the show’s impressive designs. Elsewhere, half-term also coincides with Battersea’s free self-guided Light Festival art trail which has returned for its fifth year to brighten up dark winter months.
Visit batterseapowerstation.co.uk
Free art workshops at King’s Cross
Images: John Sturrock
Looking for free, no-fuss half-term activities for kids aged 7 to 12 years old? Look no further than King’s Cross’ Granary Square which, from 15-18 February, will transform into a vibrant hub of creativity offering free art workshops. Hosted by Central Saint Martins university, these workshops offer a unique, hands-on glimpse into the world of art school, inviting kids and their families to try their hand at fashion, textiles, drawing, 3D design, and digital media. Start ‘em young.
Visit eventbrite.co.uk
Family-friendly activities at The Other House South Kensington
Still deciding on what to do for half-term? If a five-star staycation sounds tempting, The Other House South Kensington is inviting the whole family to kick back and relax. From 21-22 February, hotel guests can keep little ones entertained with movie screenings of classic kids films in the Den, where they can load up on popcorn while parents enjoy a drink or two in the Keeping Room. Elsewhere, from 17-23 February, kids can fuel up at breakfast for half the price while the hotel will extend its child-friendly pool hours from 2-4.30pm.
Visit otherhouse.com
Ice Rink Canary Wharf
Thought all ice rinks were closed for another year? Think again. If your little one can't get enough of skating, we have some good news for you: Ice Rink Canary Wharf is open until 23 February. This season's skating arena is bigger and better than ever before, with a transparent roof protecting the ice from London’s inclement climate, so skaters can practice their moves even if it's raining outside.
Until 23 February, visit icerinkcanarywharf.co.uk
Little VIP Club at The Lanesborough, Knightsbridge
Designed to inject fun and adventure into an urban family getaway, the Little VIP Club at The Lanesborough offers an innovative range of family-friendly activities for children up to the age of 16, making it the perfect bolthole for February half-term. Upon arrival, Little VIPs will feel all grown up when they're handed a personalised business wallet which, when presented at any of The Lanesborough’s outlets, will grant them a complimentary soft drink or ice cream. A surefire favourite with parents, the hotel’s Little Butler Bootcamp will teach children over the age of three how to perform traditional butler duties, such as setting the table and making the perfect cup of tea, with the hotel’s expert team of butlers.
Other special activities available to young guests-in-residence include horse riding in Hyde Park, treasure hunts and dedicated ‘splash hours’ in the pool at The Lanesborough Club and Spa. The hotel’s dedicated concierge team is on hand to help create the perfect itineraries and days out in London for the entire family, including trips to Harry Potter World, London Zoo, Natural History Museum and Thames riverboat cruises.
From £840 per night, visit oetkercollection.com
Children’s Afternoon Tea at The Dorchester, Mayfair
Another decadent choice to introduce your little ones to the popm and ceremony of British afternoon tea is, of course, The Dorchester. Housed inside the Grand Dame overlooking Hyde Park, the Promenade restaurant invites youngsters to sample its Children’s Afternoon Tea, featuring miniature sandwiches of chicken, ham, cheese, and cream cheese with cucumber, and sweet treats of vanilla cupcakes, chocolate brownies and lemon tartlets – all paired with The Dorchester's indulgent hot chocolate. Trust your little one will be entertained throughout the afternoon as they can draw and colour in their own afternoon tea on the back of the menu, too.
From £65 per child, visit dorchestercollection.com
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