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 12-19 February 2024, ranging from a decadent children’s afternoon tea to a family-friendly camp-out at a five-star hotel.

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 24 February. This season’s skating arena is bigger and better than before, with a transparent roof protecting the ice from London’s inclement climate so skaters can practise their moves even if its raining outside.

Until 24 February, visit icerinkcanarywharf.co.uk

The Camping Experience at The Bloomsbury Hotel, Bloomsbury

Families looking for a London adventure this half-term should look no further than The Bloomsbury. Housed in a historic 1930’s neo-Georgian building in the literary heartland of the capital, The Bloomsbury is only moments from the British Museum, headline West End shows and the hustle and bustle of Covent Garden.

Specifically for February half-term, however, children are invited to camp out in the capital, as the five-star hotel welcomes little campers with its chic teepee beds complete with a hotel teddy bear and a gourmet ‘midnight feast’ of delicious cookies and a flask of warm milk. Parents, meanwhile, can opt to stay in adjoining rooms and take advantage of the babysitting service to enjoy an evening cocktail in the 1920s-inspired Coral Room, an al fresco dinner at Dalloway Terrace or sneak down to the hotel’s hideaway, The Bloomsbury Club Bar. Additional touches, such as a selection of traditional games, fluffy kid’s robes and complimentary meals for children under eight, will make this staycation one to remember. 

From £300 per night, visit doylecollection.com

Children’s Afternoon Tea at The Lane, Covent Garden

If you’re planning a trip to Covent Garden’s Drury Lane Theatre to watch Frozen this half-term, it would be remiss not to indulge in the Grand Saloon’s Regency Afternoon Tea, tailored for both adults and children. Served under twinkling chandeliers, the offering includes sumptuous cakes and sweet treats by London-based baker Lily Vanilli, and savoury bites created by the talented chefs at The Lane. Plus, the special half-term offer sees every child receive a free tub of delicious Marshfield ice cream when booking a children’s afternoon tea from 12-25 February. 

From £35 for children and £59 for adults, visit thelane.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 to enjoy, making it the perfect bolthole for February half-term. Upon arrival, Little VIPs will feel all grown up when they are 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 enlists children over the age of three to learn 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, the 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 decadence 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 garden vegetable sticks with hummus, miniature sandwiches of chicken, ham, cheese, and cream cheese with cucumber, and sweet treats of caramelised popcorn cupcakes, sugar cookies, and strawberries and cream milkshakes. Trust your little one to be entertained throughout the afternoon as they can draw and colour in their own afternoon tea on the back of the menu.

From £50 per child, visit dorchestercollection.com

Read more: The finest family members’ clubs in London