Free October Half Term Fun

Last week the team at dandelion.london came up with a range of suggestions to occupy families in London over the Autumn break. Mindful that expeditions with children can end up costing a substantial amount, this week they have a programme of fun outings across town that are completely free. From shadow puppets to cooking clubs, spooky trails to a drop-in doodle, there is heaps going on. Pack a picnic and hop on the tube for an economical day out. Nearest tube stations to each event are indicated.

Music & Light 
Kicking off this weekend, the vibrant, colour-filled Diwali Festival returns to Greenwich Peninsula. With dance, creative workshops, Bollywood DJs, lantern-making workshops and interactive shows, there will be tons of free fun to keep the whole family entertained. 18 Oct, 2–7pm. Tube: Canary Wharf

Glorious Galleries 
Peter Doig: House of Music has turned the Serpentine South Gallery into a ‘listening space’. After a long stomp round Kensington Gardens, kids will love flopping into the easy chairs and letting the music from vintage mega-speakers wash over them. There are plenty of visual delights too - and the vibe the music creates only adds to the pleasure of looking at the paintings. To 8 Feb. 
Tube: Knightsbridge, Lancaster Gate

Máret Ánne Sara is part of the indigenous Scandinavian Sámi people. Her Hyundai Commission in the Turbine Hall at Tate Modern works a slow magic. Don’t go expecting an impressive, wow installation but wander through the maze-like structure of sticks and bones, sit on hides to listen to stories of the reindeer-herding community and its immersive, strange beauty becomes quietly powerful. Open to 6 April. Tube: Southwark, Blackfriars

Museum Outings
The permanent collections of most of London’s public museums and galleries are free to visit and many run fantastic, free, half term programmes (generally the last week of October).

Plaudits to the Science Museum for adding an extra hour of entry slots (from 9–10am) during half term (27 Oct–2 Nov). We are looking forward to visiting the new Space gallery. Tube: South Kensington

Free, timed tickets are still available for the British Museum for Spooky Skeletons and Sugar Skulls, a free five day festival running 27–31 Oct. Each day has a different theme, from Hansel and Gretel on Monday to Day of the Dead celebration stories on Friday. 
Tube: Tottenham Court Road, Russell Square, Goodge Street

Families of children with SEND will be particularly interested in the free Half Term Festival at the V&A, inspired by the Design and Disability exhibition. Enjoy a BSL-interpreted architectural scavenger hunt, sensory-friendly space and a pop-up performance of poetry and song. 27–31 Oct. Tube: South Kensington

Historic Houses 
The Queen’s House in the heart of the Greenwich UNESCO World Heritage Site, is often overlooked in favour of the Maritime Museum, the Royal Observatory and the Cutty Sark. This stunner of a 17th century mansion is well worth a visit in its own right. The fantastic art collection combines old and new, from the iconic Armada portrait of Elizabeth I to a newly-commissioned tapestry, Feeling Blue, while kids will have fun climbing the Tulip Staircase, the first unsupported staircase in Britain. Lots of free half term fun on the theme of myths and legends, including craft sessions to make shadow puppets and kites.  Half term activities 19–30 Oct. Tube: North Greenwich

Home to the Bishops of London for over 1300 years, Fulham Palace has a history that goes back to Saxon times. There are a range of excellent, free family trails to explore the palace, the small museum and the lovely 13 acre gardens. The Autumn Craft Fair on 29 Oct is a family day out celebrating nature and biodiversity with activities from museums across west London. 11am–3pm. Tube: Putney Bridge

Making Art Together
The annual celebration of drawing, The Big Draw, culminates at the end of this month. London events include:

The Big Draw: Drawn Together at the Wallace Collection. Take part in creating a collaborative art piece in the Great Gallery. 25 Oct, 11am–4pm. Places are free but allocated on a first come, first served basis. Tube: Bond Street

Drop in Doodle at Borough Market. We love the sound of this foodie workshop with a spooky twist at south London’s epicurean hotspot. Explore creative techniques to capture the spirit of the season in your artworks. Part of The Big Draw in Bankside. 29 Oct, 1–3pm. Tube: London Bridge

Animal Magic 
Spitalfields City Farm is animal oasis in the heart of our city. Meet donkeys, sheep, rabbits, goats, ferrets, pigs, chickens, and a black cat. During half term you can join an extra spooky Exotic Explorers hands-on sessions on 28 Oct or learn about harvesting and cooking in the Farm to Fork cooking club, suitable for ages 5–12, 30 Oct. Tube: Shoreditch High Street

For something entirely different, take a child who loves horses to see the Changing of the King’s Life Guard. The mounted cavalry regiments change every day at 11am (10am Sun) at Horse Guards Parade (just round the corner from the more crowded foot soldiers at Buckingham Palace) so you can get closer to the pageantry, pomp and trumpets. Tube: Charing Cross

Art in the park, and the street
Frieze Sculpture 2025 has once again transformed Regent’s Park into an enormous colour-filled outdoor sculpture park. With 14 sculptures to track down, our favourite this year was Ghost by Erwin Wurm, a spooky empty blue suit. Scan the QR codes for Bloomberg Connect commentary on the pieces. To 2 Nov. Tube: Regent’s Park

Leake Street Arches are home to London’s longest legal graffiti tunnel (a whooping 300m). Formerly part of the old Eurostar terminal in Waterloo, this once-neglected alley is now bursting with the coolest street art in London. An ever-changing showcase for tons of artists, from keen amateurs to, well, Banksy. Tube: Waterloo

LOOKING AHEAD (AND LESS ECONOMICAL….)
Christmas Shopping
At dandelion headquarters, there is a difference of opinion about when Christmas should start. Scrooge Emily firmly believes not before 1 December. Sunny Julia would put up the decorations in July if she could. So, in recognition of the fact that Fortnum’s opened its tinsel room yesterday, Julia would like to tell you that the Christmas ‘shops’ are now open. These are her favourite three, in order: 
Liberty Christmas Shop on the fourth floor; 
Fortnum & Mason first floor; 
Harrods lower ground floor.

For more inspiring suggestions of things to do with families, head to dandelion.london or visit them on instagram.

Image: © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London