Exciting places to go with your kids over the half term holidays

The school holidays are here and the children are off for up to two weeks. As much as it is wonderful having special time with your kids, it can be hard to keep them entertained constantly. If you're looking for some super-fun ideas for days out, you've come to the right place! We've compiled a list of some of the best places to take your children and give them a half-term holiday they won't forget.

How we chose the best places to go with your kids over the holidays

• Kid-friendly: We've looked for the ultimate kid-friendly activities to do over the school holidays. Whether you're looking for a one-on-one day out with your child or a big family affair, we have the most exciting options kids will love. 
• Easy transport: Travelling with kids needs to be hassle-free, all of the options below have parking/and or easy travel links. 
• Fun for the grown-ups: All of the options below will be enjoyable for grown-ups or grandparents. 

SEA LIFE London

No trip in the capital is complete without a trip to Sea Life London, and one area has been updated just in time for little explorers during the school holidays. 

TV's Ben Fogle is the face of the attraction and will set you on your way through the rainforest, where you can get up close to crocodiles and creepy crawlies. There's plenty to thrill kids of all ages, from spotting Bowza the snapping turtle to the incredible floor-to-ceiling tank filled with the largest collection of piranhas in the UK. They're actually more pretty in real life than you'd think! Toddlers will love the sensory experience of being able to listen to what the jungle sounds like at nighttime and peering through the different tanks, while older explorers can tick off all the creatures they find on the activity sheet.

Save when you book tickets online in advance at visitsealife.com.

Afternoon Tea

If you fancy a spot of afternoon tea with your little one, but worry that it may be too grown-up, Pan Pacific London has you covered. Nestled in the City, very near to Liverpool Street station, the first-rate hotel has teamed up with luxury children's fashion label Bonpoint, for the cutest afternoon tea you've ever seen.

The children's offering comes in the cutest pop-up box, with flower-shaped sandwiches, lollipops and scones for them to enjoy, as well as colouring books and pens to keep them busy. You can then pop over to the hotel's infinity pool and enjoy a swim too. The pool is kitted out with a fabulous themed backdrop, including parasol and mini deck chairs. Small bathrobes and the cutest slippers are provided too!

To book, visit panpacific.com

If you and your family find yourself near Oxford Street and need a break from the hustle and bustle, head to the tucked-away Dalloway Terrace for a well-earned sit-down and book in for their enchanting bumblebee themed Children's Afternoon Tea. 

Designed with kids in mind, the menu includes crustless sandwiches (ham, cheese and cucumber) and a selection of child-friendly treats including a bumble-bee chocolate lollipop, decorated shortbread hive and a stunning flower cupcake. Scones, of course, are also included. Kids can also choose their own mocktail upon arrival, and their busy minds will be kept occupied with bumblebee-themed colouring books.

To book, visit Dalloway Terrace

The Paddington Bear Experience

Everyone loves Paddington Bear and this immersive experience, which is located along London's lively Southbank, is ideal if your little one is a big fan. The interactive tour takes you on a trail of all of Paddington's most famous haunts; Mrs Bird's kitchen, deepest, darkest Peru and of course, Mr Gruber's shop.

 Every lasting detail is remembered and celebrated; the decor is fantastic, there are lots of activities for the kids to enjoy and you can even meet Paddington himself and have a picture with the Marmalade-loving bear. It ends with a stroll down a real-life Windsor Gardens which is exactly like the film and majorly nostalgic.

To book, head to paddingtonbearexperience.com/

The Lakes by YOO Adventure Camp

If you fancy taking your kids on a staycation, the stunning Lakes by YOO has an incredible adventure camp in the heart of the Cotswolds. It's had an autumnal makeover, ready for half term and of course, Halloween.  Kids over five can enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings and indulge in some spooky festivities, from monster cookie decorating, frightful arts and crafts and the chance to listen to spooky ghost stories around the campfire complete with roasting marshmallows. Dreamy! There's also the Lakes by YOO’s high ropes course and climbing activities for all those Daredevils.

© OLA O SMIT

There's even a spooktacular day-long Halloween party on 31st October, starting with an epic treasure hunt around the estate’s woods and meadows before some wonderful pumpkin carving. Kids can even dress up in their best costumes for ‘The Beastly Bash’ and get boogying!

Visit booking.com to book

LEGOLAND Windsor: A Spooktacular Adventure for Little Monsters

If you're looking for a family-friendly day out this October that’s more fun than fright, I’d definitely recommend LEGOLAND Windsor’s Brick or Treat. I took my son and his best friend last weekend, and it was the perfect mix of Halloween excitement and LEGO magic. The park is completely decked out for the spooky season, but in true LEGOLAND fashion, it’s more about fun than fear, so it’s perfect even for the youngest in the family.

While the Halloween events were brilliant, the standout favourite for us had to be LEGO MYTHICA. The rides and immersive world are fantastic, and the kids couldn’t get enough of it. That said, the Great Monster Chase 4D movie and the lively Monster Jam Harbour Show were also huge hits, with lots of dancing and special effects to keep them entertained. The whole park is transformed with giant LEGO pumpkins, skeletons, and bats, making for some great family photos. We even managed to grab a quick snap with Skeleton Guy, one of the new characters roaming the park. If your kids love Halloween but don’t want anything too scary, this is a brilliant choice.

You can also extend the fun by staying overnight at the resort. I’ve heard great things about the new Woodland Village. With tickets starting from £29 per person and kids under 90cm going free, it’s well worth a visit before the Halloween festivities finish in November. 

To book, visit legoland.co.uk

Reviewed by Rafael Rubio, Global Director of Audience Development

Warner Bros. Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter - Dark Arts

Everyone always wants to go to Warner Bros. Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter, but visiting during the half-term holidays, right before Halloween? Just magical! Fans of the iconic books and films will adore the updated offering which focuses on the Dark Arts. For Autumn 2024, the spooky Dementors and Death Eaters appear throughout the studio. The Halloween feature has brand new additions your kids will go mad for!

© Dan Wong Photography

Have your wits about you, for Dementors of Azkaban will appear unexpectedly in The Forbidden Forest. Best of all, visitors will be able to 'banish' them with The Patronus Charm, just like our hero Harry did in the legendary films.  

© Dan Wong Photography

The Great Hall is one of the most amazing things about the tour and we are so glad that the iconic setting will have a whopping 100 pumpkins magically floating above the Hogwarts house tables. How epic! Death Eaters will appear throughout the tour when guests least expect it, so beware! Young witches and wizards will get the chance to learn the duelling technique in The Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, too.

The Dark Arts feature will run until 10th November 2024. Tickets must be pre-booked at wbdstudiotour.co.uk

Reviewed by Laura Sutcliffe, Fashion and Beauty news Editor

Kid-Friendly Hotel Stays

If you're heading to London for a few days and want to stay somewhere swanky, but child-friendly, the Jumeirah Carlton Tower is not only perfectly placed near Sloane Square, but has collaborated with The Roald Dahl Story Company to bring you - and kids - the coolest stay. 

© Jumeirah Carlton Tower

Aimed at children between the ages of 2 and 12 years, this is offered as complimentary to families booking with children in any one of the hotel’s 186 guestrooms, with a range of Roald Dahl-themed goodies on offer to transform the rooms into a literary paradise for children. With The Twits, Matilda, George’s Marvellous Medicine, The Enormous Crocodile and Fantastic Mr Fox to delve into, parents will be able to enjoy a well-deserved break while their children explore the worlds of some of Roald Dahl’s most famous stories.

As families arrive in their rooms, they will be greeted with an abundance of soft toys, games, and films to enjoy during their stay, including a Roald Dahl Monopoly board where kids can race Matilda to beat Trunchbull in an exciting twist on the classic game. When it comes to bedtime, the little ones can wrap up warm in their exclusively designed Roald Dahl dressing gown and slippers or opt to snuggle up with a bespoke Enormous Crocodile blanket and pillows, as they drift off to sleep to the sound of The Witches audiobook.

To book, visit Jumeirah Carlton Tower

Kids Eat Free!

We all know that children are never not hungry which can prove pretty expensive when you're on a day out! Well, Individual Restaurants have you covered.

Kids eat free from this week across all of their collection of brands, including Piccolino, Riva Blu and Restaurant Bar & Grill.

This offer is valid throughout October half term, so plenty of time to plan a lunch date for your brood. From Monday to Friday, children can enjoy a complimentary main course at any of the restaurants. The menus are extensive and offer classically loved food as well as some more, slightly adventurous options.

For bookings and terms and conditions, visit Individual Restaurants.