What’s on in South Bank this half-term

Imagine Children's Festival at Southbank Centre

WHEN: Wed 7 Feb–Sat 17 Feb

Now in its 22nd year, Southbank Centre's Imagine Children’s Festival is the UK’s leading arts festival for children aged 0–11 years and their grown-ups. The festival's multi-artform programme presents music, storytelling, dance, crafts, comedy and more with more than 130 events on the programme this year - 40% of which are free to attend!

With so much on the programme every day is packed with entertainment, although we do recommend studying the programme beforehand and making bookings so you don't miss out.

Seahorse Hotel at SEA LIFE London Aquarium

WHEN: The Seahorse Hotel runs 10–25 Feb. The aquarium is open daily. 

One of London's most popular family attractions, a visit to the SEA LIFE London Aquarium never fails to delight! In time for the February half-term the aquarium launches its new Seahorse Hotel activation. SEA LIFE is on a mission to help seahorses continue to live safely in our oceans and all the family are invited to help take part by solving puzzles and challenges and learning all about the underwater world of these amazing creatures (all Seahorse Hotel activities are included in the entrance price).

Super Women in STEM at Florence Nightingale Museum

WHEN: From 10-18 Feb. Note museum is closed on Mondays.

This half-term the museum celebrates the STEM contributions of four trailblazing Victorian women. Find out more about Ada Lovelace's pioneering work in computer programming, Mary Anning’s discoveries in paleontology, Mary Somerville’s astronomical studies and Florence Nightingale’s statistical work. Fun family activities take place throughout the day including hands-on activities and make-and-take craft sessions, and there are child-centric interactive trails to follow through the museum (all included in the museum entrance price).

IMAX Docs at BFI IMAX

WHEN: Showing several times a day from 9-25 Feb

Enjoy the epic scale of Britain’s biggest cinema screen, the BFI IMAX, at one of their IMAX and IMAX 3D short documentary film screenings. For the February half-term the BFI IMAX is screening Fungi: Web of Life. Dr. Merlin Sheldrake and Björk discover the mysterious world of fungi that connects all life on Earth in this dazzling and immersive new 40-minute documentary film created with 3D IMAX cameras. Advanced booking is recommended!

Fairytale fun at Shrek’s Adventure!

One of London’s most loved walk-through immersive family experiences. Disappear into the world of Far Far Away as you encounter an array of characters from the iconic Shrek film franchise at Shrek's Adventure!. Non-stop adventures abound for the little ones with captivating storytelling, dramatic special effects, extraordinary DreamWorks animations and an amazing 3D ride, plus of course photo opportunities with everyone’s favourite ogre.

Funday at BFI - Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget

WHEN: Sun 11 Feb. Film screening at 12:30pm, workshop from 11:15am

Having broken out of Tweedy’s farm, Ginger and Rocky have settled on a Chicktopian island. But their daughter Molly longs for adventure. Catch a special family screening of Aardman's latest feature film at the BFI Southbank. Ahead of the screening there's also a fun drop-in workshop for kids in the foyer where they can draw pictures and animations in the 'egg-citing' arts and crafts zone (free for film ticket holders).

The London Dungeon

See, hear, feel and smell the chillingly amusing characters of ye olde London as they come to life through 19 interactive shows and two underground rides at this wildly entertaining walk-through experience. This one's a fun day out for teenagers with a stomach for gruesome tales and stomach-churning rides, all themed around the darker moments of London's colourful history. For an even more interactive family day out, The London Dungeon also has a brilliant Escape Room experience!

Board games at Draughts

London’s original board games bar Draughts, located inside the famous Leake Street graffiti tunnel, is the ideal spot to while away a rainy afternoon in South Bank. There are more than 1,000 different board games to choose from, covering every possible interest, meaning even the fussiest kids will never be bored. Gaming admission (for three hours) costs £7 per adult, £3.50 for kids aged 13–17, kids under 12 play for free.

Duckpin bowling at BrewDog 

London’s biggest bar, the epic BrewDog Waterloo at The Sidings at Waterloo Station is a great stop for families with duckpin bowling lanes (£2.50 for kids under 12, £5 for adults) and an awesome slide that takes you down from the bar’s upper level to the ground floor as well as a good value kid’s menu and of course a huge selection of craft beers for the adults.