What’s on in South Bank this half-term

Half-term fun at BrewDog Waterloo

BrewDog Waterloo presents a half-term week packed with fun activities for all the family, plus kids eat for free (make sure to book in advance).  Look out for a spooky Halloween twist on Kids Music Bingo on Tue 28 Oct and on Wed 29 Oct, there's Arts & Crafts activities all morning, including mask making and tote bag painting. Plus, the ever-popular duckpin bowling lanes are open all week, with kids playing for free until 12pm (book online here). Find out more about what's happening at BrewDog this half-term here.

Mog the Forgetful Cat

WHEN & WHERE: Wed 29 Oct–Sun 2 Nov at Southbank Centre

Join Mog and the Thomas family as the tale of everyone’s favourite forgetful cat comes to the stage, with adventures and mishaps galore. Playing on the Queen Elizabeth Hall stage, this is perfect school holiday entertainment for kids aged 3+. Find out more and book here.

Alphabet Soup

WHEN & WHERE: Sat 25 Oct – Thu 30 Oct at Southbank Centre

Souhtbank Centre hosts a series of drop-in interactive workshops and activities in The Clore Ballroom this October half-term. Discover the names of both real and imaginary foods, encounter ludicrous words you’d never expect in a cookbook, find descriptive words to engage the senses, and together cook up a literary storm with A Line Art as they create an evolving art installation for all the family. Entrance is free and no ticket is required. Drop in between 11am and 3pm.

Dracula, A Victorian Nightmare

WHEN & WHERE:  Sat 18 Oct – Mon 3 Nov at The London Dungeon

This Halloween Count Dracula is coming to The London Dungeon, and he's thirsty for blood! While the city obsesses over blood in Whitechapel, a darker, older terror has arrived - one that does not walk the streets by day. From the storm-battered cliffs of Whitby, something ancient has crossed land and sea. A distraught Count is in search of his next victim... Teens who love a good jump scare will enjoy this latest adventure from London's most famous scary attraction.

Trick or Treat at The Paddington Bear Experience

WHEN & WHERE: Sat 18 Oct – Sun 2 Nov at The Paddington Bear Experience

This October half-term, step into a world of marmalade magic and spooky surprises as The Paddington Bear™ Experience transforms for Halloween! Enjoy a trick or treat adventure at this popular immersive and interactive attraction, where Windsor Gardens gets a seasonal makeover, glowing in autumnal colours and filled with Halloween fun.

Scared Shrekless at Shrek’s Adventure!

WHEN & WHERE: Thu 23 Oct – Sun 2 Nov at Shrek's Adventure London

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! at this famous walk-through immersive experience for families. Amaze 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. And especially for Halloween, there are also some extra spooky interactions in store too!

Ascarium Tricks and Treats 

WHEN & WHERE: 25 Oct – 2 Nov at SEA LIFE London Aquarium

A visit to the impressive London Aquarium at County Hall is always brilliant day out for all the family. Come face-to-face with sharks, be dazzled by the vast tropical fish tanks and learn about the many endangered species that the aquarium cares for as part of its conservation projects. Especially for Halloween, throughout the half-term holidays the aquarium is also running its 'tricks and treats' programme (included in the ticket) where kids get to learn more by joining Serafina the Sea Witch's aquarium activity trail. Open daily.

Halloween at The Sidings

WHEN: Fri 31 Oct

The Sidings lifestyle and shopping arcade adjoining Waterloo Station, presents a variety of free Halloween activities for families. From 11am to 3pm look out for free face painting, creepy crafting activities for kids, Halloween-themed selfie spots and Halloween freebies including sweets and hats to take home.

Halloween Hoot at Florence Nightingale Museum

WHEN & WHERE: 25 Oct – 2 Nov at Florence Nightingale Museum

Tucked away in the St Thomas Hospital complex the Florence Nightingale Museum is devoted to the life and work of the ‘Lady with the Lamp’. This half-term put your senses to the test and see if you have the skills of Nightingale’s pet owl, Athena in the museum's latest family-friendly interactive activities, launched especially for the half-term holidays. And don't forget entrance tickets are valid for a whole year!

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! Admission for families is allowed until 9pm (kids under 18 must be accompanied by an adult). Open daily.

Kids karaoke parties at Lucky Voice karaoke

London’s favourite karaoke bar brand Lucky Voice has a branch at The Sidings next to Waterloo Station. If you have teens and tweens who are big pop music fans, then booking a karaoke room for the family can be a super fun way to pass an afternoon. From Sunday to Friday during the early afternoon, you can book out the venue for a two-hour kids' party package with soft drinks and snacks, or you can upgrade to add in pizzas too. The Lucky Voice Kids party is generally recommended for kids aged 11+.

Jubilee Gardens adventure playground

If the kids need to let off some steam you can find one of the best playgrounds in central London inside the pretty Jubilee Gardens directly behind the London Eye. There's plenty for kids to clamber under and over, and sensory sound, vision and touch experiences that are designed to delight children of differing abilities. There's also lots of space to sit and enjoy a packed lunch on the grass.