South Bank’s world-famous tourist attractions, wide-open car-free spaces and abundant child-friendly restaurants all come together to make this one of London’s most popular destinations for a family day out.
Whether they are toddlers or teens, there are loads of places to keep your kids entertained in South Bank this half-term that all the family will enjoy.
During English school holidays, many restaurants in South Bank offer free meals for kids- usually on the basis that a child eats for free with every accompanying adult who orders a sit-down meal.
Restaurants running free kids' meal offers during the October half-term holidays include:
BrewDog Waterloo (26–30 Oct)
Comptoir Libanais
Mamuska!
See our family-friendly guide to eating out in South Bank for more ideas on where to get lunch during your visit.
As a leading cultural district, it goes without saying that when it comes to half-term shows and performances, South Bank has a brilliant selection of engaging events to plan your holidays around – especially during the February half-term when the annual Imagine Festival kicks off! Here's a look at this February half-term's many event highlights to book your tickets for:
WHEN & WHERE: Wed 28 Oct – Sun 1 at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre
Bring the family and get set to soar through space into the enchanting world of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s joyful tale of a pair of star-crossed aliens. Star-crossed aliens, music and cosmic laughs in an Olivier Award-nominated show based on the beloved book. Suitable for kids aged 3+.
WHEN & WHERE: Wed 21 Oct, 11am at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre
Be swept away to a land beyond your wildest imagination as Katherine Rundell (author of the best-selling Impossible Creatures) discusses her epic fantasy series and answers audience questions. Suitable for kids aged 9-11.
WHEN: Sun 25 Oct and 1 Nov at 12:10pm, free drop-in workshop on 1 Nov from 10:45am
This month's special Funday family screening at the BFI is Frankenweenie, Tim Burton's delightful stop-motion animation. Victor, a bright yet solitary 10-year-old boy, delights his family with the amateur films he makes with Sparky, his beloved dog. When Sparky is hit by a car and Victor subsequently resurrects him with a bolt of lightning, he is pressured to bring other pets back to life. Before the film on Sunday 1 November there's a free Halloween-themed drop-in crafting workshop in the foyer for kids.
London is one of the best places to enjoy world-class immersive experiences and interactive adventures, and some of the city's most famous attractions are located right here in South Bank. To avoid disappointment it is highly recommended that you book your tickets for these experiences online in advance.
This brilliant interactive experience (an official collaboration with Lionsgate films) at County Hall is an exciting immersive adventure through some of the most memorable locations from the Paddington stories. After boarding the train at Paddington Station, you'll be whisked away to Windsor Gardens where there are numerous themed rooms to explore, characters to meet and adventures to embark on. Perfect for younger children. Open daily.
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. Open daily.
Dive in and explore an underwater world of glittering scales, waddling feet and razor-sharp teeth at SEA LIFE London Aquarium, one of the biggest aquariums in Britain. There's everything from a face-to-face encounter with sharks to meeting turtles and terrapins, making this a super exciting day out for any youngsters with an interest in marine life.
Shrek’s Adventure! London is one of London's biggest child-orientated immersive experiences. See, hear, touch and smell the action by exploring 12 fairytale-themed live shows, collecting the special ingredients you need in order to make it home safely from this fairytale world of the Far Far Away. Ideal for younger audiences.
Jet off down the river and London's most adrenaline-thumping tour with the Thames Rocket speedboat. The 50 minute Ultimate London Adventure experience heads out from the London Eye pier for a spin down the river, passing all the biggest sights. Once at Tower Bridge, the speedboat kicks up a gear for a full-speed 35mph surge down to the river bends to London's Docklands. There are no age restrictions, although an adult must accompany children under 14.
There's more to family days out in the city than sightseeing! From bowling and board games to boules and karaoke, here are some ideas for making memories this summer holidays that are ideal for families tweens and teens who enjoy getting competitive.
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.
London’s biggest bar, the epic BrewDog Waterloo at The Sidings at Waterloo Station is a great stop for families with duckpin bowling lanes, a dedicated electronic darts playroom and an awesome slide that takes you down from the bar’s upper level to the ground floor. Kids eat for free with every adult meal during school holidays and for dessert the indoor ice-cream van is irresistible!
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 while you listen to the busker performing along the Queen's Walk.
South Bank’s largest but perhaps least known park is tucked away between St Thomas' Hospital and Lambeth Palace, 10 minutes' walk from the London Eye. In addition to a small community garden and space to kick a ball about, the park boasts an excellent children's playground, as well as ping pong tables (don't forget to bring your own bats and balls) and tennis courts available for hire.
You don't need to spend a fortune to enjoy a great day out sightseeing in South Bank.
