What’s on in South Bank this half-term

Imagine Children's Festival at Southbank Centre

WHEN: Tue 18 Feb–Sun 23 Feb

Now in its 23rd 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 dozens of events on the programme – many of them 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. This year's highlights include shows and storytelling inspired by much-loved children's stories including Supertato, There’s a Bear on My Chair, and DOG MAN, appearances from CBeebies's favourites, Royal Ballet ballerinas and the high-flying pop-punk juggler Wes Peden to name just a few. Check out guide to all of this year's Imagine Festival events HERE.

The Twits Afternoon Tea

WHEN: Served daily 12pm–5pm until end of April

Muggle-Wump brownies, Jam Roly-Poly sponge and Trick or Twit scones - enter into the story of The Twits with this brand-new themed Afternoon Tea at the Marriott County Hall inspired by the iconic Roald Dahl book. A celebration of The Twits story and characters and their eccentric and tricksy ways. > FIND OUT MORE & BOOK

Ballet Shoes

WHEN: Showing at National Theatre until 22 Feb. Matinees on Wed and Sat

In a crumbling house full of dinosaur bones and fossils, three adopted sisters – Pauline, Petrova and Posy – are learning who they are and what they want to be. Under the watchful eyes and guidance of their guardian Sylvia, Nana, and some unlikely lodgers, they fight to pursue their individual passions. But in a world that wasn’t built for girls with big ambitions, can they forge a future, keep their family together, and even learn a dance or two along the way? Suitable for ages 7+

National Theatre Ballet Shoes Family Tours

WHEN: Every Sat from 1-22 Feb, and on Mon 17 Feb

Join a series of special dedicated family tours of the National Theatre and go behind the scenes at one of the world’s most famous theatrical institutions. Coinciding with the final weeks of the run of National Theatre's spectacular family theatre show Ballet Shoes, the 60-minute tour goes behind the scenes to see how the beloved book comes to life on stage. Follow the Fossil sisters as they pursue their aspirations, both on stage and off, explore the backstage workshops and get hands-on with our costume collection. Aimed at kids aged 7+. Booking is essential as space is limited! Adults £18, kids £11. Find out more HERE.

Replay: A limitless Recycled Playground

WHEN: Open Tue-Sun until 1 June at Southbank Centre

Part installation, part adventure playground, REPLAY is a space built entirely out of waste materials, repurposed for fun by The Herd Theatre. It features a design that reignites imaginations, a score composed from recycled sounds and a crowdsourced play generator. Children and their grown-ups are invited to play side-by-side in this space full of things you can move, change, combine, wear and reimagine. REPLAY is suitable for ages 6 months–11 years. Booking is essential!

Funday at BFI: The Wild Robot

WHEN: Sun 9 Feb at 12pm, free drop-in workshop from 10:30am

This month's special Funday family screening at the BFI is DreamWorks' critically acclaimed animated feature film Wild Robot. Sentient robot Roz is marooned on an island and must learn from its animal inhabitants how to survive. Funny, sweet and subtle in its messaging, this adaptation of Peter Brown’s book series is a treat for the whole family. Before the film there's a free drop-in crafting workshop in the foyer for kids, all themed around robots. Book your tickets here.

The Paddington Bear Experience

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. Open daily.

Florence Nightingale Museum

WHEN: Open Tue–Sun 10am–5pm, Passionate Pioneers programme from 15–23 Feb.

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’. From 15 to 23 February, the museum presents a special half-term programme Passionate Pioneers: Victorians Who Changed The World, exploring the modern wonders we have the thank the Victorians for. The programme includes drop-in hands-on activities for kids including 'Make your own Thaumatrope'. Also look out for guided walks of the museum by the Lady with the Lamp herself!

Fairytale fun at Shrek’s Adventure!

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. Open daily.

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.

Sing it loud 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. During the afternoon Sunday to Friday you can book out the venue for a two-hour kid's party package with soft drinks and snacks, or you can upgrade to add in pizzas for the kids too. The Lucky Voice Kids party is generally recommended for kids aged 11+.

SEA LIFE London Aquarium

A visit to the impressive London Aquarium at County Hall is a 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. Make sure to pick up one of the activity trail sheets at the entrance for the kids to follow and look out for the regular keepers' talks happening throughout the day. Open daily.

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! Open daily.