What’s on in South Bank this half-term

War Horse

WHEN & WHERE: 16 may to 30 July at National Theatre

As it approaches its 20th anniversary in 2027, the global smash-hit production War Horse returns to the National Theatre, opening just in time for the half-term holidays. The winner of more than 25 major theatre awards and seen by over 8.8 million people worldwide, for many, this extraordinary production and its ground-breaking puppetry is the epitome of the magical world of theatre, and its timeless, powerful message of love, courage and friendship has an enduring power. A fantastic theatre experience for multiple generations, the show has an age recommendation of 10+.

Funday at BFI: Arco

WHEN: Sun 17 May at 12pm, free drop-in workshop from 10:30am

This month's special Funday family screening at the BFI is the Oscar-nominated animated feature film Arco. A riveting, joyful and rapturously colourful film, Arco is the story of 10-year-old Arco who lives in the year 2932. Frustrated at the age limit for time travel being 12, one night Arco takes his older sister's time-travelling cloak and finds himself in the year 2075 where he befriends young Iris, whose help he finds he will soon need if he is ever to be able to return to his own time period. Before the film there's a free drop-in crafting workshop in the foyer for kids, all themed around robots. Book your tickets here.

FUNharmonics Family Concert: Stan and Mabel

WHEN & WHERE: Sun 17 May at 12pm at Southbank Centre

Join music-loving four-legged friends Stan and Mabel for an orchestral adventure for all the family with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. After being captured and thrown into the School for Wild and Dangerous Animals and then forced into jobs, Stan, Mabel and their animal friends embark on an epic escape! Will they find a safe place to call their home? Presented by Polly Ives, this lively, interactive story with music by Paul Rissmann and words and illustrations by Jason Chapman is sure to delight audiences aged 5+ and their grown-ups! Tickets from £18.

Replay: A limitless Recycled Playground

WHEN: Open Tue-Sun until 5 July 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!

Blizzard

WHEN & WHERE: Wed 27 May – Sun 31 May at Queen Elizabeth Hall

Go on a wild, poetic and gentle journey with FLIP Fabrique in this acrobatic performance that invites you to lose yourself in a moment of wonder. Described by critics as "a gorgeous snowy hour of top-notch circus", it's an acrobatic and poetic performance that will delight the whole family. Suitable for kids aged 6+.

Half-term kids' parties at BrewDog Waterloo

Throughout the school holidays, families can look forward to a variety of morning and afternoon parties at BrewDog Waterloo designed especially to keep the kids entertained. On Mon 16 Feb from 10:30am–1pm they are hosting a kids Valentin's Disco, on Tue 17 Feb and Wed 18 join in a kids Music Bingo party and stay on for arts and crafting activities at 10am, 11am and 12pm. Kids also eat for free when you book a table online in advance! Find out more and book 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. Perfect for younger children. 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.

SEA LIFE London Aquarium

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

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.

Thames Rockets

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.

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.

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, 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!

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 while you listen to the busker performing along the Queen's Walk.

Archbishop's Park

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.