Editor’s Pick: Things to do In London With Kids in October

We’ve rounded up the best things to do in London with kids in October 2026. (P.S. If you’re only here for the spooky stuff, check out our dedicated post on London’s top Halloween events)

Included in Zoo Entry

If you’ve been meaning to visit London Zoo, October is a lovely time to go: Winnie-the-Pooh is returning to the place that helped inspire his name. Follow Pooh and Eeyore on a storybook trail through the zoo, where giant illustrated pages tell the tale of their nighttime adventure. Children can spot animals, collect stamps and fill in their own Pooh-inspired journal as they go. A gentle autumn outing for younger families.

Tickets from £20

We went to a preview of Everest: The First Ascent, and it’s one of the best VR experiences we’ve done. The journey begins amid the rich colours of Nepal before taking you into the stark, breathtaking landscape of the mountain. What surprised me most was the sensation of climbing: somehow, the headset makes you feel as though you’re gaining height. Crossing narrow bridges with steep drops below is genuinely nerve-racking, but the views are spectacular. My boys loved it and called it one of their favourites. If you’re going, use code DAILYMUMTRA10 for 10% off.

Tickets : Adults from £25 | Child £15 | Under 3s Free

Wallace and Gromit are taking over Lightroom for Aardman’s 50th anniversary. Projected across the venue’s towering walls and floor, Larger Than Life brings familiar characters and film moments into the room while showing how Aardman’s painstaking stop-motion animation is made. Expect plenty for children to recognise, with a fascinating look at the craft behind it for the grown-ups.

TOP TIP: If the children want to see more, Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends is also on at Young V&A in Bethnal Green until 15 November, with a closer look at how the characters and their worlds are made.

Tickets: Adults From £15.29 | Child £7.65

There’s a bit of a stop-motion moment in London this October. While Aardman’s show at Lightroom brings its characters to life at huge scale, the Design Museum takes families behind the scenes of Wildwood, the new film from LAIKA, the studio behind Coraline and Kubo and the Two Strings. Original puppets, props, sketches and miniature sets reveal how an imagined world is built, from the first character drawings to the painstaking work of animation. It’s a good choice for children who love films and making things: they can see just how much invention goes into every tiny movement on screen.

From £27 Under 5s go free

Wake The Tiger is bringing its surreal “amazement park” from Bristol to London, and the new version looks enormous. At Absurd City, families can explore a strange parallel world at their own pace, moving through themed districts filled with immersive art, hidden rooms, secret passages and stories to uncover. I’m not entirely sure what to expect from Absurd City, but its strange, sprawling world has me intrigued. We’re really looking forward to exploring it for ourselves.

Adults £3 \ Adult + 1 child £4 | family of 4 £8 (in advance)

Experience the full glory of the harvest season at Apple Day at Fulham Palace on Sunday, October 4th. This historic site celebrates its beautiful orchard with a day of family fun and autumnal charm. You can watch live apple-pressing demos, sample heritage apple varieties, and browse artisan market stalls. For the kids, there’s free face painting, live music, a pumpkin harvest display and a chance to meet the chickens in the walled garden. Monkey Music sessions are available too at an extra cost.

Included with Entry Ticket

Little Squirrels can earn their badges at Kew this autumn on a new Hey Duggee trail. Pick up a map, follow the outdoor challenges and collect stamps as you explore the gardens, finishing with a photo beside a child-sized Duggee sculpture. A great way to give younger children a mission of their own on a family day at Kew.

Tickets from £10

Toto is a little donkey with a very big ambition: to become an astronaut. Based on Ximo Abadia’s picture book, this new musical follows Toto from the familiar life expected of them towards the city, a carrot-filled rocket and, perhaps, the moon. A sweet, spirited story for children who like to dream beyond what everyone else thinks is possible. Ages 3-8yrs.

Adults from £25 | Under 15s from £17.50

Cirque Berserk! brings big-top spectacle to the theatre, with acrobats, aerialists and daredevil stunts. The standout is the motorcycle ‘Globe of Death’, with riders racing inside a metal sphere live on stage. One for families who like their entertainment with an adrenaline kick.

From £33.95

Trade the daytime climb for an after-dark adventure with the special Go Ape Sundown Adventures this October. Available at various locations, this limited-run experience transforms the forest canopy into a thrilling, illuminated playground. You’ll tackle high-ropes, wobbly crossings, and epic zip lines as the sun goes down, with the course lit by stunning, colourful lights. It’s an unforgettable way to heighten your senses and get an adrenaline rush—perfect for children aged 6+ and adults who want to become creatures of the night! Read our Go Ape Review

Adults: £22 | Under 12s go free

I grew up in London in the 90s, and even the first images from this exhibition feel familiar. Bringing together photography, fashion and art, The 90s captures a decade of creativity and rebellion, from a young Kate Moss to the artists and designers who changed British culture. It’s a great one for parents who want to show their older children the decade that helped shape them. Taken before camera phones and Instagram, many of the photographs have a rawness that may feel surprisingly fresh to younger eyes.

Adults £19.80 | Kids aged 6-17 £11.77

Although it opened late in September, Body Worlds: The Anatomy of Happiness is well worth having on your radar for October half-term. Real human bodies reveal the extraordinary workings beneath our skin, alongside questions about health, happiness and how we live. My boys found it fascinating. Read our full review for what to expect and whether it’s right for your children.

Barbie x The Royal Ballet Pop Up

Free events will be ticketed

One for little ballet fans: Barbie and The Royal Ballet are bringing a four-day pop-up to the Royal Opera House this half-term. Expect a Barbie in the Nutcracker photo opportunity, an interactive trail and a postcard activity where children can post their wishes through the Nutcracker post-box. Alongside the pop-up, free ticketed crafts, storytelling sessions and exclusive screenings of the new animated special are planned. Booking details are still to be announced, so keep this one on your radar.