Places to take the kids for May half term holiday
With so much time off, first for Easter, and then for the bank holidays, and then for half term, it can become a job in itself to keep the kids busy and excited!
We’ve made it a little easier by putting together our favourite children’s activities in the area – you could do one for every day of the holiday!
What? Creative Biscuit Ceramics Cafe
Where? 61 George Lane, South Woodford
Creative Biscuit Ceramics Cafe is a paint your own ceramics cafe where children can create their own mini masterpieces. Customise pottery from plates and mugs to cake stands and fairies to make your home an even prettier place. Capture your little ones' first impressions with hand and footprints to last a lifetime or let them go crazy with the paints themselves.
What? Tumble In The Jungle
Where? 245 Wood St, Walthamstow
Tumble In The Jungle is the ideal spot for some indoor fun! Living in the UK the weather isn’t always on their side. Sitting at the side of a freezing park doesn’t all that appealing, or dodging the rain at your favourite outdoor attraction. In those situations there’s a lot to say for a good quality soft play that’s sure to keep the children entertained for a couple of hours and get you all out of the house!
What? Leyton Leisure Lagoon
Where? 763 High Road, Leyton
Forget your standard community pool: Leyton Leisure Lagoon is a swimming spectacular with flumes, jets and more; your water babies won’t need any persuading getting in here! This 25m swimming pool has a huge flume for families to take turns racing down - last one to the bottom is a wet fish! It’s also specifically designed for kids with an aqua play area for under 8s with interactive jets, tipping buckets and lots more watery ways to have fun.
What? Aldersbrook Riding School
Where? Empress Avenue, Chingford
BHS approved Aldersbrook Riding School offer a variety of pleasingly tempered mounts for lessons, which are available for all ages with specific pre school and under 8 mornings available. Aside from the lessons there are also Grooming and Riding Competitions, Lead Rein Hacks, Own A Pony Days, Picnic Hacks and even live theatrical performances involving the horses!
What? Valentines Mansion and Gardens
Where? Emerson Road, Ilford
Discover Valentines Mansion and Gardens: a beautiful 300 year old country house and gardens in the heart of Ilford. Set within the historic Valentines Park, families can enjoy heaps of hands-on fun. Step back in time and visit the recreated period rooms, including the Victorian Kitchen and Georgian bedchamber. Enjoy the dedicated Family Room and get all dressed up in Victorian costume and pose for a picture portrait, play cook at the mini kitchen range, get busy with the mini mansion dolls house, delve in to the history of Valentines on the touch screen computer, or relax with a book or some jigsaws.
What? Lee Valley Ice Centre
Where? Lea Bridge Road, Leyton
No matter the season, ice skating is always fun especially with family skating and disco nights at Lee Valley Ice Centre. Absolute beginners can join experienced figure skaters here as all abilities are welcome. In fact, you and your brood could be brought up to speed in no time with competition level training. They’re open to families looking to improve their balance as a team or even toddlers who fancy living out a Frozen fantasy!
What? Laser Tag Star Command
Where? 31-34 Victory Parade, East Village
Star Command Laser Tag offers you a 30 minute experience in the heart of London with the latest technology to give you the most exciting gaming experience! The brand new arena allows for groups of up to 25 players and is kitted out with high tech laser lighting, stunning visual effects and full surround sound to immerse you into the virtual world that is Star Command!
What? Discover Children's Story Centre
Where? 383 to 387 High Street, Stratford
Discover Children's Story Centre is a magical place in Stratford, East London for children aged 0 to 11. Focused on story building and imagination, children can follow a story trail in the indoor exhibitions or venture outside into the story garden.
What? Brooks Farm
Where? Skeltons Lane Park, Waltham Forest
Brooks Farm offers a host of farm based activities as part of London’s top place to study land based courses. Part of Capel Manor College the farm has been a staple part of community life in Leyton for many years and is home to a range of animals from sheep, donkeys, ponies, goats, rabbits and hens. Students can study full and part time courses at the farm to learn about animal care, environmental conservation, dog grooming and much more!
What? Waltham Forest Feel Good Centre
Where? 170 Chingford Road, Walthamstow
First channel your inner Micheal Phelps in 10m teaching pool then advance onto the 25m competitive swimming pool with huge diving boards, you’ll be setting world records in no time! If you’re feeling a little more daring run, jump and flip your way over to the Extreme Park! Bounce in the trampoline zone, scurry up one of the many climbing walls or maybe even see if you can complete the extreme parks ninja run!