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Top 10 Things To Do In North London For Half Term 2026
Quick summary
- For younger children: Let toddlers climb, slide, and explore at Topsy Curvy's Soft Play in Brent Cross, meet goats, pigs, and chickens at Kentish Town City Farm, or wander through the grounds and family activity rooms at Kenwood House on the edge of Hampstead Heath.
- For older children: Challenge the family to crack codes at Game Over's escape rooms in Brent Cross, explore over 100 aircraft at the RAF Museum in Colindale, test your nerve on the high ropes at Go Ape Alexandra Palace, or hunt for the famous spriggan sculpture along the Parkland Walk nature trail.
- For foodies, we’d recommend tasting your way around the world at Brent Cross’ District, where you can try different food from around the world.
- And, if you’re up for something a little bit different from the usual half-term activities, you can try out a new sport together: padel, at Social Sports Society.
What are the best things to do in North London for half-term in 2026?
Half-term is around the corner, and you are probably already wondering how to keep the kids entertained without losing your mind (or your wallet).
Whether your little ones need to burn off energy, your older children are craving something more adventurous, or the weather has other plans entirely, North London is packed with activities that will make this half-term one to remember.
From escape rooms and soft play to free museums and nature trail adventures, we have rounded up 10 of the best half-term activities in and around North London for families with children of all ages.
Crack the codes at Game Over's escape rooms
Location: L1, Prince Charles Dr, London NW4 3RW.
If your family thrives on a good challenge, Game Over at Brent Cross is the place to be this half-term.
You and your family will be placed inside a themed room with one mission: find the clues, solve the puzzles, and escape before the clock hits zero.
It is a brilliant activity for getting everyone working together, from kids to adults, and the competitive buzz is hard to beat.
Game Over offers a range of themed rooms suited to both first-timers and experienced escapers, including The Lost City of Atlantis, Nightmare Hotel, School of Magic, and Alice in Wonderland.
Each room brings a completely different atmosphere, so you can pick something adventurous, mysterious, or slightly spooky depending on what your group is up for.
Escape rooms also make a fantastic half-term birthday activity if you are looking for something a bit different.
Local tip: Walk-ins are welcome, but we would recommend booking in advance to make sure you get your preferred room and time slot.
Let the little ones loose at Topsy Turvy's Soft Play
Location: L1, 117 Prince Charles Dr, Hendon Way, Brent Cross, London NW4 3RW. Located just opposite the Brent Cross multi-storey car park (level 3).
Keeping up during half-term with energetic young children can feel like a marathon, but Topsy Turvy's Soft Play in Brent Cross makes it a whole lot easier.
This colourful, safe space is built for kids with big energy and even bigger imaginations, offering a multi-tiered play frame for under-12s and a dedicated area for the under-3s.
It is also a great spot for birthday parties, and there is a cafe on-site so parents can grab a coffee while keeping an eye on the little adventurers.
Whether your child loves climbing, sliding, or just exploring, this is one of the easiest ways to keep them entertained and worn out during the break.
💡 Topsy Turvy is fully padded and runs with a smart one-way system for peace of mind.
⚠️ Disclaimer: There's a 1.5 metre height limit. Check venue policies as they can change seasonally.
Try a new family sport at Social Sports Society's padel courts
Location: Outside Brent Cross, Prince Charles Drive, NW4 3FP.
Half-term is the perfect excuse to try something new as a family, and padel at Social Sports Society is one of the most fun ways to do it.
Located just outside Brent Cross Shopping Centre, this fast-growing racket sport blends the best bits of tennis and squash on a smaller, enclosed court.
The walls are part of the game, which means rallies last longer and the whole family can pick it up quickly, so nobody needs experience to have a great time.
Since padel is played in doubles, it is ideal for parents and older children to team up and compete against each other in a friendly family face-off.
Social Sports Society offers 10 top-quality outdoor courts, expert-led sessions for all skill levels, and a welcoming atmosphere that makes it easy for everyone to get involved.
The best time to play during half-term would be late morning or early afternoon when the weather is mildest, and your energy levels are still high.
Booking in advance is strongly recommended, especially during school holidays, to make sure you secure your court.
Taste your way around the world at Brent Cross' District
Location: Prince Charles Dr, Brent Cross, London NW4 3FP. Located on the Lower Mall opposite M&S.
If your family is the type that bonds over food, District at Brent Cross is going to be your half-term highlight.
This vibrant street food destination brings together flavours from across the globe, letting you wander from stall to stall and try something completely new with every plate.
The lineup is seriously impressive.
Pasta Remoli serves handmade pasta and Roman-style pizza, Yaay Yaay brings fiery Kaprow chicken and rich Panang curry, and Three Uncles dishes up Cantonese-style roast meats and warming noodle bowls.
There is also Smatcha for creamy lattes and refreshing yuzu spritzers, Oshpaz for traditional plov with lamb or chicken, and Smoky Boys for stacked burgers and loaded fries.
It is perfect for families where the kids all want something different, because everyone can choose their own plate and still eat together.
The lively atmosphere makes it feel like a mini culinary adventure right inside the shopping centre, and it works brilliantly as a refuelling stop between other Brent Cross activities.
Even the fussiest eaters will find something to love here.
Explore art and adventure at Kenwood House
Location: Kenwood House, 3 Hampstead Ln, London NW3 7JR.
Kenwood House is one of North London's best-kept secrets, and it is completely free to visit all year round.
This grand stately home sits on the edge of Hampstead Heath and houses a world-class art collection, with paintings by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Gainsborough, and Turner displayed across beautifully restored Georgian rooms.
Children under 5 can borrow explorer backpacks from the family area, while kids aged 5 to 11 can follow the Mac's Kenwood trail, which guides them through the house with fun challenges and historical facts along the way.
The Housekeeper's Room has hands-on family activities where children can learn about the people who once lived and worked at Kenwood, including the remarkable story of Dido Belle.
Once you have explored the house, you can head outside to 112 acres of landscaped grounds with woodland walks, open lawns, and views across the London skyline that are hard to beat.
Walk under giant aircraft at the RAF Museum
Location: Grahame Park Way, Colindale, London NW9 5LL.
The Royal Air Force Museum in Colindale can be a chill day out in North London, and it is especially brilliant during half-term when you need somewhere big enough to keep children entertained for hours.
The museum is spread across six hangars and has free entry for the whole family.
You and your children will be able to:
- Get to know more about the Royal Air Force’s first 100 years, including iconic British aircraft.
- Learn about the future of aircraft, such as what’s keeping the RAF at the edge of air and space power and innovation.
- Learn more about WW1 in the air, including the earliest days of flight.
Your children can get hands-on in the Aeronauts interactive gallery, where over 40 experiments let them discover the science of flight, test their reaction times, and find out whether they have what it takes to be a pilot.
There is also a 3D aviation cinema, an aviation-themed outdoor playground, and the immersive Our Finest Hour sound and light show that brings the Battle of Britain to life.
Admission is completely free, the museum is open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM, and there are cafes on-site serving hot meals, snacks, and drinks.
Local tip: The best time to visit is late morning when children are alert and ready to explore.
Swing through the treetops at Go Ape Alexandra Palace
Location: Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, London N22 7AY.
Go Ape at Alexandra Palace is a unique outdoor adventure in North London, set within the historic grounds of Ally Pally with panoramic views of the London skyline.
The courses are built among the trees and purpose-built poles of the park, and the combination of high-flying thrills and city views makes it feel like a proper urban adventure.
There are courses designed for different ages and abilities: Treetop Adventure is the entry-level option for younger children over 1m tall (aged 4 and up), Treetop Adventure Plus is a step up for children over 1.2m (aged 6 and up), and Treetop Challenge is the most daring course for those over 1.4m (aged 10 and up).
Each course features a mix of wobbly crossings, rope bridges, Tarzan Swings, and zip wires that will have the whole family buzzing with adrenaline.
The park also has a boating lake and cafes nearby, so you can easily make a full day of it.
Disclaimer: Check venue policies as they can change seasonally.
Step back in time at Forty Hall in Enfield
Location: Forty Hill, Enfield EN2 9HA.
Forty Hall is a stunning Jacobean manor house in Enfield that doubles as a free museum, and it is surrounded by 273 acres of parkland.
The house was built in the 1630s by Sir Nicholas Rainton, a former Lord Mayor of London, and the permanent exhibition inside brings his story to life through visual and audio displays that are engaging for children and adults alike.
The museum includes engaging interpretation, so that your kids can imagine life in the 17th century.
Outside, the estate has a beautiful walled garden, a lake, medieval water gardens, and two signposted walking trails that range from a short loop around the grounds to a longer countryside route along the Turkey Brook.
There is also an organic farm on the estate run by Capel Manor College, where children can see pigs, sheep, cows, and chickens.
Walk the old railway line along the Parkland Walk
Location: Runs from Finsbury Park (N4) to Highgate (N6).
The Parkland Walk is a hidden gem of North London that follows the route of a disused railway line between Finsbury Park and Highgate, and it makes for a brilliant free adventure during half-term.
The trail is about 2.5 miles long and is surrounded by trees, wildflowers, and overgrown platforms from the old stations, giving the whole walk a slightly magical, secret garden feel that children love.
Along the way, your kids can look out for the famous spriggan sculpture by Marilyn Collins, a mysterious figure built into the brickwork of a former tunnel entrance that has become one of North London's best-known hidden landmarks.
The path is flat and easy to walk, which makes it suitable for families with younger children and buggies, and there are several entry and exit points along the route if you want to shorten the walk.
Birds, butterflies, and foxes are regular visitors along the trail, so it doubles as a nature spotting adventure for curious little ones.
You can start from Finsbury Park or Highgate Underground stations.
Meet the animals at Kentish Town City Farm
Location: 1 Cressfield Close, London NW5 4BN.
Kentish Town City Farm is a free community farm right in the heart of North London.
It can be a lovely half-term outing for families with younger children who are mad about animals.
The farm is home to goats, pigs, chickens, horses, donkeys, ducks, and a cow, and children can get up close to the animals and learn about how they are cared for.
There is also a vegetable garden where kids can see how food is grown, which adds a nice hands-on learning element to the visit.
The farm is small enough to explore comfortably in a couple of hours, making it a perfect morning or afternoon activity that you can combine with a walk to nearby parks.
Entry is completely free, although donations are welcome as the farm runs as a charity.
Make the most of half-term at Brent Cross
Brent Cross Shopping Centre offers plenty to keep the whole family entertained in one stress-free location.
From cracking codes in escape rooms and letting the little ones run wild in soft play, to trying a brand new sport and eating your way through international street food, there is something for every age right here.
You can plan your visit to Brent Cross to see how to reach us by car, taxi, train, bus, or by bike.
If you visit by car, you will be pleased to know that parking in our multi-storey car park is completely free.
And if you are driving an EV, you can charge your vehicle with RAW Charging's EV charging points while you enjoy everything Brent Cross has to offer.
