If you are visiting at the end of October, there are some Halloween events for kids in London that could be a lot of fun for the whole family.
Halloween is a great time to explore the darker side of London. Go on that Jack the Ripper walking tour. Visit London Dungeons. Wander through The Clink Prison Museum. Read everything you can find about the underbelly of this dynamic city, and then load up the little ones for some exciting family-friendly Halloween events for kids.
There are new Halloween events offered every year in many London boroughs, so make sure to look around for new options once you’re in London. By talking with your hotel’s concierge or even your waitress and fellow diners at small cafes, you may discover the less-advertised Halloween events that locals are planning to attend with their kids.
Favorite Halloween Events for Kids in London
To help you get excited about your Halloween trip, we’re going to share our favorite Halloween events for kids in London. Look them up online to make sure they’re still active for the current year or the year of your trip. Get ready for some spooky fun in The Big Smoke.
Pick your family’s share of fresh pumpkins from the farm and then enjoy pumpkin-themed treats from cake and other snacks to curry, soup, and hot dogs. This event is designed with families in mind, and it’s a great opportunity for the little ones to do something other than explore museums and walk the crowded streets of London. It’s always good to get out on the farm.
Book your arrival time slot online, and then arrive at the farm within the designated hour. Due to Covid, strict scheduling is likely to continue at least for 2021.
Covent Garden Selfies
Have you seen the selfie spot at Covent Garden? There are plenty places to snap pictures throughout the area, but there’s only one spot designated for selfies. It’s decorated with pumpkins and other cute arrangements for Halloween, so you can’t miss it. Stop by to get some adorable pics of the little ones with or without costumes.
Watch Pop Up Screens online for dates and information regarding future Forbidden Forest Cinema events. They offer a fun event that requires you to walk through a spooky forest, finding your way to an outdoor cinema in the wild. They show a variety of spooky films throughout October, so you can enjoy scary movies while out in the elements.
Not all of the movies shown are suitable for younger children. In 2020, they showed Hocus Pocus as a family-friendly option. Other titles that were suitable for kids and teens of some ages included Beetlejuice, Ghostbusters, and Sixth Sense.
Once Pop Up Screens announces a new event on their website, you can buy tickets to the films you want to see online.
Hop on a bus for the spookiest tour of London around. You’ll spend a bit over one hour touring the city and hearing ghost stories that are believed to have some historical truth. The tour is a daily event throughout the year but is particularly enjoyable around Halloween.
The Ghost Bus Tour is also a comical theatrical event, so it’s not as terrifying as it may sound. Every parent must determine if their child is ready for ghost stories about some of London’s biggest attractions, including the Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, and Buckingham Palace.
You can’t book tickets online for this tour, but you can see the meeting times for future tours. Tickets are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis, so arriving at least a little early is a good idea.
The Making of Harry Potter Tour
The Warner Bros. Making of Harry Potter Tour is a hit at any time of year, but some of the sets are often overhauled for Halloween. They get a bit spookier and more in line with the season, making this the perfect time to schedule your tour.
The tour allows you to visit actual sets used in filming for the Harry Potter movies. You’ll even ride the Hogwarts Express, which is even more fun at Halloween time. Make sure to book your tickets as far in advance as possible because the tours can fill up quickly.
Finding Halloween Costumes in London
Now that you have some ideas for Halloween events for kids in London, what are the best stores and shops for costumes, makeup, footwear, and other fun Halloween items? Mad World Fancy Dress has three London locations, each with a large collection of costumes. There are some dedicated Halloween costumes that you can buy plus an assortment of themed costumes that you can rent and return.
Angels is another option if you can find your way to Shaftesbury Avenue. It includes five floors of costumes, representing more than a million items. Search through packaged costumes for sale or get something a little more elaborate for hire. So High Soho is on Berwick Street if you prefer to select from a less overwhelming collection or just need a few accessories like masks.
You can also pack your own Halloween costumes when visiting London. Some events may not require dress up, but you’ll have a lot more fun if you at least add some face paint or get a bit more elaborate with your makeup. Why not join the fun while you’re in town?