Looking for fun family days out this October half term? The Horniman Museum and Gardens in Forest Hill, south London, has plenty to keep children entertained, from underwater adventures and tropical butterflies to creative workshops and a spectacular Day of the Dead family festival.
With free galleries, outdoor play areas and a range of special events, there are activities to suit different ages and budgets.
The Horniman Museum and Gardens, 100 London Road, Forest Hill, London SE23 3PQ
Opening hours: The museum is open daily from 10am to 5.30pm. Entry to the museum and its main galleries is free, although some attractions and special events require tickets.
Find full details and book tickets at horniman.ac.uk.
Last chance to visit Voyage to the Deep – Underwater Adventures
Daily until Sunday 1 November, 10am–5.30pm
Dive into the mysteries of the deep sea with this interactive exhibition inspired by Jules Verne’s classic novel 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas.
Children can imagine piloting a giant submarine, explore ocean mysteries through hands-on activities and discover living marine creatures. The exhibition also features six aquarium tanks and creature reports from the Octonauts, helping young visitors learn about the species on display and their habitats.
Tickets: Children £7, adults £9.80, under-threes free, family of three £20.20 and family of four £27. Universal Credit tickets cost £2. Horniman Members and Benefactors enjoy free entry. Advance booking is recommended.
British Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026
Daily, 10am–5.30pm | Free
Discover 72 photographs and videos celebrating the beauty of British wildlife in this free exhibition. From marine life to woodland scenes, the collection showcases remarkable images from the British Wildlife Photography Awards 2026, with captions offering insights from the photographers themselves.
Get up close to butterflies and marine life
Aquarium: Daily, 10.30am–5.30pm (last entry 4.30pm)
Explore 15 aquarium exhibits showcasing aquatic environments from around the world, from British ponds to Fijian coral reefs.
Butterfly House: Daily, 10.30am–4pm (last entry 3.30pm)
Step into a tropical indoor garden where hundreds of beautiful butterflies fly freely around visitors. Children can discover more about their life cycles and behaviour while experiencing this colourful environment.
Tickets for both attractions can be booked through the Horniman website. Advance booking is recommended, particularly during school holidays.
Special family events this half term
In Our Hands: Hair, Memory and Making with Charlotte Mensah
Sunday 25 October, 11am–2pm
Award-winning hairstylist and author Charlotte Mensah leads a hands-on family event exploring hair, identity, memory and traditions of care across generations.
Open to families with all hair types, the event includes mini Curl Power masterclasses, zine-making, creative activities and opportunities to explore objects from the Horniman’s Handling Collection alongside items from Charlotte Mensah’s archive.
Tickets and full details are available from the Horniman website.
The Enchanted Cinema: The Music of Spirit Animals
Sunday 25 October: 11.30am and 1.30pm
Monday 26 October: 10am, 12 noon and 2pm
Children can help bring animated creatures to life in this interactive musical workshop inspired by Halloween, Day of the Dead and stories of the spirit world.
Using instruments, hands and voices, families will create sound effects for animations and discover the rhythms and movements of different animals. Expect everything from a bellowing walrus to a snorting alpaca, alongside stories from around the world.
Suitable for children aged 5–12 and their grown-ups. Sessions last 60 minutes, and children must be accompanied by an adult.
Tickets: £10 per child and £10 per adult.
Octonauts and the Great Ghost Reef – storytelling and craft
Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 October: 10am, 11.15am, 1pm and 2.15pm
Join the Octonauts crew on an underwater adventure to discover why the colourful coral reef has turned white.
This special storytelling session introduces children to coral bleaching and the important role reefs play in supporting marine life. Afterwards, they can make their own colourful 3D coral reef using recyclable paper-based materials.
Tickets: £8.50 per child, including one free adult. Sessions last 45 minutes, and children must be accompanied by an adult.
Day of the Dead Family Festival
Saturday 31 October, 11am–4pm
Celebrate the vibrant Mexican tradition of Día de Muertos at a family festival filled with colour, music, dance and creativity.
The day begins with an opening ceremony featuring Aztec dancers and musicians, followed by a procession inspired by the Mexica underworld. Families can explore festival spaces inspired by Mexico City, decorated with traditional papel picado cut-paper decorations, marigold pathways and giant decorated skulls.
There will also be live Mariachi music, folkloric and contemporary dance, walking musicians, stilt performers and a Sonidero DJ.
Children can join mask-making, storytelling, face painting, games and a Día de Muertos discovery trail. Families will also be able to contribute to a community ofrenda, an altar honouring loved ones, and browse a market featuring independent Mexican and Latin American businesses, artisan crafts and authentic food.
The festival is presented in partnership with MexiBrit.
Tickets: Adults £8, children £6 and under-twos free. Advance booking is required.
Day of the Dead Evening Fiesta
Saturday 31 October, 7pm–10.30pm
For adults looking for an evening celebration, the Horniman will host an after-dark Día de Muertos experience inspired by the atmosphere of Mexico City’s cantinas and plazas.
Expect candlelit altars, colourful decorations, live music and a Sonidero DJ, alongside contemporary Mexican cuisine and tequila and mezcal cocktails.
Tickets: £22 per adult. This event is strictly for over-18s, and advance booking is required.
More free family activities
Last chance: Octonauts Adventure at the Horniman
Daily until Sunday 1 November | Free
Pick up a free trail from the Ticket Desk and join the Octonauts on mini-missions around the museum, discovering fun Octofacts along the way. Head outside to the Sound Garden for a bonus adventure.
Suitable for families with children aged 3–7.
Kusuma Nature Play Area
Daily | Free
Let children burn off some energy in this nature-themed play area, featuring a wooden jetty with a slide, climbing webs, lookout points and equipment inspired by local wildlife.
There are log steps, balance beams and a den-building frame for more adventurous children, while younger visitors can enjoy a collecting table, leaf stools and a finger maze. A basket swing and sensory planting complete the space.
Nature Trail
Daily, 9am–4pm | Free
Explore the Horniman’s historic 800-metre Nature Trail, now with direct step-free access. New interpretation panels introduce visitors to local wildlife, including stag beetles and hairy-footed flower bees, as well as the changing seasons and the area’s history as part of the Great North Wood.
Please note that dogs are not permitted on the Nature Trail, except guide dogs.
Community Garden
Daily | Free
Looking for a quieter place to take a break? The Community Garden offers a secluded spot for relaxation and reflection. Developed with local community partners, it will also host wellbeing activities and practical sessions for adults and children.
Family Craft Saturdays
Saturdays, 2pm–4pm (last entry 3.30pm) | Free
Get creative together at these volunteer-run family craft sessions, inspired by the Horniman’s collections of more than 350,000 objects. Activities explore subjects including music, nature, wildlife and the world around us.
Suitable for ages three and over. These are drop-in sessions, and families should check the Horniman website for individual themes and activities.
Free gallery talks
Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2pm; Saturdays and Sundays at 11.30am
Join a Visitor Host for an introduction to the museum’s galleries. Talks are free, and visitors should meet at the Ticket Desk.
Please note: The Natural History Gallery and Nature Base are currently closed for redevelopment until February 2027 as part of the Horniman’s Nature + Love project. The World Gallery, Music Gallery and The Studio remain free to visit, with no advance booking required.
Where to eat
The Horniman has two cafés offering food and drink for visiting families.
Gardens Café: Open daily from 8am (8.30am on Sundays) until 4pm. Located next to the play area, it serves sourdough pizzas, healthy grab-and-go options, artisan gelato and speciality coffee, with indoor and outdoor seating.
Horniman Café: Open daily from 9am–5pm. Choose from hot and cold meals, sandwiches, cakes, snacks, drinks and ice cream. There are vegan and vegetarian options, as well as gluten-free food.
Both cafés are operated by family-run café group Colicci.
Plan your visit: The Horniman Museum and Gardens is at 100 London Road, Forest Hill, London SE23 3PQ. Some attractions and special events require separate tickets, so check availability and booking details before travelling.
Visit horniman.ac.uk to plan your family day out.
