Best things to do with the kids this October in London

Peter Pan afternoon tea, Aqua Shard

Afternoon tea, we've missed you so. Good news then that Aqua Shard - one of our favourite destinations - has just launched a Peter Pan inspired afternoon tea, with adult and kids' versions available. Think Never Grow Up non-alcoholic punch (and Fairy Dust cocktails for the adults), Peter's Secret Never Tree Chocolate Cake and Tick Tock the Crocodile jelly, all served on a fabulous pirate ship. It's in partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity, so £2 from each tea will go there, plus you've got panoramic views of London. X marks the spot.

Spend an evening with the queens of Six: The Musical, Lyric Theatre

Six the Musical is an absolutely thrilling spectacle that the kids will love (trust us, we've taken ours, our friends have taken theirs, and everyone's obsessed). It's back in a socially distanced way, and we'll be booking in to see it again. Also, prepare for lots of talks about history, female empowerment and facial piercings. It's an education, right?

Pay homage to Mother Earth with one of the city's eco-exhibitions

We're living in strange times: while the planet seemed to be flourishing over lockdown, we're now back to single-use plastic overload. Spend a weekend meditating over some striking images of our planet - there are some great exhibitions on across the city, as well as online shows. Or introduce your kids to the virtues of plant-based eating with a cooking class at ALMA Deli...

Get creative with the Halloween decor

With no class parties and socially distanced trick or treating, Halloween is going to look a bit different this year. Not a problem, just make it all about the costumes, and the decor. Etsy has everything you could want, while Meri Meri has decorations, costumes, tableware and more. Watch Modern Family for some decorating inspo (Claire Dunphy is queen of all things creepy). Boo!

Photo: Meri Meri

Head to the pumpkin patch

They can take our dreams of Halloween parties, but they cannot take our pumpkins. Especially if we've picked them ourselves. From Surrey to Kent, we've got a round-up of the best places to pick pumpkins, squash and other autumnal veg. Remember: book in advance and read the websites carefully as rules and numbers have changed from place to place.

Go on a Field Trip with Airbnb

Our travels may be limited at the moment, but we can still see the world - and learn some cool stuff - online. Airbnb's new Field Trips experiences is fun for after-school, or when your child's class ends up getting sent home for a week. Your average extra-curriculars, these are not: choose from a leopard safari in Sri Lanka, a K-Pop concert and dance class and learning sign language through games, to name a few. Or enjoy Socially Conscious storytime with Olivia Wilde, science with Bill Nye or a cooking class with a world-renowned chef. Experiences start at £1.

Photo: Cooking with award-winning chef Soo Ahn

Have some spooky Halloween fun at London Zoo

Over half term, ZSL London Zoo is getting spooky, inviting kids to dress up to visit the tigers, reptiles and penguins. There are activity packs to download and a creepy trail to follow, as well as spooky stories from zookeepers and pop-up talks themed around Halloween. The bravest can check out In With Spiders, confronting the eight-legged creatures and their giant webs, as well as the "ghosts of Madagascar," aka lemurs, so called because of their wide-eyed stares.

Go ice skating at Alexandra Palace

In a world where Christmas is at threat, of course we want to enjoy the festive season while we can. Good thing then that Ally Pally's reopening its skating rink this month, for kids 3 and up. It's open seven days a week, including skating classes and open public sessions - just remember to book ahead and check the new regulations ahead of your visit.

Photo: Paul Solomon

Celebrate the reopening of KidZania - at KidZania

Calling everyone who has a birthday in October: KidZania is reopening. The indoor city run by kids, which lets them be anyone they want to be for a day, is COVID-secure - and frontline key workers can even bag a free adult ticket for the opening weekend. Be prepared for the kids to enjoy their past favourites - and try some new experiences, too. KidZania is also focused on reflecting recent times, with a collection of artefacts from lockdown and an emphasis on experiences of those who have played critical roles in this pandemic.

Book into a half term coding camp

Half term plans? Who knows? Wherever we end up, we'll be booking the kids in for a bit of coding. So they can design the app for our new brilliant start-up idea, naturally...

Book to see Freckle Productions' Stick Man this winter

We're not sure what Christmas will look like this year, but the good news is that we can at least enjoy a Julia Donaldson/Axel Scheffler production - after all, what's December without one? Stick Man is a festive favourite, and Freckle Productions (the team behind the brilliant Zog adaptation) always ensures the right mix of fun, silliness and song.

Celebrate Black History Month

While the kids will undoubtedly be celebrating Black History Month at school, continue the education beyond the academic setting. There are events, talks and storytelling sessions around London, and you can expand their literary horizons from the comfort of the sofa by picking up kids' books from black authors and choosing stories with black protagonists.