As the nights grow longer, these events are sure to bring the sparkle to this time of year. Here’s some inspiration for things to do near you with kids in East London this weekend.
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1 The Three Little Pigs
Saturday 27 September – Sunday 2 November 2025
Unicorn Theatre, Tooley Street, London SE1 2SZ
Tickets: Under 18s £13.50–£20.50 | Adults £18.50–£29.50 The Unicorn Theatre+2The Unicorn Theatre+2
Join little superstar piglets Bar, Bee and Q as they set off into the big wide world, build their three little houses of hay, sticks and bricks—and face the huffing, puffing (and maybe misunderstood) Big Bad Wolf in this wonderful musical treat. Filled with catchy songs, humour and fun, this co-production of Stiles & Drewe’s lively retelling is perfect for children aged 3-7 years.
2 PalMusic UK Presents: ‘Welcome to Gaza’
Saturday 1 November 2025, 12:00 (doors 11:30 am)
Kings Place (Hall Two), 90 York Way, London N1 9AG
£10
Part of Voice of Palestine event: A 70-minute powerful theatre piece (no interval) made of nineteen short plays by children from Gaza and the West Bank, depicting everyday life under siege. Includes a 20-minute Q&A with the young performers. Half the population of Gaza is children… “The voices in these plays are brightly alive – under immense pressure grabbing the chance to speak to the world out of the prison, the death cell, of Gaza.” – director, Peter Oswald
3 Half-Term at Cutty Sark
Monday 27 October – Sunday 2 November 2025, various times (during ship opening hours)
Cutty Sark, King William Walk, Greenwich, London SE10 9HT
FREE with ship entry
Step aboard the historic tea clipper for a week of myths-and-legends-themed fun, with family craft activities, storytelling, and music. Highlights include Sailor Superstitions storytelling sessions (Sat 1 Nov – 11am, 12pm, 2pm, 3pm) and live sea shanty performances by The HogEye Men (Sat 1 Nov) and Swinging the Lead (Sun 2 Nov).
4 Drums Around the World: West African
Saturdays 1 Nov, 8 Nov, 15 Nov, 22 Nov, 29 Nov 2025 —
12:00–13:30 (Beginner) & 13:30–15:00 (Intermediate)
Poplar Union, 2 Cotall Street, London E14 6TL
A vibrant West African drumming workshop series where children and families can learn rhythms, move together and explore percussion in a fun, inclusive environment. Participants will learn traditional rhythms on the Djembe and Dundun, gaining a deeper understanding of their cultural significance and community role.
5 Wendy & Peter Pan
Tuesday 21 October – Saturday 22 November 2025
Barbican Theatre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS
Tickets from £25
Fly away to Neverland with the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Wendy & Peter Pan, a magical reimagining of J.M. Barrie’s classic tale that puts Wendy at the heart of the adventure. Packed with swashbuckling action, stunning design, and touching moments of laughter and loss, this is a family show that delights children and adults alike.
6 Minecraft Experience
Thursdays to Mondays (open daily during half term), various times
Maritime Street, Canada Water, London SE16 7LL
Family bundle (max 2 adults, 4+): from £23 pp | £21.50 kids | £27 adults
Get them off their screens and into the real-life, interactive world of one of their favourite games. Using a handheld orb that vibrates, lights up, and changes colour with the action, kids can explore, build, and battle just like in Minecraft — breaking blocks, defeating mobs, collecting resources, and immersing themselves fully in the adventure.
7 Fireworks & Drone Festival at Alexandra Palace
Friday 31 October & Saturday 1 November 2025 — Gate times: Fri from 18:00 (fireworks from 21:00) & Sat from 16:00 (fireworks from 20:00)
Alexandra Palace Park, Alexandra Palace Way, London N22 7AY
Tickets from approximately £14 + (book ahead).
Join London’s biggest Bonfire Night-style celebration, blending spectacular fireworks and a cutting-edge drone show designed for Halloween. Expect spooky bonfires, ghost tours, a fancy dress competition, funfair rides, ice disco, over 50 food trucks and live music including tribute acts and DJs.
8 The Big Monster Bake and more
Various dates in October
Discover Children’s Story Centre, 383–387 High Street, Stratford, London E15 4QZ
Tickets: Adults & children (2+): £11 | Under 1s: £5.50 | Concessions for Newham residents
Round off the half term with special author events and immersive storytelling fun at Discover. Meet visiting authors Tara L Gear (Just Like Grandpa Jazz) and Fiona Barker (The Big Monster Bake), and step into the Monster Funfair story world — an imaginative, hands-on experience little ones will love.
9 WOW! Said the Owl
26 September – 8 November 2025, various times
Little Angel Theatre Studios, Sebbon Street, London N1 2EH
Tickets: £15 adults | £13 children (concessions available)
Join a curious little owl who decides to stay awake and explore the daylight world in this vibrant 35-minute puppet show for ages 2-5. Based on the book by Tim Hopgood, it blends music, puppetry and colour to create magical “wow” moments of dawn, rainbow skies and the night stars.
10 Making Egypt – Last change to see!
Saturday 15 February – Sunday 2 November 2025
Young V&A (at Cambridge Heath Rd, Bethnal Green, London E2 9PA)
Exhibition pass £10 (under-4s free)
Explore the creativity of ancient Egypt and how it still influences art, design and popular culture today. From over 200 objects spanning 5,500 years to hands-on activities like drawing to scale, deciphering hieroglyphics and designing your own amulet, this family-friendly exhibition invites children (and grown-ups) to discover the tools, techniques and stories behind Egyptian makers.