October Family Festival

Come and enjoy space-themed shows, activities, self-guided trails and much more with us this October half-term.

Saturday 25 October – Sunday 2 November
Free
South Kensington, London

Join us as we put on our astronaut boots to explore the weird and wonderful creatures living on Earth and the possibilities of life beyond it.

School holidays are our busiest times of the year. Book free general admission tickets ahead of your visit to guarantee your entry.

For paid events, book tickets online or at one of our information desks.
Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Free activities are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you need a printable version of the programme, download our Family Activity Guide (17.4MB).

Programme

T. Rex Show with Teach Rex

With incredible life-like puppets that unleash a mighty roar, this journey into the Jurassic is fun for kids and adults alike. Watch and learn, grab a photo with the fearsome Tyrannosaurus rex and its friends and make a wonderful family memory.

Tuesday 29 October – Saturday 1 November
10.30–11.30, 13.00–14.00 and 15.30–16.30

Non-member: £12
Member: £10.80

Flett Events Theatre

Recommended for ages 3+

Behind the Scenes Tour: Spirit Collection

Go behind the scenes for a look at the fascinating zoology collection we look after, where each specimen is preserved in spirit. Encounter creatures from land and sea, including ones that look like aliens!

Saturday 25 October – Sunday 2 November
11.00–11.45, 13.00–13.45 and 15.00–15.45

Meet by the Turbinaria coral bay in Hintze Hall 

Non-member: £35 
Member: £28 

Ages 10+ only

LEGO® Life Forms 

Free, drop-in

Use your imagination and creativity in this building challenge workshop. Using LEGO® bricks design and build your own ideas on how we can discover extraterrestrial life. 

Monday 27 October – Friday 31 October 
11.00–16.00
Last entry at 15.30

Investigate Centre
First-come, first-served
You may need to queue 

Recommended for ages 6+

Extreme Life Show... In Space

Free, drop-in

Journey through extreme conditions, from the darkest depths to the hottest habitats, to meet remarkable animals that suggest that life could exist beyond our planet. Join our 20-minute science adventure to discover Earth’s strangest species.

Monday 27 October – Friday 31 October 
12.00–12.20 and 14.00–14.20

Attenborough Studio

Recommended for ages 5+

The Space Family Trail

Free, self-guided

Explore our galleries in search of clues that life might exist elsewhere in the universe in this free, self-guided family trail. From ancient meteorites to Martian rocks, investigate the biggest mystery of all – could life exist beyond Earth?  

Download our Space Family Trail (1.9MB) or pick one up from our information desks. 

Recommended for ages 3+

Meet the Scientist

Free, drop-in

Our scientists are on the frontline of exploring all the natural world has to offer and this is your chance to meet them! Glimpse into their life, learn about their research and see special specimens from the collections we care for.

Tuesday 28 October: A World of Beetles, with our Curatorial Assistant of Beetles Talay Namintraporn.

Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 October: Exploring Asteroids, with our Meteorite Curator Helena Bates.

15.00–15.30

Attenborough Studio

Recommended for ages 8+

Throughout the week, our learning volunteers will be out and about sharing their wonderful natural history knowledge. You’ll find them at our interactive pop-up stands and they’ll also be delivering tours exploring the diverse history of science. Tours are subject to volunteer availability.

Share your adventures with us on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.

Discount member tickets

Members can purchase discount tickets. Not a Member? Join today from just £62 per year.

October Family Festival