Beckenham half-term: 17 things to do with kids

Thursday 29 October · 11am–3pm · free drop-in · best for ages 12 and under

1. Handle real fossils at Crystal Palace Park

Examine fossils, teeth and claws, and make a pet dinosaur at the park’s Visitor Centre, Thicket Road, SE20 8DS, near Penge Gate. The centre has step-free access, though surrounding paths can be uneven. Plan your Fossils Day visit. No booking needed.

26–31 October · free · families

2. Follow Bromley’s trick-or-treat trail

Pick up a map from Guest Services on the upper mall of the Glades, then hunt for skulls and letters in 12 town-centre businesses to solve the mystery word. Prizes are handed out only on Saturday 31 October, 11am–4pm, in the Central Atrium, while stocks last.

That Saturday also brings free face painting, hair braiding and treat-bag decorating at the Glades, 11am–4pm; queues may close early. See the trail details and the Glades’ Halloween activities.

Thursday 29 October or Sunday 1 November · free · ages 5+ with an adult

3. Invent a dinosaur from its bones

Use paper, card and glue to imagine a dinosaur in an artist-led workshop at Crystal Palace Park Visitor Centre, Thicket Road, SE20 8DS. Choose 10–10.45am or 11–11.45am on either date. Book a place for each participant, including any adult taking part. Book the family dinosaur art workshop.

Until Sunday 1 November · 10am–5.30pm · free · families

4. Join the Octonauts on a museum mission

Collect a free trail at the Horniman’s ticket desk, then hunt for shells, try musical challenges and design an underwater vehicle before collecting a sticker. The museum is at 100 London Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3PQ. See the Octonauts trail.

The trail’s outdoor bonus is unavailable on 31 October: the gardens are closed to general visitors that day. Choose another day if you want to combine the museum with the gardens.

Friday 30 October · 11am–noon · free · ages 6+

5. Make a spinning optical illusion in Shortlands

Discover how pictures can fool your eyes and make a spinning picture toy at Shortlands Library’s temporary home: the Friends Meeting Room in Church House at St Mary’s Church, 39 Kingswood Road. Under-14s need a parent or guardian. Reserve a free science-craft place.

Saturday 31 October · 1.30–3pm or 4–5.30pm · free · best for ages 10+

6. Meet Crystal Palace Park’s prehistoric monsters

Join palaeontologist Dr Cassius Morrison for a family tour of the dinosaur sculptures. Meet at the Hylaeosaurus head near the Park Farm; Thicket Road is the closest gate. Younger children are welcome and under-16s need an adult. Expect up to 90 minutes on potentially muddy, uneven paths; the tour does not enter the islands. Book a free place for every adult and child.

Thursday 29 October · 10am–2pm · free · ages 0–25 with SEND

7. Try inclusive activities at SEND Local Offer Live

Arts, music and sport tasters and a pop-up arcade sit alongside local support services at Bishop Justus School, Magpie Hall Lane, Bromley, BR2 8HZ. Families, carers and siblings are welcome. See the programme and register interest in the taster sessions.

Tuesday 27 October · 10.30am–noon · £31.05 · ages 5–12

8. Print a tote bag at Beckenham Place Mansion

Design and print a bag to take home at the Mansion, Beckenham Place Park, BR3 1SY. One tote bag and materials are included, and children must be accompanied by an adult. See the workshop and book.

Tuesday 27 or Wednesday 28 October · £8.50 per child, including one adult · ages 4–7

9. Make a coral reef with the Octonauts

A storytelling and craft session at the Horniman pairs an underwater adventure with making a paper coral reef. Sessions start at 10am, 11.15am, 1pm and 2.15pm in the Pavilion at the top of the gardens, 100 London Road, Forest Hill. Allow time for the uphill walk and arrive five minutes early. Choose a session and book.

Wednesday 28 October · 11am or 1.30pm · from £13 · ages 7–12

10. Learn a KPop Demon Hunters dance

Children can learn a routine inspired by the film in a 75-minute workshop at the Churchill Theatre’s Studio, High Street, Bromley, BR1 1LF. No dance experience is needed. Wear comfortable clothes and trainers and bring a named water bottle. Check tickets for the dance workshop.

Thursday 29 October · 10.30–11am · £14 for one adult and child · ages 0–5

11. Sing gentle Halloween songs at the Mansion

Little Folk’s early-years singalong mixes familiar nursery rhymes, puppets and non-scary ghost and pumpkin songs at Beckenham Place Mansion, BR3 1SY. See the session and follow the booking link.

Thursday 29 October · 11am–12.30pm or 1.30–3pm · tickets £5–£8

12. Pick and carve a pumpkin at Frothy Coffee Riverside

Choose a pumpkin, carve a face and take it home from the café at 118 Old Bromley Road, on the eastern side of Beckenham Place Park. Pumpkins and carving equipment are supplied. This is a family activity with adult supervision; the organiser does not specify a minimum age. Check ticket options and book a carving session.

Thursday 29 October · 5–7pm · £7 per child

13. Dance and dress up at Beckenham Rugby Club

The club’s children’s Halloween party has an entertainer, disco and pizza for children booked in advance. Fancy dress is welcome at the clubhouse on Balmoral Avenue, BR3 3RD. The listing does not give a specific age range. See the party details and book.

Weekdays until Friday 30 October · 10am–4pm · from £37 a day · ages 4 years 2 months–12 years

14. A sports day with Buzzers at Clare House

Book individual days of multisports at Clare House Primary School, Overbury Avenue, BR3 6PY. Bring a packed lunch, snacks, water and spare clothes. Earlier drop-off from 8.30am and later collection until 5.30pm cost extra. See Beckenham dates, prices and availability.

Monday 26–Thursday 29 October · 9am–4pm · £50 a day or £180 for four days · ages 4–14

15. Try racket sports at the Parklangley Club

The indoor sports camp includes tennis, squash, badminton, table tennis and pickleball at 44a Wickham Way, BR3 3AF. Bring a packed lunch or add a hot lunch for £6.50. See the October camp and booking options.

Daily · 9.30am–5pm · ages 0–11

16. Burn off energy at the Spa’s soft play

Buzz Zone at the Spa, 24 Beckenham Road, offers 90-minute sessions. Registered pay-as-you-go prices are £1 for under-ones, £8.80 for ages 1–3 and £10.15 for ages 4–11. Half-term sessions cannot be paid for with term-time vouchers. Check sessions and book soft play.

Daily during local school holidays · hourly tours, 10am–4pm

17. Explore Chislehurst Caves by lamplight

Take a 45–50-minute guided tour at Caveside Close, Chislehurst, BR7 5QX. Tickets are £10 for ages 16–63, £8 for ages 3–15 and 64+, and free for under-threes. Buy at the ticket office for the next available tour; arrive 10–15 minutes early.

All children need an adult aged 18+. The dark and uneven ground make this less suitable for some younger children and difficult for pushchairs and wheelchairs. Read the caves’ visiting and access information.