Events
Things to Do This October Half Term in the Royal Docks
Free activities:
Young Makers in the Docks
Saturday 24 October, 2pm-4pm | UEL Docklands campus, Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability | Free
Join the Institute of Imagination for a free hands-on family making session. Children in Years 4-6 and their grown-ups (siblings welcome) can design and build their own machine using junk modelling and paper circuits, take a tour of UEL's makerspace, and see 3D printers and other innovative fabrication tools in action.
Join a Family Drop-In Session at Art in the Docks
Monday 26 October and Friday 30 October, 1.30pm - 3.30pm | Art in the Dock, Royal Albert Wharf | Free
Get creative this half term with two free family craft workshops at Art in the Docks. Make an Autumn Lantern inspired by the colours of the season or create a spooky Haunted House Card ready for Halloween. Drop-in sessions. No booking required.
Find out more:
Football Education U19 Taster Session
Wednesday 28 October, 3pm-5pm | The Foundry, Beckton | Free
Year 11 students can find out more about the West Ham Foundation's Football Education U19 Programme at this taster session during half term. Learn about combining full-time study with football, gain an NCFE level 3 sports qualification, and explore opportunities to play in the National U19 League.
Celebrate Black History Month 2026
Throughout October | Across the Royal Docks | Free
Discover exhibitions, talks, community events and cultural experiences taking place across the Royal Docks for Black History Month 2026. From artwork inspired by Benjamin Zephaniah to business, heritage and cultural events, explore opportunities to learn, connect and celebrate Black history, heritage and creativity.
Explore City Hall
Mondays to Thursdays, 8:30am to 6pm, and on Fridays, 8:30am to 5:30pm | Royal Victoria | Free
Did you know that City Hall is open to the public? Located in Royal Victoria Dock, visitors can look inside the building's striking architecture, see a 2012 Olympic torch, or stop for lunch at London's Kitchen Café which has been given a spooky makeover for Halloween.
Hang Out at Beckton Youth Zone
Beckton | Free
For ages 10+. Try gaming, music, football, skating, gardening and 3D printing, or spend time in the radio studio, games area and sports facilities.
A Garden of Community, a colourful community mural by local artist Gaurab Thakali at the entrance to Thames Barrier Park, with children walking past.
Fight for Peace Youth Sessions
North Woolwich | Free
Keep children and young people active this half term with Fight for Peace's free programme of boxing, MMA, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, capoeira, fitness sessions and women-only classes. Open to ages 7-18, the programme also offers homework support and opportunities to build confidence, learn new skills and make new friends.
Walk, Jog or Run at Beckton parkrun
Every Saturday, 8.45am for a 9am start | Beckton District Park South, Beckton | Free
Get active as a family at Beckton parkrun, a free weekly 5k event where you can walk, jog or run at your own pace. The event is open to all ages and abilities, with children under 11 welcome to take part provided they stay within arm's reach of a parent or carer throughout the event. Advance registration required.
Visit Your Local Library
Beckton, Custom House and North Woolwich | Free
From coding and arts and crafts to Lego clubs, libraries across the Royal Docks offer a range of free activities for children and young people, as well as access to computers, study space and plenty of new books to discover.
Explore Parks and Green Spaces
Across the Royal Docks
From playgrounds and skate parks to wildlife habitats and riverside walks, the Royal Docks is home to a wide range of parks and green spaces to explore. Whether you're looking for somewhere to play, spot nature, kick a ball around or enjoy a family walk, there's plenty to discover, including A Garden of Community, a new mural at the entrance to Thames Barrier Park.
MCM London Comic Con
Excel London, Royal Victoria Dock | 23-25 October | ticket prices vary
From cosplay and gaming to comics, anime and film, MCM London Comic Con returns to Excel London this October. Meet special guests, browse independent artists and creators, and enjoy panels, performances and family-friendly activities throughout the weekend. Cosplay is a huge part of the event, with fans of all ages dressing up as their favourite characters from film, television, gaming and comics.
Paid activities:
Dance, Create and Perform at Ballet Club
26 - 30 October | English National Ballet, Canning Town | £30 for the full week
Calling all aspiring dancers aged 9 -12 from Newham and Tower Hamlets. Join English National Ballet this October half term for a week of dance at its studios in Canning Town. Take part in daily ballet classes, creative workshops and explore the story of Romeo & Juliet while developing your skills alongside professional artists.
Step Into a New World at Immerse LDN
Royal Victoria | prices vary by experience
Looking for something different this October half term? Immerse LDN is home to a growing collection of immersive experiences including TIMEWALK, a multisensory journey through 12,000 years of history, and House of Dreamers, an interactive experience to awaken your imagination, stir your emotions, and celebrate the power of dreams
Try Bouldering at Rise Climbing
Canning Town | Costs vary
Head to Rise Climbing for a family introduction to bouldering. Children and adults can learn the basics together, with expert guidance to get you started and plenty of time to put your new skills into practice on the climbing walls.
Get Creative at Bonbon Pottery
Royal Wharf | prices vary
Create your own ceramic masterpiece at Bonbon Pottery in Royal Wharf. Choose from a range of pottery painting activities suitable for children and adults or try a beginner-friendly pottery experience. No previous experience is needed, making it an ideal activity for families looking to get creative together this half term.
Children and their grown-ups get creative during a family arts and crafts workshop at Art in the Docks, Royal Albert Wharf.
Halloween Half-Term Fun at Good Hotel
26 - 30 October | Good Hotel, Royal Victoria Dock | Various prices
Good Hotel is hosting a week of family-friendly Halloween fun this half term. Little monsters can get moving at the Monster Mash Zumba Dance Party on 26 October, get creative at the Little Picassos Spooktacular Art Workshop on 29 October, and learn spooky new skills at the Frightful Face-Painting Workshop on 30 October.
Junior Padel Sessions at Rocket Padel Beckton
Beckton | From £5
Children aged 3 - 11 can take part in coached junior padel sessions at Rocket Padel Beckton, learning the basics of the game while staying active and having fun.
Kids Eat for Less This Half Term
Across the Royal Docks | various locations
Make family days out a little more affordable this half term with children's meal deals available across the Royal Docks. At Tesco Beckton Café, children can enjoy a free meal, breakfast or Pick 'N' Mix deal when an adult purchases any item from the menu. At Travelodge London Excel, Travelodge London City Airport and Travelodge London Docklands Central, children under 15 can enjoy breakfast for £1 with every full-paying adult breakfast.
Available daily. Terms and conditions apply. Check with individual venues before visiting.
Macaroni Penguin
Royal Wharf | Costs vary
Let little ones climb, slide, crawl and explore at Macaroni Penguin's indoor soft play centre in nearby Royal Wharf. Designed for children up to age six, the family-friendly space offers imaginative play areas, baby and toddler activities, and a café for parents to relax while children play. Children can also take part in a range of classes, including French, yoga, karate, maths and English.
Own-a-Pony Day
Docklands Equestrian Centre, Beckton | £60
Children can spend a day looking after one of Docklands Equestrian Centre's ponies, learning how to groom, tack up and care for it before taking part in two riding lessons. It's a chance to get hands-on experience and find out what life around the stables is really like.
Find more events in the Royal Docks
Explore our What's On section for the latest events, activities and experiences taking place across the Royal Docks throughout the year.
