TOP 50 THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS THIS NOVEMBER
The best family fireworks, light shows, theatre, events, ice rinks & festive fun this November 2024
You know the November drill. Warm up with fireworks, move onto the light shows and then nose-dive unashamedly into premature Christmas events.
So we have cherry-picked the top things to do with kids to bring an explosion of Hygge this November, from banging fireworks (with tantrum-friendly, early displays) to magical elf and Santa experiences, snowy Hogwarts adventures, light trails, the best ice rinks and festive theatre to get you in the mood.
And for the Bah Humbuggers among you, not yet ready to step into Christmas, there’s a gaggle of festive-free entertainment, plus some spooky fun for those still not over Halloween.
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Battersea Park Fireworks Family Night
Fireworks = Good. Tired, grumpy children after an 8pm display = Bad.
Enter stage left, Battersea Park Fireworks with their special Family Night on 3 November. The event kicks off at a much more tantrum-friendly 5pm, with fireworks at 7pm. And as well as food and drinks, there will be an Octonauts adventure, a kid's disco in the Big Top, rides in Whizzbang Wonderland; face-painting performers and an extraordinary show, set to music, by the team behind London's annual NYE show.
Battersea Park Fireworks, London SW11 4NJ. 3 November. 5pm. £13.10 per adult. £8.80 per child. Under 5s go free
Coram’s Field, Bloomsbury
Not only is this fireworks show brilliantly early - the event kicks off at 3.30pm with fireworks at 6pm - it is also free. The seven-acre Bloomsbury spot hosts its annual, family fireworks event on 5 November, with food stalls, dance and musical performances, and a mini funfair alongside the sky sparkles.
Coram’s Fields, Guildford Street, 5 November. Free
The Elf on the Shelf® Christmas Adventure
The interactive Christmas adventure from The Lumistella Company’s The Elf on the Shelf® Santaverse™ will make its global debut at Bluewater in Kent from 16 November.
Visitors will step through the Elf Door to the North Pole, where they will embark on an interactive, 25-minute adventure, to help the Scout Elves spread Christmas cheer.
As well as making a wish at the wish-gatherer, challenges will include Christmas tree decorating and snowball throwing. Meanwhile Santa will be watching over the ‘Christmas Spiritmeter,’ a magical machine monitoring Christmas Spirit levels. Santa plans to drop into some sessions to encourage the children to complete all the challenges on their Christmas Spirit Checklists.
Budding elves will collect stamps on their Christmas Spirit Checklist as they complete games and challenge, and each child will receive a gift.
While there, guests can also visit Bluewater’s Ice Rink, the Winterland experience and The Giving Tree.
The Elf on the Shelf Christmas Adventure, Upper Rose Gallery, Bluewater, Dartford, Greenhithe DA9 9ST. 16 November - 24 December
Christmas at Kent Life
This award-winning Christmas experience invites children to graduate from elf school, hop on the Jingle Express for a ride around the festive farm, visit the Candy Cane Cottage sweet shop, build their own teddy bear, decorate gingerbread or make reindeer food. The highlight of the event will be visiting Father Christmas in his magical grotto where little ones can choose a gift from the well-stocked toy shop. The Snow Inn will also be filled with mulled wine and festive food and drinks. All tickets include all day access to Kent Life, which is brimming with activities and animals. And from 30 November - 1 December, the Santa Paws experience invites dogs along for a photo with the Big FC.
Kent Life, Lock Ln, Maidstone ME14 3AU. 30 November – 24 December, Adult: £13.95, Child (aged 1-15): £18.95, Child (under 1): £8, Concession: £12.95, Family (2+2): £65
A Nutcracker Christmas at The Castle
Rescue the Sugar Plum Fairy in Leeds Castle's reimagining of The Nutcracker festive classic, where toys come to life.
In this festive journey through beautifully festive rooms, discover a whimsical doll house, and a rocking horse which awaken the mischievous Mouse King.
The event culminates in a showdown between the Nutcracker and the Mouse King, with live performers on weekends and during the school holidays.