From hands-on workshops and family theatre to illustration exhibitions and London's newest museum, November has plenty to offer beyond the usual playground and soft play routine.
We've selected five outings that are genuinely worth making time for, with options for different ages, budgets and attention spans.
1. Make Something Special At LEGO's Giftmas Workshop
Borough Yards, Stoney Street | 5–8 November | Free
A Christmas present made by the children, without another trip to the toy shop. LEGO's free Giftmas workshop invites little ones to create a personalised gift for someone special. They'll answer a few questions about their chosen recipient, receive a suggested design and get to work building their creation before wrapping it to take home.
It's an especially good option for primary school children who enjoy making things, although younger LEGO fans may need a little help.
With a finished present to take away, there's something to show for the outing, too. A lovely activity to do with siblings, particularly if they're making gifts for grandparents.
Good to know: Entry is available on a first come, first served basis and queues may be longer at busy times so make sure to head down early if you are interested as it will be busy. Will also be happening in Glasgow and Manchester after London dates.
2. Book The Jungle Book At The National Theatre
South Bank | 13 November 2026 – 6 February 2027 | Tickets from approximately £20 | Recommended 7+
For a special family theatre outing, the National Theatre's new adaptation of The Jungle Book is one to consider. Written by Anupama Chandrasekhar and directed by Indhu Rubasingham, the production follows Mowgli into the mangrove forests of India's Sundarbans, with spectacular puppetry bringing the animal characters to life.
This is a particularly good choice for older primary school children who are ready for a full theatre production, rather than a shorter children's show.
The National Theatre recommends ages seven and over, and the story includes depictions of death and violence, so it's worth considering how sensitive your child is to darker scenes.
For families booking around school routines, Wednesday and Saturday matinees are worth looking at, while preview performances may offer better value tickets.
Good to know: The production runs into February, so there's no need to squeeze it into November if time does not allow.
3. Discover Quentin Blake's Illustrations At The Southbank Centre
South Bank | Until 8 November | Free | All ages
For an easy, no-ticket outing with younger children, head to the Southbank Centre, where 30 life-size characters by Quentin Blake are waiting to be discovered. Created to mark 75 years since the Festival of Britain, the installation features dancers, musicians, skaters and performers dotted around the arts centre.
The appeal is in making a game of it. Challenge the children to spot as many characters as possible, choose their favourites or invent stories about the people they find. Unlike a traditional gallery visit, it's an activity that can work around a toddler's attention span, making it a particularly useful option for families with children of different ages.
It's also easy to combine with a walk along the river, a look at the skateboarders beneath the Southbank Centre and lunch nearby.
Good to know: The installation finishes on 8 November, so this is one for the first weekend of the month. Ideal for a relatively spontaneous outing, with no paid exhibition ticket needed.
4. Explore The World Of The Moomins
Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration, Clerkenwell | 21 November 2026 – 9 May 2027 | Exhibition
If the Moomins feature on your children's bookshelves, this new exhibition makes a lovely introduction to the world of illustration. Tove Jansson and Her Families explores the life and work of the Finnish artist behind the beloved characters, bringing together previously unseen drawings and more than 100 rarely exhibited works.
While adults will appreciate the insight into Jansson's creative life and influences, children can discover how familiar storybook characters begin as drawings. It's best approached as a relaxed gallery visit rather than an interactive attraction, particularly with younger children. Reading a Moomin story together beforehand could make the illustrations more meaningful once you're there.
The centre also has a café, shop and free-to-access spaces, making it easier to turn the visit into a leisurely morning without committing to a full day out.
Good to know: This is likely to appeal most to children who enjoy picture books, drawing and storytelling.
5. Be Among The First To Explore The New London Museum
Smithfield | Opens 28 November | Free permanent galleries | All ages
One of the most exciting new openings for London families this autumn, the London Museum finally welcomes visitors to its new home in Smithfield's historic General Market. Designed to tell the story of the capital through the people, places and objects that shaped it, the museum combines historic artefacts with contemporary installations and exhibitions.
For school age children, it's a chance to discover a different side of the city they live in, from the Suffragette movement to Banksy's Piranhas artwork. There are also more unusual objects, including a section of the infamous Whitechapel fatberg, which may well prove more memorable to younger visitors than the traditional museum exhibits.
Rather than attempting to see everything in one visit, we'd suggest choosing a few displays that appeal to your children's interests and exploring at their pace.
The free permanent galleries make it an appealing option for a rainy weekend, particularly if you're looking for an activity that doesn't require a big family spend.
Good to know: The museum opens on Saturday 28 November, so expect interest to be high during its first weekend.