Free half term activities in Waltham Forest
If you're looking for fun, free, family-friendly activities taking place across the borough this February half term - we've got you covered.
All Ability Cycling Clubs
Our partners at Bikeworks will be holding All Ability Cycling Clubs every weekday during the half-term holidays (as well as their usual Saturday clubs), at different parks in Waltham Forest.
All Ability Clubs are where anyone can come along and try out different kinds of cycles, including people with physical, sensory and learning disabilities. The friendly Bikeworks team will be on hand to help find the right cycle for you and give you a great cycling experience.
The clubs are free to attend and you can drop in at any time.
The sessions are:
Monday 12 February, 10am to 12pm: Ridgeway Park Basketball Court, E4
Tuesday 13 February, 10am to 12pm: Langthorne Park, Birch Grove, E11
Wednesday 14 February, 10am to 12pm: Lloyd Park, E17
Thursday 15 February, 10am to 12pm: Rolls Sports Ground Multi-Use Sports Area, E4
Friday 16 February, 10am to 12pm: Leyton Jubilee Park, E10
Saturday 17 February, 10am to 12pm: Higham Hill Park, E17
For more information, check out Bikeworks' website below.
If you have a cycle of your own and it needs a check up, you can come along to a free Dr Bike session at Leyton Leisure Centre on Saturday 17 February.
Explore a cardboard Waltham Forest
Experience a miniature city made of cardboard and recycled materials, created by local artist Sean Rodrigo of the Fixatorium.
Free activities include driving a mini recycling truck around the city, learning about contaminants with our fun quiz and making your contribution to the installation, such as a colour draw and cutout of a mini bus or house.
Engagement sessions will take place from 10am to 5pm on Tuesday 13, Thursday 15 and Saturday 17 February, at 1 Church Lane Leytonstone, E11 1HG - right next to Leytonstone tube station.
Please be aware that you might need to queue if the space is busy.
Valentine's crafts, dancing and more at Waltham Forest Libraries
As well as the usual programme of events, there will be extra sessions taking place at Waltham Forest Libraries during half term:
| Saturday 10 February | Family arts and crafts workshop | Lea Bridge Library | 1pm to 3pm |
| Saturday 10 February | Valentine’s crafts | Walthamstow Library | 12:30pm to 2:30pm |
| Monday 12 February | All About Dance Valentine Special | North Chingford Library | 4pm to 5pm |
| Monday 12 February | Andrea’s Half Term Art Class | Leytonstone Library | 12pm to 1pm |
| Tuesday 13 February | All About Dance Valentine Special | Hale End Library | 4pm to 5pm |
| Tuesday 13 February | Family arts and crafts workshop | Wood Street Library | 10am to 1pm |
| Tuesday 13 February | Paper craft weaving | Wood Street Library | 10am to 1pm |
| Tuesday 13 February | Chinese New Year craft session | Leyton Library | 3:15 to 4:15pm |
| Wednesday 14 February | Family craft workshop | Lea Bridge Library | 1:15pm to 3:15pm |
| Thursday 15 February | Chinese New Year craft session | Lea Bridge Library | 4pm to 5pm |
| Thursday 15 February | Fabric craft workshop | Leyton Children and Family Hub | 10am to 12pm |
Family Supermarket Sweep
Come along for some family fun on February 16 or 17 where you can discover the secrets to smart and budget-friendly grocery shopping. You'll get the chance to win some exciting prizes whilst mastering the skills of budgeting for meals and effective shopping strategies.
Family fun at the William Morris Gallery
William Morris Gallery Family Day: Tell it to the Trees – Wednesday 14 February
Celebrate the trees of Lloyd Park this Valentine’s Day with a secret message of appreciation. Follow a tree trail around the park and then join us in the Gallery to make a Victorian puzzle purse for sending a message to your favourite tree. Free drop-in event, no need to book. Taking place on the first floor of the Gallery. 1pm to 4pm. Suitable for ages 5 plus
For younger children
For the younger ones, Lloyd Park Children's Charity have sessions running across the borough during half term:
| Monday 12 February | Play Session (0 to 4 years) | Leytonstone family hub | 1pm to 2:30pm |
| Under 2’s play session | Leyton family hub | 1pm to 2:30pm | |
| Under 2’s soft play | Chingford family hub | 1:30pm to 3pm | |
| Tuesday 13 February | You and Your New Baby (expectant parents, pre-crawlers) | Leytonstone family hub | 10am to 11:30am |
| You and Your New Baby (expectant parents, pre-crawlers) | Leyton sports ground | 10am to 11:30am | |
| Play session (0 to 4 years) | Chingford family hub | 10am to 11:30am | |
| Music & Movement (0 to 4years) | Walthamstow family hub | 10:30am to 11:15am | |
| Play session (0 to 4 years) | Leyton sports ground | 1pm to 2:30pm | |
| You and Your New Baby (expectant parents, pre-crawlers) | Chingford family hub | 1:30pm to 3pm | |
| Wednesday 14 February | Music and Movement (0 to 4 years) | Leyton family hub | 1:30pm to 2:30pm |
| Grow Wild outdoor play session (0 to 4 years) | Grow Wild in Lloyd Park | 1pm to 2:30pm | |
| Music and Movement (0 to 4 years) | Chingford family hub | 1:30pm to 2:30pm | |
| Thursday 15 February | Under 2s play session | Walthamstow family hub | 9:30am to 11am |
| Under 2’s play session | Leytonstone family hub | 10am to 11:30am | |
| Outdoor play and explore (0 to 4 years) | Higham’s Park | 10am to 11:30am | |
| Messy play (0 to 4 years) | Chingford family hub | 10am to 11:30am | |
| You and Your New Baby (expectant, parents pre-crawlers) | Walthamstow family hub | 11:15am to 12:45pm | |
| Arts and crafts (0 to 4 years) | Leyton family hub | 1pm to 2:30pm | |
| Stories and Rhymes (0 to 4years) | Walthamstow family hub | 1:30pm to 2:30pm | |
| Friday 16 February | Play session (0 to 4 years) | Leytonstone family hub | 10am to 11:30am |
| Play session (0 to 4 years) | Leyton family hub | 10am to 11:30am | |
| Play session (0 to 4 years) | Chingford family hub | 10am to 11:30am | |
| Soft play session (0 to 4 years) | Walthamstow family hub | 10am to 11:30am | |
| Stories and Rhymes (0 to 4 years) | Hale End Library | 1:30pm to 2:30pm | |
| Play session (0 to 4 years) | Walthamstow family hub | 1:30pm to 3pm | |
| Saturday 17 February | Dads club | Leytonstone family hub | 10am to 12am |
Sessions for young people
- Leyton Orient Trust are holding a February Half Term Sports & Employability Camp for 14 to18 year olds. To sign up to their sessions follow the link below
- Space4all Youth Hubs, for ages 11 to 25, will be running sessions throughout half term at Pastures Youth Centre in Leytonstone. For full details head to the Space4all page
- The Skills Within have a new mentoring programme for 16 to 25 year olds, every Thursday and Saturday from 12pm to 6pm in Leyton Library and every Tuesday at The Junction in Leytonstone. For more information check out their Instagram page