Free half term activities in Waltham Forest

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A young girl riding a bike through a park
Published: 2 February 2024
Filed under: Communications

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.

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Picture of a small recycling truck made out of cardboard

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 FebruaryFamily arts and crafts workshop Lea Bridge Library1pm to 3pm 
Saturday 10 FebruaryValentine’s craftsWalthamstow Library12:30pm to 2:30pm
Monday 12 FebruaryAll About Dance Valentine SpecialNorth Chingford Library4pm to 5pm 
Monday 12 FebruaryAndrea’s Half Term Art ClassLeytonstone Library12pm to 1pm
Tuesday 13 FebruaryAll About Dance Valentine SpecialHale End Library4pm to 5pm 
Tuesday 13 FebruaryFamily arts and crafts workshopWood Street Library10am to 1pm 
Tuesday 13 FebruaryPaper craft weavingWood Street Library10am to 1pm 
Tuesday 13 FebruaryChinese New Year craft sessionLeyton Library3:15 to 4:15pm  
Wednesday 14 FebruaryFamily craft workshopLea Bridge Library1:15pm to 3:15pm
Thursday 15 FebruaryChinese New Year craft sessionLea Bridge Library4pm to 5pm
Thursday 15 FebruaryFabric craft workshopLeyton 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. 

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Puzzle purses and coloured pencils on a table

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 hub1pm to 2:30pm 
 Under 2’s play sessionLeyton family hub1pm to 2:30pm
 Under 2’s soft playChingford family hub1:30pm to 3pm 
Tuesday 13 FebruaryYou and Your New Baby (expectant parents, pre-crawlers)Leytonstone family hub10am to  11:30am  
 You and Your New Baby (expectant parents, pre-crawlers)Leyton sports ground10am to 11:30am  
 Play session (0 to 4 years)Chingford family hub10am to 11:30am
 Music & Movement (0 to 4years)Walthamstow family hub10:30am to 11:15am  
 Play session (0 to 4 years)Leyton sports ground1pm to 2:30pm 
 You and Your New Baby (expectant parents, pre-crawlers)Chingford family hub1:30pm to 3pm 
Wednesday 14 FebruaryMusic and Movement (0 to 4 years)Leyton family hub1:30pm to 2:30pm
 Grow Wild outdoor play session (0 to 4 years)Grow Wild in Lloyd Park1pm to 2:30pm
 Music and Movement (0 to 4 years)Chingford family hub1:30pm to 2:30pm  
Thursday 15 FebruaryUnder 2s play sessionWalthamstow family hub9:30am to 11am  
 Under 2’s play sessionLeytonstone family hub10am to 11:30am
 Outdoor play and explore (0 to 4 years)Higham’s Park10am to 11:30am  
 Messy play (0 to 4 years)Chingford family hub10am to 11:30am  
 You and Your New Baby (expectant, parents pre-crawlers)Walthamstow family hub11:15am to 12:45pm
 Arts and crafts (0 to 4 years)Leyton family hub1pm to 2:30pm 
 Stories and Rhymes (0 to 4years)Walthamstow family hub1:30pm to 2:30pm  
Friday 16 FebruaryPlay session (0 to 4 years)Leytonstone family hub10am to 11:30am  
 Play session (0 to 4 years)Leyton family hub10am to 11:30am
 Play session (0 to 4 years)Chingford family hub10am to 11:30am
 Soft play session (0 to 4 years)Walthamstow family hub10am to 11:30am  
 Stories and Rhymes (0 to 4 years)Hale End Library1:30pm to 2:30pm
 Play session (0 to 4 years)Walthamstow family hub1:30pm to 3pm
Saturday 17 FebruaryDads clubLeytonstone family hub10am to 12am
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Space 4 All

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